West Ham were left teetering on the brink of Premier League relegation after a damaging defeat at Newcastle.
Xabi Alonso was announced as Chelsea’s new manager, while Manchester United boss Michael Carrick expects an imminent resolution on his future.
Elsewhere, Police Scotland promised a “robust and swift” response to any criminal acts committed during a pitch invasion after Celtic’s dramatic William Hill Premiership title decider against Hearts.
West Ham on the brink of Premier League relegation
West Ham’s Premier League survival bid was left hanging by a thread following a 3-1 loss at Newcastle.
With just one game remaining, the 18th-placed Hammers sit two points from safety and will be relegated before hosting Leeds on the final day of the season if fellow strugglers Tottenham win at Chelsea on Tuesday evening.
Will Osula scored twice for the Magpies on a chastening afternoon for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side at St James’ Park after Nick Woltemade opened the scoring.
Substitute Taty Castellanos reduced the deficit with an eye-catching finish but it counted for little as West Ham languish on the brink of returning to the Championship for the first time since 2012.
Alonso targets trophies at Chelsea
Xabi Alonso set his sights on silverware after agreeing to lead Chelsea into a new chapter.
The former Liverpool favourite is returning to the Premier League but not at Anfield, as many predicted he eventually would. Instead he has agreed to take the managerial reins at Stamford Bridge, where he is expected to enjoy considerable powers rather than being confined to a coaching brief.
He begins a four-year contract on July 1 and will arrive in London with lofty ambitions.
“We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies,” he said. “There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club and it will be my great honour to lead it.”
Michael Carrick predicts ‘clarity’ will come soon
Will Michael Carrick be on the Manchester United touchline next season? (Martin Rickett/PA) (Martin Rickett)
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick expects to see his future resolved swiftly, as he edges ever closer to a long-term shot at one of the biggest jobs in the game.
Carrick took charge of the final home match of his temporary stint on Sunday, seeing off Nottingham Forest 3-2 to cement third place before addressing the Old Trafford crowd directly.
The 44-year-old has enjoyed strong on-field results and impressed the club’s ownership since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January, with confirmation of a deal the next logical step.
Reports suggest a two-year deal, with the option of a third, is on the table. “Over the coming days there will be clarity in the situation,” said Carrick.
Police promise to act after Celtic Park pitch invasion
Police Scotland vowed there will be a “robust and swift” response to any criminal acts committed during a pitch invasion by Celtic supporters after their team’s dramatic Premiership title decider against Hearts.
Hundreds of Celtic fans streamed on to the playing surface when Callum Osmand netted in the eighth minute of stoppage time to put the Hoops 3-1 ahead and effectively seal the championship.
Several ran towards Hearts players and the Edinburgh club noted “deeply disturbing reports of serious physical and verbal abuse towards our players and staff, both on the pitch and elsewhere”, adding that the episode “embarrassed Scottish football”.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland told the Press Association: “If any player, or indeed any member of the public, has been assaulted on that pitch, and there is criminality, we will take robust and swift action.”
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