Liverpool's underwhelming 2022-23 campaign has led to talk that the club will undertake a squad overhaul in the off-season.

Chief among Jurgen Klopp's priorities is a midfield revamp, with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Chelsea's Mason Mount among those linked to the Reds.

However, there could also be another attempt at signing a France international they were beaten to in 2022 by Real Madrid.

TOP STORY – YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TCHOUAMENI MIDFIELDERS

Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni is once again high on Liverpool's transfer agenda as they look to refresh their midfield, reports El Nacional.

The Reds were interested in the 23-year-old at the end of last season but were unable to land him after he chose to move from Monaco to Madrid for a reported €100 million on a six-year deal.

Though he started Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to Villarreal, Tchouameni has been unable to establish himself as a frequent starter under Carlo Ancelotti, meaning Los Blancos may be willing to let him go to raise funds, with Liverpool reportedly still keen and willing to offer £71m (€80m).

ROUND-UP

– Calciomercatoweb claims Inter are warming to the idea of Nicolo Barella exiting San Siro, as Liverpool circle for the midfielder as part of their revamp. Inter reportedly want no less than €50m (£44m) for him.

– Barcelona's discussions with Ousmane Dembele over a new contract have stopped, with the Catalans unable to offer him a pay rise, reports SPORT.

– Arsenal, Chelsea and Villarreal are all interested in Wolfsburg full-back Ridle Baku, claims Caught Offside.

– Newcastle United and West Ham United are leading the race to sign Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer from Crystal Palace, according to The Star.

– The Mirror reports ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has agreed to a long-term deal to take over at Leicester City following Brendan Rodgers' dismissal.

Manchester City put pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal ahead of their trip to Liverpool on Sunday with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Southampton.

Erling Haaland's double took him to 30 Premier League goals in 27 games, just 70 shy of Son Heung-min's career total in his eighth season in England after the South Korea international made history on Saturday.

The race for the other top-four places behind Arsenal and City saw Manchester United and Newcastle United both win, while Tottenham remain three points back after riding their luck against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Stats Perform looks at some of the more notable Opta numbers to come out of the pick of Saturday's Premier League action.

Manchester United 2-0 Everton: Wasteful Red Devils still win comfortably

After goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial either side of half-time, United have won 39 Premier League games against Everton, the joint-most one side have against another in the competition's history (also 39 wins for United against Spurs).

Erik ten Hag's men have won 23 of their 28 home games in all competitions this season (D3 L2), their highest total of wins in a single campaign at Old Trafford since 2010-11 (26).

As they continue to fight relegation, Everton have won just one of their last 17 away Premier League games (D7 L9) and remain winless on the road since a 2-1 victory at Southampton in October (11 games since).

McTominay's strike was his fifth in five games for club and country, as many as in his previous 106 appearances for United and Scotland combined.

Ten Hag bemoaned his side's wastefulness as United failed to convert seven big chances – six of which came in the first half – their joint-highest total on record (since 2010-11) in a league match (also seven vs Sunderland in December 2012).

Brentford 1-2 Newcastle United: Bees stung by Magpies

Brentford started well in this one but ultimately failed to win a Premier League game in which they had opened the scoring for the first time (P26 W19 D6 L1), while Newcastle have lost just one of their last five away league games in which they have conceded first (W2 D2), winning the last two.

Eddie Howe has won exactly 100 Premier League points as Newcastle boss (P56 W28 D16 L12), with only fan favourite Kevin Keegan needing fewer games (51) to reach that milestone.

Ivan Toney became just the fourth player to score home and away against Newcastle in a Premier League campaign having previously played for them in the competition, following Louis Saha (2001-02), Craig Bellamy (2008-09) and Abdoulaye Faye (2008-09).

Before netting from the spot, though, Toney failed to score a penalty for the first time since October 2018 for Peterborough United against Barnsley when he saw his first effort saved by Nick Pope, having scored 24 successive penalties before Saturday (excluding shoot-outs).

A David Raya own goal drew Newcastle level, then Alexander Isak scored his eighth Premier League goal to take the points. Seven of those have either drawn Newcastle level (two) or given them the lead (five).

Tottenham 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion: Son reaches landmark while Seagulls are left to fume

Brighton suffered their first defeat in eight Premier League games on the road (W4 D3) since a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in October, although they will be tempted to lay a lot of the blame at the door of the officials.

Seagulls boss Roberto Di Zerbi was furious with two goals being ruled out for alleged handballs, while Kaoru Mitoma was also denied what looked like a very good shout for a penalty. The Italian then became the first manager to be sent off twice in the Premier League this season. Cristian Stellini was also dismissed.

For Son, though, it was a landmark day as his terrific opener made him the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals, while he is just the 10th player in the league's history to score 100 goals and register 50 assists for one team – and the first to do so for Spurs.

Lewis Dunk equalised in his 200th Premier League appearance, with each of the last four players to mark that milestone in such a way now having been centre-backs  (also Kurt Zouma, Virgil van Dijk and Ben Mee).

But after the controversy at the other end, Harry Kane won it for Tottenham with his 10th goal in 12 appearances for the club against Brighton in all competitions. The Seagulls are the ninth team he has reached double-figures against in his career, along with Leicester City, Everton, Arsenal, Southampton, West Ham, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Stoke City.

Southampton 1-4 Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne was back to his sensational best at St Mary's, registering his 100th Premier League assist, making him the fifth player to reach that mark and doing so in fewer appearances (237) than any of the previous four.

Haaland's brace, including an outrageous bicycle kick, meant he has scored 44 goals in all competitions for City this season – the joint-most ever by a Premier League player in a single campaign, level with Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002-03) and Mohamed Salah (2017-18).

De Bruyne laid on the opener and has assisted seven Premier League goals for Haaland this season, the most one City player has ever assisted for another in a single campaign.

Jack Grealish teed up the other Haaland goal and also got on the scoresheet. He has now been involved in 10 goals in 15 league games since the World Cup (four goals, six assists). Only Haaland (14) has been involved in more for Pep Guardiola's team in that time, while it is three more than Grealish managed in his first 34 appearances for City (four goals, three assists).

Julian Alvarez replaced Haaland and dispatched a second-half penalty, becoming the fifth different City player to score as a substitute in the Premier League this season, with only United and Wolves (six) having more.

Jurgen Klopp feels Liverpool's struggles will make him a better manager in the long run, ahead of their game with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The Reds have been perennial silverware contenders over the past half-decade, sweeping all major domestic and international club honours.

But they have seen a dramatic dip in fortunes this season, with the German unable to keep them in contention for a title charge on multiple fronts.

Klopp, however, feels the difficulties faced this term will only help him grow going forward, adding that he does not doubt his own ability.

"In the long term, definitely," he said when asked if their hardships improved him. "Definitely. You need to improve to get the best out of yourself, you need to know about everything.

"It will help us, as with all the whole coaching staff, definitely at the moment. We have to do what is right and help the boys to become the best version of themselves again.

"If I doubted myself constantly after losing a football game, it would have been really difficult for me to [get here. ]But that's not a problem. It's not that I ever thought I'm the best manager.

"I understand football, and I understand a lot of things, you know a lot about human beings, learn a lot about human beings. Sometimes, things need time."

After a FA Cup and EFL Cup double last season, it will be another season without honours at Anfield this term, with Liverpool still fighting to reach Europe.

They welcome Arsenal looking to close the gap on seventh-place Brighton and Hove Albion, who they trail by three points.

Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland is a match for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as a pure goalscorer after the striker netted his 44th goal of the season on Saturday.

Haaland scored twice as Manchester City won 4-1 away at Southampton to move them within five points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who play Liverpool later in the weekend.

The striker's second, a brilliant acrobatic volley, took him to 44 goals in all competitions in his first season in England, now tied for the most ever by a Premier League player in a single campaign alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002-03) and Mohamed Salah (2017-18).

Of those goals, 30 have come in the league, and Guardiola was full of praise for Haaland after the win, comparing his prolific talisman to two of football's greats.

"The second goal was amazing," Guardiola told BBC's Match of the Day. "It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass.

"His talent is really good. We need him. The first half was not our best level, but he changed the game.

"As a top scorer, we lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he is on that level. He scores a lot of goals."

Southampton, the Premier League's bottom side, largely kept City at bay in the first half until a crashing header from Haaland put the reigning champions ahead in the 45th minute.

Guardiola acknowledged Saints' stubborn display in the opening period, saying: "I give a lot of credit to Southampton. Their game plan was really, really good.

"Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition when you're not at your level. We were fortunate to be ahead at half-time.

"We had more physicality in the second half. We found the second goal after we won a duel, and after it was easy."

City's win puts the pressure back on an Arsenal side heading to an unhappy hunting ground in Anfield, having not picked up three points there since the 2012-13 campaign, when now-manager Mikel Arteta was starting in midfield for the Gunners.

Guardiola would prefer to be in their place, though, in terms of the Premier League title race, saying: "I would like to be in the position Arsenal are in. I would love that. It is what it is."

Wolves have confirmed West Midlands Police made three arrests in connection to the homophobic chants which marred Saturday's Premier League win over Chelsea.

Frank Lampard oversaw an uninspired defeat in his first game since returning as Chelsea's caretaker boss following the sacking of Graham Potter, with Matheus Nunes' stunning strike boosting Wolves' survival hopes.

However, the hosts' victory was marred by homophobic chants being aimed at visiting supporters, which were condemned as "totally unacceptable" and "vile" in a statement from Chelsea.

Wolves responded with a statement of their own, confirming three individuals had been arrested following the incidents.

"We strongly condemn the discriminatory chants aimed towards Chelsea supporters at today's game," the club said.

"In response to the chants, supporters were reminded by a public address system announcement that discriminatory behaviour and chants of this nature are not tolerated at Molineux.

"Homophobia, like all other forms of discrimination, has no place in football or society, and anyone engaging in discriminatory behaviour is committing a criminal offence.

"As a result, we can confirm that three arrests were made by West Midlands Police relating to homophobia, and the discriminatory chants in question.

"Our ethos at Wolves is about being 'One Pack' – an attitude we are passionate about and that extends to our relationships across the football community, regardless of rivalries or what happens on the football pitch.

"We thank all supporters and staff who reported incidents, and will continue to campaign for inclusivity and tackle discriminatory abuse, whether inside stadiums or online."

Frank Lampard wants Chelsea to banish the lethargic moments that are costing them after seeing Wolves grit their teeth for a 1-0 win over the Blues at Molineux.

It took a stunning 31st-minute goal from Matheus Nunes to get the better of Chelsea in what was caretaker boss Lampard's first game of his second spell at the helm.

Lampard featured in the most successful team in Chelsea's history, with the Englishman ending his career as the club's record scorer, which was no mean feat for a midfielder.

He was a tireless presence in the Chelsea team, and he wants to see the same energy and concentration from the current breed of players, believing it has been lacking at times.

"We know we're not in the position we want to be and there is always a reason for it," Lampard said. "I was aware of that, and I did not expect to solve everything in one day.

"If you're analysing it, in a Premier League game you have to have more aggression in your game, more speed, more competitive duels that go your way, rather than the opposition.

"That is baseline stuff against a team fighting for their Premier League lives. It will always dictate the result of the game, regardless of the talent.

"There was a little bit of that today and the players need to be aware of that, because without that you can't win games and you can't be the team that Chelsea has been at different times, and we want to get back to."

He added: "I am here to help with that, and this is not stinging criticism, but what are the reasons we can be like that at times?

"I know there is a lot of talent there in the squad, I have seen that in the last couple of days, and I look forward to working more with it."

Chelsea's lack of a specialist striker once more cost them as they lacked a focal point for their attacking, with Kai Havertz again the nominal centre forward.

Havertz is arguably better deployed in a midfield role and gave Wolves few causes for concern.

Real Madrid will have hardly been petrified by what they saw either, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Lampard's men on Wednesday.

Lampard rested N'Golo Kante, whose return from a hamstring injury lay-off is being carefully managed, but the Frenchman should line up at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There was a pre-match blow on Saturday when Mason Mount was ruled out by what Lampard confirmed was continuing pelvic trouble.

Lampard, having been sacked in January by Everton, relished his return to touchline duty with Chelsea, if not the result.

"I am very happy to be back," he said. "But I'm disappointed I could not give the fans a win in the first game back.

"But we go again and have a huge game waiting for us on Wednesday in the Champions League, and I am very excited about that."

Wolves, meanwhile, could face punishment from the Football Association after home fans were heard chanting "Chelsea rent boys" during the game.

The FA said in January it would consider the homophobic chant a breach of its rules that could lead to disciplinary action, while the Crown Prosecution Service has classed it as a hate crime.

Chelsea said in a statement on Saturday: "Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour totally unacceptable.

"It condemns the homophobic chanting by some home fans at Molineux this afternoon. Chelsea will continue to work closely with Chelsea Pride and the broader football community to eradicate these vile chants from our game."

In a supportive message, the Premier League said the chant "has no place in football or society".

Kevin De Bruyne became only the fifth player to reach 100 Premier League assists when he set up Manchester City's opener in their away match at Southampton on Saturday.

De Bruyne's teasing cross was headed home by Erling Haaland, taking him up to a century of assists.

The Belgium international is the quickest to reach that landmark, doing so in just 237 games, with Cesc Fabregas the next fastest having produced 100 in 293 appearances, while Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard are the three other players to have reached three figures.

All but one of De Bruyne's assists were in a City shirt, with the other coming during his time with Chelsea, who he played for between 2012 and 2014 before returning to the Premier League with the City in 2015 after a spell with Wolfsburg.

The playmaker could move further up the all-time assists charts before the end of the season, with Lampard on 102 and Rooney on 103 in his sights.

Cristian Stellini was keen to move on from his touchline spat with Roberto De Zerbi after Tottenham beat Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 in a fiery top-six battle.

Harry Kane hit the winner after Lewis Dunk cancelled out a spectacular opener from Son Heung-min in a bad-tempered Premier League contest on Saturday.

Having been involved in a heated exchange before kick-off, interim Spurs boss Stellini and Brighton head coach De Zerbi were sent off amid a touchline fracas in the second half.

De Zerbi is the only Premier League boss to be shown two red cards this season, while fifth-placed Tottenham are the only other club to suffer two managerial dismissals this term, with Antonio Conte being sent off in a draw with Chelsea back in August.

Asked about the incident, Stellini told Sky Sports: "I don't like to be involved when there is a fight or something too aggressive. I'm quiet and focused on the game. 

"I try to do my job. I want to speak only about my team and the game, not what happened between us and them on the bench. 

"It was an important game and we also beat them in their stadium. Probably every one of us was full of anger and tension. But everything that happened on the pitch stays there, and it does now."

Asked whether he will be friendly with De Zerbi in the future, Stellini added: "Of course. I am a friendly person. Football is enjoyable. 

"You have to enjoy football and when you see something like this, everyone can be disappointed at home. I don't like to show something bad.

"From me, this has never happened. I want to enjoy and fight with my team. If I have power inside me, I want to use it to fight with my team."

During a post-match interview with BBC Sport, meanwhile, De Zerbi said: "I am used to always respecting everyone and I want the same towards me."

Brighton were denied goals in both halves as VAR reviews saw Kaoru Mitoma and Alexis Mac Allister penalised for handball.

Mitoma also felt he was tripped in the area by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before Kane scored what proved to be the winner as Brighton dropped to seventh spot behind Aston Villa.

Seagulls captain Dunk was particularly infuriated by the latter decision, saying: "I thought we were the better team and dominated the game, they created two chances and scored two goals, which is poor from us. 

"I don't understand football sometimes. Apparently one of them hit Alexis on the hand, but on the other one, VAR made a tight decision. 

"Then they can't make a clear decision on the penalty – a clear foul on Mitoma in the box. I don't understand VAR."

Son Heung-min hopes his historic 100th Premier League goal will inspire players across Asia, having reached his century in Tottenham's 2-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion. 

Son gave Spurs the lead with a terrific strike into the top-right corner on Saturday, with Harry Kane later hitting the winner after Lewis Dunk equalised for the Seagulls. 

The South Korea international became the first Asian player to reach 100 Premier League goals with his strike, as well as the first player to hit 100 goals and register 50 assists for Spurs in the competition.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the crucial victory over Spurs' top-six rivals, Son dedicated his landmark goal to his late grandfather and outlined his hope that more Asian players will follow in his footsteps.

"This was something that I dreamed for. It is an amazing achievement which I wouldn't have had without my team-mates," he said.

"Scoring 100 goals in the Premier League is a massive thing. I was really emotional because I have had tough moments in the last few weeks. 

"My grandad passed away and it was not easy. I want to send that goal to him.

"I hope all the Asian players – especially in South Korea – look at this achievement and believe they can do it as well.

"It's a good thing for Asia and I take a big responsibility to be a good example to help the young guys. I want them to believe an Asian player can do amazing things in the Premier League."

Son shared the Premier League's Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah last season, but his goal against Brighton was just his seventh in the competition this term.

"Sometimes you always expect an amazing season and think it will be the same [as last year], but there can be more pressure," Son said.

"I'm the most frustrated player but I see where I can improve. I am frustrated but I'm not the perfect player so I need to look at my weaknesses. 

"The fans are supporting me and I need to take a big responsibility to do well for the rest of the season."

Erik ten Hag vented his fury over Manchester United's schedule after Marcus Rashford sustained an injury during a 2-0 Premier League win over Everton.

Rashford limped off with a groin issue late in the Red Devils' victory over the struggling Toffees at Old Trafford on Saturday, where Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial were on target.

United manager Ten Hag revealed that his leading goalscorer's injury "doesn't look well" ahead of a Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla on Thursday.

The Dutchman put the England forward's setback down to playing so many games in a short time.

Asked about the extent of Rashford's injury, he said: "I can't say in this moment. You are a doctor, maybe I'm not.

"We have to wait – how bad or how good it is. So, yeah, obviously he went off with a complaint and now we have to wait, set a diagnosis and then we can see. Also, when I asked now the doctor I get the same answer."

He added: "Some things you can’t avoid, but that was avoidable.

"Why is the Premier League giving us the late Sunday night game and giving us the early Saturday game? I think it's not right.

"Then you run the risk. The players can’t recover that quickly and we know all the science, all the science research that will give you that players need a certain period to recover.

"If it's more [games] after each other, then it accumulates, so then they run even more the risk.

"It's also part of the schedule that we are now finding ourselves in this situation and now we can only pray that [Rashford] is not dropping off."

Rashford has 28 goals in 47 games this season, and provided the assist for Martial against Everton.

Ten Hag continued: "It was not necessary to set the schedule like we have now.

"Then I think other facts is more important than the sportive element, like protecting the players. Also, let's say this, today we have seen a very entertaining afternoon, but players can't do it so often when they are not fresh.

"We create a lot of chances but missing the chances is also part of it, that is a lack of freshness in the final moment, and the risk of injuries.

"I think we have to protect the players and that is also the interest from the total football because everyone wants to see great football. Then you need to have your best players on the pitch."

Harry Kane hit the winner as Tottenham claimed their first victory since Antonio Conte's departure, beating top-six rivals Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 in a feisty contest on Saturday.

Kane found the net with a deflected effort with 11 minutes remaining after Son Heung-min's stunning goal – his 100th in the Premier League – was cancelled out by Lewis Dunk's header.

Roberto De Zerbi joined interim Spurs boss Cristian Stellini in being sent to the stands during a heated affair, with the visitors denied goals in either half for handball offences.

Tottenham's victory keeps them three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification, with Brighton seven points further back after a frustrating loss.

Tottenham took the lead in spectacular fashion with their first attempt of the game, Son cutting inside to whip a 25-yard effort beyond Jason Steele and into the top-right corner.

Kaoru Mitoma was denied a leveller as he was penalised for handball before volleying into the bottom-right corner, before Hugo Lloris made two outstanding saves, turning Alexis Mac Allister's long-range effort away and pushing Moises Caicedo's drive onto the post.

However, Brighton's pressure finally told after 34 minutes as Dunk powered in a header from Solly March's corner.

Brighton thought they had the lead when Danny Welbeck's second-half strike deflected off Mac Allister and beyond Lloris, but a VAR review spotted that the ball struck the midfielder's hand.

Having been involved in an animated exchange before kick-off, De Zerbi and Stellini both saw red following a touchline fracas on the hour mark as a tetchy affair threatened to boil over.

Both sides missed chances as they chased a crucial winner to stay in the hunt for the top four, and it was Spurs who got one as Kane's powerful finish deflected into the top-left corner, breaking Brighton's hearts.

Frank Lampard suffered defeat in his first match back in charge of Chelsea as Matheus Nunes hit a dream goal to earn Wolves a 1-0 Premier League victory.

There was a touch of Marco van Basten's famous goal against the Soviet Union at Euro 88 about the game-winning strike from Nunes on Saturday at Molineux.

It lit up a drab first half and Chelsea could not find a suitable response, leaving them still one short of the 40-point mark after 30 rounds of games, with Real Madrid next up for them.

While the focus fell on Lampard, this was a huge result for Wolves, easing relegation concerns for Julen Lopetegui's side.

Lampard was without Mason Mount, but the caretaker boss pepped up Chelsea's attacking options by bringing in Conor Gallagher and Raheem Sterling as N'Golo Kante sat out the game.

Heading into this one, these teams had just 52 goals between them from 58 games in this season's Premier League, and the lack of a dangerous focal point to both attacks was initially glaringly obvious.

Battles were being fought largely in midfield and on the flanks, and it took a special goal out of the blue from Nunes to break the deadlock in the 31st minute.

The former Sporting CP midfielder sent a wonderful strike whistling across Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the left corner after the ball bounced into his path near the right edge of the penalty area.

Chelsea's Reece James fired horribly over from a free-kick just before the hour as the visitors, in a white kit, looked for a way back into the game.

Wolves had former Chelsea title winner Diego Costa in their ranks, and he was enjoying making a nuisance of himself, even though the old pace has gone. He departed soon after the hour, and Chelsea were probably glad to see the back of the veteran.

Cunha was providing most of the Wolves threat, with Kepa making a solid stop before being grateful to see a fierce strike clear the bar. Chelsea, meanwhile, plugged away but rarely showed obvious purpose, unable to add to their meagre four away wins in the league this season.

Erik ten Hag warned Manchester United must be more clinical after they moved a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League by beating Everton 2-0.

United leapfrogged Newcastle United into third place in the Premier League table ahead of the Magpies' trip to Brentford with a comfortable victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Scott McTominay scored his first goal of the season nine minutes before half-time and Anthony Martial came off the bench to seal all three points in the second half.

United's 21 shots in the first half were more than any other side have registered in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match this season, but Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was outstanding as they had only a single goal to show for it.

Over the 90 minutes, United missed seven big chances, a joint-high in a single game across the league this season.

Marcus Rashford was denied by England team-mate Pickford time and again before the Red Devils' leading goalscorer limped off late on with a groin injury.

United manager Ten Hag wants to see better finishing from his side as they strive to secure a top-four finish, while also going for Europa League and FA Cup glory.

He told BBC's Match of the Day: "We have to be more clinical and more ruthless and this game has to be finished by half-time, and we didn't.

"But it is still a very good performance, and it is still a big compliment to the team."

Ten Hag praised midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who was so influential in the middle of the park, creating six chances.

He said of the Portugal international: "I think he was brilliant. He has played brilliant in a deeper role, and even last week against Newcastle he played very well, and today he was brilliant.

"He was definitely the best player on the pitch."

N'Golo Kante was omitted as Frank Lampard named his first starting line-up since returning to Chelsea as caretaker manager, with the midfielder rested ahead of the Blues' Champions League trip to Real Madrid.

Lampard opted to make two changes to Chelsea's side for Saturday's Premier League trip to Wolves, introducing England internationals Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher.

With Chelsea reverting to a back four after Bruno Saltor used a 3-5-2 system in Tuesday's goalless draw with Liverpool, Ben Chilwell was dropped to the bench and Kante was absent entirely.

Kante made his first Premier League start since last August against Liverpool, having missed the majority of the campaign with a hamstring injury.

However, Lampard played down any concerns regarding Kante's condition before kick-off, telling Sky Sports: "There's no worries with N'Golo. We're fine with him and managing him through. 

"He's been out for a long time so we have a way of managing him. I was aware of that when I was at the club before.

"Then there are a couple of other selection issues, some small concerns, so we have to protect a couple of the players in the squad."

Mason Mount was also absent for the Blues, with reports suggesting the midfielder suffered a recurrence of a previous injury in training on Friday.

The Athletic reported Mount – who has been linked with a move away after failing to agree a new contract with the Blues – could also miss the first leg of Chelsea's quarter-final tie with Madrid.

Chelsea travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Carlo Ancelotti's European champions on Wednesday, before welcoming Los Blancos to Stamford Bridge six days later.

Scott McTominay scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Manchester United stayed on course for a top-four finish by beating Everton 2-0.

United dominated the first half at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the outstanding Jordan Pickford making a string of saves before McTominay found the back of the net.

Relegation-threatened Everton made more of a game of it in the second half, but Anthony Martial came off the bench to double United's lead as the visitors were consigned to a first defeat in five matches.

Victory for Erik ten Hag's side moved them above Newcastle United into third place ahead of the Magpies' trip to Brentford later in the day, but a late groin injury sustained by Marcus Rashford will be a cause for concern.

United started strongly and Rashford shot straight at Pickford after racing clear of a static Everton defence.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka inexplicably failed to hit the target with the goal gaping when the ball rebounded to him after Antony struck the post, before Ellis Simms missed a great chance to put Everton in front against the run of play, scuffing his shot wide.

Pickford thwarted Antony, who was also denied by a great last-ditch tackle from Ben Godfrey as the Red Devils continued to get in behind far too easily.

The busy Pickford prevented Rashford from opening the scoring yet again, but McTominay drilled in with his right foot from just outside the six-yard box nine minutes before the break after Jadon Sancho picked him out.

Pickford palmed a measured strike from Antony around the post late in a one-sided first half that somehow ended with United only one goal up.

United had breathing space in the 71st minute, though, Martial drilling home with his right foot after Rashford pounced on a mistake from Seamus Coleman to set his fellow forward up.

Christian Eriksen returned from injury with a substitute appearance, but the sight of leading scorer Rashford limping off late on will be a worry for Ten Hag.