Summary

  • Newcastle come from 2-0 down to draw with Liverpool

  • Hazard scores twice as Chelsea win 4-1 at Bournemouth

  • Southampton beat Aston Villa 4-2

  • Man City thrash Stoke 4-0 in early game

  • Liverpool's Sakho fails drugs test

  1. Everton 'extremely poor'published at 12:28 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Everton v Man United (17:15)

    Kevin Kilbane
    Former Everton winger on Football Focus

    "Martinez has said it is a results industry and Everton are not getting the results. It is not just the last six games, it is the course of the last two seasons, they have been extremely poor. 

    "The result against Liverpool showed a lot of vulnerability in the side, it was a poor all-round performance."

    Aaron Lennon and Kevin MirallasImage source, PA
  2. Postpublished at 12:25 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Everton v Man Utd (17:15 BST)

    Graeme Le Saux
    Former Chelsea left-back on Football Focus

    "Roberto Martinez has put himself in a position where he's said he'll be judged by silverware at the end of the season. He is a popular guy and a fantastic coach but but he is showing the strain now - the atmosphere at Goodison Park has been really hostile recently."   

  3. Postpublished at 12:24 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Everton v Man Utd (17:15 BST)

    Graeme Le Saux
    Former Chelsea left-back on Football Focus

    "Everton looked disorganised against Liverpool in midweek. They don't really look like they know what they're supposed to be doing. They've got good creative players but are vulnerable.

    "And this year they've dropped 18 points form wining positions in the Premier Leauge - by far the worst record. The Everton fans can see it but the manager seems not to."

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:18 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Text us on 81111

    On the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death we're asking: Which footballer (or manager) would you liken to which Shakespearean character?

    Ben, Hampshire: Jose Mourinho is Richard II. Regarded self as being anointed as King by God and lived a majestic life as a capricious yet poetic despot. His own arrogance eventually brought him down as his nobles rebelled against him after he banished one in blaming him for his own mistakes. 

    Jose MourinhoImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    BBC Radio 5 Live

  6. Postpublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Manchester City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    Are Manchester City putting all their eggs in a Champions League-shaped basket? Manuel Pellegrini says they aren't, with the Blues battling for a top three finish.

    My colleague Neil Johnston has just powered up a dedicated live text commentary on that game here, while Football Focus is LIVE now on BBC One and at the top of this page. 

    Fill your football boots.

  7. Football - As You Like Itpublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    ShakespeareImage source, Reuters

    Cheers James, great Shakespeare-themed exit there too.

    The famous bard once wrote: "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

    Today the only players we are interested in are football players, starting with those from Manchester City and Stoke....

    EtihadImage source, Rex Features
  8. Postpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Right, after a brilliant morning of football and Shakespeare, time for me to exit stage left and hand over to a rose by any other name. Gary Rose, that is...

  9. Walker and Jenas reunitedpublished at 12:05

    Football Focus, 12:10 BST, BBC One

    Football Focus

    .Image source, .

    Tottenham, second in the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Leicester, are not in action until Monday when they entertain West Brom at White Hart Lane (20:00 BST)

    By then they could trail the Foxes by eight points as Leicester entertain Swansea on Sunday (16:15 BST) without their suspended leading scorer Jamie Vardy.

    But Spurs defender Kyle Walker says confidence is high that they can still catch the leaders.

    Listen to Jermaine Jenas' Fooball Focus interview with the England international on BBC One at 12:10 BST.

  10. Line-upspublished at 12:22

    Man City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    Three changes for Manchester City from the side that started the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Tuesday.

    In comes midfielder David Silva, defender Nicolas Otamendi, while 19-year-old forward Kelechi Iheanacho partners Sergio Aguero in attack.

    Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Mangala, Otamendi, Toure, Fernando, Navas, Silva, Iheanacho, Agüero.

    .Image source, .

    Three changes too for Stoke after the 4-0 home defeat by Tottenham on Monday.

    Defender Phil Bardsley and forwards Mame Biram Diouf and Joselu all start. Ibrahim Afellay is out after suffering a serious knee injury in training on Friday. 

    Stoke City XI: Given, Wollscheid, Shawcross, Muniesa, Cameron, Whelan, Imbula, Bardsley, Diouf, Joselu, Arnautovic.

    .Image source, .
  11. 'Newcastle need something from every game'published at 11:58

    Liverpool v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

    Jermaine Jenas
    Ex-Spurs & England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

    "I think Newcastle need to get something from all their remaining games.

    "They can’t afford to play these games without at least getting a point.

    "It’s about applying pressure to the others - a point here and a win there."

    After today's game at Anfield, Newcastle play Crystal Palace (H), Aston Villa (A) and Tottenham (H) in their final three games. 

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    #bbcfootball

    In marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death we're asking: Which footballer (or manager) would you liken to which Shakespearean character? Which play best sums up your season?

    You lot have been on sparkling form, and even our very own Conor McNamara's getting in on the act.

    Banquo's ghost appearing to MacbethImage source, Getty Images
  13. Team newspublished at 11:50

    Man City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    Manchester City make three changes from the team that drew with Newcastle - Vincent Kompany, Fabian Delph and Kevin de Bruyne drop out. David Silva, Nicolas Otamendi and Kelechi Iheanacho start. City play Real Madrid on Tuesday, don't forget.

    Three changes for Stoke too from the team that lost 4-0 at Spurs. Xherdan Shaqiri, Bojan Krkic and Ibrahim Afellay - who has suffered a serious knee injury - are out. Phil Bardsley, Mame Biram Diouf and Joselu come in.

  14. More drama for Big Sam?published at 11:46 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Liverpool v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

    Line Of Duty

    It's getting tight at the bottom of the Premier League table - with Norwich, Newcastle and Sunderland desperately attempting to avoid joining Aston Villa in the Championship.

    While Norwich are not in action until next week, Newcastle are at Liverpool later and Sunderland entertain Arsenal on Sunday.

    Will Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce be spending this afternoon sitting in front of his telly waiting for updates from Anfield?

    "I have enough tension and stress watching our games, without sitting in front of the telly wanting this team to do better against that team," said Big Sam.

    “I leave it, relax and watch Line of Duty or something like that. If we can play as well as that script, we’ll be alright!."

    Good taste, Sam.

  15. Kolo's contract talks on holdpublished at 11:42

    Liverpool v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

    Kolo ToureImage source, Getty Images

    He's only started seven Premier League matches this season so it's just as well Jurgen Klopp says Kolo Toure is an important player for Liverpool "even when he doesn't play".

    Toure, 35, is out of contract at the end of the season but Klopp does not believe now is the right time to talk with the defender about a new deal as the Reds look to secure a top-five finish - and the Europa League.

    "He's one of the most impressive people I have met, but now is not the right time to speak about Kolo's future," added Klopp.

  16. 'Geordies & scousers have passion'published at 11:38

    Liverpool v Newcastle (20:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez ahead of his return to Anfield: "There are a lot of similarities between scousers and Geordies. There's the passion in the stadium, the passion of the fans and both teams are fighting. The atmosphere will be fantastic with both sets of fans."

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    #bbcfootball, text us on 81111

    On the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death we're asking: Which footballer (or manager) would you liken to which Shakespearean character? Which play best sums up your season? Sonnets will be warmly embraced.

    Keith Hunter, Edinburgh: Hark, comes the pretender Leicester, A king, deposed, troubled, challengers bid, reach for riches. But Leicester rises, glory of the greatest awaits. If thou dare to dream impossible.    

    Mick S: Shakespeare for football managers. One from Cymbeline for the Tinkerman to think about: "Fortune brings in some boats that are not steer'd".  

    Claudio RanieriImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    This man's had some pretty good lines of his own...

  18. Welcome back, Rafapublished at 11:30

    Liverpool v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

    Yes, over at Anfield, they are of course getting ready to give a very warm welcome to Rafael Benitez as the man who masterminded Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph makes a return with struggling Newcastle.

    Current Reds boss Jurgen Klopp says he has no problem with a Benitez love-in. 

    "I like Rafa," Klopp said. "If anyone wants to celebrate Istanbul when seeing Rafa Benitez, you're more than welcome. That's how I'd welcome an old friend."

    .Image source, Getty Images
    .Image source, Rex Features
  19. 'Good reception for Rafa - but no points'published at 11:26

    Liverpool v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

    Mark Lawrenson
    Former Liverpool defender

    "Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez has had two decent results in the past week - a win over Swansea and a draw with Manchester City.

    "I don't see them getting much of the ball on Saturday, the way Liverpool are playing. The Reds are on a roll at the moment.

    "Benitez will get a good reception of course, but I think that is all he will get."

  20. 'Can Newcastle cure their travel sickness?'published at 11:22

    Liverpool v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

    Simon Brotherton
    Match of the Day commentator

    "Rafael Benitez returns to Anfield for only the second time since managing Liverpool, desperate for points in the fight to avoid relegation.

    "His only other visit was with Chelsea three years ago in an eventful 2-2 draw in which Luis Suarez infamously took a bite out of Branislav Ivanovic.

    "It's been a good week for Benitez's team with a win over Swansea followed by a useful point at home to Manchester City, but this one looks a tall order.

    "Liverpool are flying after putting four past Everton, and they have scored 12 goals in their last three home games.

    "If Newcastle get anything here, it will bring to an end a run of nine straight defeats away from home and give them their first point on the road in 2016."