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. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Text us on 81111

    Today we're marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death and we've already had some brilliant entries for our (very unofficial) sonnet competition, here's another stunner from Phil:

    Give the devil his timely due; there was method in his madness. 

    Neither a borrower or a lender to be, could alter this tragic sadness. 

    The fans doth protest too much; more sinned against than sinning. 

    A team lacking in pitched battle, that's also never winning. 

    It's Greek to me, this relegation, a sad forgone conclusion. 

    Frailty thy name is Villa, the Championship has now its inclusion.

    Villa are relegatedImage source, Getty Images
    Fans react as Villa are relegatedImage source, Get
    Villa are relegatedImage source, Reuters
  2. Legspublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Bournemouth v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Chelsea stats graphicImage source, BBC Sport
  3. Bad year for Hazardpublished at 11:10

    Bournemouth v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Twelve months ago Eden Hazard was at the top of his game after winning the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award.

    Yet since helping Chelsea win the title last season, the midfielder has endured an awful time with injuries and loss of form.

    However, the Belgium international Hazard, 25, is likely to feature at Bournemouth after missing six weeks with a hip injury.

    Boss Guus Hiddink said: "He will travel. It's not for the whole game, I think. He's available to play. He was training very alive and that's a good signal."

  4. 'Chelsea counting down the days'published at 11:06 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Bournemouth v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Martin Fisher
    Match of the Day commentator

    "The reverse fixture in December proved a pivotal moment for both clubs.

    "Bournemouth's win lifted them out of the relegation zone and added real impetus to their belief that they belonged at this level.

    "Chelsea's defeat hastened the departure of Jose Mourinho and it was to be his last Premier League game at Stamford Bridge. The club have been counting down the days until the end of the season ever since.

    "If Bournemouth complete the double, they will draw level in the table with last year's champions. Who saw that happening before a ball had been kicked in August?

    "The fact that it might happen speaks volumes about their relative efforts this term."

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    #bbcfootball

    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?

    They must be close: True is it that United have seen better days... But a final! A final! My kingdom for an FA Cup final!   

    Louis van GaalImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    If Van Gaal was Richard III, would that make Giggs his Catesby?

  6. Last chance to watchpublished at 10:58 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    #PeoplesCup

    We’re reaching the business end of the FA Cup but for the winning teams from the FA People’s Cup finals the excitement is building as they’re off to Wembley to receive their trophies on FA Cup final day.

    The FA People’s Cup is a free five-a-side tournament for everyone from U14s all the way through to over-50s walking footballers. 

    The highlights of the finals are still on the iPlayer – they're worth a watch.

  7. Home discomfortspublished at 14:55

    Aston Villa v Southampton (15:00 BST)

    Aston Villa stats graphicImage source, BBC Sport
  8. Can Saints keep Koeman?published at 10:50

    Aston Villa v Southampton (15:00 BST)

    Mark Lawrenson
    Former Liverpool defender

    "Aston Villa were officially relegated last week but it will take until the season ends for them to be put out of their misery.

    "Southampton have had to get used to seeing players leave at the end of each season but their recruitment has been very good to make up for that.

    "They might also be a bit worried about hanging on to their manager Ronald Koeman this summer too."

    .Image source, Reuters
  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    #bbcfootball

    You really are all playing a blinder as we mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.

    Tony Sheehan: Surely Aston Villa would be Bottom. Last year's FA Cup final only a Midsummer's Nights Dream...

    Mick Balmer: Kasper Schmeichel, playing for Denmark, might say .... 'Is that Dan Agger I see before me?'

    Ne moe imya: Mamadou Sakho as Julius Caesar with his increasingly imperious defending: "He doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus..." 

    Mamadou SakhoImage source, Getty Images

    Keep them coming in on Twitter at #bbcfootball,, external text 81111 (UK only), or post on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

    And don't forget you can try out our ShakespeareMe tool here - turning your emojis into famous Shakespeare quotes.

  10. Will Randy ever Lern?published at 14:47

    Aston Villa v Southampton (15:00 BST)

    Villa fans protest against Randy LernerImage source, Getty Images

    Owner Randy Lerner has broken his silence following Aston Villa's relegation from the Premier League and says the blame for the club's demise "lies at my feet" - but don't expect fans to go easy on him. 

    Villa, who are without a manager, have won only three league games, while two directors quit this week after falling out with the billionaire owner.

    There was also a rather eye-catching part of the statement in which Lerner wrote: "Memories of Ashley Young scoring a late winner against Everton still romantically nourish me."

    Whatever gets you through those cold winter nights, Randy...

  11. Okore refuses to be on benchpublished at 14:43

    Aston Villa v Southampton (15:00 BST)

    Pat Murphy
    BBC Midlands football reporter

    Caretaker manager Eric Black says Danish defender Jores Okore hasn't been involved over the past fortnight after refusing to be on the bench for the Bournemouth game.

    "He told me he didn’t want to be on the bench," said Black. "I found that strange."  

    After meeting Black the following Monday, the 23-year-old said he didn't want to be considered for the first team. He will now train with the Under 21s for the rest of the campaign.

    .Image source, Getty Images
  12. 'Villa woes no laughing matter'published at 14:40

    Aston Villa v Southampton (15:00 BST)

    Mark Scott
    MOTD commentator

    "Eric Black feared post-relegation anarchy and while he was referring to matters on the pitch, that word pretty much sums up events off it since the inevitable was confirmed.

    "The captain has been called 'selfish' and 'insensitive', two respected board members have walked out following a row with the owner and their longest-serving player has been suspended for the second time this month.

    "The irony of Gabriel Agbonlahor's latest indiscretion is that it's anything but a laughing matter at Villa right now.

    "Southampton's European hopes might have faded a little, but bettering last season's record Premier League points total is still a possibility and the biggest concern for Saints fans is whether they can get Ronald Koeman to extend his contract.

    "Koeman has admitted to being puzzled by their poor scoring record on the road, external this term. He'll expect an improvement against the worst defence in the division."

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:29 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Text us on 81111

    Which footballer (or manager) would you liken to which Shakespearean character? Which play best sums up your season? And if anyone can compose us a sonnet, they will win our respect and admiration forever.  

    Tom M Bebington: Surely has to be Roy Keane as the fiery Tybalt and Alf Inge Haland as Mercutio surely.

    Roy Keane and HalandImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    "A plague o' both your houses!"

    Put that GCSE English knowledge to good use at #bbcfootball,, external text 81111 (UK only), or post on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

  14. Rams against Owlspublished at 10:26

    Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday (12:30 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    .Image source, Getty Images

    There's a huge early game in the Championship as Derby County entertain Sheffield Wednesday 12:30 BST) in what could yet be a dress rehearsal for the play-off final.

    Derby, who start fifth, are guaranteed a place in the play-offs while Wednesday, one place and six points behind, are looking to cement a place themselves.

    You can find out how they do on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra - click on the 'Live coverage' tab above from 12:25 BST.

  15. Ton uppublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Man City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    The second-fastest in Premier League history, behind Alan Shearer...

    Sergio Aguero stat graphicImage source, BBC Sport
  16. 'Top four far from certain'published at 12:39

    Man City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    Mark Lawrenson
    Former Liverpool defender

    "I was a bit surprised that Manchester City did not play better in their draw with Newcastle on Tuesday - I was expecting Manuel Pellegrini's side to kick on after beating Chelsea at the weekend.

    "I think they will beat Stoke. They have to, really, because a top-four place is still far from guaranteed."

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:09 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    #bbcfootball

    Today we're asking for your help in marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. 

    We've had some superb entries so far comparing footballers and managers to Shakespearean characters, but A Boy Called Mick has just raised the stakes with the first poem of the day...

    Tis this a Cup I see before me 

    Or merely a brave farewell 

    The game afoot will fortell 

     And reveal thou final destiny 

     Roberto  

    Roberto MartinezImage source, Getty Images
  18. Pellegrini not losing focuspublished at 10:08

    Man City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    Manuel PellegriniImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City may be playing Real Madrid on Tuesday, but Manuel Pellegrini insists he's fully concentrated on the visit of Stoke.

    "It's very important that we're in the Champions League semi-finals but that doesn't mean we're not worried about the Premier League.

    "The best way to prepare for Tuesday is to beat Stoke, to score goals, keep a clean sheet and that will help us prepare."

  19. 'Thoughts of Real Madrid on hold'published at 12:33

    Man City v Stoke (12:45 BST)

    Alistair Mann
    MOTD commentator

    "Ahead of one of the most important matches in their history, Manchester City can't afford to lose their league focus as the genuine possibility of finishing outside the top four still remains.

    "With Real Madrid looming in the Champions League, only by securing 10 points from their final four games will they guarantee a return to Europe's coveted competition for when the Pep Guardiola era commences.

    "A victory would open up a five-point gap over their rivals and City could do with the breathing space."

  20. Listen nowpublished at 10:00 British Summer Time 23 April 2016

    Tune your radio to BBC World Service now if this floats your boat...