Premier League buildup, Alonso in at Chelsea, Celtic v Hearts fallout, and more – matchday live | Premier League
Key events
Alonso’s appointment is a coup for Chelsea but what are the motivations for the former Liverpool midfielder? Read Jacob Steinberg’s piece for more insight.
Who is your player of the season? Read Harry Patterson’s piece about the contenders below.
Today’s big game is Newcastle v West Ham. West Ham need a win to keep the pressure on Tottenham before their game against Chelsea on Tuesday. This evening’s game is the perfect opportunity to get a result as Newcastle have only won once in their last seven games in all competitions. Send me an email with your score predictions.
Police are investigating whether any Hearts players were assaulted during Celtic’s pitch invasion yesterday. Read more about that moment and Hearts’ journey up until the final day of the season in Jonathan Wilson’s column.
For Liverpool fans, the news is frustrating. Liverpool lost their 19th game of the season across all competitions, with a 4-2 defeat against Aston Villa on Friday. Mo Salah didn’t hold back after the game. Read his comments in John Brewin’s piece below.
Xabi Alonso’s reputation as a player and manager has seemingly earned him the respect of the board. The terms of the contract, a four-year deal starting on 1 July, are surprisingly normal after the six-year deals they’ve been offering recently. Chelsea clearly need a change in approach and Alonso could be the man to turn the tide.
Here’s Noel Baker’s message:
That fact that I’m moved to email in at all, for the first time ever (sorry Matchday) says it all. I’m wildly and irrationally annoyed at this appointment. Liverpool fans blithely assumed he’d rock up as boss in our hour of need, and as it happens, that moment could very well be now, what with the Slot machine completely malfunctioning. And instead he’s going off to work for Todd Boehly. So I’m equally miffed with Xabi and with FSG over something that couldn’t be more 2026.
A message from Darren Osgood:
As a Chelsea fan, I am really excited with Alonso’s appointment. I believe he has the right characteristics to manage the dressing room and set standards which have been missing this season. A player of his calibre will immediately get respect. Chelsea do need to fully back him this summer and sign some experienced professionals as well as adding more goals. A nice way to end an awful season.
Here’s a message from Jem Fawcus:
I think it is the best news on the manager front since the insane sacking of Tommy Tuchel. Poch was OK and did a pretty good job, but all of Potter, Maresca and especially Rosenior were risky appointments of managers unproven at the highest level. While Maresca turned out well, and could have been a success if he didn’t leave, the others patently didn’t. Alonso’s success in Germany, combined with his playing career, should give him the credibility with the players (and fans) to reset the team and build on their undoubted talents. That combined with a seeming change of focus from the owners on signing more experienced players – if it leads to them finally strengthening the obvious needs in goal, defence and up front, means I’m more optimistic as a Chelsea fan than I have been since BlueCo took over … let’s hope they get it right this time!
What are your thoughts on Alonso’s move to Chelsea? Will this help get Chelsea back on track? Or will it simply paper over the cracks at the club? Send me an email with your thoughts.
Alonso has been named as Chelsea’s manager rather than head coach. He’s the first manager proper under BlueCo’s ownership so perhaps this signals a change in approach from the board. Is that wishful thinking?
Chelsea appoint Xabi Alonso as manager
Xabi Alonso has signed a four year deal to take over as Chelsea manager. The decision comes after Liam Rosenior’s dismissal last month. On his appointment, Alonso said: “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club.”
On the ball – guess the footballer
The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android … so what are you waiting for?
There was late drama in the Scottish Premiership yesterday. Celtic scored two late goals to complete a 3-1 comeback against Hearts and win the league. Celtic fans rushed onto the pitch before the end of stoppage time, with the game never restarted. Read Ewan Murray’s report below.
Antoine Semenyo scored the winner for Manchester City in their 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Just seven and a half years ago Semenyo made his debut in the competition for Newport against Metropolitan Police FC (yes, that’s a team). Read Barney Ronay’s piece about Semenyo’s heroics below.
Today’s fixtures (3pm unless stated)
Premier League
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Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (12:30pm)
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Brentford v Crystal Palace
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Everton v Sunderland
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Leeds United v Brighton & Hove Albion
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Wolverhampton Wanderers v Fulham
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Newcastle United v West Ham United (5:30pm)
Scottish Premiership
English FA Trophy
Yesterday’s results
FA Cup
Scottish Premiership
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Celtic 3-1 Hearts
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Falkirk 2-5 Rangers
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Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell
Women’s Super League
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Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
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Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
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Everton 1-0 Leicester City
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Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal
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London City Lionesses 2-1 Aston Villa
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West Ham United 1-4 Manchester City
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another Matchday live! We have another big day of fixtures for you after yesterday’s excitement – Manchester City winning the FA Cup, Celtic taking home the Scottish Premiership and Manchester City lifting the Women’s Super League trophy.
Today, we turn our attention to the bottom of the Premier League table. Newcastle play West Ham this evening. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side would move out of the drop zone with a win, piling the pressure on their London rivals Tottenham before their game against Chelsea in midweek.
On the topic of Chelsea, the club have reached an agreement in principle to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new head coach. Stick with us for the latest updates and news from around the football world. Send me an email with your thoughts.
