In the English Premier League, Mark Schwarzer played a full game in goal as Fulham’s horrific form continued, losing 3-1 to Liverpool. Despite the scoreline, Schwarzer had a decent game in goal making numerous fine saves from Philippe Coutinho in the first half and twice denying Daniel Sturridge in the second half.

However the English striker had the last laugh with a classy hat-trick, capitalising on some ordinary defending which has haunted Fulham in the run home and seen them lose six of their last seven games. Brad Jones was an unused substitute for Liverpool in the clash.

Brett Holman was an unused substitute as Aston Villa threw away a golden chance to confirm their safety in top flight, losing 2-1 to Chelsea after earlier leading the 10-man Blues. Chris Herd missed the clash through injury.

In the English Championship play-offs on Thursday, Mile Jedinak played a full game as Crystal Palace played out a 0-0 draw with Brighton. Jedinak was solid in midfield in a nervy encounter with Palace now facing a tricky trip to The Amex for the second leg on Monday night.

In Scotland, Tom Rogic was left out of the Celtic match-day squad as the Bhoys hammered St Johnstone 4-0.

Elsewhere, Alex Baird was an unused substitute as Dundee FC lost 3-2 to Kilmarnock, while Dylan McGowan was left on the bench as Hearts lost 2-1 to bitter rivals Hibernian.

In Ireland, striker Mark Griffin played a full game as Derry City suffered a shock 4-2 loss to U.C.D.

In the German Bundesliga, Robbie Kruse started and played 66 minutes as Fortuna Dusseldorf missed an opportunity to skip clear of the relegation zone with a 2-1 loss to Nurnberg. Kruse was largely quiet throughout his shift, perhaps showing signs of fatigue after a long campaign which has yielded 28 appearances. Dusseldorf now face a nervous final day trip to Hannover 96, sitting just goal difference outside of the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, Nikita Rukavytsya was absent from the match-day squad as FSV Mainz lost 4-2 to Borussia Monchengladbach, while Mitch Langerak was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Wolfsburg.

In the German Second Division, Mathew Leckie started but was replaced at half time after a quiet first half as FSV Frankfurt beat VfL Bochum 2-1. Despite the win, Frankfurt’s hopes of promotion were extinguished following results elsewhere.

In the German Third Division, Mustafa Amini was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund II drew 2-2 with Hallescher FC.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar played a full game for FC Utrecht in their 3-0 win over Heracles. Oar had several tidy touches throughout the contest in a central attacking role but wasn’t directly involved in any of his side’s goals.

Jason Davidson made just his fifth start of the season for Heracles in defence but had a game to forget after being sent off in the second half for a last man challenge inside the penalty box, with the resultant spot kick converted by Jacob Mulenga. Michael Zullo was absent from the Utrecht match-day squad, while Adam Sarota remained out with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, Travis Cooper was absent from the match-day squad as VVV Venlo produced a shock 1-0 win over fourth-placed Vitesse. Despite the result, Venlo will face a relegation play-off.

In Denmark, Brent McGrath saw some rare game-time, coming on in the 81st minute as Brondby moved two points clear of the relegation zone following a 1-1 draw with AaB Aalborg.

In the Russian Premier League, Luke Wilkshire played a full game at right-back as Dinamo Moscow dropped out of the Europa League qualification spots following a 1-1 draw with Krasnodar.

In the Italian Serie A, James Troisi made his first appearance since October, coming on in the 53rd minute as Atalanta lost 2-1 to Udinese. Troisi made little impact in his short cameo as Udinese controlled the contest in the second half.

In the Serie B, Carl Valeri remained out with an ankle injury as Sassuolo dropped more points, drawing 2-2 with lowly Virtus Lanciano. Sassuolo remain one point clear at the top of the table and face a tricky final game against third-placed Livorno.

In Austria, James Holland played a full game in midfield and provided an assist in Austria Wien’s 3-0 win over Wacker Innsbruck. Holland’s pass set up Phil Hosiner for the opener on 83 minutes before Wien piled on another two goals, taking them a step closer to the title with three games to play.

In the American MLS, Tim Cahill started but was replaced at half time as the New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 with New England Revolution. Cahill went close to continuing his goal-scoring form on 23 minutes but his header from Fabian Espindola’s cross just missed the target.

In the J-League, Josh Kennedy scored from the penalty spot as Nagoya Grampus slipped to a disappointing 2-1 loss to Yokohama F.Marinos. Kennedy opened the scoring just after half time, calmly sending ‘keeper Testsuya Enomoto the wrong way after Yoshi Ogawa was brought down in the area. Curiously, Kennedy was relieved of his penalty duties when Nagoya earned another spot-kick late in the contest with Keiji Tamada stepping up, however he saw his effort saved by Enomoto.

In the Chinese Super League, Rostyn Griffiths started but was replaced on 23 minutes after appearing to injure his knee in Guangzhou R&F’s 2-1 win over Beijing Guoan.

Matt McKay played 90 minutes in midfield as Changchun Yatai continued their poor start to the season, losing 1-0 to Guizhou Renhe. Jonas Salley played a full game in midfield for Guizhou.

Elsewhere, Erik Paartalu played a full game in midfield as Tianjin Teda drew 1-1 with Jiangsu Sainty, while Michael Marrone was absent from the Shanghai Shenxin side that beat Dalian Aerbin 2-1.

In the Chinese Second Division, former Newcastle striker Ryan Griffiths found the back of the net for Beijing Baxy, scoring the game’s only goal as Baxi beat Shijiazhuang 1-0.

Elsewhere, former Adelaide United and Perth Glory midfielder Adam Hughes scored for Harbin Yiteng in their 2-1 loss to Brendon Santalab’s Chongqing Lifan.

In South Korea, Luke Devere made his long awaited return from injury, coming on in the 88th minute as Gyeongnam beat Daegu FC 3-1. It was Devere’s first appearance on the pitch since October last year.

Eddy Bosnar played a full game in defence as Suwon Bluewings lost 1-0 to Ulsan Hyundai.

Elsewhere, Alex Wilkinson was an 85th minute substitute as Jeonbuk Motors drew 2-2 with Chunnam Dragons. Robert Cornthwaite was also a late substitute for Chunnam, coming on in the 81st minute.

Nathan Burns was again absent from the match-day squad as Incheon United drew 0-0 with Jeju United, who were without Adrian Madaschi.

In the UAE Pro League, Dino Djulbic played a full game in defence as Al Wahda beat Al Dhafra 2-1, while Richard Porta was a 60th minute substitute as Dubai lost 3-1 to Al Wasl.

Elsewhere, Nick Carle played a full game in central midfield as Baniyas drew 2-2 with Al Ain, who were without Alex Brosque. Carle had a fine game in midfield and picked out Haboush Saleh with a superb pass only for the midfielder to strike the post.

In Iran, Milan Susak played a full game in defence as Sepahan drew 2-2 with Hormozgan. Sepahan finished the season in 3rd position.

In India, Tolgay Ozbey continued his good form, finding the back of the net in Mohun Bagan’s 3-0 win over United Sikkim.