BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at Turf Moor

It is only early January but it definitely feels like we are already in six-pointer territory at Turf Moor today. The visit of QPR is the start of a series of games for Burnley against Crystal Palace, Sunderland and West Brom, who are all just above them at the bottom of the table.

Unsurprisingly, given his belief in the power of positive thinking, Clarets boss Sean Dyche feels his side are in good shape for the task ahead. "Five points from our last five fixtures against Southampton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham is a good return," he writes in his programme notes. "Now we look to build on that against teams in and around us in the league."

Binaya Basyal:, external Petr Cech and Kurt Zouma starting today, punishment handed out to those at fault for five conceded against Tottenham.

SJ Chowdhury:, external Big chance for Zouma today hope he grasps his opportunity. Deserves it.

Oli Starr:, external So Happy that Zouma is starting for Chelsea...for those who do not understand, Happy is his middle name.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas: "We just want to win every game, but of course that's not possible throughout the season. You will always have a bad day. We are ready to go and hopefully we can take the three points."

Kevin Kilbane
BBC Radio 5 live at the Stadium of Light

"It was a really good first half from Liverpool and although they never quite as fluid in the second they deserved the win. It was a dominant performance. Sunderland actually played better with 10 men but just didn't put Simon Mignolet's goal under enough pressure."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, speaking to BT Sport: "It was an outstanding team performance today. We had great control of the game but I suppose the only disappointment is we did not have more goals.

"Our confidence is returning, this is a team that gets better and better as it goes on. It is a young group but they are developing very well.

"January will be quiet for us, unless we think there is something that can really improve our team and then the owners will look to do that. We have a lot of exciting young talent here."

BBC Final Score

Former Newcastle and Manchester United striker Andrew Cole: "I like Tony Pulis. You know what you're going to get. He gets his teams working extremely hard. He will get results. He's a good manager. Crystal Palace was a strange decision, regarding why they parted company."

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis: "We've got 18 games left and every game is going to be important for us. Yeah, you get butterflies. It's been good working with the lads. There's lots we have to do, only little things, but little things make big differences at times. Their attitude has been very very good. The record that Albion has had in 2014 has not been great at home, we have to get results here, we have to get the crowd behind us."

BBC Final Score

Former Manchester United striker Andrew Cole: "Jose Mourinho will be disappointed with the loss at Tottenham, but I think normal service will be resumed today at Stamford Bride. In the early part of the season everything Diego Costa hit went into the back of the net, but it happens. At any time that can change."

Javel Bleach:, external Sunderland were poor, but really disappointing from Liverpool who should've scored four. Hard to fathom the second half strategy.

Christopher ‏Deyesy:, external Liverpool's results aren't exactly convincing but I'll take an unconvincing win over a defeat any day. Seven games unbeaten now!

David Williams:, external Standing by the tunnel and congratulating each player is exactly what a manager should do... Steven Gerrard will be back in the future.

Image source, Jak Alnwick/Twitter

Jak Alnwick is not even on the bench for Newcastle today as fellow goalkeeper Tim Krul returns from injury to take his place in the first XI. Alnwick tweets, external that he is out with a shoulder injury.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez makes three changes for the visit of Manchester City as Leighton Baines, John Stones and Aiden McGeady start. Bryan Oviedo and Kevin Mirallas drop to the bench, while Sylvain Distin is out with a groin injury.

Manchester City make two changes, with Joe Hart in goal and Fernando coming into midfield. Captain Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are on the bench after returning from injury.

Everton XI: Joel, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman, Besic, Barry, McGeady, Naismith, Barkley, Lukaku.

Manchester City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Nasri, Jovetic.

Garth Crooks on Final Score

"I feel a bit sorry for Gus Poyet. They promise a lot, they're hot and cold. What's been interesting for me today is the story of the departure of Raheem Streling to Jamaica and the emergence of Lazar Markovic. This will put Liverpool on 32 points, so it's starting to bring them back into the mix."

Three points heading back to Merseyside.

Players from both sides clash as Lazar Markovic lies on the turf. A bad-tempered match is close to its conclusion.

Costel Pantilimon forward. Swung in, headed clear. Follow-up shot blocked.

Sunderland corner.

Finally Sunderland rally and Will Buckley battles down the right, puts in a cross but Mikael Mandron's header goes over.

Three minutes to go in this one.