Premier League LIVE: Southampton relegated, Liverpool handed rare defeat after ‘calamitous’ defending, Manchester derby up next

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Live Blog

Updated: 16:00, 6 Apr 2025

The Premier League is back after a hiatus, and we're in for a bumper Sunday of top-flight action.

Arsenal dropped more points on Saturday as the title slipped further and further away from their grasp.

However, Liverpool failed to capitalise as they were handed just their second league loss under Arne Slot at Fulham.

Southampton have become the first team relegated this season after a loss to Spurs confirmed their unfortunate fate.

Up next, the Manchester derby wraps things up for the weekend, as Man United and Man City go head-to-head at Old Trafford.

Premier League gameweek 31 fixtures

Saturday, April 5

Everton 1-1 ArsenalCrystal Palace 2-1 BrightonIpswich 1-2 WolvesWest Ham 2-2 BournemouthAston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Sunday, April 6

Brentford 0-0 ChelseaFulham 3-2 LiverpoolTottenham 3-1 Southampton4:30pm - Manchester United vs Manchester City

Monday, April 7

8pm: Leicester vs Newcastle - live on talkSPORT
Keep up to date with all of the latest football odds at talkSPORT BET

Full time

It's all over at Craven Cottage!

Liverpool have been beaten by Fulham and handed just their second Premier League loss under Arne Slot.

What a result for the Cottagers after the Reds' collapse in the first half let the game get away from them.

They're still on their way to the title, but this is a bump in the road.

Chelsea have failed to score against Brentford and that game has ended goalless, which is a missed opportunity for the Blues.

Enzo Maresca's rotation hasn't paid off and he could see his side drop out of the top four later this evening.

The game between Spurs and Southampton is still going.

GOAL! Totttenham 2-1 Southampton: Mateus Fernandes

Surely Southampton can't come back here?!

They've got one back at the start of stoppage time.

Mateus Fernandes has ignited some very late hope for the Saints.

They HAVE to score again to prevent relegation.

Could a potential 'Spursy' Hall of Fame moment happen next?

Final stages

Liverpool are throwing everything at it.

But so far, Fulham have been holding out and they now have less than five minutes to hang on to a big win.

Chelsea still haven't scored against Brentford and Enzo Fernandez's shot is the closest they've come late on.

Southampton still trail Spurs and relegation looms.

We're well into the final stages around the grounds...

Off the bar!

Oh wow, how close can you get?!

Harvey Elliott almost scores a stunner against his former club, curling an incredible effort towards the top corner.

He cuts in onto his left foot and strikes, but it cannons back off the crossbar and Arne Slot can't believe it.

Liverpool are going all out for an equaliser now.

They've got 10 minutes to find one.

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot (R) gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Piling on pressure

Chelsea are really pushing for a winner at Brentford.

They've had 12 shots in the second half to the Bees' zero.

Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has been forced into five saves this afternoon, keeping his clean sheet intact.

Enzo Maresca will face some criticism if his side don't win this after deciding to rotate his side.

Dropped points would mean Man City have a chance to move up into the top four at their expense...

GOAL! Fulham 3-2 Liverpool: Luis Diaz

THERE'S A GOAL BACK!

Liverpool have given themselves a fighting chance!

Luis Diaz comes off the bench to poke past Bernd Leno and reignite hopes of avoiding just a second league defeat.

The Reds have just over 15 minutes to score another!

Conor Bradley, who has just come on, drives towards the box and slots Diaz in before the Colombian finishes well.

Game on!

Liverpool's Colombian midfielder #07 Luis Diaz reacts after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Oh no, Mo

It's not been Mohamed Salah's day so far.

He's only just had his first shot of the game and he's only had 29 touches of the ball after 65 minutes.

The Egyptian is usually so impactful for Liverpool, setting records almost every week with his scoring form.

However, he's been incredibly quiet this afternoon and the Reds have clearly been lacking his quality.

That first shot of the game for Salah was a free volley in the box but he scuffed it well over the bar.

Making changes

Arne Slot has acted as Liverpool look to fight back.

The Reds are probing and pressing but they're yet to really test Fulham since Diogo Jota's chance.

Harvey Elliott and Luis Diaz have come on to try and make a difference, replacing Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Elliott was booed on by some Cottagers fans after he left the club to join their opponents today.

At the Gtech Community Stadium, Cole Palmer is on for Chelsea as they look to score the opener against Brentford.

We're into the last half an hour...

 Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool on the side line during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on April 6, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Chelsea's English midfielder #22 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (R) leaves the pitch after being substituted off for Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Team news!

The teams are in for this afternoon's Manchester derby!

Luke Shaw is back in the Red Devils squad for the first time since December, as talkSPORT reported earlier today.

Matthijs De Ligt is out though, with Harry Maguire replacing him the only change made by Ruben Amorim.

As for Man City, Jack Grealish, Nico Gonzalez, and Savinho drop out.

Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic come in.

Man United XI: Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.

Subs: Bayindir, Amass, Kukonki, Lindelof, Shaw, Eriksen, Mount, Obi, Zirkzee.

Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Marmoush.

Subs: Ortega Moreno, Grealish, Doku, Gonzalez, Reis, Savinho, Khusanov, Lewis, McAtee.

   Luke Shaw of Manchester United looks on in the dressing room prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC at Old Trafford on April 5, 2025 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Diogo denied

Diogo Jota comes very close to bringing Liverpool back into this game, but Bernd Leno saves well.

The Fulham goalkeeper charges out and reads Jota's poked shot towards the near post, palming it wide.

It's a bright start to the half for the Reds and they needed it to be as they're two goals behind.

They've dominated the ball since the break.

Back underway!

The second halves are underway around the grounds.

Liverpool have a massive task to turn things around.

The Reds haven't won a Premier League game in which they've been 2+ goals down at half time since October 2008 at Manchester City (3-2), losing their 22 such games since.

Southampton have 45 minutes to save their top-flight status, while Chelsea are eyeing an important opener at Brentford.

Nicolas Jackson is on for the Blues for the second half.

Team news for the Manchester derby is coming up soon too...

Unwanted history

Liverpool have conceded three goals in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time since their 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa in October 2020 (1-4 at HT).

It's the first time ever they've conceded three in the first half after having scored the opening goal of a match in the competition.

On top of that, the Reds are trailing by 2+ goals at half time in the league for the first time since February 2023 at Wolves.

Who saw that coming?!

 Andrew Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool look dejected after Alex Iwobi of Fulham scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on April 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Half time

The half-time whistles have blown!

And we've had no shortage of action in the Premier League.

Liverpool were ahead after 14 minutes but a quick collapse saw them concede three goals and they're trailing.

What has happened to the Reds' defence today?

Meanwhile, Tottenham are 2-0 up against Southampton, with the Saints set to be relegated this afternoon.

For Chelsea, their clash with Brentford is goalless at the break and Enzo Maresca's rotation may not be paying off.

Fulham 3-1 Liverpool Tottenham 2-0 Southampton Brentford 0-0 Chelsea

GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Southampton: Brennan Johnson

This one counts! Spurs are 2-0 up!

Brennan Johnson has his second goal of the game as he finishes following a header from James Maddison.

They've been piling pressure on Southampton and despite some shots from the Saints, they're massively struggling.

Ivan Juric's men are heading towards relegation.

 Aaron Ramsdale of Southampton looks on alongside teammates as they wait on a VAR decision on Tottenham Hotspur's second goal of the game during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Ruled out

Spurs are denied a second against Southampton.

Pedro Porro's free-kick is headed back across goal by Cristian Romero and Lucas Bergvall is there to poke home.

That would have been Bergvall's first Premier League goal.

However, after a very long VAR check followed to check for an offside on Romero, it was ruled out.

Southampton are given a lifeline.

GOAL! Fulham 3-1 Liverpool: Rodrigo Muniz

IT'S ANOTHER FOR FULHAM!

Rodrigo Muniz, that is brilliant!

He takes a super touch and turns into space in the box before firing under Caoimhin Keller and making it 3-1.

That's three goals in less than 15 minutes for the hosts.

Liverpool are shell-shocked at the back and it was poor from them again after Andy Robertson's errors.

talkSPORT reporter Jake Robson: "It was calamitous from Andy Robertson. He played a ball across his own box, he found Alex Iwobi.

“Again, it was calamitous stuff from Liverpool. Muniz gets the better of Van Dijk and he calmly slots it past Kelleher."

 Rodrigo Muniz of Fulham celebrates after scoring their side's third goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on April 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images)

GOAL! Fulham 2-1 Liverpool: Alex Iwobi

WHAT A TURNAROUND!

Alex Iwobi puts Fulham in front with a superb left-footed strike into the back of the net!

It's really poor from Andy Robertson who passes straight to the hosts across the box and allows them to attack.

He then messes up his headed clearance and ends up deflecting Iwobi's shot into the back of the net.

It's a nightmare for Robertson!

Still goalless

Meanwhile, at the Gtech Community Stadium, it's goalless.

A rotated Chelsea side have a tough challenge on their hands and Yoane Wissa is already causing issues.

He's had a couple of shots at goal along with Mikkel Damsgaard, while the Blues have had some of their own through Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku.

The first goal will be very important in that game.

We're about to reach the half-hour mark.

Chelsea's English defender #24 Reece James (L) and Brentford's French-born Cameroonian striker #19 Bryan Mbeumo vie for the ball during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Liverpool: Ryan Sessegnon

FULHAM ARE LEVEL!

Ryan Sessegnon continues his impressive streak on his first Craven Cottage start for almost six years!

Curtis Jones fails to clear a cross and the ball drops to Sessegnon who smashes in with his left foot.

He's has now scored more league goals following his return to Fulham last summer (3) than he managed for Tottenham (2) following his move to Spurs in 2019.

Liverpool are pegged back!

Fulham's English midfielder #30 Ryan Sessegnon celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Southampton: Brennan Johnson

At the same time, Spurs score!

They've completely dominated the early stages against Southampton and now they're in front.

Brennan Johnson smashes in from Djed Spence's cross.

As things stand, the Saints are relegated from the Premier League and they've got a mountain to climb to prevent it.

 Brennan Johnson of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal  during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

GOAL! Fulham 0-1 Liverpool: Alexis Mac Allister

LIVERPOOL TAKE THE LEAD AT CRAVEN COTTAGE!

AND WHAT A STUNNER FROM ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER!

He absolutely rifles into the top corner from the edge of the box after Ryan Gravenberch wins the ball back.

Mac Allister receives the ball in midfield and drives towards goal, before unleashing a superb strike.

Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder #10 Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage in London on April 6, 2025. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Nervy start

Oh wow, Ibrahima Konate is a lucky boy.

The Liverpool centre-back loses the ball deep inside his own box, easily allowing Andreas Pereira to steal in.

However, after Pereira gets a touch before Caiomhin Kelleher trying to find Rodrigo Muniz, Virgil van Dijk steps in.

He pushes across Muniz and forces him over, with some strong appeals for a penalty but the Reds captain gets away with it.

A Premier League statement on the decision read: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Fulham following a challenge by Kelleher on Pereira was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed a coming together and not a reckless action.

"The VAR also checked and cleared the incident between van Dijk and Muniz."

Luke who's back

Luke Shaw is set to be named in Manchester United's squad for the first time since December, talkSPORT understands.

Shaw hasn't appeared in any capacity for the Red Devils since coming off the bench against Everton last year.

That was Ruben Amorim's first home Premier League game in charge and his side won 4-0.

The left-back is finally set to return after over 100 days out and he'll be in the United squad for the derby at Old Trafford.

In some more early team news, Matthijs De Ligt is unlikely to feature against Manchester City.

It means Harry Maguire could come back into the defence.

 Luke Shaw of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 1, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Kick-off!

We're underway in the 2pms!

Liverpool can move to within eight points of winning the Premier League title if they beat Fulham.

Meanwhile, Chelsea can close the gap to third-place Nottingham Forest in their hunt for Champions League football.

And Southampton have to avoid defeat against Spurs to prevent relegation from the top-flight this afternoon.

Stick with us for regular updates, with coverage of the Manchester derby coming up later on today.

 Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (R) high fives teammate Virgil van Dijk during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on April 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

'Just the game plan'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has explained why he has made five changes to his team, with Cole Palmer benched.

Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Nicolas Jackson have all dropped out of the Blues side.

Maresca said: "It's just the game plan. The ones that are going to start I think are going to be the right ones."

He was then asked whether having a busy schedule was a factor, with a Europa Conference League quarter-final coming up on Thursday.

And Maresca continued: "Also for that, also because we have players back from injury.

"So two games in 48-72 hours is not the best thing to do after a long time [out], and we try to manage it a little bit."

Credit: Getty
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