Pep Guardiola refused to criticise Ilkay Gundogan and Erling Haaland over the missed penalty in Manchester City’s unexpectedly narrow 2-1 win over Leeds.

Regular taker Haaland deferred to Gundogan when City were awarded a late spot-kick at the Etihad Stadium to allow the German a chance to complete a hat-trick.

Yet, much to Guardiola’s obvious frustration, Gundogan’s effort was saved by Joel Robles and Rodrigo pulled one back for relegation-threatened moments later.

That set up a grandstand finish to what had seemed a straightforward Premier League assignment for the champions after Gundogan’s two well-taken efforts in the first half.

Guardiola seemed quite annoyed at the time and was caught on camera saying he felt Haaland, who did not add to the 51 goals he has scored this season but twice hit the woodwork, should have taken it.

The Spaniard, however, had calmed down by the time he undertook post-match media duties.

Guardiola said: “The performance was excellent, we played really good.

“I am not going to explain my feelings about the last five, six or seven minutes because in general it was really good.

“Who knows if Erling had taken the penalty and missed? What happens if Riyad (Mahrez) takes it and misses? What happens if Ilkay Gundogan takes the penalty and scores?

“The question is, if it is 2-0 who is the taker? If it is 2-0 Erling or Riyad has to take it.

“But (it shows) how Erling is as a person. He is incredible and wants to score goals, but at the same time mates are important. He is so nice and generous.

“The game could have been over, but I understand both sides. Ilkay has never scored a hat-trick and he wanted him to do it.

“Gundo scored two incredible goals. How good did he play today? He has everything.”

Gundogan, who is out of contract at the end of the season, admitted the matter had taken the gloss off the game for him.

He said on Sky Sports: “I saw Erling with the ball, looking for me, telling me to take it. I asked him a couple of times, ‘Are you sure?’ and he was quite sure and confident to give me the ball.

“I wish I would have scored. The sad thing now, looking back, the disappointment of failing to score the penalty is a bit higher than actually scoring two goals and maybe winning the game.”

The frantic finish gave new Leeds manager Sam Allardyce some positives to cling to from what had been a largely poor performance from the relegation-threatened side.

Leeds are outside the bottom three only on goal difference and Allardyce, appointed earlier this week, now has just three games to guide them to safety.

He said: “In the second half you would probably think, and rightly so, how many is it going to be?

“We were defending with spirit but playing nowhere near the way we needed to.

“When we stopped giving the ball to City we grew in confidence. We gave a stupid penalty away, but Joel made a wonderful save.

“We scored and then the game was on and they were showing a bit of nerves. When you get Manchester City playing by the corner flag in the last five minutes you know you must still be in with a chance.”

Boss Julen Lopetegui believes keeping Wolves in the Premier League will be his biggest achievement as they all but ended any relegation fears – and damaged Aston Villa’s European dream.

Toti Gomes’ first-half header earned a gritty 1-0 win and moved Wolves onto 40 points after they were bottom of the table at Christmas.

It was their fourth straight top-flight home win – for the first time since 1975 – and depending on other results they could be mathematically safe by Monday night.

Lopetegui was appointed in November before taking over after the World Cup in December and Wolves are now 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

“It was one of the biggest challenges of my life, as a coach. It has been my most difficult achievement as a coach, much more difficult than (winning) the Europa League and putting Sevilla in the Champions League,” said the manager, who celebrated vigorously at full time.

“It was a very bad situation. A lot of people called me, ‘you are crazy, why do you go there?’

“It’s very important points for us. To arrive at 40 points, it’s not mathematic but we are very close to our aim. I’m very happy for the club, fans, players. We arrived here in December with 10 points at the bottom.

“Today I showed more emotion, I am human. We’ve suffered a lot.”

Gomes bagged the winner after nine minutes when he headed in Ruben Neves’ corner off the bar.

Villa dominated much of the first half with Jose Sa saving from Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins wasting their best chance when he planted a free header straight at Sa.

Matheus Cunha fired over just before the break with Emi Martinez thwarting Diego Costa soon after the re-start.

Villa struggled to break a resilient Wolves – who lost 6-0 at Brighton last week – down but should have made it 1-1 with 19 minutes left.

Douglas Luiz floated in a free-kick which landed perfectly for Tyrone Mings but the defender volleyed over from six yards.

Defeat delivered a blow to Villa’s European hopes as they remain eighth, having played more games than Brighton, Tottenham and Liverpool – who they face in their final three matches.

Boss Unai Emery said: “I’m frustrated with the result but overall in 90 minutes we tried to keep going with the game plan, we did it, we had good positioning, good progress with passes and then got in the box.

“At half time I said I liked to watch our team playing like that, the best way to get a good result is like that.

“In the second half the rhythm was going down, they were trying to waste time and we didn’t get our best performances.

“We tried to change the match but we didn’t. We have to be excited because three months ago we were thinking of a different target, even if two weeks ago the possibilities were better.

“Tyrone’s chance was the best chance. In the first half we had more but not as clear. It’s football.”

Harry Kane’s first-half header helped Tottenham earn a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace that keeps alive their faint Europa League hopes.

Kane’s 28th goal of the season in all competitions settled a drab contest and also moved him ahead of Wayne Rooney into outright second on the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer list with 209 goals.

It was enough for Ryan Mason to secure a first victory in his second spell in charge of Spurs, who have jumped up to sixth but seventh-placed Brighton have three games in hand and are only two points off the London club.

While most eyes pre-match were on the coronation of the King, Tottenham sprung a royal surprise with their line-up.

Emerson Royal started and Yves Bissouma was on the bench despite both being sidelined with injuries that were expected to keep them out for another couple of weeks, while Eric Dier was dropped with the hosts in a 4-3-3 system.

Palace were unchanged having won four of their six fixtures under Roy Hodgson, who had given opposite number Mason his solitary England cap in 2015.

Given both clubs were involved in seven-goal thrillers last weekend, action aplenty was anticipated but the majority of the first half was played at a subdued pace.

Cristian Romero hit the crossbar with a near-post header from Pedro Porro’s 17th-minute corner before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fired over on the turn from Kane’s pass but Spurs were experiencing teething problems in their new system.

When Joachim Andersen scooped over for Palace under pressure from Ben Davies, it seemed the opening 45 would end goalless – but Kane had other ideas.

Spurs’ stand-in captain sprayed the ball out wide to Porro, who whipped in a wonderful cross for Kane to head home.

It moved the England skipper above Rooney into outright second amongst the Premier League’s record goalscorers, where Alan Shearer sets the pace on 260.

Kane’s goal helped increase the intensity from the two teams after half-time and Eberechi Eze dragged a shot wide for the visitors early into the second period after fine work by Wilfried Zaha, who had clipped over minutes before.

Spurs responded with Porro firing well off target when Son Heung-min was in space, but Zaha’s influence started to grow.

Zaha turned Emerson inside out before his cross deflected onto the roof of Fraser Forster’s net and Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper saved well from Cheick Doucoure on the hour mark.

After Tottenham had weathered the Palace storm, Mason’s side went in search of a second and Porro looked the most likely scorer for the hosts.

The January recruit tested Sam Johnstone with a firm effort from the right before his free-kick from the touchline sailed inches wide.

Son should have wrapped the game up soon after when Romero’s excellent pass sent the Spurs attacker through but Johnstone stood up well to save his low effort.

Tempers boiled over late on and referee Darren England handed out nine yellow cards in total but Tottenham held on to end their four-match winless run and keep a first clean sheet since February 26.

Frank Lampard marked his 100th game in Premier League management by picking up his first points since returning to Chelsea thanks to two late goals in a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth.

Strikes from Benoit Badiashile and Joao Felix in the final eight minutes at Vitality Stadium earned the Blues a first success in almost two months to halt their six-game losing streak under interim boss Lampard.

The west London club looked like they would have to settle for a draw on the south coast after Cherries defender Matias Vina cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s early header.

Bournemouth also had the better of the chances before the late drama, with Dango Ouattara squandering a golden opening by heading over from inside the six-yard box.

Yet Badiashile and Felix punished that profligacy, leaving visiting fans to salute the overdue triumph with ironic chants of “we are staying up”.

Victory in Dorset moved the two-time European champions on to 42 points, three ahead of their hosts, albeit they remain in the bottom half of the table.

For Lampard personally, it was a first victory in 17 matches including his Everton days and his first with Chelsea in 832 days dating back to a 3-1 FA Cup success over Luton in January 2021 during his initial spell as manager.

The former Blues and England midfielder opted for five changes following Tuesday’s tame 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling among those dropped, while the Cherries were unchanged from the 4-1 thrashing of Leeds.

Gary O’Neil’s in-form hosts began brighter but after Jefferson Lerma, who scored twice last weekend, curled narrowly wide, Chelsea snatched a ninth-minute lead.

Trevoh Chalobah’s pass afforded N’Golo Kante time and space to deliver an inviting cross from the right wing and recalled midfielder Gallagher beat Adam Smith to the ball to divert a simple, close-range header beyond goalkeeper Neto.

Chelsea supporters responded to the early breakthrough with self-deprecating chants about avoiding relegation and “we’ve scored a goal” after seeing their side net for only the third time in nine outings.

Yet they were not ahead for long.

Uruguay left-back Vina claimed the 21st-minute equaliser, delightfully curling home via the right post from just inside the Blues’ 18-yard box following slick interplay involving Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke.

The Roma loanee’s eye-catching leveller prompted calls of “sign him up” from home supporters, in addition to light-hearted taunts of “you’re going down with the scummers” directed at the away end and referencing local rivals Southampton.

While Chelsea have endured a torrid season under their American owners, Bournemouth have gone from strength to strength since Texas businessman Bill Foley completed his takeover in December.

O’Neil’s men, who won six of their previous nine fixtures to banish relegation fears, remained relatively comfortable for the rest of the half, with Chelsea short of ideas and looking toothless in attack.

The away team continued to monopolise the ball following the restart but the lack of creativity persisted.

At the other end, Badiashile turned behind Ouattara’s dangerous low cross while lively winger Christie rippled the side-netting.

Lampard, who suffered league and Carabao Cup defeats on this ground with Everton earlier this season, then saw his side survive a VAR check for a possible penalty when Thiago Silva slid in on Solanke before Vina was denied a second when his shot was pushed wide by Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Ouattara should have given Bournemouth the lead 11 minutes from time when he somehow nodded over unmarked after Lerma headed a Lewis Cook corner back across goal.

That miss proved pivotal as Chelsea grabbed the three points with quick-fire goals in the closing stages.

Former Monaco defender Badiashile restored the Blues’ advantage in the 82nd minute, connecting with Hakim Ziyech’s searching free-kick into the box to volley beyond Neto and claim his first goal for the club.

Belated joy for Lampard was secured four minutes later as Felix put the result beyond doubt with a first-time finish after fellow substitute Sterling burst into the box and slipped the ball to his right.

Resilient Wolves edged derby rivals Aston Villa 1-0 to end any lingering fears of relegation from the Premier League.

Toti Gomes’ first Wolves goal secured a fourth straight home win and leave them 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

It would now take a staggering set of results to send Wolves, who are 13th, down on 40 points.

Villa’s European hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow as it leaves them eighth, a point behind Brighton – who they host on the final day – having played three games more.

That they were even in European contention remains a tribute to the work Unai Emery has done since replacing Steven Gerrard in October.

Villa do at least face Tottenham, Liverpool and the Seagulls – those immediately above them – in their final three games but any hopes of Europe are fading.

Smarting from the 6-0 thumping at Brighton last week, Wolves’ heaviest league defeat in 16 years, the hosts went to remedy the result early.

Villa actually enjoyed a brighter start in the opening exchanges but it was Wolves who grabbed a ninth-minute winner.

Ruben Neves was forced to wait to take his corner but when he did the midfielder picked out Toti to crash in a header off the bar from 12 yards – just his second career goal.

Villa, who lost a 10-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United last weekend, responded with Jose Sa turning Emi Buendia’s strike wide.

The visitors remained the aggressors but lacked the sharpness which had propelled them up the league since Emery’s arrival. It allowed Wolves to remain comfortable at the back, despite Villa dominating possession.

Slowly, though, Emery’s side began to find space and Ollie Watkins’ acrobatic effort dropped wide. It was a warning for Wolves and they escaped again soon after when Jacob Ramsey’s cross dropped for Watkins seven yards out but the striker could only head straight at Sa.

Wolves’ organisation and concentration was crucial and Craig Dawson was alert to halt Buendia as Villa probed for a leveller but there was still the occasional gap for the hosts to exploit.

Just before the break Costa teed up Matheus Cunha to plant a half volley over from the edge of the box then, less than two minutes after the re-start, Pedro Neto found Costa who was denied by Emi Martinez.

Chasing four successive top-flight home wins for the first time since 1975 Wolves at least begun the second half with more attacking purpose having spent the majority of the first frustrating Villa.

Ashley Young swept a shot wide but Villa could not find the same spaces as before and needed Matheus Nunes to get in a tangle in front of goal from Neto’s cross not to concede a second.

But, with 19 minutes remaining, the visitors blew their best chance to grab a point when Douglas Luiz’s free kick dropped for Mings six yards out, only for the defender to volley over.

Harry Kane’s first-half header helped Tottenham earn a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace that keeps alive their faint Europa League hopes.

Kane’s 28th goal of the season in all competitions settled a drab contest and also moved him ahead of Wayne Rooney into outright second on the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer list with 209 goals.

It was enough for Ryan Mason to secure a first victory in his second spell in charge of Spurs, who have jumped up to sixth but seventh-placed Brighton have three games in hand and are only two points off the London club.

While most eyes pre-match were on the coronation of the King, Tottenham sprung a royal surprise with their line-up.

Emerson Royal started and Yves Bissouma was on the bench despite both being sidelined with injuries that were expected to keep them out for another couple of weeks, while Eric Dier was dropped with the hosts in a 4-3-3 system.

Palace were unchanged having won four of their six fixtures under Roy Hodgson, who had given opposite number Mason his solitary England cap in 2015.

Given both clubs were involved in seven-goal thrillers last weekend, action aplenty was anticipated but the majority of the first half was played at a subdued pace.

Cristian Romero hit the crossbar with a near-post header from Pedro Porro’s 17th-minute corner before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fired over on the turn from Kane’s pass but Spurs were experiencing teething problems in their new system.

When Joachim Andersen scooped over for Palace under pressure from Ben Davies, it seemed the opening 45 would end goalless – but Kane had other ideas.

Spurs’ stand-in captain sprayed the ball out wide to Porro, who whipped in a wonderful cross for Kane to head home.

It moved the England skipper above Rooney into outright second amongst the Premier League’s record goalscorers, where Alan Shearer sets the pace on 260.

Kane’s goal helped increase the intensity from the two teams after half-time and Eberechi Eze dragged a shot wide for the visitors early into the second period after fine work by Wilfried Zaha, who had clipped over minutes before.

Spurs responded with Porro firing well off target when Son Heung-min was in space, but Zaha’s influence started to grow.

Zaha turned Emerson inside out before his cross deflected onto the roof of Fraser Forster’s net and Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper saved well from Cheick Doucoure on the hour mark.

After Tottenham had weathered the Palace storm, Mason’s side went in search of a second and Porro looked the most likely scorer for the hosts.

The January recruit tested Sam Johnstone with a firm effort from the right before his free-kick from the touchline sailed inches wide.

Son should have wrapped the game up soon after when Romero’s excellent pass sent the Spurs attacker through but Johnstone stood up well to save his low effort.

Tempers boiled over late on and referee Darren England handed out nine yellow cards in total but Tottenham held on to end their four-match winless run and keep a first clean sheet since February 26.

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice but missed a penalty as Manchester City survived a late scare to maintain their title charge with a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Leeds.

The German midfielder swept home from the edge of the area in the 19th and 27th minutes at the Etihad Stadium to put the champions on course for what seemed a comfortable victory at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City then spurned a host of chances, with Erling Haaland twice hitting the woodwork and Gundogan being denied by goalkeeper Joel Robles, before Rodrigo gave Leeds late hope in Sam Allardyce’s first match in charge.

The hosts held on for a victory that lifts them four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, with both sides having four games remaining, but manager Pep Guardiola will be concerned it was not emphatically closed out.

Such was their dominance, City had all but reduced the game to walking pace before Rodrigo changed the picture in the 85th minute.

Allardyce, who made four changes including bringing in Robles for Illan Meslier, will at least take encouragement from that, although for the majority of the game Leeds were comprehensively outplayed.

City started strongly and there was little surprise when the opener came after 19 minutes, with Guardiola’s side having already threatened numerous times.

Kevin De Bruyne had a shot blocked, Julian Alvarez fired over and Haaland was denied by Robles before Gundogan passed into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after Riyad Mahrez cut inside.

Mahrez himself then shot narrowly over before Leeds-born Haaland uncharacteristically blasted wide after Gundogan pinged the ball into the area and De Bruyne teed up the striker with a brilliant lay-off.

With Leeds clearly struggling, a second goal seemed inevitable and it arrived in similar fashion to the first as Mahrez cut inside and found Gundogan 18 yards out once again. This time the German picked the opposite corner as he clipped the ball into the net.

Leeds did have a chance when a Weston McKennie header forced Ederson to save, but the visitors were fortunate not to concede again before the break.

Haaland again spared them when he miskicked in front of goal, Alvarez had an effort cleared off the line and Phil Foden volleyed narrowly over with the final kick of the first half.

Haaland hit the woodwork twice after the break, first heading against the bar following a set-piece and then striking the base of a post on the turn after Rico Lewis threaded him through.

City seemed to be cruising and Gundogan looked likely to wrap up the game by completing his treble when Haaland handed him the ball after Foden was felled by Pascal Struijk.

Yet Robles guessed correctly to save and Rodrigo set alarm bells ringing when he pounced on a Manuel Akanji error to pull one back late on.

City needed to regroup, but avoided any further scares.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is feeling smug about his side’s Premier League position after recalling pre-season predictions that they were destined for relegation.

This might be one of the closest survival battles in recent memory, but last season’s Championship winners are not one of the teams worrying about a potentially heart-breaking end to the campaign.

Instead, Silva’s men are 10th, maintaining their top-half status despite picking up just seven points in their last 10 league contests.

He said: “You have to be pleased. You have to be really proud, because I knew what everyone was saying at the beginning of the season about Fulham. I knew we were the favourites (to be relegated).

“Some people even without a doubt said we will be the first ones to get relegated, and of course we have to be pleased. Not because of what the people said, because they have to comment, they have to give their opinions, but much more for ourselves.

“Firstly for our fans because the last two seasons in the Premier League they were really tough for them, and they deserve much more, and the other because I believe, and I said from the last days of last season that I felt that this football club belongs in the Premier League and we showed that during the season.”

In Leicester, Fulham face an opponent in a very different fight from leaders Manchester City and Europe-chasing Liverpool, who got the better of Silva’s side in their most recent meetings, but the Portuguese intends to approach Monday’s meeting with the same overall philosophy.

He said: “In terms of preparation nothing is different. We always prepare ourselves the same way, with different strategies, of course.

“Against City we knew that we probably wouldn’t have the ball as often as we would like, Liverpool more or less the same thing even if they are slightly different.

“And against Leicester of course playing at the Cottage we are going to try to have control of the game even though you know you are going to face a team with a lot of quality around the pitch.

“It will be a different game definitely than the previous two matches but it will be a tough game in the same way. The approach will be the same. We are going to prepare ourselves to be at our best level.”

Idrissa Gueye believes Everton showed the character they will need to avoid relegation in Monday’s Premier League draw at Leicester.

In a match that some had billed as “loser goes down”, Everton took an early lead but then fell 2-1 down and needed Jordan Pickford to save a James Maddison penalty before Alex Iwobi’s equaliser earned a point.

Manager Sean Dyche has been keen to talk up the performance after Everton had 23 shots at goal, their most in a Premier League match for three-and-a-half years, and Gueye said it was something to build on ahead of Monday’s trip to Brighton at a time when confidence has been fragile.

“I think confidence is an important factor during this period of the season and it’s something we can continue to cultivate and work on,” he said on the club website. “Because we’re going to need plenty of confidence for the remaining games.

“Looking back at the season, particularly away from home, there aren’t too many examples where we’ve gone behind in the scoreline and managed to come back to earn a result. You need character to do that and I think we showed a lot of that against Leicester.

“We know it’s not easy, but we need to show that fight and that belief in ourselves. Confidence does breed better results.”

Last week Dyche voiced concern that nerves and tension were inhibiting some of his players as they fight to save their Premier League status.

Gueye said all players are used to performing under pressure, but it is clearly different at the bottom of the table.

“It would be much more pleasant if we were further up the table and challenging for trophies at the end of the season,” he said. “As players, we love to challenge ourselves and put ourselves under pressure.

“It is a great source of motivation, but it would be preferable to be higher up the league. Being footballers, we’ve become used to having to play under pressure and that’s something we’re going to have to deal with again.”

Everton have averaged a point per game since Dyche arrived at the start of February, but are now winless in their last seven matches.

But the former Burnley boss has been here before, and Gueye said he knew exactly how to handle the situation.

“He’s a really cool guy. He’s a cool manager,” he said. “I think one of the reasons he was brought in was because he knows how to manage these situations. He’s been in similar situations before and I think that’s why the club decided to bring him in.

“The smile he has and the confidence he has have managed to bring a renewed energy to the club. Not only is he instilling this joie de vivre, but he’s also giving us an intensity to go right to the end.

“We have to fight until the end. There’s time for looking at the table at the end of the season, but not currently. The training sessions have been great and they’re filling us with hope and energy ahead of each game.

“His mantra is, ‘the minimum requirement is maximum effort’, and that’s at all times. We must give it our all for the rest of the season.”

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes “top player” Moises Caicedo is capable of playing any position on the pitch.

Caicedo has starred in the Seagulls’ midfield all season but was required to fill in at right-back during Thursday’s dramatic 1-0 win over Manchester United due to injuries to Pascal Gross, Joel Veltman and Tariq Lamptey.

With Gross facing a fitness test ahead of Monday evening’s clash with Everton and Veltman likely to remain on the sidelines alongside Lamptey, the Ecuador international could once again be deployed in the makeshift role.

Head coach De Zerbi was reluctant to deviate from a four-man defence against United or drop midfielder Billy Gilmour following his starring role in last Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of Wolves.

And the Italian’s decision was vindicated as Caicedo performed admirably in a pulsating game settled by Alexis Mac Allister’s last-gasp penalty.

“I thought to change to play with three defenders but I think we reach a high level of football and we have the right technologies playing in this tactical disposition,” said De Zerbi.

“And I didn’t want to change.

“I think Caicedo can play everywhere. He’s a top, top player.

“I love giving players the chance to show me their quality and Gilmour was fantastic against Wolverhampton – I thought like this.”

Mac Allister slammed home from the spot in the ninth minute of added time following Luke Shaw’s handball to boost Brighton’s chances of reaching Europe.

The Seagulls are now preparing to complete a trio of consecutive home games against Sean Dyche’s relegation-threatened Toffees.

With a further five Premier League fixtures to come during the next three weeks, De Zerbi has urged every member of his squad to be prepared to aid the club’s quest to secure continental qualification.

“I want that they stay ready always to play because now we need everybody,” he said.

“We need everybody to achieve our target.”

Gross and striker Evan Ferguson will be assessed ahead of the Everton clash but Veltman is not expected to be available due to a hamstring issue.

Lamptey, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder and Jeremy Sarmiento remain sidelined for the Seagulls.

Eddie Howe insists he is not losing any sleep over Liverpool’s bid to deny Newcastle a place in the Premier League top four.

Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are responsible for two of the third-placed Magpies’ four league defeats to date this season, have belatedly put together a consistent run of form, winning each of their last five matches to close to within six points.

That gap could have been reduced to just three points – albeit with the Reds having played two games more – by the time Howe’s side runs out to face Arsenal on Sunday with the chasing pack mounting a late sprint.

Asked about the prospect, the 45-year-old said: “Do I lose any sleep? No, I don’t lose any sleep over it, but I’m aware that Liverpool are a top team. Does it surprise me they’re able to go on a run of wins? No.

“There are other teams there as well, but we’re not focusing on that. We haven’t done that all season. We haven’t focused on where we are, who’s around us, form of teams. We’ve just focused on ourselves and that’s all we can do.

“We have a tough run of fixtures, but I think at the same time, a great run of fixtures because every game is important. They’re great occasions and we’ll look to carry on our good form.”

Brighton’s stoppage-time win over Manchester United on Thursday evening left Newcastle two points clear of the men from Old Trafford in the race for the top four with five games each remaining.

They remain 10 better off than the Seagulls – who have a game in hand – in sixth, but victory over the Gunners would not only all-but end the visitors’ title hopes, but nudge the Magpies closer to Champions League qualification.

However Howe, whose team have won eight of their last nine games, is preparing for the battle to go to the wire.

He said: “Nothing’s done and I didn’t expect it to be done. Were competing against elite teams who will fight to the end and we have to do the same.

“Our five games we need to give our best preparation and focus to because the fight that we’re in could go right down to the end of the season.”

Howe and opposite number Mikel Arteta were involved in an angry touchline exchange during the reverse fixture in January, which ended 0-0, but the former Bournemouth boss has only respect for the Spaniard.

He said: “I’ve got a lot of resect for Mikel, he’s done an incredible job. You have to admire everything that he’s done, whether that’s recruitment, coaching, everything, so there’s a lot of respect from me to him.

“Within a game, you’ll always have moments where you come up against opponents and there’s a bit of confrontation. I think that’s natural, that’s part of the job, but there are certainly no issues from my side.”

Ruben Selles has called for bottom-of-the-table Southampton to be more robust if they are to secure shock survival from the Premier League.

Saints remain six points off 17th-placed Leeds and continue their fight for top-flight status away at fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Monday.

And interim boss Selles has made a plea for his side’s improvement as time begins to run out ahead of their final four games of the campaign.

“We need to be more robust as a team in those periods where we are not so good, try to keep the game still in our hands. We know we can start well or make a comeback against anybody so it is just about having that robustness having that long period in the game,” he said.

“Maybe making some substitutions, maybe making or creating something on the pitch,  maybe controlling more of the ball, maybe playing more forward, those things we are working on to try to become that team.”

Southampton failed to win against high flyers Arsenal and Newcastle last month despite taking the lead in both games.

Selles admitted the respective atmospheres at Emirates and St James’ Park made it difficult for his side to hold on to their lead  – Arsenal scored two late goals to draw 3-3 and Newcastle score three second-half goals to win 3-1.

He added: “I think we can learn from the environments that are extremely hard to play at (Arsenal and Newcastle).

“If I’m being honest they’re one of the best there can be because, in those kind of games you have to elevate yourself against yourself and make yourself better.”

Injury-stricken Saints have lost key players at a pivotal stage in their season with both Mohammed Salisu and Romain Perraud being ruled out for the final run-in.

Selles insisted he will not use their absences to justify Southampton’s form which saw them last win a Premier League game on March 4.

“It is not to find excuses, we should be better and with the number of players we should replace them with players at least as good as them. Of course there is some situations in terms of how we go and play the game, situations how we manage some of the advantages that we got,” he said.

Pep Guardiola has said Kalvin Phillips’ Manchester City future is in his own hands.

The £42million summer signing has made only eight Premier League appearances for City, all as a substitute, and will be eager to make a ninth when his former club Leeds visit the Etihad on Saturday.

Phillips suffered an early setback in his City career with shoulder surgery in September, but since returning in November he has found it impossible to dislodge Rodri from the base of Guardiola’s midfield, with John Stones now also stepping out of defence into a more advanced position.

The England midfielder’s lack of playing time has prompted speculation that the player and club might part ways this summer, but Guardiola said no decisions would be taken now.

“It depends on the players,” Guardiola said. “At the end we’re here, I try to be honest with the questions and my feelings.

“My feelings sometimes change. But at the end it belongs to the players, they have to convince themselves and the team and not because I say something.

“They have to earn my confidence. All of them, not just Kalvin, all of them how they perform. Teams change a lot and players for previous seasons who were incredibly important but this season less important. It’s how they perform, many things can happen.”

City continue to compete on three fronts. They can move four points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League if they beat Leeds, with the first leg of their Champions League semi-final away to Real Madrid on Tuesday immediately following, and an FA Cup final against Manchester United booked for June.

Guardiola said the tightness of the Premier League title race has worked against Phillips.

“I’m not complaining about Kalvin because when you don’t play much it’s difficult to take the rhythm,” Guardiola said.

“John we’re seven years together, Rodri is (four) years together. I don’t have to tell them anything. Just little details – a movement here or there.

“Kalvin if maybe in the past he’d played more minutes he will get that but Rodri was in exceptional form. That role is so, so important, that’s why the lack of minutes makes the circle more difficult. But he always pays attention, in the training sessions he is always open-minded to get it.

“But being behind Arsenal, we cannot drop points. We haven’t had that situation of being eight, 10 points in front – in the past it happened. He can do it, but in that moment I always had the feeling Rodri knows exactly what to do in the role.”

Guardiola also cited that relentless schedule when he said he had not given any thought as to whether Phillips has a long-term future at the club.

“What happens next season, I’m not concerned for one second now,” he said.

“We will see at the end of the season. We’ll sit with the players. Maybe they want more minutes or maybe they are not happy with the situation. But right now I’m not going to discuss anything.”

City have failed to win only twice at home all season, something Guardiola put down to the “vibe” they are enjoying in front of their fans.

As they play on the day of the King’s Coronation, the Catalan said he was eager to make sure that continued.

“There is no time to keep something in the fridge,” he said. “We have to give everything, it’s so close.

“We still have one game in hand, important tough games. We saw Brighton (beat Manchester United) and we still have to go there.

“We have just two games at home – Leeds and Chelsea – and we need our people. Please come at 3pm if you don’t have anything better to do. There are important things in this country but anyway, if you don’t have anything more then come and help us because we need it.”

Ryan Mason has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after his criticism of Tottenham’s style last weekend.

Klopp took umbrage with Mason’s post-match comments about Diogo Jota, who caught Oliver Skipp with a head-high tackle during the 4-3 clash but stayed on the pitch to score a stoppage-time winner in the Anfield fixture.

After Mason had made clear his exasperation at Jota being able to avoid a red card, Klopp hit back during an interview with the BBC by suggesting the 31-year-old should “worry about other stuff” before he told Spurs they “can’t just counter-attack” and urged them to “play better football.”

Tottenham’s acting head coach responded before the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday, where only three points for the hosts will keep alive their top-six hopes.

“Yeah, I mean first of all I respect and admire Jurgen Klopp,” Mason said.

“I also respect Liverpool Football Club, but honestly in my current situation now and regardless of what happens in my coaching career, I don’t believe I will ever be in a position where I can sit here and criticise another football club in the way they are doing things.

“Look, I will not create a war of words. That is my opinion on it. I don’t think it will change in 20 years time.

“I don’t think I will ever be in that position or earn the right to criticise another football club for how they want to try and win the game and how they feel is the best chance for them to win the game in that moment in time.”

The image of Skipp being caught in the head and falling to the floor may have brought back bad memories for Mason, who retired at the age of 26 following a fracture of his skull after a clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill during a match for Hull in 2017.

Mason admitted Skipp had been fortunate, adding: “He is a very, very lucky boy. He had a couple of gashes in his head, needed near to 10 stitches and we are talking about a couple of inches away from an eye problem.

“I think the overall feeling this week is we are quite grateful Skippy is okay and nothing too serious.

“Obviously a different situation (to me), different moment as well. One was with a head, one was with a boot so the dangers are different.

“At the same time the head is a vulnerable part of the body. We continue to see that. Thankfully Skippy is okay. He is in contention.”

Skipp is one of two Spurs academy graduates set to feature against Palace alongside vice-captain Harry Kane and the club’s Under-18s were able to secure a second trophy of the season on Thursday night at Villa Park.

A 3-1 win over Aston Villa clinched the Under-18 Premier League Cup to add to the Under-17 version won against Nottingham Forest last month.

Mason has seen plenty of the youth team this season and knows the path they will now attempt to take, but he insisted there can be no set timescale on how long it could take some of Stuart Lewis’ current crop to break into the first-team.

“Absolutely I have seen a lot of them. I work for this football club, I work in the first-team and it is part of my job to pay attention and understand where the academy are at and try bridge that gap,” he explained.

“Of course we have hope for many of them but at 16 and 17, it can be a long road and it can be difficult.

“Sometimes people develop earlier than others and sometimes players seize the moment. Hopefully some of them can make the step up in the coming years.

“From a timescale point of view, it is very difficult to put a time on it but historically this football club has always valued that and we continue to do that now.”

Chelsea’s new recruits have not been given the opportunity to find the connections necessary to build a winning team, according to Frank Lampard.

The Blues looked incoherent and without a plan in losing meekly 3-1 to Arsenal on Tuesday, a sixth straight loss on a run that has seen them sink to 12th in the Premier League table.

Several of the players who were signed in January have failed to make a significant impact, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke in particular big-money buys that have shown only flashes of their talent.

Madueke at least netted his first goal for the club in the loss at the Emirates, something Mudryk, who cost £88million despite only having made 44 first-team appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk, is yet to achieve.

There has been little consistency in the starting XI, something that was apparent under former boss Graham Potter and has continued into Lampard’s dire interim spell.

It has made an unbalanced squad, loaded up on creative talent but with no one to score goals, look even more disjointed on the pitch, with little apparent chemistry. They have scored only twice in their last eight games.

Chelsea will drop below Bournemouth should they lose to Gary O’Neil’s side at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday, despite the fact their opponents have spent most of the season battling relegation and were in the bottom three at the start of April.

“The numbers show you we’re the team that changes its XI the most,” said Lampard. “Coming in at this point for me, it’s trying to find the connections and partnerships in the team which are crucial as we all know.

“The great teams we’ve witnessed over the years, you can pretty much always name connections. Full-backs; Liverpool off the top of my head, the full-backs are absolutely central to what they do.

“When you’re trying to find that, it’s difficult, and I think it’s important to know that when we’re in a bad run and those things are not settled, it’s very hard to get consistency of what you want.

“You end up searching for it, and that’s probably why people call it a transition. That’s a challenge. In my position as much as we want results, because results will get thrown in your face, we also need to try and find those little connections within the team going forward.

“Some of the younger players that have come into the club have maybe not had the opportunity to settle, to feel comfortable within the team, to understand the full-backs are going to overlap them, or the midfield players are going to support them.

“That is a process, and that needs work. It’s probably work I haven’t been able to do in this role as interim. It feels less in practice about coaching to that degree.”

Lampard defended Raheem Sterling despite the England forward’s form having totally deserted him during Chelsea’s slide.

Sterling, who was the first signing of the club’s whirlwind recruitment drive this season, has not replicated the performances that saw him score 131 goals in seven seasons at Manchester City, en route to winning four Premier League titles and becoming a lynchpin of Gareth Southgate’s national team.

He has managed only four league goals since arriving at Stamford Bridge in July.

“I’ve spent the last three years talking to all my younger wingers that I work with, showing them videos of Raheem Sterling arriving at the back post, doing defensively the work he does,” said Lampard.

“You absolutely cannot take that away from him, what he’s done, for Manchester City and England.

“When you move club, even though everyone on the outside goes ‘oh what hard work that is, moving from Man City to Chelsea, what a terrible situation’, it does bring around changes in your life.

“Of course maybe the form of the team this season has not been great, so there can always be a lot of contributing factors to individual form.

“He’s got credit in the bank. Keep working, things around him falling more into place, I think with Raheem he’ll show what he’s shown in his career.

“We have a lot of understandable reasons and stories within the squad, the newer younger players, some players who will be moving on. There are a lot of those reasons.”