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Lamps happy despite stalemate
Frank Lampard dismissed any notion of frustration after Everton were held to a goalless draw at relegated Watford.
The Hornets had lost their previous 11 home games but put in a determined display against the Toffees.
Despite the result, Everton are two points clear of Leeds in 18th with a game in hand after the Whites’ 3-0 loss to Chelsea last night.
Lampard said: “I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated. I think if you can’t win, you don’t lose, and we were more than secure in the game.
“If you ask me, I’d much rather be the team that’s got it in your hands and a point or two more on the board and maybe a game more than someone as well, so I think that probably in that situation that’s what you want, but the pressure is huge anyway.
“For all the talk about pressure, more or less, it’s only actions at this point. It’s how we act and how we perform in these games.”
The Merseysiders welcome Brentford and Crystal Palace to Goodison Park before a trip to Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season.
Marsch refuses to blame sent off stars
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch refused to blame his players after another early red card cost them any chance of picking up points against Chelsea.
Dan James was given his marching orders after just 24 minutes of the 3-0 defeat at Elland Road, just four days after Luke Ayling was sent off in Sunday’s loss at Arsenal.
Three successive defeats to Manchester City, the Gunners and Chelsea have left Leeds staring relegation in the face — but Marsch is not pointing the finger at anyone.
The American said: “One thing for sure, I’m not going to sit here and blame anyone.
“Our guys come every day and they do everything they can, they stick together, they fight for each other. Even on the third goal you see guys diving around the box doing everything they can to keep themselves in this league and in this match.
“I love these players, they fight to the end and we have to find ways to reward ourselves and not go down in matches and stay even.
“We want to learn from these moments so we don’t repeat these situations and mistakes.
“We have six points left [to play for], the first come on Sunday against Brighton and we have to do everything we can to recover, be mentally strong and be ready for the next challenge.
“Someone asked me if it was a psychological project, I said ‘it’s been like that since I’ve been here, really’. That’s where we are and we’ll recover and get ourselves ready.”
Celtic champions again
Celtic’s 1-1 draw at Dundee United was enough for them to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title from Rangers.
After the Gers ended their rivals’ league-winning streak at nine last term, boss Ange Postecoglou, 56, has restored the Bhoys at the top in his first season in charge.
Giorgos Giakoumakis’ first-half header was cancelled out by a wonderstrike from Tangerines midfielder Dylan Levitt — on loan from Manchester United — but that did not matter in the end.
And Postecoglou admitted he was overwhelmed as the achievement began to sink in.
He said: “It’s been a hell of a season. Our starting point was a fair way back and the way this group of players and staff has risen to the challenge — I couldn’t be more proud. What it means for our supporters is unbelievable.
“It’s fairly overwhelming. It’s taken every ounce of me to get us where we are and when you get to the finish line, you just want to collapse. You realise just how much everyone has put into it.
“If you had told me 12 months ago I’d be standing here — I wasn’t even sure I’d be on this continent let alone be manager of this football club.
“The dream was always to manage a famous club and try to make an impact. When something is almost a lifelong obsession and you finally get there, it’s hard to put into words.
“It almost feels like two seasons in one. We’ve jammed in a rebuilding season and a season to win. We had a lot of work to do. And with the support of everyone at the club, we got there.”
Cancer charity and football side link-up
The UK’s leading blood cancer charity, Anthony Nolan, has teamed up with a Sunday league club to raise awareness.
South East London side SE Dons will rebrand as SE Donates for one game only to promote the urgent need for 16 to 24-year-old men to join the stem cell register.
Since their formation in 2014, rapper Don Strapzy’s SE Dons have had huge attendances at their matches and boast thousands of followers that watch every kick of their weekly football content.
With 58% of all stem cell donations provided by young men, this demographic can be game changers for blood cancer treatment in the UK. However, male donors aged 16-30 currently make up just 18% of the register.
Club founder Strapzy said: “The Dons are always looking for ways that we can make a difference on important issues and the lifesaving work that Anthony Nolan do is something we’re proud to be involved with.
“Our ‘anything’ mantra means we do anything for each other on and off the pitch — Anthony Nolan shares the same energy.
“Together, we can build our squad to fight against blood cancer and blood disorders by encouraging young people to make a difference and join the stem cell register.”
SE Dons take on rivals ShoTime FC in the Match for a Match at Bromley FC on Sunday, June 5.
They will wear a special rebranded kit and the stadium will host a pop-up registration centre for those wanting to join the Anthony Nolan squad.
