Woods sidelined by knee operation ...
Brown and Mbeki in Zimbabwe talks ...
Football: Premiership race 'alive' ...
Antibiotics 'no good' for sinus bug ...
Anti-depressants 'of little use' ...
CHAMPIONSHIP (all 1400 BST)
Blackpool 1-0 Watford
Bristol City 0-0 Preston
Cardiff 0-0 Barnsley
Charlton 0-0 Coventry
Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
Ipswich 0-0 Hull
QPR 0-0 West Brom
Scunthorpe 0-0 Colchester
Sheff Wed 0-0 Norwich
Southampton 0-0 Sheff Utd
Stoke 0-0 Leicester
Wolves 0-0 Plymouth
AS IT STANDS (1403)
Promoted: West Brom, Stoke
Play-offs: Hull, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Watford
Relegated: Southampton, Scunthorpe, Colchester
PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal 0-0 Everton (1330 BST)
Liverpool v Man City (1600 BST)
GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111.
(Not all contributions can be used)
By Sam Lyon
1403: Disallowed goal! Ipswich think they're 1-0 up against Hull, but Shefki Kuqi is ruled offside. The Town bench are furious.
1401: GOAL - Blackpool 1-0 Watford
Ben Burgess gets the afternoon off to an explosive start, prodding in from close range.
1400: We're under way all around the Championship grounds... here we go...
1357: If you could see the looks on the faces of the fans of those teams involved in key matches today, it'd pull on even the coldest of heart strings I tell ya. Sir Bobby Robson looks on the verge of tears at Portman Road, bless 'im. Three minute warning people... A reminder of who needs what and why, web users click below.
Ups and downs
"Come on you Sky Blues! We've had many last-gasp escapes in the Premier League before, so why the need to worry?"
Mifsud is a CCFC fan on 606
1352: Arsenal are looking increasingly dangerous after a sluggish start by their standards. Bendtner sets up Gilberto with a dinked cross but the unmarked Brazilian cannot get his header on target.
1350: Office update - our resident Stoke fan has brought in Toblerone for everyone, but two of our Leicester fans brought in squat. My allegiances are easily swayed...
"I'm going to take some heavy medication. Someone please revive me in two hours with a positive Watford result."
HarrowingHornet on 606
1348: Arsenal get their first sniff of goal at the Emirates with Theo Walcott finding a bit of room to shoot, but he cannot get enough curl on his right-footer and it sails wide.
1347: LINE-UPS
QPR: Camp, Delaney, Mahon, Mancienne, Blackstock, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim, Rehman, Balanta.
West Brom: Kiely, Hoefkens, Barnett, Clement, Robinson, Koren, Gera, Brunt, Greening, Bednar, Phillips.
Charlton: Weaver, Halford, Bougherra, McCarthy, Basey, Thomas, Holland, Shevley, Youga, Varney, Gray.
Coventry: Schmeichel, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox, Mifsud, Doyle, Michael Hughes, Stephen Hughes, Tabb, Best.
"Come on you Hull! Whatever happens today its been an amazing season."
HavingAHullOfATime on 606
1344: Emmanuel Adebayor gets in a good position out on the right, exchanging passes with Nick Bendtner brilliantly, but it comes to nothing as Joleon Lescott pressures well.
1342: This is your less-than-20-minutes-to-go-before-the-Championship-matches-kick-off warning. So the 'as it stands' returns to the top of the page, which should get pompey_manic off my back at least. Hoorah.
1338: Quiet start in the match between Arsenal and Everton. Pienaar making a nice break down the left that comes to nothing, otherwise it's a bit of a midfield tussle at present.
1336: LINE-UPS
Southampton: Richard Wright, Jermaine Wright, Powell, Perry, Surman, Viafara, Safri, Idiakez, Euell, Saganowski, John.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Kilgallon, Naysmith, Halls, Cotterill, Speed, Tonge, Quinn, Hulse, Sharp.
Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Foley, Breen, Craddock, Elokobi, Kightly, Olofinjana, Henry, Jarvis, Keogh, Ebanks-Blake.
Plymouth: McCormick, Doumbe, Timar, Anderson, Sawyer, Clark, Abdou, Summerfield, Mackie, Fallon, Easter.
Sheff Wed: Grant, Beevers, Wood, Johnson, Spurr, Watson, Bolder, Songo'o, Burton, Sahar, Slusarski.
Norwich: Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Bertrand, Huckerby, Russell, Fotheringham, Pattison, Dublin, Evans.
Scunthorpe: Murphy, Byrne, Iriekpen, Butler, Williams, Forte, Cork, Sparrow, Morris, May, Hayes.
Colchester: Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Heath, White, Duguid, Izzet, Jackson, Kevin McLeod, Lisbie, Vernon.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Fonte, Hill, Derry, Watson, Soares, Sinclair, Morrison, Moses.
Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Harley, Duff, Elliott, McCann, Randall, James O'Connor, Blake.
1333: And we're under way at the Emirates... at the second time of asking. Players in the area apparently. Nice pedantic start to the afternoon that.
1330: LINE-UPS
Stoke: Nash, Cort, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Dickinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Cresswell, Fuller, Sidibe.
Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, McAuley, N'Gotty, Mattock, Worley, Oakley, Bell, Howard, Hume, Hayles.
Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Gorkss, Coid, Martin, Southern, Jorgensen, Hoolahan, McPhee, Burgess.
Watford: Lee, Doyley, Shittu, Bromby, Sadler, Smith, Eustace, McAnuff, Williamson, Henderson, Ellington.
Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe, McAllister, Noble, Elliott, Carle, McIndoe, Trundle, Adebola.
Preston: Lonergan, Hart, Trotman, St. Ledger, Hill, Sedgwick, McKenna, Chaplow, Lewis Neal, Brown, Mellor.
1328: The teams are out at the Emirates, led out by Everton mascots who are great-grandchildren of the legendary Dixie Dean - the striker scored a hat-trick against Arsenal 80 years ago this weekend to complete his 60-goal tally for the season.
1325: LINE-UPS
Ipswich: Bywater, Simpson, De Vos, Bruce, Wright, Walters, Garvan, Miller, Quinn, Kuqi, Counago.
Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Brown, Dawson, Folan, Ashbee, Marney, Hughes, Campbell, Windass.
"Spare a thought for Argyle today. If we beat Wolves we'll probably finish a point or two outside the play-offs and with the third best goal difference in the league. If only..."
Cold War Kid on 606
"Where's Cheese today then? Watching Watford? Who will you be rooting for Sam? How many questions can one sms hold?"
William via text
"An audacious suggestion perhaps but I was wondering if Wolves could get in the play-offs today? Please? It'd be really good."
Alex, London via text
Erm, you do realise it's not up to me don't you Alex?
1316: A few of you are asking me to 'pin my colours to the Championship mast' so to speak. I can quite honestly say I'm as neutral as it gets today. My prediction? West Brom and Stoke first and second, Wolves to push Watford out of the play-off spots and Southampton to go down. Which is pretty much a guarantee that won't happen...
"The nerves are jangling now...Come on Stoke!"
coolmynamewastaken on 606
Join the debate on 606
1305: As the Arsenal and Everton players get their pre-match warm-ups firmly underway at the Emirates, I'll take the opportunity to get back to the main focus of the day - the Championship. As well as Ian Holloway's thoughts (see below), we've also had a word with Match of the Day presenter and West Brom fan Adrian Chiles ahead of the action. And what a nice man he is.
Adrian Chiles on Championship promotion
"Worried not to see Flamini in the starting line-up. Wenger said he'd be fit to play but he's not there and the deadline for his contract signing is tomorrow. Does anyone else feel this is a sign he's not staying or am I reading too much into it?"
royalarsenaltilidie on 606
1302: For the record, Everton only need a point to secure a place in the Uefa Cup next season, but their form at Arsenal is not one to write home about. They have picked up just one draw in the last 11 league visits to the Gunners - although that did come last season in a 1-1 draw. It is also Cesc Fabregas' 21st birthday today - which might explain why he's not playing. Out on the sauce were you Cesc?
1300: TEAM NEWS
Arsenal stick with the bulk of the side that demolished Derby last week, although Cesc Fabregas is given the day off and Robin van Persie is left out in favour of the returning Emmanuel Adebayor. Everton pair Andrew Johnson and Steven Pienaar are passed fit, while their only change is Tony Hibbert in for Yakubu.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Toure, Gallas, Song Billong, Clichy, Eboue, Silva, Denilson, Walcott, Adebayor, Bendtner.
Subs: Lehmann, Senderos, Djourou, Traore, Gibbs.
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Pienaar, Neville, Carsley, Fernandes, Osman, Johnson.
Subs: Wessels, Baines, Yakubu, Anichebe, Rodwell.
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
"Can't see beyond a comfortable Arsenal win today, which as a Chelsea fan makes me nervous of conceding second place..."
StamfordLuke on 606
"Can I just point out that kick off is less than one hour and 10 minutes away in the Championship? It's like Christmas but in May! :D"
Carter158 on 606
"I reckon Arsenal will play a semi decent team and score four or five. Speaking of youngsters to look out for, Jack Wilshire is going to be the next Bergkamp. You heard it here first!"
Zaiky at the Emirates via text
"On the Arsenal vs Everton game. You pointed out that the Arsenal team will be full of youngsters we haven't heard of. Obviously you haven't played football manager."
phillips24 on 606
Erm, is that a bad thing?
1247: Keep your song suggestions coming in, by the way. Alongside "Cochise" I have to say "A Divine Proclamation for Finishing the Present Existance" by 'Last Days of Humanity' - performed by Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street fame (look it up on a popular video sharing site, it's pure genius) - is a sure-fire winner. Absolute gold! Oh, and at the risk of upsetting probably thousands of you, I have to say I think Muse are utter toilet. Sorry.
"Anyone seen Zinedine Zidane at Loftus Road?"
QPRDevon on 606
Sunday's gossip column
1240: A quick word on the Arsenal-Everton match - what do we reckon? A makeshift Arsenal side full of youngsters barely anyone has heard of but who will soon be lauded as 'the next big things'? A first home defeat for the Gunners in the league this campaign? Everton to seal European qualification for yet another season? Questions, questions...
"'Der derder der derderder der, der derder derder derderder'! The Fratellis!"
esssienisanengine on 606
Somebody, somewhere, will be counting those 'ders' and singing along in their head right now. Stop it.
"I'm a Norwich fan, and although relieved to be safe from relegation, we've got nothing to play for now and I feel a little left out."
Oli via text
Cue frustrated responses from all those down at the bottom looking to swap places with Oli...
"Eye of the Tiger always shivers my timbers when I hear it."
redandblackT1899-crop circles in my carpet on 606
"Shivers my timbers"? Are you a pirate redandblackT1899?
1232: Have you all read Ian Holloway's thoughts on Leicester's battle to beat the drop? The Foxes boss may be one of the nicest men in showbiz, but I can pretty much guarantee he won't have heard of half the song suggestions being made on 606 and text. Bless 'im.
Ian Holloway on Leicester's plight
"Muse - Knights of Cydonia. For any of the teams fighting relegation."
Mike, Swansea via text
"Final countdown is always appropriate on a day like this."
KentonKid on 606
It is KentonKid, except it's the campest song this side of a Mika track...
"I'd go for Ant and Dec - "Let's Get Ready To Rumble". A sure fire motivational winner!"
NottsUniOwl on 606
"Theme tune - Kasabian Club Foot for Leicester. Great band for a great team!! Okay maybe i am pushing it a little there..."
Blood Sugar on 606
1219: I was listening to Audioslave on my way into the Television Centre this morning and it occured to me - is there a better song to rouse oneself than 'Cochise'? If I were a boxer, and not, as I happen to be, softer than the Andrex puppy, that would be my song of choice as I strode into the arena ready to do the battle of the pugilists.
So what's your song of choice? Your side's theme tune for this afternoon's match if you like? And the first person to bring up the Star Wars theme tune gets sent to the back of the class.
"Sam, you need to keep the 'as it stands' thing at the top, stop moving it down the page!"
pompey_manic_07/08 on 606
You raise an interesting point pompey_manic but a) the table 'as it stands' is on the right of the page for web users anyway and b) I certainly will be putting it back top - and keeping it top - before and during the 1400 kick-offs. It's all in hand, people, erm honest.
"I feel physically sick to the pit of my stomach. I have never known Leicester to take it to the last day for anything as long as I have been around to support them, and I just don't know how to handle it."
sheffield_fox on 606
"I fear for my Watford, we just can't score at the moment, and our players don't seem interested. But knowing Watford they always prove me wrong. So C'Mon you 'Orns!!"
mr-tamas on 606
1211: Soooo... who, what, when, where, how? For those of you unaware of the ins and outs of today's Championship football, check out Paul Fletcher's brilliant piece on the permutations of 'Splendid Sunday' (as I, and only I, am calling it).
Championship's day of destiny
Basically, West Brom are all but definitely up - on goal difference at least - while Hull and Stoke will battle it out for the second promotion spot, with the latter favourites to snatch it. Six other sides, down to Sheffield United in ninth, are all eyeing play-off joy, while five teams are all struggling to avoid the third relegation spot at the bottom.
To add to the flavour of the day on a personal level, pretty much all the teams with something to play for today are represented by a fan in this very office.
Like I say, it's massive.
"Come on Palace! Lets not chuck it away now."
Palacefanforlife on 606
"An Owls fan from Sheffield but living in New Zealand. My dad is gonna be at the game being a season ticket holder and I can only imagine how good the chemical pie and hot Bovril is going to go down should we be a goal to the good by half taime..."
rOWLandnilsson on 606
"If Southampton go down today, not only will I eat my hat, but I will swallow my entire wardrobe!"
Toon4Europe on 606
"Come on Blades! We can still do the impossible, the unthinkable but do-able..."
coolnafs on 606
"Off to watch the mighty Blackpool do Watford. Away fans have no roof and its lashing it down. Happy days."
Coxy via text
AS IT STANDS
Promoted: West Brom, Stoke
Play-offs: Hull, Bristol City, Watford, Crystal Palace
Relegated: Southampton, Scunthorpe, Colchester
1205: By the way, what do you reckon of my 'as it stands' bit above? Gawd help me when the goals starts raining in late in the day but, as my mate Dan is my witness, I'll be doing me level best to keep it accurate and up to date... love it.
1200: Oh my giddy aunt, this is what it's all about isn't it?
After arguably the most exciting Championship season in recent memory, it quite literally all comes down to today for as many as 14 teams.
Automatic promotion, play-off places and relegation issues are all still to be decided - get ready for an afternoon of nail-biting, bum clenching and, erm, prayer-saying...
I'll be keeping you up to date with all the goals, incidents and permutations from all 12 Championship fixtures as well as, lest we forget, the two Premier League games taking place this afternoon.
On the penultimate weekend of Premier League action, only Everton have anything serious riding on today's results - they can guarantee fifth spot with a point or more at Arsenal - but, to be honest, that's often when games get the most exciting isn't it?
So, to those of you making your way to see your beloveds in action, to those of you fluffing the sofa cushions in preparation for an afternoon of sitting and shifting, and to those of you already halfway through a bottle of some 40% proof alcoholic drink... May the Fourth be with you...
Oh, and don't forget to text me on 81111 or join the debate on 606. Please. Thank you.
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