EPL takeaways: Howe keeps Newcastle grounded in UCL battle

Newcastle seized the momentum in the race to qualify for the Champions League with a vital victory over top-five rivals Chelsea.

Trent Alexander-Arnold heard the frustration of Liverpool fans after his decision to quit the champions, while Southampton avoided an unwanted Premier League record.

Here, AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the weekend's action:

Newcastle seize top-five momentum

Newcastle took a huge stride towards Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win against Chelsea at St James' Park on Sunday, but boss Eddie Howe warned his players not to rest on their laurels.

Howe's side are third in the Premier League table and three points from their last two games should be enough to secure a top-five finish given their superior goal difference over fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Aston Villa, who are both three points behind the Magpies.

However, with next weekend's trip to second-placed Arsenal followed by a visit from gritty Everton on the final day of the season, Howe is not taking anything for granted.

As League Cup winners Newcastle look to appear in the Champions League for a second time in three seasons, Manchester City are just one point behind them, while seventh-placed Nottingham Forest also remain in the hunt.

"We still have two games to go and lots of twists and turns that could be around the corner," Howe said.

"We have to drive forward, reflect on our next game and make sure we're ready for Arsenal because that is a very tough match. We know how tight it is with the teams around us, so we're not taking anything for granted."

Alexander-Arnold feels the heat

Arne Slot insisted has no concerns about picking Trent Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool's last two games after the defender was booed by his own fans in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold was jeered by a significant section of the Anfield crowd when he came on as a substitute after confirming on Monday he will leave the Premier League champions when his contract expires at the end of the season.

But Slot said he could still select the England star, who is expected to join Real Madrid, when Liverpool face Brighton and Crystal Palace.

"The thing I consider is I want to win a game of football and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his teammates and to the fans, because they hired me to win as many games of football as possible," Slot said.

"And if I think there's a better chance of winning with Trent, then I will pick him.

"If I think it's a distraction or whatever can happen for us not to play a good game of football, then I might make another decision."

Alexander-Arnold, a two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner with the Reds, looked stunned at the final whistle as team-mate Luis Diaz put a comforting arm around him.

"It is definitely difficult for him," Slot said. "It was clear there were mixed reactions, it wasn't all negative."

Saints' relief

There was relief around St Mary's at the final whistle on Saturday as Southampton's 0-0 draw with Manchester City finally rid themselves of the spectre of being the joint-worst team in Premier League history.

Rock-bottom and already relegated, Simon Rusk's team battled to secure their 12th point of a woeful season, edging them past Derby's record low tally of 11 in 2007-08.

Southampton's official X account even had a cheeky message for the Rams, saying: "Sorry if we got your hopes up."

Interim boss Rusk added: "I totally understand how important it was for the club to fight not to have that but for me it was about focusing on the performance.

"We're feeling good. We knew the size of the task. We handled it really well. It was a nice moment when the referee blew the final whistle."