1m) of dry weather with one or two showers. temperatures higher than they have been. we could be looking at values of up to about 19 degrees. thanks, ben. and that's bbc news at six. the news continues here on bbc one, as now it's time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news where you are. goodnight. as high pressure starts to build back in on monday. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm jane dougall. the master and his apprentice go head to head in a crucial match which could shape the title race. where at bromelain for sheffield united against west from which i've been where a win for the blades could guarantee promotion. and smiling after surgery. england's lucy bronze updates us

on her knee injury — but will she be ok for the world cup? also coming up on sportsday... a huge scalp taken in the world snooker championship — seven time winner ronnie o'sullivan is out. we'll show you how belgian luca brecel beat him. plus, emma raducanu is out the madrid open — and it could seriously impact her world ranking. welcome to the programme. it's been billed as the title decider and — while tonights match between manchester city

and arsenal won't crown them champions — it will change the dynamic of the league. if city win they will be just two points behind arsenal with two games in hand. if arsenal win, then they will go eight points clear at the top of the table. patrick geary reports. commentator: another arsenal win. the champions have come here to the emirates and they have won. what a significant moment this could be for arsenal! _ a 10th win in a row for manchester city. a missed opportunity for arsenal. only time will tell howi pivotal tonight will be. in a title race, there are no finals. the twists and turns you've just seen might be significant or irrelevant, but at dusk it will feel like east manchester is hosting a showdown. the contenders, arsenal. five points clear but staggering of late.

manchester city, with games in hand, are chasing notjust the title but a treble. i think it was always going to come down to this game. when i looked at the fixture list, you know, manchester city versus arsenal and the way arsenal have performed to get here, city are performing as well now. so there's no excuses any more. this is the one that arsenal need a result in and city can virtually knock arsenal out. arsenal fans are in a strange place, both delighted and deflated at their position. no—one thought this young team would lead the league at this point, but three points from their last three matches has let the air out of their cushion. now, against one of the greatest club sides in the world, they must feel they belong. having someone that you looked at and said, "this is a level," pushes everybody. you know, because even though you say, "maybe this level is enough," here, the level is there, and you have to say that, you have to every single day. and that's an inspiration as well. you have to use it that way.

the two teams are intertwined. mikel arteta was pep guardiola's assistant at manchester city. oleksandr zinchenko and gabrieljesus moved from city to arsenal last summer. they know more than anyone what fuels city — a team hunting three trophies that knows notjust how to win, but when it's important. when we start the season, first game, second game, third game after back to back premier leagues, it's not the final. now, in the last two months, we had that feeling — fa cup, champions league and premier league _ that is the truth because we see the end real, real close, you know, and you know, we know exactly what we are playing for. well, the game here will not be the finish line. there are matches still to come, hurdles still to clear. but a win here for either side will provide that most important thing at this stage of a race — momentum. patrick gearey, bbc news at the etihad stadium. our sports news editor dan roan is outside the etihad

we have heard about the form of both teams and how important a nice match is and i imagine the fines must be nervous. how are the fans behind you? nervous. how are the fans behind ou? �* , , ., �* , ., you? it's building and there's a real sense _ you? it's building and there's a real sense of _ you? it's building and there's a real sense of anticipation - you? it's building and there's a real sense of anticipation here | you? it's building and there's a - real sense of anticipation here and people realise this is the biggest game of the season. there is still up game of the season. there is still up attention for a few to sin turns but there is a real sense here that this is effectively, certainly, has the potential to be a true title decider. whoever wins will know that title is in their grasp or their hands and whoever wins knows if they were to win their remaining matches there will be crowned champions. thatin there will be crowned champions. that in my dynamics are different for their respective teams. the visitors, arsenal, it is been a surprise that they have been front runners for most of the season under michaela arteta, they are still

points ahead with the psychological advantage but they have played two more games than there are tripods managers a centre. because of the dipping form with the three draws in their last three matches, they really do need to win tonight and even then, if they were to, they still have significant challenges i had with the likes ofjosie next up and newcastle united away, so even with the wind, and you have to bear in mind they have no one here since 2015, they have lost their last 11 league matches against manchester city, that would be unlikely but if they were to put it off manchester city could still prevail. manchester city could still prevail. manchester city have won their last ten league games and have erling haaland and have the experience of grinding out the relentless winning streaks when it matters and they are going for a fifth title in six years and are on for the trouble, having reached the fa cups final and the champions

league semifinal and they are very much the favourites but this could be a dramatic evening. it is a pivotal match where he could count for much, arsenal would be hoping that's the case. it's a blockbuster and mouthwatering occasion. let's hope it lives up to the anticipation. in around an hour's time, chelsea will host brentford in a west london derby. interim chelsea boss frank lampard still searching for his first win back in charge of the club. bless them with hope there when all

over the week and was given a boost and the republican goal to 60 if they beat west them but despite their win over for the relegation rivals bournemouth, west instilling to put distance between themselves and the bottom three. nottingham forest are in real trouble — they're in the relegation zone after 11 premier league games without a win. they face brighton at the city ground shortly and brghton are eighth and have lostjust two premier league games in 2023. they got to the semifinals of the fa cups losing to manchester united on penalties at the weekend. tottenham host manchester united in the league tomorrow. still stinging from their 6—1 cumulation to newcastle at the weekend. it led to the second of the interim head coach and put ryan mason in charge temporarily. it's not the first time he has stepped into the breach. acting head coach ryan mason says he's ready for the challenge, —

it's not the first time he's stepped into the breach. the former spurs midfielder too on the interim role two seasons ago. he says he's ready for whatever is thrown at them.— he says he's ready for whatever is thrown at them. nothing surprises me in football. thrown at them. nothing surprises me in football- i — thrown at them. nothing surprises me in football. i have _ thrown at them. nothing surprises me in football. i have been _ thrown at them. nothing surprises me in football. i have been in _ thrown at them. nothing surprises me in football. i have been in this - in football. i have been in this game for the best part of six years now and these things happen in football. you have to be ready and prepared to deal with it. the situation we are in now is not where we wanted to be or are expected to be at the start of the season but that's football and it happens sometimes and we can't get caught up on things that have happened. we all understand that we have to finish the season well and strong, and united as a group within the training ground. that is myjob, ultimately, to do that. when you have a result that we did, you want to reaction and expect one. that takes care of itself as a professional and adjuster the players to for the fence as well, we were hurting but that was a few days ago and our focus were hurting but that was a few days ago and ourfocus is on

were hurting but that was a few days ago and our focus is on thursday and we will approach that with food belief we can get a positive result. sheffield united could secure second place and automatic promotion back to the premier league later if they beat west brom. west brom still have a chance of making the play—offs. mark ansell is at bramall lane for us. it's a huge match tonight for sheffield united if they beat west bromwich albion here they will be promoted back to the premier league. it will not be easy because they face west bromwich as women who are also getting for promotion. they are two points off the playoffs and if they went to get off into the playoff places because they have a game in hand and that game is two nights match. sheffield united come into the match having lost to manchester city in the fa cups semifinal at wembley but they have not got two nights game and three more games in order to win three points to gain promotion back to the premier league after two seasons in

the championship. both teams are going to be going for it win and it's going to be an excited match, i'm sure. kick off here is at eight p:m.. england's lucy bronze will miss the return leg of her barcelona side's champions league game with chelsea at the nou camp tomorrow. england defender lucy bronze has had keyhole surgery on her knee, after getting injuried during barcelona's champions league match last week. bronze is the latest lioness to be injured in the lead up to this summers' world cup. unlike some of her england team—mates, it's hoped she'll be fit in time for the tournament. joining me now isjo currie.. she posted an update on social media but what happens? fin she posted an update on social media but what happens?— she posted an update on social media but what happens? on saturday's game between barcelona _ but what happens? on saturday's game between barcelona and _ but what happens? on saturday's game between barcelona and chelsea - but what happens? on saturday's game between barcelona and chelsea in - but what happens? on saturday's game between barcelona and chelsea in the l between barcelona and chelsea in the champions league, lucy bronze went off in the sixth minute, barcelona one 1—0. the barcelona coach try to play down the injury to lucy bronze and lo and behold both 40s or today both lucy bronze and barcelona said

she had surgery. in a post on instagram, lucy bronze said it was successful and she is focus on working hard to return to full fitness as soon as possible. she thanked people for their kind messages and said she would see them all very soon. barcelona have backed up all very soon. barcelona have backed up with a tweet saying that lucy bronze's returned will depend on rehab and the hull issue will be backin rehab and the hull issue will be back in weeks and not months and the world cup gets under way in less than three months injuly but lucy bronze is ruled out for the second leg of the champions league semifinal tomorrow and the champions league final she might be targeting as a return to fitness. this league final she might be targeting as a return to fitness.— as a return to fitness. this is another england _ as a return to fitness. this is another england pair- as a return to fitness. this is another england pair with i as a return to fitness. this is another england pair with a l as a return to fitness. this is - another england pair with a injury before the workup. i another england pair with a in'ury before the workupi another england pair with a in'ury before the workup. i suspect every en . land before the workup. i suspect every england fan _ before the workup. i suspect every england fan and — before the workup. i suspect every england fan and lioness _ before the workup. i suspect every england fan and lioness final - before the workup. i suspect every england fan and lioness final will l england fan and lioness final will be dreading every news bolton

because it seems every day we are seeing an injury. leah williamson, the captain, is definitely out with the captain, is definitely out with the acl injury, beth mead, the top score at the euros last summer is highly unlikely to return. she is further along with her acl injury but has a long way to go. the midfielder is out as well. chelsea defender is on crutches and will be out for some weeks and there is lucy bronze who is out for some weeks. serena vegan will shoot be scratching her head at this point to see who will be fit and which players can come in and which players can come in and which players can come in and which players can change for it could be that we have a bit of a new look squad for this world cup compared to the euros last summer. ja squad for this world cup compared to the euros last summer.— the euros last summer. 10 currie, thank you — the euros last summer. 10 currie, thank you very — the euros last summer. 10 currie, thank you very much. _ some news to bring you about this year's fa cup final — we know now it's a manchester derby between city and united,

but the match at wembley on june the 3rd will kick off earlier than usual — at 3pm. that's because police felt the later kick off time would be high risk — given the two clubs are big rivals. they also warned that they could be problems with logistics as most fans would have to travel back north on the saturday. it'll be the first time the game has started at 3pm since manchester city beat stoke in 2011. it also means the epsom derby will start thre hours earlier than scheduled at 1.30, to avoid a clash. let's take a quick look at some of the other sports news stories making the headlines today.. hartlepool united have been put up for sale by chairman raj singh with the club on the brink of relegation from the english football league. in a statement, singh mentioned sections of fans calling for him to go, but maintains he'll leave the club in "a better place" than he found it in 2018. former scotland captain greig laidlaw has announced his intention to hang up his boots and move into coaching. the 37—year—old scrum—half is currently playing injapan.

laidlaw was in two world cups squads before retiring from test rugby after the 2019 finals. sri lanka dominated the third day of their second test against ireland in galle. opening batters dimooth karunahratne and nishan madooshka combining to score 228. but rain stopped play with sri lanka on 357—1. ireland trail by 135 runs. and it was a day of mixed fortunes for british riders on the tour de romandie in switzerland. simon yates and mark cavendish failed to finish, but ethan vernon got his second race win of the season. the victory moves him into the overall lead. the race finishes in geneva on sunday. what a thrilling day at the crucible — defending champion ronnie o'sullivan is out of the snooker world championship at the quarterfinal stage, and what a day

for the belgian luca brecel who put him out. mark selby and john higgins were also in action in sheffield. hazel irvine sums up the days coverage, she's alongside john parrott and sean murphy. hugely significant day at the crucible today, the defendant champion ronnie o'sullivan will not be winning an eighth where the title of this year at least because john and shawn, two world champions were watching, the unbelievable performance from luca brecel among the first time he got past the first run since 2012 and he was blind today. run since 2012 and he was blind toda . ., ., ., , today. he got a lots of encouragement - today. he got a lots of encouragement from | today. he got a lots of| encouragement from a today. he got a lots of- encouragement from a below today. he got a lots of— encouragement from a below par ronnie o'sullivan and did make a break over the seven frames. let's not take away from the winter, he was fantastic and got better when the heat was at its worse. 50 was fantastic and got better when the heat was at its worse.- the heat was at its worse. so all credit to him. on _ the heat was at its worse. so all credit to him. on orthodox - credit to him. on orthodox preparation and it's a formula that works fulham and he's playing the

most fearless brand of snooker because ronnie o'sullivan said is brilliant for the game. what makes them special for the game? brilliant for the game. what makes them specialfor the game? he brilliant for the game. what makes them special for the game? he is mercurial and _ them special for the game? he is mercurial and praise _ them special for the game? he is mercurial and praise his - them special for the game? he is mercurial and praise his own - them special for the game? he is mercurial and praise his own brand of snooker— mercurial and praise his own brand of snooker and phases game and goes for shots _ of snooker and phases game and goes for shots and when he is in the freight remove mine for going. ronnie — freight remove mine for going. ronnie o'sullivan was also part but i think_ ronnie o'sullivan was also part but i think that — ronnie o'sullivan was also part but i think that was up to luca brecel put it_ i think that was up to luca brecel put it in_ i think that was up to luca brecel put it in up— i think that was up to luca brecel put it in up to them. every mistake ronnie o'sullivan meets at a new good _ ronnie o'sullivan meets at a new good resultjumped all ronnie o'sullivan meets at a new good result jumped all over ronnie o'sullivan meets at a new good resultjumped all over it. he good result “umped all over it. he was good resultjumped all over it. was good good resultjumped all over it. he: was good today. that was a bit of a shockin was good today. that was a bit of a shock in the top half but we know in the bottom half, marked allen in the draw with the first mentor to the semifinals after a really hard fought victory over a brilliant crucible rookie, jack, jones. can you describe the match in the closing stages question mark rejected all the prequalifying matches to go through and in the final defaulted and made of two

simple parts and mark came in and did what he had to do and got 13 and doesn't feel as if his game is 100% yet but she's threw to the semifinal and credits him. we are down to one table tomorrow but there is a long way to go because we have two more and semifinal birds to be filled. this evening it would be either the crucible new boy were fighting for the last place of the top half of the last place of the top half of the draw. the top clash of the titans at the bottom marks of the verse is john titans at the bottom marks of the verse isjohn higgins puts up those two with eight crucible titles between them. emma raducanu has withdrawn from the madrid open just hours before herfirst round match. the 2021 us open champion has an injury to her right hand. confirmation came after a frosty exchange between her and newspaper journalists yesterday. our tennis correspondent russell fuller is in madrid for us. thank you forjoining us russell. bring us up—to—date with what

happened and what am i read a kind of withdrawal could mean for her. it is a risk problem and a risk of them thatis is a risk problem and a risk of them that is troubling her since the end of last year. she had to cut short her 2022 season and has become more of a worry since march the stopped she competed in indian wells and it was her best tournament of the year and reach a fourth round but she nearly didn't play at all partly due to concerns over the rest. she has been compromised since i was able to practice here in madrid but yesterday after practice the pain was too much. i know, there needs to be a decision. her team seem to have come to the realisation that trying to manage the injury is not going to work any more so they know needing to find a long—term solution. what thatis to find a long—term solution. what that is remains to be seen. whether amaretto kind will be able to be at the french open or on the grants at wimbledon remains to be seen. perhaps that partially explains that

testy exchange with journalists yesterday when she used just 58 words in response to 16 different questions. as far as her ranking is concerned, very likely she will drop outside the world 100 and she doesn't have too many ranking points to defend last year but where is she won't get many opportunities to play and if you do get outside the top 100 you won't get direct entry into the grand slams and given her status she is unlikely to receive but if you don't get those you to qualify for tournaments or potentially drop down to the icf tour instead of the wta tour. tributes have been paid to a man who died shortly after completing the london marathon. its—year steve shanks from nottinghamshire died suddenly while travelling home on sunday — he had completed the marathan in under three hours and was considered a very experienced runner.

in a statement, his wife said she was "in shock and devastated". a london marathon spokesperson said they were "deeply saddened" to hear of mr shanks's death. great news for england fans, captain marlie packer is fit for saturday's grand slam decider against france. the flanker was an injury concern after last weekend's win in ireland. she said she was worried that she'd miss a special game at twickenham in front of a record crowd, as england seek a fifth successive title. granted to be coming off the picture and you never want to come off the pitch when it's through injury but it's one of those moments that you don't want to happen and with the six nations turning out to what it's going to beat this weekend. with 50,000 at twickenham and me writing notes as captain, there were moments going through my head but we did everything straightaway so off—loaded come into the boots and got ice on it and it's made me up

for selection this week. i've come through what i needed to come through what i needed to come through to put myself in the best place for this weekend. it would be a special occasion with an iconic six nations and the retirement of sarah hunter, and others leaving. for me to leave the squad out on a six nations decider is going to be epic. i can't wait.— six nations decider is going to be epic. i can't wait. great news that she is fit for _ epic. i can't wait. great news that she is fit for the _ epic. i can't wait. great news that she is fit for the weekend. - england's world cup win over france last year was a breakthrough moment for wheelchair rugby league. a bumper crowd of more than four and a half thousand people witnessed the team claim victory in manchester. with 1.3 million people watching on tv at home. now, with the new domestic season under way, the league is said to be healthier than ever, with 2a wheelchair rugby league clubs now established in the uk, including the medway dragons, whose players had a key role in that historic win. james dunn has the story

england are wheelchair rugby league world cup winners. aha, england are wheelchair rugby league world cup winners.— world cup winners. a historic win for all mission _ world cup winners. a historic win for all mission after _ world cup winners. a historic win for all mission after a _ world cup winners. a historic win for all mission after a brilliant - for all mission after a brilliant campaign. led bya for all mission after a brilliant campaign. led by a player who scored three tries in the semifinal against wales a month fulham lifting the trophy was more than rugby. it was sort of a dream _ trophy was more than rugby. it was sort of a dream but _ trophy was more than rugby. it was sort of a dream but we _ trophy was more than rugby. it was sort of a dream but we didn't - trophy was more than rugby. it was sort of a dream but we didn't wantl sort of a dream but we didn't want to end and got to do it with my best mates and brother.— to end and got to do it with my best mates and brother. when you watch the foota . e mates and brother. when you watch the footage back _ mates and brother. when you watch the footage back there _ mates and brother. when you watch the footage back there are - mates and brother. when you watch the footage back there are certain . the footage back there are certain for me _ the footage back there are certain for me in— the footage back there are certain for me in the area, i wanted to capture — for me in the area, i wanted to capture my— for me in the area, i wanted to capture my reaction and i'm seeing because _ capture my reaction and i'm seeing because i_ capture my reaction and i'm seeing because i am on the floor in a keep sobbing, basically. the because i am on the floor in a keep sobbing, basically.— because i am on the floor in a keep sobbing, basically. the brothers are non-disabled _ sobbing, basically. the brothers are non-disabled but _ sobbing, basically. the brothers are non-disabled but play _ sobbing, basically. the brothers are non-disabled but play alongside - non—disabled but play alongside players like luis king who took a different route into the sport. i had a blood clot in my spinal cord in 2009 and before i found wheelchair rugby league i was lost in the direction of my life and it

completely change my life. this a completely change my life. as a female i get _ completely change my life. as a female i get to _ completely change my life. as a female i get to play _ completely change my life. as a female i get to play alongside the boys and — female i get to play alongside the boys and competes at the club level and internationally, we can play mixed _ and internationally, we can play mixed gender which attracted me to sport _ mixed gender which attracted me to sport to— mixed gender which attracted me to sport. to have able—bodied players as well_ sport. to have able—bodied players as well of— sport. to have able—bodied players as well of his social unit. they 'oin as well of his social unit. they join players — as well of his social unit. they join players from _ as well of his social unit. they join players from other- as well of his social unit. they join players from other clubs i as well of his social unit. they | join players from other clubs to perform a southeast super elite squad, the london roosters. since england's world cup success, some of the big names in it rugby league have launched their own rugby league teams. taste have launched their own rugby league teams. ~ :, ,': :: have launched their own rugby league teams. ~ :, ;;:: ., , have launched their own rugby league teams. :, ;;:: ., , ., have launched their own rugby league teams. ~ :, ;;:: ., , :, , ., teams. we have 30 teams no plane was our ru . b teams. we have 30 teams no plane was your rugby league _ teams. we have 30 teams no plane was your rugby league in _ teams. we have 30 teams no plane was your rugby league in the _ teams. we have 30 teams no plane was your rugby league in the british - your rugby league in the british eyes. we have names like king centre rovers, york knights, the wheatfield trinity taken to the field this year and a huge amount of interest people saying this is a great game and where can i play?— saying this is a great game and where can i play? one day they will make a film — where can i play? one day they will make a film about _ where can i play? one day they will make a film about this _ where can i play? one day they will make a film about this case. - make a film about this case. champions of the world, it was a

historic victory and no local clubs are feeling the impact. i'd certainly watch that film it was if it was made. just a reminder of our top story, a potentially premier league decider tonight, as manchester city host arsenal. players are just starting to arrive i had of the huge game at the top of the premier the table, and a reminder that a win for michaela arteta will put the title respect into arts and note side but if the holes are victorious they will surely have the momentum. you can keep up—to—date on that match on the bbc sport website but that is all things are and goodbye. hello there. we've started this week off on a largely settled note, but it has been chilly for the time of year. we've seen variable cloud and some sunshine. now the second half of this week will be turning much

milder but more unsettled. some of us will see quite a bit of rain around, especially on thursday. now, tonight, it's going to be mostly dry. variable clouds, some clear spells. most of the clear spells will tend to be across central areas. so it's here where it could be quite chilly but thicker cloud for southwestern and western areas into northern ireland and also western scotland. so no problems with frost here, but another chillier one further north and east. now for thursday, we've got a couple of weather fronts working in thanks to low pressure, top and tail of the uk. so many places through central areas certainly will start dry a little bit early brightness, but it will be quite chilly, but temperatures will be lifting through the day. this weather front bring rain, some mountain snow to scotland and then it turns wet across wales, central and southern england. some of this rain could be heavy and thundery as we move through the afternoon. so we've got temperatures reaching close to the mid—teens, central and southern areas, but still quite cold for the northern half of scotland. now through thursday night, it stays rather cloudy with further rain at times. this low pressure system pulling away from england and wales. but because of the breeze, the cloud and the rain, i think most places should

be frost free. but there could still be a few chilly spots across the far north of scotland. now for friday, it looks like that area of low pressure across england wales pulls way into the near continent. this weather fronts across northern scotland tends to weaken. so it's a bit of a quieter day and improving day as low pressure moves away. and we're all, virtually all of us in this milder wedge of air. so it's a slow process. the breeze, the cloud, the rain clears away from eastern england, increasing amounts of sunshine for northern ireland, parts of wales, the midlands, southern england, where we get the sunshine with the milder air mass. it really will feel quite mild indeed, with temperatures up to around 18 degrees at best, but mild even through the central belt of scotland. still cold for the northern isles. now, the bank holiday weekend, it looks like it's going to stay mild for most of us, but it won't be completely settled. there will be variable clouds, some sunny spells, but also scattering of showers, showers pretty much each day. but i think sunday will see the most widespread and at times heavy and thundery showers. but given some sunshine,

it really will feel quite warm in places for a time. it looks like those showers will tend to ease down as high pressure starts to build back in on monday.

bbc news. the fragile cease—fire in sudanin bbc news. the fragile cease—fire in sudan in the rush to get out 300 british nationals are flown out of the country and these are the pictures of the first evacuees. that joe dahl position is now charged with terrorism offences, facing jill beyond 2050. on their first, president zelensky says in a long and meaningful conversation with the chinese leader xi jinping and and meaningful conversation with the chinese leader xijinping and the government blocks microsoft's the proposal plan to buy call of duty maker activision blizzard.