Premier League news live updates: Tables, fixtures and build-up to final day

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Manchester United’s final game of the season with a hip flexor issue, The Athletic understands.

Paul Pogba will also not feature ahead of a potential departure from the club.

United play Crystal Palace at 16.00 on Sunday, needing a win to guarantee they finish above West Ham in sixth, which would ensure the club qualifies for the Europa League.

Ronaldo, 37, has had his season interrupted by several short-term problems, missing games in January and March with hip flexor trouble.

Nevertheless, he will end the 2021-22 season as United’s top scorer, having scored 18 goals in 30 Premier League appearances.

More here.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Jay Harris’ profile of their season is brilliant – please do give it a read ahead of their big day at Wembley.

Phil Buckingham is there for The Athletic. They play Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley, with kick-off at 15.00.

I was in Sunderland this week, and the excitement was palpable…

Burnley forward Ashley Barnes has said that he thinks referees “want us gone” from the Premier League due to perceptions of the club’s playing style.

They are 17th, and only clear of Leeds United on goal difference. Survival will be guaranteed if they beat Newcastle at Turf Moor on Sunday, or if they match or better Leeds’ result.

However, 32-year-old Barnes, who has been at the club throughout their Premier League spell, believes that referees want to see them return to the Championship.

“In recent seasons people look at us and think we’re a hard team, being ugly,” he said.

“No disrespect, I think people, even referees, want us gone from the league.”

(Photo: Getty Images)

Going into the final day of the Premier League campaign, so much remains at stake.

Is the title headed to Manchester City or Liverpool? Will it be Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur playing in next season’s Champions League? Can West Ham United finish ahead of Manchester United and qualify for the Europa League? Who manages to avoid relegation out of Leeds United and Burnley?

To have so many unanswered questions should create a Sunday filled with drama, ecstasy and heartbreak in equal measures.

But supporters watching from the UK will only be able to — legally — watch three matches, therefore potentially missing key moments, whereas those in America, for example, have the option to choose from all 10 games.

The Athletic explains why…

You may not know it, but Saturday is deadline day in English football.

Not for the spending of inordinate sums on new players, but for clubs to file their retained and released lists with the EFL and the Premier League.

To most, that will later appear as just a list of names on a club website. But it is a crucial deadline, marking the conclusion of an intense period of difficult decisions, and even tougher conversations.

Peter Rutzler has more.

The German club beat Rangers on penalties in Seville on Wednesday night after a 1-1 draw.

A lovely touch.

The message reads: “Rangers, it was an honour for us.

“You were a fantastic opponent with your countless fans. Together we showed how football should be! Emotional, passionate, and fair.

“Greatness is revealed in defeat, especially in such dramatic fashion. Just like 62 years ago, you are a great club.

“See you soon. Bring home the Cup win this weekend!”

To outsiders inclined to sneer, Frank Lampard simply took Everton from 16th place to 16th place.

They point out that Everton’s final position is likely to be the same as when the 43-year-old arrived. They will say that securing the club’s top-flight status was fine but did not justify the euphoria that erupted at Goodison Park on Thursday or the plaudits and affection Lampard inspired from those relieved fans.

Except that view ignores a royal blue ocean of context — one that underlines the mammoth task facing Lampard when he walked into Finch Farm as Rafa Benitez’s successor in February.

He may only have taken one more point than the Spaniard achieved, and the wins might not have arrived as frequently as he would have liked.

But those behind the scenes of the last four tumultuous months at Everton insist the changes Lampard enacted have been monumental in dragging the Merseysiders over the line to safety with a game to spare. Propelled by a magical symmetry with the club’s fractured fanbase, the turnaround was enough to deliver a great escape.

This is how they did it.

Former Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill is among five Bournemouth players to be released by the club following the expiry of their contracts.

The 36-year-old made 22 appearances as Bournemouth secured automatic promotion to the Premier League after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 on the penultimate day of the season.

Cahill has made 395 Premier League appearances over 17 years, and won two Premier League titles, a Champions League, and two FA Cups during a seven-year spell at the club. He has also played for Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, and Crystal Palace.

More here.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Tottenham have made England international Fraser Forster their preferred candidate to be Hugo Lloris’s back-up next season, The Athletic understands.

Forster’s contract at St Mary’s expires at the end of the season. It was revealed by The Athletic last weekend that Southampton would be letting the 34-year-old leave in the summer.

Spurs have now made him a target as they look to rebuild their squad in the summer and will seek to agree a deal to bring him to north London next week, once the Premier League season is over.

Current back-up Pierluigi Gollini is set to leave when his loan from Atalanta finishes, and Spurs want to replace the Italian with a homegrown option.

Forster is expected to miss the club’s final game against Leicester and is believed to have said goodbye to his team-mates on Thursday.

More here.

(Photo: Getty Images)

“I am very proud to have won this award for a second season in a row.

“There are so many talented young players in the Premier League this season and it is a real honour to win it again.

“I have been really happy with my performances this season and it has been great to contribute to this team in what will hopefully be another successful year for us all.

“To be nominated alongside so many great players is an honour as they have all had great seasons for their clubs.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to my development this season.”

Full story here.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, Conor Gallagher and Tyrick Mitchell were nominated for this season’s accolade, which is decided by a combination of public votes and an expert panel.

Every player on the eight-man shortlist has enjoyed a good Premier League campaign, but the inclusion of certain names has once again sparked debate as to whether the rules for eligibility allow for an accurate depiction of the division’s rising stars.

Carl Anka looks for a solution.

It’s the second year in the row that he’s won the award.

After Everton’s victory over Crystal Palace, we now know that either Leeds or Burnley will be going down tomorrow.

The sides are level on points, though Burnley have a better goal difference – meaning Leeds have to better the Lancashire side’s result.

Leeds travel to Brentford, while Burnley face Newcastle United.

Tottenham are two points clear of Arsenal with a superior goal difference – a win or draw at Carrow Road will be enough to see them return to the Champions League.

Manchester City are one point clear of Liverpool, and they will seal the title with a win against Aston Villa.

Fail to win, however, and Liverpool will take the trophy if they beat Wolves at Anfield.

• Arsenal vs Everton
• Brentford vs Leeds United
• Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United
• Burnley vs Newcastle United
• Chelsea vs Watford
• Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
• Leicester City vs Southampton
• Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Manchester City vs Aston Villa
• Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur

All games kick-off at 16.00.