Manchester United's players will wear black armbands in Sunday's Premier League game with Southampton following the death of fan representative Ian Stirling.

Stirling, one of United's most prominent supporters, died from a stroke at the age of 57.

He was a founding member of United's Fans' Advisory Board and was a central figure in a number of campaigns, including against the club's Glazer family owners.

United confirmed on their official website that they will pay respect to Stirling during the match with Southampton at Old Trafford by sporting black armbands.

United chief executive Richard Arnold said: "This is truly devastating news for all of us at the club who knew and worked with Ian. 

"He was a towering figure within our fan community, loved and respected in equal measure. 

"Ian was a relentless and unflinching advocate for the interests of fans, particularly match-goers, and we highly-valued the plain-speaking advice he provided.

"We send our sincere condolences to his wife, Lynn, daughter Lucy, and other loved ones."

Manchester United must continue to showcase their resilience as the season heads towards its conclusion, Erik ten Hag has urged.

A 7-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool last Sunday attracted vast criticism but did not hinder United in their Europa League exploits, securing a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash.

The second-half display was decisive against the Spanish side, having seen Betis equalise against the run of play, which Ten Hag felt highlighted the squad's character.

Such spirit has been present on a number of occasions for United this season, and manager Ten Hag is keen for more of the same against Southampton as the Red Devils seek to nail down third spot.

"I think when the season goes to the end, it's going to be even more difficult for every team, because the pressure will be higher and higher," he said.

"So, you need character, you need determination, you need the resilience, you need a team with personalities, and I think we already showed now several times in the season, this team can deal with setbacks.

"[Against Real Betis] we have seen an example but before as well after Brentford, for instance, after Arsenal we bounced back, after [Manchester] City we bounced back.

"Now, I will say this [win over Betis] is part one, because Sunday has to come another one, but I think this team can rely on that, that they can bounce back, but it demands a lot of energy and a lot of togetherness, from a lot of players to get the performance."

Wout Weghorst is still revelling in the "special" feeling of scoring his first Manchester United goal at Old Trafford, having waited "too long" to break his duck at the Theatre of Dreams.

At the ninth attempt since his loan move from Burnley, the Netherlands international finally netted his first home goal in the commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Europa League.

That marked Weghorst's second strike in 15 appearances, though the 30-year-old's work rate has been widely praised despite his modest goal return.

Reacting quickly in the box to turn home after Scott McTominay's shot had been saved by Claudio Bravo, Weghorst's sheer relief was evident.

"Yes, I think you could [see] it," he told United's official website. "[It was a] great feeling and, of course, I had to wait a long time for it – too long.

"[I'm] really happy. I got my goal, so that was a great feeling with the stadium, in front of the Stretford End. It was special."

United's performance against Betis on Thursday provided a timely response to their humbling 7-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield four days earlier.

Weghorst found himself at the centre of controversy after that loss, with footage emerging of him touching the 'This Is Anfield' sign in the tunnel ahead of kick-off, a gesture usually associated with Liverpool players rather than their opponents.

He claimed he was simply trying to wind up compatriot Virgil van Dijk as he attempted to prevent the defender from touching the sign.

But he got himself back in United fans' good books on Thursday, and he was thrilled to have played a part in helping the Red Devils bounce back.

"That was what we wanted, to give a reaction after the defeat that was, of course, not acceptable. It [was] not our level, not our standards and definitely something we should avoid, and have to avoid for the future.

"We were really [happy] to get a reaction and to show us, and I think that's what we did [against Betis]."

Erik ten Hag's side will look to continue that momentum against Southampton – the Premier League's bottom team – to tighten their grip on third place.

Erik ten Hag is happy for Bruno Fernandes to keep playing with emotion, although he acknowledges there is a balance to strike for the Manchester United midfielder.

Fernandes scored in United's 4-1 win against Real Betis on Thursday having been the subject of intense scrutiny since Sunday's 7-0 loss at Liverpool.

The United vice-captain, who wore the armband at Anfield, was criticised for his role in a defeat in which Ten Hag's side appeared to lack leadership.

A confrontation with Trent Alexander-Arnold, followed by a push on an official, perhaps saw Fernandes fortunate not to be sent off.

Both Ten Hag and Marcus Rashford defended Fernandes ahead of the Betis game, however, and the manager was encouraged by his subsequent performance, even if there is still work to do to "stay rational" at all times.

"I was very pleased with his captaincy because he is giving the team energy," Ten Hag said ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Southampton.

"He is not only giving the best physical output of the whole team, but also he is running in the right direction and is pointing players in that direction. He's coaching players, leading the team from a tactical perspective.

"His emotion is his weapon. But sometimes it's too strong. And yes, of course, I help him and support him. And I give him feedback.

"Sometimes he has to control his emotions, and that will help him to stay rational in the game, instead of the emotion.

"So, he has to find the balance and be rational, when to use [being] rational as a tool and when to use emotion as a tool, and that's the next step.

"I think that's a nice development point for him, and when he does it, he will be an even better player."

Meanwhile, Ten Hag offered an update on Christian Eriksen, who was ruled out for "an extended period" at the end of January due to an ankle injury.

"I think he will play [again this season], yes, definitely," Ten Hag said. "But I can't say now when [he is] expected.

"I think his progress in the rehab is okay. It's going according to plan and so we will definitely see him, but not before the international break.

"His main focus at this moment is to get back as soon as possible because we need all the players."

Harry Maguire's future at Manchester United is unclear, having fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag.

The United club captain is contracted until 2025 and his deal includes £200,000 per week wages.

Maguire has only started one of United's last eight Premier League games and did not play in Thursday's Europa League win over Real Betis.

TOP STORY – PSG SET FOR SHOCK MAGUIRE MOVE

Paris Saint-Germain are set for a shock £50million (€56m) move for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, according to The Sun.

It has been claimed that Maguire is among a list of players that United are willing to sell in the off-season with Newcastle United and West Ham reportedly interested.

According to The Sun's report, PSG tabled a deal for Maguire in January, but time ran out to finalise it and the French champions will move again for him.

ROUND-UP

– The Independent reports Real Madrid are plotting an overhaul to bring in a new generation of young stars, with Manchester City's Erling Haaland top of the list along with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham.

– The Guardian reports Manchester United will enter the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, with interest also from Liverpool and Newcastle United. Mount and Chelsea are currently in the middle of a contract dispute, potentially making him available, with United viewing him as a cheaper alternative to Bellingham.

–  Barcelona are in the market to sign Manchester City's Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo if Bayern Munich do not make permanent his loan spell, claims Sport.

– Newcastle are circling to sign Southampton free-kick specialist James Ward-Prowse, according to Football Insider. Newcastle are one of numerous Premier League clubs interested in him.

– Gazzetta dello Sport reports Inter have tabled a two-year contract offer to Edin Dzeko amid interest from West Ham.

– L'Equipe claims PSG are ramping up their bid to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva in the off-season.

Manchester United have reportedly been sending scouts to watch Roma striker Tammy Abraham, although their pursuit could be complicated by interest from his former club.

Abraham, 25, left Chelsea following the 2020-21 season for a £34million fee, and the England international has already exceeded his Chelsea haul of 82 appearances and 30 goals in less than two seasons in Italy.

After racking up 53 outings and 27 goals in his debut campaign with Roma, Abraham has come back down to earth this time around, with just seven goals in 34 games.

There is said to be interest from United in the striker with 11 senior caps for England, although Chelsea will ultimately have the final say about whether they allow him to head to Old Trafford.

TOP STORY – CHELSEA HOLD THE KEYS TO UNITED'S ABRAHAM PURSUIT

The Athletic is reporting United are closely monitoring Abraham's progress this season and have been present at a number of Roma games for that reason, but Chelsea have negotiated a buy-back clause that will give them the option of first refusal.

As part of the sale to Roma, Chelsea included a stipulation that allows them to bring Abraham back for £70.9m (€80m) after at least two seasons have passed – meaning it will activate this coming offseason.

The report adds that Chelsea are in desperate search of a new centre forward, and that while the fee involved may be significant, it is believed to be far less than the demands expected from Napoli for 24-year-old Victor Osimhen.

ROUND-UP

– According to Mundo Deportivo, citing Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have enquired about 29-year-old Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti, who will be available for an affordable fee after rejuvenating his prospects with a strong loan spell at Lecce.

– Tottenham are trying to pry 28-year-old midfielder James Ward-Prowse away from Southampton, who would almost assuredly leave his club if they cannot fight their way out of the relegation places, according to Football Insider.

– Sport is reporting Barcelona have an interest in signing 27-year-old Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio if he allows his contract to expire in a few months and can join on a free transfer.

– According to Calciomercato, Inter are hoping to replace outgoing centre-back Milan Skriniar with Lille 22-year-old Tiago Djalo.

– Newcastle United are eyeing Manchester United's Scott McTominay and Leicester City's James Maddison as potential midfield reinforcements for next season, per Football Insider.

Victor Osimhen is winning plenty of admirers at Serie A leaders Napoli having netted a league-high 19 goals.

The 24-year-old Nigeria forward joined Napoli in 2020 and is under contract until 2025.

But the Partenopei will have their work cut out keeping Osimhen that long, even if they will reportedly ask for more than €100million to let him go.

TOP STORY – OSIMHEN IS UNITED'S PRIORITY STRIKER TARGET

Osimhen is top of Manchester United's four-man striker shortlist, according to Football Insider.

United boss Erik ten Hag has identified Osimhen as his preferred off-season signing to bolster their front line.

According to the report, United wants three major off-season signings to maintain the momentum gained this campaign, including adding another quality striker.

Osimhen is the top priority ahead of Tottenham's Harry Kane, Roma's Tammy Abraham and Salzburg's Benjamin Sesko on their shortlist.

ROUND-UP

– The Athletic reports United are tracking Abraham, but he also has interest from Chelsea, who negotiated a £70.8m (€80m) buy-back clause when they sold him to Roma.

– Angel Di Maria is open to staying with Juventus, who are ready to work to agree a new contract with the winger, claims La Gazetta dello Sport.

– Barcelona are preparing to pounce for Marcus Thuram, who will exit Borussia Monchengladbach as a free agent at the end of this season, reports Fichajes.

– It had been reported Houssem Aouar would join Eintracht Frankfurt, but Calciomercato claims there is new interest from Napoli along with Milan in the Lyon midfielder.

– Newcastle United coach Eddie Howe is a big admirer of Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and wants to sign him in the off-season, claims The Mirror.

Phillip Billing stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal when he scored after 9.11 seconds for Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

It ranked as the second-fastest goal at the start of a game in Premier League history, beaten only by Shane Long's effort after 7.69 seconds for Southampton against Watford in April 2019.

Here, we take a closer look at the five fastest goals ever scored in the Premier League, as recorded by Opta.

Shane Long: Watford v Southampton, April 2019 – 7.69 seconds

There appeared to be little danger when Craig Cathcart looked to play a long ball downfield from Roberto Pereyra's kick-off, but Long had other ideas. His block fell fortuitously into his path, but there was nothing lucky about the glorious flick over the onrushing Ben Foster.

What a moment! #SaintsFC 's @ShaneLong7 celebrates the fastest goal in #PL history!   pic.twitter.com/M4fpU1sIcj

Phillip Billing, Arsenal v Bournemouth, March 2023, 9.11 seconds

Sleepy Arsenal let Bournemouth get straight on the attack, and Dango Ouattara's cross from the right took a slight touch off Gabriel Magalhaes and ran into the path of Billing, who fired past Aaron Ramsdale from close range.

Ledley King: Bradford City v Tottenham, December 2000 – 9.82 seconds

It might have held the title of quickest goal for nearly 19 years, but it certainly was not the prettiest. King powered forward from midfield and dispatched a bobbling effort past Matt Clarke, who might feel he should have done better.

Alan Shearer: Newcastle United v Manchester City, January 2003 – 10.52 seconds

The Premier League's all-time top goalscorer scarcely needed a helping hand to find the back of the net, but he got one from Carlo Nash. The Magpies hero closed down the City goalkeeper's attempted clearance and tapped into an empty net for possibly the easiest finish of his decorated career.

Christian Eriksen: Tottenham v Manchester United, January 2018 – 10.54 seconds

The Denmark international took full advantage of some generous United defending to set Spurs on their way to a 2-0 win. Son Heung-min's attempted shot was blocked into the path of Eriksen, who coolly slotted past a shell-shocked David de Gea, a future United team-mate.

League Two Grimsby Town stunned Southampton as the Mariners caused a "miracle" FA Cup upset on Wednesday.

Paul Hurst's side became the first team in a single campaign in the competition to defeat five teams from a higher division after a 2-1 victory at Premier League Southampton.

A pair of Gavan Holohan penalties at St. Mary's Stadium proved the difference, despite a late Duje Caleta-Car strike for the top-flight strugglers.

Grimsby manager Hurst told ITV: "Just delighted for the players. What an effort. We kept disciplined. Look at what that means to the support.

"We turned up, hoping for a miracle and to be in the quarter-finals is incredible. It is just a fantastic day, we have gone down in the history books. It is a very special day."

Defeat marked the first time Southampton have been eliminated from the FA Cup as a top-flight team by a side in the fourth tier.

Brighton and Hove Albion will be the next challenge in the last eight for Grimsby, who had not reached the quarter-finals of the competition since 1938-39, when they made it to the last four.

It was also the first instance Grimsby have beaten top-flight opposition as a fourth-tier side in the FA Cup, their last such win coming in a third-round victory over Middlesbrough back in January 1989.

Premier League strugglers Southampton have confirmed Ruben Selles has been appointed as their manager until the end of the campaign.

Southampton sit bottom of the table heading into a huge clash with 19th-placed Leeds United, who they trail by only a point, at Elland Road on Saturday.

Selles was named as Saints' interim manager after Nathan Jones was sacked this month, and oversaw a shock 1-0 win at Chelsea last weekend.

James Ward-Prowse's free-kick on the stroke of half-time ensured Southampton claimed just their second top-flight win since October 19.

Southampton's hierarchy have decided to stand by Selles for the time being, with 15 games remaining to save their Premier League status.

The 39-year-old previously took charge of Southampton earlier in the season after the dismissal of Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Ollie Watkins could make history for Aston Villa when the in-form striker faces Everton this weekend and James Ward-Prowse has a David Beckham record in his sights.

Watkins has been on fire since the World Cup and the relegation-threatened Toffees will have to be on their guard when he leads the line at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Ward-Prowse gave Southampton a precious victory at Chelsea last weekend and will attempt to inspire another win in a huge battle between the bottom two away to Leeds United. 

As struggling Saints and Leeds go in search of precious points, you might need to shake your fantasy team up in order to start climbing the table.

Using Opta data, Stats Perform suggest four men who can ensure you have a profitable weekend.

Kenny Tete (Wolves v Fulham)

Fulham full-back Tete would probably not have been on a list of potential fantasy picks at the start of the season, but he really ought to be now.

The Cottagers have kept five clean sheets since the World Cup and Tete has played the entire match in all but one of those games.

Andy Robertson (five) is the only defender to have provided more assists in the top flight than Tete's four this season and Wolves will have to keep an eye on him marauding forward down the right wing on Friday.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (Leicester City v Arsenal)

Left-back Zinchenko scored his first Premier League goal to draw Arsenal level for a second time before they won 4-2 at Villa last Saturday.

The Ukraine international has become a popular figure since joining the Gunners from Manchester City, making an impact at both ends of the field.

Zinchenko has created an average of 0.71 chances per 90 minutes in leaders' Arsenal's quest to win the title and could be influential when they travel to take on Leicester City.

James Ward-Prowse (Leeds United v Southampton)

If Southampton are to avoid relegation to the Championship, captain Ward-Prowse must continue to step up.

He gave another demonstration of his free-kick prowess by earning managerless Saints a brilliant win at toothless Chelsea last Saturday.

That moved him one short of Beckham's Premier League record tally of scoring 18 direct free-kicks and it would be no great surprise if he goes level with the former England captain in a crunch clash at Elland Road.

Only Marcus Rashford (10) and Erling Haaland (eight) have scored more goals since the World Cup than the Saints skipper's five, so you might want to get him in your midfield.

Ollie Watkins (Everton v Aston Villa)

Another man who has been outstanding in 2023 is Watkins, who is loving life under Unai Emery at Villa.

The striker could become the first Villa player to find the back of the net in five consecutive Premier League games when they do battle with lowly Everton.

He has scored five of his seven top-flight goals this season since the World Cup and can keep his streak going at Goodison Park.

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been discharged from hospital and is "recovering well" after suffering a concussion in Saturday's defeat to Southampton.

Azpilicueta was carried off on a stretcher during the second half of Chelsea's 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge, having taken a boot to the face from Saints' Sekou Mara while defending a corner.

The 33-year-old was transported to St Mary's Hospital in west London after receiving treatment during a lengthy stoppage in play.

Boss Graham Potter moved to allay fears regarding Azpilicueta's condition after Chelsea's latest defeat, revealing the Spaniard was conscious and speaking to his wife.

Azpilicueta then took to social media to express gratitude towards the club's medical team and the hospital's staff, saying: "A massive thank you from the bottom of my heart."

On Tuesday, Chelsea issued a further update on their captain, which read: "Following a concussion injury sustained during Saturday's game against Southampton, Cesar Azpilicueta has been discharged from hospital and is recovering well at Cobham.

"The club's medical team are closely monitoring Cesar's condition, adhering to the important concussion protocols in place to ensure his safety.

"Cesar observed training today, before he starts working towards returning to the pitch."

Chelsea's latest defeat was their third in their last six home league games (W2 D1), before which they had lost just three of their previous 25 top-flight contests at Stamford Bridge (W13 D9).

The misfiring Blues are mired in 10th place and sit 11 points adrift of the Premier League's top four, with Potter facing significant scrutiny just five months into his tenure at the club. 

Chelsea need to keep faith in Graham Potter despite the "massive pressure" on their head coach, according to Gary Neville.

The Todd Boehly-led ownership group backed Potter significantly in the January transfer window, spending close to £300million to bring in a host of major signings.

Joao Felix arrived on a short-term loan from Atletico Madrid, while Chelsea beat Arsenal to Mykhaylo Mudryk and splashed a Premier League record £106.8million (€121m) on Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.

That has not eased Chelsea's woes, though, after the Blues went down 1-0 to top-flight strugglers Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday – leaving Potter with just one win in his last 10 games.

But former Manchester United captain Neville cannot see Boehly dismissing Potter just yet.

He said on his Gary Neville Podcast: "Potter is under massive pressure. You can see it in his face. The chances they missed in the second half and the boos at the end of the game, felt a little ominous.

"I think they'll want to do the right thing, the Chelsea owners.

"They've sacked a manager very early in the season in Thomas Tuchel, they've owned their new manager, they've brought recruitment assistants in alongside him, so they've invested heavily in Graham and his team… but they have to hold their nerve if they want to see it through.

"But I suspect that nerve is being tested, as any owner's would be when you've spent that level of money and you're losing games at home to the [side] bottom of the league."

Chelsea are languishing 10th in the Premier League, already 23 points behind leaders Arsenal and 11 from the top four, and their struggles in front of goal persist.

The Blues have scored just four goals in 10 matches in all competitions and failed to score in six of those games, drawing a blank in more outings in 2023 than any other Premier League club.

Neville believes a bloated squad is causing issues for Potter, who is yet to replicate his impressive work with Brighton and Hove Albion in his new job in west London.

"He's a fantastic coach," Neville said. "You get the idea he'd like to build a pattern of play with a group of players on a consistent basis and he's got 33 of them staring at him down the barrel saying 'play me'.

"And these aren't junior players, they're senior internationals and I can't imagine what it must be like to have 33 players.

"He's got 22 players who are not going to play. If they're all fit – how do you even get them all into a training session?

"They needed to unload players off Graham Potter to take the pressure of handling all those players that are expecting to play every single week."

Neville suggested Potter is suffering from contrasting interests at Chelsea, with Boehly keen to make statement signings.

"I've used the word chaotic and I think it has been chaotic in the first six months of the Boehly ownership," Neville said. "I won't change my mind on that.

"They've invested heavily, they're putting their money where their mouth is and are saying all the right things.

"But at this moment in time, it won't be a successful project when you have 33 players all looking at the manager and a manager who wants to build a measured project.

"It feels a little bit conflicted with what Potter would ordinarily be really strong at and what the ownership seem to want in respect of filling a squad and accumulating players of that sort of volume."

The Premier League title race took another twist on Saturday, with Arsenal now back atop the pile.

Manchester City's 3-1 win at Emirates Stadium in midweek had seemingly given them control of the two-horse race for the trophy.

But City's failure to build on that success and Arsenal's late heroics on the road at Aston Villa mean the Gunners have a two-point lead over Pep Guardiola's men with a game in hand.

Elsewhere, Liverpool boosted their top-four aspirations while denting those of Newcastle United, who have now won just one of their last seven Premier League games.

Here, Stats Perform looks at Saturday's biggest games through the lens of Opta data.

Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal: Jorginho and Martinelli produce late show

Saturday saw Arsenal reassume command of what is fast becoming an engrossing title race, but it looked for a long time as if they would suffer another setback.

The Gunners appeared set to settle for a 2-2 draw at Villa Park, only for Jorginho's rasping injury-time drive to cannon off the crossbar and then deflect in off Emiliano Martinez. Gabriel Martinelli made it 4-2 in the 98th minute.

It marked the first time Arsenal have scored a 90th-minute winner away from home in the league since Martinelli netted against Crystal Palace in May 2021, which was also the last time they scored twice in the 90th minute in the same game in the competition.

Arsenal's joy should be tempered somewhat by defensive concerns.

Indeed, Arsenal have now conceded the opening goal in four of their last five Premier League games, one more than they did in their first 18 games of the 2022-23 campaign (3).

Chelsea 0-1 Southampton: Saints pile pressure on Potter

The result was overshadowed by the head injury suffered by Cesar Azpilicueta, but it was an extremely significant one for Southampton, who boosted their survival hopes by completing the league double against Chelsea for the first time since the 1987-88 season.

Defeat for Chelsea was their first at home against the team starting the day bottom of the Premier League table for the first time since April 2014 vs Sunderland (1-2).

The Blues have lost three of their last six Premier League home games (W2 D1), as many defeats as in their previous 25 league games at Stamford Bridge combined (W13 D9), that run piling the pressure on manager Graham Potter.

Chelsea's latest home loss was engineered by James Ward-Prowse, who in scoring his 17th direct free-kick goal in the Premier League moved just one behind record holder David Beckham (18), netting 13 of them away from home.

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester City: Forest hold champions at bay

If Forest do manage to stay up, their home from will be a significant reason why. They are unbeaten in eight home games in the Premier League (W4 D4), their best home unbeaten run in the top-flight since a 20-game stretch between February 1995 and January 1996.

Prior to this stalemate, Forest had lost their last seven Premier League games against the reigning champions, by an aggregate score of 29-3, including a 6-0 defeat to Man City earlier this season. They avoided defeat against the reigning champions for the first time since December 1994, when they beat Manchester United.

Bernardo Silva's fine opener initially looked like it would be enough for City to take all three points and return to the top of the league, and continued a recent theme for the Portugal international, who has 32 Premier League goals for the club. Three of his last four goals in the competition have been scored from outside the box, with only three of his first 28 coming from distance.

Jack Grealish laid on the assist for Silva. Grealish has been directly involved in six goals (2 goals, 4 assists) in the Premier League since the conclusion of the World Cup. Grealish had one goal and no assists in eight league appearances this season prior to the World Cup break.

Newcastle United 0-2 Liverpool: Pope sends Magpies hopes up in smoke

Newcastle have an EFL Cup final with Manchester United to look forward to next Sunday, but they will be without goalkeeper Nick Pope after his red card in this one for handling the ball outside the area.

Pope's red card was the fifth instance of a Newcastle goalkeeper being sent off in the Premier League, with only Liverpool and Aston Villa (6 each) seeing more keeper reds in the competition. 

He conceded twice before being sent off in the 22nd minute - the earliest a goalkeeper has conceded twice and been sent off in a Premier League game.

Those two goals came inside 17 minutes and were as many as Newcastle had conceded in their previous eight Premier League games combined, proving enough to extend the Magpies' winless league run against Liverpool to 13 matches (D4 L9) and end their 17-game unbeaten run in the competition.

The Reds are the only team to beat Newcastle in the Premier League this season, with victory coming on the back of just their second away clean sheet in 2022-23.

Cesar Azpilicueta is responsive after being stretchered off following a head injury in Chelsea's 1-0 home defeat to Southampton, boss Graham Potter has revealed.

The defender took a boot to the face from Sekou Mara while defending a corner at Stamford Bridge, with a lengthy stoppage in play while he was attended to by medics.

The Blues captain was subsequently taken from the field and to hospital, as the hosts failed to find a response to James Ward-Prowse's first-half free-kick.

Potter offered an update on Azpilicueta's status after the game, revealing the 33-year-old is in medical care and able to hold a conversation.

"He is in hospital," he said. "He is conscious and speaking to his wife. Hopefully, he is in the best place.

"We are monitoring him. He needs to take all the precautions we need to take now."

Defeat marked a fourth game without victory in the Premier League for Chelsea, who remain firmly mired in mid-table despite a raft of expensive transfers last month.

Potter acknowledged the blame is his to shoulder for now, adding: "It was below par in the first half. I take as much responsibility as anyone in that.

"I thought we deserved a goal in the second half. When you don't score, it is obviously difficult. After a 1-0 defeat at home, any criticism you get is understandable.

"We've had a lot of injuries [and] challenges integrating players. A lot of people will say I'm the problem, and I'm not saying that their opinion is not worth articulating. My job is to work."