Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on how cautious he has to be with Alexander Isak: "I think with Alex, it is pretty clear for me, if he is fit in any game leading up to the EFL Cup final then he will play and we have to have that mindset with all of our players. You can't save players as they will lose rhythm. The best thing for a player to stay in good form and to stay fit is to play them and that's what we will try to do with all of our players."

On how different the side are with and without Isak: "I think naturally when he is not playing, the team has a totally different look. It's still a team that can be successful but they will have to do it in a different way.

"Alex has standout qualities. We have moulded our game to his qualities. He is an outstanding talent and he possesses skills and abilities and a way of playing that makes us better in my opinion and that's no disrespect to anyone we have.

"I thought Callum did a great job for the team in a change of system on Wednesday but I think we missed Alex."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United

More team news from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe: "I believe Callum Wilson is ok. He took a cut to his eye but nothing more than that. Fingers crossed he is fine.

On Sven Botman and Joelinton: "They have a chance [to play on Sunday]. Today is a big day for them. We will see how they are and whether they train with the team for the first time or not. Knowing both players, they will be very keen to be involved."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on the fitness of Alexander Isak: "We will see today. I haven't seen him since the game. We will see how he is today. We don't think it's a long-term problem. There was no risk taken on Wednesday and there can't be with the stage of the season we're in.

"There is always a risk with any player but we wouldn't take any risks on his long-term fitness. We will see how he is today and if he is fit, he will play."

First up is an update on the fitness of Alexander Isak, who missed Newcastle's midweek defeat at Liverpool...

Just a heads-up that we will be talking captains following Brighton and Newcastle's news conferences.

Roy Keane has criticised Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes in the latest edition of The Overlap, saying that the Portuguese midfielder's talent is not enough to warrant his position as captain.

We will bring you his comments in full later this morning.

What we want to know from you now is what qualities you want to see in a club captain? Which captain - present or former - of the team you support embodied those qualities the best and why?

Send us your thoughts via X, WhatsApp or text using the contact details above and we will publish a selection throughout the morning.

Thanks.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Graham Potter speaking to BBC Sport: "Feels good. It's not easy. The turnaround from the Arsenal game was not that long. Two efforts in five days is big for us. Two clean sheets and six points, so I am delighted.

"The clean sheet was important. We have conceded too many goals this season. It's important to stem that. The collective effort to do that was important.

"We controlled the first half and limited them. Overall we're delighted and it is a big win for us."

On Tomas Soucek's birthday goal: "He's been brilliant for us. He pops up with a goal and works hard. He can have some time over the weekend with his family and maybe have a nice dinner."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport

This will go down as ultimately a disappointing season for West Ham as the appointment of Julen Lopetegui did not work, meaning they turned to Graham Potter at the start of the year to pull them away from any relegation danger.

With this win following up a hugely impressive victory against Arsenal, that has been achieved with the Hammers now comfortably clear of trouble.

There was little to read from this display as West Ham did not have to do much to get the win. They actually finished the game with fewer attempts on goal than Leicester but took their chances, with the help of some poor defending.

The back-to-back wins - their first in almost a year - means the rest of the season is effectively a write off, but that gives Potter an extended period to start putting him imprint on the team for next season.

Fair enough, Andrew. But maybe Graham Potter played it safe just to guarantee the points given West Ham's position?

That win has all but banished relegation worries now, so you may enjoy some more expansive football between now and the end of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

From genuine fears of relegation to being 16 points clear of the drop zone with 11 games to go - it's safe to say Graham Potter has had the intended impact at West Ham.

He's picked up 10 points from 21 available and also helped shore up a defence that had been leaking goals for fun.

West Ham results since Potter's appointment:

• Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham (FA Cup)
• West Ham 3-2 Fulham
• West Ham 0-2 Crystal Palace
• Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
• Chelsea 2-1 West Ham
• West Ham 0-1 Brentford
• Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
• West Ham 2-0 Leicester

Funny you should say that, Tom. We have some West Ham praise and reaction coming right up...

On average, 35 points has been the number needed to survive in the Premier League since its inception.

Should that be the case this season, both Leicester and Ipswich would need to pick up 18 points from their final 11 games. Considering the two have picked up 17 from their opening 27 so far, that is some ask.

Having said that, it is unlikely that 35 points will be needed to survive this season. Nottingham Forest survived in 2023-24 with 32 points - the lowest points tally to stay in the Premier League.

West Ham United's 42 points in 2002-03 is the most points a team has picked up and still been relegated in a 38-match season.

Image source, Getty Images

There has been a lot of chatter surrounding this year's Premier League bottom three and whether they are the "worst" bottom three ever.

Statistically, they aren't (yet), but they very nearly are - and they could still earn that infamous crown before the season draws to a close.

Opta are predicting the bottom three to finish with a combined points total of 68. Only once in Premier League history has that points total been lower - last season.

Last season's bottom three of Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United finished with a combined points total of 66. To put that into perspective, current leaders Liverpool have already surpassed that total by themselves with 10 games still to play.

Image source, Opta

If you are just joining us, welcome and happy Friday.

The first of the FA Cup news conferences take place in the next hour - Newcastle's Eddie Howe and Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler - to preview their fifth-round tie at St James' Park on Sunday.

We will bring you all the best bits as and when they arrive

Image source, Getty Images

According to Opta's supercomputer they are, anyway.

In fact, according to the latest predictions, the bottom three as it stands is all but done and dusted.

Ipswich in 18th and Leicester in 19th have just a 3.4% and a 2.2% chance of survival, respectively, while Southampton may as well go on their summer holidays now because it has their survival likelihood as a big fat 0.0%.

On the flip side, Wolves, who are currently sat in the final safety position in 17th, have been given just a 5.3% chance of being relegated.

Leicester are in need of points and in need of points fast if they are avoid relegation back to the Championship.

They have 11 games left to save their season and it's safe to say that those upcoming fixtures will hardly have the squad filled with confidence.

• Chelsea (a)
• Man Utd (h)
• Man City (a)
• Newcastle (h)
• Brighton (a)
• Liverpool (h)
• Wolves (a)
• Southampton (h)
• Nottingham Forest (a)
• Ipswich (h)
• Bournemouth (a)

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester defender Wout Faes believes the team can still stay up, despite now being five points adrift from safety after defeat to West Ham.

Speaking after the match, Faes said: "Of course, there has to be belief.

"Weekend after weekend the games count down. I don't think we have to think too much about going forward.

"We just have to think game by game and we have to start winning very soon because the games are counting down."

You've cracked it, Phil.

The Leicester groundstaff's pitch designs were the stuff of legend. Anyone know the reason why it was banned?

If you know please get in touch.