🔬 The Debrief as Liverpool move closer to title & Leicester relegated | OneFootball

Easter Sunday brought us four Premier League games that saw relegation confirmed for a second side, the title near-sealed for Liverpool and another twist in the race for Champions League qualification.

Here's what we made of it all.

What happened? 📝

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There was a serious contrast in emotions at the King Power Stadium as Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his injury return with the only goal in Liverpool's late 1-0 win at Leicester. The Foxes' relegation is confirmed while the Reds are on the brink of the title.

Arsenal ensured the title celebrations were put on hold with a dominant 4-0 win against Ipswich at Portman Road that all but confirms the Tractor Boys' relegation.

Goals from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in the first half put the Gunners in control before Leif Davis' red card ended the game as a contest. The Belgian forward and Ethan Nwaneri put a seal on things after the break to complete a great week for Mikel Arteta.

Chelsea's hopes of Champions League qualification were significantly boosted with a very late 2-1 win against neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage. Tyrique George came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal with six minutes to go, cancelling out Alex Iwobi's opener, before Pedro Neto struck deep into injury-time.

Manchester United's aim to play in the same competition next season solely rests on the Europa League, and their wretched league form continued with a 1-0 home loss to Wolves.

A rotated United side had the better of the game throughout, but could not convert several chances, and Pablo Sarabia's late free-kick sealed a first double for the Molineux side over the Red Devils in the Premier League era.

Player of the day 🔥

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Mikel Merino only played 57 minutes of Arsenal's 4-0 rout of Ipswich, but that's all he needed to show why he has become the Gunners most unlikely of heroes in recent weeks.

The Spaniard has made a huge impact since becoming an unorthodox no.9, providing nine goal contributions in 12 starts up top. His assist for Bukayo Saka's opener against Real Madrid during the week was quality, but was topped today by a Bergkamp-like backheel flick to Gabriel Martinelli.

Merino's movement and positional awareness is brilliant, making up for a lack of pace, and provides the likes of Saka, Martinelli and Leandro Trossard (the scorer of two goals) with a figurehead to play off.

It seemed ridiculous that Arsenal only had him to use up front two months ago. Now, it seems ridiculous Mikel Arteta didn't trial it sooner.

Stat of the Day 📊

United's struggles are well known at this point, but this is one you probably didn't know about.

What this means 🤔

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Liverpool need just one win to confirm their 20th league title, with Tottenham at Anfield their first chance, although Arsenal will hand it to them if they lose to Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.

Leicester are down and are now the first top-flight side to lose nine consecutive league games without scoring. Another stint in the Championship awaits, and a big rebuild is required.

Chelsea's late show was just their sixth win in their last 17 league games, but an absolutely vital one. They now sit in fifth with five games remaining, but the margins are so tight and Enzo Maresca's side still have to face Liverpool, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United and Wolves are both mathematically safe after Ipswich's loss, but the mood around their league form could hardly be more different. Ruben Amorim has put all his eggs in the Europa basket, but his countryman Vítor Pereira has worked wonders since taking over from Gary O'Neil.

What they said 🗣️

Unsurprisingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold gave nothing away regarding his future, but he was ecstatic to mark his return with a first-ever left footed goal and a crucial winner.

Sure, it was [one of the best moments in a Liverpool shirt]. I have scored a few goals here at this stadium. We are so close to winning the title now and the first game back from injury as well, it was an important game for me.

As he did earlier in the week, Leicester defender Conor Coady spoke from the heart when it came to the Foxes' season of horrors.

"We've got to look at ourselves as players in the mirror. We have to now, what's happened has happened. We have to try and put this club in a better position come the summer because we haven't been good enough.

Ruben Amorim pulled few punches on where his side are at, and more than hinted at big changes in the summer.

"We say to the fans the truth, that we lack a lot of things in our team, that we miss chances. If we don't score goals, we are not going to win. And we have a lot to do and focus on improving the team, step by step, and understanding that, until the end of the league [season], it's going to be like this. And then we need to do something."

While he did eventually concede Fulham was a "must win game", Enzo Maresca is still staying relative regarding this season for Chelsea, which might not be shared by plenty of fans.

"So today's win doesn't change my view. It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spots, no doubt."

What's next? 👀

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With the race for Champions League qualification left to play for this season, it's rather ideal that the next two nights see crucial games for three of the sides involved.

Nottingham Forest host Spurs on Monday, hoping to climb back into third place after falling out of the top five for the first time in months.

Manchester City and Aston Villa then meet the following night at the Etihad Stadium, with just one point between the sides.

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