When Frank Lampard was appointed as Chelsea interim manager for the remainder of the season following Graham Potter’s dismissal in early April, he seemed bullish about his chances of making a success of the job. “I am confident in myself,” he rabble-roused. “I have a good understanding of the squad. I’ll do my utmost in this period coming up to give [the fans] what they want with my own hard work.” And while this introductory press conference would have created quite the palaver had he announced: “I intend to mastermind defeat in our next six games, go on a two-match unbeaten run and then lose another two before our last home game of the season,” it was still quite big talk from a man who was sacked after overseeing just four wins in 23 games this season while in charge of Everton.

The good news for Chelsea fans is that once Sunday’s home defeat at the hands of Newcastle is over, their shambles of a men’s season will end with it. And having not quite done enough to secure himself the gig on a full-time basis (an ambition he coyly insisted he wasn’t considering early in his tenure), Lampard will be sent on his way and replaced with somebody – almost certainly Mauricio Pochettino – who knows what they are doing and might be able to prune and nurture the club’s bloated squad of first-team underachievers into something resembling a vaguely competent football team. One that isn’t so diabolically bad that the club is forced to cancel its own end-of-season awards out of sheer embarrassment.

For the time being, if any of the players responsible for Chelsea’s zombie-esque shuffle towards the end of the season should need reminding of what an elite squad of players playing in the club’s colours looks like, they could do worse than tune into Saturday afternoon’s denouement of the Women’s Super League. Emma Hayes, who has masterminded more Chelsea victories in her past two games in charge than Lampard managed in 10 attempts, brings her side to bottom-of-the-table Reading knowing a win will secure them a fourth consecutive title, while even a draw will be enough as long as Manchester United don’t beat Liverpool by more than five goals.

Should they lift the trophy, Chelsea will complete their third consecutive league and FA Cup double, bringing the number of shiny pots Hayes has won since taking the job 11 years ago to 13. It has not all been plain sailing – earlier this season Hayes had to take six weeks out to deal with personal health issues and as mum to a five-year-old son, Harry, she has recently stressed the importance of a work-life balance. “I’ve had a game every weekend so the pattern has been the same,” she sighed, following last Sunday’s win over Arsenal. “He hasn’t seen me and he’s had to come to work with me when he doesn’t want to come. The only way I got him through this weekend was the promise of ice cream and bike rides. My son is the most important thing in my life and he comes first.” In league standings her team currently comes first too, unlike Lampard’s, whose rabble could finish as low as 14th by stumps on Sunday.

“The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed addiction. The present case is not one of match-fixing. If it was, the charges would have been pursued under different provisions. There is no evidence that Mr Toney did or was even in a position to influence his own team to lose when he placed bets against them winning – he was not in the squad or eligible to play at the time” – the FA’s written reasons for its eight-month punishment handed to Brentford’s Ivan Toney are out, and reveal that he repeatedly bet on matches involving his own team and would have received an even heftier ban had he not been diagnosed with a gambling addiction.

As a lifelong Leeds fan, why am I hoping Leicester beat the drop and we take Everton down with us? What the hell is wrong with me? Why is football so disgusting?” – Paddy Viner.

Re: yesterday’s Quote of the Day. When he’s not managing here in the Premier League and we don’t have to constantly suffer his incessant moaning about quite literally anything and everything, then José Mourinho is the absolute best and I’m with him all the way in his eternal quest to never forget, never forgive and always take the opportunity to have a swipe at those who have wronged him. ‘Mr Levy’s club’ indeed. Never change José, never change” – Noble Francis.

Re: yesterday’s Football Daily letters, is Martyn Pleasance new around here?” – Kevin Carter (and 1,056 others).

Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Paddy Viner.

Harry Kane has officially received the Freedom of the City of London, a tradition that goes all the way back to 1237. And no, that’s not the last time silverware was procured by Tottenham. “It was great, really unique and really special in its own way,” cooed Kane. “Just a great experience. I have all my family with me today and for them to be in that room with me and see me get the certificate has been amazing. I am learning more and more about it as we go on. The ceremony dived into a bit of the history and some of the names before me so it is incredible to be a part of.”

Pep Guardiola isn’t holding out much hope that the racism situation in Spain will improve after Vinícius Júnior was subjected to abuse at Valencia. “We need to accept the diversity like a human being – but right now, we are far away from that,” said Guardiola. “Hopefully we can get better in Spain but I’m not optimistic.”

Manchester United are back in Big Cup after thrashing down-in-the-dumper Chelsea 4-1 and Bruno Fernandes has immediately set his sights on the sun. “It’s a beautiful place to be,” he cheered. “We want to be there, we have to enjoy it and do the best we can because I think we have the qualities to play and to get a good position.” Meanwhile, United fear Antony suffered nasty ankle-knack on Thursday night, probably ruling him out of next week’s FA Cup final derby.

Speaking of Thursday nights, Liverpool are back in Big Vase and Mo Salah is besides himself at the prospect. “I’m totally devastated,” he wailed. “There’s absolutely no excuse for this. We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s [Big Cup] and we failed.”

Sam Allardyce thinks going back to the future could help his squad stay up on the final day.

More misery at Wigan, hit with a second four-point deduction for next season in as many weeks after again failing to pay player wages. Club suits say they are “extremely disappointed” with the latest punishment.

Botafogo manager Luis Castro will replace Sean Dyche whatever happens for Everton on Doom Sunday, according to the word on the rua. “It is fair to say, an interesting report,” growled Dyche, before going all Logan Roy. “I don’t know where they come from. Businesses worldwide, who knows what will happen and everyone should be succession planning.”

And Wrexham will play at a new version of the Racecourse next season after hipster brand STōK Cold Brew Coffeewas unveiled as the ground’s sponsor.

For the last time this season: 10 Premier League things.

Tottenham still have a Slot to fill. David Hytner looks ahead to a long summer.

Big Website photo guru Jonny Weeks, who’s off to Wembley, on life as a long-suffering Cov fan.

It’s not just the WSL title up for grabs on Saturday. One of Leicester and Reading must go down, as Sophie Downey reports.

Kelly Smith, speaking to Suzanne Wrack, hails Emma Hayes and Chelsea before the WSL climax.

He’s from the hottest bed of French football but found himself delivering pizza rather than being a pro. Luke Entwhistle gets his chat on with Youssouf Fofana.

And this is lovely: Lorenzo Tondo meets the man who lives in Maradona’s head.

It was 25 years ago on Thursday that Football Daily sat, increasingly refreshed, in an island drinker/pizzeria, watching one of the wildest, purest distillations of the Football League playoffs yet to take place. Poor Sunderland, pipped to the promised land by a point after the regular season, then losing a classic on penalties to Charlton at Wembley, after an incredible 4-4 draw.