this is bbc news. the headlines: ukraine's president zelensky has had a private audience with pope francis. after the forty—minute meeting — the vatican said the pope had assured the president of his constant prayer and continuous invocation to the lord for peace. turkey's president — recep erdogan — has addressed supporters on the last day of campaigning before sunday's election. he accused his opponent of planning to sanction russia on the orders of america. mr erdogan�*s party has been in power for more than twenty years. it's only around half an hour now until the final of the eurovision

song contest gets underway. the event is taking place in the english city of liverpool. britain is hosting it on behalf of ukraine — last year's winners. now, on bbc news. it's sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm gavin ramjaun. it's all over for southampton — they're relegated from the premier league after losing to fulham. leeds united fight on — but it's never easy. they salvage a point against newcastle in their battle to avoid the drop. and notts county are back in the big time. theyjoin wrexham in the football league after a dramatic penalty

shoout win in the national league play—off final. also coming up on sportsday: british basketball�*s biggest rivals go head to head, in the playoff final. but can the riders tame the lions in this year's showpiece event? hello there — and welcome along to sportsday, on a day southampton fans were dreading, but perhaps thought was inevitable. the club have been relegated to the championship — after losing at home to fulham. goals from carlos vinicius, and aleksander mitrovic were enough to secure victory for the away side and confirm southampton�*s 11—year stay in the premier league is over. a 24th defeat of the season leaves them bottom of the table — eight points from safety, with just two games left to play. the squad are optimistic they have the ability to bounce back next season. it is a very tough day for me, for everybody in the dressing room. for the city and the fans. it has been a tough season for all of us.

we have been fighting for not be relegated from the very beginning. and the day came today. i just want to say thank you to everybody for the support that we feel from the very first day. it is a tough situation for the fans that have been supporting us their entire life. this club has quality enough to bounce back immediately. with or without me. and i think what we feel now is very deep on us, a very big disappointment. i have to look now that we are looking at a clean sheet, a great feeling for us, and for our fans. fantastic away. lots of support from them. sold it out away, and the support from the first to the last minute. that is to be able to give this feeling for them, to come here win the match with a clean sheet is really important.

so, the end of an era for southampton. earlier i spoke to their former midfielderjo tessem, who says the season has been one to forget — but there've been plenty of warning signs that relegation was on its way. i think it has been a really big disappointment for the fans. they kind of showed that at the end of the game today. this has been coming. it has been a big disappointment for the fans. with the way they have been performing, i think this was expected. it was just waiting for it to be confirmed, and today it was confirmed. a lot of fans will be very sad today, and so am i. i think it is a sad day for southampton football club. in terms of the managerial changes through the season, that didn't help did it? do you think that ruben selles has had an impossiblejob on his hands? there have been a few changes since then. a they've tried to buy players and do the right thing. it hasn't worked out for the club after buying many players. obviously, with the manager changes we have had this season, it hasn't really helped. we chose two different managers.

they chose a way of playing that i think was overcomplicated and didn't work. it wasn't positive. same with nathanjones. very negative in his way of playing. and selles continued the circle. and he was thrown into the job just by being here. he has played football which i think has been tactically bad. i think that is the reason we find ourselves in the bottom of the premier league. and what of the players who have stood out? what mike ware to their futures lie? i think_ what mike ware to their futures lie? i think lovie — what mike ware to their futures lie? i think lovie and has been amazing, in a very bad steamer, and that has shown how good he has been. does

matter in a very bad team. —— in a very bad team. he hasn't had a top season. i don't think he has stood out the season and been the player and captain that they hoped he would be. i think he would be better with better players around him, but it is not a good starting point for him and himself in terms of his individual goals, if you want to play in the premier league, because i think it is done a little bit of damage to him. as for me, the big selling point for the club is the role of levy. selling point for the club is the role of levy-— selling point for the club is the role of le . .,, , ., ., role of levy. the optimism around the club. role of levy. the optimism around the club- a — role of levy. the optimism around the club. a lot _ role of levy. the optimism around the club. a lot of— role of levy. the optimism around the club. a lot of talk _ role of levy. the optimism around the club. a lot of talk of _ role of levy. the optimism around the club. a lot of talk of bouncing | the club. a lot of talk of bouncing back, and coming back into the premier league. how likely is that to happen sooner? it is premier league. how likely is that to happen sooner?— to happen sooner? it is a tough leauue to happen sooner? it is a tough lea . ue to to happen sooner? it is a tough league to go — to happen sooner? it is a tough league to go back _ to happen sooner? it is a tough league to go back down - to happen sooner? it is a tough league to go back down to - to happen sooner? it is a tough league to go back down to the l league to go back down to the championship. but coming from the premier league, you have the financial advantage by getting that parachute that none of the other championship clubs get. so, you have the financial advantage. if you can

use that, it all relies on getting the right manager, someone who's in charge of everything that goes on. get the players you need have in the club to get out of the championship. and i think that is the big clue there. get that sorted. i think the club will be ok. leeds united remain in the relegation zone — despite coming back to rescue a point against newcastle — who are chasing a champions league spot. the result marred by a fan encroaching on the pitch — and appearing to push newcastle boss eddie howe — with leeds issuing a lifetime ban. ben croucher reports. back into the spotlight. sam allardyce was brought in as leeds boss with onejob in mind, keeping premier league football at elland road. an early goal against newcastle would be just the ticket then. a shot in the arm for their survival hopes, then a kick in the calf for good measure. nobody needed reminding

just what was at stake. those who could watch, may have wished they didn't. because, sure enough, newcastle went up the other end and won a penalty of their own, that was duly dispatched by callum wilson. indeed, leeds had a strong hand in their own downfall. you know the drill by now, different spots, same outcome. this time, leeds did have a response, rasmus christmas and at trippier had the final touch, perhaps too much. one spectator got close enough to remonstrate in front of eddie howe. the closest to his newcastle side got to spoiling leed's day was pushed away. a steel behind the smiles, there is a valuable point beyond the applause. there is still a chance. ben crutcher, bbc news. nottingham forest battled back to secure a draw against chelsea at stamford bridge, having had the lead at half time. taiwo awoniyi got the opener. but the match came to life

in the second half. raheem sterling scored two for chelsea — but the lead lasted less than 5 minutes. awoniyi with the crucial equaliser for forest, with his second of the game to make it 2 all. leaving them three points above the drop zone. leaving them three points above the drop zone. mac the second half was ours. control of the game was ours. at the first match wasn't dynamic enough. everything we spoke about the game. too slow. unfortunately, it is a bit intrinsic at the minute. we have a lot of passes, but they are not to break lines and threaten the opposition enough in the top end of the pitch. obviously, the two goals you are not happy with, because it is a long throw the second one, and the first one is a header from i think the corner box. i the first one is a header from i think the corner box.— the first one is a header from i think the corner box. i think there is a bit of disappointment - think the corner box. i think there is a bit of disappointment in - think the corner box. i think there is a bit of disappointment in the l is a bit of disappointment in the dressing — is a bit of disappointment in the dressing room, because scoring two goals, _ dressing room, because scoring two goals, and _ dressing room, because scoring two goals, and the goals we scored compared _ goals, and the goals we scored compared to we the goals we gave away _ compared to we the goals we gave away were — compared to we the goals we gave away were very different. a bit of disappointment but i think a bit of

also knowing we gave everything today— also knowing we gave everything today and committed to the game plan _ today and committed to the game plan. showed good desire and could believe _ plan. showed good desire and could believe it_ plan. showed good desire and could believe. it is chelsea, away from home _ believe. it is chelsea, away from home you — believe. it is chelsea, away from home. you know, it can be at her dumh— home. you know, it can be at her dumb as — home. you know, it can be at her dumb as tough as it gets. manchester united boosted their hopes of champions league football next season with a 2—0 win over wolves. antony martial opened the scoring in the first half, before substitute alejandro garnacho marked his return from injury by scoring the second. the result leaves united 4th — level on points with newcastle — but now four points clear of liverpool. as a man united player, you have to deliver. you have to meet high standards, give the performance and take the responsibility as an individual and a team. we had a tough week, in three days, we dropped important points. individual mistakes, but also by low energy levels. that can't be. today, we bounced back. the most important thing and aim for our part, is to rememberwhere we were four months ago. and where we are.

so, it is an incredible success for us. we of course want to finalise well. we want to be able to compete until then. today, we have tried. i don't have anything to talk about in the attitude of the players. so, because we have to respect the other teams, and they are playing for different aims. aston villa's hunt for european football continues — after their 2—1 win over tottenham this afternoon. jacob ramsey's early finish, followed by douglas luiz�*s free—kick to earn unai emery�*s side a sixth successive home win. harry kane scored a late consolation for spurs from the penalty spot. the loss ends their champions league hopes — but villa are just a place behind in seventh, and level on points. we are very happy and proud of our supporters today. we connected with them and they connected with us. very important today, playing against tottenham. we were also thinking to score one goal and to

try to get to them. but it was a very good assault by them, and it will still be very difficult to get a europa position. but with this result, we can be happy and excited by that possibility, and motivated for this match is against liverpool and brighton. for this match is against liverpool and brighton-— and brighton. disappointing. obviously. — and brighton. disappointing. obviously, the _ and brighton. disappointing. obviously, the starch - and brighton. disappointing. obviously, the starch is - and brighton. disappointing. obviously, the starch is hard and brighton. disappointing. i obviously, the starch is hard to lake _ obviously, the starch is hard to take, because it is happen to many times— take, because it is happen to many times this — take, because it is happen to many times this season. —— at the start is hard _ times this season. —— at the start is hard to— times this season. —— at the start is hard to take. going down early away— is hard to take. going down early away from — is hard to take. going down early away from home. if you want to compete — away from home. if you want to compete at the top of the table, you can't give _ compete at the top of the table, you can't give teams a goal head start and waste — can't give teams a goal head start and waste time on the football bitch. — and waste time on the football pitch, because it is very difficult on this— pitch, because it is very difficult on this league to win games of football, — on this league to win games of football, you have to earn everything. it is definitely something we are aware of. crystal palace continued their resurgence under roy hodgson — they beat bournemouth 2—0. eberechi eze with two great goals for them. palace remain 12th in the table, now four points above bournemouth in 14th.

it's five wins from their last eight league games for palace. from the offset, we've done well. we played well and the players have really, i think we've got better. i think the quality of our place is probably even better than it was in the first run. but the results are still very, very good. and the team has certainly maintains the quality that we have. i would think are more than capable of building it. irate that we have. i would think are more than capable of building it.— than capable of building it. we got beaten by a _ than capable of building it. we got beaten by a better— than capable of building it. we got beaten by a better side _ than capable of building it. we got beaten by a better side today. - than capable of building it. we got| beaten by a better side today. that sort of _ beaten by a better side today. that sort of shows that if we are not at our level. — sort of shows that if we are not at our level, and were dropping by 5% or 10%. _ our level, and were dropping by 5% or 10%, what can happen to you in a or10%, what can happen to you in a premier— or 10%, what can happen to you in a premier league game. we don't want to end _ premier league game. we don't want to end the _ premier league game. we don't want to end the season the way it was today, _ to end the season the way it was today, so, — to end the season the way it was today, so, making sure we have a team _ today, so, making sure we have a team that — today, so, making sure we have a team that will get back to our levels. — team that will get back to our levels, and it shows everyone who was sort _ levels, and it shows everyone who was sort of — levels, and it shows everyone who was sort of unsure that we need to be at _ was sort of unsure that we need to be at maximum, and pushing everything at 120%, to give ourselves a chance. sunderland have beaten luton 2—1.

in the first of the championship playoff semi—finals. they are 11 points higher than their opponents. they are 11 points higher than their o- onents. ., , . v they are 11 points higher than their o- onents. ., , ., �*, , opponents. tony redgrave's side has the u- er opponents. tony redgrave's side has the upper hand _ opponents. tony redgrave's side has the upper hand going _ opponents. tony redgrave's side has the upper hand going into _ opponents. tony redgrave's side has the upper hand going into the - opponents. tony redgrave's side hasj the upper hand going into the second leg on tuesday. bolton and barnsley remain locked together in the battle for a trip to wembley following a 1—1 draw in the first leg of their league one play—off semi—final. nicky cadden opened the scoring for the visitors shortly after the hour mark — firing low in to the corner from outside the area. however, bolton responded just four minutes later, dion charles bundling the ball home. the two sides meet in the second leg at oakwell on friday. meanwhile, the league two play off semifinal between salford city and stockport county is just about to kick off. in scotland, celtic have already secured the title — but glasgow rivals rangers won the last old firm derby of the season 3—0 at ibrox. todd cantwell put second place rangers ahead injust

the fifth minute of the match. they're guaranteed a runners up spot this season — and with it a shot at qualification for the champions league. john souttar headed their second later in the first half, before a defensive mix up allowed zambian striker fashion sakala to round celtic keeperjoe hart, and seal a comfortable victory. in the rest of the day's scottish premiership matches — ross county and dundee united exchanged places at the bottom of the table — afterjordan white's hat—trick gave ross county a vital 3—1 win. they're two points clear of united with three games remaining. elsewhere, wins for kilmarnock and motherwell. st mirren drew with hearts. and aberdeen—hibs was goalless. after four years out of the english football league, notts county are back after a nail biting finish in the national league play—off final against chesterfield. it took extra time and penalities to secure their move back to league two. patrick geary was watching. what must it have felt like to be and that notts county dressing room, to have earned 107 points but still be thwarted by wrexham? to force your nerves through the play—offs,

where every decision and touch matters. chesterfield penalty less than five minutes in. andrew dallas stayed calm but caused mayhem. county fans may have felt fate against them. time ticked to minute 58, wherejohn bostock spotted a gap. notts county had their reprieve, the final this season into extra time. but chesterfield had been only briefly winded. armando dobra three minutes into the extra period had them back in front. where they had been 23 points behind. but now that league table counts for nothing. hoping for a moment like this, anthony rodrigues forced the match to penalties. for shoot—out, county change their goalkeeper. archie mayor it would perhaps be the substitution of the season. he scored two penalties, and took his side back to the football league. notts county went a long way round,

but got there in the end. patrick geary, bbc news. a huge win for them. let's have a quick look at some of the other stories making the headlines today. britain's charlotte henshaw won her second gold of the sprint and para—canoe world cup. the paralympic champion won the 200 metres women's kl2 final. with compatriot emma wiggs finishing second, taking britain's medal tally to seven in hungary. spain'sjorge martin won the motogp sprint race at le mans, overtaking championship leader pecco bagnaia early on, and cruised to a dominant victory. ktm's brad binderfinished second with bagnaia finishing third and maintaining his lead at the top of the standings. and the los angeles lakers have knocked out the defending champions, the golden state warriors in the nba playoffs. lebronjames scored 30 points, as the lakers won 122—101 in game six to clinch a 11—2 series win — they'll play the denver nuggets in the western conference finals. saracens are the first team through to the premiership rugby final

after a 38—15 win over northampton. the home side stormed into an early lead, and were 21—3 in front at the break, the best of their tries coming after some quick thinking from ivan van zyl. northampton did respond in the second half — but their efforts were in vain. saracens will play either sale or leicester in the final. and the defending champions the stormers are through to the united rugby championship final — after beating connacht 43—25. and they'll face munster who beat leinster in the huge battle of the two irish sides. of the two irish sides, 16—15. a close game there. in super league, st helens ended salford's run of four straight victories — as they came from behind to win 26—12. the game saw saints captain james roby break the club's all time apperance record, ahead of his retirement at the end of the season. joe batchelor�*s try sealed the win for the home side, as the result sees them rise up to seventh, whilst salford stay sixth. geraint thomas and tao geoghegan hart remain fifth and sixth

in the overall standings after stage eight of the giro d'italia. the stage was won by ireland's ben healy, the ef—education rider, going solo for the last 50 kilometres to take a first grand tour stage win. thomas and geoghegan hart finished alongside fellow contender primoz roglic. and the ineos grenadiers pair are 52 and 56 seconds down on overall leader andreas leknessund. two familiar rivals go head to head in the final of british basketball�*s league playoff tomorrow. the london lions will take on the leicester riders, at a packed out 02 arena — for both the men's and women's finals — the lions looking to become the first side to win both titles. the lions won the championship by a record margin — and defeated leicester in the bbl cup final injanuary. earlier i caught up with azania stewart of the lions, who's retiring after the final, following a 10 year career.

it's a final, where you want to do your best and win another trophy, so i think for both teams it is fantastic for the organisation, and just loads for both sides, the riders and underlines how they have been doing this season. what you think it does for the sport when the two teams compete side by side? i think that, just this whole year and season has been tremendous for basketball. when i was growing up, there was nothing like it. to play at the 02 arena, i think it is incredible. as one of... it is a famous place to play, and i think it'll be electric. for us to have it on main tv, forfans to be in the building. it will be one for the books. i'm sure it will be. the rise in the popularity of basketball has been noted, it is in the top five global sports of interest, worldwide, after football and lots of other american sports. so, it is very much front and centre at the moment. what would you notice about the popularity of basketball since you have been playing?

i think it is the young kids, girls and boys who are just coming in, and the excitement. it is one of the only sports that you really can physically touch and speak to a professional athlete right after the game. we high five, take pictures and sign autographs. there is not that many sports you can get that full interaction with a professional player. so, it is definitely a lot of new faces in the seats, and we love to see that. but ijust think the game is just getting bigger and bigger. it has been a really good season, the fans have been incredible this year. for yourself, it is a swansong, isn't it? you are going out after a ten year career. after your last training session today. how does it feel? what are your feelings at the moment? i've been so emotional. at the beginning of the week i was like, i'm fine, i'm fine. and then my team have done some really lovely things. everybody recorded a video and got my family and friends involved.

today, they gave photographs out to each person, with me involved. i think it is really starting to hit home. like wow, you have done so much in your career, and it's just a moment to celebrate, because i think that as a professional athlete, you work so hard and put in so many hours, and for somebody to look in, you just see the finished product in the game, but we spend hours on our craft. so, ijust have to really take a moment and congratulate myself and be proud of myself, and just send thanks to my family and friends. finally, chelsea and manchester united go head to head in the women's fa cup final at a sold—out wembley stadium tomorrow. emma hayes�* chelsea are aiming to win the fa cup, for the third year in a row, and the fifth time overall, while marc skinner's united are playing in their first women's final. so who will come out on top? jo currie reports. manchester united fan izzy gavin never thought she would see the club she would see the club's women's team play in a major

final at wembley. but this weekend, she is joining the many fans heading to london hoping to see them lift their first fa cup. a dream, going and are watching your club at wembley and it's a dream for the players knowing that they have managed it for the first time, it is history, they've got to the final. they have just got to go and enjoy it and it is surprising that we have got here but i don't think any other team deserves it. united only formed a professional women's team in 2018, many years after most other premier league clubs. their journey to wembley caps a remarkable rise for the side, who are now seeking their first major trophy. another tackle for chelsea. another title for chelsea. standing in their way, full winners and defending champions, chelsea. no, i don't think we are underdogs, to be honest. when we played in the league, it was 1—0. and i think we actually dominated the game and played really well. that result could obviously have

gone a different way. i think we need to take that sort of performance into the cup final and maybe youth will prevail in the end. manchester united and chelsea are also locked in a tight battle for the wsl title, meaning this final could be the first piece in a cup and league double for either side. honestly, when you have back—to—back games, you spend most of your days. asking what day of the week it is, | let alone which tournament it is. | it's another game in a big block. yes, it's the cup final, - we worked really hard to get to the final and we've had, i think, a really tough- qualification to get to the final to get to the final, so this is where we want to be. whoever lifts the trophy will most likely do it in front of a record crowd. for the first time ever, the women's fa cup final has sold out wembley and an increase in ticket sales has been largely put down to the lionesses�* euros win here last summer. absolutely, winning the euros at wembley couldn't have been more of an iconic moment

for women's sport. and to have some of those lionesses there out on the pitch this weekend will be the icing on the cake. from ten years ago when the final was played in front of less than 5000 people in doncaster, to a packed out wembley. this fa cup final is another mark ofjust how far the women's game has grown. its promises to be a huge match. there is lots of football going on. you can catch up with all of it on the bbc website. but that is all from us. thanks so much for watching. we'll see you again next time.

hello there. although parts of east and south—east england remain grey and quite cool all day, much of the country had a very fine and sunny start to the weekend. part two of the weekend looks quite mixed. there will be some sunshine around, particularly in wales and england. but scotland and northern ireland will start to see this weather front moving in off the atlantic, bringing outbreaks of cloud and rain, and a drop in temperature. but high pressure will bring us a fine evening and night. largely clear skies for many, but that low grey cloud across the east will start to roll back westwards again for much of eastern england and the midlands. western scotland and northern ireland will be turning wetter and breezier, as that weather front pushes in. so, quite a mixture of temperatures. obviously, quite cool under clear skies. but generally, for most, 6 to 8 degrees. sunday then, we start off with some sunshine around. that grey weather across the east of england should tend to improve. the clouds burning back to the coast. one or two showers into the afternoon through the midlands. this weather front will start

to move out of scotland and northern ireland. it brightens up later in the day here with a few showers, but it will feel much cooler for scotland and northern ireland. low to mid—teens. sunny spells across parts of england and wales. again, we could be up to 21 degrees. sunday night, that weather front weakens, it continues to push eastwards, bringing cloud, some patchy rain, clearer skies, one or two blustery showers across the north and west of scotland but under those clear skies, with this cooler air mass it is going to be a chilly night to come here. but for south—eastern areas where we have the weather front, the cloud and rain, generally seven to 10 degrees. that weather front clears away eventually and we see some further showers around the edge of this area of high pressure which will bring us north, north—westerly winds. showers for northern scotland, northern and eastern england, some of these running down to east anglia and the south—east into the afternoon. but the best of the sunshine towards the south and west. we could be up to 15 degrees here but you will see it is a much cooler day across the board.

ranging between ten and 13 celsius for most of us. that is below par for this time in may. the cooler air hangs around through tuesday and again into wednesday, particularly towards northern and eastern areas but very slowly, we'll start to see those yellow—orange colours returning. so although it will start quite chilly through the week with some showers around, temperatures will recover towards the end of the week and because it is higher pressure nearby, we should stay mostly dry.

live from london — this is bbc news. a tense truce in gaza — israel and palestinian leaders agree a ceasefire that has just come into effect. a president, a prime minister and a pope — volodymyr zelensky gets a warm welcome as he visits italy. and i'm maryam moshiri, live in liverpool, where the final of the eurovision song contest is just beginning. hello. i'm lukwesa burak. let's bring you some breaking news now — a ceasefire between israel and palestinian leaders

hasjust begun.