Chelsea will be looking to keep up their thin hopes of qualifying for the Champions League when they travel to Southampton to get Saturday's Premier League action underway. The Blues visit St Mary's sitting fifth place in the table as well as 10 points behind Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur having not won on the road in nearly three months. But the Saints are also in desperate need of victory as Mark Hughes' side begin the weekend three points from safety. Follow all the action with ROB SUMMERSCALES as it happens.
De Bruyne and Salah head PFA Player of the Year shortlist... while 17-year-old Fulham sensation Sessegnon gets surprise young player nomination
Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah look set to go head-to-head to win PFA Player of the Year after being named on the six-man shortlist. The Manchester City and Liverpool pair were joined by Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, David De Gea and David Silva for the prestigious award, which was announced live on BBC's Football Focus. De Bruyne and Salah are the two favourites to follow in 2016-2017 winner N'Golo Kante's footsteps and scoop the gong.
TACTICS SPECIAL: Tottenham can complete Manchester City's frightful fortnight with intense pressing in midfield, Dele being deadly and by learning lessons from Liverpool and even Espanyol
AMITAI WINEHOUSE: Tottenham face Manchester City on Saturday evening in a game that could still have a significant sway over the Champions League race. City outclassed Spurs the last time the two sides met, beating them easily at the Etihad by a 4-1 scoreline. It went against pre-match suggestions that Spurs had a chance against Pep Guardiola's side. But Mauricio Pochettino will have a plan up his sleeve. Sportsmail has taken a look at how Spurs can upset City and hold back their push for the title yet again.
The day a balaclava-clad baseball bat gang burst in on our interview: Former Man United kid Gillespie talks gambling, sex and fighting Alan Shearer... before a very shocking turn of events!
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE: Keith Gillespie has seen most things in life. But not this. Not half a dozen men in balaclavas armed with baseball bats storming the function room in which we are sitting. Earlier in the day, over a couple of pints just around the corner from Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, Gillespie had journeyed through stories of gambling, fighting, sex, drinking and Spanish prisons, offering them as reasons why he is now well placed to guide the next generation of young footballers.
'My loan to Injury FC has officially ended today... I'm back playing for Man City baby!': £52m man Mendy makes comeback in U23s derby draw with rivals Manchester United
MANCHESTER CITY U23s 1-1 MANCHESTER UNITED U23s - JACK GAUGHAN AT THE CITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY: Benjamin Mendy made his Manchester City comeback as Manchester United edged closer to relegation from Premier League 2 in front of Jose Mourinho. Mendy played 45 minutes at the City Football Academy after seven months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury. It was low key, a couple of surging forays forward and thumping tackles indicating true fitness may not be far away.
Roma in Champions League fix scandal as club allegedly send email selling tickets to Liverpool semi-final BEFORE draw was made... but Italians later blame 'technical problem'
Football fans are claiming the Champions League semi-final draw was rigged after Roma allegedly advertised tickets for a match with Liverpool before the teams were paired together. A screenshot of an email sent to Roma season ticket holders on Thursday appears to show a link to buy tickets for a match on May 2 between Roma and Liverpool.
Guardiola warns Manchester City not to do a Devon Loch as Tottenham try to upset the champions-elect
GRAND NATIONAL, TODAY 5.15PM
Sportsmail's ultimate guide to the Grand National: Sam Turner and Peter Scudamore run you through all the best bets
Venetia Williams etched her name into Grand National folklore nine years ago when Mon Mome sprung one of the biggest shocks in the history of the great race and HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (Aintree, 5.15) could be poised to repeat the trick. The Herefordshire handler had been involved with the training of a National winner before Mon Mome’s stunning 100-1 triumph as she spent a year at Martin Pipe’s stable the year Miinnehoma won in 1994. However, Williams became the first female trainer to win the National since Jenny Pitman in 1995 when overseeing Mon Mome’s triumph and she could join an elite roll call of dual winners if Houblon Des Obeaux can build on his effort in last year’s race.
PETER CROUCH COLUMN: I wasn't sure if Kane touched the ball but I'd have claimed that goal too... and it reminded me of when Defoe barely spoke to Nugent at Portsmouth after THAT tap-in for England!
The first thing to say about Harry Kane is this: for all his obsession with scoring goals, he is an honest lad. But he has become involved in a situation in which his honesty has been called into question. According to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino, Harry has been left ‘hurt and surprised’ by the way people are talking about him after last week’s trip to Stoke. As you know, it is all because he claimed Tottenham’s winner against us.
CLEARED: Rodriguez off the hook on charge of racial abuse against Bong - THREE MONTHS after incident
Race for the Golden Boot: Kane is just four goals behind Salah... but can Tottenham's main man catch Liverpool star with only six games remaining of the season?
The race for the Premier League Golden Boot took a new twist on Wednesday when Harry Kane was awarded Tottenham's second goal against Stoke last weekend. Spurs appealed the decision to give the winner at the bet365 Stadium to Christian Eriksen after Kane claimed the ball touched his shoulder on the way in. The ruling meant Kane moved to 25 goals for the season and just four behind leading goalscorer Mohamed Salah, who reacted by tweeting 'Wooooooow really?'.
Roma expertly troll Kane for claiming Stoke winner by superimposing his face on Totti's infamous selfie celebration
Roma have prodded fun at Harry Kane over his recent claiming of Tottenham's second goal against Stoke, by superimposing the striker's face into a video of a Francesco Totti celebration. Tottenham's winner in their 2-1 victory over Stoke last weekend was initially marked down as a Christian Eriksen goal, despite Kane claiming he'd gotten a touch on his team-mate's free-kick before it went in.
Fury walks out of ITV interview over questions about his past and politics after announcing comeback
Aston Villa maintain promotion push as Grabban's first-half header secures deserved victory over struggling Leeds
ASTON VILLA 1-0 LEEDS - LAURIE WHITWELL AT VILLA PARK: Lewis Grabban scored the only goal of the game in the first half, heading home from a corner past Leeds goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Victory leaves Villa fourth in the Championship, two points adrift of second-placed Fulham, who have a match in hand.
Flaming cushions, death threats and the manager yelled 'run for your lives': As Burnley close in on European spot, Sportsmail recalls their last campaign
The last Burnley players to experience the competition back in the 1966-67 season now known as the Europa League will tell you it was not exactly a magic carpet ride. The club’s final successful tie in such territory concluded with home fans in Napoli’s Stadio San Paolo setting fire to cardboard cushions and throwing them like saucers at the British players, and manager Harry Potts sprinting across the pitch yelling ‘run for your lives, boys’ at the end.
STARS OF SPORT
- Commonwealth Games exploring possibility of mixed relays between para and able-bodied athletes A progressive move in world sport
- Night with Gillespie turns into high drama as balaclava-wearing baseball bat gang storm in during Q&A EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY CRAIG HOPE
- Manchester United star Pogba shows off inner Goku with new white haircut in tribute to Dragon Ball Z Another day and another haircut for the midfielder.
- Totti did it better: Roma mock Kane for claiming Stoke winner by putting his face on a Totti celebration video The Italian club had plenty of fun on Twitter
- Time to move on: Valverde urges Barca stars to stop 'crying after their Champions League defeat Messi and Co turn focus back to winning La Liga
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- A heavyweight draw: Boxing legend Vitali Klitschko gets his hands on Champions League trophy ahead of final Mayor of Kiev is ready to host showpiece event
- Manchester United stars gear up to spoil City's party again as they arrive for training ahead of West Brom Reds can delay title celebrations on Sunday
- Family man McGregor has 'the best job in the world' as he enjoys dinner with girlfriend Dee and son Conor Jnr UFC star is facing charges after bus attack
- You won't be joining City anytime soon! Sterling mocks his friends' football skills in hilarious new video The England forward put his pals to the test
- Gold-getters: Daley and Goodfellow win 10m synchronised diving at Commonwealth Games Brit also spoke out against anti-gay laws in competing nations.
- Vardy's stunner against West Brom earns him March's goal of the month award Leicester star a worthy winner after incredible strike at the Hawthorns
- Ramsey equals a Fabregas record as Russian fans brave the cold in Moscow Seven things you might have missed during the Europa League matches
- All you need is love: Salah reveals his affection for Liverpool as he takes trip around The Beatles Story It has been a debut season to remember
- Hoping for a fairytale ending: Liverpool stars take family trip to Disney on Ice ahead of Champions league semi-final draw Milner and Co head out
- Tough break: Rakitic suffers more misery as Barcelona confirm midfielder had surgery on broken finger Injury compounds Roma defeat on Wednesday
- Scott finally gets her commemorative 100th cap after retiring from England duty as second most-capped player Right-back played 140 times for Lionesses
- No foul? Lewandowski shows off nasty black eye after he claims he was elbowed in clash with Sevilla Bayern Munich striker is not happy about it
- A hug from the man who knocked him out: Ronaldo interrupts Buffon's post-match interview to console furious goalkeeper Legends embraced
- He's BACK: Fury confirms June 9 fight... and claims he would 'outbox' and then 'knock out' Joshua Former champ has been out of ring since 2015
- Firmino celebrates mother's birthday until 4am to continue his week to remember Roberto Firmino has had plenty to celebrate with Liverpool too
- Manchester United stars arrive for training as they look to get into gear ahead of home clash with West Brom Jose Mourinho and Co rolled into Carrington
- Real Madrid fans give Buffon a standing ovation as he walks off after red card Footage shows Madrid fans stood up and applauded
- Lindelof and girlfriend Maja Nilsson spotted out and about in Manchester The Manchester United centre back looked to be keeping a low profile in a hoodie
- They're even better swimmers than you! Peaty takes a dive with turtles at the Great Barrier Reef Breaststroke king is relaxing Down Under
- Baseball pitcher Zimmermann taken to hospital as he suffers 'terrifying' blow to his jaw after ball is smashed straight back... at 106MPH!
- Hamilton arrives in Shanghai amid accusation from Verstappen as F1 feud escalates Red Bull ace said Brit is picking on 'young drivers'
- Liverpool legends Dalglish and Owen enjoy a day at the races at Grand National Festival Aintree's big event kicked off in style with a host of football legends
- Fury steps up fitness regime with his son watching on as he prepares to announce comeback Former heavyweight champion is grafting
- Oxlade-Chamberlain recovers with an oxygen mask after Liverpool win... and tips Lovren to be a future manager after Sportsmail story Ox reads Sportsmail
- Breakfast of Champions? Firmino shows off his morning kickstart after feasting on Manchester City It includes fried eggs, couscous and fruit
- BT Sport has Sevilla going through, Real fans display stunning shark tifo and Ronaldo flings his boots into the air CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THINGS YOU MISSED
- Pundits heap praise on Ronaldo for late Real Madrid heroics as Owen lauds 'freakish nature' Portuguese netted a dramatic late winner to put Los Blancos through
- Walker has been cutting holes in his Manchester City socks in a bid to prevent sore calves during matches Doing it to reduce the tension in his calves
- 'Wake up!': Lovren reveals his rallying cry that inspired Liverpool's turnaround at City as stars return to Melwood Looking pretty pleased with themselves
- Fury shows off slimmed down physique as he enjoys training session alongside Hatton and his son Undefeated heavyweight is on comeback trail
- Alli celebrates his 22nd birthday with commendable version of 'Backpack Kid' dance It's a notoriously difficult set of moves to pull off, but Dele had a go...
TRY OUR SPORT QUIZZES
- Guess the REAL first names of these well-known footballers in our brand new quiz
- World Cup 2018 ball launch: After the release of the Telstar 18... can you guess which competitions THESE footballs were used in?
- MYSTERY PLAYERS: Can you name all 20 footballers from just a list of each club they've played for?
- WHO SAID THIS? Can you name the managers and players behind these 20 famous quotes?
- FAMOUS FOOTBALL SONGS: Can you name the famous football song from a few of the lyrics in our brand new quiz?
- FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON: Can you identify these 20 players from 1992-93?
- PREMIER LEAGUE KITS: Can you guess which season these home kits were worn?
- RECORD EURO SIGNINGS: Do you know the record signings of these big European clubs?
- MYSTERY MANAGER: Can you guess all 20 managers from a list of each club/country they have taken charge of?
- FORMER CLUBS: Can you identify the former club of these football stars?
- ORIGINAL CLUB NAME: Can you guess the football club from its original name?
- BOOTS: Can you guess the footballer from just a picture of their boots?
- WAG: Can you match the WAG to the footballer?
- RETIRED FOOTBALLERS: Can you guess the career moves these 20 players made after hanging up their boots?
- SQUAD NUMBERS: Can you identify these 20 footballers from just their squad numbers?
- FOOTBALLERS' FULL NAMES: These famous footballers are better known by their nicknames... but can you identify them from their full names?
- EUROPEAN CLUB STADIUMS: Can you identify these 20 European club stadiums from a single picture of each?
- FOOTBALLERS AS KIDS: Can you guess the famous footballer from a picture of them as a child?
- MYSTERY FOOTBALLER: Can you guess the players from a list of clubs they played for?
- GUESS THE SCORER: Can you name these 20 blurred out goalscorers?
- CARETAKER MANAGERS: Can you name these 20 Premier League caretaker managers?
- EUROPEAN CLUB BADGES: How well do you know the badges of the big European football clubs from a cropped in image?
- TATTOOS: Can you identify these footballers from their tattoos?
- FRANK LAMPARD: How well do you know Frank Lampard's career?
- SQUAD SHIRT NUMBERS: Can you remember the first squad numbers these star players wore at the following clubs?
- CELEBRITY FOOTBALL FANS: Which football team do each of these 20 celebrities support?
- OLD FOOTBALL STRIPS: Can you guess the football team from a shocking old kit of theirs in our entertaining quiz?
- FOOTBALLER HAIRCUTS: Can you identify the footballers from just a picture of their hair?
- FOOTBALLER CAREER PATH: Identify the 20 footballers from a list of every club they played for
COMMONWEALTH GAMES
England's men's and women's 4x100 metres relay teams win gold as long jumper Ugen brings home baton for female quartet
England won a bonkers 4x100m women's relay gold on Saturday - with long jumper Lorraine Ugen running the last leg. In a stunning turn of events, Ugen was told on Friday night that she was needed after Corinne Humphreys was injured in the semi-final. On the back of barely 10 minutes baton practice in the warm-up, Ugen then held off a surge from double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson to win the gold.
Danson predicts bright future for England's women's hockey team after taking bronze
Captain Alex Danson is optimistic the future is bright for England's women's hockey team after her side bounced back to take Commonwealth Games bronze. A semi-final shootout loss to New Zealand on Thursday ended hopes of gold for a 16-player squad which included eight Olympic champions from Rio. But England bounced back on Saturday as a Sophie Bray hat-trick and four goals in the final quarter completed a 6-0 win over India. New Zealand beat Australia 4-1 to claim gold.
FOOTBALL NEWS
Welcome to the Nou era: Barcelona reveal stunning images of 105,000 Nou Camp after approval for £520m redevelopment
Barcelona have released stunning new images of the redevelopment of the Nou Camp. The Spanish giants may have been knocked out of the Champions League but they have a bright future on the horizon, not least because of the redevelopment project they are undergoing. Barca are planning to expand their already colossal stadium to around 105,000 seats and improve the area around the ground.
Pogba shows off inner Goku with new Dragon Ball Z-inspired white haircut ahead of West Brom clash
Another day and another haircut for Paul Pogba. Just days after controversially sporting blue hair during the Manchester derby, he has decided for an even more outlandish trim. The France international took to Instagram late on Friday night to show off his crazy new white haircut ahead of United's Premier League clash with West Brom.
Mo Mo Mo! Liverpool hitman Salah creates Premier League history by becoming first star to win player of the month award THREE times in one season
Salah's exciting and dynamic play as seen Liverpool move 10 points clear of his former side in fifth, with Liverpool losing only once last month - a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United. The forward scored six goals in Liverpool's four Premier League games last month, including four in a 5-0 thrashing at home to Watford before providing an assist in the same game.
A Vard-earned award! Leicester hitman wins goal of the month for stunning volley against West Brom
Jamie Vardy has another trophy to add to his collection after he collected the Premier League's March goal of the month award. The Leicester City and England striker scored an impressive first-time volley in the 4-1 win away to West Brom on March 10. A long pass over the top from team-mate Riyad Mahrez inside his own half arced over Vardy's head and he volleyed home with his left foot. The 31-year-old’s strike was one of eight nominated for the award, along with team-mate Mahrez, Manchester City pair Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus, Manchester United duo Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
'To have that heritage can only be a good thing': Isiekwe hoping to emulate fellow British-Nigerians Itoje and Joshua as he plots golden future for club and country
Nick Isiekwe is so young he hardly remembers England's greatest days at the World Cup. But now the 19-year-old Saracens forward is plotting to be part of a golden future for his country. He only has two caps to his name so far - making his debut last summer against Argentina in San Juan - but could quickly become part of Eddie Jones' plans as the England head coach looks to evolve his national side and emulate the heroes of 2003.
Team-mates for club and country, Ford and Youngs are on the same wavelength - they are Leicester's silent assassins
EXCLUSIVE BY RORY KEANE: It has been nearly a month since England’s ill-fated Six Nations campaign. One of Eddie Jones’s most trusted lieutenants, Ford was dropped against Ireland. By the time he entered the fray an hour into the game, Ireland were cruising towards the Grand Slam. England suffered a third consecutive defeat for the first time in 12 years and finished fifth in the standings — their worst placing in the Six Nations.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
Swimming with his son after games, -200°C cryotherapy sessions and no alcohol or sugar... here's how Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo stays so ripped year after year
PETE JENSON: It makes for a challenging ‘spot the difference’ competition. Two pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating penalties — one in the 2014 Champions League final and the other against Juventus on Wednesday. Time waits for no man unless, it seems, that man is Ronaldo. The ripped torso is just the same now as it was then. There’s the six-pack — one bulging abdominal muscle for every time he’s finished as the Champions League’s top scorer — the tapered waist and broad back that give him a superhero silhouette.