Talking points from the Premier League weekend

The following are talking points from the weekend's Premier League action:


ANOTHER TWIST IN RACE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL

The race for the Champions League qualification took an interesting turn on Monday when the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) announced its decision to overturn Manchester City's two-year European ban.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United knew City's ban could have opened up Champions League spot for the team finishing fifth but that is no longer on the table.

The most concerned team should be Leicester, who are in free fall after collecting two wins from their last 11 league games.

Brendan Rodgers's side will drop out of the of the top four if Manchester United beat Southampton later on Monday.

POPE PILES PRESSURE ON ENGLAND NO.1 PICKFORD

Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp was left frustrated after coming up against an inspired Nick Pope, who repeatedly denied the newly-crowned Premier League champions during the 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield.

"There were moments when it was Liverpool against Nick Pope," Klopp said after the match on Saturday.

Pope has recorded a joint league-high 14 clean sheets this season, alongside Manchester City's Ederson, and has made a strong case to add to his two England caps.

Jordan Pickford

has been England manager Gareth Southgate's preferred choice but the Everton goalkeeper's far from convincing displays since the restart may have left the door open for Pope ahead of the international fixtures in September.

RELEGATION BATTLE SET FOR FRANTIC FINALE

Norwich City became the first club to suffer relegation this season after a 4-0 defeat by West Ham United, but other teams in danger were back fighting to retain their top-flight status at the weekend.

West Ham United, Watford, Bournemouth and Aston Villa recorded victories to breathe life into the relegation battle with three matches remaining.

Meanwhile, Graham Potter's Brighton & Hove Albion have been impressive to collect seven points since the restart to move up to 15th and face three midtable sides - Southampton, Newcastle United and Burnley - in their remaining matches.

"We still need points, from my perspective. We're still fighting for those," Potter said. "We have to try to focus on getting as many as we can from the remaining three."