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Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a groin injury.
The France international was forced off during City's 1-0 Premier League win at Tottenham last weekend, leaving the field shortly after being introduced as a 73rd-minute substitute.
"We have the complete squad working except for Nasri, who has a muscle injury," said Pellegrini. "He will be out from now to the end of the season."
Pellegrini could, though, welcome back captain Vincent Kompany, who has been absent since last month's Manchester derby with a thigh issue.
"Vincent is always an important player for us," added Pellegrini. "He is coming back from a muscle injury.
"It is important for him to recover his normal performance. We will see what will happen from now until the end of the season."
City host QPR on Sunday as they continue their bid to claim second behind champions Chelsea.
Mark Hughes has confirmed Jack Butland will start in goal for Stoke City against Tottenham this weekend, with Asmir Begovic suffering from a minor injury.
Butland started in the 2-0 defeat to Swansea City last time out, when Begovic was left out of the squad altogether.
Hughes revealed on Friday that Begovic had opted not to sit on the bench at the Liberty Stadium, but that his absence for the clash with Spurs is due to having undergone "a slight procedure".
"It was my intention to give Jack some game time and that is what I did," Hughes said.
"I told Asmir, and a number of other players, who weren't playing too, and that was the situation. He felt that he should have been and felt that his mind wasn't right to be on the bench.
"I understood that, and that is where we are with it. People maybe misinterpreted the situation, but all along I have always wanted to give Jack an away game and a home game.
"Asmir isn't available tomorrow, as he has undertaken a slight procedure, but he will be available next weekend against Burnley.
"Jack, an incredibly promising young individual, will play tomorrow. We still want to keep Asmir here. That is our intention."
Bafetimbi Gomis could come back to haunt Arsenal on Monday, with Swansea City manager Garry Monk describing the French striker as "fit and sharp" after injury.
The 29-year-old scored the winner as Swansea came from behind to triumph 2-1 over Arsene Wenger's men at the Liberty Stadium in November, but has not featured since limping out of the 1-1 draw against Everton a month ago.
However, Gomis has shaken off his hamstring problem and is set for a return when Swansea head to the Emirates Stadium next week, with stand-in Nelson Oliveira likely to miss the rest of the season due an ankle injury.
"Nelson is unlikely to be fit for any of the remaining games," said Monk. "It's disappointing for us and for him because he's done well in recent weeks.
"Bafe returns, which is a big boost for everyone.
"He was in fanatastic form in the lead up to that injury. He looks fit and sharp and his return will give us a boost."
Swansea have not lost a Premier League fixture at Arsenal since September 2011, picking up a 2-2 draw in London last season.
Dick Advocaat has called on Sunderland to take the positives from their victory over Southampton into Saturday's trip to Everton.
The Premier League strugglers are one point from safety heading to Goodison Park, but victory over Roberto Martinez's men could lift them out of the drop zone and as high as 14th.
Kicking off before their direct rivals, three points could apply serious pressure onto the likes of Hull City and Leicester City above them.
"We must have confidence now, seven points from five games is not that bad, but Everton are a good team," Advocaat said.
"We were unlucky against West Ham and Crystal Palace were good, but no-one has outplayed us, we should get confidence out of that.
"We created four or five opportunities to score a goal [in their 2-1 win over Southampton], that shows the quality our front three have, we have a good feeling about it.
"There are still four games to go and we need four points."
Advocaat will be without captain John O'Shea for the Everton trip with a rib injury, but Wes Brown is set to come straight in and replace him having recovered from a knee problem.
Everton v Sunderland: Martinez warns of fearless visitors
7 May 2015 14:53
Everton manager Roberto Martinez expects Sunderland to mirror Aston Villa's approach when Dick Advocaat brings his side to Goodison Park this weekend.
Martinez saw his team beaten 3-2 by Villa last time out as Tim Sherwood's men took a huge step towards ensuring their Premier League status.
Sunderland remain firmly in the mire - a point adrift of safety in 18th - but will be buoyed by their four-point haul against Stoke City and Southampton in their last two outings.
Saturday's 2-1 victory over Southampton is sure to have bolstered Advocaat's hopes of completing the great escape - having taken over in March with the club winless in seven.
"They'll be feeling focused and feeling there's an opportunity," suggested Martinez, who will not risk Steven Pienaar on his return to full fitness.
"When you get down to the last 12 points like they have you see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's not just having a fear of getting relegated, it's more knowing what you have to do to achieve your aim.
"The way to see if the team is doing exactly that, is when they start playing games rather than the fear of not achieving your aims.
"The last two games - the win against Southampton and the draw at Stoke - the team and the mindset is perfect and the experience of Advocaat has taken away the pressure and allowed them to play.
"Their mindset is right. We played Aston Villa who were in the same situation, they played every game with the belief they can get three points and I expect Sunderland to be the same."
A lacklustre Everton were undone by Christian Benteke's brace at Villa Park last weekend, having all-but ensured safety with four wins in their last six games.
However, the fact Everton have only a top-half finish in their sights should offer hope to Sunderland, despite Martinez's men having not lost at home in the league in 2015.
Advocaat is unlikely to mix up his selection too much but can welcome back striker Steven Fletcher from an ankle complaint.
"They've done it the last two weeks, in giving everything they've got," Advocaat told the Sunderland Echo of his side's mini-revival.
"They're doing it in training as well, otherwise it makes it easier for me [to make changes].
"It was an honour to sit on the bench last weekend and that has given us a better feeling this week."
Aston Villa v West Ham: Returning trio bolster Sherwood plans
7 May 2015 16:42
Tim Sherwood has warned the returning Alan Hutton, Scott Sinclair and Gabriel Agbonlahor they must earn their Aston Villa shirts ahead of this weekend's clash with West Ham.
Hutton and Sinclair were named on the bench for last weekend's win against Everton - the former making a cameo return from an ankle injury.
Sinclair was not risked after a hamstring complaint, while Agbonlahor has not featured in almost a month, also due to a hamstring problem.
All three could return to Sherwood's starting XI as Villa seek to record a third win from four Premier League outings, but the former Tottenham boss insists their places are not guaranteed.
"Gabby's back this weekend. To have Alan Hutton, Scott Sinclair and Gabby back in the squad is great. We're looking healthier," Sherwood said.
"It's up to the boys coming back from injury to win back their shirts. They all know that and they respect that.
"The boys realise they are in a severe situation and there's a real danger of relegation. They are doing everything they can to keep this great club in the Premier League where it belongs.
"We're up against an excellent manager in Sam Allardyce. He's kept West Ham in the top half of the Premier League for many years now. They have quality, flair and pace. If we do our job, we'll be okay."
Sam Allardyce's West Ham remain on course for a top-10 finish, having beaten Burnley 1-0 last weekend at Upton Park.
That victory ensured West Ham will set a new points haul for a season since their promotion back to the top flight in 2012.
"We want to get the most amount of points that this team has ever got since promotion," striker Carlton Cole told the club's official website.
"We've now beaten our previous best of 46 points but now we need to get to the 50s.
"It would be a great achievement and I think we can do it."
West Ham will likely be without Winston Reid again as the defender continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem.
Leicester City v Southampton: Pearson targets at least two more wins
7 May 2015 17:10
Nigel Pearson is targeting at least two victories from Leicester City's last three matches to ensure Premier League survival ahead of stuttering Southampton's visit to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Many pundits had consigned Leicester to relegation with the Midlands club rooted to the bottom of the table after winning just four of their opening 29 matches.
However, a run of five wins from their past six matches - including a comprehensive 3-0 beating of Newcastle United last weekend - has lifted Leicester up to 16th.
Leicester still have to play fellow strugglers Sunderland - who are just one point shy of Leicester in 18th - and QPR as they battle to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
And former Southampton boss Pearson warned his team that the job is by no means done.
"Southampton are tough opponents and then we've two tough opponents after that. There's lots of work left for us," Pearson said.
"Bearing in mind who our remaining games are against, I'm not sure that one more win will be enough.
"I'm very pleased with how we've played, but there's a lot of hard work left. It's not done. Not at all. Of course it helps when things go your way elsewhere, but you can't bank on that. We can't leave the field with regrets."
Shane Long scored twice as Leicester, who welcome back David Nugent from a calf injury this weekend but are without Andy King (knock), were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture at St Mary's in November.
Ronald Koeman's side have been challengers for European football for the majority of the campaign, and the south-coast club remain in contention for a Europa League spot.
But they have won just once in their last five games and slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland last weekend, so Koeman has urged his side to ensure their season does not end in disappointment.
"I’m not so happy about the last few weeks. I think we have to give a good reaction to the poor game what we showed last week because we played very poor football," he said.
"It's a different team [to] when we met Leicester at home. I think they are on a great run in the past few weeks and full of confidence. [But] If we look and see we have the possibility to reach European football you don't, in my opinion, need more motivation."
Koeman confirmed that midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is not fit enough to return from a knee injury, while James Ward-Prowse is suspended after his dismissal at Sunderland.
Crystal Palace v Manchester United: It´s not about spoiling parties, says McArthur
7 May 2015 17:16
Crystal Palace are determined to dent Manchester United's UEFA Champions League hopes when the sides meet in the Premier League on Saturday, but James McArthur insists: "It's not about spoiling parties".
Alan Pardew's men have fallen away in recent weeks, losing three matches on the bounce having won their previous four in a row.
United - boosted by the midweek announcement that PSV's Memphis Depay would be heading to Old Trafford next season - sit four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, but are on a three-match losing streak.
And Palace, who sit 12th on 42 points, could have a huge say in the make-up of the top four, with the Selhurst Park outfit set to travel to Anfield next weekend.
"I think it's going to be very tough," McArthur told the club's official website. "But we like these games.
"We like the games where there's no pressure on you, where you can go to Stamford Bridge, Manchester United can come here or you can go to Anfield with no fear.
"These are the games that make you want to play in the Premier League, competing with the best players in the world.
"We've got a belief in the changing room that we can get results, we’ve got that real, solid base and from that we've got so much pace, power, ability and we can hurt anyone in the forward areas.
"We need to do ourselves justice for the remainder of the season. We want to make it right after losing a few games.
"I think everyone on the outside has thought 'Crystal Palace have switched off, they're safe,' but it is not like that in the changing room.
"Everyone's been right at it this week, working so hard and looking forward to the remaining matches.
"It’s not about spoiling parties, it’s about doing ourselves justice and trying to get as many points on the board as possible. The club had 45 points last year, so we want to try and beat that. If we beat that, it shows there is real progression at the club."
Juan Mata scored the winner as United claimed a 1-0 win in November's reverse fixture and Palace have not beaten this weekend's opponents at home since May 11, 1991.
Palace strikers Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh (both hamstring) are thought to be nearing a return from injury, as is winger Jerome Thomas (ankle), while United continue to sport a lengthy list of doubts.
Michael Carrick (calf), Jonny Evans (knock), Rafael (rib), Marcos Rojo (abdomen) and Luke Shaw (groin) were all missing for last weekend's 1-0 defeat to West Brom.
Newcastle United v West Brom: Carver calls on fans to show support
7 May 2015 17:55
Newcastle United's under-pressure head coach John Carver has pleaded with the fans to get behind the team as they look to arrest an alarming run of form against West Brom.
Carver's side have lost their last eight Premier League matches, a run that has seen them slide to 15th in the table, just two points above fierce rivals Sunderland, who occupy the final relegation spot.
Some sections of the club's supporters have voiced their disapproval during recent games, while others have opted to boycott altogether.
Owner Mike Ashley has also come in for criticism after a perceived lack of investment in the squad, but with West Brom visiting St James' Park on Saturday, Carver has called on the Newcastle faithful to put their grumbles to one side and help the team in their bid to achieve safety.
"Forget about what people think of me and the footballers, get behind the football club and the team," he said.
"Because we want to be in the Premier League next year. And then we'll get to the summer, have a post-mortem and say what you want to say.
"For now, for the next three games, get behind the team to keep this football club stay in the Premier League. It's been a tough period but I have a spring in my step and am ready to go for the next three games."
Carver must contend without the suspended duo of Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat, although Papiss Cisse returns after a seven-match ban for spitting at Manchester United's Jonny Evans.
The likes of Siem de Jong (thigh), Paul Dummett (hamstring), Cheick Tiote (knee), Adam Armstrong (thigh) and Massadio Haidara (knee) are all rated as doubts for the game, further adding to Carver's headaches.
West Brom, meanwhile, have no such concerns, comfortably placed in 13th and seven points from danger.
After three successive defeats, Tony Pulis' side have improved their fortunes in recent weeks, taking seven points from games against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Manchester United.
The visitors kept clean sheets in all three of those outings and striker Saido Berahino says the influence of head coach Pulis is evident for all to see.
"He's come in and is known for what he does, which is being an organised coach," the England Under-21 international said.
"He gets the team defending really well and that's what he's brought to the club. We've got 15 clean sheets now so we've been doing really well at not letting goals in and doing that has given us that platform, that chance to get points on the board."
West Brom's only injury doubt surrounds midfielder James Morrison, who missed the 1-0 win at Old Trafford with a knock.
Hull City v Burnley: Bruce wary of poor head to head record
7 May 2015 19:02
Hull City take on fellow Premier League strugglers Burnley on Saturday and manager Steve Bruce is hoping to address their poor head-to-head record against the Lancashire club.
Of the last nine meetings between the two sides, Burnley have won eight, including 1-0 at Turf Moor in the reverse fixture back in November.
That result marked Burnley's first league victory of the campaign, but only four more have followed since, with Sean Dyche's side sitting bottom of the table and staring relegation in the face.
Burnley are eight points behind 17th-placed Hull and need a win at the KC Stadium to have any hope of retaining their top-flight status.
The hosts have been buoyed by recent wins over Crystal Palace and Liverpool, although Monday's 3-1 defeat to in-form Arsenal came as a blow, and Bruce knows his side still have a lot of work to do to pull themselves clear of danger, starting with this weekend's clash.
"It's a big game for us and it's a big game for Burnley too," he told the Hull Daily Mail.
"We've shown in the past few weeks that we're determined to stay in this division. There's been that resilience again.
"If we're being honest our record against them isn't great over the years. We're mindful of that but we're at home and we've got our supporters behind us. It's all to play for.
"Let's hope we can go and perform, and get that little bit of luck you sometimes need. It's important we stay calm and positive."
Hull are one of five teams separated by two points from 18th to 14th, while Burnley's run of one point from six matches - without scoring a goal - looks set to condemn them to relegation back to the Championship.
"We're obviously in last-chance stab territory," Dyche said. "You've got to be reality bound, the lads are up for it, we have been all season.
"Margins are tight, decisions have gone against us of late. We'll be ready. We've been having to win most of the season.
"We've tried to be progressive and affect games in different ways. The desire is always to win, attack teams home and away, that's always the desire."
Dyche still has doubts over striker Sam Vokes, who has missed the last two games with a thigh problem, although he will be able to call upon Michael Duff after the defender had his red card against West Ham overturned on appeal.
For Hull, Curtis Davies (thigh), Mohamed Diame (knee) and Andrew Robertson (ankle) are all doubtful, as is David Meyler, who picked up a facial injury against Arsenal.
Stoke City v Tottenham: Pochettino focused on performance
7 May 2015 19:31
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino is focused on maintaining a high performance level when he takes his side to Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Hopes of a UEFA Champions League berth have diminished significantly for Tottenham in recent weeks, registering just one win in their last five fixtures to leave them seven points adrift of fourth place with three matches to play.
Pochettino was, nevertheless, pleased with his side's display in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last time out and hopes a similar display will secure three points this weekend.
"It's one of the harder games," he said. "For the conditions, for the way that they play, I think we should expect a very tough game.
"We need to go with a good mentality to get the three points.
"I think we need to recognise that Stoke have played well during the season and taken very good results.
"The most important thing is our performance.
"It was a shame against Manchester City that we could take nothing positive in terms of points, but I think we need to keep our performance and try to take three points on Saturday.
"We are in a good way, but we need to improve after a defeat."
A record of one win in six has left Stoke clinging on to their place in the top half of the table, but Pochettino is wary of the threat posed by Saturday's hosts, who claimed a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture.
"I think we will play well, but we need to compete better and be careful of our opposition because playing at the highest level you can get punished," he added.
"It [the Premier League] is the toughest competition in the world, so it isn’t a matter of just playing well; you need to be able to compete as well."
Stoke received their first red card of the season in last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Swansea City, ruling Marc Wilson out for the visit of Tottenham, while Bojan (knee) and Victor Moses (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Ben Davies is Tottenham's only absentee with a shoulder injury.
Chelsea v Liverpool: Rodgers out to topple the champions
8 May 2015 16:01
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Premier League champions Chelsea, but insists his side will not be overawed when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
So close to winning the title themselves last season, Liverpool have been well off the pace in 2014-15, but still harbour hopes of overtaking Manchester United and claiming a top-four finish.
With three matches remaining, Rodgers' side are four points behind their arch-rivals, and the Northern Irishman knows they must target a maximum return in west London.
"We're going into the game at the weekend looking to win," Rodgers said.
"Chelsea are obviously deserved champions, they've been the best team, but all we can do is control the last three games, look to win those and see where we end up. I'm purely focused on the game.
"I congratulated [Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho]. They're the deserving champions and to win it with a few games to go is obviously pleasing for him.
"But it doesn't take away from what we're looking to do and we want to finish the season strong."
After confirming their status as champions, the Chelsea players were reportedly given four days off to celebrate - a claim Mourinho has denied - but in any event, Rodgers is not expecting any hangover.
"I think if they've had a few days off then they deserve it," he added. "They've won the league and they can celebrate that.
"They're top players, professional players and every game is important for them and they'll look to go into our game and win that."
Mourinho, meanwhile, pinpointed Chelsea's 5-3 loss at Tottenham on New Year's Day as the pivotal moment in their title challenge, with the champions unbeaten in their 15 league matches since then.
"The key moment was the stability after losing at Spurs, everybody stuck together and we were very calm," he said on Friday.
"What pleases me is winning the title, the way we did it and the consistency we've shown in difficult periods.
"We want to win our matches, we have three difficult games. We don't need to win but we want to try to win points."
Mourinho still has fitness concerns over Diego Costa (hamstring), Ramires (illness) and Oscar (thigh), while for Rodgers, Mario Balotelli (foot) is back in contention although Mamadou Sakho (hamstring) remains out.
Manchester City v QPR: Ramsey remains hopeful of Premier League survival
8 May 2015 17:06
QPR head coach Chris Ramsey remains hopeful of securing Premier League safety, despite facing the daunting prospect of a trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
The Loftus Road outfit sit seven points adrift of safety with three matches left to play - fixtures against Newcastle United and Leicester City to follow their trip to the Etihad Stadium.
QPR could even be relegated by the time they take to the pitch this weekend, should fellow strugglers Aston Villa, Newcastle, Leicester City and Hull City all win at home on Saturday.
"As long as there are points to be played for, you have to believe you can do it," said Ramsey. "The mood in the squad is very good, as it always has been.
"We understand we have a very big task ahead of us but we’re going to go out with the same energy and enthusiasm that we have done in all the games we've played.
"We've got three games to save our season and I'm sure the players will be rolling their sleeves up to try to get that victory at the Etihad."
Matches between QPR and City at the Etihad Stadium conjure memories of the memorable clash between the pair at the end of the 2011-12 season, which saw the hosts clinch the title and the visitors survive relegation.
This time around City - held to a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture - have already missed out on the league crown to Chelsea and relegation looks likely for QPR, but Manuel Pellegrini is determined to end the campaign strongly.
"It is important to finish well," the City boss stressed. "We have won three games in a row and we have three games more.
"It is important for our team to win the other games.
"They [QPR] need to win their three games and there are always different ways to win – maybe you can play with two strikers as they played in London with Bobby Zamora and Charlie Austin, or maybe they will try to win the game on the counter-attack.
"In our mind, we know it doesn't matter which team we play against – they are always difficult teams with different players but they all have chances to win.
"It is important for us to keep the same spirit as we have in the last three games."
Samir Nasri is City's only definite absentee, having been ruled out for the rest of the season with a groin problem, while captain Vincent Kompany is nearing a return from a thigh complaint.
QPR, meanwhile, are down to the "bare bones", according to Ramsey, with Steven Caulker (hand), Clint Hill (hamstring), Mauricio Isla (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip) all doubtful.
Nedum Onuoha's suspension provides the QPR boss with a further headache.
Alan Pardew says critics of Newcastle United's players and management need to ease off, while also defending his own record at the club.
The Crystal Palace manager has turned fortunes around at Selhurst Park since arriving at the start of the year, but Newcastle's results have proceeded to nosedive under former assistant John Carver.
A run of eight consecutive Premier League defeats leaves Newcastle in the relegation mix-up going into the season's final three games.
Ex-Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd claimed Pardew "must take responsibility" for the club's situation this week, prompting a response from the Palace boss.
"That is typically unfair of that individual, and also the local paper, who make it really difficult for the manager at Newcastle," Pardew said.
"The players that they have are trying their very, very best to get that club over the line.
"They are a group at the moment that are short on confidence. I hope John Carver and the team can get over the line [against West Brom] on Saturday
."The players at Newcastle have been tremendous over the years and during the time I was there.
"My results up until I left were pretty excellent, in terms of where we were.
"I'm not here to defend that situation, the only thing I want to state is that I really hope Newcastle win on Saturday - it's a big game for them."
Van Gaal on Depay: He scores goals from the wing just like Messi
By Chris Davie
May 8, 2015 12:57:00
The 21-year-old has netted 21 times in 28 games for PSV this term and the Manchester United boss says he had to work fast to stop him losing the player to PSG
Louis van Gaal has likened Memphis Depay to Lionel Messi by claiming that Manchester United have signed a "goalscoring winger".
United completed a deal for the 21-year-old, reportedly worth around €27.5 million, on Thursday and the Netherlands international is set to be reunited with Van Gaal in the summer.
Depay has scored 21 goals in 28 appearances for PSV this season and Van Gaal revealed that United were forced to act quickly in order to fend off competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
"He's a goalscoring winger and there aren't so many of them in the world," Van Gaal told MUTV.
"[Lionel] Messi is one of those but now I think we have to talk about the game against Crystal Palace and we have to focus on this and the coming three games. That's more important.
"I was forced to handle [the situation] as a manager because, otherwise, he was going to PSG, that's why I had to sign him and we've done it within one day. But, for us, it's better to focus on the game against Palace."
The United boss also reiterated his desire for United to complete their transfer business as soon as possible.
"I want to do this [complete signings] early but it's not always possible," said Van Gaal.
"When there's a chance, to you have handle that and manage it directly and that was the case. I want to purchase players after our season and not during the season because it disturbs our concentration for the match."
Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United: Fellaini heads Van Gaal's men within touching distance of Champions League
The Red Devils will return to Europe's top table if Liverpool are beaten by Chelsea on Sunday, the Belgian netting the winner after Jason Puncheon equalised Juan Mata's penalty
Leicester City 2–0 Southampton: Mahrez double edges Foxes closer to safety The striker scored a brace to ensure that Nigel Pearson's side earned their sixth victory in seven matches, and climb up to 15th in the table with two games remaining
Newcastle 1–1 West Brom: Perez goal stops the rot for Carver The Spaniard lashed in from the edge of the penalty area after a misjudged free-kick from Ryan Taylor to cancel out Victor Anichebe's headed opener and claim a point
Hull City 0–1 Burnley: Ings winner can’t save Clarets from the drop Sean Dyche's side, who knew they must win to maintain their slim survival hopes, were relegated to the Championship after just one season back in the top flight
Aston Villa 1–0 West Ham: Cleverley keeps Sherwood’s run going The on-loan Manchester United midfielder found the net after good work from youngster Jack Grealish as Tim Sherwood's men eased their relegation fears
Stoke City 3–0 Tottenham: Sorry Spurs sunk by rampant Potters Vlad Chiriches was sent off in the second half on a thoroughly unpleasant afternoon for Mauricio Pochettino's men, with Charlie Adam, Steven N'Zonzi and Mame Diouf all on target
Everton 0–2 Sunderland: Defoe & Graham secure precious lifeline Both strikers were in the right place at the right time to deflect second-half shots past Tim Howard at Goodison Park and snatch three vital points for their side
Van Gaal: Now I can watch Liverpool with a glass of wine!
By George Ankers
May 9, 2015 20:36:00
Manchester United's 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace leaves the Reds needing to beat Chelsea on Sunday for any chance of the top four
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says that he will watch Liverpool's showdown with Chelsea in a relaxed mood "with a fantastic glass of wine" after a decisive victory against Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils saw off Alan Pardew's side 2-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini scoring their goals, to go seven points clear in fourth with two games left to play.
Brendan Rodgers' men play their 36th match of the Premier League season at Stamford Bridge and, due to a vast gap in goal difference, need to win if they are to have any realistic chance of denying United a return to the Champions League.
"I am very happy with the result and it brings us a step closer to our goal," Van Gaal told the press after beating Palace.
"Now we will see [on Sunday], with a fantastic glass of wine, the result between Liverpool and Chelsea."
United's win came after a run of three consecutive defeats and the Dutchman acknowledge the strangeness of finally getting three points despite what he considered a worse performance.
"Football is crazy because, when you see how we have played against Chelsea, Everton and West Brom and you compare it with today, this was, in that row of matches, not our best match," he remarked, "but you win and that’s also the beauty of football. What I have seen today is the fighting spirit of my team."
Goalkeeper David de Gea starred in the second half as Palace threatened to do much more than equalise with Jason Puncheon's free kick, including two superb saves from Glenn Murray, drawing praise from Van Gaal.
The manager enthused: "He made a great save at the most important moment because, at that time, Crystal Palace could score the second goal and then it shall be very difficult for us to come again in the match."
A Danny Ings goal gave the Clarets a 1-0 win away to Hull City but results elsewhere ensured their return to the Championship was confirmed on Saturday
Burnley have been relegated from the Premier League despite beating Hull City 1-0 at the KC Stadium on Saturday.
Danny Ings scored the only goal of the game to lift Sean Dyche's side off the bottom of the table with their first win since victory over Manchester City in March.
However, Leicester's win over Southampton and Newcastle's draw with West Brom means Burnley will return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.
Defeat to Burnley saw Hull remain mired in 18th, though just two points separate Steve Bruce's men from north east rivals Newcastle and Sunderland and the battle to avoid the final relegation spot looks set to go down to the wire.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has claimed referee Michael Oliver told him a penalty for Manchester United in Saturday's 2-1 win at Crystal Palace was given on "gut instinct".
Juan Mata opened the scoring from the spot in the first half of the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park after Scott Dann was adjudged to have handled an Ashley Young cross, with Marouane Fellaini heading home a winner after Jason Puncheon had equalised with a free-kick.
Oliver's view did not appear to be clear and Pardew suggested that the official had admitted his decision was based on an assumption.
Pardew said: "I asked [the referee] after and he said he went with his gut feeling that it was a penalty. But seeing the players' reaction and the video I think that was a really tough call.
"We've played Chelsea and Manchester United, two top teams, and we've not really had a break.
"The first is more than debateable and the ref can't be sure form his angle and the players' reaction said it all really.
"Having said that, they played well first half, second half we sorted that out, changed our shape and that worked for us, we got the equaliser, perhaps should have took the lead, but a fantastic save from the goalkeeper denies Glenn [Murray].
"Unfortunately we got a cross all wrong and we ended up losing and it's not what we deserved."
The Palace manager reserved special praise for United goalkeeper David de Gea, who kept the scores at 1-1 by spectacularly denying Glenn Murray from point-blank range before Fellaini's winner.
Pardew beamed: "His kicking and everything was really good. He's really shown his class, he was a big factor in their win."
Manchester City 6 QPR 0: Aguero hat-trick condemns Ramsey´s men to relegation
10 May 2015
QPR have been relegated from the Premier League as a Sergio Aguero hat-trick saw them suffer a 6-0 thrashing at Manchester City on Sunday.
Chris Ramsey's men travelled to the Etihad Stadium knowing only a win would keep alive slim hopes of staying up, but that was never on the cards as second-placed City produced a ruthless performance.
It was a display typical of a desperate and tumultuous campaign for the London club and the deadlock was broken less than five minutes in courtesy of a superb solo goal from Aguero.
Aleksandar Kolarov made it 2-0 to Manuel Pellegrini's side in the 32nd minute as QPR's wall fell apart in the face of his free-kick before Aguero took advantage of more sloppy defending after 50 minutes.
Aguero's 65th-minute penalty, a James Milner tap-in five minutes later and a late David Silva effort piled on the misery for QPR, who were promoted via the Championship play-offs 12 months ago.
QPR's defence wilted after just four minutes, Aguero given acres of space to surge through the midfield before bouncing off a Matt Phillips challenge and coolly lofting the ball over goalkeeper Robert Green.
The visitors displayed flashes of promise going forward, but City continued to dominate, Eliaquim Mangala unable to connect with a ball from Milner - who had earlier spurned a chance to double the lead from point-blank range - with the goal at his mercy.
And City were rewarded for their superiority when Kolarov curled a free-kick through a virtually non-existent QPR wall and beyond Green.
Only the reflexes of Green prevented Aguero from adding a third after the Argentina striker had been put through one-on-one.
City always looked shaky in defence, though, and were fortunate to see Leroy Fer's lob bounce back off the crossbar, with Bobby Zamora's header from the rebound well saved by Joe Hart.
But any hopes of a remarkable comeback were ended by the clinical Aguero, who capitalised after Yun Suk-young had miscontrolled a backwards pass by coolly slotting home City's third.
Silva was then denied by Green before the Spaniard was clumsily bundled over by Phillips, enabling Aguero to secure the match ball and net his 25th league goal with a confident penalty into the bottom-left corner.
The fifth came as Milner was presented with the simple task of converting from Aguero's ball across the face of goal.
Substitute Wilfried Bony struck the post and then sent Silva through to round Green and make it six with a clever backheel on the edge of the area.
