Seven things we learnt this weekend: Chelsea have respect for Steven Gerrard; Tom Cleverley comes in from the cold; Newcastle in trouble

West Ham don't really want the Europa League, only Manchester City under Guardiola can stop Chelsea and Manchester United need world class defenders

Seven things we learnt in the Premier League this weekend (Getty Images)

RESPECT FOR ONE-CLUB PLAYERS LIKE STEVEN GERRARD STILL REMAINS

We all know it. The 'Steve Gerrard, Gerrard' chant that has been doing the rounds ever since this time last season. Unsurprisingly, the Chelsea fans were relentless in their abuse of the Liverpool captain on his final appearance at Stamford Bridge before he jets off for a new life in Los Angeles. But then something strange happened.

Gerrard was substituted, which in itself was odd with the 34-year-old scoring Liverpool’s equaliser with a precise header. But as he made his way to the touchline and the inevitable boos rained down on the former England skipper, they were quickly drowned out by applause. Applause and cheering, and not just from the Liverpool fans, but from all areas of Stamford Bridge.

The rivalry between the two clubs has grown with ferocity over the years, but it was a warm reminder that mutual respect can still remain in the game.

Steven Gerrard is applauded off the field by the Chelsea fans

TOM CLEVERLEY COMES IN FROM THE COLD AT VILLA

Manchester United would be forgiven for watching Saturday’s early kick-off and asking ‘Who is this Tom Cleverley kid?’ It seems that the availability of regular football, the confidence boost that comes with the ultra-ego of Tim Sherwood and the positional shift to allow him to push forward has seen the English midfielder show signs of reaching his true potential.

(Getty Images)

Three goals in three games would be impressive at any point of the season, but to come up with the goods when Villa are fighting to stay afloat in the Premier League relegation battle takes some doing. It could have been easy for Cleverley to crumble after failing to cut it at Old Trafford, but credit where credit’s due, he’s showing a resilience and determination to prove his critics wrong.

PREMIER LEAGUE GAINS AN EXTRA EUROPA LEAGUE SPOT – WHO WANTS IT?

Courtesy of Uefa’s Fair Play league, the Premier League will be awarded an extra spot in the Europa League next season and with Liverpool on course to finish in at least sixth-placed, that club is likely to be West Ham. Sam Allardyce has already confirmed his desire to see the club in Europe next term – remember, he’s unlikely to be there – and with the beneficiaries set to join the competition in the first qualifying round on 2 July, that makes for one long season.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce (Getty Images)

Do West Ham really want to play in the Europa League next season and risk their Premier League campaign? We’ve seen how the likes of Tottenham, a club with significantly more financial firepower and a larger playing squad, have struggled to cope with that competition alongside a full domestic season. With games left against Everton and Newcastle, we’ll soon find out what the Hammers really want, as they could choose to kick lumps out of their opponents in order to gift their European spot to one of their rivals.

SUNDERLAND’S FIGHTING SPIRIT SPELLS BAD NEWS FOR NEWCASTLE

Who’d have thought Newcastle would be below Sunderland in the league table come the season run-in back when Alan Pardew left the club? At the turn of the year, Newcastle were 10th with 27 points to their name, while their North-east rivals Sunderland were seven points adrift in 14th. Just over four months down the line, and with both clubs displaying new managers in the dug-out, Newcastle sit one place above relegation and level on points with Sunderland, who are ahead on goal difference.

Sunderland players celebrate Danny Graham's opener (Getty Images)

The worrying stat for the Magpies is John Carver’s record since he was appointed temporary head coach (10 points from a possible 51) and his worrying claim to being the best coach in the Premier League. If Newcastle suffer relegation at the hands of their fierce rivals, they’ll never hear the end of it.

ONLY PEP GUARDIOLA CAN STOP THE CHELSEA JUGGERNAUT

The likelihood is that Manchester City remain the only team capable of stopping Chelsea next season. Arsenal have shown signs of a resurgence but are yet to beat the Blues when Jose Mourinho has been in charge, Manchester United look too leaky in defence and Liverpool are a long way off where they were last season. So what do City need to do? Call for Pep.

Pep Guardiola has been linked with Manchester City (Getty Images)

Rumours that a deal had been agreed over the weekend to bring Pep Guardiola to City next season were off the mark, but the fact is that current manager Manuel Pellegrini has shown he can’t outsmart Mourinho in the tactical battle. Guardiola can – he already has in the past – and with life in Munich far from rosy at present, City should go all out to get the Barcelona legend. Not only would he add proven quality to their dug-out, he would also help to persuade the world’s best players to the Etihad. Lionel Messi? Now there’s a thought.

MANCHESTER UNITED NEED A WORLD CLASS CENTRE-BACK – AND FAST

For all United’s improvements this season, they still look vulnerable at the back. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have shown a tendency to pick up niggling injuries, Luke Shaw seems to suffer regular long-term niggles and Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett are not ready for a title challenge yet. When Jonny Evans returned in place of Shaw during the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, he certainly didn’t instil confidence. With Mats Hummels and Nicolas Otamendi on the radar, United would send out a big statement by making an early move for either.

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON AT TOTTENHAM?

Spurs unearthed a gem this season in the form of Harry Kane. 30 goals this season in all competitions would be welcome for any team, and he was a key reason that the north London club were able to challenge for the top four. But what happened to the rest of the team? Apart from Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen, no one among Mauricio Pochettino’s squad have contributed to this season as their potential should have done, and it stems back to a waste of the money generated from Gareth Bale’s sale.

Charlie Adam celebrates scoring against Tottenham (Getty Images)

A 3-0 defeat to Stoke - in which they were nothing short of woeful - should set off the alarm bells. If they can finally get it right in the transfer market this summer, they could have a say in the latter stages of the top four, but another failure should result in someone paying the price – and that someone isn’t the manager.

BURNLEY AND QPR WAVE GOODBYE, BUT WILL DYCHE BE THE ONE TO GO?

Burnley put up a brave fight, and even managed to beat Hull this weekend, but it wasn't to be enough as other results meant they were relegated. The fact that they took the relegation fight to within two matches of the final day of the season is commendable, but it could also spell the end of Sean Dyche at Turf Moor. His reputation has been