Match report
Here’s our first take on events this afternoon; Ewan Murray’s verdict from Easter Road will follow shortly.
“Unusual way to win a game, it’s hard to play against a team that’s two light,” says the Hearts manager, Derek McInnes. “I thought we stayed calm, stayed disciplined – I thought the work rate Hibs put in was sensational. To win any derby, you have to do a lot right, but I think we just about deserved it. What an important goal that could be.”
Here’s how the table looks after today’s results …
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hearts | 34 | 31 | 73 |
| 2 | Celtic | 34 | 26 | 70 |
| 3 | Rangers | 34 | 34 | 69 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 34 | 24 | 57 |
| 5 | Hibernian | 34 | 13 | 51 |
| 6 | Falkirk | 34 | -5 | 46 |
| 7 | Dundee Utd | 34 | -6 | 43 |
| 8 | Aberdeen | 34 | -14 | 36 |
| 9 | Dundee | 34 | -22 | 33 |
| 10 | St Mirren | 34 | -23 | 30 |
| 11 | Kilmarnock | 34 | -29 | 28 |
| 12 | Livingston | 34 | -29 | 19 |
Full time: Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Blair Spittal’s first goal of the season earns Hearts a priceless derby win. Hibernian led early on but picked up two red cards, and couldn’t hold on. Hearts go three points clear of Celtic, and four above Rangers.
Time almost up at Easter Road, where Islam Chesnokov is on for Hearts. The four minutes are likely to be extended, as both sets of players skirmish down by the corner flag.
“One of the most interesting sub plots in this season’s remarkable Scottish title race is how fans of the teams not directly involved feel about it all,” writes Simon McMahon. “Celtic and Rangers fans were united in backing Hibs to hold on, while Celtic and Hearts followers were Motherwell supporters earlier. Both Glasgow teams have still to play both Edinburgh teams before the season ends – a few twists and turns yet before the season ends.”
There will be four added minutes, but Hibernian are out on their feet – it’s hard to see how they can conjure an equaliser with nine men.
GOAL! Hibernian 1-2 Hearts (Spittal 86')
But now they have the breakthrough! Blair Spittal is in the right place to meet Kerjota’s cutback, drilling the ball inside the near post. The away fans behind the goal go wild, as well they might.
Hibernian 1-1 Hearts: Five minutes to go at Easter Road, and Hearts are seeking that killer pass – but it’s tricky with all eight outfield Hibs players packed into the penalty area …
A quick catch-up around Europe: Inter lead Torino 1-0 as they close on the Serie A title, while Dortmund lead Freiburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga. In Ligue 1, a wild game has just finished Le Havre 4-4 Metz. The visitors would have been relegated with a defeat, but as it is, they cling on for another week.
Hearts are pressing with everything they’ve got, and have a corner with 12 minutes to go. As it stands, they will be top, a point above Celtic and two clear of Rangers – but they will desperately want to claim an extra two points.
Thanks, Graham. A big 20 minutes coming up in the Scottish title race …
Hibernian 1-1 Hearts: Before the equaliser Hibernian had made a triple change to bring on some fresh legs with Suto, Newell and Campbell coming on for Boyle, Barlaser and McGrath.
On the subject of fresh legs, that is me done for they day and I am cooked after this frantic, fantastic Scottish Premiership title race action. Super sub Niall McVeigh will steer you home in this humdinger.
GOAL! Hibernian 1-1 Hearts
Like I say, it was coming. Hardly surprising considering the two-man advantage but Sabah Kerjota fires a bullet cross across the face of goal from the right and the ball squirms off Lawrence Shankland and hits Hibernian’s Warren O’Hara and goes in. Possibly an own goal. Definitely an equaliser. 25 minutes for Hearts to find a winner. Must feel like 25 hours for Hibs.
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: Oh my! Marc Leonard strikes an absolute beauty on the stroke of 60 minutes and it clatters back off the bar. So close to the equaliser. It’s coming …
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: The brave defending continues as a tame effort is beaten back and then Jordan Smith pushes one wide. The resulting corner is dealt with fairly comfortably. The energy at Easter Road is absolutely rocking. As 1-0’s go this is about as exciting as it could possibly get. Bring on the final 30 minutes. Hearts bring on Kyziridis for Kaboré and earlier Kerjota was brought on for Altena. Hibs meanwhile took Elding off for Megwa after the second red card.
Updated
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: The away side are camped in the Hibs box and knock it around smoothly until Claudio Braga latches on to a pass and is clean through only for Jordan Smith to make the brilliant save.
RED CARD (again)! Hibs 1-0 Hearts
Hibs are down to nine (9) men. The defender Felix Passlack catches Beni Baningime with a flailing leg and is shown a second yellow card. There is stupid and there is Hibs’ start to the second half. Hey they could still pull this off. Backs are about to be against walls.
Updated
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: While I get down to some premium tier Gaga, the second half is rolling. Can Hearts turn this around and capitalise on Rangers’ slip? Let us all find out together.
Half-time musings on the action at Easter Road take a critical turn.
Euan writes, “I know there is undoubted romance in having Hibs and Hearts in their own kits. But I’m colour blind, just like 1 in 12 blokes, and red vs green tops are more or less indistinguishable. The Premier League has, to their credit, addressed this in recent years - seems like the Scottish Premiership have some work to do. We all love a dash of romance in a derby but it seems a shame to make it unwatchable for some of us.”
Martin Boyle’s goal for Hibernian is a picture.
Serie A: Inter edge to all-but title winner territory as Marcus Thuram puts them one up away at Torino. I believe, if they beat Torino, then a single point from their remaining four games seals a 21st Scudetto. Half an hour gone.
Updated
Half-time: Hibernian 1-0 Hearts
Pulsating Edinburgh derby unfolding as Hibs have the advantage on the scoresheet through Martin Boyle but are rather disadvantaged by having their keeper Raphael Sallinger sent off.
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: Hustle and bustle before half-time as the referee pops his yellow card about in the melee. Stephen Kinglsey booked for Hearts and Felix Passlack for Hibs. Warren O’Hara also cautioned for the home side shortly before. Kinglsey picks up a dangerous free-kick on the left and it comes in but the ball comes screaming out to the halfway line.
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: Seven (7) minutes added on in the first half here after the goalkeeping fiasco earlier. Plenty of time for Hearts to keep pushing. They flick a pass to Kaboré in the box but he can’t latch on.
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: Braga controls a cross in the box and attempts some of the acrobatic stuff for Hearts. Unfortunately it soars into the stands.
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: Marc Leonard swings a dangerous corner in and Pierre Landry Kaboré glances it into the six-yard box but Hibs make the clearance.
Updated
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: In the Edinburgh derby Hearts are pressing but fierce defending from Hibs is keeping them out … until a Stephen Kinglsey cross finds Cláudio Bravo in the box but his header goes over the bar. 11 minutes to go in the first half.
Full time: Rangers 2-3 Motherwell
The final whistle blows after 100 barnstorming minutes as Motherwell take a huge bite out of Rangers’ title hopes. The home side stay third and fail to take a chance to go top of the Scottish Premiership as their 16-game unbeaten run comes to a close. Emmanuel Longelo has been a menace for Motherwell.
Rangers 2-3 Motherwell: What a save! Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward denies a Chermiti hat-trick when it was easier to score. Unbelievable.
Updated
GOAL! Rangers 2-3 Motherwell
Motherwell desperately defend as Mikey Moore just can’t find the winner and then they go up the other end and land the most brutal sucker punch as Emmanuel Longelo races through for his second of the game, a shot that deflects in off the head of Emmanuel Fernandez, in the last minute of normal time. Seven minutes added time for Rangers to try and find an equaliser.
Updated
Rangers 2-2 Motherwell: As we approach added time Motherwell’s Emmanuel Longelo pulls a shot wide but is aggrieved as he feels he was fouled during the shot. Nothing given.
Our fitba correspondent of the day Simon comes back on the title race:
“If anyone says they know who’s winning this Scottish Premier title race, they’re either a fool or a liar. It’s as unpredictable as, well, something very unpredictable. Like a randomiser, or an American president.”
Not half. Meanwhile Hearts blaze the free-kick over from the edge of the box.
Updated
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: After just 15 minutes gone goalkeeper Jordan Smith comes on for Nicky Cadden. Long, long way to go with only 10 men.
Hibernian 1-0 Hearts: Shocker from the Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger who handles outside the box as he chests a ball on goal from Hearts outside it then tries to catch it inside but misjudges where he is standing. After a VAR review he is adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity and is sent off. Drama!
GOAL! Hibernian 1-0 Hearts
Big boost for Rangers as Martin Boyle steals in at the back post for Hibs and taps in from a free kick in the eighth minute.
Rangers 2-2 Motherwell: Mikey Moore steams down the left and crosses for Thelo Aasgaard who strikes over the bar. He should do better but can’t keep his cool with the goal begging. 15 to go at Ibrox.
Rangers 2-2 Motherwell: Jens Berthel Askou shuffles his deck as he brings on Regan Charles-Cook for Tawanda Maswanhise and Ibrahim Said for Elijah Just for Motherwell.
Meanwhile we are go at Easter Road as Hearts look to hold on to top spot in the Scottish Premiership against Hibernian.
GOAL! Rangers 2-2 Motherwell
All square. Youssef Chermiti doubles up with a soaring header. The set piece comes into the back post and is headed across goal and Chermiti heads home in the 70th minute. What a game!
Rangers 1-2 Motherwell: James Tavernier wants a penalty for Rangers as they put the pressure on again but the referee Kevin Clancy turns it down.
Rangers 1-2 Motherwell: Big chance for Rangers as their flowing football flows some more but Youssef Chermiti blazes over the bar. He should have at least hit the target but still very positive for the home side as we hit the hour mark. Moments later Motherwell have a chance of their own as Emmanuel Longelo makes some magic but Jack Butland is on hand to save the day.
Rangers 1-2 Motherwell: Defender Stephen Welsh picks up an injury for the away side and is replaced by Jordan McGhee.
GOAL! Rangers 1-2 Motherwell
The changes have done something as Youssef Chermiti finishes a lovey flowing move from Rangers. The striker is one-on-one with Calum Ward and beats the keeper for a perfect start to the second half.
Updated
Scottish Premiership: Oooh not often you hear Limp Bizkit at the football. Or is that normal at Ibrox at half-time? Moving swiftly on … manager Danny Röhl has responded to a poor first period from Rangers and makes a triple change. He brings on James Tavernier for Jayden Mehoma, Mikey Moore for Bojan Miovski and Mohamed Diomande for Tochi Chukwuani. We are back underway, Rangers 0-2 Motherwell.
Full time
WSL
Liverpool 0-1 West Ham
West Ham take a massive step toward safety with a brilliant defensive display on the road. Leicester on the brink and then some after being thrashed 5-1 by London City earlier.
Scottish Premiership
Dundee United 3-0 Dundee
Will Ferry’s on fire as he bags a double and has now scored four in four games for United.
Serie A
Genoa 0-2 Como
Como put pressure on Juve in the chase for Champions League. The Old Lady are in action away at Milan tonight at 7.45pm (GMT).
Scottish Premiership: The half-time whistle goes at Ibrox and the biggest boo of the day bursts forth from the stands. Rangers’ chance to take a lead over Hearts at the top of the table has taken a rather large dent. Still time to turn it round but they need a big lift for the second half.
Serie A: Brilliant save from Genoa’s substitute goalkeeper Nicola Leali to keep out Álvaro Morata from making it 3-0. He stretches across his line and just pushes the ball out from what looked a certain goal. Three minutes to go till added time.
Scottish Premiership: I’ve been waiting for you Simon. What a day for Dundee United fans. Our fan/man in the stands writes …
“United fans en fête as Will Ferry crosses for Ryan Strain to make it 3-0. A beautiful Sunday at Tannadice!”
Updated
WSL: West Ham continue to hang on to a 1-0 lead over Liverpool. If they nick this one it would be a huge boost to their survival hopes. Leicester would have to win all three of their remaining games and West Ham lose their remaining two to survive at the Hammers’ expense. Five minutes of normal time remain.
Updated
Scottish Premiership: Motherwell are through on goal again and force a corner from a Emmanuel Longelo effort. Rangers head it away and a shot comes in but Jack Butland gathers.
Serie A: During all that Como doubled their lead over Genoa with a goal from Assane Diao. Cesc Fàbregas’s side will move just two points behind Juventus in fourth if they bag the three points.
Scottish Premiership: Motherwell go close again but the offside flag goes up. The boos are raining down as Rangers continue to struggle.
Updated
Scottish Premiership: Dundee United take a 2-0 lead over Dundee after Will Ferry’s grabs his second of the game. And it goes from bad to worse for the visitors as Ryan Strain knocks in a third two minutes later in the 72nd minute. Game over? Probably. Bragging rights looking secure.
GOAL! Rangers 0-2 Motherwell
How about this then. Emmanuel Longelo doubles Motherwell’s lead in the 26th minute with a fine finish at the back post. The away side are cutting Rangers to pieces. Motherwell in complete control and the atmosphere is turning sour at Ibrox.
Scottish Premiership: Dangerous free-kick for Rangers on the edge of the box after a VAR review confirms it. Thelo Aasgaard steps up and pings it but a deflection sends the strike for a corner. The home support thought it was heading in. The corner is poor and is headed away.
Scottish Premiership: Motherwell take the lead at Ibrox! Lukas Fadinger comes from deep and is not picked up by the Rangers defence. He takes a touch and slots it home. Rangers 0-1 Motherwell.
Scottish Premiership: After Dundee finished the first half strongly, it is United that have come out of the traps and are in control after the break.
Updated
WSL: Liverpool pressing for an equaliser against West Ham but a good chance goes by the post.
We are back underway for the second-half stuff while Rangers v Motherwell has kicked off. Rangers on top in the early going.
La Liga: Oh baby! The Copa del Rey hangover continues for Real Sociedad as they concede an equaliser in the 99th minute. Alemão with the leveller after Florian Lejeune had made made it 3-2. Rayo Vallecano have had two goals disallowed so might feel a bit gutted to only draw 3-3. Vallecano’s captain Isi Palazon, who had been subsititued earlier in the 68th minute, even picks up a red card in the 103rd minute. Ridiculous.
Updated
Half-time scores as we also prepare for more Scottish Premiership action as Rangers v Motherwell kicks off in 10 minutes. Hibs v Hearts follows at 4.30pm (GMT). Gers can leapfrog Hearts into top spot if they win and Hearts draw or lose.
WSL
Liverpool 0-1 West Ham
Scottish Premiership
Dundee United 1-0 Dundee
Serie A
Genoa 0-1 Como
WSL: West Ham preserve their one-goal lead after Grace Fisk heads a looper at goal only for the defender to clear off the line. Liverpool staring at going in behind as we enter added time.
Scottish Premiership: Drama in Dundee also. United celebrate the equaliser being disallowed for a foul on Ross Graham who was being pushed and pulled. Harsh considering the level of squabbling going on between most of the combatants in the box. Dundee United 1-0 Dundee.
La Liga: Drama between Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad. The home side thought they had an equaliser only for it to be disallowed and the Copa del Rey winners go up the other end and win a penalty moments later. Mikel Oyarzabal dispatches the spot kick. Rayo Vallecano 1-3 Real Sociedad.
Scottish Premiership: Goal for Dundee and it has been coming! The corner comes in and Joe Westley sticks his head in on the line and gets their first to nod in the equaliser. 1-1!
Serie A: Huge let off for Como as goalkeeper Jean Butez almost passes the ball straight to Genoa striker Vitinha. He has to reach for the ball and just can’t control it and the keeper can breathe a sigh of relief.
Scottish Premiership: United fend off Dundee with a goalline clearance from Iurie Iovu. Huge moment to stop Luke Graham from scoring the equaliser.
Updated
Scottish Premiership: Bit of chaos in the Dundee box as United have a couple of efforts and the ball eventually finds its way into the net. Will Ferry is on the floor and the ball cannons off his knee and in. Dundee will be disappointed to concede so sloppily. Dundee United 1-0 Dundee.
Updated
Serie A: Bosh! Excellent start for Champions League chasing Como as Anastasios Douvikas leaps like a leaping thing to nod a looping header into the far corner. Beautiful cross finished expertly. Genoa 0-1 Como.
WSL: Oh no! West Ham swing a corner in and … it is glanced on by Shekeira Martines to the back post only for Cornelia Kapocs for flick into her own net. Ouch. Liverpool 0-1 West Ham.
Right then I hear we are about to see a trophy lift in Coventry but we have no time for such trifles in clockwatch country. We are straight into the next batch of action:
WSL
Liverpool v West Ham
Scottish Premiership
Dundee United v Dundee
Serie A
Genoa v Como
Let’s gooo!
Updated
Our very own Tom Garry with a hit on the final whistle from Goodison Park …
Chelsea are currently receiving the congratulations from their fans on the pitch after their 4-1 victory but the result in north London is even more significant for them. Manchester United’s 0-0 draw away at Tottenham means Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for Europe are now out of their own hands and it’s advantage Chelsea ... Chelsea can now guarantee themselves a European spot if they win away against the bottom side Leicester next weekend. That would mean their battle with Manchester United would not even need to go down to the final day of the season, when they play each other. No wonder Sonia Bompastor looks satisfied.
Full time
Championship
Coventry 3-1 Wrexham
Wrexham are soundly beaten by the champions and are hanging on to the final playoff spot by a single goal on goal difference now.
WSL
Everton 1-4 Chelsea
London City 5-1 Leicester
Tottenham 0-0 Manchester United
Chelsea secure an important win for their Champions League ambitions while London City thrash a Leicester side staring at relegation. Manchester United’s own European dreams take a hit after a bore draw.
GOAL! Coventry 3-1 Wrexham
Ephron Mason-Clark applies the finishing touch. He gets in behind the defence on the left runs in and slots it home. Cool as you like. Our Sky Sports commentator pats himself on the back for just giving Mason-Clark the player of the match award saying, “he’s just put the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake”. Hasn’t he just?
Updated
Championship: Chance for Wrexham in added time but big Kieffer Moore fluffs his header over. Not ideal.
WSL: And they are even more not finished yet as London City make it 5-1 against Leicester. The creaking defence fails to clear a header and it drops to Freya Godfrey who pokes in at point-blank range.
WSL: London City are not finished yet as they score an almost identical goal to their third. Grace Geyoro is this time the happy recipient of the cutback and strokes it home for her first Lionesses goal. London City 4-1 Leicester. A first win since February incoming for the home side.
Scottish Premiership: Big, big thank you to Simon for a taste of some the fitba today. Some feels like a disservice for the Dundee derby. Consider yourself previewed people.
He writes, “Just rolled up at a packed Frews bar in Dundee, minutes from Tannadice where the final Dundee derby of the season kicks off at 2pm today. A win for United, for whom Jim Goodwin is now the longest serving manager since Jim McLean, having recently celebrated three years in charge, would see them well placed to finish top of the bottom six, and leave Dundee looking nervously over their shoulders. A fine day in the City of Discovery, match sold out, both sets of fans in fine fettle for now, three points, and bragging rights for the summer, up for grabs ... Come on United!!!”
GOAL! Coventry 2-1 Wrexham
Striker! Coventry’s Victor Torp beats Danny Ward with an absolutely beautiful dipping free-kick. Not in the left corner but the keeper can’t handle the pace with which Torp steams it from flying over to cutting just under the bar. Gorgeous goal to take the lead.
Updated
Serie A: Fiorentina v Sassuolo finishes 0-0. Boooo. Or maybe wooo for fans of quintessential calcio?
Championship: Wrexham are going for this and bring on Nathan Broadhead and big Kieffer Moore. Perfect timing for a corner. They go back stick and win another corner that is again cleared easily by Coventry.
WSL: Oh dear. Everton fail to clear their lines and the ball bounces around the box until Erin Cuthbert says thank you very much right on the penalty spot and bangs it into the bottom left corner. 4-1 and out of sight.
Championship: Action at the other end now as Sam Smith has a one-on-one but Coventry’s Carl Rushworth makes a solid save. 1-1 but for how much longer?
Championship: Props to the Coventry fans making an absolute din at the Building Society Building. They might be a little proud and excited about Premier League action next season and who could blame them. Ooooh and Wrexham get a big let off after Dan Scarr gifts the ball to Milan van Ewijk in the box put a poor touch takes the ball out of play when he could have had a tap in.
WSL: Reportage from the fine Tom Garry at Goodison Park …
Chelsea are well on course to win this game now, 3-1 up thanks to Ellie Carpenter poking in from close range to add to Sam Kerr’s double. There has been significant controversy, though, as Kerr was denied what should have been a hat-trick as the officials did not see that her header had comfortably crossed the line, before being flicked away by Courtney Brosnan. Replays showed that Kerr’s header hit a post and bounced clearly over the line but it was not given. We do not have goalline technology in the WSL.
WSL: At London City a goal has quickly been disallowed only for the Lionesses to streak forward again and knock in the easiest of goals. Malou Marcetto taps in the cutback to make it 3-1 against Leicester. Tough for the Foxes who started brightly.
Updated
WSL: Chelsea open up Everton with ease and bag a third. Alyssa Thompson steams down the right and finds Ellie Carpenter wide open in the box. She strikes and a defender attempts a block but can only deflect the ball into the net. Blues cruise.
WSL: Chelsea strike quickly in the second half to take a 2-1 lead over Everton. Sam Kerr doubles up. Two chances, two goals. Perfect start after the break.
Thanks Will. Here we go then for some second-half WSL action and Coventry and Wrexham duking it out in the Championship. I have to declare some affiliation with the mighty Shrewsbury at this juncture. Zero bias of course just needed to be said. Moving swiftly on Kieffer Moore is warming up and will be keen to come on as Wrexham search for a win that would give them a juicy three point cushion to Hull outside of the playoffs.
Thanks for joining me. Graham Searles is with you for the next few hours. What an absolute treat for the optics.
Coventry and Wrexham are level, too.
Goodwin scores just before half time to put London City Lionesses ahead against Leicester.
Elsewhere …
Everton 1-1 Chelsea
Tottenham 0-0 Man United
It remains goalless at Tottenham v Man United in the WSL, in case you were wondering.
Updated
A potentially big goal at the bottom of the WSL as Shannon O’Brien gives bottom-placed club Leicester the lead against London City Lionesses, who then go down the other end and equalise thanks to Lucia Corrales.
Wrexham are level! Ollie Rathbone, one of their shining stars this season, arrives late to finish a Kabore cross.
Everton stunned Chelsea in December and they’re causing them problems again. Halfway through the first half it’s currently 1-1, thanks to Yuka Momiki’s long-range strike in the 10th minute having cancelled out Sam Kerr’s well-worked, early opener, which saw Kerr score for the fourth game in a row for club and country. Chelsea are on top but the home side are looking stubborn and disciplined at the back since drawing level. Chelsea can ill-afford to drop points here, in the race for European places.
A bit of a blow for Wrexham’s playoff hopes as Brandon Asante-Thomas gives Championship champions Coventry the lead.
It is already 1-1 in Everton v Chelsea in the WSL. Sam Kerr opened the scoring for the visitors before Yuka Momiki equalised for the Toffees.
Never have I experienced such scenes as those at the Crown Oil Arena, as one is supposed to call it. Had to do a good three rewrites in the space of 10 minutes and then the Wi-Fi broke down, so had to file the first bit on my phone. Glory days for all involved.
I was at Spotland for Rochdale v York yesterday, so I am hoping this work experience will be a lot calmer.
Thanks John. Good afternoon, one and all. What a lovely day for a bit of liveblogging and FA Cup buildup.
Time then to pass the reins to the estimable Mr Will Unwin.
From Goodison Park.
After Manchester City’s defeat yesterday and with Arsenal busy in European action, the attention in the WSL today primarily turns to the battle for Women’s Champions League places and the pressure is on Chelsea this lunchtime. They have arrived here in sunny Merseyside with a two-point advantage over fourth-placed Manchester United, whom they will face on the final day of the season. Chelsea’s opponents today, Everton, were shock winners the last time these two sides met in the WSL in December, when the Toffees ended what was a 34-game unbeaten league run for Chelsea, so Sonia Bompastor’s team must not take them lightly today. Sam Kerr starts up front for the visitors here, as speculation around her future at Chelsea continues. Her contract expires this summer.
Elsewhere, it’s a potentially decisive day in WSL2 in the race for promotion to the top tier. Birmingham City will be all-but promoted if they can beat Ipswich Town (14:00 kick-off) and they would definitely be promoted if they better Crystal Palace’s result. Charlton, in second place, can also be promoted today if Palace slip up. At the other end of table, Portsmouth desperately need a result at home to Nottingham Forest to try and avoid relegation.
News from Jeddah, via Associated Press
Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia successfully defended the AFC Champions League Elite crown after beating first-time finalist Machida Zelvia of Japan 1-0 on Saturday.
It took an extra-time goal from Saudi international striker Firas Al-Burikan to settle a bad-tempered final in front of 60,000 mainly Al-Ahli fans in Jeddah.
Al-Ahli played with 10 men for almost an hour but Machida was unable to make the advantage count.
“It’s amazing,” said Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, who won the Uefa Champions League with Manchester City in 2023. “It was difficult for us again. We like to make it difficult for ourselves. Ten against 11 is nearly impossible, I don’t know how we found the strength and the energy. ... After the red card we stuck together, we fought more, we ran more until we scored.”
A shock result on Saturday in the WSL, and that opens up some possibilities. Four fixtures at midday, with Arsenal playing their Champions League semi-final.
Chelsea, the reigning WSL champions, could narrow the gap to six points on Sunday with a win over Everton. Arsenal, who also remain in contention for the title, may also now have a renewed sense of optimism with three games in hand.
Everton v Chelsea
London City Lionesses v Leicester
Tottenham v Man Utd
Liverpool v West Ham
Coventry v Wrexham teams:
Coventry: Rushworth; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Dasilva; Onyeka, Grimes; Thomas-Asante, Eccles, Mason-Clark; Haji Wright. Subs: Wilson, Latibeaudiere, Woolfenden, Bidwell, Kesler-Hayden, Torp, Allen, Esse, Simms.
Wrexham: Ward; Hyam, Scarr, Doyle; Kabore, Dobson, James, Rathbone, Thomason; Windass, Smith. Subs: Okonkwo, Cleworth, Brunt, Cacace, Longman, O’Brien, Keillor-Dunn, Broadhead, Moore.
Give this commentary a listen if you can. An, er, interesting choice of metaphor here.
It’s already been a big weekend of European football.
Atlético Madrid first staged a comeback then survived one to beat Athletic Club 3-2. Aitor Paredes gave the Bilbao team the lead in the first half, then early in the second Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sørloth overturned it. Sørloth thought he had made the game safe with his second in stoppage time, but Gorka Guruzeta scored in the 97th minute to set up a nervy finish.
Atlético held on, strengthening their grip on the final qualification spot for next year’s Champions League – but they are still in this year’s, and such a tense game was perhaps less than ideal before a semi-final first leg at home to Arsenal.
In Serie A later, it’s Turin v Milan, with Torino v Inter preceding Milan v Juventus.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Napoli | 34 | 19 | 69 |
| 3 | AC Milan | 33 | 21 | 66 |
| 4 | Juventus | 33 | 28 | 63 |
| 5 | Roma | 34 | 19 | 61 |
Ligue 1 features the Derby de la Mediterranée, Marseille v Nice, with the home team hanging on to a Europa League spot, under Newcastle legend Habib Beye.
Perhaps the biggest game in La Liga is Osasuna v Sevilla, the latter in dire relegation trouble.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Mallorca | 33 | -10 | 35 |
| 17 | Elche | 32 | -7 | 35 |
| 18 | Sevilla | 32 | -14 | 34 |
| 19 | Levante | 32 | -13 | 32 |
| 20 | Oviedo | 32 | -24 | 28 |
We await news of Salah’s injury, and that of Kai Havertz, and Xavi Simons, too. Their seasons may be over, and there are World Cup worries, too.
The Championship promotion race is going to the wire. Southampton v Ipswich on Tuesday is massive. But before that, it’s Wrexham, in a play-off position after Hull’s defeat, being the guests at Coventry’s party.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry | 44 | 46 | 89 |
| 2 | Ipswich | 44 | 30 | 80 |
| 5 | Southampton | 44 | 24 | 76 |
| 6 | Wrexham | 44 | 6 | 70 |
| 7 | Hull | 45 | 3 | 70 |
Some transfer/HR news from Germany. Bayern Munich‘s director of sport, Max Eberl, has revealed that Jackson will be heading back to Chelsea when the loan agreement expires “We will not trigger the option for Nicolas Jackson.” The deal included an obligation to buy, worth £56.2million, if Jackson played at least 45 minutes of 40 matches. More problems for Chelsea, particularly after this farrago last summer.
The Champions League semi-finals are with us, and Bayern v PSG is the first of them on Tuesday. Jonathan Wilson runs the rule.
It probably is the case, as the critics claim, that Premier League teams are wasteful and far less efficient than their continental rivals. But it’s also true that once you get beyond the top couple of teams, every Premier League side is way stronger than its equivalent in any other league in the world, something seen in the domination of the Europa League and Europa Conference League. Aston Villa came sixth in the Premier League last season with revenues of £491m; sixth in France were Lyon with revenues of £141m and sixth in Germany were Mainz with £105m.
That means Bayern or PSG can rest players or take certain periods of certain games a little easier and that leaves them fresher come the end of the season. As the demands on players have increased, it may be that the benefits of not being flogged through an exhausting battle every week have come to outweigh the disadvantages of not being quite so case-hardened as their English opponents.
Will Unwin was at 2026’s equivalent of a “ghost goal”, and saw an amazing pitch invasion as an epic National League title race was decided.
The Minstermen are back in the Football League after a decade away, but it all came down to injury time after 46 matches and 4,140 minutes of football. It was utter chaos as the final fixture included more pitch invasions than goals.
Arsenal, the holders, take on Lyon in the Women’s Champions League.
Suzanne Wrack has spoken to Olivia Smith: “As the season reaches its climax, a Champions League semi-final against Lyon on Sunday is testament to how far up the ladder Smith has climbed. Now, she is heading towards unknown territory: a second season at the same club for the first time in her senior career. “I do feel quite calm now, knowing that I have set down some roots here, but at the end of the day, football is football and you never know what’s next,” she says. “So I’m always on my toes but, right now, I’m kind of laid-back, just enjoying the time here in the present with Arsenal and looking forward to winning more silverware and growing as a player and a person.”
From one of the game’s greatest ever goalkeepers, Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, an extract from his autobiography.
I sorted out my mind: “Come on, Gigi,” I said to myself, and I gave myself strength: “When the game is over you can stop playing football. Just take on this hour and a half and then say goodbye to it all.”
Hearts just have to win today:
Such a big game for Leeds, safe from relegation, just about. Now for a chance to play in a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 and reach a first final since 1973.
Hsve Liverpool seen the last of Mohamed Salah? At least Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz scored for Liverpool against Crystal Palace, a belated downpayment or two.
What a battle at the bottom, West Ham and Spurs both looked down at one point. Amd yet there’s still four games to go, and so much to play for.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 34 | -4 | 39 |
| 17 | West Ham | 34 | -16 | 36 |
| 18 | Tottenham Hotspur | 34 | -10 | 34 |
| 19 | Burnley | 34 | -34 | 20 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 34 | -38 | 17 |
Chelsea v Leeds will see Calum McFarlane taking charge, and the caretaker has had to do some sweeping up after Marc Cucurella’s barber was the latest to leak team news.
“Of course, everyone at the club has to feel responsible, staff and players. We need to, the players know that, staff and all that, we’ve spoken. We know the recent form has not been good enough and we’re going to do absolutely everything we can and work as hard as we possibly can to make sure we can put in a good performance on Sunday and I think that’s where it starts.
“I think a lot of football is about momentum and we obviously have had a bit of a losing streak. That can change with one positive result and one positive performance and what we’re going to be able to do.
On the leaks: “It has been addressed. It’s been addressed previously. It’s something that we are looking into and it needs to stop. “We’ve spoken to them about the importance of that and making sure it doesn’t happen again.”
City and Pep Guardiola had Arsenal on their minds, too. The Gunners moved back to the top. Mikel Arteta had City on his mind, by little coincidence.
Saturday’s FA Cup tie was a slowburner but took off in the last 15 minutes. For a brief monent, the shock was on. Then City did City.
Preamble
Good morning, and welcome. Saturday was a big day in the Premier League, and in the FA Cup. We will have all the reaction here. Sunday is all about Chelsea v Leeds, about as evocative an FA Cup tie as there can be, In Scotland, Hibs v Hearts, an Edinburgh derby with so much riding on it, 40 years of hurt in the Jambos’ case.
That and all the morning news, as it happens. Join me.
