In the English Premier League, Mark Schwarzer made his 500th Premier League appearance, playing a full game in goal as 10-man Fulham lost 1-0 to Arsenal. Despite playing with 10 men for 80 minutes, Schwarzer was fairly quiet between the sticks but appeared to have some problems with his distribution. The game’s only goal came just before half-time through Per Mertesacker’s close range header which left Schwarzer with no chance.

Elsewhere, Adam Federici remained out with injury as Reading moved closer to the drop following a 2-1 loss at Norwich, while Brad Jones was an unused substitute as Liverpool drew 2-2 with Chelsea.

In the Championship, Neil Kilkenny played 90 minutes in midfield as relegated Bristol City put in a spirited performance, playing out a 0-0 draw with promotion chasing Hull City. Kilkenny was lively in the opening half and delivered a peach of a cross to pick out Steven Davies but the striker couldn’t beat Hull ‘keeper David Stockdale from close range.

Rhys Williams and Scott McDonald both played 90 minutes as Middlesbrough lost 2-1 at Bolton. McDonald was dangerous in the first half and drew a good save out of Bolton ‘keeper Adam Bogdan from the edge of the box before almost getting on the end Richard Smallwood’s low cross with the ball just evading the striker’s lunge.

Patrick Kisnorbo was a 68th minute substitute as Ipswich Town drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday, while Seb Usai was an unused substitute as Blackburn lost 4-0 to Watford.

Shane Lowry was absent through suspension as Millwall lost 3-0 to Huddersfield Town. Lowry will also miss the next two games after accumulating 15 bookings this season. Also missing through suspension was Mile Jedinak, as Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with Leicester City.

In League One, Dean Bouzanis played a full game in goal as Oldham Athletic preserved their third division status with a 2-1 win over Crawley Town. In a nervy encounter, Bouzanis had a heart-in-mouth moment as he scuffed a clearance after charging out of his box, leaving an empty net for Jamie Proctor who just missed the target from half-way. James Wesolowski missed the clash with a knee injury while Alex Cisak was an unused substitute.

Bailey Wright played a full game as Preston North End beat Tranmere Rovers 1-0. Wright went close to scoring at both ends from headers, firstly heading John Welsh’s corner just over before striking his own post with a mistimed header.

Elsewhere, Massimo Luongo put in another strong midfield performance as Swindon Town beat Stevenage 3-0, while Bradden Inman played 90 minutes as Crewe Alexandra lost 1-0 to Yeovil. Inman had a couple of decent chances throughout the contest, the first coming in the first half after a superb run but his clever effort on goal just missed the target.

In League Two, Jamie Young kept a clean-sheet as Aldershot Town’s survival hopes received a boost following a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. Aaron Downes played a full game in defence as Torquay United also kept their survival hopes alive with a 2-0 win at Morecambe.

Elsewhere, James Meredith played a full game at left-back as Bradford City secured a play-off spot with a 1-0 win over Burton Albion, while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff was a 63rd minute substitute as Rochdale lost 3-0 to Oxford.

In the Scottish Premier League, Tom Rogic was an unused substitute as Celtic wrapped up the title with a 4-1 win over Inverness. Elsewhere, Dylan McGowan was an 89th minute substitute as Hearts beat Kilmarnock 1-0, while Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC beat St Mirren 2-1.

In the Scottish Second Division, Marc Warren played 90 minutes as Airdrie United lost 4-1 to Dumbarton.

In Ireland, Mark Griffin was an unused substitute in Derry City’s 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers.

In German Bundesliga, Nikita Rukavytsya made his return to the FSV Mainz line-up, starting and playing 81 minutes as Mainz lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund. Rukavytsya got into some good positions throughout the contest and had a good opportunity in the first half at the back post but he scuffed his finish following some good work from Marcel Risse. Mitch Langerak was an unused substitute in the clash.

Elsewhere, Robbie Kruse was absent with a knee injury as Fortuna Dusseldorf failed to ease their relegation fears following a 2-1 loss to Hamburg. The result leaves Dusseldorf just 3 points clear of the relegation playoff spot.

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie started and played 80 minutes as FSV Frankfurt beat 1860 Munich 3-1. Leckie caused a few problems with his pace during his shift and had a couple of half chances but his shots lacked conviction.

In the German Third Division, Mustafa Amini played a full game as Borussia Dortmund II lost 2-0 to Hansa Rostock.

In the Dutch Eredivisie,Tommy Oar played a full game as FC Utrecht beat NAC Breda 3-0. Oar went close to scoring in the first few minutes, with his stinging shot forcing a decent save from NAC ‘keeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar. Michael Zullo also played a full game in the contest, making several encouraging runs down the left in an advanced role on the wing. Adam Sarota missed the clash through injury.

Elsewhere, Jason Davidson was absent from the match-day squad as Heracles thumped RKC Waalwijk 4-0.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi was an unused substitute as Atalanta drew 1-1 with Genoa.

In Turkey, Kerem Bulut was an 88th minute substitute as Akhisar Belediyespor jumped out of the relegation zone following a shock 4-1 win over Besiktas.

Elsewhere, Aziz Behich was absent from the match-day squad as Bursapor beat Antalyaspor 1-0.

In Russia, Luke Wilkshire started and played 64 minutes at right-back as Dinamo Moscow drew 3-3 with Anzhi Makhachkala.

In Portugal, Caleb Patterson-Sewell was an unused substitute as Vitoria Setubal beat GD Estoril 1-0.

In Denmark, Brent McGrath was absent from the match-day squad as Brondby drew 2-2 with Silkeborg.

In Austria, James Holland played 90 minutes in midfield as Austria Wien continued to stutter their way to the finish line with a 2-2 draw with rivals Rapid Wien. Austria Wien’s lead at the top of the table has been cut to just 6 points with 6 games remaining.

In the American MLS, Tim Cahill played 60 minutes and provided an assist in the New York Red Bulls 4-1 win over New England Revolution. Cahill set-up Dax McCarty after just four minutes, laying off a ball to the midfielder to lash home following some good work from Jonny Steele.

In Japan, Josh Kennedy marked his first start since September with a goal in Nagoya Grampus’ 3-1 loss to FC Tokyo. Kennedy, who has been out with a back injury, opened the scoring on the half hour with a superb angled header from an inswinging cross.

In the Chinese Super League, Ryan McGowan played 90 minutes in the centre of defence as Shandong Luneng continued their strong start to the season with a 3-1 win over Liaoning Whowin. Shandong blew away Liaoning in the second half with three spectacular goals.

Elsewhere, Jonas Salley played 90 minutes in midfield as Guizhou Renhe drew 1-1 with Beijing Guoan, while Erik Paartalu put in a full shift as Tianjin Teda lost 1-0 to Shanghai East Asia.

Matt McKay played 90 minutes in midfield as Changchun Yatai copped a 6-1 thumping from Guangzhou Evergrande.

Rostyn Griffiths was absent from the match-day squad as Guangzhou R&F beat Wuhan Zall 2-0, while Michael Marrone played a full game at right-back as Shanghai Shenxin beat Hangzhou 2-1.

In Korea, Adrian Madaschi played a full game in defence as Jeju United lost 1-0 to Pohang Steelers. Eddy Bosnar was a 90th minute substitute as Suwon Bluewings thumped Daejeon Citizen 4-1.

Robbie Cornthwaite returned to the Chunnam Dragons starting line-up, playing 90 minutes in defence as Chunnam drew 2-2 with Busan I’Park. Matt Simon was absent from the Chunnam match-day squad.

Elsewhere, both Alex Wilkinson and Nathan Burns were absent from their respective sides match-day squads as Burns’ Incheon United beat Wilkinson’s Jeonbuk Motors 3-1, while Luke Devere remained out with injury as Gyeongnam with Gangwon. Brendan Hamill was absent from the Gangwon match-day squad.

In Qatar on Friday, Harry Kewell scored his first goal for Al Gharafa in their 2-0 win over Qatar SC. Kewell opened the scoring just before half time, getting on the end of a through ball, cutting inside, before seeing his deflected shot beat Salam Fawaz in the Qatar SC goal.

Elsewhere, Matt Spiranovic found the back of the net for Al Arabi, scoring the game’s opening goal in their 2-1 win over Muaidar SC, while Sasa Ognenovski played a full game as Umm Salal beat Khor SC 1-0.

In the UAE Pro League, Nick Carle played a full game as Baniyas drew 3-3 with Ajman Club, while Dino Djulbic played 90 minutes in defence as Al Wahda lost 2-0 to Al Ahli.

In Iran, Milan Susak played 90 minutes in defence as Sepahan lost 2-1 to Damash Gilan.

In Indonesia, former Brisbane Roar & Adelaide City midfielder Mario Karlovic found the back of the net in Persebaya drew 1-1 with Pro Duta.