Harry Redknapp told BBC Sport: "We have had two vital home games against Leicester and Burnley. We needed to get the six points and we managed to do that.

"Today was tough. Burnley edged the game in the first half and a couple of good chances. Rob made a couple of vital saves. It was a big win for us.

"Charlie is our main goalscorer. We are relying on Charlie and need one or two others to weigh in with a couple of goals. But it's great to have Charlie getting so many goals for us."

One Wellness: Another arsenal game takes me through a range of emotions from despair and rage to happiness - and finally crushing disappointment.

Jay: Arsenal scored two from two set pieces. How things have turned between these two teams. All that's left is for Arsenal to sign Rory Delap.

Shohidur Rahman: Chelsea lost, Arsenal lost, Liverpool drew. How big is Southampton v Man Utd now?

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They'll be dancing on Blackpool promenade after Steve Davies' left-foot shot earns the Championship's bottom club a 1-0 home win over Birmingham, their first victory since 3 October. The Seasiders remain eight points from safety.

Elsewhere at the bottom end of the table, Malky Mackay's Wigan lose again - this time 1-0 at home to Norwich.Rotherham and Bolton both secure hard-earned away draws at Cardiff and Reading respectively. Claude Dielna scores a stoppage time winner for Sheffield Wednesday to end Blackburn's nine-match unbeaten league run.

Steve Wilson
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"City were relatively untroubled by the challenge of Southampton at St Mary's last Sunday, and on Wednesday night they were on a different level to Sunderland.

"Collectively, City look the part again, and individually Aguero looks sensational. Their big European test of that new-found belief follows four days later in Rome.

"In contrast to Manchester City, Everton have breezed through their European commitments so far, dominating a potentially difficult Europa League group.

"In the Premier League, Everton have found life a bit tougher, winning just one of their last five matches and sitting in mid-table."

So what have today's results done to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City's match this evening? Not a lot.

Chelsea failed to extend their advantage at the peak and City know victory will move them to within three points of the Blues. Who said the title was all over?

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

Sergio Aguero has been Manchester City's stand-out player this season and, on several occasions, their saviour too. But City boss Manuel Pellegrini uses his programme notes to pick out Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Samir Nasri as examples of other players who are now showing their best form and says the midweek thumping of Sunderland was down to a collective effort.

"This team is not just about Sergio," Pellegrini writes. "Against Sunderland it was the team that dominated the game - all the players had a high performance."

Gary Lineker
BBC Sport

"Three nil-nils! You're allowed to go to bed at 23:15 if you want."

Match of the Day gets underway at 22:20 GMT on BBC One this evening.

Bournemouth move up to third in the Championship table after goals by Harry Arter and Matt Ritchie see them come from behind to win 2-1 at Wolves, who finish with nine men. Derby remain one point clear at the top after a 3-0 home win over Brighton, who have now won just once in 16 league games. Ipswich stay second after a 4-1 home win over Leeds, and Middlesbrough move up to fourth on the back of a crushing 5-1 win at Millwall.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a dank dark December evening in Manchester but the good news for City fans who have under-dressed tonight is that there is a fetching Christmas jumper for sale in the club shop. Pick up a sky-blue santa hat too and you can keep warm and, er, look good at the same time.

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at Anfield

"Disappointment for Liverpool, they were hoping for something better with the big game against Basel to come. They improved after Steven Gerrard came on, Raheem Sterling looked fired up and Philipe Coutinho had a couple of good efforts, but at the other end Simon Mignolet had to be on good form to keep Sunderland out. A good point for Sunderland, but Liverpool will have to up their game in midweek."

Vinny Person: And that's a massive point for Spurs in their relegation battle. One point from home games against Stoke, WBA and Crystal Palace.

George Fisher: Three 0-0 draws? What a boring day for the "most exciting league in the world"!

Adam Morris: The opposite of unbelievable from Arsenal. Every embarrassing performance is so very believable and predictable these days.

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Three changes for Manchester City from the side that cruised to a 4-1 win at Sunderland in midweek. Eliaquim Mangala returns to the defence after suspension, while midfielders Fernando and James Milner also start. Making way are Dedryck Boyata, Fernandinho and Stevan Jovetic. Defender Aleksandar Kolarov and forward Edin Dzeko are on the bench after recovering from injury.

Midfielder Ross Barkley drops to the substitutes bench for Everton. Leon Osman also makes way as defender Tony Hibbert and striker Samuel Eto'o start.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando, Toure, Jesus Navas, Milner, Nasri, Aguero. Subs: Sagna, Dzeko, Kolarov, Caballero, Lampard, Boyata, Pozo.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Barry, Besic, Mirallas, Lukaku, Eto'o. Subs: Robles, McGeady, Barkley, Osman, Pienaar, Garbutt, Alcaraz.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

Hull City 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

Liverpool 0-0 Sunderland

Queens Park Rangers 2-0 Burnley

Stoke City 3-2 Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Crystal Palace

Garth Crooks
BBC Final Score

"Tottenham can't keep changing managers like they are, it's making them look stupid, they've got to settle on a manager and give him time to put things right. Mauricio Pochettino has got a lot of work to do though. That team looks fragile to me, they have lots of talented players but they are not a team."

Former Burnley man Charlie Austin takes the headlines. He scores the second before getting sent off but ultimately ends on the winning side. QPR are out of the drop zone.

Stoke knock the ball out of play, Mark Hughes taps his watch. Just seconds left but Arsenal have the ball...

Not the best build up to Tuesday's crucial Champions League match with Basel for Liverpool, but a tremendous defensive display from Sunderland.

Liverpool are still coming forward but another poor cross is easily held by Costel Pantilimon. Sunderland well worth their point - if they get it.