Meanwhile, Postecoglou responded sarcastically to a question about his side’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League. At the moment, the Premier League’s top four will enter the elite European tournament, although there is a chance that England will be granted an extra spot in next season’s expanded competition due to their coefficient ranking.

“It’s all over so we’ll just go for sixth. What am I meant to say to that?” the Australian snapped at a question over his side’s ability to finish in the top four.

“We’re two points behind Villa. It’s 10 games to go, there’s so much football to play. I don’t worry about that stuff. It’s not about just falling into a place in the ladder. We could finish fourth, great, it’s nothing this football club haven’t done. It’s about how we play.”