Manchester United front and centre in Hot or Not: Gameweek 36

As the season heads towards its end, there is still plenty to play for across the whole Premier League, with relegation, Champions League places and the Champion still to be decided in the final two games (or three, for some).

That means that there is still time for heroes to come forward, and for some to crack. 101 take a look at who excelled, and who struggled, over the weekend.

HOT: Eddie Nketiah

Kept out of the side by an underperforming Alexandre Lacazette for most of the season, Eddie Nketiah has seized his chance firmly with both hands, netting another brace against Leeds United to hand Arsenal another three points and take his goal tally to four in his last four Premier League appearances.

#ARSLEE pic.twitter.com/hlbqaDHSGB

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 9, 2022

It is perhaps somewhat ironic that a man seemingly set to leave for free this summer is pushing Arsenal to the Champions League, but as his stock continues to rise, his options for his next club continue to improve.

HOT: Everton

Every time a side looks dead and buried, they put together a run of results that defy that idea. Frank Lampard’s Everton are the latest, backing up their 1-0 win over Chelsea with a 2-1 victory against Leicester City.

FT. A three points on the road! UTFT!!!!!!!

1-2 #LEIEVE pic.twitter.com/jEslA83Qla

— Everton (@Everton) May 8, 2022

It means that they move a point clear of the drop zone, with a game in hand on both sides below them, as they look to escape the drop. And, while they are indebted to goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, they are picking up vital points.

HOT: Raheem Sterling

Sterling has only seen limited gametime in recent weeks, thanks to the resurgence of Gabriel Jesus, but issued a timely reminder of his qualities in Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Newcastle United.

50 – Raheem Sterling’s opener was his 50th Premier League goal at the Etihad Stadium, becoming the second player to reach the milestone at the ground after Sergio Aguero (106). Nifty. pic.twitter.com/hFebSHqvYQ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 8, 2022

The English forward netted twice and was a threat all game, becoming the player with the most goals in the Guardiola era in the process. His contract situation needs to be sorted ASAP.

NOT: Manchester United

To go from being on the right end of hammerings to the wrong, you only have to cross Manchester. A pathetic performance from Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils saw them suffer their fifth straight away defeat as they were battered 4-0 by a Brighton side that could not believe their luck.

Manchester United have lost by 4+ goals in as many Premier League games this season as they did in Sir Alex Ferguson’s entire time in charge of the club pic.twitter.com/skLLbCVqvY

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 9, 2022

Time and time again the Seagulls cut through United, who offered little threat themselves. The club are in dire need of a drastic change.

NOT: Watford

A tame 1-0 defeat meant that Watford became the second side this season to be confirmed to be playing Championship football next season, following Norwich straight back down just 12 months after securing promotion.

BREAKING: Watford have been relegated to the Championship after defeat to Crystal Palace.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 7, 2022

The sorry 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace, doubly painful as it was Roy Hodgson’s old club that condemned them, means they are likely to lose the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Emmanuel Dennis this summer. They need to find a better plan for success than sacking three managers a season.

NOT: Leeds United and Luke Ayling

Luke Ayling marked his 500th career appearance with an early bath that ensured he will sit out the final three games of the season, contributing to a tame Leeds United defeat. The Yorkshire side replaced iconic boss Marcelo Bielsa but Jesse Marsch has not brought an improvement in results.

As a result, they sit in the relegation zone, and with games against Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford to come before the end of the campaign, they need to find a way to pick up points quickly.

Congrats to @lukeayling_8, as he makes his 500th career appearance! pic.twitter.com/bvtGpkTRmm

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 8, 2022

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