Premier League reaction & news conferences – Burnley & England women – BBC
Arsenal go top after beating Luton
Phil Foden hat-trick helps Manchester City beat Aston Villa
Brentford and Brighton play out stalemate
Thursday's news conferences: Burnley, England women, Everton, Bournemouth, Brentford (15:00 BST)
Liverpool v Sheff Utd (19:30)
Chelsea v Man Utd (20:15)
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Craig Nelson & Ben Collins
You can follow tonight's coverage of both Premier League matches by clicking on this link from around 18:30 BST.
And remember that you can get the latest news on your club – including quotes from the manager news conferences – by clicking on the team of your choice via this index.
In the meantime, check out the leading football stories on our site:
Thanks…
Chelsea v Manchester United (20:15 BST)
Chelsea host Manchester United in tonight's later kick-off.
Dion Dublin admits he does not know quite what to expect, with United sixth yet struggling for consistency, while Mauricio Pochettino's Blues are 12th but unbeaten in five matches in the Premier League.
"Both sides haven't been brilliant," Dublin told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Manchester United are in a very good position considering the football we are watching them play. Chelsea – I don't know what to think of them to be honest with you. They have got a really good coach and manager. I think he is outstanding. The players are not responding as yet, but there is a lot there.
"This one could be 3-3 or 0-0, I've know idea. It's too hard to call."
Planet Premier League podcast
Theo Walcott
Former Arsenal forward on the Planet Premier League podcast
I haven't changed my view on who I believe is going to win the league from day one. I went for Liverpool anyway. I really did. When I saw Liverpool the last few minutes and they still want to score… [Jurgen] Klopp is now in a place where I feel like he understands that it might be goal difference that might just win the league and they’ll outscore you and they're relentless in their press. Like I said, I'm talking about being a bit erratic at times, but they just don't give you space at all. And again, that home support is incredible. And the announcement of Klopp, you know, that it's going to always help. I'd love Arsenal, of course, but just something about Liverpool this year I've been really amazed with how they've dealt with the injuries as well.
Planet Premier League podcast
Cesc Fabregas
Former Spain midfielder on the Planet Premier League podcast
If you look at the calendar and the games remaining, I think Manchester City have the best scenario. But apart from that, it was a good point for Arsenal [on the weekend against City]. I think this is what they were looking for. You know, their approach to the game was different to what they've been doing the last couple of years. But listen, it worked quite well. It's true that I was expecting a different game, but they got what they were looking for. So fair play and moving on into the next. I think that was the main point and I still think Liverpool obviously have the highest percentage to try to win the league. But looking at the calendar, Man City have the best scenario, right?
Former Arsenal team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott were asked who they believe will win this season's Premier League title in the latest episode of the Planet Premier League podcast.
Perhaps surprisingly, neither plumped for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side…
Liverpool v Sheffield United (19:30 BST)
Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
It has it's own pressures if you are not used to being ahead. If you are not used to being chased, like Arsenal [last season]. Arsenal were not used to being in that position, they got chased, they didn't like looking over their shoulder. They got worried. It's like a sprinter or 400m runner, 800m runner, looking over their shoulder thinking 'oh no I've not got enough gas to get away from them'. Bham, they go straight past you. Liverpool have done it before. They won't panic whatsoever. Jurgen Klopp – he has all of the experience in the world. He will get his players prepared. It is a mindset. It's not about the footballing side of things, it is a mindset. That's what Klopp does – he gets his players in the right mindset.
Liverpool v Sheffield United (19:30 BST)
Liverpool are a point behind Arsenal in the table with a game in hand.
But they have an inferior goal difference, meaning the Gunners will stay top if Jurgen Klopp's side fail to beat Sheffield United at Anfield…
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This season will go down as one of the greatest seasons in history IF it goes down to the final day with the top 3 going for the title. Goal difference can play a massive part!
Heych, Arsenal fan
Liverpool v Sheffield United (19:30 BST)
Liverpool v Sheffield United (19:30 BST)Dion Dublin
Former Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 Live
Dion Dublin believes that bottom club Sheffield United will not roll over for title chasers Liverpool at Anfield tonight.
"[Sheffield United] fight tooth and nail til the very end," said Dublin on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"People have popped the lid on them already – ‘they’re gone, don’t worry about them’.
"But they just keep scrapping and tonight they’ll keep scrapping again. Yes, we expect Liverpool to win this one but United will come and give it a go, without a doubt."
We can expect a busy day of Premier League news conferences on Friday, with a quick turnaround before the next round of matches on Saturday and Sunday.
Before then, we have two more matches left tonight in the midweek programme.
Liverpool host Sheffield United (19:30 BST), while Manchester United travel to Chelsea (20:15).
Click on the links to get the latest team news and match facts.
#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Am I the only one who is thinking overload the midfield? Our defence is weak and that won't change. 3-2-4-1. Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold as defensive midfielders ready to drop back, but otherwise use the wealth of attacking talent we have to stop the ball from going near our defence. The best defence is a good offence, after all.
Joe, Surrey
Arsenal
Medical experts have "found no obvious cardiac causes" for Frida Maanum's collapse during Arsenal's win against Chelsea in the Continental Cup final on Sunday, the club has confirmed.
Arsenal's latest update, external on the Norway midfielder, published on the club's official website, said that "test results have been reviewed by two leading cardiologists".
It added that the 24-year-old has had a "monitoring device fitted to record her heart function" and will be monitored during training at the club for one week before a decision is made on her returning to play.
It was announced on Wednesday that Maanum would not be joining up with the Norway squad for their Euro 2025 qualifiers.
Luton Town v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 BST)
Bournemouth
Finally from Andoni Iraola, the Bournemouth boss was asked about the club's American owner Bill Foley currently being in the UK.
The Spaniard said: "I'm sure the club is talking to him and Simon [Francis, technical director] is talking about next season and preparing everything, but me as a coach, I'm really focused on today and tomorrow, the Luton game, the next game.
"Sometimes you have to talk about other things but I don't like to talk too much about the future. Our job is to go day by day, this is sport.
"It's good that [Foley] has been here the last two games and we won. I think he was also thinking of travelling to Luton. I don't know if he will but it seems like he's enjoying it here."
#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
In terms of Phil Foden and England, it is easy to forget how good he has been playing on the left when he has done that for Manchester City in the past. Those bemoaning two holding midfielders have very short memories – are we forgetting being overrun in midfield against Croatia in 2018? With full-backs pushing on in a 4-3-3, leaving just one midfielder sitting would see us get torn apart on the counter against better sides.
John
Luton Town v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 BST)Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola on facing Luton again less than a month after beating them 4-3 at home: "It was a game with a lot of freedom, a lot of goals and chances for both sides. I think they play quite brave, like us. A lot of time they go man-to-man and we have to know the game we will face.
"For them, I'm sure it's a huge game because they are fighting to avoid relegation. They have had a really difficult schedule and I'm sure they are looking at this game and the games they have after, to try to win them and go for safety.
"But for us it's also important. We've had a very good week, with two wins, but we want to keep adding points because we know we have difficult games at the end of the season."
#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Play Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham either side of Declan Rice in a 4-3-3. Remember Xavi and Andres Iniesta either side of Sergio Busquets? Why are we making this harder than it needs to be? World-class players can play anywhere! And for the record – Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon up front.
Richard, Birmingham
Luton Town v Bournemouth (Sat, 15:00 BST)Bournemouth
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has now spoken to the media too. The Cherries have won their last three games but have had some sickness this week.
"It's difficult for me to say because some players continue with symptoms," he said. "We still have two days. I hope we can play in the best conditions but it's true that we have two or three players that are not feeling 100%.
"Everyone has to be ready to help the team because, in these weeks with three games, we always need more help."
#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Some people are so weird about Gareth Southgate. England score plenty of goals – only Argentina and France scored more at the last World Cup. England's problem against the best teams has usually been control in central midfield. They've got better at it, but that's what they need to focus on. And you don't win tournaments by leaving your back four exposed, especially if you have only one top-class centre-back.
Peter
Everton v Burnley (Sat, 15:00 BST)
Everton
A final word from Everton manager Sean Dyche on team news. He said that Arnaut Danjuma was back training on the grass but not yet fit enough to resume full training, while Lewis Dobbin was making "good progress".
Dyche also added that Amadou Onana had picked up "a few knocks" and would be assessed, while he would check the energy levels of players observing Ramadan.
"We have got to weigh up that and make sure they have got as much energy as they can while respecting their faith, of course," said Dyche.
"That often offers the idea of change and freshness. We felt that was necessary with three [games] in a week as well. We have got some very good players in the squad. If we need to make changes we will do. We still have a very competitive group."
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