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Enzo Maresca has backed Chelsea’s revitalised midfield to make the difference in Sunday’s crucial clash with top five rivals Newcastle.

Maresca named an unchanged starting line-up for successive Premier League games for the first time in six months as champions Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by the Blues last weekend.

The return of Romeo Lavia, who has started consecutive matches for the first time since November after missing virtually all of last season, has been vital to Chelsea’s ability to control the midfield battle.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are playing their best football since arriving at Stamford Bridge, with the latter this week named the club’s player of the season.

READ ALSO: Chelsea Ease Past Djurgarden To Reach Conference League Final

With a solid foundation behind him, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer finally looked back to his best as he ended his long goal drought against Liverpool.

Maresca believes the midfield engine room could hold the key to victory at St James’ Park, with Newcastle’s charge to fourth place inspired by the form of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.

“Absolutely, yes. Against Liverpool we repeated the first XI after six months. It’s important when you can continue with the same players,” Maresca said.

“We have Romeo back fit, Moises is doing well, Enzo and Cole are doing well. Newcastle also have Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, (Jacob) Murphy, (Joe) Willock. They have different kinds of players. I expect for sure a huge game.”

Fifth-placed Chelsea go into Sunday’s game behind Newcastle only on goals scored, with both sides knowing a win will be a huge boost in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Maresca’s men, who will face Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, have hit form at just the right moment, winning six of their last nine league games.

But whatever the result on Sunday, their destiny will likely still rest on their final two fixtures, at home to Manchester United and away to top five rivals Nottingham Forest.

Asked whether Newcastle’s attacking style could play into Chelsea’s hands, Maresca said: “I hope so. We’ve played games against teams who play a low block, against teams that try to be aggressive, and we made some good games in both situations.”

Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United have “so many problems” and deserve criticism despite storming into the Europa League final with a 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao.

United went into Thursday’s second leg of their semi-final at Old Trafford 3-0 ahead after the first leg in Spain but conceded first and looked nervy and chaotic at times.

A triple substitution just after the hour mark changed the game, with one of those brought on, Mason Mount, scoring twice as United roared back to win 4-1, setting up a final clash against Tottenham in Bilbao.

But United manager Amorim was not fooled by the scoreline as he contemplated the wreckage of United’s Premier League campaign ahead of Sunday’s home match against fellow strugglers West Ham.

If the Hammers beat United and Spurs get a draw or better against Crystal Place, Amorim’s men would be an unthinkable 17th in the table, one place above the relegation spots, though they cannot go down.

“The weakness, you can see it again,” he said. “We have so many problems. Even winning these kind of games (against Athletic), you can see during the game, we have a lot of things to improve.”

Even though United’s league campaign is beyond redemption, Amorim said he would not wrap all his players in cotton wool for the Europa League final on May 21 as he still wanted to be “competitive” in the Premier League.

“They will play because sometimes it’s better to play,” he said. “What I will protect is the players that can get an injury.”

 Europa focus

Amorim admitted he had a difficult juggling act, with the Europa League — which gives a Champions League spot to the winner — as a clear priority.

“I think against Brentford (a 4-3 defeat on Sunday) we had some mistakes that I felt that some of our players were thinking about this game (against Athletic),” he said.

“We have to manage that, but we also have to acknowledge that we are Manchester United and we need to win games also in the Premier League.

“We have to use every game to improve, even to prepare for the final, but especially to prepare for the future.”

Amorim said criticism of his side from former United captain Roy Keane over the team’s Premier League performances was justified.

“We are trying to do our best, but I agree we can do better,” said the former Sporting Lisbon boss.

“Again, I don’t have anything to say about the criticism because we deserve it.

“If we cannot accept everything in this kind of season, I think we are in the wrong business. I fully acknowledge that and I agree with all the critics.”

But Amorim, who made eight changes for last weekend’s defeat at Brentford, said United had to be smart ahead of the final.

“I have to make a choice. What is the best for the club, not what is the best for me,” he said.

“I make a choice. In this moment I’m going to save… players because it’s really important for us to win the final.”

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the frustration of having to give champions Liverpool a guard of honour on Sunday as fuel to win the Premier League title next season after admitting they have gone “backwards” this term.

Arteta’s side are destined to finish the season without a major trophy after failing to keep pace with Liverpool and crashing out of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

The Gunners’ 2-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain ended their bid to win the tournament for the first time.

It was a painful loss for Arsenal, who created a host of chances in the early stages of the second leg but couldn’t find a way past inspired PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Still licking their wounds from the disappointment in Paris, Arsenal head to Anfield this weekend for the uncomfortable task of watching to Liverpool’s ongoing title celebrations.

Arne Slot’s men wrapped up the title two weeks ago, leaving second-placed Arsenal trailing in their wake.

After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City for the previous two seasons, the north Londoners remain with a title since 2004.

“Something has to drive you, motivate you, and pain for this is a good one to use, when you really want to do something. It’s the right thing to do, usually as a motivation for next season,” Arteta said of Arsenal’s guard of honour for the champions.

“They’ve been the best team, they’ve been the most consistent, and what Arne and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, it’s been really good.

“They fully deserve it, and that’s the sport. If somebody is better, you have to accept it and try to reach that level.”

Arteta attracted criticism in some quarters for claiming Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League this season despite their last four exit.

The Spaniard stood by his claim days later, saying: “100 percent. I’m watching the impact, I’m watching all the stats because they were the best stats and the best goal difference in the semi-final, so it’s very clear.

“When you look at the important stats that normally give you the best platform to win football matches, it’s crystal clear who was better.”

Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker in the January transfer window was a major blow in a season marred by long injury absences for Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka at various stages.

“In January it was clear or not? I made a very clear statement, and the statement continues the same. I want the best team, the best players. If we have three goalscorers over 25, bring them in, we’re going to be a much better team, yes,” Arteta said.

Arteta conceded Arsenal have been unable to match his expectations this season.

But he is adamant they have the quality to end the club’s five-year trophy drought.

“In the Premier League we’ve done a step backwards. With the points that we have created, it’s clear that we haven’t done as good as last season, that’s obvious,” he said.

“but with the amount of points that we have generated in the last few seasons, we could have two Premier Leagues.

“So we know how close. We are there, we are providing the numbers that win you titles. We have to be a little bit luckier, but still do better to make sure that nobody has a season better than you.”

Mohamed Salah won the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year award for the third time on Friday after inspiring Liverpool’s march to a record-equalling 20th English title.

Salah earned the prize after scoring 28 goals and producing 18 assists for Liverpool in the Premier League this season.

The Egypt forward broke the record for the most goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League campaign as Arne Slot’s side romped to their first title since 2020.

Salah secured almost 90 percent of the football writers’ votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century.

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk came second in the contest, with Newcastle striker Alexander Isak third and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice fourth.

READ ALSO: Man Utd One Step Away From Europa League Glory Despite Horror Season

For the third time.

Congratulations to Mohamed Salah on being named The Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year. @theofficialfwa ✍️ pic.twitter.com/EuKG8Omdu4

Salah, who was previously given the award in 2017-18 and 2021-22, is now level with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry as the only players to win it three times.

The 32-year-old recently ended speculation over his future by signing a new two-year contract to stay at Anfield until 2027.

Salah’s decision to commit to Liverpool will make them favourites to win a record 21st title next season as they look to move ahead of Manchester United as England’s most successful top-flight club.

Alessia Russo became the second Arsenal player to land the women’s award as the striker finished ahead of last year’s winner Khadija Shaw.