Bayern Munich relinquished control of the Bundesliga title race as they collapsed to a 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena.

The reigning champions had their destiny in their own hands when Serge Gnabry fired them ahead on Saturday, but a terrific counter-attack saw Konrad Laimer level things up in the second half.

A pair of late penalties then stunned Bayern, Christopher Nkunku converting after being tripped by Benjamin Pavard and Dominik Szoboszlai doing likewise following Noussair Mazraoui's handball.

Bayern now need Borussia Dortmund to slip up in one of their remaining games – at Augsburg on Sunday and against Mainz next Saturday – to have any chance of claiming an 11th consecutive title.  

Lionel Messi has paid for Paris Saint-Germain's "obsession" with winning the Champions League, suggests Ander Herrera.

Messi moved to Parc des Princes in 2021 from Barcelona, and helped PSG to a Ligue 1 success in his first season.

PSG are on the brink of retaining their crown, though Messi's future at the club is far from certain.

Messi has been unable to drag PSG closer to their ultimate goal – winning the Champions League. Earlier in May, Messi was targeted by sections of the club's fanbase after he was suspended for taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.

Herrera, who played with Messi last season, sees the PSG's dogmatic pursuit of European glory as the main issue. 

"I was admiring Leo before [I knew] him, and after knowing him, I admire him even more as footballer and as a person," he told Stats Perform.

"I understand that Paris is a place that [does] not have much patience. There is an obsession to win the Champions League that doesn't help.

"I think that [they are] the only team in the world that, if [they] do not win the Champions League, it is a failure. All the rest can [have] good seasons without winning [it].

"In Paris, this patience and calm does not exist. You perceive that there is an obsession to win the Champions League, and at the end, who pays for it?

"[It is] the best ones [in] the team. They are the ones that receive the [criticism]."

Herrera also weighed in on speculation over the future of his former Manchester United team-mate David De Gea, amid questions over the goalkeeper's place at Old Trafford.

De Gea has come in for criticism after several key errors this term, but yet also claimed the Golden Glove once again for his Premier League performances.

The Spaniard's contract runs out at the end of the season, but includes an option for a further year, and Herrera feels United would be foolish to not keep his compatriot on.

"Of course David should continue," he added. "He has the record [for most clean sheets] in the club's history.

"He has been, four or five years, the best [in] the Premier League. A couple of mistakes won't affect his performance and his wining mentality."

Ross County manager Malky Mackay was left hugely frustrated by referee Euan Anderson and two VAR interventions after his side fell to a Kevin van Veen penalty nine minutes into stoppage time at Motherwell.

County had a penalty award rescinded in their 1-0 defeat after video assistant Willie Collum intervened but Mackay was further aggrieved that Anderson had not let play continue for another couple of seconds before giving the spot-kick – the ball fell for George Harmon whose shot was touched over by Liam Kelly after the whistle blew.

County substitute Owura Edwards was sent off for two quickfire bookings not long before Keith Watson was penalised for handball following a VAR review during what turned out to be 15 minutes of stoppage time.

Mackay, whose side remain in the bottom two, said: “For the penalty we didn’t get, I believe there’s a possibility that Alex Samuel was brought down and then there was the challenge on Connor Randall, which I haven’t seen often enough to decide whether or not it’s a clear penalty.

“The ref thinks it was a stonewall penalty and those were his exact words because I went on to the pitch to ask him. My bugbear is that he makes a genuine error by not letting the move run out because he blows the whistle before the ball breaks to George Harmon. He needs to let the move happen.

“Someone sitting in a room decides. He’s involved in the game, watching it happen in real time from five yards away. The guy in the studio, meanwhile, is looking at frames and looking at stills, which we all know is something different.

“VAR is refereeing football in Scotland, not referees. Most managers in the Premiership I speak to can’t believe where the bar has been set for these decisions in this country compared to what we see in England for example.

“It makes it sickening when VAR decides in the 96th minute that it’s a penalty when it flicks Keith Watson’s hand when he’s not even looking at it.

“I spoke to their goalkeeper and he couldn’t believe a penalty was given. I’d also be interested to discover how many other games have had 12 minutes of added time this season.

“And then for the two bookings – were they dreadful challenges considering there was a player, and I will not name him, who has committed five fouls and not been booked?

“It’s one of those days where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.”

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell felt both penalty decisions were ultimately correct.

“I was a bit frustrated – Dan Casey has an effort first half which I felt was going in the back of the net, which I think comes off Keith Watson’s hand,” he said.

“I am delighted they took their time over the Calum Butcher one because it’s absolutely brilliant defending, he gets a touch on the ball and you can see it change direction. So, for me, correct call.

“Then it comes in the second half, whether it’s a slice of luck or the correct decision then I don’t think any of us know.

“But generally if it’s heading towards goal or there’s a clear opportunity and it comes off a hand then it seems to be a penalty.

“I have seen another camera angle where it looks as if it is falling beautifully for him (Jonathan Obika) and he is probably going to bash it in the back of the net.”

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson admitted to feeling ‘humbled’ by the tributes paid by both sets of fans following his side’s 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s first-half stoppage time spot kick cancelled out Odsonne Edouard’s opener and the Serbian handed the hosts the lead after the break, but Joel Ward’s late equaliser denied Fulham a final home victory of the campaign.

And it seemed warm sentiments toward Hodgson, who managed Fulham from 2007-2010, were as evenly shared as the final result at Craven Cottage.

“That was incredible,” said Hodgson. “I’m humbled by that, really. I can’t express how grateful I am. Both sets of fans treating me so well today and both cheering my name, because I had a wonderful time at both clubs.

“It was a wonderful time here at Fulham and it’s been a wonderful time at Palace, two spells now.

“So it’s really nice to see two sets of fans recognising that and giving you the sort of accolade that you could only dream or hope to get, so it’s going to be a big day in my memory I think, whatever happens, to have come here today, to have gone away with a well-earned point and to have both sets of fans cheering my name as I came off the field.

“That’s something not many managers get and I consider myself honoured and flattered that it’s happening to me.”

Hodgson has just next Saturday’s home clash with Nottingham Forest remaining on his current contract, and once again shut down a query about his next steps amidst swirling speculation he could be kept on.

The 75-year-old simply stated: “There’s no update on my future, other than that it will be a very good future.”

Wilfried Zaha’s future at Selhurst Park also remains a question mark.

The Palace talisman likely played his final match of the season after pulling up with injury last weekend against Bournemouth.

Fans fear it could have also marked his last appearance as an Eagle, with the 30-year-old, like his manager, out of contract at the conclusion of this campaign.

On Saturday Hodgson turned to Edouard in Zaha’s absence, which proved prescient when the Frenchman latched onto Eberechi Eze’s through ball and gave the visitors the lead on 34 minutes.

It was all square at the break, however, after Mitrovic converted in his first game back in Marco Silva’s starting line-up since he was handed an eight-match ban.

Mitrovic headed home his 14th of the season after the break, but Ward was alert to his own rebound from a set piece and bundled home the equaliser on 83 minutes.

Silva’s side, who remain 10th, paraded around the pitch post-match to thank their fans for what their boss believes was a thoroughly satisfying season.

Silva, who acknowledged last season’s Championship winners at times felt “flat” on Saturday, said: “The game was not at our best level and when this happens we have to analyse and prepare for the next one.

“[It was] a very, very good, to not say great, great season. No one expected for us to be where we are right now. Everyone predicted for us to be the first ones to go down, all the things I don’t want to repeat again.

“The season has been brilliant, this group of players has been unbelievable, they work right, they try, they do every single day. They come with the right mindset to learn and to improve.

“This is the main thing. I have to congratulate them again. Of course we didn’t finish yet, next week we can talk a little bit more, but I want to congratulate them for everything they have been doing this season so far.”

Ange Postecoglou told his Celtic players not to “just tick off” the games until the Scottish Cup final after they drew 2-2 with St Mirren at Parkhead.

Curtis Main scored either side of a Kyogo Furuhashi strike to give the visitors a shock interval lead against the cinch Premiership champions.

Main missed a couple of great chances and hit a post before Hoops captain Callum McGregor levelled in the 81st minute to ensure his side avoided a second successive league defeat after the 3-0 loss to Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Celtic face Hibernian away and Aberdeen at home before taking on Championship side Inverness in the cup final at Hampden Park on June 3, where they will look to clinch a domestic treble.

Postecoglou bristled when it was suggested his side had been fortunate against St Mirren, saying: “That’s your opinion, that’s fine. No, I don’t think we were fortunate.”

He added: “If they’re thinking about the cup final now, that’s a problem. Because when you start thinking too far ahead, you miss what’s happening now.

“We can’t have players thinking about performing on that day. Perform today, perform Wednesday, perform next week and then focus on the cup final.

“This group of players have been outstanding. But there is always this thing inside of me that I don’t want them to waste a moment of their career or a game.

“They have done their job and won the title for the second year in a row and they have Champions League football to look forward to. We haven’t lost at home for two years, so it is not me being critical of this group. Far from it.

“I just want them to enjoy their football and make every game count, not just tick them off until we get to the cup final. Why not play some good football for the next couple of games and enjoy it and make sure our fans enjoy it?

“We play in a certain way that requires a full commitment to every aspect of the game and we’ve just gone off it.

“When you look at it, it is not about individuals, it is about the collective. We have been really good at committing to a game plan and a game structure and a discipline and we’ve gone off that.”

Asked if, sub-consciously, an element of switching off was inevitable with the league title won, he said: “That’s probably true but the games are still there. Either you accept that you are going to struggle for the rest of these games or you do something about it.

“I understand that and I get that because they are human beings. We’ve won the title again which is what the ambition was, but there are still games to be played.”

St Mirren beat Celtic 2-0 last September but had suffered three heavy defeats to the Hoops subsequently.

On this occasion manager Stephen Robinson left Celtic Park a “frustrated man”, although, with the Buddies in sixth place, two points behind Hibernian, he is not giving up on a European place.

He said: “I thought the boys were terrific. To be frustrated not to win the game tells you it was a magnificent performance, to a man.

“It’s difficult to ask any more from them. We created chances and we asked the boys to be brave and they were.

“They passed the ball, we kept possession and we created a lot of chances. With two games to go we’re still in the race for Europe.

“Being frustrated not to win at Celtic Park shows what a good group of boys we’ve got and how far we’ve come.”

Erik ten Hag says Casemiro has exceeded expectations since arriving at Manchester United after his goal to beat Bournemouth took the team to within a point of Champions League qualification.

The 1-0 win puts United on the brink of a return to Europe’s top club competition next season, with Liverpool’s draw against Aston Villa meaning Ten Hag’s side need only a draw from their final two games.

Casemiro’s brilliantly improvised strike was the difference at the Vitality Stadium, the Brazilian finishing off Christian Eriksen’s cross with a wonderful overhead volley after nine minutes.

United were not at their best but did enough to contain Bournemouth, who went close to levelling late on through Kieffer Moore after David De Gea had denied them with a string of reflex saves.

Ten Hag’s team need only to avoid defeat against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday to ensure they will go into the final game with their objective in the league this season secured before turning attentions to the FA Cup final.

The manager singled out match-winner Casemiro’s contributions as being key on the south coast and throughout his time at the club.

“He keeps surprising us, Casemiro,” said Ten Hag. “He’s such a brilliant football player. We know him as very good (at) organisation, positioning, anticipating, intercepting a lot of balls, winning duels, a fighter. Also in possession, his passing and distribution, but also finishing. Just a great football player.

“Absolutely (he has exceeded expectations), by far. One of the things that came when we analysed, we missed a player in the midfield. We searched and it was not easy because there are not many in the profile whose standard fits the standard of Manchester United. We’re happy we found him and his contribution is massive.”

United had been within minutes of wrapping up their place in the top four with two games to spare, only for a late equaliser for fifth-placed Liverpool against Villa at Anfield to ensure that, mathematically at least, Jurgen Klopp’s side remain in the hunt.

But it would take a total collapse from United during the Premier League’s final week to deny them from here.

If they take a point at home to Frank Lampard’s side it will render the result of the meeting with Fulham on the final day irrelevant and mean preparations can begin for the showdown with Manchester City at Wembley on June 3.

Ten Hag said he had not been aware of the score at Anfield but stressed their goal had been in their own hands all along.

“It’s not important, I’m telling you already for weeks it’s not about our opponents,” he said. “We are in the lead, it’s only up to us, we have everything in our hands, we don’t have to look behind. We have to make our performance. It’s nothing to do with any other team. It’s to do with the opponent on the day.

“Very happy. First 25 minutes was a very good performance from our team, maybe one of the highest levels this season. It’s the way we want to play football.

“Pin the opponent back, good on the ball, a lot of movements, good counter-press. Against a good team, Bournemouth, they can really play very good structures, I like them and their way of play.

“You can see they’re already safe two games before the end. They didn’t have any chance to play out because we dominated them totally. We created chances and we scored a brilliant goal.”

Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, whose team went into the game already secured of their top-flight status for next season, felt the Cherries matched United on the day and reflected on his side having beaten the drop with room to spare.

“I was pleased, I thought it was a good performance,” he said.

“United are full-throttle at the moment and we were obviously understrength. Five key players missing, a little bit short today. I didn’t think there was much in it, our chances were as good as theirs. I don’t think anyone could have complained if Kieffer Moore had scored and it had finished 1-1.

“I think everyone felt the Everton game (next week) would be pivotal. The fact that it isn’t shows what a big achievement it’s been from the players to stay up with four games to spare.”

St Johnstone interim boss Steven MacLean was thrilled to see his side secure their cinch Premiership safety with a crucial 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Saints captain Liam Gordon headed home the only goal of the game after 11 minutes and the hosts would be reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time following a poorly-timed challenge by David Watson.

MacLean, who has collected seven points from his four matches in charge was quick to pay tribute to previous manager Callum Davidson and revealed the former McDiarmid Park gaffer had been in touch to offer his congratulations in the aftermath of securing their survival.

“I’m delighted for everyone at the football club, from the chairman, his dad, the supporters, the players and even Callum who was the first person that text,” he said.

“I’m delighted for everyone concerned – I was confident. I challenged the players before the game and asked them where they wanted to be in eight days’ time, in the play-off or safe?

“It’s not just about me – it’s about everybody concerned with this football club.

“I want to win every game, we’ll enjoy tonight – the aim was to stay up and that’s us safe now, but we want to go finish on a high.”

Despite having led the Perth side to safety, MacLean insists that he has yet to ponder what the future holds for him at Saints.

He hopes to have a sit down with club chairman Geoff Brown early next week but remains focused on finishing the season in style.

“I’m expecting a sleep tonight,” MacLean added. “I’m delighted and just thinking about the next game.

“I’ve not really thought about it (getting the managerial role on a permanent basis) to be honest – I’ve just thought about winning games of football.

“I’ll speak to the chairman and what will be will be.”

Derek McInnes was frustrated as his side passed up an opportunity to move clear of the relegation dogfight.

Defeat for Killie leaves them in 10th spot, one point above Ross County in the relegation play-off position and three ahead of Dundee United at the foot of the table.

Kilmarnock will now face their relegation rivals in their final two league fixtures, starting with a trip to Tannadice on Wednesday before hosting Ross County on the final day.

“We missed an opportunity today, a few weeks ago we thought we were playing for 10th really,” McInnes said.

“We spoke to the players about tenth was first in our league table – it was Ross County, Dundee United and ourselves.

“St Johnstone in recent weeks have come back to us a wee bit and we had the opportunity to go ninth.

“There’s no grey area now, we knew by not winning the game it would add to the pressures and the pressure is there clearly.”

Jim Goodwin admits Dundee United’s 2-1 defeat at Livingston was a “missed opportunity” after they were left clinging on to Premiership survival.

The Tannadice outfit saw results elsewhere go for them as relegation rivals Kilmarnock and Ross County both lost.

But defeat at Almondvale leaves the Tangerines still two points adrift at the bottom of the table and desperately in need of a victory over Killie – just three points ahead in the safety of 10th spot – at home on Wednesday night.

The United manager said: “The other results have gone for us. We feel like it’s a missed opportunity.

“But we are still there with two games to go. It’s a massive game on Wednesday. We always felt it was going to go to the wire.

“All the other managers I’ve spoken to of late are in agreement that nobody is safe.

“It is very much still a three-horse race with us, County and Killie — and we have to keep believing.

“That’s the bottom line. As much as we are hurting and disappointed we have to dust ourselves down.”

United kicked off apparently in the mood but lost a disastrous opening goal after just 10 minutes.

Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti and centre-half Loick Ayina got into a muddle dealing with a high ball forward from Cristian Montano and their hesitation allowed Bruce Anderson to nip in and hook into the empty net.

Goodwin added: “We keep shooting ourselves in the foot. It’s as simple as that. There’s nothing in the game — nothing between the teams at 0-0.

“Then a 60-yard punt up the pitch causes us problems.

“It’s poor decision making and I’m not sure about the level of communication at that point. We were in control of that situation.

“It’s everything we spoke about in the build-up to the game. They [Livingston] are a quick, direct team that gets the ball forward, chase things down and compete well in the middle of the pitch.

“We didn’t get played off the park. We’ve killed ourselves with the goals.”

Livingston manager David Martindale showered praise on striker Anderson for earning his side the pivotal breakthrough goal ‘out of nothing’.

Ian Harkes restored parity just 10 minutes after the opener but James Penrice earned the hosts victory with a 59th-minute winner.

The victory arrests a three-game losing streak for the Lions and leaves them still with a realistic chance of finishing seventh.

Martindale said: “I thought we were passive in the first-half, but we managed to make tweaks to it and that really helped us. The subs really helped us.

“We defended very, very well in the second-half.

“I thought Bruce playing on their back three – that’s his game. The wee man was fantastic, he got us up the park, he got in behind.

“And his goal was fantastic – out of nothing.

“The teams down here have not defended well enough all season and that’s why they are there, so you try and put them under pressure.”

Boss Sean Dyche called for one final push from Everton after they snatched a dramatic point in their fight for survival.

Yerry Mina’s last-gasp leveller earned a 1-1 draw at Wolves as the Toffees continued to cling to their Premier League status.

The equaliser, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, cancelled out Hwang Hee-chan’s first-half opener.

But if Leeds beat West Ham on Sunday, they will move above the Toffees and push them into the relegation zone – Leicester can also overhaul them with victory at Newcastle on Monday.

Everton – two points above the drop zone – host Bournemouth on the final day of the Premier League season but face a nervous wait to see if they will start the game in the bottom three.

“I was really pleased with the mentality of the players. There’s no excuses from me, no excuses from them,” said Dyche, who confirmed Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nathan Patterson suffered hamstring injuries.

“This is the challenge right in front of us. I told them that at half-time. It’s not about shapes and tactics, it’s about mentality.

“I’m really pleased for them, we all got the reward for putting in a proper shift and trying and never losing the belief we could score.

“We need it for next week, quite obviously, but it’s a mentality which has grown and I’m very pleased with that side. It shows a strong sign of what the group has become.

“There was a lot of noise around the club (when Dyche arrived in January) and we calmed that a little bit. There was a lot of noise about the team, we missed some important players – one being Dom so there was a lot of noise about him.

“There have been a lot of challenges, I’m not bothered about making excuses. So what can we do? It wasn’t about ‘woe is us’ it was about ‘what can we do to affect this game?'”

Everton started well with Calvert-Lewin twice going close before getting caught on the break for the opener after 34 minutes.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s pass was seized on by Adama Traore who raced 70 yards, brushing off Amadou Onana’s challenge and forcing Jordan Pickford into a smart save – only for Hwang to gobble up the rebound.

Calvert-Lewin, who had been battling a groin problem, then limped off in stoppage time to add to Everton’s problems.

From then, it looked like curtains at Molineux as the Toffees struggled to create meaningful chances – with Alex Iwobi firing wide and Daniel Bentley saving from Demarai Gray.

Wolves had a degree of control and Pickford needed to save from Matheus Nunes as the game entered nine minutes of stoppage time.

Everton threw men forward and it eventually paid off in the final seconds.

Gray’s cross was kept alive by James Tarkowski as he challenged Bentley and Michael Keane knocked it back for Mina to stab in from five yards.

“Yes, a lot (of injury time). It was the first time I have seen it in the Premier League,” said Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui, who has guided the team to a mid-table finish.

“It’s done, it was a pity. Nine minutes is a lot but they scored the goal in the time, we have to defend better.

“It’s football, we won at Everton in the last minute and today we lost two points. Maybe we deserved to win more here than there. It wasn’t easy to play this kind of match, against a team who are fighting to survive. It’s a final for them.”

Striker Raul Jimenez was denied a possible farewell appearance as an unused substitute before walking down the tunnel before full-time.

Lopetegui added: “He was not happy but I always try to be honest with the players. You can’t make all the things perfect as a coach. You have to take the emotion out of the situation.”

Tottenham secured their place in next season’s Women’s Super League after a Bethany England brace inspired a 4-1 win over Reading.

January recruit England opened the scoring with a close-range header and took her tally for Spurs to 11 goals with a poacher’s finish after half-time.

Celin Bizet scored in between for Vicky Jepson’s team before Kit Graham added the icing on the cake with her first goal since returning from anterior cruciate ligament damage suffered at the end of 2021.

Justine Vanhaevermaet netted a late consolation for basement club Reading, but they now trail Tottenham by six points with one match remaining and could be relegated if 11th-placed Leicester beat West Ham on Sunday.

This clash took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after Spurs had lost 3-1 to Brentford in the Premier League in the first ever competitive double-header between a men and women’s side.

While the majority of disgruntled home supporters had left by the time the WSL six-pointer kicked off, it did not take long for the hosts to give those still inside the stadium something to cheer about.

After Rosella Ayane had been denied by Reading’s Grace Moloney and Becky Spencer kept out Sanne Troelsgaard’s header, Tottenham broke the deadlock in the 29th minute.

A short corner routine did the trick, with Molly Bartrip able to chip to the back post where England headed home.

It was 2-0 to Spurs four minutes before half-time when a slick team move was finished off by Bizet, who collected Eveliina Summanen’s pass and drilled into the bottom corner to give Jepson’s side a two-goal cushion at the break.

Tottenham wrapped up the points and WSL safety with 62 minutes played when Easther Mayi Kith’s poor back-pass was latched upon by England and she rounded Maloney to score her 11th goal for the club since January.

There was still time for Spurs to add a fourth with 15 minutes left when substitute Graham was sent through by Bartrip and curled home to find the net for the first time since her long injury lay-off.

While Vanhaevermaet headed a late effort for Reading, it was Tottenham’s day with WSL safety finally secured.

Boss Dean Smith is prepared to rely on Jonny Evans again in Leicester’s desperate last-gasp survival bid.

The defender made his first Premier League start in seven months in Monday’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool following an injury-hit season.

He could start in Monday’s trip to Newcastle, which Leicester will need to win to survive after Everton drew with Wolves and if Nottingham Forest avoid defeat against Arsenal on Saturday.

Evans was preferred ahead of £15million January signing Harry Souttar and Smith is ready to turn to the former Manchester United man again.

“He is a really big influence and he did alright the other night. There was no gamble from us putting him in,” he said.

“He’d had four weeks training and some 11 v 11 minutes in training as well so we had no doubts about that.

“We’d have been guided by Jonny if he’d had any doubts but he’s a top professional, really good player.

“So, possibly (we would not be in this mess) but I don’t know as I wasn’t here. From what I’ve seen I’d have liked to have him for all eight games.

“All his career he has been in the Premier League. From what I’ve found of him so far, he’s a really affable character but a leader the others will want to follow as well. So in terms of the experience he’s probably been missed.”

Evans, from his time at West Brom, and Jamie Vardy – following the Foxes’ Great Escape in 2015 – have Premier League relegation battle experience in the squad.

Smith also guided Aston Villa to safety in 2020 and believes any knowhow to help them survive is crucial.

He said: “The experience you have in the dressing room you use to the best of your abilities. Shakey (Craig Shakespeare, assistant) was here when Leicester stayed up before so I’m leaning on him, I’ve had the same with Aston Villa.

“All that experience we have to give to the players and help them.”

St Johnstone secured their cinch Premiership safety with a 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Saints captain Liam Gordon headed the visitors in front in the 11th minute and the hosts would be reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time after David Watson was given his marching orders for a poorly timed challenge.

Defeat for Killie has seen them drop into the relegation play-off spot, three points ahead of Dundee United at the foot of the table.

The first chance of the match fell to the visitors after Drey Wright burst clear of the Killie offside trap before unleashing a stinging effort that stung the palms of Sam Walker.

St Johnstone opened the scoring when Gordon headed home Graham Carey’s corner at the back post.

Kilmarnock were struggling to trouble the Saints defence, though they came agonisingly close to levelling just after the half-hour mark. Luke Chambers’ angled shot struck the post and then Watson somehow failed to net the rebound.

Liam Donnelly’s low drive drifted inches wide in the final minutes of the first half, before Derek McIness’ men were dealt a huge blow.

A reckless lunge by Watson on Cammy Ballantyne left referee John Beaton with little choice but to brandish a red card to the youngster – leaving Killie a goal down and a man down at the break.

The home side had Walker to thank in the opening minutes of the second half when he brilliantly kept out Carey’s powerful drive.

Much to the frustration of the home supporters, their side continued to offer little in the way of an attacking threat, and it took until the 63rd minute for Remi Matthews in the visitors’ goal to be forced into a save.

Rory McKenzie did well to power forward and produce a low drive that the Saints stopper gathered with relative ease.

The Kilmarnock fans vented their fury at their opponents continued time-wasting tactics and Matthews was booked with 18 minutes remaining for stalling over collecting the ball for a goal-kick.

Wright’s fizzing strike was wonderfully tipped over by Walker and the home goalkeeper was at his best again shortly afterwards when he palmed away Ballantyne’s goal-bound effort.

Jordan Jones could only find the side-netting as the Rugby Park side desperately searched for a leveller, while at the other end Zak Rudden passed up a golden opportunity in added time when he fired over from close-range.

A late corner saw Walker come forward to join the Killie attack but the ball would be scrambled clear to ensure the Perth side left with all three points.

Roberto Firmino signed off in fairytale fashion with a goal in front of the Kop on his final Anfield appearance but his 89th-minute strike only earned a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa to leave Liverpool’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

The Brazil international, leaving after eight years, came off the bench to an emotional welcome and responded in perfect fashion with his 110th goal in his 361st and – most likely – penultimate appearance.

That he could not inspire the winner to keep their top-four hopes within realistic reach would have been a massive disappointment to a player who has played an integral part in the huge success under Jurgen Klopp.

But the hosts took too long to respond to Jacob Ramsey’s goal in the first half on a frustrating afternoon as a nine-match winning run came to an end.

Liverpool have not spent a single day in the top four this season and they are now highly unlikely to – barring an aberration – as United’s win at Bournemouth means they need only a point from two matches as the farewell party primarily for stalwarts Firmino and James Milner, but also Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, fell flat.

Klopp had to watch from the stands as he served a one-match touchline ban, and it was probably best he was up there as his side endured an infuriating afternoon in more ways than one.

Referee John Brooks, who was the fourth official in whose face Klopp celebrated against Tottenham which led to his suspension for this game, made a number of decisions that irked the home fans, who believed Aston Villa were time wasting.

Liverpool may argue he made a mistake in not sending off Tyrone Mings for a chest-high challenge on Cody Gakpo in the first half which ripped the Liverpool attacker’s shirt, although the decision was backed by VAR.

They might also complain over Brooks’ interpretation of Ezri Konsa not deliberately playing the ball, meaning Virgil Van Dijk was ruled offside for what would have been Gakpo’s equaliser early in the second half.

But, in truth, Liverpool lacked ideas in the final third, too often sending hopeful crosses into the arms of Emi Martinez as Villa’s well-marshalled defence denied them space in and around the penalty area.

Even Trent Alexander-Arnold’s radar appeared to be off as his usually reliable delivery misfired.

And by the 27th minute the visitors had something to hold on to after Ramsey had put them ahead.

That honour should have gone to Ollie Watkins seven minutes earlier when he raced on to John McGinn’s flick over the top to induce an ill-judged tackle from Ibrahima Konate, but the striker placed his penalty well wide.

Ramsey was not so wasteful as his well-executed volley from Douglas Luiz’s cross whistled past Alisson, who succeeded in denying Ramsey from a well-worked free-kick routine minutes later.

However, Villa, who succeeded in their bid to frustrate both their opponents and most of Anfield, appeared fortunate to finish the half still with 11 men on the pitch.

Brooks only booked Mings for his challenge on Gakpo, verified by VAR who also turned down appeals for a penalty for Luiz’s challenge on Jordan Henderson, as Liverpool closed the half without a shot on target.

Gakpo thought he had an equaliser after the restart when he followed in a rebound from a Konate shot which was blocked on the line by Mings, but VAR invited Brooks to view the pitchside monitor and he overturned his original decision.

The Premier League’s subsequent explanation was that Van Dijk was in an offside position from Diaz’s header and Brooks determined it was a deflection off Konsa and not a deliberate attempt to play the ball.

Still Liverpool pushed without genuinely testing Martinez and even the introductions of Firmino, along with fellow departee Milner, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota, failed to raise the threat level.

That was until the 89th minute, when the Brazil international slid in to convert Salah’s low cross to sign off in style and set up a frantic spell in 10 minutes of added time. However, as with much of their season, they fell just short.

Dundee United slumped to a third straight defeat to stand on the brink of relegation from the Premiership.

The Tangerines have lost all three games since the league split last month and are two points adrift at the foot of the table with just two matches remaining.

Jim Goodwin’s side now face a massive encounter on Wednesday with Kilmarnock, who are three points ahead in the safety of 10th spot.

Bruce Anderson fired Livingston into the lead after just 10 minutes but Ian Harkes restored parity just 10 minutes later.

However, James Penrice earned the hosts a first victory in four outings with a 59th-minute winner.

Visiting full-back Aziz Behich was then shown two yellow cards in quick succession to see red in injury-time.

Desperate for points, United started at a hectic pace and won a corner after just 15 seconds.

When that came to nothing, they kept pressing for an early opener and the Livi defence had to look smart to block a sixth-minute shot from Behich.

But it was the home side who earned the breakthrough after just 10 minutes.

Loick Ayina and goalkeeper Mark Birighitti got into a mess trying to deal with a long punt forward from Cristian Montano.

As Birighitti waited for the bouncing ball to reach his box, Anderson nipped in between the dithering duo and swept a fantastic left-foot shot into the empty net from the left side of the area.

Luiyi De Lucas then had the ball in the net just 10 minutes later, only for referee Don Robertson to spot a handball.

De Lucas was also involved at the other end as United restored parity in the 21st minute.

The defender got his head to a hooked high ball from Rory MacLeod but could only nod it half clear to the edge of the area.

Harkes was first to the ball and hammered a stunning left-foot volley into the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards out.

It was end to end stuff and Stephen Kelly screwed a shot wide after a brilliant run and shot, and Montano whistled another effort wide either side of another Harkes shot that was deflected wide.

The opening to the second period was a tamer affair and Livi were the first to threaten in the 50th minute.

It was only really a half-chance for the hosts as Stephen Kelly drilled in from distance but it was straight at Birighitti, who held on.

But 13 minutes into the second-half Livi earned the advantage for a second time.

Jamie McGrath complained when Montano beat him to a header but referee Don Robertson waved play on and Anderson nodded to the supporting Penrice.

He still had plenty to do but fired a brilliant shot on the bounce into the far corner from just inside the area.

Only two minutes later, Anderson came close to a third for Livi but pushed his shot wide with Stephane Omeonga in space to his right.

United’s desperation for an equaliser increased as time went on and substitute Miller Thomson drew a save from home keeper Shamal George with a shot from a tight angle with eight minutes remaining.

George then saved with his feet from replacement Peter Pawlett as United piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

But Livi held on and United’s misery was compounded three minutes into injury-time when Behich was red-carded for apparent dissent.

Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen continued his incredible goalscoring streak but had to wait until the ninth minute of stoppage time to net a penalty winner which left Ross County in the cinch Premiership danger zone.

Van Veen struck in his ninth consecutive match to earn Motherwell a 1-0 victory as 10-man County fell foul of two VAR decisions.

The visitors had a penalty award rescinded just after the interval before conceding a spot-kick for handball following VAR intervention as they battled on without substitute Owura Edwards following his red card at the start of 15 minutes of stoppage time.

County had been set to move above Kilmarnock on goal difference until Van Veen hit his 27th goal of the season but they had the consolation of bottom club Dundee United and Killie both losing.

Motherwell dominated possession and were the more threatening side in front of goal and their win kept them in seventh place.

Well defender Paul McGinn twice forced first-half saves after breaking forward from the back three and County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw pulled off a good stop from Dan Casey’s well-struck volley.

Van Veen forced a save from a tight angle following his first chance to run at the County defence and had a shot blocked later in the half after a good turn.

County got men forward when they were in possession but the only time they really threatened before the break was when Alex Samuel shot just wide after making space for himself on the edge of the box.

County were awarded a penalty early in the second half following Calum Butcher’s challenge on Connor Randall, but referee Euan Anderson reversed the decision after being called to the monitor by video assistant Willie Collum, who spotted the defender playing the ball.

Both sides lost players to injury – Harry Paton, James Furlong and Casey for Motherwell and Alex Iacovitti for the visitors – and the game became more stretched in between the stoppages.

Mikael Mandron and Butcher threatened for Motherwell, who were getting chances to counter-attack, but Dean Cornelius and Blair Spittal could not deliver the final passes needed.

Van Veen nearly set up substitute Jonathan Obika with a brilliant cross only for Keith Watson to rescue County with a last-ditch tackle.

The Dutchman twice fired wide with his left foot after getting in behind and Sean Goss was just wide after getting space to shoot from 22 yards.

Edwards came on in the 77th minute, was booked in the 85th minute for a foul on Goss, could have received another yellow card for pulling Stephen O’Donnell and did get his next booking for a late challenge on Cornelius. It was the forward’s third red card of the season.

The penalty came following a strong appeal for handball from Obika as he tried to knock the ball past several County defenders with Watson the apparent culprit. Van Veen sent Laidlaw the wrong way after the VAR review.