Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder discussing Leicester on Final Score

"The pressure is really getting heaped on Nigel Pearson and his team. They need a performance. The goals are not coming as freely as they were. He needs the players to stand up."

Image source, Getty Images

West Brom striker Brown Ideye, signed for £10m in the summer, has received one of the most damning votes of confidence ever from boss Alan Irvine ahead of the trip to Loftus Road.

"He's been through a spell where he looked as if he had no energy whatsoever and couldn't move," Irvine told the Express and Star. , external

"He looked as if he had no confidence and no sharpness in front of goal.

"In recent weeks he's been scoring goals in the training practices. He's had the energy to stay behind to do extra finishing afterwards which he just didn't have for a while."

He sounds like he is recovering from a serious illness rather than starting life as a Premier League striker.

Martin Keown
BBC Sport discussing Southampton on Final Score

"To lose to Burnley will have hurt. And then they've gone out of the League Cup. Ronald Koeman looked like he was losing the plot a little bit. He needs to rebalance his team. Managing in the Premier League is not like anywhere else in the world. There is no Christmas break here."

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "Harrison is a young player and a good midfielder, we need to be aggressive and he is one of those type of players. We have some under 21's on the bench and that is part of the philosophy of the club."

Harrison Reed makes his first start for the Saints in the league, having come on as a substitute in the Premier League five times before, while 18-year-old forward Ryan Seager is on the bench for the first time alongside three other teenagers.

Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts
BBC Radio 5 live at Villa Park

Image source, @jasonroberts30

"The Manchester United players are out on the pitch working on their attacking shape. That shows Louis van Gaal knows this game is going to be about how his team performs in attack. But you still feel United are vulnerable defensively.

"If Christian Benteke has a really good game, he can be such a strong focal point for Aston Villa, and a threat with his goals."

You can listen to live commentary online.

Out on the White Hart Lane pitch, the Burnley defence is going through a routine in which they all step up as one, drop back as one and bunch together as one. Perfectly choreographed.

An early nineties Arsenal would be proud.

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Ivory: 3-0 flatters City. Palace deserve a lot of credit

Tim Rowtcliff: Fernando is awful. He constantly makes the wrong decisions with the ball and without it he has no idea what to do or where to be

Sami Azam-Ali: When will football join the other world sports and use technology to correct decisions, potentially cost us the game

Get in touch using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook, external or Google+ page., external

Was this as good as it is going to get for Southampton this season?

Four points off the top, another four clear of Manchester City, the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool not even in the same shot - the league table on the evening of 8 November was a cut-out-and-keep special for Saints fans.

They have not won since, losing to Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United (forgiveable) and Burnley (less so).

They are now fifth, two points off fourth-placed West Ham.

Image source, Reuters

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is optimistic despite having to name a side including four changes: "We have seven lads out who are in and around the first team with injury or suspension. The bench has three young lads on it. It's tough that way and we have had to change the system. That's the nature of the game, it throws up new challenges.

"The first XI is still a strong one and we have to try to keep those players on the pitch as best we can. We are playing well enough to cause them problems. If we do as we are lately we will be right in the game."

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst discussing Manchester United's Phil Jones on Football Focus

"I think Michael Carrick playing in midfield has been a massive bonus for Manchester United. He is an old head and gets everyone in position. Carrick has always been an under-rated footballer. Phil Jones is a little bit impetuous but he is only 22. If he matures he can play there hundreds and hundreds of times."

Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon
Football Focus

"Phil Jones is a fantastic athlete and at 22 everything is in front of him. I think he will play a big role for Manchester United, but they do need another good centre-back playing alongside him.

"United are title contenders, yes, but champions? No. They still have a bit to do They are on a great run, the football may not be as free-flowing as they would like it to be, but the fact they are third speaks volumes about Louis van Gaal."

Football Focus BBC Sport

Manchester United defender Phil Jones: "I think we've done terrific. We've had a lot of critics since the start of the season but we have proved we are a good side. Louis van Gaal, since he has come here the lads have responded brilliantly, the staff he has brought have been terrific. He knows what he is doing."

Asked whether United can challenge for the title: "Idon't know about that. We need to keep winning games and keep picking up points. We'll address that after Christmas when we see where we are."

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"Up to half-time it was level. Crystal Palace defended well, they played with a lot of conviction and could have gone in front. But in the second half they were outplayed. The two goals from David Silva floored them, and Yaya Toure provided the finishing touch. City worthy winners because of their performance in the second half."

Wycombe will move four points clear at the top of League Two if they win at Accrington after Burton missed the chance to go top yesterday. Third-placed Shrewsbury entertain Morecambe with Luton in fourth also at home, against Newport. Exeter, unbeaten in nine league games, are away at Stevenage. Exeter's last league defeat came in October against Hartlepool, who have not won since. League Two's bottom side are at home against Oxford United today, while 23rd-placed Carlisle take on Northampton.

It is bottom versus top in League One as Crewe face Bristol City, while second-placed Swindon meet Doncaster. League Cup semi-finalists Sheffield United entertain Walsall with MK Dons playing Oldham Athletic. Colchester have only taken one point from their last six league games and travel to Yeovil, another side in the bottom four. Peterborough could end the day in the play-off places if they beat fourth-placed Preston.

Bottom side Blackpool entertain leaders Bournemouth. Ipswich, who missed the chance to go top last week, face Middlesbrough, another side aiming to return to the Premier League.

Steve Clarke's first game in charge of Reading is at home against Watford, while struggling Wigan entertain Rotherham. Lowly Brighton travel to Wolves, before Nottingham Forest entertain Leeds in the late game.

United's defeat to Villa in August 1995, with a team featuring David Beckham, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and Nicky Butt, prompted BBC pundit Alan Hansen to famously say that "you can't win anything with kids."

United duly won the Double in May.

So dogged resistance from Palace but eventually City found a way through and looked comfortable enough. Plenty more football to come of course. Don't go anywhere.