Manchester United are on the verge of acquiring their first player in the ongoing transfer market, with Ajax’s Donny van de Beek days away from the sealing the move. Elsewhere, the fight between the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi and Barcelona continues, while there are other developments in the market as well.

That said, here is what’s happening in Europe:

Conte wants Kante

Antonio Conte wants Inter Milan to go for Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante as the Italian looks keen on reuniting with the Frenchman, who worked together at Chelsea. As per Tuttomercatoweb, Inter wants the former Leicester midfielder on loan, and want to add an option to buy for �?0million (£44.5m). This represents a significant coup as Chelsea signed the midfielder for just £32 million back in 2016.

The Blues have splashed cash on the likes of Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva, while Kai Havertz is reportedly on his way as well. That said, the club is now seeking a way to recoup the funds, which could act as a potential boost for Inter in their pursuit. 

Antonio Conte has recruited several players from the Premier League, with the list including Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen, Ashley Young, Victor Moses and Alexis Sanchez, and now wants Kante to join the fray after missing dropping his interest in Sandro Tonali, who is on his way to AC Milan.

Liverpool in for Ismaila Sarr

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are considering making a move for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr by matching Watford’s asking price of £40m. As per the reports. The Reds have made Sarr their priority above all given that he is also on the radar of Manchester United. 

As far as Watford are concerned, they are willing to let their winger leave with the only condition being the suitor pays more than £40m for the 22-year-old. Sarr was one of Watford’s top performers in a rather gloomy 2019/20 Premier League campaign, scoring five goals, two of which came in Watford’s stunning 3-0 win over the Reds in February.

Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace are also monitoring his situation, but the Londoners are unlikely to match the asking price. Sarr, who had six assists last season, joined Watford in 2019 from the Ligue 1 side Rennes in a £35m deal.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles going nowhere 

Days after Wolves began showing an interest in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Arsenal are said to be reconsidering their plans of letting the youngster leave. The 23-year-old versatile midfielder, who still has three years left on his current deal, was exceptional against Liverpool in the Community Shield final on Saturday, but his future has been thrown in the air, with the likes of Wolves, Newcastle and Brighton looking to prey him away from London.

Wolves, in fact, saw their opening bid of £15m getting rejected from Arsenal. 

Speaking about his future after Sunday’s game, the 23-year-old assured his commitment to the club, saying, “I am an Arsenal player until I am told otherwise,�?he told BT Sport.

“My heart is in the club and whilst I am here I am going to give 100% all the time. So that is that.�?/span>

As thing stand, it looks like the midfielder has earned the trust and confidence of his manager, who is now reluctant on losing his young prodigy.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk

Nathan Ake’s move to Manchester City is expected to spark a wave of plucking in players from the teams who have been relegated from the Premier League this season. The likes of Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City have faced the axe, and there are certain players like the Dutch centre-back who are now tipped to be on the radar of some of the top teams in Premier League.

• Read | Why are Manchester City interested in Bournemouth's Nathan Ake?

That said, here we take a look at five players we feel deserve to be in the top division of English football, and can deservedly make a move from their respective clubs into the top tier. 

Gerard Deulofeu (Watford)

Versatile Spanish forward Gerard Deulofeu has had an injury-hit season, but regardless of that, he provided a decent return of four goals and five assists in 28 league games. Known for his strong dribbling skills, interest even from some top teams from the other European leagues has stepped up for the winger.

5 - Watford's Gerard Deulofeu has been directly involved in five goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (2 goals, 3 assists), as many as his previous 22 in the competition. Catalyst. #WATEVE pic.twitter.com/NgMlMY7eU5

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 1, 2020

Deulofeu has sure struggled with injuries, but on his day, he is well and truly capable of taking on defenders and turn the tide right at the death. It is said that the Spaniard is currently in touch with his representatives as he is keen on staying in the top-flight, and this could turn out to be a perfect opportunity for the suitors to lure him in on a relatively low transfer fee.

Emiliano Buendia (Norwich City)

Despite a return of a solitary goal in 36 league appearances, Norwich City’s 23-year-old midfielder has provided seven assists and has played 2.3 key passes per game, which is fourth highest in the league this season. And this particular number is enough for the top teams to table a lucrative offer.

29 - Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendía created 29 chances for his teammates in December, the most by a player in a single calendar month on record in Premier League history (2003-04 onwards). Wizardry. #OptaPLRefresher pic.twitter.com/8nAG9mPArp

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 12, 2020

The Argentine created nine clear-cut goalscoring chances this season, which, in fact, is the highest amongst the three relegated sides. He did end his season with a red card against Burnley, but there’s absolutely no denying his talent, having created as many as 28 chances from set-piece situations. 

Joshua King (Bournemouth)

Six goals and four assists is certainly not a good figure for a striker, but the quality that Bournemouth striker Joshua King brings to the table is simply unquestionable. With Odion Ighalo’s loan deal expiring at the end of the season, rumours have it that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is considering a move for the former United academy graduate.

• Read | Why Jamie Vardy was right to snub Arsenal in the summer of 2016

“The link to United is strong. King has played there as an academy player. His former coach in the reserve team is now head coach of the club and he has got himself a new agent in Jim Solbakken, who is also Solskjaer’s agent,�?explained Norway assistant coach Per Joar Hansen.

However, at 28, does he really represent the principles that Solskjaer is trying to fit at United? Only the time will tell.

Ben Foster (Watford)

At 37 years of age, goalkeeper Ben Foster was arguably the most consistent performer of Watford. The Hornets sure have a long list of players like Will Hughes, Ismaila Sarr, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Danny Welbeck who might force an exit, but losing Foster could actually pose a bigger problem than it seems.

• Read | Five Jadon Sancho replacements Manchester United should consider

If not for a regular first-team football, Foster could be an amazing backup for the likes of Tottenham and even for Chelsea, who are expected to relieve Kepa Arrizabalaga from his duties. The 37-year-old made 117 saves during this campaign and despite a horrific season, managed to keep nine clean sheets. An offer from one of the Premier League teams could well and truly be on the table.

Max Aarons (Norwich City)

A sudden report of Bayern Munich’s interest in Norwich City’s 20-year-old full-back Max Aarons has left every single fan puzzled, to say the least. In a rather underwhelming season for Norwich, Aarons has impressed one and all, playing in 40 games in all competitions for the Canaries.

Right from growing up between an unknown equity to becoming European Golden Boy nominee, Aarons could become a subject of an absolute bidding war between a few clubs, given that every modern manager these days requires an intelligent full-back, which Aarons is.

• Read | Outfielder Dream Team: Players who played with both Messi and Ronaldo

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Mike Hewitt, Mike Egerton

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SportsAdda.

Watford captain Troy Deeney and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe accepted responsibility for the pain of relegation from the Premier League, while Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is planning a party after avoiding the drop on Sunday.

Deeney's penalty was not enough to prevent Watford losing 3-2 at Arsenal as the Hornets' decision to sack a record three managers in a Premier League season, including Nigel Pearson with just two games remaining, backfired. 

"This is a reflection of the whole year," Deeney told Sky Sports. "I will take the stick on social media but the harsh reality is people will lose their jobs because we haven't been good enough.

3 - Watford have been relegated from the @premierleague for the third time, with the Hornets also suffering the drop in 1999-00 and 2006-07. Axed. pic.twitter.com/gJKIQl6gWC

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 26, 2020

"The whole top to bottom will do an audit and reassess. It is not just us.

• Read | Man Utd, Chelsea seal top-four spots as Watford, Bournemouth relegated

"We can't say we got it right because we failed. The bigger thing is for the fans and people at clubs because they will be here longer than players."

Deeney has played through the pain barrier in recent weeks, but hinted his 10 years at Vicarage Road could also be coming to an end.

"I will be having a knee operation next week. Clubs can go in different directions and players can," he added.

4 - Danny Welbeck (Man Utd, Arsenal, Watford) has become the fourth player to score a goal at the Emirates Stadium for three different club sides, after Eduardo Da Silva, Dimitar Berbatov and Younes Kaboul. Comeback. pic.twitter.com/lS8JUWCjun

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 26, 2020

"If that is my last game, I am happy I went out on my shield. I am a simple man. Did I go out and do everything I could? Yes. Was it good enough? No."

- Howe 'really sad' for Bournemouth fans -

Bournemouth won 3-1 at Everton, but the damage was already done as the Cherries' five-year stay in the top flight came to an end.

Howe insisted the responsibility for Bournemouth's relegation lies with him rather than his under-performing players.

1 - Bournemouth have been relegated from the Premier League for the first time, ending a run of five seasons in the top-flight. Despair. pic.twitter.com/VCpFEs1FcO

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 26, 2020

"It hurts. I'm trying to keep it together. I'm really sad for the fans of this club.

"It's small margins, there has been loads of moments during the season. As the manager I make hundreds of decisions and I haven't been good enough this season.

"I'm not going to sit here and criticise the players in any way, I have to back them and support them. First I have to look at myself and that I will do."

Villa did just enough to prevent an immediate return to the Championship as they secured a 1-1 draw at West Ham in a dramatic finale.

Jack Grealish put Smith's side ahead six minutes from time in what could be a parting gift from the Villa captain, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Manchester City.

10 �?Jack Grealish’s strike for Aston Villa was his 10th goal of the season in all competitions, the club’s outright top scorer in 2019-20. Hero. pic.twitter.com/HrLwa0feQO

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 26, 2020

However, just a minute later, Andriy Yarmolenko's deflected effort ensured there was a nervy end for Villa.

A lifelong Villa fan, Smith lost his father, who used to be a steward at Villa Park, to coronavirus during the Premier League's three-month stoppage due to the pandemic.

"I was brought up a Villa fan. It is a proud moment and feels better than going up last season," said Smith.

"It was a big change we had to make at the football club. We had to build a new team, a new squad.

"We used the pandemic to the best. I lost my father through that period and there was a lot of disappointment, but we knew we had to work hard.

"I have lost my voice. I expect Jack Grealish to get drunk with me tonight."

Manchester United and Chelsea sealed Champions League places on Sunday as Bournemouth and Watford fell through the trapdoor on a dramatic final day of the longest Premier League season.

Liverpool were crowned champions last month but there was much to play for in the final 90 minutes of a campaign that started on August 9 last year and was interrupted by a three-month shutdown.

United finished third after a nervy 2-0 win in a Champions League shootout against Leicester, while Chelsea ended in fourth spot after beating Wolves by the same scoreline at Stamford Bridge.

At the other end of the table, Bournemouth and managerless Watford followed already-relegated Norwich down to the Championship while Aston Villa fans breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Leicester, in fifth spot, will play in the Europa League next season where they will be joined by Tottenham, who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace to leapfrog Wolves.

Wolves still have two routes to qualify for European competition next season -- either into the Champions League by winning the Europa League next month or into the Europa League if Chelsea beat Arsenal in next week's FA Cup final.

Chelsea come good

Chelsea required just a draw at Stamford Bridge to seal their place in the top four but won all three points in first-half stoppage time as Mason Mount whipped in from a free-kick before Olivier Giroud slid home.

A top-four finish and a Cup final in his first season in charge is a coup for Frank Lampard, who had to cope with a transfer ban and the loss of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid last summer.

"There were a lot of unknowns when I came in, could we move forward without Eden Hazard?" Lampard told Sky Sports. 

"We knew we had lost a massive player. We have a real spirit within the group now and it's a real team effort now.

"Myself and the staff want to improve every time -- the challenge now is to see what more we can do next season."

United, whose form has dipped in recent weeks after they pulled themselves back into contention for the Champions League, were locked at 0-0 at half-time at the King Power Stadium.

But they finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, when Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot after Anthony Martial was upended. Jesse Lingard scored late to seal the win.

The result is a huge lift for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose team were 14 points behind the Foxes at the start of the year, but is a bitter blow for Brendan Rodgers, whose side have been camped in the top four for almost the entire campaign.

"I'm delighted," said Solskjaer. "We've come from way, way behind teams and gone past them. We've shown that we've got the consistency, the right mentality. We're building a group and a performance culture here that we can be proud of."

'Incredibly painful'

Two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a strike by Kieran Tierney gave Watford, who sacked Nigel Pearson earlier this month, an almost impossible task at Arsenal.

A Troy Deeney penalty and a Danny Welbeck strike gave them hope but it was not enough and the Hornets were relegated after five years in the top-flight following their 3-2 defeat. 

"This is a reflection of the whole year," Deeney told Sky Sports. "Not quite been good enough. Heartbreaking for the people who work behind the scenes and we feel sorry for them."

Bournemouth beat Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park but needed West Ham to beat Aston Villa to survive.

Andriy Yarmolenko equalised after Jack Grealish's late goal for Villa but the away side held on, sending Eddie Howe's side down after five seasons in the Premier League.

"It's incredibly painful -- we always believed we were capable of a last-minute escape," Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe told the BBC.

An early goal by Harry Kane put Tottenham in front against Crystal Palace. Palace equalised early in the second half through Jeffrey Schlupp but the point was enough for Jose Mourinho's men to finish in sixth position.

Liverpool beat Newcastle 3-1 to finish the season on 99 points -- the second-highest tally in English top-flight history behind only Manchester City's 100 points in 2017/18.

Second-placed City finished the campaign with a flourish, thumping Norwich 5-0 to reach 102 goals with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and matching Thierry Henry's record of 20 assists in a Premier League season.

Elsewhere, Brighton beat Burnley 2-1 and Southampton beat Sheffield United 3-1.

Leicester's Jamie Vardy won the Golden Boot with 23 goals, one clear of Aubameyang and Southampton's Danny Ings.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Carl Recine

This weekend, the stop-start Premier League campaign will finally come to a close, as all 20 teams will kick off simultaneously at 8:30 PM on Sunday in the final game week of the 2019/20 season.

There is a lot at stake at either end of the table and in the middle as well, and we skim through the biggest storylines that beckon this weekend:

The Champions League-chasing pack

Manchester United’s terrific form since their defeat against Burnley has seen them go 11 games unbeaten and rise to third on the Premier League table on goal difference. Leicester, who were eight points clear of United when football resumed, has struggled since the restart and need a win on the final day at home against United to be assured of a place in the Champions League.

Leicester have beaten United only once at the King Power Stadium since their return to the Premier League in 2014 and have since failed to score a victory over the 20-time champions at home. In the subsequent four games since Leicester’s incredible 5-3 win, United have registered two wins and shared the spoils twice against the Foxes.

Marcus Rashford scored in United’s 1-0 victory last season at the King Power Stadium and earned his team’s only goal from the penalty spot in their 1-0 win at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign. Leicester will be without Caglar Soyoncu, Ricardo Periera and Ben Chilwell, three of the four defenders in their backline that have started the majority of their games in this campaign, as well as playmaker James Maddison.

A draw would suffice for both teams if Chelsea, who are currently level on points with United and one clear of Leicester, lose to Wolves at home. However, a victory or a draw for the Londoners would mean Leicester will miss out on Champions League football if they fail to beat United.

Europa on the horizon for Wolves and Spurs

One of Manchester United, Chelsea and Leicester will have to contend with the fifth spot on Sunday, leaving two Europa League spots up for grabs which are currently occupied by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

The two teams are separated by a point in the table and will be eager to finish sixth as Arsenal could steal an automatic qualification spot to the Europa League spots by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final on August 1.

Wolves will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, who themselves need at least a point to guarantee a top-four finish. Wolves picked up four points off the Londoners last season but lost 2-5 earlier this season at home after Tammy Abraham struck his first Premier League hat-trick.

Chelsea last lost to Wolves at home in the top division in 1979, however, the Londoners are coming off the back of two tough encounters against Manchester United and Liverpool and will be playing on three days of rest as opposed to Wolves, who will have a proper week’s break before this encounter.

Spurs, who will have to rely on Chelsea to either thwart Wolves or beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final, will remain in London and travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace. Jose Mourinho’s men have won nine straight Premier League matches against Palace and conceded just once in those games.

Captain Harry Kane scored two sumptuous goals against Leicester this past Sunday and Mourinho will be hopeful that his skipper will fire them to another victory on the final day of the Premier League season.

Battle at the bottom for survival

Watford, Bournemouth and Aston Villa will play for their Premier League lives on Sunday as only one of these three will be plying their trade in England’s top-flight next season.

Villa’s impressive victory over Arsenal saw them climb to 17^th on the Premier League table, level on points and one goal better than Watford who are 18^th. Bournemouth, who are three points off the two teams in 19^th have the same goal difference as Watford’s and just one short of Villa.

All three teams will be on the road on the final day, as Villa and Watford will travel to London to take on West Ham and Arsenal, respectively, while Bournemouth will head to Merseyside to take on Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.

Bournemouth’s destiny isn’t in their own hands, as they need West Ham and Arsenal to beat Villa and Watford respectively, and also beat Everton themselves to avoid relegation on the final day.

• Bournemouth staring down the barrel in relegation tussle

A draw would suffice for Watford as long as West Ham beat Villa. However, if the Villains win, the Hornets will have to beat Arsenal by two goals more than Villa’s margin of victory over West Ham.

Watford could survive even if they lose to Arsenal but will have to hope that Bournemouth drop points against Everton and West Ham beat Aston Villa by two goals more than the margin of their defeat at the hands of the Gunners.

Images courtesy: AFP / POOL / Alastair Grant

Watford captain Troy Deeney has slammed reports there was a fight during half-time of Nigel Pearson's final match in charge of the Premier League strugglers.

Pearson was surprisingly sacked on Sunday with just two games left in Watford's battle to avoid relegation. Hayden Mullins has been appointed interim boss, with the Hornets three points above the relegation zone.

Amid claims that Pearson's demise was hastened by a heated row during Friday's 3-1 loss at relegation rivals West Ham, Deeney told beIN Sports: "I just want to put it out there, there was no fight at half-time.

"It is 2020, you don't do that any more and certainly with all the cameras you would see a lot more if that was the case.

"The gaffer didn't put his hands on anybody. He was just frustrated and had a firm talking to us. No-one was fighting, no-one was punched and no-one was tickled. There were no hands thrown.

"Second of all Troy will not be picking teams because I have read that online as well. I am player-coach apparently. Anything else I have missed out? We wasn't locked in so a lot of interesting things."

Deeney admitted he was surprised by the decision to sack Pearson, who was Watford's third permanent manager of the campaign after Javi Gracia and Quique Sanchez Flores.

The 56-year-old guided the Hornets to notable triumphs over Manchester United and Liverpool, but will not finish the job he started in December.

- 'Up and down week' -

"You get to a point in football where you are not surprised any more, but I would say this one surprised me and took me back a bit," Deeney added.

"I wasn't anticipating that was going to be the situation we'd walk into on Sunday. We had an up and down week before.

"We won two games (against Norwich and Newcastle) and you'd like to think we would have got a better result against West Ham, but that wasn't to be and the club made a decision."

Mullins was also in charge against Leicester and Crystal Palace in December before Pearson arrived.

Now he is focused on securing Watford's survival.

"One of the things we have had to deal with in the last couple of days is the manager leaving. However that has come about is something we can't let dissuade us from our focus. Our focus are the last two games," he told reporters on Monday.

"We know the manager was a big part of it, but the club have made a decision and us, the players and staff have to be professional enough to focus on the next two games."

Earlier, Pearson had expressed his regret at not being able to finish the job he started at Watford.

In a post on his official Twitter account on Monday, Pearson said: "I've been overwhelmed by the well wishes I've received from Watford supporters and the football community. Thank you all for your kind messages.

"Although not able to finish the task I was brought in to achieve, I wish Watford all the best for their final two games. Cheers, Nige."

As the Premier League enters the final week of the season, there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the table.

With two games remaining for all the clubs preparing to settle the campaign's remaining issues, we take as a closer look at the race to qualify for the Champions League and Europa League, as well as the fight to avoid relegation:

Top four fight

Chelsea and Leicester City are in possession of the coveted top four berths alongside champions Liverpool and Manchester City, who are guaranteed to finish second.

But both side's grip on those spots in next season's Champions League could easily be broken by in-form Manchester United in a nerve-jangling finale.

Third-placed Chelsea are one point ahead of both Leicester and United, who sit fifth and are behind the Foxes on goal difference.

On Sunday, Leicester face a tricky trip to Tottenham, while on Wednesday United host West Ham and Chelsea travel to Liverpool.

After those games, the top four may have been shaken up significantly before the final round of matches on July 26.

Chelsea need four points from their last two games to guarantee qualification and play Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on the last day.

Leicester and United meet in a decisive showdown at the King Power Stadium, which means if either of those teams win those last two games they are guaranteed to return to Europe's elite club competition.

United are the form team after winning five of their seven league games since the restart, while Chelsea and Leicester have both shown recent signs of vulnerability.

Europa League race

The teams who finish fifth and sixth will qualify for next season's Europa League, unless either of the sides in those positions win the Champions League or the Europa League -- United and Wolves are contenders in the latter competition -- when they restart next month.

Winning those tournaments is rewarded with Champions League qualification.

If the FA Cup winners finish in the top six, then seventh place in the Premier League would qualify for the Europa League.

Sixth-placed Wolves will qualify for the Europa League if they win their final two games against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Tottenham, one point behind Wolves, will be guaranteed to hold onto seventh place at least if they win their final two games against Leicester and Palace.

Sheffield United, who face Everton and Southampton, are one point behind Tottenham in eighth and need Jose Mourinho's men or Wolves to slip up.

Relegation fears

Norwich are already relegated, leaving two places to be filled by unwilling teams over the next week.

West Ham and Brighton are effectively safe after moving six points clear of the relegation zone, leaving Watford, Bournemouth and Aston Villa scrapping for survival.

Third-from-bottom Bournemouth are three points behind Watford and can move level on points if they beat Southampton at Dean Court on Sunday, with a three-goal margin of victory enough to take them above the Hornets on goal difference.

Watford take on Manchester City at Vicarage Road on Tuesday and shortly afterwards Villa host Arsenal.

If Watford beat City or take a point, then Bournemouth or Villa would be relegated if they fail to match the Hornets' result.

On the last day, Villa head to West Ham, Bournemouth are at Everton and Watford travel to Arsenal.

After going six games without a win after the coronavirus hiatus, Villa have given themselves hope with four points from their last two matches, although conceding a late equaliser at Everton on Thursday was a major blow.

Bournemouth's win against Leicester on July 12 was their first in 10 games, but a defeat at City kept them in the mire.

Watford had won their previous games before a 3-1 loss at West Ham on Friday dented their survival bid.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Glyn Kirk

Chelsea moved up to third in the Premier League table after holding out to win a 3-2 thriller at Crystal Palace, while Leicester could only manage a draw at 10-man Arsenal on Tuesday.

Frank Lampard's men edged closer to sealing a place in next season's Champions League as a seventh win in eight games takes them one point ahead of Leicester and opened up a five-point lead on fifth-placed Manchester United.

The Blues were fortunate when opening the scoring at Selhurst Park as former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill fell to the ground clutching his hamstring to allow Willian to tee up Olivier Giroud for his fourth goal in six games.

Christian Pulisic's form since the Premier League's restart has led to comparisons with Eden Hazard, the man he replaced at Stamford Bridge, and the Belgian would have been proud of Chelsea's second as the 21-year-old American skipped past Joel Ward and hammered in off the inside of the near post.

"Christian is hugely important," added Lampard. "You look at the top attacking players in the world and they score goals and make assists regularly that win games and at the moment he is doing that, so I am delighted with him."

As so often this season, Lampard's men failed to capitalise on their dominance and were suddenly on the back foot when Wilfried Zaha thundered a shot high past Kepa Arrizabalaga from long range for Palace's first goal in four games.

Chelsea looked to have sealed the three points again when substitutes Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tammy Abraham combined for the latter to restore a two-goal cushion 19 minutes from time.

Just over a minute later, though, Palace were back in the game when a brilliant move culminated in Patrick van Aanholt squaring for Christian Benteke to tap in just his second goal of the season.

Questions remain over whether the Chelsea defence will be strong enough to maintain a title challenge next season and they were left clinging on in stoppage time as Kepa turned Scott Dann's header off the inside of the post and only a last-ditch challenge from Kurt Zouma denied Benteke a second.

- Vardy matches Aubameyang -

Leicester have now won just one of their six games since the restart to see their lead over the chasing pack for a place in the top four whittled away, but were grateful for a 1-1 draw at the Emirates after a slow start against in-form Arsenal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swept home the opener for the Gunners as Kasper Schmeichel kept Leicester in the game with a stunning save to deny Alexandre Lacazette.

"In the first half we should have gone 3 or 4-0 up and kill the game against this type of opposition," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Lacazette also saw a goal disallowed for offside after the break before the game turned when Eddie Nketiah was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for a high challenge on James Justin.

Leicester made the man advantage count as Vardy pounced to slot home Demarai Gray's cross and regain his two-goal advantage over Aubameyang in the race for the Golden Boot.

"I was really pleased with how we managed the game 11 v 10. We got a deserved goal and if we had made the final pass we could have gone on and won the game," said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers.

Arsenal's hopes of reaching the top four now appear over as they remain nine points behind with just four games to go.

- Welbeck makes Watford mark -

At the other end of the table, Danny Welbeck's first Premier League goal for Watford was as valuable as it was spectacular as the Hornets beat Norwich 2-1 to move four points clear of the relegation zone.

Defeat pushes Norwich ever closer to the drop and the Canaries could be relegated at the weekend if they fail to beat West Ham.

Like so much of his career, Welbeck's first season at Watford has been blighted by injury, but the former Manchester United and Arsenal forward showed his class by adjusting his body to hook home the winner after Craig Dawson cancelled out Emiliano Buendia's early opener for Norwich.

"I am speechless after the goal," said Welbeck. "It means a lot to me and means a lot to the whole team. It is one that puts us on our way now. We will give it our all from now."

Chelsea held on to their place in the Premier League's top four by bouncing back to beat Watford 3-0 on Saturday after Manchester United briefly powered past with a 5-2 rout of struggling Bournemouth.

Third-placed Leicester also got back on track with Jamie Vardy reaching 100 top-flight goals in a comfortable 3-0 win against Crystal Palace, while Arsenal dealt a blow to Wolves' Champions League chase by winning 2-0 at Molineux on Saturday.

United's fearsome front four of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood, who netted twice, were all on the scoresheet as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men hit five goals in a home Premier League game for the first time since 2011.

"Confidence is sky high. You get energy and confidence by performances and results and we are getting that at the minute," said Solskjaer, who is feeling the benefits of a 16-match unbeaten run.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the first @ManUtd players since Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in 2007/08 to score 10+ home goals in a #PL season pic.twitter.com/XDIF5RA8Yh

�?Premier League (@premierleague) July 5, 2020

"I have enjoyed the last few games to be honest and it is healthy. You don't age as quickly!"

Bournemouth are moving fast in the other direction as they remain second bottom and the Cherries' defensive problems were quickly exposed after they took a shock 16th-minute lead through Junior Stanislas.

Greenwood got the comeback started as he smashed home from Fernandes's pass before Rashford, from the penalty spot and Martial, with a stunning shot into the top corner, scored their 20th goals of the season,

"Mason is one of the best if not the best finisher I have worked with and seen," added Solskjaer. "He is so calm. He knows where to finish if it is on the training ground, here or in his garden at home."

Bournemouth were given hope when Josh King scored from the spot after Eric Bailly handled inside his own box just four minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute.

But there was no stopping Solskjaer's men going forward and Greenwood restored their two-goal cushion with another powerful drive, this time on his weaker right foot, before Fernandes then capped another influential display with a fine free-kick.

- Chelsea bounce back -

Chelsea shrugged off a shock 3-2 defeat at West Ham in midweek with a routine win at Stamford Bridge.

Olivier Giroud was recalled up front and repaid Frank Lampard with a smart finish to break the deadlock before Willian's penalty made it 2-0 before half-time.

Ross Barkley added the third in stoppage time to move Chelsea back two points ahead of fifth-placed United.

✌️ @ChelseaFC have scored 2️⃣+ goals in nine of their last 10 #PL matches pic.twitter.com/BE063SkOm1

�?Premier League (@premierleague) July 5, 2020

"We needed a result after the last game," said Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic. "I think there was an extra bit of energy because of that loss, we wanted to prove a point."

A third defeat in four games since the restart leaves Watford still just one point above Bournemouth and Aston Villa in the battle to beat the drop.

Arsenal kept their hopes of European football next season alive moved by ending Wolves' eight-game unbeaten run in impressive fashion to move up to seventh.

Bukayo Saka celebrated signing a new long-term deal this week by hooking in the opener just before half-time and Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to seal all three points for Mikel Arteta's men four minutes from time.

"Every game you have no margin for error, we know that we try to win every game," said Arteta of Arsenal's top-four chances.

Defeat leaves Wolves five points behind Chelsea.

- 100 up for Vardy -

Arsenal face Leicester next on Tuesday, but the Foxes go into that game with a much-needed confidence boost after a first win in five games.

Leicester have struggled to score goals of late, but were helped back to winning ways by some calamitous Palace defending for Kelechi Iheanacho to open the scoring and Vardy to tap into an empty net for his Premier League century.

Jamie Vardy joins an exclusive club

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�?Premier League (@premierleague) July 5, 2020

Vardy struck again in characteristic fashion in stoppage time, sprinting in behind before dinking the ball over the advancing Vicente Guaita.

"To get the two goals and the three points is all you can ask for," said Vardy. "We know it's down to us. We are in this position on merit and we have to keep going. If we play like that between now and the end of the season, we will pick up a quite a few points."

Norwich manager Daniel Farke conceded his side are heading for relegation after a 1-0 home defeat to Brighton left the Canaries still seven points.

"It was more or less our last chance to get back in the mix," said Farke.

"After a few losses, we don't have the right to make any fighting messages or to make any unrealistic claims."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Matthew Childs

Premier League strugglers Watford rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Leicester thanks to Craig Dawson's last-gasp overhead kick at the start of a weekend which could see Liverpool move within one win of the title.

In the first full weekend of English top-flight matches since the shutdown in March, Watford's hopes of avoiding relegation looked set to be dented by Ben Chilwell's superb 90th-minute strike.

But in a remarkable conclusion, Hornets centre-back Dawson launched himself into an acrobatic effort moments later to claim his first goal for the club.

"It's something you practise in training and it probably doesn't go in very often. I'm delighted with my first goal. It was obviously a very important goal and it was good to get a point in the end," Dawson told BT Sport.

Watford climbed to 16th place, one point above the relegation zone, but they could be passed by West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa depending on their results this weekend.

Leicester remain third, six points ahead of fourth-placed Chelsea, as they look to secure a spot in next season's Champions League.

With all games being played behind closed doors due to the health crisis, there was the now-familiar sight of empty seats being covered over at an eerily quiet Vicarage Road.

Following the trend from the first four matches of the restart this week, a minute's silence was observed for victims of the global virus and both teams took a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter cause before kick-off.

Liverpool back on Sunday

On Sunday, Liverpool will play for the first time since the top-flight hiatus when the title chasers make the short trip to Merseyside rivals Everton.

Jurgen Klopp's side, 22 points clear of second-placed Manchester City, need two wins from their remaining nine games to end their 30-year wait to be crowned English champions.

If the Reds beat Everton, they can wrap up the title with another victory against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday.

Klopp's men have not been in action for 106 days and the Liverpool boss is relieved to return after talk the season might be declared null and void, which would have deprived his team of the title their superb season deserves.

Liverpool had been on course to become the first English champions to be crowned in March after recording 27 wins from 29 matches.

However, Liverpool's inevitable title will now come with an asterisk according to some pundits, who claim the Premier League's new normal of matches behind closed doors with more substitutes allowed has taken the shine off the leaders' achievements.

Back in full swing

Klopp doesn't care about those critics and, on the eve of Liverpool's return, the German hit back.

"Now I have had a lot of time to read. I had to Google the word 'asterisk'. I only knew the word from a comic!" Klopp said.

"This is the most difficult year and season to become champions, 100 percent. It is an interrupted season, like has never happened before. 

"Whoever will be champions, it will be historic because it is a year that we will never forget.

"Give us an asterisk, yes. We cannot do a lot of things that we usually can do but in this specific case at least we can say this is really special.

"That's why we enjoy the little asterisk there."

Liverpool's derby clash comes at the conclusion of a busy weekend that confirms the Premier League is back in full swing.

Following four midweek matches on Wednesday and Friday, this is the first Saturday since March 7 that top-flight games have been played in England.

Brighton, two points above the bottom three, return to action at the Amex Stadium against Arsenal, who are reeling from their 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Arsenal are eight points adrift of the top four and another loss would effectively extinguish their faint hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

West Ham, level on points with Brighton, host Wolves, who are bidding for an unexpected European berth, while Bournemouth face Crystal Palace.

Chelsea play for the first time since the lockdown on Sunday when Frank Lampard's men head to struggling Aston Villa.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Alastair Grant