Football Countdown: City's Premier League Triumph and Alkmaar Fallout

The importance of the end of the season game was emphasized by a team member who said, “Of course we all debate it and look at it during a season, of course we do, but the one at the end of the season, that’s the most important, the one we’re looking to be above the line on. I think we’ve just stayed very clear-minded, trying to take away the layers of noise around our group to make sure we’re focused on the game. That’s all we look to do, others can do however they wish.”

West Ham is set to play Leeds, and Big Sam expressed hope that their recent win against AZ Alkmaar would help them secure a victory over David Moyes’ team, as Moyes’ players may be focused on their Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina and subconsciously avoiding injuries. Big Sam stated, "My job is about getting my team playing as well as possible. We can normally guess the team that is going to be picked but it is very difficult to look at this one."[David Moyes] made nine changes when they played Brentford last week, and of course our preparation is to try to predict a team, work out how West Ham play and do a little bit of practice against that, both offensively and defensively. He might change the team but he will probably play the same way. I’m pleased for him [reaching a European final]; I’ve known him many years. He’s had a fantastic career. Hopefully when we are having a drink afterwards, it is us who have the three points, not him."

Leeds United will face off against West Ham, which will be a highly contested match as Leeds battles relegation and Sam Allardyce returns to his former team. In an unexpected turn of events, Big Sam expressed his fears about artificial intelligence, outlining how it has already caused BT to lose 40,000 jobs, with more job losses expected. He fears for his grandchildren's future in the world of climate change and worries about the risk AI poses to future employment - a sentiment to which many can relate.

Manchester United Football Club has confirmed that the 31-year-old defender, Phil Jones, will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June. Jones joined the club in 2011 and proved to be an asset in the initial stages of his Manchester United career, with Sir Alex Ferguson claiming he “could be our best player ever.” However, a persistent barrage of injuries disrupted Jones’ career, and he has hardly played in recent years, despite being capped 27 times by England. Jones bids farewell, having made 229 appearances for United and scoring six goals.

United stated, "Our No4 is now taking some time before deciding his next move, and everybody at United would like to wish Phil the very best of luck for the future."

West Ham's euphoria over reaching the Europa Conference League final was marred by fans of AZ Alkmaar who confronted friends and family of the visiting players after the final whistle at the AFAS Stadion, causing AZ's manager, Pascal Jansen, to issue an apology, stating, "I feel ashamed it happened in our stadium. It should not be happening. You have to stay in control of your emotions."

Manchester City can be confirmed champions for the fifth time in six years with a victory on Sunday over Chelsea, while Liverpool hosts Aston Villa, and Newcastle is in a race with Manchester United for a top-four finish. Unai Emery's men have European aspirations of their own as they work to qualify for the Europa League, while Villa are in a fierce race with Tottenham and Brighton to get to the tournament and have their sights set on victory.

In the fight against the drop, Forest entertain Arsenal, while Everton travel to Wolves and Leeds are hosted by a West Ham side that might still need a point to guarantee survival. And for the third time in three weeks, Leicester have to wait until Monday night to rage against the dying of the light. An unenviable trip to St James’ Park is next on their itinerary

Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford (Sat 12.30pm BST)

Liverpool v Aston Villa (3pm)

Wolves v Everton (3pm)

Bournemouth v Manchester United (3pm)

Fulham v Crystal Palace (3pm)

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (5.30pm)

West Ham v Leeds United (Sunday 1.30pm)

Brighton v Southampton (2pm)

Manchester City v Chelsea (4pm)

Newcastle United v Leicester City (Mon 8pm)

View the Premier League table

It’s the morning after the night before and leading into yet another big weekend. And what a night it was, eh? In the Premier League, Newcastle United put a recent wobble behind them to boost their hopes of a top four finish by emphatically beating Brighton at St James’ Park. One win from their final two games will guarantee the Mags their first taste of Champions League group action for 21 years.

On any other Thursday evening, West Ham’s win over AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League to book their place in their first European cup final in 47 years would almost certainly guarantee top billing but at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday had other ideas and yelled “hold our beer!” and rolled up their sleeves.

With angry calls for his head still ringing in his ears after last week’s League One playoff semi-final first leg humiliation at the hands of Peterborough United, Darren Moore somehow rallied his troops to pull off an astonishing comeback by overturning a four-goal deficit to qualify for the Wembley final. A 5-1 win after extra time in a terrific game took the tie to penalties and Wednesday’s nerveless players scored all five of theirs to miraculously advance.

It’s a hard to act to follow but there’s plenty of weekend action ahead in which various teams can try and we’ll be previewing plenty of it throughout the day.