Brentford face Crystal Palace, Leeds host Brighton, Everton meet Sunderland in live Premier League
Unruly fan behaviour forced the end of a Scottish title decider as the match between Celtic and Hearts was brought to a premature conclusion amid grim scenes at Parkhead. The incident, which has prompted questions about crowd control and the club’s response, cast a shadow over the climax of a stunning title race. The Celtic board, widely castigated for its stewardship, will now have to consider whether securing another championship represents vindication or a warning about the mood among a section of the support.
Scottish football fallout
The enforced ending of the fixture was not the only drama north of the border. Dundee United, as confirmed on Tuesday, are champions of the bottom six after a point away to already-relegated Livingston. St Mirren, meanwhile, will face Partick Thistle in a two-legged play-off to decide who plays in the Scottish Premiership next season. In the day’s remaining games, United led 1-0 at Paisley, Dundee drew 1-1 with Aberdeen, and Livingston shared a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. The placing of a full stop on any league campaign offers cause for reflection; in Scotland, the grim denouement to the title race may yet prompt a shift in attitudes on two fronts – how Celtic’s hierarchy handles fan behaviour, and how the wider game responds to the threat of disorder.
Premier League latest
Across the border, four 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League provided a different kind of drama, with European qualification still mathematically possible for several sides. At the Gtech Community Stadium, Crystal Palace took an early lead when Ismaila Sarr converted a penalty after a VAR intervention overturned the original decision. Sarr, who won the spot-kick himself, rolled the ball into the corner for his 21st goal of an outstanding season. Palace then hit both posts – a curling effort from Jorgan Strand Larsen clattered the far post, and Sarr smashed a rising shot against the outside of the near post – but could not extend their advantage. For Brentford, a long cross was headed back by Igor Thiago to Nathan Collins, whose close-range shot was saved; the goal would have been disallowed for offside anyway.
At Molineux, Wolves took the lead through Mateus Mane, who smashed a 20-yard drive past Bernd Leno. Fulham’s recent form has been poor: their last five results read 0-2 at Liverpool, 0-0 at Brentford, 1-0 at home to Aston Villa, 0-3 at Arsenal, and 0-1 at home to Bournemouth. Earlier, Timothy Castagne’s cross was met on the volley by Alex Iwobi six yards out, only for Jose Sa to scramble across and make a terrific save. Sander Berge also headed onto the roof of the net from a corner with Sa out of the game.
At Elland Road, Leeds and Brighton played out a goalless first half, with the away side enjoying 65 per cent possession but creating no big chances. Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost had a chance for Leeds. Over at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton and Sunderland were also 0-0 after 15 minutes, when both sets of supporters broke into a minute’s applause to pay tribute to Bradley Lowery, the former Sunderland mascot who would have been 15 today. Two fans – one from each club – cycled from the Stadium of Light to the ground to raise funds for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. The result in the Brentford game meant that an Everton goal would lift them into eighth in the as-it-stands table, a position that could bring European football next season.
Earlier in the day, Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford in a match marked by controversial VAR decisions. Bruno Fernandes equalled the all-time Premier League assist record in the victory. Michael Carrick, now in charge after a period as caretaker, oversaw the win – described as “happy accidents” – which was helped by a bizarre decision to allow Matheus Cunha’s goal to stand because Bryan Mbeumo’s clear handball in the build-up was deemed “accidental”. Xabi Alonso was officially announced as Chelsea’s new manager during the afternoon.
European qualification permutations explained
The race for European places remains extraordinarily complex, with several permutations likely to determine the final picture right up to the last kicks of the season. Manchester City’s FA Cup final victory was good news for Brighton, Brentford, Everton, Fulham and Sunderland because it means whoever finishes eighth in the Premier League will qualify for the Conference League. Brighton and Brentford, in particular, are aiming higher – the Europa League, perhaps even the Champions League if Aston Villa beat Freiburg in the Europa League final on Wednesday and finish fifth. In that scenario, a Champions League spot would open up for sixth place.
Brentford can close the gap on sixth by beating a Crystal Palace side already eyeing the Conference League final on 27 May. Bournemouth do not play until Tuesday. On the final day, if Villa are beating Manchester City and closing on finishing above Liverpool or Manchester United, it could well be in Brentford’s or Brighton’s interest to lose to those teams – Brentford travel to Liverpool on the final Sunday. The equation for Keith Andrews, should it fall his way, would be enough to merit manager of the season. Everton, too, still have a slim chance of realising what seemed an unrealistic ambition at the start of the campaign. David Moyes’s side would be level with sixth-placed Bournemouth but for squandering six points in their past four games, each characterised by poor defending – set pieces against Liverpool and West Ham, open play against Manchester City and Crystal Palace. The downturn can be pinpointed to the 87th minute of the Merseyside derby, when Jarrad Branthwaite, the team’s best defender, was carried off with a season-ending injury. Everton coped well in his absence earlier in the campaign but have failed to rediscover that resilience since his latest hamstring setback.
Player spotlight: Magicians, young talents and veterans
Enzo Le Fée, Sunderland’s French playmaker, has been bewitching fans and bewildering opponents since his £20m move from Roma. Off the pitch, he is also a magician – “Yes, really! I can do some magic, tricks with the cards,” he said. “I used to practise a lot when I was young so I got really good.” On it, his ability to glimpse attacking possibilities undetected by others transforms midfield chaos into coherent threat.
At Fulham, young midfielder Josh King has not started a game since being hooked at half-time in the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool a month ago. Marco Silva has been protecting and nurturing the raw talent, who can accept the ball under pressure and beat men, opening up the pitch. King’s period of acclimatisation this season suggests he can be a mainstay next term.
Georginio Rutter returns to Elland Road on Sunday hoping for more than bench time. The former Leeds forward joined Brighton for a record £40m in 2024 but, after a decent first season, has struggled for game time this term, scoring only three goals and starting just one of the past seven games. Fabian Hürzeler said: “I know Georginio’s not happy with his game minutes … but he’s 100% committed. It’s team first and there are moments when you have to put your ego behind you.”
And at Everton, David Moyes described Séamus Coleman as “the glue that kept Everton together” during their relegation fights. The 37-year-old’s 17-year playing career with the club will end when his contract expires next month, though Everton have offered him a coaching role. Coleman wants to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland and may seek another club. Moyes said the club’s top-flight status would have been in greater jeopardy without the captain, who galvanised the team under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche.
