MANCHESTER CITY are weighing up a move for Lionel Messi, but have denied making an official approach for the Barcelona forward.
Meanwhile Chelsea missed the chance to close the gap on Leicester and Manchester United with a draw at Southampton and Liverpool lost to Everton.
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Read our live blog below to get the latest from around the clubs…
- Alex Terrell
SETTING THE TONE
Leicester are tracking Brentford star Ivan Toney as they look towards life without Jamie Vardy, writes DUNCAN WRIGHT.
Vardy continues to be the main goalscoring threat at the King Power and shows little sign of slowing up despite turning 34 last month.
But boss Brendan Rodgers is realistic the Foxes have to find another regular goalscorer to lead their attack going forward – and Championship hotshot Toney is a major option on their list of targets.
The 24-year-old has been outstanding in his first season since making the step up from League One Peterborough, scoring 24 goals in 30 league games.
The Bees are hoping his goals can lead them to promotion to the Premier League.
But if they miss out they are well aware they would face a battle to keep him in West London.
- Jake Lambourne
MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Manchester United are being tipped to rival neighbours City for Erling Haaland this summer.
But in contrast, as runaway leaders City prepare to visit Arsenal tonight, Emirates' boss Mikel Arteta has warned he CAN'T rival Pep Guardiola's Etihad achievements and resources.
Guardiola's ex-City No2 Arteta said: “You cannot compare his situation to the one with us. They are very, very different."
Meanwhile, ahead of United's home clash with Newcastle, Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has heard he will get the green light for a huge transfer spree, including targeting Borussia Dortmund goal sensation Haaland.
That backing from the board also suggests the Norwegian will be handed a new, longer contract.
As for yesterday's action, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel have been quick to point fingers after their Prem disappointment .
Klopp blamed the Reds' fourth straight home defeat on gifting Richarlison a third-minute opener as Everton landed their first league win at Anfield since 1991.
Sub Gylfi Sigurdsson's late penalty confirmed a 2-0 Toffees' triumph that put them level on points with sixth-placed Liverpool.
Klopp said: “We conceded this early goal – it was completely unnecessary.
“This gives the game a direction we don’t need so we had to chase the game… We had good opportunities but didn’t take them."
And Tuchel claimed his Chelsea side "lacked determination, aggressiveness and more one-on-one chances" after Mason Mount's spot-kick rescued a 1-1 draw at Southampton.
Elsewhere, Wolves are being linked with Club Brugge’s £20million-rated centre-back Odilon Kossounou, who is also said to be on the radar of Inter and AC Milan.
Finally, Everton and Aston Villa are tipped to bid for ex-Arsenal and West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere, 29, when his short-term Bournemouth deal ends this summer.
- Ian Tuckey
MIKEL: ARSENAL CAN'T DO A MAN CITY
Mikel Arteta has warned: I just cannot do a Pep at Arsenal.
Arteta and Guardiola were both educated in Barcelona’s academy and worked together with great success at Manchester City.
Boss Mikel Arteta hopes Gunners' fans don't expect them to rival Man City But while Guardiola’s first job as a head coach was in charge of Lionel Messi and Co at Barca, putting theory into practice at the Emirates is another kind of task for rookie Arteta.
And with boss Pep already lifting EIGHT trophies at City, if you include Community Shields, the Arsenal boss said: “You cannot compare his situation to the one with us. They are very, very different.
“You can share some values, some ideas and the way we were raised and educated in football is very similar because we had the same background.
“The fact we worked together united us a lot to get that chemistry.
“How do you make it work and what do you need to make it work? You need time. Sometimes you need a lot of investment, sometimes there is a group of players that can already provide that.
“You have to keep evolving and finding a way because there is not one formula that works. You cannot try to follow that because you will fail.”
- Ian Tuckey
UTD 'BACK IN FOR HAALAND'
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer WILL get the backing to bring the world’s top stars to Old Trafford this summer.
And that means the green light to join rivals Manchester City in the battle for Erling Haaland.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ould launch a new bid for Erling Haaland this summer It is also the clearest indication yet that the Red Devils manager, 47, will be handed a new deal to continue his overhaul at the end of the season.
United were in the hunt for Haaland, the most wanted striker in Europe, before he joined Borussia Dortmund last January.
A £65million release clause only kicks in next year, meaning anyone wanting to sign the 20-year-old before then will have to pay an inflated premium.
Leeds-born Haaland scored twice last night — one an incredible bicycle-kick — as Dortmund claimed an emphatic 4-0 win at Schalke.
Fellow Norwegian Solskjaer refused to be drawn on specific targets but did admit he has been promised funds will be available to sign the best players around.
- Ian Tuckey
ALONSO EYES NEW CHELSEA DEAL
Marcos Alonso is open to signing a new deal at Chelsea after his revival under Thomas Tuchel.
The Spanish left-back’s camp had been working on a move away from the Blues after he was frozen out by ex-Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.
Marcos Alonso has transformed his Chelsea fortunes under Thomas Tuchel But now Alonso, 30, who started his career at Real Madrid, is hoping for a one-year extension to his stay at Chelsea.
He had been looking at a final switch to a Premier League rival, or a return to Serie A where he played for Fiorentina.
But the defender's situation at Stamford Bridge has improved dramatically since Tuchel's arrival in January.
- Ian Tuckey
HAMMERS FIX DAW
HARRY REDKNAPP EXCLUSIVE: David Moyes won’t win the title with West Ham — but when it comes to the signing of the season he’s in a league of his own.
Actually, he’d have a decent shout of making it a clean sweep with numbers two and three as well, because Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have both been sensational.
Craig Dawson has been outstanding since stepping up from his Championship fringe role with Watford to a key position for Premier League high-fliers West Ham But in my opinion, not even those two — outstanding as they have been — can top the impact Craig Dawson has already had in his short time with the club.
Not bad for a bloke who couldn’t even get a game in the Championship before West Ham came in for him in October.
Well, he may have not got further than the bench at Watford — apart from losing a League Cup game at Newport — but he’s one of the first names Moyesie puts on his teamsheet now.
To be honest, there were probably three centre-backs ahead of him when they signed him. And I know a lot of people were thinking, ‘What’s he doing with signing a bloke who can’t get a game?’.
But I speak to West Ham fans a lot — and they’re not doubting him any more. They’re amazed at how amazing he has been.
Whoever came up with the idea — and I assume it’s David — played a blinder, and Dawson will be one of the main men they’re relying on against Tottenham on Sunday as well.
- Ian Tuckey
RESULT: FULHAM 1 SHEFF UTD 0
Ademola Lookman's deserved 61st-minute winner lifted Fulham to within a point of fourth-bottom Newcastle.
The Cottagers survived seven minutes of stoppage time.
But in truth the bottom-placed Blades created little – aside from strong late appeals for a penalty for Alphonse Areola's tough challenge on Jayden Bogle.
- Ian Tuckey
HE CAN STILL HAK IT
Thomas Tuchel blames himself for Hakim Ziyech's lack of Chelsea game-time under him so far.
The Blues boss told Sky Sports: “It’s my fault, actually. It’s not his fault.
“It’s my decisions. It’s the same for some other players – there were some hard decisions to make. This is a good thing – it means we have quality.
“There are some decisions for other players that means Hakim suffers a little bit. I can absolutely understand and agree with that, so it’s my responsibility and my fault that he cannot show more of his potential.
“But when I look at the schedule we can be sure that we need all of our players. No matter how hard times are for you personally, I cannot say one bad thing for Hakim.
“He’s working hard and he needs to show that he’s ready because when the moment comes – I cannot tell you when the moment comes – but we expect the best Hakim Ziyech.”
- Ian Tuckey
WOLVES JOIN ODILON HUNT
Wolves fancy making a move for Club Brugge’s £20million-rated Ivory Coast centre-back Odilon Kossounou.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to toughen his back line — but faces competition from a number of top clubs around Europe for the 20-year-old.
Club Brugge defender Odilon Kossounou has been eyed by Liverpool as well as Wolves Inter and AC Milan are both keen on Kossounou, who is in his first season in Belgium after a brief spell with Swedish club Hammarby.
The Italian duo have been quoted a fee and Brugge will hold out for a big sum, knowing the player is keen on the Premier League.
Liverpool have also checked on Kossounou — but decided to take Ozan Kabak on loan with a view to doing a permanent deal.
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL! FULHAM 1 SHEFF UTD 0
First-half dangerman Ademola Lookman lashed home Fulham's belated opener on 61 minutes.
- Ian Tuckey
DON'T PUT IT ALL ON REDS
Liverpool have been made odds-on to miss out on a Champions League spot this season.
The Champions disastrous season hit a new low following a 2-0 defeat to Everton – the first time their local rivals had won at Anfield since 1999.
The result meant the Reds have lost a fourth home game in a row and missed the chance to go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp's men are down in sixth and have now been made odds-on at 10/11 to finish outside the spots for a Champions League place.
That marks a stark drop from just two weeks ago when Liverpool were just 4/1 before losses to Leicester and Everton.
Betfair Spokesperson, Sam Rosbottom said: “Liverpool have now lost four consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since December 2002 and their hopes of a top-four spot are dwindling.
“Following the derby defeat, we now make them odds-on at 10/11 to miss out on a place in the Champions League spots come the end of the season.
“Not many punters fancied Everton’s chances today, but they overcame odds of 8/1 to record their first win at Anfield since 1999, while a correct score of 2-0 to the Toffees was matched at 79/1 in-play shortly before Richarlison put the visitors ahead.”
- Ian Tuckey
S/H: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
So far the Cottagers look like a point is the least they will get from this bottom-three clash.
If that assessment doesn't spark a Blades turnaround then nothing will..
- Ian Tuckey
HAALAND GLOBE TOPPER
Erling Haaland continued to stake his claim as the world's top striker with a stunning scissor kick past Schalke.
Borussia Dortmund romped home 4-0 in the Revierderby thanks to another fantastic display from the Norwegian and Jadon Sancho.
It was the England winger who put Borussia on top after struggling Schalke were forced into surrendering possession in their own half.
Sancho struck a precise effort in at the near-post and passionately pounded the Borussia badge on his chest in celebration.
Dortmund doubled their advantage minutes later when 20-year-olds Sancho and Haaland added to their repertoire of combinations.
The striker leapt up to provide an acrobatic scissor kick from Sancho's cross, finding the bottom corner in elegant fashion.
Amid fears that the former Manchester City man had started the season slowly, he now boasts 10 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.
- Ian Tuckey
KLOPP BLAMES NIGTMARE START
Jurgen Klopp blamed Liverpool's 2-0 home loss to Everton on Richarlison's soft third-minute opener.
The Reds' boss claims his sinking champs played well enough to deserve much more.
But he told the BBC: "We conceded this early goal – it was completely unnecessary.
"This gives the game a direction we don't need so we had to chase the game… and we did that really well.
"So, creative wise in a tricky game for different reasons, we created some stuff.
"We changed our formation slightly in the second half, which they couldn't really cope with.
"We had good opportunities but didn't take them – so who can you criticise apart from yourself?"
But Klopp hopes the performance will inspire confidence and a revival. for sixth-placed Liverpool
He added: "I don't like to talk about the good stuff because we lost the game but I have to use that – that is our lifeline."
- Ian Tuckey
H/T: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
The Cottagers dominated the first 45 minutes, the Blades having neither a single goal attempt or even a touch in the home box.
- Ian Tuckey
LATEST: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
Blades striker Oli McBurnie is eventually ruled OK to carry on after his head clattered into a Fulham player's shoulder.
The Cottagers edged the first 35 minutes against their relegation rivals.
- Ian Tuckey
CARLO SALUTES PICKFORD AFTER TOFFEES' DERBY JOY
Boss Carlo Ancelotti is targeting a European spot next season as he hailed under-fire keeper Jordan Pickford following Everton's 2-0 win at Liverpool.
After the Toffees' first victory at Anfield in the Premier League for 22 years, Ancelotti told Sky Sports: “I am very pleased for the club and the supporters.
Carlo Ancelotti says Everton No1 Jordan Pickford responded well to his criticsCredit: PA:Press Association "I hope for sure that they are going to celebrate tonight. It was a good performance. A lot of fight and spirit. I am really happy.
"We have to find more consistency at home and we are working on this. We are fighting for Europe and now we are in a good position.
"This kind of performance helps to improve the belief of the team.
“Jordan did really well. He accepted the criticism. You have to do that and try to be better and he did it.”
- Ian Tuckey
WIJNALDUM: DEFEAT SO PAINFUL
Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is urging Jugen Klopp's devastated players to man up after Everton's "painful" and historic 2-0 derby win at Anfield.
Wijnaldum says despite being "upset" by a chronic injury list the fast-fading champs can't "play the victims".
The Dutchman insisted Liverpool were the "better" team but paid for conceding a sloppy early opener to Richardson.
And he told Sky Sports: "We have to deal with the situation and not feel sorry for ourselves.
"We have to give until the end of the season, it is painful and you could see if on the faces of the players.
"Winning games in the Premier League is always difficult and the injuries don't make it easier.
"We still have a squad who can change it around and we have to work harder to change it around."
- Ian Tuckey
IT'S UNDER WAY: FULHAM 0 SHEFF UTD 0
The Cottagers canclimb to within two points of safety if they beat the bottom-placed Blades.
Fulham won an early corner after kicking off.
- Ian Tuckey
OLE HELPED GREENWOOD AGED 7
Mason Greenwood was taking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's advice long before his Manchester United debut – even as a seven-year-old.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was doing his coaching badges when he first gave tips to Mason Greenwood, who was with the Man Utd U-8s. The Norwegian spoke to Greenwood while the striker was still a young lad in the academy.
Playing in the youth setup alongside Solskjaer's son, Noah, he was given a few tips while the club legend did his training badges.
Greenwood, 19, recalled in a chat with Rio Ferdinand for BT Sport: "He spoke to me.
"He came and did his coaching badges at United.
"I was only with the Under-8s and Under-9s and I trained with his son.
"He was telling me about that, I couldn't remember it because I was so young but he told me about it.
"He always speaks about movements into the box, shooting and stuff, so it was a good benefit to have him there."
- Ian Tuckey
ATLETICO LOSE UNBEATEN HOME RECORD
LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid suffered a shock first home defeat of the season ahead of Tuesday's Champions League home clash with Chelsea – 2-0 agsinst Levante.
Levante celebrate on the way to a fine win that lifted them to eighth in LaLiga Without Kieran Trippier and Stefan Savic, Diego Simeone's side shot themselves in the foot after half an hour at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Geoffrey Kondogbia lost the ball on the 18-yard line to allow Jose Luis Morales a powerful shot that beat Jan Oblak and went in off a post for his 12th goal of the season.
Atletico's ex-Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, going into the game with seven goals in his last five, hit the post from a free-kick.
And Simeone threw on Lyon loanee Moussa Dembele for his debut, as well as Thomas Lemar, both having recovered from coronavirus.
But Levante held firm and nabbed a second goal late on through Jorge de Frutos.
- Ian Tuckey
EVER SO GOOD AGAINST KOP FLOPS
Liverpool's shock demise is posing big questions about boss Jurgen Klopp – while Carlo Ancelotti's Everton are now level on points with a game in hand following their historic 2-0 win at Anfield tonight.
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- Ian Tuckey
RESULT: LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 2
TOFFEES END 22-YEAR WAIT FOR ANFIELD PREM WIN
Richarlison's early strike and Gylfi Sigurdsson's late penalty continued Liverpool's woeful Premier League form as neighbours Everton moved level with Jurgen Klopp's sixth-placed side on points.
For reaction click on our MATCH BLOG.
- Ian Tuckey
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 2
Gylfi Sigurdsson tucked home a penalty on 83 minutes to ease Everton nerves by doubling their lead.
Trent Alexander-Arnold brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin after the striker's shot was saved by Alisson = VAR confirming the spot-kick decision.
Click on our MATCH BLOG for constant coverage of the Merseyside derby.
- Ian Tuckey
LATEST: LIVERPOOL 0 EVERTON 1
The Toffees are clinging on a bit approaching the final ten minutes.
Click on our MATCH BLOG for constant coverage of the Merseyside derby.
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