At least one farewell is going to script. Southampton’s Europa League hopes take a dent as Frank Lampard nets on his final Premier League appearance, latching on to a low James Milner pass.

Liverpool are falling apart at Stoke! It’s taken just 30 minutes for the Potters to build a comfortable lead as Jon Walters pounces on his own rebound to put Stoke 3-0 up.

Bizarre scenes at Stamford Bridge, as Didier Drogba is substituted and in celebration is carried off the pitch by his team-mates as Diego Costa replaces him. I’ve never seen anything like it!

Simon Mignolet should probably do more with this, but Mame Diouf won’t care as his drive goes through the hands of the Liverpool keeper to double the host’s lead.

Another team playing party poopers this afternoon! Sunderland take a shock lead at the home of the new champions as Steven Fletcher nods home.

Problems for Manchester United as Angel di Maria limps off to be replaced by Adnan Januzaj.

Former Everton defender Eric Dier whips in a cross for Harry Kane to nod home for Spurs – who take a deserved lead.

What is it with teams ruining Steven Gerrard farewells. Stoke have started brightly at the Britannia and take the lead through a Mame Diouf tap in after a Charlie Adam effort.

‘Hazard with one of the passes of the season from the left, a faded crossfield ball into the onrushing figure of Ivanovic. Appeals for a penalty, not given.’

Pure drama at Hull! The hosts have had TWO goals disallowed for offside (correctly) while Ahmed Elmohamady has seen a header superbly saved by Valdes.

‘It’s kicking off in the Sunderland end between fans and stewards as the latter confiscate a giant inflatable penis. Yes, really, although it’s of course dedicated to soon-to-depart coach Dick Advocaat.

‘Fans from both sides in Stamford Bridge’s Shed End sing ‘We want our dick back’. Given Sunderland’s turnaround under the Dutch coach that can probably be taken in more than one way.’

Arsenal are playing for nothing, but you wouldn’t have thought it as they are battering West Brom. Now Jack Wilshere is on the score sheet with a blistering strike into top corner. Sensational!

Alex McCarthy spills a long range effort and pouncing on the rebound is Jamie Vardy who scores his first goal at the King Power Stadium since netting against Manchester United in that unforgettable 5-3 game in September.

Maybe Theo Walcott should play as a central striker more often. It’s taken 15 minutes for the England international to grab a brace this afternoon, as the Gunners tear into the Baggies early on at the Emirates Stadium.

‘Bright start here from Hull, who are full of energy and running. Steve Bruce – vocally backed here before kick-off – will have wanted his team to get on the front foot early and they have done.

‘For United, Di Maria has been involved already down the left but Van Gaal’s logic of moving Young infield from the position where he has played so well recently would appear to be questionable.’

‘Charles N’Zogbia is playing left-back. That is all.’

‘This game looks as if it could offer some excitement but no real chances just yet. The away end looks resplendent, by the way, after Swansea handed free white shirts to every fan who bought a ticket. Party atmosphere here.’

‘A Spurs win would guarantee them Europa League football for the fifth consecutive season. But it doesn’t seem to have put them off, they have started the brightest at Goodison and Lamela has nearly slipped in Eriksen.’

Not a great start to Jed Steer’s top flight debut in the Villa goal, as he is beaten by a looping header from Danny Ings.

‘Atmosphere is terrific here. Frantic start. Newcastle with a chance after 50 seconds, which Manuel Riviera somehow shoots across goal from close range, then straight up the other end Mike Williamson appears to trip Enner Valencia. Referee Martin Atkinson gives nothing.’

Theo Walcott starts up front and it only takes him five minutes to score as the Gunners take the lead against West Brom at the Emirates Stadium.

‘Shades of John Redwood trying to sing the Wales national anthem there as Abramovich is shown on TV attempting the words to Chelsea anthem Blue is the Colour.’

‘As sometimes happens when Arsenal are in contract talks with Theo Walcott, he gets a rare game at centre-forward.’

‘I’m convinced Newcastle United are incapable of saving themselves here. They certainly won’t be able to blame the support, who have just afforded them a barely deserved rousing welcome. Here we go…’

‘Bojan Krkic has just come out on to the field at the Britannia Stadium. Currently recovering from a cruciate injury, the stadium announcer has just described him as ‘a legend already’ and those in their seats have given him a thunderous ovation.

”I’m really happy to be back here,’ says Bojan. Liverpool’s away end is muted so far. Raheem Sterling, dropped to the bench, has been given little attention.

‘The away end has filled up now and Raheem Sterling has just got a hot reception as he walked in after the pre-match warm up. No doubt the feelings of the Liverpool fans after the events of the past week.’

‘I can’t have imagined it from Christmas,’ Ashley told Sky Sports. ‘I didn’t anticipate we would be near this situation. In the last couple of weeks I’m a little shocked where we find ourselves.

‘It stops at my door. I will continue to invest in the club if we get relegated. The only positive is we have a club on sound financial footing. We can punch above our weight if we stay up.

‘I will not be selling this club until we win a trophy, and when I say win something that includes getting a Champions League place.’

Crystal Palace recall Brede Hangeland, Wilfried Zaha and Mile Jedinak for their Barclays Premier League clash with Swansea.

There are four changes to the Swansea side defeated 4-2 by Manchester City, with Kyle Bartley, Kyle Naughton, Marvin Emnes and Leon Britton starting at Selhurst Park.

Swansea are guaranteed to finish in eighth place while Palace could finish as high as 10th.

Roberto Martinez hands a home debut to teenage left-back Brendan Galloway for Everton’s final game of this season against Tottenham at Goodison Park.

Kevin Mirallas replaces Spurs loanee Aaron Lennon in the only change from the XI which startsed in the victory at West Ham while outgoing defender Sylvain Distin is included among the substitutes.

Retiring goalkeeper Brad Friedel is not part of the Spurs squad, with the club confirming he is missing because of a shin injury, and left-back Danny Rose is also absent due to a dead leg, with Mousa Dembele coming into the starting line-up instead.

Leading scorer Papiss Cisse returns to the Newcastle starting line-up for the final-day clash with West Ham as the Magpies look for a victory to end their Barclays Premier League relegation fears.

The 11-goal striker replaces Ayoze Perez, who is named among the substitutes, in one of three changes to the side which lost at QPR with Mike Williamson returning from suspension along with Vurnon Anita in place of Ryan Taylor and Remy Cabella.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce makes two changes for what is thought to be his final game in charge as he replaced the injured James Collins and Mark Noble with Reece Burke and former Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan.

Frank Lampard is given the honour of captaining Manchester City for his final competitive appearance in England before moving to the United States.

The New York City-bound former England midfielder takes the armband as City host Southampton in their last Barclays Premier League game of the season.

Fellow midfielder James Milner, who could leave the club this summer, also starts while regular skipper Vincent Kompany remains on the bench.

For Saints, veteran goalkeeper Kelvin Davis returns in place of Paulo Gazzaniga to make his 300th appearance for the club and midfielder Filip Djuricic also features.

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is left out of the starting line-up for the club’s final match of the season at Stoke after a week of headlines about his contract negotiations.

The 20-year-old is left on the bench for the first time in 18 matches as manager Brendan Rodgers makes three changes, with Dejan Lovren and Jordon Ibe also left out as Mamadou Sakho plays his first game since April 8 and Steven Gerrard makes his final appearance for the club.

Stoke make one change, with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic returning at the expense of Jack Butland.

‘Kevin Nolan received a warm reception from the Newcastle fans at St James’ Park as he applauded them during the warm-up.

‘He’ll know all about what his opponents are going through today, having been part of the relegated team in 2009.’

England new boys Jamie Vardy and Charlie Austin are set for a head-to-head shoot-out at the King Power Stadium as both strikers start in the Barclays Premier League game between Leicester and QPR.

Vardy is part of an unchanged Leicester team which secured their top-survival with a goalless draw at Sunderland last weekend and could finish the season as high as 14th.

Relegated Rangers make three changes with goalkeeper Alex McCarthy coming in for Rob Green (concussion), Yun Suk-young replacing Steven Caulker (broken hand) and Republic of Ireland youth international Reece Grego-Cox getting the nod over Junior Hoilett to make his full first-team debut.

Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are given an opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the FA Cup final when starting Arsenal’s last Barclays Premier League match against West Brom at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel comes into central defence as manager Arsene Wenger selects a couple of changes from the midweek goalless draw with Sunderland.

Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes an unexpected appearance on the substitutes’ bench having been sidelined since the start of March with injury.

West Brom are unchanged from the side which beat champions Chelsea 3-0 earlier in the week. Manager Tony Pulis hands places in the matchday squad to 18-year-old goalkeeper Alex Palmer and 16-year-old Tyler Roberts.

‘Sam Allardyce, in charge for what is expected to be the last time at West Ham, is not giving Newcastle an easy ride as they bid to avoid the drop.

‘He has named a strong line-up for the match at St James’ Park. Relative calm around the stadium before kick-off and the teams are now out warming up.’

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Hangeland, Souare, Puncheon, Jedinak, McArthur, Zaha, Chamakh, Bolasie.
Subs: Speroni, Campbell, Murray, Mutch, Lee, Delaney, Kelly.

Swansea: Fabianski, Richards, Fernandez, Bartley, Naughton, Cork, Britton, Emnes, Dyer, Montero, Gomis.
Subs: Grimes, Rangel, Tremmel, Hanley, Fulton, Barrow, Gorre.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

Didier Drogba captains Chelsea on his final appearance as the Premier League champions play Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.

The 37-year-old striker earlier in the day announced his one-season second spell was at an end and he is joined in the starting XI by goalkeeper Petr Cech, another who could leave this summer after long and distinguished service.

Eden Hazard also starts despite requiring emergency dental surgery during the week, while Sunderland, for whom manager Dick Advocaat could be bidding farewell, starts with Vito Mannone in goal, Jack Rodwell in midfield and Steven Fletcher up front.

Aston Villa: Steer, Bacuna, Vlaar, Baker, N’Zogbia, Cleverley, Westwood, Delph, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Grealish.
Subs: Guzan, Sinclair, Weimann, Hutton, Sanchez, Green, Robinson.

Burnley: Heaton, Trippier, Keane, Shackell, Mee, Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Ulvestad, Barnes, Ings. Subs: Duff, Vokes, Kightly, Taylor, Reid, Jutkiewicz, Gilks.

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs, Cazorla, Coquelin, Wilshere, Ozil, Sanchez, Walcott. Subs: Szczesny, Koscielny, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Monreal, Flamini.

West Brom: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Morrison, Yacob, Fletcher, McManaman, Berahino, Brunt. Subs: Baird, Gardner, Ideye, Anichebe, Gamboa, Roberts, Palmer.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

Goalkeeper Jed Steer is handed his Barclays Premier League debut for Aston Villa against Burnley two years after signing for the club.

The 22-year-old had played in the cup competitions but Shay Given and Brad Guzan are rested ahead of next week’s FA Cup final against Arsenal, while Nathan Baker returns from a knee injury and Gabby Agbonlahor is also recalled.

Relegated Burnley hand Fredrik Ulvestad his full debut after he joined in March while Michael Keane replaces Michael Duff.

Victor Valdes makes his full Manchester United debut as Louis van Gaal’s side look to send Hull down with victory at the KC Stadium.

David de Gea fails to overcome his hamstring injury and is left out of the squad, which means Valdes makes his first start since suffering a serious knee injury for Barcelona 14 months ago.

Angel di Maria replaces Marouane Fellaini in midfield and captain Wayne Rooney comes in for Radamel Falcao, who does not make the bench.

Hull, who must win to stand any chance of avoiding relegation, name the same starting XI that lost at Tottenham last weekend.

‘Smiles and plenty of them at Selhurst Park this afternoon. With good reason, too. This has been a super season for both Palace and Swansea. And they’re both taking this very seriously indeed – no kids start and near full strength XIs.’

Leicester: Schmeichel, Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan, Albrighton, Cambiasso, King, Schlupp, Mahrez, Ulloa, Vardy. Subs: De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Hammond, Schwarzer, Wood, Kramaric.

QPR: McCarthy, Onuoha, Dunne, Hill, Yun, Phillips, Henry, Barton, Fer, Austin, Grego-Cox. Subs: Murphy, Hoilett, Doughty, Furlong, Comley, Petrasso, Kpekawa.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Lampard, Milner, Toure, Silva, Aguero.
Subs: Sagna, Kompany, Dzeko, Caballero, Bony, Jesus Navas, Jovetic.

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Wanyama, Steven Davis, Long, Djuricic, Mane, Pelle.
Subs: Yoshida, Gardos, Ward-Prowse, Elia, Gazzaniga, Reed, Targett.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Matic, Cuadrado, Willian, Hazard, Drogba.
Subs: Luis, Courtois, Remy, Costa, Christensen, Boga, Solanke.

Sunderland: Mannone, Jones, Coates, O’Shea, Van Aanholt, Johnson, Larsson, Rodwell, Wickham, Defoe, Fletcher.
Subs: Cattermole, Pickford, Reveillere, Graham, Giaccherini, Vergini, Buckley.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Everton: Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway, McCarthy, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley, Osman, Lukaku.
Subs: Robles, McGeady, Kone, Naismith, Distin, Besic, Atsu.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Lamela, Bentaleb, Mason, Dembele, Chadli, Eriksen, Kane.
Subs: Soldado, Yedlin, Vorm, Townsend, Stambouli, Winks, Onomah.

Referee: Jonathan Moss (W Yorkshire)

Newcastle: Krul, Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Colback, Anita, Riviere, Sissoko, Gutierrez, Cisse.
Subs: Ryan Taylor, De Jong, Gouffran, Perez, Cabella, Ameobi, Woodman.

West Ham: Adrian, Reid, Jenkinson, Burke, Cresswell, Song, Nolan, Valencia, Kouyate, Downing, Cole.
Subs: Tomkins, Jarvis, Nene, O’Brien, Amalfitano, Jaaskelainen, Lee.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Arnautovic, Adam, Diouf, Walters.
Subs: Ireland, Odemwingie, Wilson, Sidwell, Butland, Crouch, Wollscheid.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Henderson, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Lallana, Coutinho.
Subs: Toure, Lovren, Lambert, Sterling, Ibe, Markovic, Ward.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Hull: Harper, Chester, Dawson, McShane, Elmohamady, Meyler, Huddlestone, Quinn, Brady, N’Doye, Jelavic. Subs: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Hernandez, Sagbo, Aluko, Robertson.

Man Utd: Valdes, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Mata, Ander Herrera, Di Maria, Young, Rooney. Subs: Januzaj, Lindegaard, van Persie, Fellaini, McNair, Blackett, Wilson.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Lallana, Coutinho.

Valdes, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Blind, Herrera, Di Maria, Mata, Young, Rooney.

There is a party atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea fans arrive for the final game of the season against Sunderland. 

They will be lifting the Premier League trophy after the full-time whistle so make sure you stick around for all of the post-match reaction.

Back to the now though, and with just an hour until kick-off the team news will be coming next…

Only a freak mathematical point and goal swing can deny Arsenal third place, and here are the Gunners arriving for their final game of the season against West Brom at the Emirates Stadium. 

Drogba, Lampard, Allardyce, Falcao, Hull/Newcastle (delete as applicable). It really does feel like an afternoon of farewells.

I of course missed off a big name from that list and that’s Steven Gerrard who has arrived at the Britannia Stadium for his last Reds game.

That’s because the striker, who is on £280,000 a week, has been told by the club they will not extend his loan from Monaco into a permanent switch.

The Colombia striker is willing to stay in the top flight though and will even drop his wages in an attempt to find a club. Would you be happy for your club to take a chance on him? More news on the above link

And it’s not quite as simple as the relegation shootout.

There are at least three places available to the Premier League (including fair play) but the FA Cup final has a massive say on how the final order will all shake out.

Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton can all still finish fifth to guarantee a group stage spot, but it’s up in the air after that so to keep things simple just read the guide on the above link over ALL the possible scenarios!

‘A passionate plea for support from John Carver in the match programme. ‘Nobody wants this club to be in the Championship next season so please, put all your frustrations and grievances aside for 90 minutes, get behind the team and play your part in hopefully keeping us in the Premier League.”

It’s going to be a mixed day for the former Manchester United manager. As ever he would love to see his Red Devils win, but his former centre-back at the club Steve Bruce is in charge of a Hull team that will be relegated if they don’t taste victory.

The striker has announced he will be playing his final Blues game today, and you can read more on his exit on the above link.

I wonder if he will add his name to the champions wall outside Stamford Bridge before he departs?

And the West Ham boss is looking in a jolly good mood as he hopes for victory against his former club (which could send them down!)

It’s expected that Allardyce will leave West Ham this summer, but is it the right time to go? On the above link Daily Mail’s Head of Sport Lee Clayton assesses whether the East London club should end his four-year tenure.

Southampton travel to Manchester City hoping to book a Europa League spot, but for the home fans the focus will be on Frank Lampard who will leave the club and the Premier League ahead of his departure to New York City.

Click here for more fixtures, tables and results with our excellent Match Zone

It’s quite simple, folks, Hull must win against Manchester United and hope Newcastle fail to beat West Ham to stay up.

The Toon only need to match what the Tigers do to avoid being dragged into the Championship along with the already relegated Burnley and QPR.

Click here for more fixtures, tables and results with our excellent Match Zone

We will have more on this story very shortly, but Didier Drogba has revealed on Instagram that today will be his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt, but he is not retiring.

There appears to be life in the old Drog yet because even at the age of 37-years-old he states a desire to continue playing for another year. So where will he end up? Would you have him at your Premier League side?

There will be no Phil Brown singing about how this is the best trip he has ever been on (he should have done that yesterday), and unlike six years ago Hull this time must beat Manchester United to even have a chance of staying up and sending Newcastle down.

All eyes this afternoon will be on events at St James’ Park and the KC Stadium as the relegation battle goes down to the final day!

Good afternoon all, welcome to the final set of fixtures of the 2014-15 Barclays Premier League season.