We are going to move away from the Premier League briefly to look at the title race in the Scottish Premiership...

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Everton manager Sean Dyche has been named Premier League manager of the month for April, topping a short-list that also included title challengers Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola.

Dyche, who has won it twice previously during his time at Burnley, becomes the first Everton manager to win the award since Carlo Ancelotti in 2020.

His side claimed four wins and a draw from six matches in April to secure Premier League safety.

They also kept four clean sheets, the only blip coming in a 6-0 defeat at Chelsea, when the Premier League's player of the month, Cole Palmer, scored four goals.

Nick

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on reported speculation around Darwin Nunez' future: "There is what?...There is no speculation. That must be an external speculation because I don't know about it but maybe. There is no speculation right now, that is the situation we are in.

"Yes, Darwin was not happy missing that chance, he is unlucky because that could have changed now. Unlucky in so many situations when he is doing everything right but the ball still doesn't go in - for a young man that is really tough. He knows about expectations, on himself that's tough.

"There's no alternative than going through it, that's what he's doing right now. That is part of a footballer's career. His problem is he's that good he's constantly in these moments. If he's not good he will not have chances. He's that good he's in those moments where he can finish it off, but now he's not finishing it off."

A final couple of lines from the Liverpool news conference now, first, here's Jurgen Klopp on beating Aston Villa the year his side won the title: "[It was a] really special game when we won 2-1. We had a little situation in the dressing room. We could calm it down and turn the game around. We really wanted it.

"[There was a] little argument between two players but you will not get the names from me. This group of players is really special. Things can happen when you work together."

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Talking about Cole Palmer...

Manchester City host Leeds in the FA Youth Cup final at the Etihad Stadium tonight, aiming for their first victory in the prestigious tournament since 2020, when Palmer scored in a 3-2 win against Chelsea.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and striker Harry Kewell were part of the Leeds side that beat Crystal Palace in 1997.

Palmer is now at Chelsea, having decided to leave City in the search of regular first-team football, underlining the levels that have to be reached to become part of Pep Guardiola's squad.

Phil Foden is the obvious example to follow. But he is one of the best players in the country.

Under-18 coach Ben Wilkinson accepts the route to the top is not easy.

"For a player to get through here, you nearly have to be the best in the world in your position," he said.

"Even Phil, with all his talent, had to wait for his chance.

"That is everyone’s dream but we also have to be realistic. We are probably not going to produce five, six, seven at one time like you may have in years gone by.

"What we have to strive to do is develop players for elite first-team football.

"We have done quite well at that recently. Our academy has offered a successful pathway for young players to go and play in the Premier League and the Champions League."

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Chelsea's Cole Palmer has been voted the Premier League's player of the month for April - the last Chelsea player to receive the award was Eden Hazard in 2018.

Palmer scored seven goals in four league appearances in April and the 22-year-old has more assists than any other player at Chelsea this season.

In total, the former Manchester City academy player, who moved to Chelsea in the summer in a £42.5m deal, has 30 goal involvements in the league this season.

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There's been a lot of speculation about Mauricio Pochettino's future during his time in charge of Chelsea. In the week, co-owner Todd Boehly said the "plan is coming together", but Pochettino has said previously he wants the "stupid rumours to end" about whether he will be in charge of the Blues next season.

Today, at his pre-Nottingham Forest news conference, he gave further insight into what he is thinking.

"Look, it's not important. The most important thing is to keep going, working if we are all happy, not only the owners happy with us, or us, with all the organisation the club is building here because of them we are all under assessment," said the Argentine manager.

"If we are happy, perfect. But it is not only if the owners are happy or the sporting directors are happy. If we are happy, you need to ask us, also, because maybe say ‘we are not happy’ and we accept the situation and we need to split.

"It is not going to be the first time the coaching staff at the end of the season decide to not keep going. But at this end, it is always the opposite way, it is always the owners or the sporting directors.

"They can say tomorrow, maybe I can say 'I want to leave'. It is two parties to make a decision. Because Chelsea is not happy, the owners are not happy or the sporting directors. Maybe we are not happy because we arrive here with a job to do and in the end it has not happened how we expect. I am not saying I am not happy, but it is always one side and maybe [we need to look at the] other side."

Blades boss Chris Wilder on injured centre-backs Anel Ahmedhodzic and Mason Holgate: "From a physical point of view I have talked about Everton having a lot of technical players.

"They are a massive threat at set-plays - that is gong to be a real challenge for us. Losing two of our bigger players doesn't help the cause so we are going to need to find a way.

"We go into that with preparation exactly the same.

"We have to dust ourselves down and we go to Everton believing we can get a result."

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on their tough run of results, which all but ended their title challenge: "I was not worried that these boys cannot play football anymore. I knew that they could. I just hoped they [would] show it with me on the sidelines and we did [in Sunday's win over Tottenham]. I enjoyed it a lot - the whole thing a lot."

On the form of Harvey Elliot and Cody Gakpo: "If I regret one thing a little bit it's how I didn't play [Elliot] often enough really. An important intensity period - January a lot of injuries. Everybody came back, he had minutes then he didn't. It's really nice that he could show that [in his goal and assist against Tottenham]. He [Gakpo, who also weighed in with a goal and an assist against Spurs] knows that he wasn't in his best moment for a while. We had a conversation. It helped him a lot."

Finally, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on his future at the club: "We are already working and planning the pre-season tour. We have had some meetings and meetings to organise next season and of course working in the future."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on trying to avoid a yellow card against Aston Villa, which would see him pick up a touchline ban for his final game in charge of the club - against Wolves at Anfield: "I've known for a long time. I only got two yellow cards. I've got calmer over the years. I don't need to be on the touchline but it would be cool. I will try absolutely everything to not try and get involved in any discussions."

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More from Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder on the appointment of Mike Allen as new head of recruitment and Jamie Hoyland as new first-team chief scout: "A lot of great things have been said about Paul Mitchell [Blades' former head of recruitment].

"It's important from a recruitment point of view that the players we bring in are good players and have a good character as well.

"Delighted to get them boys [Allen and Hoyland] in. We have interviewed quite a few people for it.

"They can help us with arguably one of the biggest transfer windows in the last few years."

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, on whether Chelsea can win their remaining three games - against Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Bournemouth - to help them qualify for Europe: "It is important for every single club. It's true it's going to be hard. To get us the most [points] I think is to recreate the performance and replicate the way we play and being focused.

"Of course, we know very well we need to win games in the last three games. We then have a possibility to move into a place to play in Europe.

"The team is ready to face the last three games and it is important for us to be in Europe - of course we are focusing on the next game."

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Sunday's 4-2 win at home to Tottenham: "It was a really good game - I liked it a lot. It was a good game. What we needed, what we wanted, what the people deserved to see.

"We spoke about why we didn't make it in these three/four weeks before that happened for different reasons but that's how it is and if you are 100% honest. Is that the season where we were the best team in the league? We had our moments, we played our best game in our history against Man City but didn't win it. It's always small margins in these kind of games that can open up something."

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Monday's opponents Aston Villa: "It's the last home game of the season for Aston Villa. They want to have a good last home game because they have had an incredible season. They have qualified, pretty likely, for the Champions League, which is a big one. This year Conference League, next year Champions League. An incredible job, but we will give it a try there definitely."

On Villa manager Unai Emery: "Incredible job. Unai Emery is one of the best we have in the business, 100 percent, Wherever he is, success, sometimes the clubs were not ready to wait for it maybe. If you look back maybe these clubs would have made different decisions.

"I've known him for so long. I think when I met him for the first time he was managing in Moscow, if I'm right. That's really long ago.

"He always had a clear idea. It was really tricky for us when we faced him with Villarreal. Always organised the team extremely well.

"The job he is doing is absolutely exceptional and we know how important it is for a club to qualify for the Champions League, how difficult it is for a club to qualify for the Champions League. He probably, very likely, will do that - it's absolutely exceptional."

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on building a squad capable of challenging for promotion in the Championship next season: "There is a lot of work to be done. Some of our players will be coveted. We do not have an open cheque book so we will have to be smart.

"We will have to use loan market again and we will do. We will be one of the outstanding clubs in the Championship for [loan players] to come to.

"The gems [of deals] we have managed to do over the years - from Dean Henderson and Morgan Gibbs-White to James McAtee and Tommy Doyle. If we can get one of two of those pedigree of players in [on loan], that will give us an extra boost.

"It's an important period, but one that I am looking forward to. If we can also get a blend of experience and leadership into the squad then we can make it into a really exciting group that can go forward next year."

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on the bulk of the club's injured players returning: "Happy! This is the last week of the season and nearly all the players will be fit and available - it's a good time.

"It's good to see the future and be more optimistic."

On the irony of the season ending when players return fit: "Disappointed, as I think to increase the level and improve everyday we need to asses why we need to do better and improve.

"I think it’s a good challenge for next season...we need to increase the availability of the players."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on if they are officially out of the title race: "It's not now number one every morning on the priority list. Tell the boys by the way we still have a chance. We can see the table, we can all read the situation. Do we expect them to lose three games? [Manchester] City have to lose three games - difficult to see that. But you never know. Arsenal have to lose two games - difficult. Both play before, if they both lose let's talk about it.

"We have the chance to go above 80 points again. Like everything in life you should never take things like this for granted."

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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on Reece James returning from injury: "The most important thing is Reece James is going to be there for us.

"Then because we have an amazing relationship and of course he is an amazing player.

"It is not easy when you comeback from a long-term injury. The most important thing is he can be available and be part of the squad.

"It is important to finish [the season] with good feelings."

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