It would have been a crying shame if, after such supreme consistency from the top two, the Premier League title race had been decided before the final day. Having witnessed a battle without any of the typical twists and turns, anything but a final shootout would have been anticlimactic.

Before this season, only five teams in Premier League history had broken the 90-point barrier. The list of exceptional sides who missed that mark includes Arsenal’s Invincibles, Manchester City’s first title-winning team in 2011/12, and Manchester United in 2006/07, who had eight representatives in the PFA Team of the Year.

Defeat for Cardiff means relegation is now a very realistic possibility for them.

Daniel Storey maps Liverpool and Manchester City's path through the remaining games of the Premier League season.

Pep Guardiola realises he cannot stop his Manchester City players dreaming about winning the quadruple, but the City boss will urge them to think game by game in their pursuit of an unprecedented clean sweep.

Daniel Storey's talking points after the FA Cup weekend

In Giroud’s absence, Morata floundered again.

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Cardiff manager Neil Warnock described Kenedy's stoppage-time penalty miss for Newcastle as "poetic justice" after the Brazilian had escaped a possible first-half red card in the 0-0 draw.

There may be a sense of inevitably about the destination of the Premier League title this season, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to play for over the next nine months.

The fee has not been disclosed but is thought to be in the region of £4million.

Cardiff left it late but kept themselves on course for a Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion place with a 2-0 win at Norwich.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock slammed Wolves counterpart Nuno Espirito-Santo after he sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate their dramatic 1-0 victory.

On the eve of Ireland’s friendly defeat in Turkey last Friday, Seamus Coleman conceded that, as the team captain — and a Premier League player to boot — the focus of attention would inevitably be on his welcome in a green shirt after a year out through injury.

Irish players also scored for QPR and Sheffield United.

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane faces at least six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Cardiff City 0 Manchester City 2: Pep Guardiola called for players to get better protection after Leroy Sane was left facing a spell on the sidelines following the FA Cup win at Cardiff.

Pep Guardiola insists he will not complain about Manchester City’s schedule as they continue to chase glory on four fronts.

Neil Warnock has described Cardiff’s preparation for the fourth-round FA Cup tie against Manchester City as easy because he has not had to get the ball out.

The status quo was maintained at the top of the Championship as Leeds, Cardiff and Wolves all won.

Rangers target Declan John has arrived at Ibrox to complete his loan move from Cardiff.

Former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy endured a disappointing 25th anniversary in management, as his Ipswich side were comfortably beaten 3-1 at Cardiff City on Saturday and he admitted afterwards that the Blues are in a Championship relegation scrap.

Jamaal Lascelles rescued Newcastle with an 81st-minute equaliser as Rafael Benitez's men maintained their one-point lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with a 2-2 draw at Norwich.

Ryan Sessegnon became one of the youngest goalscorers in FA Cup history with the winner in Fulham's 2-1 victory at Cardiff.

QPR head to Reading for tonight’s Championship clash aiming to close in on the appointment of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as their new manager.

Alan Pardew has never been slow to offer reminders when he has done something well, and considering Crystal Palace’s transformation from relegation-threatened to top half of the table this year, backed up by the most impressive transfer dealings of any side outside of the top six excepting Stoke, that knowing grin has widened.

From champs to relegation chumps; how they ranked this season...

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has warned his side must overcome a difficult obstacle at Crystal Palace to avoid losing yet more ground to their rivals.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew insists he is better than many of the Premier League’s big-name managers but has no immediate plans to leave Selhurst Park for a table-topping side.

West Ham 1, Crystal Palace 3:

Kevin Doyle left Crystal Palace’s training ground for the final time yesterday unsure of when his next game of football will be.

Alan Pardew enjoyed a fairytale return to Selhurst Park, overseeing a spirited comeback against Tottenham as Crystal Palace secured a first Premier League win since November.

Dover Athletic 0 Crystal Palace 4

Alan Pardew believes an extended FA Cup run can breed a "winning mentality" to boost Crystal Palace's Premier League relegation battle.

Alan Pardew has been confirmed as Crystal Palace's new manager after being released from his contract at Newcastle.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew could be on the verge of bringing a tumultuous four-year reign on Tyneside to an end and agreeing terms to take over as the new manager of Crystal Palace.

Newcastle have given Crystal Palace permission to speak to manager Alan Pardew over the vacancy at Selhurst Park.

Newscastle 0 Everton 0

QPR 0 Crystal Palace 0

Crystal Palace ambassador Mark Bright believes there was a “lack of confidence and faith” in Neil Warnock, who was sacked as manager of the club today.

Premier League

Crystal Palace 1 Southampton 3