"People saying Chelsea could finish around 10th don't know what they're talking about. Top 4 guaranteed, they get a new manager in sharpish they could still win the title. Arsenal won't be able to keep up their form, Liverpool will never win the title with rotational Rafa in charge and Utd have hardly been setting the world alight."
billymcvilla on 606

1554: Robin in London says Portsmouth's two-goal striker Benjani can't be the new Didier Drogba as Emmanuel Adebayor claimed that title last weekend. James H thinks Avram Grant is Boos Nass from 'Phantom Menace', Ady picks him as a fat Larry Grayson and Matt thinks he's a dead ringer for the Sheriff of Nottingham in Disney's version of Robin Hood. Drop us a text to 81111 on football matters and jump into the keyboard chaos over on 606...

1552: Stoppage time still going on at Upton Park, and West Ham are now on the attack forcing a defensive header in the six-yard box from Bacary Sagna. That's the last meaningful action.

1550: Only one game still out there, and West Ham see out the first half in defence, Matthew Upson heading a corner away to Emmanuel Adebayor, who cracks the dropping ball wide.

1548: GOAL Portsmouth 2-1 Reading
Good job for the Royals they haven't gone in yet as Liam Rosenior gives them a lifeline. He spins in the box and hooks a shot on to the bar which spins down over the line. Stephen Hunt followed it up with a header in a melee of players to make sure, but that's Rosenior's first goal for the club.

1546: HALF-TIME
Derby and Bolton are the first teams to head for the break.

1544: Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann pulls off a magnificent point-blank save to deny Glen Johnson, who had swooped to meet Benjani's knock-down in the six-yard box.

1540: Sunderland want a penalty as Brad Friedel comes racing out to take the ball away from Michael Chopra. Panic in the Rovers box from the corner but the visitors hold firm.

1539: GOAL Portsmouth 2-0 Reading
Benjani caps a snaking run to the edge of the box with a low drive past the wrong-footed Marcus Hahnemann.
"Mark my words... Benjani will be the next Drogba."
Dan, in Portsmouth, via text on 81111
"Portmouth are flying. Reading are chasing shadows."
Garth Crooks, BBC Score pundit

1537: Things could get spikey at Upton Park. Cesc Fabregas is hunting out Mark Noble, but it is Mathieu Flamini who catches Scott Parker.

1535: Didier Drogba throws himself at a low cross by the back post but is an inch short of making contact.

1534: An early Arsenal change after a nasty challenge from Mark Noble on Alexander Hleb. Kolo Toure isn't too happy about the 'tackle', which earns a booking. Emmanuel Eboue comes on.

1533: Salomon Kalou finds Andriy Shevchenko in the box, but the Ukranian can't find the back of the net. It's the side netting instead.

1531: GOAL Derby 1-1 Bolton
Nicolas Anelka works some space for himself on the edge of the area and his right-footed shot beats Stephen Bywater with the help of a deflection off Dean Leacock.

1530: Fernando Torres meets a Fabio Aurelio cross with an acrobatic overhead shot which goes wide. He had time to do something a bit better and less spectacular with it.

1528: Dirk Kuyt finds Fernando Torres with a throughball after sloppy play by Jason Koumas. The Spaniard holds off two Wigan defenders but his initial shot is blocked by Chris Kirkland. The ball rebounds to Torres and bounces off him, bobbling wide of the goal.

1527: Subdued atmosphere at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea struggle to find their A-game. The crowd have even stopped chanting Jose Mourinho's name.

1524: Shouts for a Fulham penalty after Tal Ben Haim heads the ball on to his own hand. Lucky let-off for the Blues.

1523: Derby boss Billy Davies sure knows how to wind up referees. The Scot is having a running argument with officials and gets a warning from the ref. He's the sort of man who would argue with his own shadow.

1522: The ball's worked to John Arne Riise in the box and his snap shot is wide. Liverpool are enjoying more of the possession but are being made to work by a resolute Wigan.

1519: GOAL Derby 1-0 Bolton
Steve Howard holds the ball up on the left before swivelling to hook a low pass into the box and Kenny Miller sweeps the ball beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen. Problems for Sammy Lee. When Miller scores, County win. OK, that's only his second but these sort of amazing feats have to start somewhere.

"The writing is on the wall for Little Sam if they lose this one."
john blaze on 606

1517: A fast and furious start to proceedings, which is more than can be said of the action between Sunderland and Blackburn. Flat and feeble more like.

1515: GOAL West Ham 0-1 Arsenal
A headed goal for Arsenal. Alexander Hleb swings a cross in from the right and Robin van Persie does well to meet it ahead of the home defence. Robert Green gets a hand to the Dutchman's downward header, but he can't keep the ball out.

1514: Clint Dempsey heads narrowly wide for Fulham against Chelsea. Remember, the Cottagers haven't won at Stamford Bridge since 1979.

1513: Derby's David Jones is keen on an early bath. He's already been booked for a two-footed lunge on Gary Speed but that has not checked his brio, which is bordering on reckless.

1512: Chants of 'Deano, Deano' at Upton Park where Dean Ashton is bang on top of his game. That's good for England with strikers dropping like flies.

1510: REACTION Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle
Smooth dresser Sven-Goran Eriksson is satisfied with City's style. "Yep, very good," says the Swede. "I hope that we can be better and better. For today I am very happy. We should have scored earlier, but that is football."

1509: GOAL Portsmouth 1-0 Reading
Benjani slips a pass to John Utaka on the left, races forward and is on hand to volley in his third Premier League goal of the season at the back post when the return cross comes in.

1508: An absolutely supersonic start at Upton Park. Chances at both ends and but for a linesman's flag West Ham's Dean Ashton would have been through one-on-one from halfway with Manuel Almunia.

1507: Wonderful play from Dean Ashton, who releases Freddie Ljungberg with a sublime backheel on the edge of the box. Manuel Almunia saves after a heavy first touch from the Swede.

1505: Neat stuff from Reading, but Stephen Hunt spoons a shot over the Pompey bar from the left. The Royals are wearing black and silver stripes. Style guru Gavin 'Jeff Banks' Peacock describes it as "shocking".

1504: Arsenal go close with their first attack, Emmanuel Adebayor firing narrowly wide.

1502: Clint Dempsey catches John Terry as they jump under a high ball on the edge of the box. The Blues skipper looks dazed.

1501: Steven Gerrard lines one up like Elano, but can't finish like the Brazilian. The Liverpool skipper stings the palms of former Red with a 30-yard free-kick.

1500: The lookalikes end and the action begins.

1459: Bookem's back. No sign of a baby yet and he comes in with another lookalike for Avram Grant - Johnny Sack who's the mafia boss from the 'Sopranos'. There's also an anonymous shout that Grant is actually Lord Voldemort.

"I'm really looking forward to West Ham v Arsenal - Arsenal are just playing football from another planet at the moment."
Gavin Peacock, BBC Score pundit

1455: Players start emerging around the grounds and at Chelsea it's a 'Happy Birthday' for Andriy Shevchenko. Not sure the 31-year-old would have got the present of a start under the previous boss.

1453: So all the team news is in. For a re-cap and for dedicated coverage of your chosen game click your way through via the specific link.

1449: Plenty of banners and T-shirts at Stamford Bridge thanking Jose Mourinho for his time at Chelsea.

1444: Chelsea assistant Steve Clarke is at the heart of their huddle. No sign of Avram Grant, who Ian Holloway reckons looks like Toad from 'Toad of Toad Hall'. Andy from Manchester reckons the new Chelsea man resembles Boris Karloff in 'The Mummy'.

1442: Arsenal break off from their warm-up for an extended team huddle in which each player takes a turn to gee up up his team-mates.

1440: The score from the early game is greeted well by those who have turned up at the Stadium of Light early ahead of Sunderland's match against Blackburn.

1439: FULL-TIME Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle
City go second on goal difference after coming back from a goal behind.
"Not bad for a team put together by watching videos. Sven is a legend! YouTube City are playing good football, have a strong squad and will finish in the top six."
Cold War Kid on 606

"It's a completely different City side under Eriksson. There you've got a team that are going places."
Garth Crooks, BBC Score pundit

1436: TEAM NEWS Portsmouth v Reading
Portsmouth are without Kanu, who failed a late fitness test on a knee injury, so Benjani Mwaruwari partners John Utaka up front. Dave Kitson passed a late fitness test to allow Reading to field the same side which beat Wigan last weekend, Kitson partnering Kevin Doyle up front as Leroy Lita has to make do with a place on the bench.

1435: Jose Enrique's not slow in coming forward, and he's got some speed to boot as well. The Spaniard wins a corner, from which Alan Smith shoots wide.

1433: TEAM NEWS Derby v Bolton
Derby make two changes with Jay McEveley and David Jones both recalled. Andy Griffin and Gary Teale make way, while Giles Barnes returns to the bench. Bolton make nine changes to the side that played in the Carling Cup in midweek - but it is the XI that started against Spurs last week.

1431: GOAL Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle
There have been some good goals in this game but that is the best - an absolute crackerjack. Elano rifles a pearler of a free-kick from 30 yards into the top left corner. That's the game in the bag... and probably Match of the Day's Goal of the Month competition as well.

1429: TEAM NEWS Sunderland v Blackburn
Sunderland make two changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Middlesbrough with Liam Miller and Nyron Nosworthy coming in. Blackburn also make two changes to the side that beat Birmingham in the Carling Cup in midweek with defender Stephen Warnock and Roque Santa Cruz starting. Robbie Savage and Morten Gamst Pedersen remain on the bench.

1428: City are finishing this well on top. A chance for a third? Not when Emile Mpenza is pushed wide and his eventual shot is blocked wide. Didi Hamann latches on to the headed clearance from the corner but his shot is blocked.

1426: A City cross whistles through the Newcastle box. When Stephen Ireland rifles the ball back in from the right, Emile Mpenza volleys wide.

1424: Micah Richards gallops forward on the right to give Stephen Ireland an outlet from the centre circle. The defender steps inside and lines up a shot... which he completely and utterly fluffs. He's cream crackered after the run, but still breaks a smile at an abject effort on goal.

1422: Nedum Onouha concedes a corner when he didn't need to, but Newcastle don't make much of the chance. In fact, they don't make anything of the chance.

1420: Captain Geremi gets hauled off with Jose Enrique going on. It's pass the captain's armband time and it looks as if it's ended up with Steven Taylor.

"If Newcastle loose this big Sam should make them all do the Great North Run. Apart from Martins they are rubbish."
Brian via text on 81111

1418: Sven-Goran Eriksson looks a little lost and glum on the bench. A bit like an uncle on the sidelines at a wedding. Strange since his team look set to go level on points with Arsenal if they can hold on to this advantage.

1416: Joe Hart pushes a Geremi free-kick over the bar when he could have caught it. Unconvincing keepers at both ends. Could be more goals in this.

1414: TEAM NEWS West Ham v Arsenal
West Ham include former Gunners Freddie Ljungberg and Matthew Upson in their line-up and Scott Parker makes his first Premier League start, but Craig Bellamy is not fit to play. Arsenal's Alexander Hleb starts after passing a fitness test, Robin van Persie is recalled after missing the Calring Cup win over Newcastle, as is Emmanuel Adebayor.

1411: Best bit of play in a long time from Newcastle. Mark Viduka rolls a pass across the box to Alan Smith who flicks it on to Obafemi Martins in space on the left. The Nigerian blasts a shot wide. He should have hit the target.

1410: TEAM NEWS Wigan v Liverpool
Fernando Torres, fresh from his hat-trick heroics in the Carling Cup against Reading, keeps his place up front, but Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez makes seven changes from the team that beat the Royals. Wigan recall striker Julius Aghahowa, who replaces the injured Antoine Sibierski, while Emmerson Boyce comes in for Andreas Granqvist, who is relegated to the subs' bench.

1407: A sweeping City move ends with a high, looping volley from Stephen Ireland which Shay Given casually pushes on to his crossbar as he attempts to tip it over. Given, who has been decidedly short of his best today, grabs the ball at the second attempt ahead of Michael Johnson.

1404: TEAM NEWS Chelsea v Fulham
Didier Drogba is confirmed as a starter for Chelsea. He partners Andriy Shevchenko in attack after recovering from the knee injury he suffered against Aston Villa at the start of the month, while in midfield Steve Sidwell lines up alongside Claude Makelele, with Michael Essien ruled out with an injury. Seol Ki-Hyeon comes in for Hameur Bouazza in the only change from the Fulham side that lost in the Carling Cup to Bolton.

1402: Vedran Corluka is not AOK. He trots off to be replaced by Nedum Onouha.

1401: Everyone seems to stop as Shay Given lumps a long ball forward. His opposite number Joe Hart is alert to the danger and races out of his area to head clear.

"Frantically searching for the match & I'm now sitting in a ladies only hairdressers in Istanbul watching it. Cmon City. The things u do."
Gary, via text on 81111

1359: Play resumes and Vedran Corluka looks AOK.

1357: Applause all round for Obafemi Martins as the Nigerian stops playing after spotting Vedran Corluka down on the turf. The big man looks in a spot of bother and Martins walks the ball into touch and receives a pat on the back from Micah Ricards for his troubles.

1355: City have come out really well in this second half. Martin Petrov - yes, him again - breaks on the left. It's not the best of crosses this time but Steven Taylor and David Rozenhal do their best to make a hash of it and gift Michael Johnson a chance.

"Steven Taylor reckons he is worth £30k per week in his contract dispute with Sam. On this display I wouldn't give him 30 bob."
Hadrian, in the toon, via text on 81111

1352: GOAL Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle
City may be a man down with Richard Dunne receiving treatment, but they're a goal up now. The excellent Martin Petrov races away down the left before clipping a delightful cross into the box which a stooping Emile Mpenza heads back across goal and in.

1350: Richard Dunne and James Milner are down in a heap moments after the start of the second 45 after a clash of heads. Dunne's come off second best, but both will be OK to carry on.

"Funnily enough, being the Arsenal fan I am, I'm sitting in work in the new Man United kit, with Vidic and the respective number on the back of it. My friends got it for me as a dare thinking I wouldn't wear it. They thought that so much that they put money on me not wearing it. I believe I'll be collecting 50 euro off my two mates tonight in the pub... hopefully relishing an Arsenal victory."
gunner_rossmcd on 606

Player rater: Obafemi Martins has a slight advantage and is your man of the half, with fellow scorer Martin Petrov and Micah Richards pushing hard for top honours.

"Are Man City the new Arsenal? Some of their passing has been top notch. Elano and Petrov look different class compared to the dross Newcastle are serving up."
Novelo on 606

1333: HALF-TIME Manchester City 1-1 Newcastle
The game is improving all the time, with fits and starts of real quality.

1331: James Milner heads an Obafemi Martins cross back into the six-yard box but the first head to the ball is that of Richard Dunne who helps his keeper out. Joe Hart needs it today.

1328: Do you think there's a special rate for managers who buy chewing gum by the box load? Both Sam Allardyce and watching England head coach Steve McClaren are chewing furiously. They should get sponsorship on their ties or suit lapels.

"No, I don't think there's a special rate for managers who buy chewing gum by the box load."
Pete, in Derry, via text on 81111
"Pete, you're wrong! I give Martin O'neill 20% when he buys a big box."
Scott, in Birmingham, via text on 81111

1327: Stephen Ireland breaks and is one-on-one with Shay Given, who stays as big as he can until the last minute to block the raider's effort.

1323: GOAL Manchester City 1-1 Newcastle
There's the leveller. Elano releases Stephen Ireland on the right and his rolled pass across the box is met by Martin Petrov who comes in with the speed and venom of a heat-seeking missile to lash in.

1321: This game is coming to life now. Martin Petrov's deflected shot from the left is parried by Shay Given and David Rozenhal prods the rebound behind.

1317: Joe Hart makes a right old mess of a backpass on the left of his goal which comes off his boot and trickles towards the goal. The keeper clears it off the line... just. Lucky. Kasper Schmeichel will probably be back inbetween the sticks next time out.

1315: GOAL Manchester City 0-1 Newcastle
Out of nothing a goal. And a great one at that. Geremi lofts a pass over the top which Obafemi Martins, who has bisected Micah Richards and Richard Dunne, controls with his left foot before dinking the ball past the on-rushing Joe Hart with his right. That's the first goal City have conceded at home this term.

1312: A neat backheel from Mark Viduka frees James Milner, but his shot on goal is terribly weak and easily saved.

1311: Stephen Ireland's cross from the right clips the bar.

"Can't see why Sven is playing Mpenza ahead of Bianchi, who is a far superior player. There is more to come from City, once Bojinov is fit he and Bianchi could be deadly."
moggydave1 on 606
Good counter from Hogcity on 606. Rolando Bianchi's injured. The next striker on the rank is Georgios Samaras.

1308: The grass really is nice... which is more than can be said of the football being played on it.

1304: A turn of pace from James Milner on the right as he nutmegs Javier Garrido en route to the byeline, but his pull back is cleared by Micah Richards.

1301: Manchester City striker Emile Mpenza pounces on a poor defensive header from Steven Teyalor but meekly prods the loose ball at Shay Given.

Player rater: If the groundsmen were listed you could give them 10 out of 10, but as it is you can only rate the players out in the middle. Get involved if the mood takes you at any stage of the match.

1257: Neat passing move from City and a brilliant save from Shay Given denies Martin Petrov's volleyed drive from the edge of the box. Up until that the best bit of the match had been the cut of the grass. Diagonal lines and lighter green diamond shapes. Easy on the eye and top marks to the groundsmen.

1252: Obafemi Martins breaks on the left and drives a cross into the box. Looks like Alan Smith, who has had the clippers out, was caught on his heels there as he fails to get on the end of it.

1251: The returning Shay Given is clearly a little rusty. He takes his time over clearing a backpass and Emile Mpenza blocks the clearance. Heart in mouth time for the travelling fans... and Given, but the Magpies clear.

1250: If you're heading off to any games today - or maternity wards - don't forget to drop us a line on 81111.

1249: A really quiet start at Eastlands is livened up by another message from Bookem. His wife hasn't given birth yet but Nwankwo tops the list for potential names. "The wife will be too out of it on her gas and air to argue" he tells us by text on 81111. Good wishes are flooding in for Mrs Bookem as well.

1246: They're up and running at Eastlands.

1243: Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce takes a slug from a bottle of water - not an actual slug, a gulp - as he settles into his seat high in the stands. Sven-Goran Eriksson is on the bench.

1241: The sun is shining, the weather is sweet, it makes you want to move those football feet and that is exactly what the Manchester City and Newcastle teams do, emerging from the tunnel.

"Man City to earn a hard fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle to go 2nd for at least a few hours. Micah Richards to get the winner."
Lokaka90 on 606

1234: The players have left the Eastlands arena and the stands are slowly filling up with Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' coming over the PA system. Nice. Football's nearly here.

1232: BBC commentator John Motson has had "a little chat" with John Terry, who told Motty he had nothing to do with Jose Mourinho's departure. In the match progamme skipper Terry has threatened to take legal action in response to reports he helped ease Mourinho out the door.

1230: So which three o'clock game haven't we touched on. Oh yeah, Sunderland v Blackburn. What Roy Keane would do for a young Nialll Quinn in attack. The Black Cats last beat Rovers at home in 2001 with a goal from the present chairman.

1226: Liverpool haven't conceded a league goal in six hours and 28 minutes. At the other end they've gone 192 minutes without scoring. That's three hours and 12 minutes. BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce is tipping Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt to start in attack.

"It is a media-based misconception that the majority of Liverpool fans are frustrated with the squad rotation. We trust the manager."
Anonymous, via text on 81111
"Rafael Benitez has either been kidnapped by Manchester United or Chelsea fans and brainwashed or is simply stupid. Stop wrapping these players in cotton wool. They're supposed to play as many games as possible."
jpalongo on 606

1225: No crackerjack draws in the Carling Cup fourth-round draw, but talking of Liverpool, former Red Robbie Fowler will be returning to Anfield with new side Cardiff.

1223: Just up the road from Manchester, Wigan are hosting Liverpool. The Latics, who have not won any of their last five games, have never beaten the Reds.

1219: Sven-Goran Eriksson is looking dapper on the touchline at Eastlands as he keeps an eye on his Manchester City team warming up. Nice weather in Manchester by the looks of it.

1211: Didier Drogba looks set to return for Chelsea and is strolling around Stamford Bridge with his headphones on. Fulham last won at Chelsea in 1979. Jose Mourinho never lost a home league game and this promises to be a wake for the 'Special One' as it's the club's first home game since he went, or was 'evicted' as Drogba calls it.

"Could this possibly be the most boring match day of the season so far?"
jpalongo on 606
No. It's better than Everton against Middlesbrough tomorrow and have you seen next Saturday's line-up? Just two games! Aston Villa v West Ham and Manchester United v Wigan.

1203: TEAM NEWS Manchester City v Newcastle
Kasper Schmeichel has been dropped and Joe Hart gets a start in the City goal. A change between the sticks for the visitors as well with Shay Given replacing Steve Harper. Steven Taylor and Obafemi Martins play.

1200: Sport on Five is up and running on BBC Radio 5live. Mark Pougatch is at Stamford Bridge and you can tune in on 693 or 909 MW.

1156: It is 10 years and two days since Reading last won at Fratton Park, and considering their respective form - Pompey have yet to lose at home and the Royals have yet to win away - you've got to think Bookem, his wife and Junior Bookem will oversee a home win from afar. Any names in the melting pot or are you going with the first scorer? Sulley, Sol or Nwankwo?

1155: A great little tale reaches us from Portsmouth, who are playing Reading today. Over to you Bookem...
"The missus is due to go into labour today so can't go to Fratton Park, how inconvenient. But the hospital is almost next to the ground and has a delivery room overlooking it! Gonna feed her a curry to try and get her in for kick-off!
Bookem, via text on 81111
You old romantic. Lamb bhuna for breakfast was it? Keep us updated. Would love to break news of a birth today.

1151: So what of the other games today? West Ham and Arsenal are getting some real heat on 606...
"West Ham will beat Arsenal for the pure reason they know and believe they can beat them."
dirk-kuyt18 on 606
"When will people stop predicting the demise of Arsenal? if we win today people have got to start taking the Gunners seriously."
Gael force on 606

1145: And just 15 minutes until Sport on Five starts on BBC Radio 5live with Mark Pougatch. Mike Ingham and Alan Green are at Eastlands with Jan Molby for that Manchester City v Newcastle game. John Murray and Steve Claridge will be keeping across West Ham and Arsenal from three. And the two Ians - Brown and Dennis - will be commentating on Birmingham and Manchester United from 1715, with Graham Taylor in the summariser's seat.

1140: Half an hour until Football Focus on BBC One. Steven Gerrard's the headline act on that today.

1136: Fatboyjohnmulhern predicts a 0-0 draw, but since Newcastle have failed to keep a clean sheet in their 16 games away from home since last playing City is that really realistic? City have scored in every home game this season. In fact, all their home games have ended 1-0. Consistent City. Who would have thought it?

"Never be 0-0 with the Magpies - either defence is gonna give and Martins for a hat-trick."
Gavyn, in Wales, via text
Persistent is that Gavyn as he clock watches at work before heading off to watch the game. Told you he liked Obafemi Martins.

1134: Some early predictions coming in for Manchester City against Newcastle. While Lawro reckons it will be a 1-1 draw, Gavyn and blacknwhitegeps are tipping Newcastle all the way, with James Milner and Obafemi Martins having storming games.

"I'm guessing that Arsenal will keep their spot at the top while Birmingham will put up a fight against Man Utd but will succumb under all the pressure."
sunillcfcp on 606
"West Ham to beat Arsenal. We are their bogey team."
spuffman on 606
Good point succintly made. The Hammers did the double over the Gunners last season and have won that fixture at the last three times of asking. BBC pundit and pinsticker Mark Lawrenson reckons they will make it four today.

1124: Last but by no means least is the late game between Birmingham and Manchester United. City haven't won that fixture in the last 19 attempts so it seems pretty clear what will happen... although we said that about Coventry in midweek as well.

1122: But the joker in the pack could come at Pride Park where Derby host Bolton - 20th v 19th in the Premier League. County's abject displays on the road are one thing, but lose this and they really will be struggling this season. If Wanderers lose boss Sammy Lee could be for the chop. High stakes indeed.

1121: Three o'clock is the time for those with big hands to fan out the deck as there are six games starting and three of them involve three of the 'big four' - Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. That's doesn't often happen. Clearly one of those weekends where the TV men give a patronising pat on the back to lesser clubs to fulfil their quota system of dishing out games.

1118: So what is on the cards today? The first in your hand features Manchester City against Newcastle at 1245 BST. City can go level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table, while the Magpies can leapfrog their hosts and go second with a win.

1115: Who's going to a game today and which one is it?

1113: These things start earlier and earlier and with a full football match's worth of time before a football match starts you are vital to proceedings. Drop us a line on all things football via 606 or the wonders of your mobile with a text to 81111.

1110: Startling news in the world of football today involving Thierry Henry. One of the things he misses most about living and playing in England is eating bread and butter pudding. And you thought it was all protein shakes these days.