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Lovely stuff, West Ham. Lovely.

The Hammers attack slices through the Baggies defence like a hot knife through butter. Stewart Downing dinks the ball over the top and picks out Morgan Amalfitano who in turn sets Aaron Cresswell free down the left. The ball comes into the area and Diafra Sakho does the rest. Effective team move, simple finish.

The Saints are coming! Sadio Mane is inches away from converting a dangerous cross from the left before another left-wing cross has the Arsenal defence at sixes and sevens.

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Lucky, lucky QPR! Gylfi Sigurdsson slices open the Hoops' defence with a smart ball to send Wayne Routledge clear, Rob Green races off his line and denies Routledge's dinked effort with his hand, but does so outside the area. How did the referee not see that?

Sunderland are sitting off Manchester City far too much and they are lucky Yaya Toure is yet to find his range in 2015. From 25 yards out, the Ivory Coast midfielder puts the ball into Row Z. City's possession so far? 78%.

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Final Score

On Leicester's hopes of survival: "The standout player is Riyad Mahrez for them. He comes to life in spells and he looks untouchable at times when he does that. But I don't think they have enough overall and I think they will go down."

He should score! Arsenal go to sleep at the back from a quick throw-in, the ball is whipped in from the left and Graziano Pelle floats a soft header against the base of the post. Very unlucky for the Italian.

Seconds later Alexis Sanchez whistles in a low shot at the other end which Fraser Forster pushes away.

Bolton manager Neil Lennon
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

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"This could be a long afternoon for Sunderland. Gus Poyet's obviously got a plan, but they've got to get close to Man City in the final third. They're making it far too easy for Man City at the moment.

"Sunderland need to play in Man City's half whenever they can. Instead, they're being pressed high up the pitch."

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Stoke manager Mark Hughes on reports linking Peter Crouch to West Brom: "I read the papers. There's nothing in it. People are putting two and two together and making five. He's a big part of what we're doing here. You saw by his performance he wasn't bothered by any speculation. His future is with us.

"We asked the Senegal FA about Mame Biram Diouf. They are within their rights to call him up on what I think is the 5 January. We hoped to have him for Arsenal, but they said no.

"We have had Bojan checked. He has a slight tear, grade one. It can be 10 days or a couple of weeks. Hopefully he'll be back soon. He might have been the difference today."

Leicester come within a whisker of a dramatic opening at Anfield. A curling free-kick from Riyad Mahrez cannons off the near post with Simon Mignolet stranded.

Despite being fit, Mario Balotelli was not included in the Liverpool squad this afternoon, fuelling speculation he could be on his way out. Untried midfielder Seyi Ojo is on the bench instead.

West Brom's players are buzzing about the pitch and snapping into tackles - they are one yard ahead of their hosts early on. The TP effect?

Hull have a strong shout for a penalty denied as Abel Hernandez looks to be fouled just inside the area by Gareth Barry. The referee feels it was just outside and awards the free-kick, which Nikica Jelavic drives over. Lucky escape for Everton, who had started brightly.

Good hit at the other end at St James' as Yoan Gouffran moves the ball on to his right foot and fires in a rising drive which Tom Heaton has to beat clear. Excellent start to the game.

Even start on the south coast, with Arsenal looking to get in behind out wide. There are three former Saints in the Gunners squad today.

Not much happening early doors at a very wet Etihad, apart from a few pantomime boos from the home support for former Manchester United defenders Wes Brown and John O'Shea. Ex-City players Adam Johnson, Costel Pantilimon and Jack Rodwell are spared such treatment.

More from Louis van Gaal, on Manchester United's defending of set-pieces: "We know that is happening. We have had two meetings about that. We knew Peter Crouch was heading the ball to a second player, who was totally free. That was very bad. But, it was good that we kept the spirit and equalised.

"Ashley Young has a hamstring injury. Luke Shaw, I don't think is a problem. That was a planned change.

"We have to play better in away matches. In my opinion, there is no difference in away matches to those at home - our fans are fantastic. We have to do better."

Bolton manager Neil Lennon
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"We're already seeing the pattern of the match. It's going to be a case of Man City dominating possession and Sunderland trying to soak it up. Man City need to win it, so there's plenty of motivation for them today."

An early sighter for Villa, with Christian Benteke being teed up by Andreas Weimann but the big Belgian's angled shot is saved at the near post by Julian Speroni.

What a start for Burnley! Ashley Barnes, excellent at Manchester City last time out, bursts beyond a static Newcastle defence and toe-pokes a crashing shot against the near post. A huge let-off for a nervy Newcastle.

LOUD WHISTLE! We are under way in all eight Premier League games.

Alan Pardew is now sat in his seat in the Villa Park stands. A brew and a bag of sweets and he'll be ready to watch the proceedings unfold.