Match reports
So, after 26 goals across our eight games – and more drama, shock and intrigue than your average Traitors round table – it’s time to sign off. Thanks for joining me. Bye!
Louise Taylor was at St James’ Park for an absolute blockbuster.
Jamie Jackson was at Turf Moor to see Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher era begin with a 2-2 draw.
“AAAAAATATATATAGSHJSKAOOZOAAAMANAKAOAOAPALALALLAALALAMWJ2IU2JQJWJW” writes Newcastle fan Chris Paraskevas.
That late, late winner bumps Newcastle up to sixth in the table, while Leeds’ unbeaten run ends in painful fashion – but they still have an eight-point cushion above the drop zone.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 20 | 26 | 48 |
| 2 | Man City | 21 | 26 | 43 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 21 | 9 | 43 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 20 | 4 | 34 |
| 5 | Brentford | 21 | 7 | 33 |
| 6 | Newcastle | 21 | 5 | 32 |
| 7 | Man Utd | 21 | 4 | 32 |
| 8 | Chelsea | 21 | 10 | 31 |
| 9 | Fulham | 21 | 0 | 31 |
| 10 | Sunderland | 21 | -1 | 30 |
| 11 | Brighton | 21 | 3 | 29 |
| 12 | Everton | 21 | -2 | 29 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 21 | -1 | 28 |
| 14 | Tottenham Hotspur | 21 | 3 | 27 |
| 15 | AFC Bournemouth | 21 | -6 | 26 |
| 16 | Leeds | 21 | -8 | 22 |
| 17 | Nottm Forest | 21 | -13 | 21 |
| 18 | West Ham | 21 | -21 | 14 |
| 19 | Burnley | 21 | -19 | 13 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 21 | -26 | 7 |
Full time: Newcastle 4-3 Leeds
On a wild night of Premier League action, Newcastle and Leeds saved the best for last. The visitors led three times but Eddie Howe’s side just wouldn’t lie down, and Harvey Barnes fired them in front for the first time in the 102nd minute. As the kids say: absolute cinema.
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GOAL!!! Newcastle 4-3 Leeds (Barnes 90+11')
The clock ticks into triple figures and after Perri punches the corner clear, it’s crossed back in to Harvey Barnes, who spins on a dime and fires past the keeper, who gets a touch but can’t keep it out. St James’ Park goes ballistic!
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100 mins: Ampadu is booked for stopping a Newcastle break, and the hosts have another chance to sling it in the mixer. Barnes gets to the header, but it’s deflected behind for a corner …
98 mins: Barnes lines up a shot on the edge of the area, but takes just too long and is nudged off the ball. Leeds immediately break and a cross is flashed through the six-yard box – but nobody in blue is there to turn it home.
Newcastle 3-3 Leeds: Aaronson, Gruev and Rodon off; Tanaka, Bournaaw and Gnonto on. Three minutes, plus change, to play …
94 mins: Tremendous noise from the home fans as Newcastle deal with a Leeds long throw and launch a counter, with Wissa almost connecting in the penalty area. Aaronson is limping off, and Daniel Farke is going to make three changes.
Full time: Burnley 2-2 Manchester United
The good for Darren Fletcher: two goals for Benjamin Sesko. The bad: a draw at Burnley.
“Massive 10 minutes coming up for Eddie Howe’s team – season-defining, potentially,” writes Chris Paraskevas. A massive 10 minutes in your house too, I would imagine (see 21.00)
GOAL! Newcastle 3-3 Leeds (Guimaraes 90')
Bruno Guimaraes shimmies and sends Lucas Perri the wrong way, and Newcastle have levelled for a third time! What’s more: there will be 10 minutes of stoppage time.
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Newcastle penalty!
After a corner is half-cleared, Aaronson jumps to block a cross – but the ball hits his arm, which was up at head height, and Michael Salisbury points to the penalty spot. The only question is whether he was inside the area … but VAR sees no reason to overturn it.
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Still Burnley 2-2 Manchester United heading into stoppage time at Turf Moor …
87 mins: Calvert-Lewin is replaced by Nmecha, who immediately has a chance to shoot from a tight angle … but can only find the side netting!
85 mins: We’ll focus on the final few moments at St James’ Park, where Newcastle have won a corner. Leeds are really struggling to deal with these set pieces – the first needs Struijk to head off the line and the second pinballs to Wissa, whose shot skews wide.
Andy Hunter was at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on another tough home night for Everton, who saw Jack Grealish and Michael Keane sent off.
GOAL! Newcastle 2-3 Leeds (Aaronson 79')
Leeds go ahead for the third time, Calvert-Lewin and Aaronson linking up well again before the American fires a low shot into the bottom corner!
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Ed Aarons was at Selhurst Park on a frustrating night for Aston Villa.
Like Liam Rosenior, Jacob Steinberg was in the stands to see 10-man Chelsea beaten by Fulham, who are now level on points with their neighbours.
Fabian Schar is down and receiving treatment for what looks like a serious injury. He’s helped on to a stretcher with his left leg braced, and looks distraught as he’s carried off the field.
Ben Bloom was on the south coast to see Antoine Semenyo end Bournemouth’s winless run in what is probably his last game for the club. As for Spurs, they are now 14th.
Over in Serie A, Inter have won 2-0 at Parma, goals from Federico Dimarco and Marcus Thuram helping them move four points clear of Milan (who host Genoa tomorrow) and Napoli, who were held by Verona earlier. Pedro’s late penalty earned Lazio a point and denied struggling Fiorentina a big win, that game finishing 2-2 in Rome.
Will Unwin was at the Etihad Stadium to see Manchester City held to a third straight draw, presenting Arsenal with the chance to pull further clear at the top.
Burnley are back level! You just can’t take your eye off Manchester United games these days. Jaidon Anthony has curled home a stunner to restore parity.
Ampadu stretches to clear a cross and does very well to (a) stop Lewis Hall scoring and (b) avoid smashing the ball into his own net. From the corner there’s a madcap bit of action, Schar hitting the post and Woltemade failing to finish with two Leeds players on the deck.
Match reports are beginning to land, starting with John Brewin at the Gtech, where Europe is in the air.
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Premier League results
Bournemouth 3-2 Tottenham
Brentford 3-0 Sunderland
Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa
🟥 🟥 Everton 1-1 Wolves
Fulham 2-1 Chelsea 🟥
Manchester City 1-1 Brighton
Burnley 1-2 Manchester United (L)
Newcastle 2-2 Leeds (L)
Manchester United lead! Benjamin Sesko had two goals all season before tonight; he’s just scored his second inside 10 minutes.
GOAL! Newcastle 2-2 Leeds (Joelinton 54')
The hosts are back on terms again, Joelinton powering home a header from Bruno Guimaraes’ cross. I don’t have the data to hand, but it feels like Leeds are quite bad at holding onto a lead.
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During that maelstrom of updates, I neglected to tell you that Manchester United are level at Burnley, Benjamin Sesko the scorer.
“I’m hoping Pep gives one of his broadsides against the Man City fans tonight,” writes David Bowen. “The ones who did turn up were so quiet they seemed vaguely disinterested. And a smattering of boos at full time.” There was a strange atmosphere tonight, when the team really needed a reaction to the draw with Chelsea.
Full time: Bournemouth 3-2 Tottenham
Vicario is up for a final Spurs corner, but Petrovic claims it, and there’s the final whistle. An end-to-end game is settled by Antoine Semenyo’s fine late finish – probably his last goal for Bournemouth – and ends their long winless run.
Full time: Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
It’s derby victory for Fulham over their neighbours, who saw Marc Cucurella sent off in the first half. Harry Wilson got the winner as Marco Silva’s men continue their impressive recent form. For Liam Rosenior, plenty to think about.
Full time: Everton 1-1 Wolves
Another point for Wolves but it’s Everton who are more eager to hear the final whistle – they end the game with nine men after Keane and Grealish are sent off.
Full time: Manchester City 1-1 Brighton
Haaland sees a late shot blocked by Van Hecke, and Brighton hold on for a point. That means Arsenal can go eight points clear with victory over Liverpool tomorrow night.
Full time: Brentford 3-0 Sunderland
Two more goals for Igor Thiago, combined with Enzo Le Fee’s penalty howler, sees Brentford collect three points and climb to fifth in the table, a point behind Liverpool.
GOAL! Bournemouth 3-2 Tottenham (Semenyo 95')
What a moment! Antoine Semenyo, who is expected to leave Bournemouth after this game, scores a beauty from the edge of the area.
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Full time: Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa
A scrappy game ends in a stalemate that suits neither team – Palace’s winless run goes on, and Aston Villa fail to make up enough ground on leaders Arsenal.
Back under way at St James’ Park, where Leeds lead 2-1.
There’s also nine minutes of stoppage time at the Vitality, where David Brooks sends an effort high and wide after Semenyo’s shot is blocked.
Red card! Everton down to nine men
Not sure what’s happening to Everton – Jack Grealish has been shown a second yellow card for sarcastic applause, no less, and they’re down to nine men! What’s more, they have nine added minutes to hold out.
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City waste the free kick and Tom Watson threatens to break away from Brighton before being crowded out. Five minutes for the hosts to find a winner …
Cherki wins a free kick in a dangerous spot, while Chelsea have a corner at the Cottage that Fulham just about deal with.
Any signs of life from City at the Etihad? It’s Brighton who have had the better of the second half, but Rayan Cherki has just fired wide from Doku’s cut-back. As it stands, City and Villa are both dropping more points …
GOAL! Fulham 2-1 Chelsea (Wilson 79')
Fulham retake the lead and this time Harry Wilson’s goal will stand! He brings the ball down from a rebound, takes a touch and fires home with his right foot, via a deflection.
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Spurs are pushing for a winner now, and Petrovic makes an excellent save to keep out Van de Ven’s header.
Red card! Keane sent off for Everton
From hero to zero, Michael Keane is sent off after a VAR review – and there’s still time for Wolves to grab a winner …
In the 7.30pm kick-offs, Brentford are the only team with a lead. Every other game is level with 10 minutes to play …
Half time in the 8.15pm kick-offs, and it’s Burnley 1-0 Manchester United and Newcastle 1-2 Leeds.
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-2 Tottenham (Palhinha 79')
Spurs shake off their penalty frustration, and Joao Palhinha levels with a brilliant acrobatic finish! Are Bournemouth going to be denied victory yet again?
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GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Chelsea (Delap 72')
Remind yourselves of everything I said about Chelsea earlier – the 10 men are level! It’s Liam Delap who has spoiled the Craven Cottage party, firing home a rebound.
GOAL! Newcastle 1-2 Leeds (Calvert-Lewin pen 45+4')
Leeds retake the lead after being awarded a controversial penalty, Thiaw penalised for handball as he was falling down, with Calvert-Lewin leaning on his shoulder. It looked harsh after one brief viewing. Anyway, DCL steps up to convert the spot kick.
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No penalty! It’s Micky van de Ven who won the penalty for Spurs, but replays suggest he ran into James Hill in search of the spot kick. Yep, the referee has changed his mind after a trip to the monitor – and Van de Ven is booked for his complaints.
GOAL! Brentford 3-0 Sunderland (Yarmolyuk 73')
Brentford make it three, Yegor Yarmolyuk tapping home from close range to compound a rare off-day for Sunderland.
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Spurs hit the post! Richarlison’s header is this close to getting Tottenham back on terms – and now they might have a penalty …
Where to now? How about St James’ Park, where half-time is rapidly approaching.
“A bit of a house derby in the Paraskevas home: my little brother is a Leeds fan and we’re both up for this one. Although I’m the one paying for our streaming subscription, so should he even be allowed to watch? No idea how Leeds aren’t ahead, Newcastle have been very ordinary.”
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Wolves (Mané 70')
Oh, hello. Wolves’ rising star, Mateus Mané, runs on to a through ball and fires past Pickford in front of the away fans, who serenade him to the tune of the Cranberries.
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GOAL! Brentford 2-0 Sunderland (Thiago 65')
He simply cannot stop scoring. Moments after Le Fee’s penalty aberration, Igor Thiago climbs to head home and put Brentford in charge. The hosts are fifth, Sunderland down to 11th as it stands.
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GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Leeds (Barnes 36')
Leeds’ lead lasts just four minutes as Harvey Barnes fires Newcastle level! That game kicked off at 8.15pm, so we’re still in the first half.
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GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Brighton (Mitoma 60')
City are pegged back! It’s Kaoru Mitoma who levels in style, sending his shot beyond Donnarumma and into the far corner. The City keeper is then booked for tussling with De Cuyper over the loose ball.
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GOAL! Newcastle 0-1 Leeds (Aaronson 32')
Leeds deservedly go ahead at St James’ Park, Brenden Aaronson slotting home from Calvert-Lewin’s pass.
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GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Chelsea (Jiménez 55')
Please forget whatever it was I said about Chelsea just then. Fulham lead, a fine header from Raúl Jiménez beating Sánchez at the near post.
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Penalty calamity for Sunderland!
This alone makes Match of the Day essential viewing tonight. Sunderland win a penalty and Enzo Le Fee steps up … but his attempted Panenka is read by Kelleher, who catches the ball and offers him a thumbs up. Painful to watch, tbh.
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Fulham are dominating the ball as they try to break down a blue wall in front of them. This state of play might suit Chelsea in a weird way: they seem to thrive on adversity at times. With that, they break and Neto wins a corner which Hato heads over the bar.
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“With several games going on at once I’ve been hopping between them, and managed to see several blatant cynical fouls,” writes Mark Uribe. “These days, with teams having so many top players for all positions and five substitutions per game, taking a yellow card for the team really doesn’t cost much. Can we please introduce sin bins?”
I would personally like to see it, if only for the added drama and histrionics. Stick ‘em in the sin bin for pointlessly moaning about refereeing calls, while we’re at it.
In Serie A, Inter lead 1-0 at Parma at the break, and are on track to extend their lead at the top.
We are back in the 7.30pm kick-offs – no further goals anywhere so far.
It’s no longer goalless at Burnley – Manchester United are behind.
It’s also goalless at Burnley, where Daniel Harris is watching the Fletchera begin.
Leeds have started brightly at Newcastle, in what I reckon might be the biggest game in England between one-club cities. Feel free to tell me I’m wrong, of course.
Premier League half-times
Bournemouth 2-1 Tottenham
Brentford 1-0 Sunderland
Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa
Everton 1-0 Wolves
Fulham 0-0 Chelsea 🟥
Manchester City 1-0 Brighton
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No goal! Harry Wilson slots home from 12 yards out – but Jimenez was just offside as he ran back to hold the ball up. Lucky for Chelsea’s ragged back line, who almost played Fulham onside twice in that move.
8.15pm games under way
Two more games, sure, why not? Burnley v Manchester United, and Newcastle v Leeds, are both up and running. You can follow events at Turf Moor with Daniel Harris:
Antoine Semenyo is booked on what looks likely to be his final Bournemouth appearance. At Selhurst Park, Villa are having marginally the better of a scrappy game, but it remains goalless.
Back at Craven Cottage, Cole Palmer stings Leno’s palms with a shot from distance, before Smith Rowe goes close with his own effort from the edge of the area.
Pep Guardiola was booked before the penalty was taken, and our man on the ground, Will Unwin, reports he had a heated exchange of words with Fabian Hurzeler.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Brighton (Haaland pen 40')
Normal service resumed as Haaland slots the penalty home. There’s a sense of relief around the Etihad, where City had really been struggling for inspiration.
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Penalty for Manchester City? VAR are checking Diego Gomez’s challenge on Doku – it looks a pretty clear penalty, and Thomas Bramall points to the spot. A chance for Haaland to end his mini-drought …
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GOAL! Bournemouth 2-1 Tottenham (Kroupi 32')
A quick turnaround at the Vitality, with Senesi cutting back for Eli Junior Kroupi to score, after Semenyo air-kicked his shot.
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No joy for Manchester City so far, with Brighton happy to soak up pressure. “Are you going to mention all the empty seats at the Etihad?” demands Alexis Panton. I’d say you’ve done it for me.
GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Sunderland (Thiago 26')
What’s happening at the Gtech then? Well, the hosts have taken the lead through red-hot striker Igor Thiago, who runs onto a through ball, rounds Robin Roefs and slots home. That’s his 15th league goal of the season – and Brentford are fifth as it stands.
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Newcastle v Leeds teams (8.15pm KO)
Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon.
Subs: Trippier, Ramsdale, Botman, Wissa, Livramento, Jacob Murphy, Willock, Alex Murphy, Ramsey.
Leeds (3-5-1-1): Lucas Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Justin, Gruev, Ampadu, Stach, Gudmundsson; Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Darlow, Piroe, Nmecha, Okafor, Harrison, Tanaka, Bornauw, Byram, Gnonto.
Wilson’s free kick, and Jimenez’s shot on the rebound, are both blocked, with Santos taking the latter squarely in the bread basket. Chelsea are set to make a change, bringing on Jorrel Hato for the ailing Santos.
Chelsea’s players will not stop complaining – I’m not really sure on what grounds – and both Fernandez and Tosin are booked for dissent. Marco Silva joins them, presumably complaining Fulham have a free kick on the edge of the area, rather than a penalty.
Red card! Cucurella sent off for Chelsea
Chelsea had been dominating but Fulham break away, and Harry Wilson gets beyond Cucurella, who stops him with a tug on the arm. Peter Bankes shows a straight red card, and it’s upheld by the VAR!
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GOAL! Bournemouth 1-1 Tottenham (Evanilson 21')
Bournemouth are back on terms, through a terrific Evanilson header. Tavernier curled in a perfect cross, and the Brazilian got up to head emphatically past Vicario!
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Brennan Johnson looks poised to score his first Palace goal – but Emi Martínez makes a fine save to deny him. Back at Craven Cottage, another corner causes problems, with Leno saving from Caicedo at close range.
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Wolves (Keane 17')
The Wolves revival stalls as Michael Keane gets a toe to the ball in a crowded area, and fires Everton in front!
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An Aston Villa handball shout is waved away at Selhurst Park, while back at the Etihad, debutant Max Alleyne heads wide from a corner. Did you know: he’s the son of former England cricketer Mark Alleyne? You do now.
Cole Palmer goes down on the edge of the area, but the decision goes against him for handball as he fell. The Craven Cottage faithful liked that one.
While we wait for some more goals, here’s what Liam Rosenior had to say on Sky before kick-off.
“For this opportunity to come up at this stage of my career is great but my biggest focus is not about being Chelsea manager, it’s about being a winning Chelsea manager, and that is the message that I gave the players yesterday. We need to hit the ground running for the rest of the season.
Every manager has an idea of the way that they want to play, [but] it has to suit the players. I think that is one of the reasons I have been brought to the club, it suits the players perfectly, but you have to be able to adapt in terms of tactics, systems, formations. That’s why I was brought into the project to begin with.
“To be honest I never thought it would end up with me stood here in January as Chelsea manager, but in life you never know what’s going to happen.”
Erling Haaland hasn’t scored in three league games – quite the drought by his standards. He looks to get in behind Brighton’s back five on the break, but Phil Foden can’t find the through ball.
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Cucurella’s cross is cleared away by Diop, but Chelsea have a corner. Enzo Fernandez whips it in and Leno has to punch off the goal line, under pressure from Delap.
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In the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona have raced into a 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao. Real Madrid take on Atlético in the second semi-final tomorrow night.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Tottenham (Tel 5')
Mathys Tel with a very welcome goal for Spurs! He cuts in from the left wing and drills a low shot into the far corner. Petrovic might have done better, although Tel’s shot may have taken a slight deflection.
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An early half-chance for Fulham, with Harry Wilson denied by Sánchez at the near post. He had time and space to test the Chelsea keeper further.
Here we go!
Six Premier League games up and running. We’ll focus on the action at Craven Cottage to start with, but will endeavour to cover every game, everywhere, all at once.
Full time in Serie A, and it’s ended Napoli 2-2 Verona. Giovanni di Lorenzo pulled a late goal back for the hosts, after Rasmus Højlund’s strike was ruled out by VAR.
Get well soon, King Kev.
Manchester United begin their post-Amorim era at Turf Moor tonight. You can follow that one with Daniel Harris.
“Very disappointed Liam Rosenior has joined Chelsea,” writes Richard Hirst. “I was hoping they would take Marco Silva so that Liam could come to his and his father’s homeland. Cut his Premiership teeth in a more supportive environment at Craven Cottage, moving to SW6’s second team later on if absolutely necessary.”
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There are also five Serie A games tonight, and in one of two earlier kick-offs, Napoli are in a spot of bother at home to struggling Verona. The visitors took a shock 2-0 lead but Scott McTominay has pulled one back. Elsewhere, Atalanta lead 2-0 at Bologna, while Inter face Parma later on.
Brentford v Sunderland teams
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry, Yarmolyuk, Janelt; Jensen, Lewis-Potter, Schade; Thiago.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Donovan.
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete; Geertruida, Xhaka; Rigg, Le Fée, Adingra; Brobbey.
Subs: Tutierov, Harrison Jones, Hjelde, Mundle, O’Nien, Mayenda, Neil, Cirkin, Patterson.
Everton v Wolves teams
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Iroegbunam; McNeil, Armstrong, Grealish; Barry.
Subs: Travers, King, Patterson, Beto, Dibling, Rohl, Aznou, Welch, Campbell.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (3-5-2): Jose Sá, Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Krejci; Tchatchoua, Arias, Joáo Gomes, Mané, Hugo Bueno; Arokodare, Hwang.
Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Wolfe, Andre Trindade, Larsen, Pedro Lima, Chirewa, Lopez, Ojinnaka.
Bournemouth v Tottenham teams
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Jiménez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Cook; Semenyo, Tavernier, Junior Kroupi; Evanilson.
Subs: Forster, Soler, Brooks, Smith, Diakité, Adli, Unal, Milosavljevic, Rees-Dottin.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; João Palhinha, Bentancur, Bergvall; Kolo Muani, Tel, Simons.
Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Odobert, Davies, Scarlett, Williams-Barnet.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa teams
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Canvot, Lacroix, Guéhi; Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Johnson, Pino; Mateta.
Subs: Benitez, Uche, Sosa, Richards, Rodney, King, Benamar, Casey, Drakes-Thomas.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelöf, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers, Sancho, Watkins.
Subs: Bizot, Buendía, Torres, García, Malen, Jimoh, Maatsen, Bogarde, Hemmings.
So, some interesting changes in the Chelsea line-up, with Reece James and João Pedro dropping to the bench, replaced by Andrey Santos – who was impressive off the bench against City on Sunday – and Liam Delap.
As for City, they’ve handed a first-team debut to Max Alleyne after recalling the young centre-back from his loan at Watford. Rodri and Rayan Cherki start on the bench.
Man City v Brighton teams
Manchester City (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake; González, Bernardo Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Doku, Haaland.
Subs: Trafford, Cherki, Rodri, O’Reilly, McAidoo, Mukasa, Lewis, Mfuni, Reigan Heskey.
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Ayari, Gross; Mitoma, Gómez, De Cuyper; Rutter.
Subs: Steele, Gruda, Watson, Welbeck, Milner, Boscagli, Coppola, Tasker, Howell.
Fulham v Chelsea team news
Fulham (3-4-2-1): Leno; Diop, Andersen, Cuenca; Castagne, Berge, Cairney, Robinson; Wilson, Smith Rowe; Jiménez.
Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Traore, Kusi-Asare, Lukic, Kevin, Sessegnon, Amissah, Ridgeon.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Santos, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernández, Pedro Neto; Delap.
Subs: Jorgensen, Bynoe-Gittens, João Pedro, Hato, James, Fofana, Acheampong, Estevao, Garnacho.
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Some sad news to bring you – Spurs legend Martin Chivers has died aged 80. The team’s players will wear black armbands at Bournemouth tonight as a tribute.
Today’s Football Daily takes a peek into the West Ham doom vortex …
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Wednesday's Premier League games
Kick-offs 7.30pm GMT unless stated …
Bournemouth v Tottenham
Brentford v Sunderland
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Everton v Wolves
Fulham v Chelsea
Manchester City v Brighton
Burnley v Manchester United (8.15pm)
Newcastle v Leeds (8.15pm)
Preamble
A new era technically begins for Chelsea tonight, with Liam Rosenior appointed on Tuesday. No manager/head coach/performance coordinator wants to start with a derby, though, so Calum McFarlane stays in charge tonight. While their rivalry with Fulham hasn’t always been the fiercest, Craven Cottage under the lights has been a problem for Liverpool and Manchester City already this season.
With Arsenal hosting Liverpool on Thursday, City and Aston Villa must seize the chance to apply pressure and cut back that six-point gap at the top. Pep Guardiola’s stumblers host Brighton, who recently ended a long winless run, while Villa go to Crystal Palace, who are still stuck in their barren patch.
The same goes for Bournemouth, who will aim to end an 11-game stretch without a victory at home to Tottenham. In another surprising stat, Thomas Frank’s shiftless side still have the second-best away record in the league. Frank’s former team, Brentford, host Sunderland in a battle of surprise chasers of continental football.
Everton are struggling at their new stadium, so Wolves are either the best or worst visitors they could have tonight. In another glass-half-full/empty contest, Leeds (unbeaten in seven, with five draws) go to Newcastle. Eddie Howe’s side are improving, but they are also the last team to ever lose to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.
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