LiveScore Daily: Today's football news in bite-sized chunks

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Going nowhere

Roberto De Zerbi has reaffirmed his commitment to Brighton amid links to the Tottenham job.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte is under intense pressure in North London after seeing his side crash out of the Champions League and FA Cup in the last 10 days.

Various reports yesterday suggested the club were sounding out potential replacements for the Italian and De Zerbi supposedly ranks high on their wish list.

However, quizzed on the links this morning, the 43-year-old made his stance clear.

He told reporters: "I have a long contract with Brighton and I'm happy to work here.

"I enjoy working with these players, I'm delighted with their performance. I can't ask for more — it's a good moment in my life."

The Seagulls travel to Leeds on Saturday sat seven points behind fourth-placed Spurs having played three games fewer, with De Zerbi admitting continental qualification is on his squad’s radar.

He added: "We want to arrive in Europe but we have to push and take it game by game.

"Tomorrow starts a difficult period with three games in a week, but we are ready to fight for our targets."

Europe beckons

Aston Villa can still qualify for Europe with a strong end to the campaign, according to Unai Emery.

Back-to-back wins have left the West Midlands outfit in 11th place in the Premier League ahead of a trip to struggling West Ham on Sunday.

Finishing seventh — a position currently occupied by Fulham, who are five points better off than Villa — would secure qualification to next season’s Europa Conference League.

And the 51-year-old Spaniard, who led Sevilla to three straight Europa League crowns between 2014 and 2016, believes his side are capable of making a late surge into continental contention.

Emery said "The most important thing now is trying to build a team, trying to build a family, trying to build a way, trying to build a good mentality.

"And then we can be excited and enjoy each match with our supporters, trying to connect with them, trying to use their energy.

"Getting into Europe is a possibility and if we can get a lot of points in the matches we are going to face, we can be close."

WSL schedule change

The final round of Women’s Super League fixtures will be played one day earlier than originally scheduled.

The move will see a thrilling campaign now conclude on Saturday, May 27 rather than Sunday, May 28, with all games kicking off at 3pm.

It means the WSL’s final day no longer clashes with the conclusion of the Premier League season, with viewing figures certain to benefit as a result.

Four sides are still competing for the WSL title with Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all within six points of each other heading into the final eight rounds of games.

Toothless Wolves

Julen Lopetegui has full faith that his Wolves strikers can end their year-long Premier League goal drought.

Remarkably, Raul Jimenez’s strike against Watford a year ago today was the last time a centre forward found the net in the top flight for the men from Molineux.

The Mexican No9 has only managed three Carabao Cup goals this term, while September signing Diego Costa and January addition Matheus Cunha are yet to register in the league.

Lopetegui is unfazed by the shocking streak ahead of Sunday’s clash with Newcastle, however, saying: "Scoring is about all of the team. I think we are happy with the commitment of the forwards.

"They are working very hard. Sometimes they offer a different solution to the team. I’m sure they are going to score, I don’t know when but as soon as possible is good for them and us.

"They have to do a lot of things for the team and they are working very hard."

Howe still has hope

Eddie Howe has called on Newcastle to snap their poor run of form this Sunday if they are to secure European football next season.

The Magpies have spent most of the Premier League campaign inside the top four but now find themselves in sixth having won just once in eight outings, scoring only three goals in that run.

A home clash with Wolves is next up and the Toon’s boss admits that results must improve sooner rather than later if his side are not to fade into mid-table obscurity.

Howe confessed: "There’s a belief that we can win again and we need, very quickly, to fulfil that aim.

"I’ve never sat here and talked us up in terms of targets, top four. But I have talked us up in terms of what I believe we can achieve and the quality we have in our group and I’m not going to change now."

Meanwhile, Howe is still unsure whether club-record signing Alexander Isak is fit enough to regularly lead the line, having struggled with injury since arriving at St James' Park.

On Isak, the 45-year-old English coach added: "He wants to play, like every player. I feel he is there, but is he 100% ready to play 90 minutes on a consistent basis? Probably not."

Angry Arne

Feyenoord boss Arne Slot was frustrated by his team's 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

The Eredivisie leaders dominated proceedings against their Ukrainian opponents but fell behind with 11 minutes remaining when Yaroslav Rakitskyi netted from his side’s only shot on target.

Though Argentine forward Ezequiel Bullaude bagged a late equaliser for the visitors, their head coach felt his charges had missed an opportunity.

Slot fumed: "In the first half, I thought we were a little too happy with the fact that we were better. We didn't realise enough that when you're better, you have to push through. 

"Towards the second half, we put a little different emphasis on our left side. That made us constantly dangerous there.

"I thought our passing game was good in the first half, but without any chances. In the second half, we had several great opportunities. 

"It is extremely disappointing that it ends 1-1. One shot on goal, one goal against. It's the same for us every time."

The pair face off again in Rotterdam next Thursday.

More like Michail

David Moyes expects Michail Antonio’s Europa Conference League brace against AEK Larnaca to give his forward a much-needed morale boost.

Antonio, 32, had managed just seven strikes in 32 appearances in all competitions prior to last night’s trip to Cyprus, in what has been a disappointing campaign for him and his team-mates.

And though the Scot still wants more from his marksman, he could not hide his delight after seeing the South Londoner bag both goals in the 2-0 win.

Moyes said: "I thought Mick didn't hold the ball up well enough in the opening part, but he did the important bit and scored.

"I'm glad he has that in him because we needed it. It's good for Mick's confidence as goals haven't come easy for him and he's very important for us."

The Hammers host Aston Villa on Sunday looking to move further clear of the Premier League relegation zone.