Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at the Stadium of Light

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick backed Amad Diallo last week and said his form was good, despite evidence to the contrary.

Sadly for the Ivory Coast international, he followed that up by needlessly giving the ball away to Dominik Szoboszlai within minutes of his introduction against Liverpool at Old Trafford last Sunday, which led to the visitors’ first goal and threatened an unexpected comeback.

It was another negative in a season where Amad has scored only two goals and claimed three assists, well below expectations.

There have been suggestions this week Sunderland are interested in signing the 23-year-old, who had a productive season on loan with the Black Cats in 2022-23, when he lifted the club’s fans and young player of the year prizes.

It seems unlikely United would sanction Amad’s exit.

Asked about Amad again ahead of the trip to Wearside this weekend, Carrick was wholly positive.

“Amad's absolutely fine,” he said. “He's no problem. He was smiling at full-time (last week).

“Mistakes are part of football. I made plenty as a player. I understand that. Sometimes you make them and it leads to a goal. Sometimes you make them, you get away with it and no one really talks about it.

“He's done so many good things since I came back, through the impact that he's had on the team and what he gives with his performances.

“With the ball, without the ball, his energy and his attitude, he's been great over the last few days.

“He's got nothing to feel down or upset or frustrated about because he's got so much to look forward to.

“He’s an absolute joy to work with, is in a good place and I'm sure he's looking forward to the game on Saturday.”

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana speaking to TNT Sports about whether he is claiming the goal: "I think it was mine. Everyone has told me that I touched the ball. I don't know if I did touch the ball, but if it's me or Enzo [Fernandez] then I'm happy because it was an important one. I didn't feel myself touch the ball to be honest, but everyone said they saw on the replays that I touched the ball so I guess I did. It was a good shot [from Fernandez]. We worked on that during the week, so I'm happy for him."

On why European football is important for next season: "This is a big club with big players, so we need to fight for it. We need to get into Europe, no matter if it is the Champions League or Europa League. We need to give everything for this club and for the fans."

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella has also been speaking to TNT Sports about the performance: "I think the effort today was really good. I don't think it was probably our best moments, but we showed if we play together and if we play together then we have a good level. Hopefully we can win a bit of confidence from this game because next week we have a massive game.

"We aren't happy because we wanted the three points, but we are happy that we showed we're a really good team if we put in the effort and fight together. Hopefully we can learn from this game and play well in these last few games."

Image source, Getty Images

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United travel north on the back of three straight wins, including completing a league double over Liverpool. Under head coach Michael Carrick, they have looked composed in high-pressure fixtures - also beating Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Their long-standing issue remains consistency against sides who sit deeper. United have won 10 out of 17 matches against top-half opponents, but only eight of 18 against those in the bottom half of the table, despite creating more chances.

History leans heavily towards the Red Devils, with Sunderland winning only three of their 33 Premier League meetings.

Bruno Fernandes again carries much of United's creative responsibility. The captain is one assist short of matching the Premier League season record of 20 held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland's first season back in the Premier League has been built on organisation and discipline, even if recent heavy defeats have tested that foundation. Regis Le Bris's side remain one of the division's more reliable defensive units, with 10 clean sheets underlining their structure.

They have also shown a habit of finishing strongly. Five goals in the final 10 minutes of home matches have earned valuable points, including a late win over Brentford and a draw with Arsenal.

The Black Cats will, however, be without suspended centre-back Dan Ballard after his red card against Wolves – a significant absence for a team that relies heavily on cohesion at the back.

Chris Sutton
BBC football expert

Last Sunday's win over Liverpool was another big result for Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, especially because it secured Champions League qualification.

People forget what a rabble United were when he took over as head coach in January and he has brought a bit of calmness to the club.

United have got to make a decision about his future at the end of the season and can you imagine if they don't give him the job on a long-term basis? Mind you, I wouldn't be sure about United given some of the decisions they have made in the recent past.

In terms of this game, going to Sunderland is still a tough game - even though the Black Cats were walloped 5-0 by Nottingham Forest last time out at the Stadium of Light.

I keep backing Sunderland and keep being wrong about them. Their minds may be on the beach a bit, but I can see them getting a point here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at the Stadium of Light

I am told Casemiro's injury is minor and he will be back next week, which will be his final game at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player.

Benjamin Sesko has been suffering from a shin problem he picked up against Liverpool and hasn't recovered.

Manuel Ugarte suffered an unspecified injury in training.

Wayne Rooney
Match of the Day pundit

I thought Liverpool actually started quite well, got the goal, and then from there Chelsea were the better team. They caused Liverpool big problems, especially Cucurella running behind.

The crowd were obviously a bit edgy, which you very rarely get from Liverpool fans. You never like to see that, but it comes from not having the season they hoped for, and after spending a lot of money.

Laura Kenyon
BBC Final Score reporter at the Amex

Cracking DJ set outside the Amex before the game today. The DJ looked suspiciously like Norman Cook of Fatboy Slim fame. Lots of double takes later... IT IS FATBOY SLIM!

'Right Here, Right Now' blaring. Fans absolutely loving it. What a way to get in the mood for a massive, massive game.

Fatboy Slim a huge Brighton fan and amongst those hoping his side are playing in the Champions League next season.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a miserable season for already relegated Wolves but it's been particularly grim away from Molineux, where they have at least won matches.

Wolves' only victory away from home this season came in the FA Cup against League Two side Grimsby Town, where they scored with their only shot on target in the match.

They haven't won away from home in this season's Premier League. In total, they are winless in their last 19 away Premier League matches (D5, L14), their worst such run since 2004, when they were winless in 23 games on the road.

Behind this damning statistic is the fact that Wolves have scored just seven goals in 17 away Premier League matches this season, an average of just 0.41 per game.

It's half the total of the team with the next worst record, which is Sunderland, who have scored 14 on the road. It's only just over a third of the total of Burnley, the team nearest to them in the table, who have scored 20 away goals.

Failure to score in both of their remaining away games would see Wolves equal the lowest-ever average of away goals scored in a single Premier League season. That record is held by Norwich City, whose seven goals in 19 away matches in 2019-20 gave them an average of 0.37.

This summer promises to be a managerial merry-go-round with several clubs and head coaches involved in the various imminent vacancies – but Brighton and Fabian Hurzeler won't be among them.

Hurzeler's new long-term deal comes with the Seagulls firmly in the mix to qualify for Europe, despite losing at Newcastle last weekend, a defeat which halted a run of four wins in five games.

The 3-1 scoreline was a bit misleading as Brighton dominated possession but failed to take their chances and were guilty of defensive errors. But they showed enough fight to suggest they will be determined to ensure that this weekend they don't suffer back-to-back league defeats for just the second time this season.

Hosting a poor Wolves side should also help on that front, especially given that the Seagulls are unbeaten in their last eight league games against the Molineux side (W5, D3) since a 1-0 home loss in December 2021.

But there are a host of other teams also in European contention - and with a trip to Leeds and a visit from in-form Manchester United to come, this is a game Brighton need to win.

Chris Sutton
BBC football expert

I thought Brighton would get the better of Newcastle last week and they certainly had their chances. They ended up losing that game, but there is no way they won't win this time.

Wolves had an upturn in form for a while under Rob Edwards but it doesn't feel like they have sustained that improvement. Yes, they got a point against Sunderland last week, but the Black Cats played for more than an hour with 10 men.

The Seagulls are at home and are one of the teams who have sixth place in their sights. I don't see them slipping up.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at the Stadium of Light

We might be well into May but it is decidedly chilly at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

A couple of Manchester United's coaching staff have woolly hats on and it is raining quite heavily.

No sense of spring on Wearside at all.

We'll bring you manager and player reaction from Anfield when we get it but let's start looking at some of these 3pm games now.

Ally McCoist
Former Rangers striker on TNT Sports

The fans were clearly unhappy when Arne Slot took off Rio Ngumoha, it certainly robbed them of any sort of width they had on the left-hand side. Milos Kerkez tried to get forward, but that decision certainly starved Liverpool.

I thought Liverpool were the better team in the second half, but what was concerning was the fact that they lacked any threat.

The result is probably about right.

Image source, Getty Images

This is how the top half of the Premier League looks after the 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter at Anfield

The Chelsea players and staff are all standing together applauding the away support. They've had their struggles over the last few weeks but they can take some positives from that display, that ends their torrid run of six Premier League defeats in a row.