Andy Carroll is back for West Ham today. The £15m striker has been out since tearing ankle ligaments in the Hammers' pre-season tour of New Zealand but is on the bench today and looks in good spirits during the warm-up.

MOTD's John Motson at Upton Park

"This game at Upton Park brings together two Claret and Blue armies marching in very different directions.

"The Hammers are riding high in fifth place, having claimed 10 points from a possible 12.

"Villa, meanwhile, have slumped to 16th after a run of six consecutive defeats - their worst run in the top flight since 1964."

Chelsea's John Terry, speaking to BT Sport: "They probably had the better of the first half but the second half we were in control and never looked like losing, which is the difficulty at Anfield.

"We have seen everyone is beating everyone. We have had a good run, we go into the international break in confidence and hopefully can continue our good form.

"The whole team is putting big performances week and week out but Diego Costa has been at the heart of that."

Image source, PA

Image source, Getty Images

Lionel Messi could become La Liga's all-time highest scorer on Saturday as Barcelona look to get their campaign back on track against Almeria.

Messi has scored 250 goals, leaving him one shy of Telmo Zarra, who has held the record for nearly 60 years.

You can see if he does it here.

There is a big game in Scotland today where the winners know they will take top spot in the Scottish Premiership.

Inverness take on Hamilton at the Caledonian Stadium and you can follow every incident on our Scottish live text as well as news from the other games going on north of the border.

MOTD's Guy Mowbray at Turf Moor

"What have Burnley got in common with Bishops Cleeve FC? Well, the Gloucestershire side are the next team down in England's football pyramid who have yet to win a league game this season.

"They play in the eighth tier, in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West,, external and will be hosting promotion-chasing Shortwood United as Burnley get on with trying to tame the Tigers.

"Winless though the Clarets are, Sean Dyche's positive approach continues into a match that many will see as a big chance for his team to get off the mark - and it must happen soon if Burnley are to have any realistic hope of Premier League survival."

BBC Radio 5 live

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey: "Louis van Gaal knew they had as shocking defence before and he went and spent X amount of attacking players. Man Utd lost Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and not really replaced them. I would have kept Rio or Vidic just to pass on their knowledge to the younger players."

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"I think Crystal Palace under Tony Pulis were very organised. Under Neil Warnock they are a bit more open and that does cause them problems. I think Palace could end up struggling this season. They are leaking goals, which did not happen last season."

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Just kicking into life, Manchester United v Crystal Palace on 5 live sports extra. Listen now as John Acres and Jimmy Armfield bring you all the action from Old Trafford.

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The FA Cup
Live on the BBC

Don't forget, we have 25 FA Cup first round games today, all kicking off at 15:00 GMT, and we'll be bringing you all the thrills, spills and hopefully some shocks throughout the afternoon as 10 nonleague sides come up against league opposition here., external

Ryman Premier side East Thurrock United's near 600 mile round trip to the Football League's bottom club Hartlepool will be one of our featured games.

Meanwhile, Hemel Hempstead Town, once home of James Bond actor Roger Moore, are travelling to Bury, and Conference leaders Barnet could upset the odds at home to Wycombe.

But sadly Weston Super Mare's home game against League One Doncaster has been called off after five pitch inspections and there will be no aviation related puns as Concord Rangers's match away at Mansfield has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Anfield

"Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers have a lot of work to do. It was unbelievable the amount of possession they had in the closing stages of the game, but they were sadly lacking in ideas when they got into the final third.

"Fabio Borini, why did he not start? He may lack a bit of craft but he brings you that energy. It's not a criticism, but because of injuries I don't think Brendan Rodgers knows his best team. Adam Lallana, on the bench today, he must be thinking: 'Why did I come here?'"

Sam Jones:, external Mourinho has upgraded the Chelsea bus into a tank that steamrolls everything in its path. They'll win the league easily.

Olufemi Adegbe:, external Honestly, what did Liverpool fans think would happen after Suarez left?

Uchenna Nelson:, external Liverpool simply disappointing this season. I hope they find the desired spark to light up their game.

Chelsea look formidable, with Southampton their nearest challengers.

But can Southampton continue their fine Premier League form and finish in the top four come the end of the season?

Vote at the top of this page or tweet @BBCSport with either #yes or #no. The vote will close at 17:00 GMT and full t&c's can be found on the BBC Sport website.

Former England winger Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Anfield

"Are Chelsea so good or have other teams not performed how we were expecting? After they scored the second goal they soaked up all the pressure.

"When they had the chance to break they did, but they know how to win games and run the clock down. Jose Mourinho's teams have always been good at compacting the game. They could have won by more. It's been a very professional job here today."

All over.

Is the Premier League title race all but over already? They are seven points clear.

Image source, PA

Another 30 seconds killed as Filipe Luis comes on for Eden Hazard...

First bit of penetration in half an hour for Liverpool as Rickie Lambert finally breaks in behind, he stands up a cross for Raheem Sterling, he can't convert and when he pops it back in, Fabio Borini is well over the top.

90 seconds left...

Liverpool throw as we tick into the third of five minutes added on...

LFCway:, external What a save by Cahill!

Dan Wilcox:, external How long has Gary Cahill played in goal for Chelsea?

Jay:, external Poor decision there. That was a definite penalty.

FIVE MINUTES added on. The Kop cheer with appreciation, as Chelsea move into further levels of game management. Get it in the corners!