Valakari says his side “played like champions” after 2-0 win on Friday evening

Simo Valakari was delighted on how his side reacted after clinching the title on Tuesday evening. St Johnstone who won the league on Tuesday night in Dunfermline went on to defeat Raith Rovers 2-0 on title celebrations night as many thought some players could may still be “hungover”. St Johnstone have been at it the entire season and rightly so, finished in style in their final home match of the season at McDiarmid which was a time to celebrate with family, friends and the supporters as they return to the top flight on the first time of asking. A brace by Jamie Gullan who has been on fine form this season got the night up and running with two first-half goals to send Perth in party mode. Valakri was delighted his side were able to continue their fine form as he added: “after clinching the title on Tuesday night, to come here and still showing the energy, desire and commitment” as his side continued as where they left off on Tuesday night as the Tuesday nights celebrations didn’t impact how they played on Friday night as Simo left very happy with how his side went about it. It was always going to be a big night in Perth as the St Johnstone squad were in full party mode after a massive night under the lights in which they did it in style. The season isn’t quite over yet for Simo Valakai’s men as the travel to Ayr United next Friday night for the final game of the Scottish Championship season as the Perth outfit will be looking to end on a high as they prepare for Premiership football next season.

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle: Post-Match Reaction

Arsenal go back top with narrow win against Newcastle. Mikel Arteta on the importance of the win: “I’m really happy for the win. We talked about game one and how important that was. We did the job. We should have finished with a bigger margin in certain moments of the game, but when it’s 1-0 it’s always tough because they have quality, because they brought so many good players on the bench as well. And when we don’t finish the action, especially the open ones that we had, the margin is going to be smaller.” On the decision to not send off Nick Pope: “They will have their opinion, I’m here to give my opinion and somebody that has been in the game for a long time, and you talk to any of the players, because the trajectory where the ball is, there’s no keeper there. If that were to happen the other way around, it’s a red card.” On Eberechi Eze: “Eze is a big player for us and he’s in a really good moment. He produced an incredible moment to score the goal. Hopefully he’s fit and he can be with us on Wednesday.” On Kai Havertz’s injury: “He had a little niggle, so I don’t know how serious it is. It didn’t look too big because the action, the way he describes it, is not too sharp, but I have to wait and see.” On the return of Bukayo Saka: “Great. I think he had a very good impact as well in the minutes that he’s played. He’s back, I think he looks sharp, he looks good, he looks fresh. You certainly notice something different in the team and in the stadium as well when he comes in, so we certainly need that. “Let’s see how he reacts tomorrow, how he absorbs the load. He’s so keen, he’s so motivated, it’s the most beautiful part of the season, and he’s with us.” Eberechi Eze: “I don’t hear pundits! The pressure we put on ourselves is so much more than what’s coming from outside. “It’s the necessary pressure to win, it’s not negative, it’s beautiful.” On his injury: “I’m all good, I have no serious injury.” Declan Rice on a ‘massive’ three points: “The three points were massive today. After the week we had against Manchester City, there was a lot of encouragement to take from that game, but we knew coming into this, with five games left, we have to win all five. “To tick that one off today was a real boost, so we’re really, really happy with the win today.” On the difficulty of playing Newcastle: “Always against Newcastle, it will be a really tough game, they have unbelievable players who can hurt you at any time. “We could have done better in front of goal in the second half, it opened up for us, and it was just lacking that final pass. But in the end, three points, a special goal from Ebs and that makes the weekend better, so it is all good.”

Bartley hopes for “the beginning of a miracle” as Livingston break winless run

Livingston’s first league win in 259 days was a welcome result for manager Marvin Bartley, who praised his side’s positive attitude despite their perilous situation.  Defeat for Kilmarnock at Pittodrie edged The Lions nine points behind their closest rivals. Survival may be a long shot, but Bartley hopes this can be “the beginning of a miracle”. “It’s one game at a time. We need to produce our best at both ends of the pitch, and the players have managed to do that today. “The players have given me everything every day, it’s not just about the match on a Saturday. The wins have run away from us, but hopefully this win can give them a lift and belief as well. Scott Pittman’s strike, coupled with Alex Gogic’s own goal, ended a 31-match winless run against St Mirren. Bartley hopes his team can use victory as a platform for the remaining matches. “We have to grow in belief, when you’ve been on the run we’ve been on it’s difficult mentally. We also have to keep our feet grounded. We’re still bottom of the league. But all we can do is train well and prepare for Aberdeen. “It’s not about me. I come in to work, work as hard as I can, preparing the players as best as I can, and hope they produce on a Saturday. “I’ve never seen them down in the dumps, because they know they have to work hard. It’s a constant for them. They don’t get too high or low. “It’s a fantastic feeling at this moment in time. It’s only our third clean sheet of the season. I have to give a massive shout-out to Neil Hastings, because they saw what was happening in the first half, articulated what was happening, and the players took it up a notch.” Livingston return to action against Aberdeen next Friday before travelling to Dundee eight days later.