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.

Joel Ward’s late equaliser ensured the points were split as Crystal Palace salvaged a 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Odsonne Edouard opened the scoring for the Eagles in the first half but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s spot kick in stoppage time ensured the sides were level at the break.

The Serbian striker, who had returned to the Cottagers’ starting line-up for the first time since his eight-match ban, then looked to have ignited a comeback win when he fired in his 14th of the season.

The hosts, however, were denied a final home victory of the campaign when Ward levelled from his own rebound to send the Eagles back to Selhurst Park with a point.

Roy Hodgson was without the services of Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha, who is out of contract at the end of this season and might have played his last game as an Eagle after aggravating an injury last time out.

Palace defender Joachim Andersen collided with Mitrovic soon after kick-off, leading to a bloody nose for the Cottager who was deemed fit to continue after swapping for a blank shirt.

Kenny Tete lifted a cross well above the woodwork and his side failed to make anything of two free-kicks, both from dangerous positions, as the first period ticked past its halfway point.

Palace remained in search of their first shot after Joao Palhinha’s well-timed tackle broke up Eberechi Eze’s threatening run, while Issa Diop’s clearance ended a scramble from Jordan Ayew’s cross at the back post.

Though Fulham seemed likelier to break the deadlock it was the visitors who took the lead on 34 minutes.

Eze’s lovely through ball to Edouard, starting in place of the injured Zaha, set up the opener, the Frenchman clipping the underside of the crossbar as he finished.

Palace looked to be taking the 1-0 lead into the break before Tyrick Mitchell was punished for fouling Harry Wilson late in three minutes of added time and the referee pointed to the spot.

Mitrovic stepped up and gave Sam Johnstone no chance as he fired in the equaliser to ensure it was all to play for after the break.

He somehow missed making it two to start the second half, collecting Harrison Reed’s cross at the left post but sent his effort from six yards out wide before Willian saw a shot picked out of the air by the Palace keeper.

The Eagles had not registered a second shot by the time Fulham took the lead through Mitrovic, ensuring the hosts finally made the most of a set piece when he nodded Willian’s free-kick past Johnstone’s right post.

It took a fine save from the Eagles keeper to ensure his side did not fall further behind when he just managed to tip Willian’s curled effort over the bar.

Everything looked to be going Fulham’s way until Palace won a free-kick. Olise’s initial delivery bounced around the box before landing at the feet of Joel Ward.

Leno stopped the initial effort, but the Palace skipper was alert to his own rebound and equalised with a left-footed effort to seal the result.

Yerry Mina’s last-gasp leveller at Wolves earned Everton a priceless point in their fight for Premier League survival.

The defender struck with seconds left to grab a 1-1 draw to give the Toffees hope after Hwang Hee-chan had given Wolves a first-half lead.

Their 69-year stay in the top flight remains in doubt and Sean Dyche’s side could still find themselves in the drop zone before next week’s finale.

Leeds go to West Ham on Sunday before Leicester’s trip to Newcastle on Monday and victory for both would lift them above Everton.

As it is, they sit two points above the Premier League’s bottom three ahead of the visit of Bournemouth next Sunday.

Dyche had told his players to ignore the noise but they struggled for long spells and again lost Dominic Calvert-Lewin to injury.

It will spawn a nervous Goodison Park, which saw its last relegation from the top flight in 1951.

Wolves’ own season of struggle – they were bottom at Christmas – will ultimately end in mid-table comfort, mainly thanks to what stands as seven home wins from 10 games since the turn of the year.

Julen Lopetegui had stressed the importance of the Premier League’s integrity, insisting his team would not roll over with matters at the bottom to be settled.

It was, though, understandable that Everton made the better start as Calvert-Lewin brushed the side-netting before nodding Alex Iwobi’s cross over.

The Toffees needed that urgency and, against a Wolves side containing six changes, they were the aggressors, although they lost Nathan Patterson to injury after 29 minutes.

Mina headed over after Daniel Bentley missed a corner and Everton were on top only to be caught on the break for the opener after 34 minutes.

The visitors were pressing on the edge of Wolves’ box but Abdoulaye Doucoure’s loose pass fell to Adama Traore who turned on the afterburners.

The forward launched into an unstoppable 70-yard dash, brushing off Amadou Onana, and when his shot was saved by Jordan Pickford, Hwang stroked in the rebound.

It was harsh on Everton but it got worse in first-half stoppage time when Calvert-Lewin, who came off in last week’s defeat to Manchester City with a groin problem, limped off.

Demarai Gray replaced him but there was no focal point and any second-half response was limited. Gray highlighted their lack of presence up front when his wicked cross through the six-yard box was missed by everyone.

Wolves had slowly gained control and Pablo Sarabia curled wide before Daniel Podence volleyed off target.

A wayward Iwobi strike was all Everton could muster until Bentley pushed Gray’s drive behind with 21 minutes left but, as time began to run out, there were few signs of a recovery.

Iwobi’s shot deflected wide and the Toffees needed Pickford to deny Matheus Nunes late on.

But they snatched an unlikely point in the ninth minute of stoppage time when Mina bundled in from close range following Michael Keane’s knockback.

Captain Callum McGregor rescued Celtic with a late leveller as the Hoops twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with St Mirren in a pulsating encounter at Parkhead.

Buddies boss Stephen Robinson had promised to have a go at the cinch Premiership champions and striker Curtis Main gave the visitors a shock lead after four minutes.

Hoops attacker Kyogo Furuhashi levelled with a powerful drive in the 15th minute only for Main to restore the visitors’ lead five minutes from the interval.

Main should have added to his tally on three occasions after the break and the Buddies were made to pay when McGregor equalised with nine minutes remaining to avoid a successive league defeat after losing 3-0 to Old Firm rivals Rangers last week.

St Mirren beat Celtic 2-0 last September but had suffered three heavy defeats by the Hoops subsequently, although they were well worth their point on this occasion.

It was Celtic’s first home game since they clinched the title against Hearts at Tynecastle two weeks ago and Greg Taylor, Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda came back in, along with Tomoki Iwata who was playing in a more unfamiliar centre-back role in place of Yuki Kobayashi.

Midfielder Keanu Baccus and defender Thierry Small started for the visitors, who got off to a stunning start.

Following a long clearance from Buddies goalkeeper Trevor Carson, a mix-up between Iwata and right-back Anthony Ralston allowed the ball to drop to Main inside the box and he turned inside the latter before shooting low past keeper Joe Hart.

However, the lead evaporated when midfielder Reo Hatate took a pass from Iwata and slipped in Furuhashi to slam the ball high past Carson from 12 yards for his 31st goal of the season.

Hatate soon thundered a shot just over the bar and midfielder Matt O’Riley’s drive deflected off Baccus and almost sneaked in at the near post before Carson turned it behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Saints passed up a great chance when Hart parried Greg Kiltie’s cross straight to Ryan Strain and he knocked it past a post from just a few yards out.

However, there was even more drama moments later when Main headed into the net from eight yards out after latching on to a Mark O’Hara header as Celtic struggled to clear their lines.

After a long VAR check for offside, referee David Munro confirmed the goal put an unusual sheen on Ange Postecoglou’s half-time team talk.

Three minutes after the restart Strain stood a cross up to the back post and Main leapt highest only to head past a post.

Celtic were rattled again but came back and, in the 54th minute, from Jota’s cross, Maeda lifted the ball over the bar from six yards before Main, again, headed a Strain cross wide at the other end.

Maeda prodded the ball wide from close range before O’Reilly, Hatate and Maeda were replaced by Sead Haksabanovic, Liel Abada and Oh Hyeon-gyu as Postecoglou re-energised his side.

The Paisley side were having to hold on, desperately at times but in a breakaway, Main beat Hart with a drive only to see the ball rebound off a post, with Oh striking the goalframe at the other end seconds later.

With time running out for the home side it was McGregor who came to the rescue when he curled the ball past Carson from the edge of the box to cheers of relief, and the Buddies had to withstand late pressure to emerge with a point.

Manchester United moved a step closer to playing in the Champions League next season as Casemiro’s brilliant overhead kick earned a 1-0 win away at Bournemouth.

Victory on the south coast, together with Liverpool’s failure to beat Aston Villa, strengthened United’s grip on a top-four spot with two games to play and meant Erik ten Hag is close to achieving his primary objective in his first season in charge.

This was not Ten Hag’s side at their best, but once they were in front they limited a spirited and organised Bournemouth to a handful of chances, with David de Gea in form to deny Gary O’Neil’s side whenever they threatened.

A point against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday will ensure the team go into the final day with the top-four job complete.

United took the lead after nine minutes, partly through good fortune, but the goal owed much to the quick thinking and improvisational brilliance of Casemiro.

Christian Eriksen’s floated ball into the box was flicked on inadvertently by the boot of Marcos Senesi. The defender’s intervention played Casemiro onside and in one movement he swivelled acrobatically and whacked an effort on the turn past Neto to give United the perfect start.

The game settled down, United largely controlling the ball and probing for gaps in behind Bournemouth, most of which were plugged well by O’Neil’s side.

The next real chance fell to Dominic Solanke. A long, reaching pass arrived invitingly at his feet, though the opportunity looked to have gone when Aaron Wan-Bissaka hustled him off the ball. But Solanke would not be deterred and, winning it back, he cut inside United and made space for a low drive which De Gea turned aside brilliantly.

Casemiro tried once again to execute the spectacular when he hit a thumping drive first time from 35 yards which Neto got down well to and held.

On the whole, though, the first half ended with Bournemouth in the ascendency, Solanke reminding United once again of his and his team’s threat by planting a header fractionally over with the last action before the break.

David Brooks, making his first start since being diagnosed with cancer in 2021, tested the reflexes of De Gea minutes after the restart, the goalkeeper throwing up an arm to turn a fizzing drive over the bar.

Brooks was substituted shortly afterwards and left to a standing ovation from the Vitality Stadium.

United were without top scorer Marcus Rashford, out with an unspecified illness after also missing the previous victory against Wolves, and their attack lacked a focal point in his absence.

A goalscorer of Rashford’s instincts might have brought Bournemouth an equaliser when Solanke ran the ball to the byline and sent over a cross that rolled inches in front of the goal. No one in red and black had kept pace with the forward and the ball drifted to safety.

Illya Zabarnyi was in the right spot at the right time to turn Bruno Fernandes’ first-time effort over the bar from Wan-Bissaka’s cut-back as United probed for a second.

Fernandes stung the palms of Neto with a volley from outside the box, the keeper requiring two strong palms to beat it away.

Dango Ouattara came off the bench and caused problems down United’s left, bursting past Luke Shaw and crossing one moment, linking up well with Solanke the next. If Bournemouth were going to find a way back, it looked likely that it would be via the substitute.

Instead it was another of O’Neil’s replacements, Kieffer Moore, that spurned the hosts’ best chance.

Moore’s movement was clever to run in behind, but, with only De Gea to beat, his shot was straight at the keeper, who saved with his leg.

United hearts were in mouths when Senesi volleyed on to the roof of the goal in added time.

But the visitors saw the job out and one more point will ensure Ten Hag can turn attentions to an FA Cup final meeting with Manchester City at Wembley.

Ryan Mason played down fears about the future of Tottenham vice-captain Harry Kane after a disappointing 3-1 home loss to Brentford.

Kane’s 30th goal in all competitions put Spurs ahead after eight minutes, but the visitors turned the game around after the break through Bryan Mbeumo’s double and Yoane Wissa’s late goal.

It ensured Tottenham suffered a 14th defeat of a poor campaign in their final home fixture, which ended with the players doing a lap of honour in front of largely empty seats.

Vice-captain Kane waved to the fans who had stayed and uncertainty remains over his future with only one more year left on his deal at Spurs.

But Mason insisted: “He waves at the crowd every season.

“I remember sitting here two years ago and you guys were convinced he was leaving, saying the same thing.

“It’s the last home game of the season so he wants to show his appreciation to the support he’s received and we’ve all received this season.”

Spurs had impressed during the opening 45 and Son Heung-min, Emerson Royal, Arnaut Danjuma and Dejan Kulusevski all went close before half-time.

No second goal occurred for the hosts and Mbeumo’s quickfire brace after the break proved crucial.

Mason added: “This is the Premier League. You have to be ready for the whole game.

“I thought the first half we played a very good match, had a few opportunities to score a couple more, but of course in the second half the intensity dropped and we were punished.”

Back-to-back defeats have damaged Tottenham’s hopes of securing European football next season and there were further chants for chairman Daniel Levy to leave during his latest loss.

Mason admitted it hurt to see so many fans depart before the lap of honour but urged the club to commit to a philosophy this summer in its search for a new head coach and managing director of football.

“Of course (it hurts). It is understandable because of how probably the second two-thirds of the season have gone on and off the pitch but ultimately we know the fans will be there next season,” Spurs’ acting head coach insisted.

“This club will keep moving forward and now is the time where we need to be stronger than ever and believe in what we’re going to do, commit to it and have people that are committed to it.

“And I always say in football things can change very quickly and the energy can change quickly.

“There are many different conversations that need to happen, but ultimately, I have said it quite a bit, we need to commit to something and be consistent with it.

“Then have people, staff and players here who are committed to it too and I think that transfers to everyone else. That is what we need.”

Brentford were able to toast a milestone victory that means they have now defeated each member of the ‘big six’ during their first two seasons in the Premier League.

This fine win also ensured the Bees’ finished a difficult week on a high note after 20-goal forward Ivan Toney was hit with an eight month ban from all football activity on Thursday for repeated betting breaches.

“I think it is unbelievable and remarkable,” Frank said of Brentford’s top-six feat.

“For a newly promoted team over two seasons to beat all of the top-six teams must be quite unique so yes, of course we’re proud of that.

“We’ve already talked about (Ivan). To replace 20 goals in the Premier League is not easy but we actually have good players in the squad that can score goals and every single time Wissa is playing instead of Ivan he scores goals.

“He did that today and Kevin, he will score goals because he is such a threat going in behind.

“Of course the big praise is to Bryan today. He is growing more and more to be a key player for us.”