Free kick to Tottenham 30 yards from goal...

Luke Shaw replaces Paddy McNair in defence for Manchester United as Louis van Gaal makes his final change. A return from injury for the England defender.

Forest have rallied after the break with Jamie Paterson shooting into the side netting after kick-off, Eric Lichaj firing over the bar and then an unmarked Robert Tesche heading inches wide. But that crucial goal remains illusive.

KN: If MUFC are to reach City's level, we'll need to win these matches. Cos City have shown that they can. Dig deep Reds!

Sushant Shetty: The highlight of United's season has been their clinical finishing. Sadly its been below average today.

Michael Devlin: On this showing, Falcao's not gonna get the big contract.

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Federico Fazio swivels inside the penalty area but his low volley is saved by a diving David de Gea.

Chris Smalling replaces Jonny Evans in the heart of Manchester United's defence.

Paddy McNair is cautioned for a trip on Harry Kane as Chris Smalling prepares to come on.

This is scrappy stuff at the moment. Neither side can really get hold of the ball with too many passes going astray.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea Warrior: This has 1-0 written all over it. Spurs smash-and-grab or United nervy win?

Chris Goodall: Looks like some of the Christmas turkeys have found their way onto the pitch. Very poor stuff since half time...

Paul Charles: 30 minutes to go in a very important game, would love to see Lennon come on & cause some trouble. Fresh legs make a difference.

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United hit back with a chance of their own. Rafael pulls the ball back to Juan Mata on the edge of the penalty area but, unmarked, he blazes horribly over.

Ryan Bertrand, on loan at Southampton this season, is unable to play against his parent club Chelsea this afternoon and that has presented an opportunity to Saints' teenage full-back Matt Targett.

Ahead of his first Premier League start, Targett said: "I'm a bit nervous but I'm really looking forward to it.

"I got told a couple of weeks ago that Ryan couldn't play, so it's my opportunity to impress today. It will be a massive test playing against world class players, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Brilliant from Andros Townsend as he almost breaks the deadlock out of nothing. The England and Tottenham winger beats a couple of United midfielders before fizzing a 20-yard strike at goalkeeper David De Gea. Comfortable enough for the United stopper though.

Bradley Allen
former QPR forward on BBC Radio London

"It's getting a bit feisty here and I am really starting to enjoy it. There are more than enough potential match winners on the pitch to win this one."

This game could go either way with less than 30 minutes remaining. United have been the better side but will they rue their wastefulness?

It is still the visitors in the ascendency as Robin van Persie's weak low cross from the bye line is easy for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Tottenham though are at least breaking with pace in this half in an attempt to get things going.

Ross Gillespie: This is a chance for Spurs to prove how much they've improved. Can they beat a big club is the question?

Richard Stoliar: Lot of talk about De Gea being a game changer. Watch him throw one in now...

Miracle Roch: This is not the same Mata Mourinho describes as weak.

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Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St Mary's

"Crisp and cold at Southampton for a meeting between two teams with sights set on continuing flawless festive periods.

"Ronald Koeman's Saints have bounced back from their first indifferent spell of the season with impressive victories against Everton and at Crystal Palace, a win that ended Neil Warnock's managerial tenure at Selhurst Park.

"Chelsea, meanwhile, roll on and have won impressively at Stoke City before beating West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. They start here with a three-point advantage over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City - and Southampton will provide a tough test for Jose Mourinho's side."

MOTD's Jonathan Pearce at St Mary's

"This is an enticing fixture to ring out the old year. Southampton have rediscovered their mojo over Christmas, climbing out of the trough of five successive defeats to land back-to-back wins over Everton and Crystal Palace.

"Chelsea, meanwhile, have responded to defeat at Newcastle, their only loss in 27 games this season, with five victories on the spin.

"A Chelsea victory will see them exit 2014 looking like prospective champions and that's where I expect them to finish."

Robin van Persie volleys Juan Mata's right-wing cross over the bar from 10 yards after Michael Carrick's intelligent ball behind Tottenham's defence set United on the attack once more.

Southampton: Forster, Alderweireld, Fonte, Yoshida, Targett, Steven Davis, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Tadic, Pelle, Mane. Subs: Kelvin Davis, Gardos, Long, Ward-Prowse, Isgrove, Reed, McCarthy.

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis, Mikel, Matic, Schurrle, Fabregas, Hazard, Costa. Subs: Cech, Zouma, Ramires, Drogba, Remy, Willian, Azpilicueta.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Four changes for Southampton this afternoon, with Jose Fonte, Dusan Tadic, Victor Wanyama and 19-year-old left-back Matt Targett replacing Nathaniel Clyne, Florin Gardos, Ryan Bertrand and James Ward-Prowse.

For Chelsea, all the big guns remain intact as Filipe Luis, John Mikel Obi and Andre Schurrle come in for Cesar Azpilicueta, Willian and Oscar.