Saturday football reaction

1. Sakho scores late West Ham winner
2. Adam Johnson comes on for Sunderland
3. Advocaat's first game as Sunderland boss
4. Kane scores hat-trick as Spurs beat Leicester
5. Arsenal hang on to see off Newcastle

No that's entertainment

A marathon shift comes to an end, I hope your nerves have hacked it.

BBC

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Manager reaction

More from Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat, speaking to BBC Sport: "I am happy with the effort, we had a discussion about that - how to show our fans what we can do, and if you work you get results. It is hard to play against West Ham with long balls, but we didn't give a way of lot chances. They are a good side, with some good players, and we had also some opportunities to score and I did not expect them to score in the 88th minute, that was really disappointing. Today we deserved the result as well."

Match of the Day order

Aston Villa and Swansea fans go get a coffee. You are on last tonight. Spurs and Leicester fans, you guys will be sprightly in the morning as you could get an early night.

Gary Lineker

Manager reaction

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, speaking to Sky Sports: "Today was all about getting the win, and we got that. The way we have let leads slip here easily, the 1-0 was a fantastic victory for us, because it was a difficult game.

"We eventually changed the shape and put more pressure on Sunderland and that finally paid off. I looked at things at half-time and thought we needed more support to Diafra Sakho.

"Carlton Cole has scored two or three from the bench this year, so I felt that when a chance does come along we will score. It eventually fell to Diafra Skaho, our leading scorer, who was disappointed not to have scored a couple of chances with his head today. A clean sheet - a rarity for us - so we got both ends right today."

Manager reaction

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat, speaking to Sky Sports: "We deserved more. Especially the way they scored the goal. We did not expect they would score, the game was equal and there were not a lot of chances. We had the first chance in the first half with Jermain Defoe.

"With his quality, that was a 100% chance. He had to at least hit the goal. We can take that with us into the next game because if you work hard you get the results too. I have still seen some things we need to improve, and some players are coming back. So for me it is positive.

"We have to win that game (Newcastle). With our home fans, if they stand behind us, like they did today because they appreciated what we did, we will make it very difficult for Newcastle. This game has given us the tools."

So what will Dick Advocaat's 'to do list' look like?

Sort the away form? Sunderland have no wins from seven on the road.

Sort the shooting? Only Aston Villa (19) have less goals than Sunderland's 23 this season.

Some reaction from Advocaat is coming right up, remember their next game is at home against Newcastle on 5 April.

A mixed sack for Sakho

Diafra Sakho's winner was the latest goal West Ham have scored in the league this season, arriving on 87 minutes and 42 seconds.

He had a lot of shots but passed only 20 times and lost the ball with 55% of his passes.

A mixed day with an ending so joyous that no one will care about his earlier frustrations.

This is getting serious

They may have lost, but Sunderland can draw some comfort from the fact Leicester and Burnley were both beaten earlier.

BBC

Surely now we are heading fro an incredibly low tally of points needed to ensure survival? How many would do the job and who is going down? Tweet us on #bbcfootball.

Player reaction

West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan, speaking to Sky Sports: "Better late than never. We've had few of those against us in the last five or six weeks. We've not been getting the points we've deserved, so today we knew it would be tough to match them but we did that and three points are the main thing. I didn't think I was offside [for a second-half penalty appeal] and I was trying to explain that to Lee [the referee] but he wasn't having any of it. I don't think many refs do now off me to be honest."

Player reaction

Nigel French

West Ham midfielder Mark Noble, speaking to Sky Sports: "We knew it wouldn't be pretty. We earned the respect of teams earlier in the season, teams come here and sit behind the ball. We got two centre-forwards up there after the break, and I thought Carlton Cole made a massive difference, he made the ball stick. Me and Kev (Nolan) have been on at Diafra in training, telling him to keep shooting and one would stick. But we deserved to win."

So how might Dick Advocaat address this?

He picked an attacking line-up with three strikers up top but aside from Jermain Defoe's glorious first-half opening, they created little.

The Black Cats have now netted just one goal in their last six Premier League matches and this was the 15th time they have failed to score in the league this season. Only Aston Villa (17) have drawn more blanks.

If you don't buy a ticket you don't win the raffle.

Diafra Sakho had four shots in the match, more than any other player, and his goal arrived at the death. His tally for the season is now 12 in all competitions.

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

Getty Images

"A massive win for West Ham. They were expected to win this and sometimes that weight can drag on you at home. But they went for it in the second half and finally got the winner just before the end of normal time. It wasn't Hollywood, but a good, solid performance that deservedly gives them all three points."

FULL-TIME

Dick Advocaat stands on the touchline and glares at his players. Is he sizing up which ones look more hurt by this? He raises his finger, pointing the blue shirts to visit their away fans.

Bubbles galore float around Upton Park. A big win for West Ham. They are up to ninth and on 42 points, surpass their tally for last season.

Mark Noble runs the ball into the corner and gets cracked, free-kick.

Sunderland pressure, balls pumped forward but it is dealt with. Will they get another attack?

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"The pressure had been mounting. Sunderland struggled to clear their lines, a header was well won by Nene, Mark Noble clipped it into the path of Diafra Sakho, and he provides a brilliant finish. It's nothing more than West Ham deserve."

SUBSTITUTION

A standing ovation for Diafra Sakho as he walks off. Joey O'Brien is coming on to sure things up.

We enter stoppage time. West Ham are three minutes from just their second win in 13 games.

Dick Advocaat is about to lose the first of his "nine cup finals".

GOAL

PA

We have a winner. Diafra Sakho is in the mixer, as he has been all game and it is fitting that this goal comes from a 50-50 contest on the edge of the area.

This has been a battle, headers, tackles, you name it and Mark Noble out jumps a Sunderland shirt on the edge of the area, Nene turns the ball into the path of Sakho and here comes the knockout. The ball hangs in the air, takes an age to drop, but when it does he lashes it right footed across goal and into the bottom corner.

From being a drab, tight affair, suddenly both sets of players now want this won.

Mark Noble's shot is blocked on the edge of the area and Sunderland will bring on Danny Graham for Jermain Defoe. Some boos as Defoe departs.

PENALTY APPEAL

"HANDBALL", is the shout from home fans. West Ham players protest. Adam Johnson is the target of their claim as a ball brushes his side in the area. It is not clear cut.

James Collins is well placed again to turn a cross-shot from the increasingly involved Patrick van Aanholt away.

There were bodies lurking in the six-yard box.

Jab, jab, jab from both of these sides. No one has knockout power. Can either summon it?

CLOSE!

Jermain Defoe is one slippery customer. You wonder what some younger legs could do for him as his experience is there for all to see as he bends his runs, leaves defenders and generally shows a canny knack of losing his marker.

He slips one defender with good movement and just as he pokes the ball into the clear to race in on goal, James Collins slides about six feet to tap it out of his path. Crucial.

Suddenly we look like we may get a winner. Van Aanholt went close at one end but West Ham are not backing down and push forward. Cross, clearance, cross, clearance. The pressure builds.

On comes Nene for Kevin Nolan. This would be a good time to get his first Hammers goal.

BBC

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"What a fantastic effort from Patrick van Aanholt. It was dipping and moving in the air, but it was probably going just wide too. Adrian wasn't to know that though, he made a brilliant save."

GREAT SAVE!

Patrick van Aanholt has a BANG... great save by Adrian. The left-back moved forward and his effort was swinging from right to left, possibly just going wide by Adrian was not to know and flew across to tip wide.

Adam Johnson gets into the action, again there is some booing, and his pass up the touchline cannot find a runner. Is there a goal in this game? We have not had a clear-cut chance for a long time.

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"Different people react differently to this type of situation. I remember at Leeds when Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were arrested and they reacted completely differently - the reaction Bowyer got seemed to lift him, while it affected Woodgate more negatively and he lost a lot of weight.

"I'm not sure what type of character Adam Johnson is, so I can't say how he will react to this."

SUBSTITUTION

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Sunderland introduce Adam Johnson for Steven Fletcher.

Johnson has not played since being arrested on suspicion of having sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. Johnson was released on police bail, which was extended to 23 April.

It is an unfriendly welcome for Johnson at Upton Park. Some booing and jeers.

Replays show the penalty appeal Kevin Nolan saw turned down should perhaps have been given. A raised offside flag ended his hope of a spot-kick but it looks like the ball was actually flicked on to him by a Sunderland player so he should not have been flagged.

Sunderland are getting Adam Johnson ready to come on.

Much has been made about Dick Advocaat's first outing, but do not overlook the significance of this game for his opposite number.

BBC

Sam Allardyce is overseeing relegation form for the Hammers as since Christmas Day, the only two sides with a worse points return than the eight they have amassed are Queens Park Rangers and you guessed it, Sunderland.

Will Dick Advocaat take Connor Wickham off now he has a yellow card to his name? This game is finely poised after all.

Opta

Wickham has been unselfish for his side. Battling for ball after ball, dropping deep to help when needed and has generally showed plenty of fight.

As many as 57 touches in the game, only Aaron Cresswell has more.

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"Definitely offside. Kevin Nolan was pulled back by Santiago Vergini, and it would have been a penalty, but Nolan was a clear half-yard off.

"You can sense as this game progresses that the home crowd are growing more frustrated. West Ham definitely had the better of the opening period but this second half has been much more equal. Sunderland are coming into this game a bit more now."

PENALTY APPEAL

PENALTY... no. Kevin Nolan is rugby tackled in the area by John O'Shea but the West Ham man had strayed half a yard offside before being hauled down.

YELLOW CARD

Connor Wickham has been everywhere today and here is in midfield hacking down Mark Noble. Referee has the card out and rightly so.

Jack Rodwell is afforded time 35 yards from goal and shoots wildly wide.

Sunderland struggle to inject pace into their attacks on the rare occasions they gain territory in the final third. All too often their exchanges are slow and so they get left with few options, Rodwell's poor effort summed up the limited choices he had at his disposal.

Connor Wickham picks the ball up deep, he has ran hard today, brings Jack Rodwell into the play, he passes left but Sunderland's play breaks down.

Can either of these sides capture any sort of rhythm? If either does then there are three points waiting.

Carlton Cole chases Costel Pantilimon down and forces the goalkeeper to kick for touch. The hour ticks closer but still we wait for some quality to match the obvious battling qualities on show.

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Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"That is so much better from West Ham (see 52 mins). Now Aaron Creswell has got players to aim at - there were three West Ham players in the box that time, and again Creswell's delivery was excellent. It's just unfortunate that Diafra Sakho couldn't direct his header on target."

Aaron Cresswell was the provider for Sakho and he has impressed so far. No player in the match has more than the 62 touches the left-back has chalked up.

Opta

His width down the left is more important with West Ham now playing a diamond and if a goal is to come from anywhere, he looks likely to play a part.

SAKHO... inches wide. Inches. A glancing header from Aaron Cresswell's cross.

PA

Jermain Defoe gives the home defence the slip and is in is he? No. The ball skips up and catches his hip so he turns back.

James Collins stepped up and that almost turned out to be costly. A corner is forced and John O'Shea gets a head on the ball to turn it towards goal but Jack Rodwell cannot apply a finish as he gets pressured on the six yard box.

How has the change at the break tweaked the West Ham shape? It looks like a diamond setup now. Alex Song anchoring, Mark Noble right, Stewart Downing left, Kevin Nolan behind Diafra Sakho and Carlton Cole.

Will the shape stretch Sunderland a bit more as they squeezed space out of the game in the first half?

Connor Wickham's industry has been admirable, he has grafted. What is his quality like though from 25 yards? Not good enough.

He wraps his right foot around an effort but that is wide of the right hand post and too high.

SUBSTITUTION

We have a change as Carlton Cole comes on for Matt Jarvis. Will this mean a re-shuffle? Jarvis was decent in the opening period and delivered a couple of good crosses, ironically ideal deliveries for a player like Carlton Cole.

606 phone-in

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Lines are now open to speak to Robbie Savage and Darren Fletcher on 606.

Tony Pulis has called for a 30-second call-back review system to challenge referee decisions - do you agree with him?

A hat-trick for Harry Kane today gives his side three points and makes him the top scorer in the league - can he be the first Englishman to win the Golden Boot since Kevin Phillips in 1999-2000?

Arsenal are now only four points off the top of the league with a win over Newcastle - are they title contenders?

And with everyone beating each other at the top of the Championship - who do you think is going up?

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Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis: "We knew Burnley were going to be tough to break down but it is nice for manager Ronald Koeman to get the win on his birthday.

"It does not look good for Fraser Forster but we wish him all the best. It is a mental battle being a back-up goalkeeper and disappointing to come on in them circumstances.

"I see there is a spot opened up in the England side now."

Happy birthday Ronald

Ronald Koeman recently posted several pictures of himself and his Southampton players engaging in winter sports while on a mid-season break.

It is safe to say he gets looked after on the south coast as he tweets: "Many thanks to the board of Southampton for this delicious surprise."

Koeman is 52 today and his side won 2-0 against Burnley.

Ronald Koeman

Aaron Ramsey

Jan Vertonghen/Twitter

Mike Dean's arrogance frightening - Pearson

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson: "The arrogance of the man (referee Mike Dean) at times is frightening. I find it difficult to accept that we have to deal with yet another contentious decision that has not gone our way.

"What I will say about our players is they gave everything and I'm sure Spurs must be relieved.

"It remains a very frustrating season for us because of the level of performance and yet we are just not getting over the line with results. It is two players colliding (for the penalty). I just find it bizarre and that's the nicest thing I can say.

"I feel at the moment that we continue to be short changed. I'm not suggesting that is deliberate but we can't be on receiving end of so many poor decisions.

"What is the point in talking to him (referee Mike Dean). He is one of the most arrogant men I have met."

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"Maybe the scoreline warrants a bit of booing in some people's eyes but not the performance. West Ham have been the better team for me, the only problem has been getting people on the end of crosses in the box. Diafra Sakho, their lone centre-forward, has been well marshalled by the Sunderland defence. I think Sakho needs help - another centre-forward needs to be on the pitch. Whether Sam Allarydce will make a change remains to be seen."

West Ham just on top on the face of the half-time stats but these overlook the quality of possession.

BBC

The home side have completed just 71% of their passes, the visitors 62%. This game is an ongoing battle for the ball only for the side with it to do little.

Half time

Steve Wilson

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Upton Park

I'm sure Dick Advocaat has heard all about the unfailing excitement and quality of the Premier League but he hasn't seen it in that 45 minutes. Wickham tested Adrian and Song worked Pantilimon, but Defoe had the best chance only to shoot over.

HALF-TIME

Dick Advocaat marches down the tunnel with purpose. He looks satisfied and his team have looked hard to beat. They are compact, scrapping for second balls galore.

Jermain Defoe has missed the golden opportunity to make it a perfect 45 minutes for the north-east side.

Mark Noble shows his range, crafting a pass with the outside of his foot around the full-back and Matt Jarvis wins the race to cross, no one in the mixer though.

We will have two added minutes.

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"I don't mean to be flippant but I've only just looked down and realised Jack Rodwell is playing. He's been keeping his position with Jordi Gomez and Seb Larsson in the Sunderland midfield, but he's done nothing with the ball whatsoever. He's just not got into the game at all."

Rodwell has touched the ball 12 times in 44 minutes.

Carl Jenkinson has the ball near the touchline, he faces four blue shirts and passes back but receives a return, crossing chance, blocked for a corner.

In it comes, Connor Wickham is there to concede another, KOUYATE... glanced wide from 10 yards. A decent chance but no one following the flick in.

Space at a premium in London. Dick Advocaat has probably been telling his team to be more compact this week because they have given away little space in this first half.

Connor Wickham is holding off challenges as he contests a bouncing ball, we are seeing no real pattern in the play.

My prediction of an open game with goals was as accurate as ever.

Aaron Cresswell, with a wonderfully waxed head of hair, throws a ball down the touchline and a series of headers are contested. This game is a battle for territory in many respects.

Sunderland are using Wickham as a go-to man with direct play, West Ham try to get the ball wide and deliver crosses. It makes for anything but free-flowing football.

What can Dick Advocaat learn about Sunderland?

Emeli Sande seemed to have a season ticket to the London 2012 Olympics, busting into rhyme at any chance near the hallowed track, but does she have a season ticket at the Black Cats?

Why do I ask? Well the famous singer spent the early years of her life in the city.

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Bryan Ferry - another famous musician - is also a Mackem, but one of the city's most famous sons will surely be former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley.

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"Great technique by Alex Song on the volley. He did very well to keep the ball down, having watched it all the way onto his right foot. Jermain Defoe is getting himself into a lot of space for Sunderland, but he's not often been found by his team-mates."

Jermain Defoe runs unselfishly into the channel but gets the chance to square up his marker, cut in and dig. Near post, easily held.

SHOWBOAT

Costel Pantilimon is like the green giant in his goalkeeper kit and he needs to be as Alex Song has a dip from 30 yards.

The ball drops out of the air from a headed clearance and you can almost hear the voice in Song's head say "go on, why not".

He volleys first time and Pantilimon has to dive right to keep it out.

A moment of improvement for Sunderland as Connor Wickham gives them a platform and they build an attack which gets Patrick van Aanholt into a good area wide on the left. His low cross is cut out though.

Wickham has his left wrist taped like a sumo wrestler. My guess is he has a new tattoo as modern players seem to collect them like kids collect stickers.

Mark Noble has been inch perfect so far, 14 passes of 14 have found their target.

Diafra Sakho is the man treating the leather like a hot potato and has given the ball away 72% of the time.

Dick Advocaat is off his bench to applaud Jordi Gomez, not for a moment of magic but for charging down a clearance.

The Sunderland midfielder loses possession within seconds though, a heavy touch does him and a corner for West Ham will pose more threat. One way stuff now.

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"That's two very good chances for West Ham now, and if Diafra Sakho's header (see 18 mins) had been on target the goalkeeper was beaten. But just earlier, after complete route one stuff from Sunderland, Jermain Defoe was through on goal and couldn't even come close. He was aiming for the top corner, but all he had to do was put his foot through the ball."

So how has the first quarter of Dick Advocaat's first match in English football played out?

Opta

His side have had the best opening - fluffed by Defoe - but their attacks are often direct while West Ham spend more time in their opponent's final third, often working crossing opportunities.

You do wonder how a three man midfield will get a grip of this game for Advocaat.

Costel Pantilimon comes to punch a corner and does, just, the ball drops in the area but a blue away shirt is on hand to swipe clear. There may be some concern on the Sunderland bench. After an even start it is now the home side asking most of the questions.

CLOSE!

Kevin Nolan has just one goal in 25 outings this season but number two almost arrives as he profits from Diafra Sakho's pursuit of a ball to the dead ball line, superb by Sakho, Nolan into the hands of Costel Pantilimon.

Good pressure from West Ham, a delivery from wide finds Sakho and he heads just wide from 12 yards. A whisker wide.

Manager reaction

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson: "The first two goals were disappointing and another dubious decision. Difficult to accept another contentious decision not going our way.

"We conceded four today, so I can't go over the top about our performance, but we played with a lot of quality at times.

"Our players gave everything. Spurs scored four but will feel relieved to win. It's nine to go now."

CLOSE!

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Jermain Defoe is in behind, only the goalkeeper to beat, what an opening but he volleys wide.

It was fairly route one and Steven Fletcher nodded the diminutive striker into the clear. Dick Advocaat's eyes lit up but he quickly had the look of a man stuck in traffic as he sat back in his seat when the ball ended up in the crowd.

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Only Connor Wickham's early volley has added to the tally so far but it is a solid start. Plenty of endeavour, there are a lot of second balls to be one and no real threat on their goal.

Swarbrick sorry for error

Referee Neil Swarbrick has apologised for incorrectly sending off West Brom's Gareth McAuley during his side's 3-0 loss at Manchester City earlier today.

In a case of mistaken identity, McAuley was sent off after Craig Dawson fouled Wilfried Bony.

A statement from Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, the organisation responsible for refereeing appointments, read: "The referee has confirmed the offence was caused by a different player, which should be addressed now as a case of mistaken identity. The referee has apologised for his error."

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

Getty Images

"That is a real shame for Wes Brown. He's a player who's suffered with knee injuries a lot over the last decade, and the minute it jarred he knew something had gone and he would have to come off."

SUBSTITUTION

Wes Brown is hobbling and looks very troubled. It looks like as he jumped to clear he was caught by Diafra Sakho but there was not a lot in it. I wonder if it was the landing more than the collision which has prompted this uncertainty. Dick Advocaat is up of the bench and clearly thinking about what to do.

Here comes Santiago Vergini from the bench. An early blow for the away side.

Manager reaction

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "It's two mistakes from us and we've paid for that. Palace are great on the break and two individual errors have cost us.

"For 85 minutes we were in control. We lost our way before half-time for five minutes. That's two on the bounce we've lost and that's the biggest disappointment.

"Five minutes of madness has cost us the game."

Ouch!

West Ham go percentage with a free-kick. From the centre circle James Collins clips one like a sand wedge into the area. Wes Brown is under it for the visitors and lands awkwardly, staying down...

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

"Sunderland have Steven Fletcher, Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe up front, and it will be interesting to see how those three all link up. That was a fantastic, stinging strike from Wickham after Defoe found space in behind for a cross, but Adrian made a good save, and followed it up to claim the ball."

CLOSE!

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Matt Jarvis starts just his third Premier League game of the season and takes off down the left flank after a long punt but will not get there. Now it's Jermain Defoe after a long diagonal at the other end... he is forced wide and crosses to Connor Wickham... VOLLEY... parried well by Adrian.

A good hit from 20 yards.

Manager reaction

Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "It was a tough game but it was a very good performance from us in the first half. The second half, they were 1-0 up and got the second goal, it was hard work from there.

"It was poor finishing from us. That is where we have to realise this a different level of football.

"We move forwards again, we are not dented, we are not broken, we will be ready to go again."

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Manager reaction

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman: "A difficult first half, they had one or two very good chances but Kelvin Davis was saving them. The second half was very good, we dominated it with good ball possession. A good win today.

"Fraser Forster is at hospital and it is looking bad. We have to wait for the scan. I hope it will be OK for him but the doctor is not positive.

"It is good to have an experienced goalkeeper on the bench and he showed his qualities today.

"It is difficult for Graziano Pelle at the moment and he is struggling a little bit. If he keeps working, the goals will come."

Former Millwall defender Matt Lawrence

BBC London 94.9 at Upton Park

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"Sunderland will have been given a lift with the new manager coming in, whereas West Ham are still managed by Sam Allardyce, for whom these last games of the season are very important. They will want to turn their poor form round - it hasn't been good enough from them and they know they have to turn things round quickly."

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Matt, London: If Sunderland lose this, then QPR will be looking at tomorrow's game against Everton as a massive opportunity. The teams either side of them in the table have both lost today, and a victory for them would turn the fight to escape relegation into a right scrap.

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Connor Wickham will play centrally with Steven Fletcher right and Jermain Defoe left it looks. Fletcher makes a run in behind and gets it, a cut-back for Defoe follows but Aaron Cresswell is in the right place to concede a corner.

Manager reaction

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood said: "Obviously it's disappointing to lose late on. It's the second time we've done that since I've been here and it's a major setback for us.

"In the first half they were the better side and we showed them too much respect, but in the second half it looked like we might nick a goal. There's a lot of hard work to do and this is a reality check for us but we're still confident we're going to be OK. We don't think it's done yet.

"It's difficult to not be down-hearted, but when I took over we were in a hole, there were no smiles and morale was low. The spirit is a lot better in the camp and we have to make sure we don't take this defeat too hard."

Player reaction

Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam: "It's two mistakes from us and we've paid for that. Palace are great on the break and two individual errors have cost us.

"For 85 minutes we were in control. We lost our way before half-time for five minutes. That's two on the bounce we've lost and that's the biggest disappointment.

"Five minutes of madness has cost us the game."

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Dick Advocaat has gone for a black coat and beige scarf. It's a big scarf too. Big enough to hide behind or swirl in the air depending on the result.

it is a disciplined start for both sides. Wes Brown heads a cross clear, Stewart Downing puts another one in the mixer and John O'Shea nuts it clear.

KICK-OFF

'I'm forever blowing bubbles' belts around Upton Park as Jermain Defoe embraces his Sunderland team mates. Has Dick Advocaat given these players the love they need to do the business? We have ninety fascinating minutes to come, here we go...

Manager reaction

Newcastle boss John Carver: "People said we had our flip-flops on but if you saw our second-half performance that's not the case. I'll keep driving the players on. They want to keep working and keep having a go. The criticism was a bit surprising because it came from an ex-player, and they know what we have to go through, but we certainly weren't on the beach today."

The new boss

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Advocaat is here for nine games and as he puts them "nine cup finals" only.

He reportedly said his wife will not let him do more but when quizzed at his news conference, came up with a line along the lines of "we will see what happens".

Either he wants a longer stay or he just wanted to show his wife is not the boss.

Manager reaction

Swansea City manager Garry Monk said: "In the first half I thought we were fantastic and we should've scored one or two goals. The second half was much more even but we got the goal.

"If we had scored in the first half it would've made it more comfortable but we showed character. We have got a fantastic group of players and a real determination to keep going. It's a tough place to come but we showed real bravery and we deserved to score so it was pleasing for us."

Who is Dick Advocaat?

At the age of 67, the Dutchman becomes the oldest manager in the Premier League.

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But it's fair to say he has made good use of his years, coaching the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Belgium, Russia and Serbia, as well as the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg. He won championships with all three clubs as well as the 2007-08 Uefa Cup with Zenit, beating Rangers in the final at the Etihad Stadium.

Have a look at the Sunderland midfield. A few of us here at BBC Sport towers are wondering what sort of resistance it will offer and if this game will therefore end up being very open.

Dick Advocaat told BBC Sport he likes 4-3-3 on Friday and that is what he has gone with.

Opta

Sunderland have not won in seven matches. They look set to have a right good go here.

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Andy, Norwich: Say what you like about Arsenal's second-half performance. But to play badly away from home and still come away with three points? Any fan would take that. Arsenal have a plan B and it's working.

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Manager reaction

BBC

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking about Harry Kane: "A striker who scores three goals is always great. I am happy for him and for the team. Now we look forward and keep going."

Manager reaction

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on goalscorer Olivier Giroud: "He is like every striker, he wants to score goals and the confidence comes from scoring goals, it's a vicious circle. He is a fighter and has improved technically."

Manager reaction

More from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, speaking about his season's targets: "We want to finish as high as we can, we have 60 points with eight games to go. If you look at the points we have taken in the last three months, it has been outstanding. So we just want to win and win and win."

Manager reaction

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on whether he was concerned by difference between the first and second half displays from his side: "No, not at all. We played one game in Manchester United, one at home to West Ham, one in Monaco in Tuesday and now here so that's three away games in two weeks. I'm proud of the performance we put in today."

'Keep it simple'

Jason Roberts

Former Blackburn striker on Football Focus

On Dick Advocaat's appointment as new Sunderland manager: "It's difficult when a new man comes in with such a short number of games to go in the season.

"Yes he has to motivate the players and keep the spirits up, but he can't go enforcing a new philosophy on the players with such a short space of time.

"I agree with Lawro that they need to start getting that service in to Jermaine Defoe. "If they simplify how they play like Tim Sherwood has done with Aston Villa, they can get results."

'Advocaat has to gamble'

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson

Football Focus

Getty Images

"Dick Advocaat has to start to take one or two chances, pick a team that is going to win a game - maybe an extra attacking player. Tim Sherwood has done that at Aston Villa and it has worked wonders.

"Sunderland, under Gus Poyet, had been playing very negatively, in a very South American style. Get some service to Jermain Defoe, because he will score goals. I think they will stay up though. The bottom three as it is now will be the ones to go down."

Player reaction

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud: "We started well, on the front foot, we put the pace we wanted to into the game. The problem in the second half was we didn't play, I don't know why. We knew we needed a third goal but they put us under pressure and did well to come back.

"It was a tough game but it is a really important win. Even though we are disappointed with the Champions League exit, we want to fight on until the end of the season."

Three up top for new boss

So what about this team selection from Dick Advocaat? Talk about an aggressive way to begin life in England.

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Perhaps he senses West Ham are there to be got at with just one win in 12?

Jermain Defoe, Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher all start. The three have a total of nine league goals in 52 outings this season.

Defo has four goals in his last five league games against West Ham, his former employers.

Manager reaction

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew tells BBC Sport: "I haven't managed many teams with character as high on the agenda as this team.

"I was pleased with two of our old stalwarts - Glenn Murray and Julian Speroni.

"We're within touching distance of safety. The form we're in suggests we can do a lot better and that's what we want."

How the table looks

Table

Leicester City fought hard against Tottenham but it was ultimately not enough and they remain rooted to the foot of the table. It could get worse for Nigel Pearson's side, with Sunderland, in 17th, in action at 17:30 GMT. Crystal Palace move up to 11th after an impressive win at Stoke.

Steve Wilson

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"As Sam Allardyce sees out the last few weeks of his West Ham contract without any tangible evidence that he'll be offered another, Sunderland decided they had to act by replacing manager Gus Poyet with Dick Advocaat.

"The 67-year-old becomes the senior citizen of current Premier League bosses and has nine major club honours plus experience of leading teams at two World Cups and two European Championships.

"I remember Advocaat as a sprightly 40-something outwitting Graham Taylor's England in Rotterdam in 1993. Back then, he had the De Boer brothers, Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars, Ronald Koeman, Frank Rijkaard and Aaron Winter. Any one of those would come in handy now."

Team news

Just the one change made by West Ham boss Sam Allardyce, with Carl Jenkinson returning to the side in favour of Joey O'Brien.

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has named an attacking XI for his first game in charge, with Jermain Defoe, Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher all playing. Liam Bridcutt and Ricky Alvarez drop out, with Wickham and Jordi Gomez coming in.

Adam Johnson is on the bench, having returned to training after the club lifted his suspension following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

West Ham XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Collins, Kouyate, Cresswell; Jarvis, Song, Noble, Nolan, Downing; Sakho.

Sunderland XI: Pantilimon, Reveillere, O'Shea, Brown, Van Aanholt; Larsson, Gomez, Rodwell; Defoe, Wickham, Fletcher.

Football League

Watford have missed the chance to return to the top of the Championship after losing at home to Ipswich. Their defeat means fourth-placed Norwich have moved to within three points of leaders Bournemouth after beating Nottingham Forest 3-1, with Ipswich a further three points adrift.

At the bottom, Wigan are now eight points from safety after they drew with Bolton and Fulham won at Huddersfield, while Blackpool's fate is almost confirmed after they were pegged back by Leeds.

In League One, Preston missed the opportunity to move to within nine points of idle leaders Bristol City after they were held at Barnsley, while at the bottom Crawley and Colchester eked out potentially pivotal victories.

And in League Two, Burton maintained their five-point lead over Shrewsbury at the summit after comfortable wins for both, and bottom side Hartlepool enhanced their survival hopes with a tense victory over Mansfield.

How the table looks

Getty Images

This is how the top half of the table looks after today's results. Wins for Manchester City and Arsenal keeps up the pressure on leaders Chelsea, although they have two games in hand.

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Stay with us for Dick Advocaat's first match in English football.

The former Rangers manager takes charge of Sunderland for their trip to West Ham and we will bring you everything you need to know from Upton Park.

I somehow cannot see the 67-year-old being a tracksuit manager.

Team news next...

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

"Cracking Match of the Day tonight. Some blinding games. We're on early too - BBC One at 22:20 GMT. Puts the eclipse in the shade."

Opta

Jason Shackell was the unfortunate man for Burnley today.

Southampton will be thrilled, they close in on fourth-placed Manchester United and Liverpool in fifth. The only sour note will be the health of goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

The England international slipped awkwardly in the first half and BBC commentator John Motson understands he is on his way to hospital with suspected knee ligament damage.

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Richard Clarke: All the talk is about Harry Kane, but he went missing last weekend against Manchester United. Will he do the same for England and be useless in the big games?

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FULL-TIME

FULL-TIME

Kyle Walker heads a ball into the box away as Leicester throw everyone forward. Was that the last chance for the Foxes?

Ross Wallace whips a free-kick wide from 30 yards. Its threat is non existent. Burnley's Premier League status is slipping away as this game enters the final minute of added time. Ronal Koeman looks on satisfied. His side have not been brilliant but well worth the win.

FULL-TIME

Alan Green

BBC Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

"Alan Pardew punches the air. A great win for Palace and it's job almost done in terms of survival."

We are well into the three minutes of added time. Nigel Pearson patrols the edge of his technical area nervously. Defender Wes Morgan is stuck up front but time is running out.

FULL-TIME

Getty Images

FULL-TIME

Dave Howarth/PA Wire

What a result for Swansea City. They reach 43 points, four shy of the club's Premier League record. Bafetimbi Gomis nets the winner having missed several chances earlier.

It is an inswinger and Gabriel Agbonlahor is under it but the bodies around him do enough to put the striker off. His header is wide. Surely that is it?

GOAL

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What a game! David Nugent capitalises on a defensive error and drills home from just outside the area. Is there time for a late equaliser? The Foxes are pushing now...

Olivier Giroud wins a free-kick midway inside the Newcastle half. Pressure eased on the visitors, for the time being...

Aston Villa corner, here comes Brad Guzan...

GREAT SAVE!

Dave Howarth/PA Wire

WAYNE ROUTLEDGE to seal the game... he runs clear from the halfway line with nothing but grass in front of him and Brad Guzan to beat... into the penalty area... pick your spot... saved.

The American keeper spreads himself and smothers the effort with his legs. Routledge did not seem to pick a corner. Could that be crucial? Injury time.

Ryan Shawcross plants a header on the roof of the net as Stoke push for an equaliser. Four minutes of added time go up on the fourth official's board.

FOUR minutes of added time at Newcastle, can they find an equaliser? It's all Newcastle.

Shane Long from the right wing, out swinger, PELLE... wide.

A glancing header. The Italian's questionable form in front of goal looks likely to run into another week. We have around four minutes left. This one is ebbing away into a comfortable home win.

GOAL

Reuters

Game over and it is massively unfortunate for Leicester. Christian Eriksen gets through on goal and stabs a shot at Kasper Schmeichel. The ball hits the Leicester keeper and then rebounds off Jeff Schlupp and into the net.

CLOSE!

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Hanging on time for Arsenal as Ayoze Perez works some space for himself on the edge of the area, shoots low and it is deflected but David Ospina reacts swiftly to get a hand to the ball and push it away.

GOAL

Dave Howarth/PA Wire

Bafetimbi Goms and Ciaran Clark have battled all day, with the Villa defender often coming out on top, but the key moment arrives and Gomis has too much muscle.

The pair race into the area as they await a cross from Jefferson Montero. The winger flicks the ball low across goal with the outside of his right foot from the left flank and Gomis has earned his yard of space... bang. Goal. He finds the net from 10 yards.

SUBSTITUTION

Nathan Dyer is brought on for Swansea City. Jonjo Shelvey makes his way to the bench, not his typically unpredictable day, just a consistent offering of average.

Dyer gets early touches and will occupy the right wing, he crosses to no one but Leandro Bacuna needlessly concedes a corner does he? No. The ball had already gone out.

Harry Kane is trying to find a fourth but Wes Morgan is keeping him under close control. Time is running out for the Foxes.

Getty Images

Big, massive, huge, monumental. What word will Tim Sherwood go with if his Aston villa side can get a winner here? They could go six points clear of the drop, level with Everton.

Leandro Bacuna lumps an atrocious free-kick into the box, Fabian Delph curls one over from 20 yards. Seven minutes...

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

It is all very tense as this game enters the closing stages. Just one goal between the two sides, but Yannick Bolasie tries to give the visitors some much-needed breathing space but his strike is straight at Asmir Begovic.

TEN TO GO

Ten minutes left, will there be any late drama?

The 80 minutes tick up at Villa Park and this one will not make the 'Premier League Classics' reel.

Scott Sinclair - a player we have seen little of in recent seasons - cuts in from the left flank and has a bang right footed. I say has a bang, it's a trickler. He did not get hold of it.

Sinclair remember was instrumental in getting Swansea into the Premier League, scoring a hat-trick in the Championship play-off final.

Goals as they go in

BBC Final Score

Switch on to BBC Two now to join Jacqui Oatley on Final Score.

She'll have all the twists and turns in the final moments of this afternoon's games alongside Jason Roberts and Steve Claridge.

You can also follow it on this page by selecting the video stream on the Live Coverage tab above.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane

BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

Reuters

"Newcastle have been so much brighter since the half-time break. John Carver got a really good reaction from his side. They are stopping Arsenal passing the ball, they're getting right in the face of their opposition, and now they're on the front foot and are well on top in this game. The tempo really has lifted and Remy Cabella has looked a real threat. It looks likely they'll go on and score an equaliser."

A chance for Arsenal as Aaron Ramsey passes to Danny Welbeck at halfway and the striker sets off on a run towards the Newcastle area. He tries to beat Tim Krul at his near post, but the Newcastle keeper is wise to it, making the save.

SUBSTITUTION

What have you got Burnley?

Lukas Jutkiewicz.

He is on for Sam Vokes. This is a canter for Southampton. Burnley are full of fire and commitment but the home side look like they are in 'power down' mode.

CLOSE!

Reuters

How has he missed that!?? Eric Dier sends in a cross to the far post for Nacer Chadli who must score from four yards out but, somehow, he balloons his shot over the bar. Stunning.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS

Midfielder Adam Johnson is named on the Sunderland substitutes' bench for their trip to West Ham, the first time he has featured in the squad since he was suspended by the club following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl on 2 March.

CLOSE!

Getty Images

Bafetimbi Gomis stomps in anger and screams to the heavens. Why? He has another chance and is this time denied by Ciaran Clark, who sticks out his right leg to deflect the ball behind.

It was slick work by Jefferson Montero, a neat cut-back and Gomis picked his spot but did not factor Clark in.

On comes Andreas Weimann for Christian Benteke. Aston Villa turn to a man whose last league goal came on 2 November.

Championship latest

Cameron Jermone and Wes Hoolahan have extended Norwich's advantage over Nottingham Forest, meaning that as it stands Alex Neil's side will move to within three points of the Championship summit.

Charlton have equalised against Reading and Leeds have done the same at Blackpool.

And Huddersfield have spurned the chance to draw level with Fulham from the penalty spot. The visitors' Shaun Hutchinson was dismissed in the incident, although there are some reports that we almost had another mistaken identity case on our hands.

Remy Cabella weaves his way through the Arsenal defence and has a go at goal, but his deflected shot is held by David Ospina. Just over 15 minutes for the hosts to find an equaliser.

Jason Roberts

Former Blackburn striker on Final Score

"It was a very good penalty. Kane stepped up full of confidence on a hat-trick. Tottenham get out of jail a little bit there.

"Where would they be without Harry Kane's goals this season?

"He hasn't really had the service today bizarrely, but has a hat-trick."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Ed Snowdon: Like Bale, Harry Kane is already too good to not play CL. Expect several bids this summer given the dearth of English players

Charles Rigby: Harry Kane is unbelievable. Are we sure he's English?!

Daniel Woodley: Top goalscorer in the Premier League. Well done @hkane28!! Fantastic form. Surely an England start next week?

Fabian Delph is his industrious self and sizes things up as he progresses in the inside left channel. A little pass into the area for Scott Sinclair and he takes a touch and shoots all in one movement but it dribbles wide.

A goal against his old club? Not this time.

Leicester's fight has gone for the moment after another Harry Kane goal. Instead, the striker is going for a fourth and tries to meet a ball into the box with a volley, but it is not a clean connection and goes wide.

CLOSE!

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Another fine reflex save from Julian Speroni keeps Palace ahead. This time, the goalkeeper prevents Steven Nzonzi's flick going in from Charlie Adam's delivery. Great entertainment at the Britannia.

Burnley are beginning to commit bodies forward now and Southampton look like they will get acres of space to exploit on the break.

Sadio Mane cannot quite gallop to reach a pass which would have set up a three against two scenario.

If Hull City and Sunderland find wins this weekend, this result will leave Burnley four points shy of safety.

Daryl Janmaat gets forward and fancies a go at goal from over 30 yards. It would have to be spectacular from that distance to trouble David Ospina. It isn't, and doesn't.

PENALTY APPEAL

Penalty for Stoke? Mame Diouf's shot on goal appears to hit the hand of a Crystal Palace player and the hosts appeal for a spot-kick. Nothing given.

BBC

A draw at Villa Park will move the Welsh club on to 41 for the season.

GOAL

AP

Who would doubt him? Harry Kane strokes home the penalty with Kasper Schmeichel having dived the wrong way and another milestone for the young striker - a first Premier League hat-trick.

PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM

A chance now for Tottenham to regain the lead as Danny Rose is brought down by David Nugent inside the area. Looks like Harry Kane for his first-ever Premier League hat-trick...

SUBSTITUTION

Swansea introduce Jefferson Montero to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson. A tricky winger on then as they try to unlock Villa.

This game has a winner in it but probably only one goal.

AP

Leicester's momentum has tailed off a little bit since equalising and Nacer Chadli has gone close for Tottenham with a curled strike, just wide though.

CLOSE!

Even closer for Newcastle as Ayoze Perez's cross falls to Yoan Gouffran, alone inside the area, but his low shot lacks power and is scooped up by David Ospina.

GOAL

Reuters

Jason Shackell runs his fingers through his hair with a look of exasperation on his face and Burnley have a headache now.

This is the classic own goal. A ball fired across goal from the dead ball line by Ryan Bertrand and it is a knee into his own net by Shackell.

One of those own goals where the defender dangles any body part he can to block a cross only to wish he hadn't.

Football League latest

Still more of a trickle than a gush of goals in the Football League…

In the Championship, Eoin Doyle has put Cardiff ahead against Birmingham, while Bradford have doubled their advantage over Fleetwood in the battle for a League One play-off place.

In League Two, Hartlepool have scored a potentially crucial goal against Mansfield in the knowledge that a win would, as it stands, move them to within a point of safety.

CLOSE!

Getty Images

Christian Benteke knocks down in the box, Gabriel Agbonlahor pulls the ball down and can turn home from six yards. It bounces, he tries to sort his feet, goes at it with the left peg and can only flick the ball off the knee of a defender.

It is a corner but should have been so much more. Time stood still, Agbonlahor's legs turned to jelly briefly and by the time they solidified he had barely any time to get a good connection.

There are more goals in this one and, at the moment, you would have to say it is Newcastle who look most likely to score. The Gunners are struggling to deal with Ayoze Perez, who first sends a dipping effort over the bar, before bursting into the area and curling another effort wide.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Wale Ibraheem: Remember Newcastle came back from 4 goals down against Arsenal couple of seasons ago. There is still chance in this one.

John Nixon: Great fight-back by Leicester but #spurs have let them with some suicidal defending.

HITS THE WOODWORK

The woodwork denies Crystal Palace a third that would surely wrap the points up for the visitors as Scott Dann's low shot finds its way through a crowd but hits the bottom of the right upright.

CLOSE!

Getty Images

Wayne Routledge has been impressive and here he is again wide on the right, a crisp cross and GOMIS at the back post heads over.

It is a second very good chance of the game for the Frenchman who scored 64 league goals for Lyon at a rate of better than one in three. Not quite living up to that in the UK.

Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts

Final Score

"I've seen that goal (see 16:09) three times and I still can't tell you which Tottenham defender is meant to be marking Wes Morgan. There are three of them standing around all looking at each other. The defending from Spurs, and their tactical approach to the game, has been a shambles.

"Leicester could have scored through David Nugent moments earlier as well - but he put it over the bar from three yards out."

CLOSE!

Getty Images

Crystal Palace are grateful to goalkeeper Julian Speroni as he gets his face between Mame Diouf's shot and the goal to keep the visitors in front.

Ouch!

BBC commentator John Motson is hearing Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is going to hospital with suspected knee ligament damage.

He slipped awkwardly in the opening period and will now likely miss England's forthcoming double header against Lithuania and Italy.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, right footed from a free-kick, 30 yards out, well tipped over by Brad Guzan.

GOAL

Getty Images

What a fightback by Leicester! From 2-0 down they are now level as Wes Morgan, left completely unmarked, powers in a header from a corner. Can the Foxes go on to get the win?

CLOSE!

Aston Villa build up a bit of pressure here as Leandro Bacuna steadies himself on the right wing... a whipped cross... ricochet... hacked clear.

Gabriel Agbonlahor was lurking. Ashley Williams smashes clear with a threat looming. Swansea counter and what's this, a free-kick in a great area. It has Gylfi Sigurdsson's eyes lighting up...

Leicester City make a change for the second half as Marcin Wasilewski replaces fellow defender Matthew Upson.

SUBSTITUTION

A change for Southampton as Victor Wanyama stands hands on hips on the touchline. He will replace Dusan Tadic. Tadic was not at his best in the opening period, giving the ball away with more than one pass in four.

This game will finish a little later than the others as a result of first-half injury time.

GOAL

PA

What a start to the second half for Newcastle! In fairness, they had been pressing towards the end of the first half and now they make things interesting as Moussa Sissoko drives in from Remy Cabella's cross.

Ayoze Perez goes close to making it 2-2 moments later. What a game we have here.

Dave Howarth/PA Wire

As things stand, Aston Villa would move four points clear of the relegation zone with a draw as Burnley are behind at Southampton.

Tim Sherwood may well have asked his side to get hold of the ball more at the break but they start by conceding a corner as the pattern of Swansea looking most threatening continues.

KICK-OFF

After a 15-minute breather, players are getting their games back under way. Who will be the big winners and losers in 45 minutes' time?

Sergio Aguero Twitter

Sergio Aguero could not find the net as David Silva, Wilfried Bony and Fernando scored in their 3-0 win over West Brom.

Manager reaction

AFP

More from Tony Pulis speaking to Match of the Day: "These decisions change games.

"In the modern world today refereeing is a tough job. I speak for a lot of managers in the professional game that the standard of refereeing hasn't been good enough this season.

"If we can help them with a 30-second call-back option, say two times in a game, it would stop us talking about the referees and more about the game itself instead.

"If we can help them in shape or form we should."

BBC

Manager reaction

EPA

More from Tony Pulis, speaking to Match of the Day earlier: "It was always going to be difficult coming here today with two players suspended so to lose another player after just two minutes made it uphill all the way.

"I speak to Mike Riley fairly regularly, most weeks and he always rings back to chat about issues.

"It's not to complain about referees, it's to talk about how we can improve them.

"The game should be talking about it as a whole as it's a wonderful product that we should be getting together to protect.

"We can't keep having people make decisions that affect games."

Manager reaction

AFP

West Brom manager Tony Pulis speaking to Match of the Day: "I watched the game last night between Wolves and Derby and there was a similar decision and the referee gave a free-kick and didn't even book the player.

"The inconsistency is what's annoying. But how he sends off the wrong player is beyond me.

"The second goal he has also awarded after there's a foot up in the face of Saido Berahino in the build-up. How he doesn't give a free-kick for that is also beyond me."

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David, Worcesteshire: I saw my first game at St James' Park in 1964 but I'm afraid I'm losing interest. It's not because the team is terrible - that has happened lots of times before. The limit of the club's ambition seems to be not to get relegated.

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Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Ross Parlett: Nice to see Kelvin Davis get a run out - he's been going for donkey's years.

Nicholas Allen: Arsenal players falling over like dominos. Pathetic to watch.

David Ljungren: Newcastle look like dead men walking. Anita, Gouffran, Cabella & Riviere are all inexplicably poor signings. We need new scouts.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane

BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

Getty Images

"Newcastle started well but went two goals behind after some terrible defending. They've managed to steady themselves since after reorganising but Arsenal have been dominant. They've been playing some lovely football and it should be three or four if I'm honest."

Tight at Villa Park.

Not much in the way of clear-cut chances with the exception of that Bafetimbi Gomis chance early on which was well saved.

Opta

Ki Sung-yueng has been impressive again and has completed 97% of his 34 passes. Jack Cork is hovering around 91% and the pair have kept the visitors ticking over nicely in midfield.

Football League latest

Norwich have taken a potentially crucial lead against Nottingham Forest in the Championship, Jonny Howson putting Alex Neil's side ahead as they look to close in on the top three. Watford, who would move to the summit with a win, are level with Ipswich.

Goals have been scarce elsewhere, too, with only Fulham, Brighton, Reading and Blackpool having rippled the rigging.

In League One, Preston are making the most of Bristol City being idle ahead of tomorrow's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, with Simon Grayson's side leading at Barnsley.

Meanwhile, in League Two, leaders Burton's two-goal advantage over Tranmere has been halved, while nearest challengers Shrewsbury still lead Oxford.

Text us on 81111

Vince, London: Hardly a word from anyone in the media about Olivier Giroud's goal-scoring form. I wonder when he will finally get the respect he deserves?

Chris, Towcester: It's just hit me. After 35 years supporting Newcastle I just don't care anymore. Mike Ashley has removed hope from supporting the club and without hope, football is nothing.

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And don't forget - if you are texting in, please include your name and location.

HALF-TIME

HALF-TIME

Martin Fisher

Match of the Day commentator at White Hart Lane

"A tremendously entertaining first half as Spurs roared into a two-goal lead thanks to Harry Kane but Leicester have come back strongly and scored through Jamie Vardy. The Foxes are back in it now."

CLOSE!

Getty Images

Chances, chances, chances. George Boyd is eight yards from goal and perfectly arriving on cue as Sam Vokes heads across the six-yard box, here he comes... header... tipped over by Kelvin Davis.

That is a third decent save since he came on for Forster, who was taken off on a stretcher.

Reuters

Leicester City are far from beaten at White Hart Lane. They are creating plenty of chances and the latest one sees Leonardo Ulloa head over from eight yards.

HALF-TIME

Alan Green, BBC Match of the Day commentator at the Britannia Stadium

"Wilfried Zaha has done very little but late in the first half he's added the icing on the cake for Palace."

HALF-TIME

GREAT SAVE!

I have already called Graziano Pelle a giraffe, now I'll go rhino as he smashes into the back of his own player. Steven Davis beat him to a header and it took a good tip over from Tom Heaton to prevent a second. Pelle wanted that ball and instead left Davis in a pile on the floor.

Some added time here as a result of Fraser Forster's injury.

HALF-TIME

GOAL

Getty Images

Wilfried Zaha uses his pace to power through and finishes with precision as Crystal Palace turn this game on its head.

Danny Rose produces a fine last-ditch tackle to deny Jamie Vardy pulling the trigger. Tottenham will welcome the arrival of half-time.

HALF-TIME

Steve Bower

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"Aston Villa will be happier than Swansea that it is goalless. Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan denied Bafetimbi Gomis on a couple of occasions and Guzan and his manager will be relieved that their clean sheet remains intact.

"But Villa have not been able to hold on to the ball for long periods in the first half."

Getty Images

Newcastle are pushing as half-time approaches. Ayoze Perez is trying to make things happen but the Arsenal defence is holding well, Nacho Monreal getting in the way of Perez's header. Two minutes of added time.

Brad Guzan is having a minor meltdown. No sooner has he waved at a cross to allow Wayne Routledge a great chance does he botch a bouncing clearance to whack it straight at Bafetimbi Gomis's leg. The ball loops into the air but Gomis gets too aggressive in pursuing it and it's a free-kick. A let off for Guzan.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Graziano Pelle is finishing like a giraffe trying to play football on roller skates. A header back across goal gets knocked down and lands at his feet, six yards out. Break the net... no. He nearly breaks the cross bar. What a waste.

What is this at the other end? Danny Ings whips an effort and again Kelvin Davis denies the visitors. He dived to his right and got a good hand on the strike.

GOAL

Getty Images

...no messing from Glenn Murray, power and accuracy as he slams the penalty into the roof of the net.

CLOSE!

OFF THE LINE. Chances begin to arrive at Villa Park and it is the man I just called 'twinkle toes' - Wayne Routledge - who sees an effort swiped away.

Brad Guzan is spared some blushes as he flaps at Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick delivery and Routledge turns the ball in, only for Ciaran Clark to smash it off the line. A certain goal denied.

PENALTY TO CRYSTAL PALACE

Yannick Bolasie is fouled inside the area and penalty to Palace...

GOAL

Reuters

Game back on! David Nugent races away down the right and sends in a fine cross to the feet of Jamie Vardy, who hits a first-time drive into the back of the net.

GOAL

Reuters

Right place right time and this time Graziano Pelle's poor touch in front of goal pays off. He performs an air shot as Nathaniel Clyne's drive whistles across goal but Shane Long is thrilled, the ball lands at his feet and wallop, roof of the net from 10 yards.

Football League latest

In the Championship, defender Matt Kilgallon has nudged Brighton ahead at Blackburn, while Sheffield United, Peterborough and Rochdale have all enhanced their League One play-off hopes by taking the lead in their respective matches.

And at the bottom of that division, Crawley have edged ahead in their relegation battle with Leyton Orient.

League Two leaders Burton have scored twice inside four minutes against Tranmere as they endeavour to at least maintain their five-point advantage over Shrewsbury at the summit. And Cheltenham's woes at the foot of the division have deepened, with Exeter taking the lead at Whaddon Road.

YELLOW CARD

Wilfried Zaha personifies Palace's frustrations with an altercation with Geoff Cameron, for which the winger receives a yellow card. The visitors are lacking ideas in attack.

CLOSE!

Aston Villa attack, down the left side with Scott Sinclair, he slips in DELPH... good save.

Fabian Delph is without a Premier League goal this term but his strike is crisp and well dealt with at the near post.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane

BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

"The way Newcastle are playing at the moment they are just waiting to be well beaten. They might need to change something to get themselves back into this game."

PENALTY APPEAL

Newcastle are trying to get back into this after that Olivier Giroud double and they have a shout for a penalty as Ayoze Perez looks to be pushed by Gabriel, nothing given.

YELLOW CARD

Disappointing from Nacer Chadli as he falls, theatrically I might add, when trying to get beyond Wes Morgan in the Leicester area. Yellow card for the Tottenham man.

SHOWBOAT

PA

Twinkle toes Wayne Routledge. He will be on Strictly Come Dancing one day, you mark my words. The Swansea winger dances around a ball and shows a clean set of heels but gets pulled down. It's the most illuminating moment in a drab opening at Villa Park.

Where is Bruce Forsyth to lift things?

A fan in the crowd takes his best throw in to return the ball to Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Why? Well Nathaniel Clyne summoned his inner Six Nations star by smashing one way over the bar and into the paying customers.

Burnley may feel a bit hard done by as replays show George Boyd has a case for being caught in the box. His fall was a bit elaborate. He went big on the fall to ground and got nothing.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane

BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

"Such poor defending for Arsenal's second goal. Again Olivier Giroud is too strong for Mike Williamson and he guides the ball on target with his head. It's well finished but this could be five or six here today if Newcastle are going to defend like that. Lacklustre."

Stoke still lead and it looks like they're enjoying themselves. The Potters are keeping the ball well and Marko Arnautovic is looking dangerous, drifting in from the left flank. Palace are still to trouble Asmir Begovic.

Former Leicester striker Steve Claridge

Final Score

"Olivier Giroud's first goal is all about confidence. We'd just been talking about a chance Graziano Pelle missed for Southampton, when he just took an extra touch and lost the ball, but Giroud is instinctive, because he is in form. He just puts the ball away."

GOAL

PA

A quickfire double for Arsenal and Olivier Giroud! Newcastle have been on the defensive ever since Giroud's first and they fall further behind when Santi Cazorla pings in a cross and Giroud nods home.

SUBSTITUTION

Tom Cleverley hobbles off for Villa, Carlos Sanchez will replace him. The Colombian midfielder will need to help his side keep more of the ball.

CLOSE!

Dave Howarth/PA Wire

I have been tough on Bafetimbi Gomis so far but will ease back on him for his latest effort.

The former Lyon striker is played in by Ki Sung-yueng, through the inside left channel, but with little time he cannot lift his head and has to just smack one. A good save by Brad Guzan.

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane

BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

"A well-worked goal by Arsenal but sloppy defending by Newcastle. Santi Cazorla pulled the ball away from the Newcastle defence on the free-kick, it wasn't a great ball but Olivier Giroud showed good movement to latch on to Danny Welbeck's header and score."

GOAL

Getty Images

Just like Harry Kane, Olivier Giroud is a striker who cannot stop scoring. The Arsenal man grabs his ninth in his last 11 games as Santi Cazorla whips in a free-kick, Danny Welbeck flicks it on and Giroud sticks out a knee to direct the ball into the net.

GREAT SAVE!

Kelvin Davis may be 38 and without regular first team action but my word does he step up to the plate here. Sam Vokes has time in the box but takes none and smashes a volley which needs a stiff parry around the post.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Tottenham are rampant! They come close to grabbing a third, but it is not via Harry Kane this time as Christian Eriksen scampers along the edge of the area, shoots low towards the bottom corner but the ball bounces back off the upright. Andros Townsend sends the rebound over.

Aston Villa have come out firing after their 4-0 win at Sunderland last week...

BBC

Well not quite.

This one is not really sparking just yet. Swansea pass, pass, pass. Gomis not ruthless. Aston Villa yet to turn up and have just 11 goals in 14 Premier League games at home - a league low.

Football League latest

Fulham have scored an early goal in the Championship, Alexander Kacaniklic netting at Huddersfield as Kit Symons' side look to ease their relegation fears.

In League One, meanwhile, Jon Stead has given Bradford the early advantage against Fleetwood in the meeting of two play-off hopefuls.

And League Two title contenders Shrewsbury have taken an early lead at home to Oxford as they look to narrow the gap to leaders Burton.

All very open with both sides having opportunities. First, Sammy Ameobi has a cross blocked as Newcastle try to forge a chance on goal before Olivier Giroud tries to beat Tim Krul to an Alexis Sanchez cross, but the Newcastle keeper wins that battle.

CLOSE!

Why does Graziano Pelle have just one goal in 15 games? This latest chance may provide some insight. The Italian, who began the season like Roy of the Rovers, was played in by Ryan Bertrand but wanted too many touches and tried to beat a defender who was desperately trying to shut him down.

He failed.

Player reaction on Twitter

Injured Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado: "Harry Kane again! Don't stop!"

Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts

Final Score

"When you are hot you are hot. Both goals have been given to Harry Kane. For his second, he doesn't hit the shot cleanly, but it takes a deflection and that takes the ball past the goalkeeper. Sometimes as a striker you don't have to do anything but wait for the ball to drop for you."

Match of the Day host Gary Lineker

BBC Sport

"Seems the England call-up for Harry Kane has proved too much for him. It took him more than five minutes to score against Leicester."

Another sight of goal for Bafetimbi Gomis but has takes too many touches and gets robbed on the 18 yard box. Needed just a touch and early hit. He wanted to wrong-foot the defenders but they read him like a book.

Getty Images

First sniff of goal for Arsenal following a free-kick from the right. It's hit deep to the back post but Alexis Sanchez takes a touch and has his toe-poke blocked by Mike Williamson.

Ouch!

Reuters

Kelvin Davis waits patiently on the touchline as Fraser Forster is carried from the turf.

He was of course in the England squad for matches against Lithuania and Italy in the next 10 days.

What body part is it causing the problem? It's hard to tell, such was the nature of his slip.

GOAL

Getty Images

Advantage Stoke as a Charlie Adam free-kick creeps through the Crystal Palace wall, Mame Diouf peels away to pounce on the loose ball and fire home.

GOAL

AP Photo

My word! Can anyone stop Harry Kane from scoring? He doubles Tottenham's advantage as Kyle Walker's cross falls to him inside the area and the striker's scuffed effort deflects off the chest of Robert Huth and loops into the net.

Leicester City are trying to hit back after that Harry Kane opener and are looking to capitalise on Michel Vorm's unexpected appearance in the first-team, David Nugent sending a dipping effort from distance at goal which Vorm bats away unconvincingly.

Ouch!

Getty Images

Worrying scenes as Southampton goalkeeper and England understudy to Joe Hart Fraser Forster is down in the six yard box and getting a heap of medical attention.

He will be coming off. It was an innocuous slip when the giant stopper struck a clearance. He instantly started waving his hand at the bench and covered his face with one arm as the pain took hold.

Kelvin Davis is coming on at the ripe old age of 38.

It's pretty even during a low-key start at the Britannia Stadium. Glenn Murray has had the only chance of the game so far but saw his shot blocked after Yannick Bolasie found the striker 10 yards out.

Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts

Final Score

"It's a mistake from the goalkeeper. It's not a great corner and Kasper Schmeichel tries to punch the ball, it falls to Harry Kane, who is just in the right place in the right time. He doesn't have to do much at all."

Former Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane

BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

Getty Images

"This is a big test for Newcastle, who have something of a makeshift defence. Daryl Janmaat is playing at centre-back, not his natural position, while Jack Colback hasn't played at left-back for Newcastle before. For Arsenal, Aaron Ramsey has started quite deep in midfield, allowing Santi Cazorla to move very close to the strikers."

Newcastle are getting at Arsenal from the outset, with Ayoze Perez proving a particular thorn in the visitors' side. He has had a couple of early efforts, both blocked though.

GREAT SAVE!

Getty Images

What a chance for Swansea City at Villa Park.

The Welsh side attack the end of the field covered in sunshine and Ki Sung-yueng gets them moving in midfield. Neil Taylor gets down the left and is slipped in, his pull-back is crisp, the chance is magnificent, Bafetimbi Gomis... what have you got?

He fires straight at the legs of Brad Guzan from eight yards. Only one goal in the league in 17 games for the big Frenchman.

GOAL

Getty Images

Harry Kane, who else? The striker pokes in his 27th goal of the season from close range after Kasper Schmeichel pushes Eric Dier's flick to Kane's feet.

FULL-TIME

Done and dusted at Griffin Park in the Championship. Brentford have snatched a point in the final minute against Millwall which keeps them sixth and a point above Wolves, who beat Derby on Friday night. Victory for Millwall may have given them hope but they are now eight points from safety rather than six.

Southampton have the best defence in the Premier League and Jose Fonte has stood out a mile in it this season. He eases a ball behind for a goal kick with Danny Ings snapping at his heels.

Steven Davis scampers through midfield for the home side but looks like he stubs his toe as he passes and the ball is lost. The Saints win it back though and Graziano Pelle and Shane Long link well before the big Italian fails to get on the end of a cross.

SUBSTITUTION

Hugo Lloris cannot continue, the stretcher is brought on and Lloris is taken off. On comes Michel Vorm for his Premier League debut for Tottenham.

An early concern for Tottenham as Jamie Vardy races into the area for Leicester, Kyle Walker gets across to make the tackle but slides into his goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Michel Vorm is warming up.

Championship

We're hearing that there will be a 15 minute delay to the kick-off in the game between Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday. A large crowd is expected at the New York Stadium for this Yorkshire derby...

KICK-OFF

The 15:00 GMT games are getting under way throughout the Premier League. Off we go.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini speaks to BBC Sport: "It was a comfortable win because we played with one player more for 89 minutes. Today we defended well and we concentrated well not to allow them to score.

"Unfortunately for West Brom, the rule is clear. He was the last man but the game is different when you have to play with one less player. It was a clear red card.

"Wilfied Bony is new in the squad and arrived after playing in the Africa Cup of Nations and he felt that. Every day, he is settling better and he is doing very well."

Manchester City eased to a 3-0 win over West Brom but there was much more to this one than the scoreline may suggests. Read all about it here.

Championship latest

Heartbreak for Millwall, who have let a two-goal lead slip. Brentford are now level thanks to Moses Odubajo's stoppage-time goal. It could be a crucial goal in the Bees' play-off push. It's not over yet, either.

'Uncertain times at St James's Park'

Jason Roberts

Former Blackburn striker on Football Focus

Getty Images

"All Newcastle fans would like to know what they're going to do in the summer with recruitment.

"Nobody really knows what the future holds for the club. Who is going to come in as manager? What players will they buy?

"So that will be the thing that concerns everyone who has Newcastle close to their heart."

Gutierrez return "fantastic"

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson

Football Focus

"Jonas Gutierrez, even if his future at Newcastle isn't certain, he won't be bothered by his future in terms of football at all. The importance of that pales in comparison. He has done fantastic to win his fight against cancer."

Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez says he feels "born again" following his return to Premier League action after overcoming testicular cancer.

In an interview with Football Focus, the Argentine, 31, revealed the shock of his diagnosis last year and the subsequent support from his team-mates.

Here we go...

Up and down the land, Premier League teams are walking out of tunnels, swigging energy drinks for the last time, shaking hands and posing for photographs with mascots.

Final warm-ups, the odd stretch, a coin toss and kick-off shortly.

Text us on 81111

Mike in Birmingham: Still no place in the Arsenal starting 11 for Walcott - hardly an incentive to sign a new contract..........

Man City captain Vincent Kompany: "I was too far to see the red card incident. It is the referee's decision. There was nothing for us but to win today, we just had to do a good job and we didn't fail. We need to focus on the next eight games.

"Football is very simple at this level, you win games and you are the best team in the world."

Welbeck's silent treatment

Getty Images

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck: "We've prepared well for today's game. We know it will be difficult but we're looking forward to it.

"When you come to St James' Park you know they'll have a great crowd behind them but we'll be doing our best to silence them."

Arsenal are in fine league form but hope for Toon followers may stem from the fact the last three defeats the Gunners have suffered all arrived away from home.

Championship latest

Brentford have a lifeline as Alex Pritchard fires in a penalty, after Alan Judge was tripped in the box, to make it 2-1. There are five minutes remaining. Can the Bees salvage an unlikely point and dash relegation-threatened Millwall's hopes of a desperately-needed win?

'Clarets have belief'

Jason Roberts

Former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts on Football Focus

"Burnley are going to struggle this year. You can see against the top teams, they're right up for it, but against the teams around them, they tend to struggle.

"There's a genuine belief that they can stay up though and you can see that in the way George Boyd carries himself."

Relegation could make Burnley stronger

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson

Football Focus

"Whenever a team is promoted to the Premier League, the key questions you have to ask are: 'Who is going to score the goals, and can you beat your opponents around you?' That is where Burnley have struggled. But even if they are relegated, it's not the end of the world. I think they will come back stronger."

The sprinklers are pumping out the wet stuff at St Mary's as Ronald Koeman's side bid to close the gap on the top five in the Premier League.

Burnley have posed many a side problems away from home this season and often defend in an organised manner. A slick pitch all the more crucial then if the home side are to create openings.

Villa legends whip up atmosphere

Aston Villa

Not only will the Aston Villa faithful be arriving at Villa Park fresh from the joy of their side's 4-0 win at Sunderland, they are also being treated to a pre-match parade of their 1982 European Cup final winning heroes on the pitch.

Gordon Cowans is one of the group waving to fans, as is Peter Withe, who scored the only goal as Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in Rotterdam on arguably the biggest night in their history.

'No excuse' for Swarbrick

Jason Roberts

Former Blackburn striker on Final Score

Speaking about the sending off of Gareth McAuley for West Brom against Man City: "There's nothing nasty about the challenge. It's a professional foul so he has to go by the letter of the law.

"The referee really has no excuse, he has a perfect view of who committed the challenge.

"Something needs to be done if this sort of thing keeps happening. You need to think about bringing in technology to sort these issues out."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

John Pierce: Having looked at replay. The referee has clearly sent McAuley off for the hospital pass to Dawson which caused the incident.

Dave Payn: Those saying "get over it", shut up. With headset communications between the officials, sending off wrong player is not on.

Dave Clarke: Suggest Danny Mills takes basic referees course & takes charge of a game before he makes ludicrous statements about official.

Getty Images

Neil Swarbrick kept his cards in his pocket after sending off Gareth McAuley. A big decision, and undoubtedly a talking point that will feature prominently in the post-match thoughts of the managers...

Arfield buzzing on to 200

Burnley's Scott Arfield makes his 200th appearance in English football today.

He is pictured on the right below. The player on the left has yet to play in Burnley's senior side.

Getty Images

Text us on 81111

Sam, Manchester: Feel for Sergio Aguero. He's worked his socks off today but hasn't got that goal. Might be even trying to hard. City been excellent but more conviction needed when shooting!

Get involved using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook, or Google+ page.

Getty Images

Just the 43 shots on goal for Manchester City then. I don't know if that is a stat to be too proud of, though, because you would think more of those should be on target, especially against 10 men.

Still, three goals and a clean sheet. A very good day at the office for Manuel Pellegrini and co.

Vote

The three promoted sides - Burnley, Leicester & QPR - all start today in the Premier League relegation zone.

But will they ALL be there come the end of the season?

Have your say on the right-hand side of this page or via the vote tab on your mobile or tablet Full terms and conditions here.

BBC

FULL-TIME

Guy Mowbray

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Etihad Stadium

"The defending champions have resumed their chase of Chelsea. West Brom were well beaten from the start today and City will continue to try and catch Chelsea. It looks unlikely but, as they and their fans will say, always fight until the end."

Push the button

BBC Final Score

On the red button now, join Jacqui Oatley with Steve Claridge and Jason Roberts for Final Score.

All the build-up to the 15:00 kick-offs plus reaction to the early game at Etihad Stadium.

Two minutes of added time and fans are starting to make their way to the exits as Edin Dezko lashes an effort just wide. Is there time for a fourth?

Championship latest

Millwall are scrapping for their lives, and harming Brentford's play-off hopes at the same time. Aiden O'Brien's first senior goal - a header from Martyn Woolford's cross - has made it 2-0 to the visitors at Griffin Park. There are around 25 minutes to go in that game.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"There was no water anywhere in the stadium. None at all. The toilets wouldn't flush either. It would have been interesting I would think, in certain parts of the ground, during the half-time break.

"City have been very efficient, they've won this game at a three-quarter pace, and have put just a little bit more pressure back on Chelsea."

SUBSTITUTION

There is nothing exciting going on on the pitch, so another change for West Brom as Stephane Sessegnon is replaced by Youssuf Mulumbu for the final two minutes plus stoppage time.

Make a brew (unless you are at the Etihad Stadium) and settle in for the 15:00pm kick-offs, this game is as good as over.

Tea's off mate....

BBC

Remember that news we brought you earlier of no water at Etihad Stadium?

Read more about why nobody could have a half-time cuppa at the game.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Looking at the replay of that penalty appeal (see 83 mins) I think Stevan Jovetic could have been given a yellow card for simulation. He's a lucky boy. The referee hasn't given out any cards since that early red come to think of it.

"This game has been a non-contest. West Brom have sat back without offering anything, it's been like the last day of the season."

SUBSTITUTION

Tony Pulis makes his first change of the game, deciding to give Victor Anichebe a run out on his return from a groin injury. The forward jogs on for his first appearance since 8 February, replacing Saido Berahino.

PENALTY APPEAL

Getty Images

Stevan Jovetic plays a one-two with Sergio Aguero and scampers into the area, where Craig Dawson holds out an arm and Jovetic tumbles to the ground. Penalty? No says Neil Swarbrick.

Team news

Tottenham may have been well beaten by Manchester United last Sunday but manager Mauricio Pochettino has picked an unchanged starting line-up which is given the chance to make amends.

Leicester drew with Hull last time out and boss Nigel Pearson makes three changes with his side desperate for wins. Keeper Kasper Schmeichel as well as strikers Leonardo Ulloa and David Nugent return to the side as Mark Schwarzer, Riyad Mahrez and Andrej Kramaric are benched.

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Bentaleb, Mason, Chadli, Eriksen, Townsend, Kane.

Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Morgan, Huth, Upson, De Laet, Cambiasso, James, Schlupp, Vardy, Ulloa, Nugent.

SUBSTITUTION

Manchester City make their final two changes as Wilfried Bony is first replaced by Edin Dezko, before David Silva is given the chance to enjoy an ovation from the home crowd when he makes way for James Milner, whose arrival prompts several chants of his name from the City fans.

Team news

Burnley FC

There's just the one change for Southampton following their 1-1 draw at Chelsea last Sunday and that sees striker Graziano Pelle replace midfielder Victor Wanyama.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche, unsurprisingly, names an unchanged side following his side's shock win over champions Manchester City last Saturday.

Southampton XI: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Tadic, Mane, Long, Pelle

Burnley XI: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee; Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Barnes; Vokes, Ings.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"A scruffy, bobbly shot from Steven Jovetic on the edge of the box went past a couple of West Brom players, and David Silva just stuck a leg out to turn it in. Jovetic will be disappointed - his shot may well have gone in and he could do with a goal. City are 3-0 up now, but let's be honest the game has been dead since they went 1-0 up."

GOAL

Reuters

There you go then, the third goal that should put to bed any thoughts of a West Brom fight back. Gael Clichy cuts the ball back from the left to the edge of the area for Stevan Jovetic, who shoots through a crowd and David Silva gets the slightest of touches to turn the ball home. Game over.

Reuters

Manchester City may have been the dominant side, but they will want a third to feel absolutely secure of the three points. That chance for West Brom highlights how quickly things could change.

Team news

Aston Villa and Swansea City make one change apiece for their meeting at Villa Park.

Tim Sherwood's side were four up by half-time in their last outing, so he keeps all of his attacking options as was. The only adjustment comes at the back where Alan Hutton is in for Matthew Lowton.

Swansea lost to Liverpool on Monday courtesy of Jordi Amat's wicked deflection and he is left out today. Federico Fernandez is back after dealing with some personal issues in his homeland.

Aston Villa XI: Guzan, Hutton, Okore, Clark, Bacuna, Delph, Cleverley, N'Zogbia, Sinclair, Benteke, Agbonlahor.

Swansea City XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams (c), Taylor, Ki, Cork, Shelvey, Routledge, Sigurdsson, Gomis.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"How on earth has Saido Berahino not scored there? A lapse in concentration in the Manchester City defence and Berahino was a yard off the line. Still West Brom haven't had a shot on target - the bar doesn't count!"

HITS THE WOODWORK

Reuters

Woodwork! And it is West Brom who rattle it with a chance out of the blue. Jonas Olsson nods on a ball into the box and Saido Berahino turns and instinctively flicks a powerful header onto the bar, before Joelon Lescott heads the rebound over. So close.

Getty Images

To highlight just how brilliant David Silva has been in this game, he has had 131 touches of the ball, over 30 more than the next most involved player Fernando.

You could also count on one hand how many of those touches have been wasteful, too.

Team news

Getty Images

Newcastle make three changes to the team beaten by Everton last Sunday. Ayoze Perez, Remy Cabella and Vurnon Anita come in for suspended captain Fabricio Coloccini, Gabriel Obertan and Emmanuel Riviere.

Mesut Ozil misses out through illness for Arsenal, who also make three changes. Ozil is replaced by Aaron Ramsey, while Calum Chambers replaces Hector Bellerin at right back and Gabriel also comes in for Per Mertesacker.

Newcastle XI: Krul, R Taylor, Janmaat, Williamson, Colback, Anita, Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran, Ameobi, Perez.

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Chambers, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Ramsey, Alexis, Cazorla, Welbeck, Giroud.

Stevan Jovetic is straight in on the have-a-go-at-the-West Brom-goal action as he curls a shot just wide from outside the area after being teed up by the excellent David Silva.

Team news

Getty Images

Stoke make four changes to the team beaten by West Brom last time out.

Geoff Cameron, Marko Arnautovic, Mame Biram Diouf and Stephen Ireland come in, while Jon Walters is named as a substitute despite recovering from a broken cheekbone.

Crystal Palace make one change, with Pape Souare replacing Martin Kelly. Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon both start despite injury concerns.

Stoke City XI: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Nzonzi, Adam; Diouf, Ireland, Arnautovic, Crouch.

Crystal Palace XI: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Ledley, McArthur; Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie, Murray.

SUBSTITUTION

Getty Images

Manchester City make the first change of the game as Stevan Jovetic replaces Frank Lampard.

The resulting free-kick from the foul on Stephane Sessegnon is pumped into the area and knocked behind to give West Brom their first corner of the game, but it comes to nothing.

A darting run from Stephane Sessegnon is ended by Gael Clichy midway inside the Manchester City half and the Baggies have a free-kick, much to the delight of the travelling West Brom fans.

BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher is reporting that referee Neil Swarbrick told one of the channel's reporters at half-time that sending off Gareth McAuley was a case of mistaken identity and that the first number he saw during the incident was 23, rather than the 25 of Craig Dawson.

I'm sure we'll hear lots more about this after full-time.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

Getty Images

"Manchester City are so dominant, having shot after shot after shot. But should they really be dominating so much? West Brom could be a bit more adventurous than this. Once that first goal went in, their heads went down and it's almost been like 'the world is against us'."

Team news

It's that time of the week where riveting images of team sheets start flooding social media. Please do not bother putting yourself through hunting for them as we will bring you all the ins and outs here in the coming minutes.

Manchester City have now had 32 attempts on goal to West Brom's none and we still have just under 30 minutes to go!

What is the most amount of shots on goal in a single match, I wonder?

HITS THE WOODWORK

"Ooohs" and "ahhs" from the Manchester City crowd as the woodwork keeps the home side out twice in as many seconds. First, Sergio Aguero's low strike beats Boaz Myhill but hits the far post and bounces out to Wilfried Bony, who puts the follow up on to the crossbar.

David Silva turns provider as he takes out two defenders with a smart ball to put Frank Lampard through, but the midfielder's shot lacks conviction and the chance is gone.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Benny Fee: Danny Mills do a refereeing course and get yourself out in the middle. Then you'll see how tough it is.

Matt Atkinson: Anyone would think McAuley was Messi listening to Mills. Unfortunate mistake yes, but not a big deal or influence on result.

Michael Griffin: Can we just get rid of every referee in this country and find an entirely new set? They've been so bad all season so far.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Manchester City needed a reaction and we wanted to see them come out and show one after the two games they lost. But the red card changed the game and it's a shame, because instead this has been played like a testimonial. City are in complete control, they're just passing ball around, while West Brom have shown no desire to go forward. It's just an opportunity for Wilfried Bony to add to his goal."

AP

A rare foray into the Manchester City half as James Morrison has the ball, but the attack breaks down and Manchester City are off on the counter. Sergio Aguero gets into the area, pulls the back for the onrushing David Silva but his shot is kept out by Boaz Myhill.

Boaz Myhill is doing his best Joe Hart versus Barcelona impression at the moment as Sergio Aguero leaves Jonas Olsson in his wake and shoots low from close range but Myhill reacts well to stab the shot away with his toe.

Moments later, Wilfried Bony fires through a crowd and just wide. City have picked up from where they had left off.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"West Brom are playing incredibly deep. Saido Berahino is up front but is more of a lone midfielder than a lone striker. We've spoken at great length about the sending off, and since then this game has been so one-sided it is absolutely ridiculous."

Sergio Aguero in full flight is a delight to watch. He picks up the ball just inside the West Brom half and drives goalwards before the outstretched foot of Craig Dawson stops him in his tracks just outside the area. No free-kick, though.

Guy Mowbray

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Etihad Stadium

"Craig Dawson is still with us. But I wonder if he'll be in the West Brom team in weeks to come? I suspect not, a ban would seemingly be on its way to him."

Twenty-six shots in the first half, one already in the second as Wilfried Bony has a pop from distance almost straight from kick-off, but it is too far out to trouble Boaz Myhill and the Baggies keeper clutches the ball.

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Sean Patrick: 26 shots only 8 on target with 2 goals, forget the ref... City need some shooting practice!

KICK-OFF

Neil Swarbrick gets the second half under way. Can West Brom keep Manchester City at bay and maybe even mount a fight back?

League Two preview

Burton Albion lead the way in League Two and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's team will look to extend their three-match winning sequence against struggling Tranmere today.

Third-bottom Tranmere are above the relegation zone on goal difference but ended a five-match losing streak with victory over Cambridge United last time out.

Elsewhere, Newport take on Plymouth, with the winners having the chance to move into the play-off places depending on other results.

Seventh-placed Stevenage will aim to ensure they don't drop out when they entertain Dagenham & Redbridge at the Lamex Stadium.

League One preview

Getty Images

With leaders Bristol City turning their attention to Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final date with Walsall at Wembley,Preston have the chance to close the gap at the top.

Simon Grayson's team are in good form but so are Barnsley, who they meet today.Both sides have won six of their last seven matches.

Peterborough and Chesterfield have their sights on the top six and they face each other in the fixture between seventh and eighth at London Road.

The battle at the bottom is also tense and the winners of Crawley v Leyton Orient could move out of the bottom four if results elsewhere go their way.

Championship preview

The big games keep coming thick and fast in the race to reach the Premier League promised land.

Watford have given themselves a great chance of going up with a run of five matches and one draw from their last six matches and today face an Ipswich side struggling for form. Mick McCarthy's team have dropped out of the promotion places after a run of just four victories in 10 matches but they are still within touching distance of the play-offs.

Norwich are also in the shake-up thanks to a run of one defeat from their last 11 games but Nottingham Forest also fancy their chances of a late surge into top six the after an upturn in fortunes since Dougie Freedman took charge on 1 February.

At the other end of the table, Wigan have won three of their last five games to increase their hopes of survival. Neil Lennon's Bolton make the nine-mile journey to face the Latics at the DW Stadium today.

Rotherham are the team directly above Wigan and they also entertain a neighbouring side, with Sheffield Wednesday being today's visitors.

Championship latest

In the Championship, Bournemouth are on course to go top of the table - at least for a few hours - as they lead Middlesbrough 2-0 and you can follow the remainder of that game via our dedicated live text coverage.

Alan Green

Match of the Day commentator at Britannia Stadium

"Stoke manager Mark Hughes is gradually moving the Potters on from the Tony Pulis era.

"Forty-two points, eighth place in the Premier League table with nine games to go - that's what I call progress!

"Crystal Palace are not quite safe but there's no need for their supporters to be biting fingernails. The revival under Alan Pardew, close to two points a game since he took over, leaves few in doubt they'll still be playing top-flight football in August."

Steve Bower

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park

"You won't find new Villa boss Tim Sherwood thinking that the survival mission is accomplished after two league wins on the trot. He'll be demanding the same intensity against Swansea to keep the run going.

"Given that all of Villa's remaining away games are against teams currently in the top seven, they'll be hoping to continue the feelgood factor at home.

"Swansea go into the game on the back of successive league defeats but that doesn't tell the whole story. They were unlucky not have got something at Spurs and could have easily got a point against Liverpool on Monday."

Jonathan Pearce

BBC Match of the Day commentator

"A year ago Arsenal recovered immediately from an exit to Bayern Munich in the Champions League to win at Tottenham and finish the campaign very strongly. There's nothing in the build-up to this game to suggest they won't do the same again.

"They have won their last five matches and 13 of their last 15, plus six in a row against Newcastle - who haven't beaten them at home in a decade.

"I can't see a happy result for the Toon Army. Their club has badly lost its way."

John Motson

BBC Match of the Day commentator at St Mary's Stadium

"This fixture represents a huge opportunity for both clubs as they continue their quests to defy the odds this season.

"Despite Southampton's recent blip, victory at home to Burnley could help get them back in the hunt for Champions League football next season. The minimum target now must be Europa League qualification.

"Rather than be fearful of the fixture list, Burnley manager Sean Dyche will see this game, coupled with back-to-back home matches against Tottenham and Arsenal, as the ideal launching pad for their survival bid."

Martin Fisher

Match of the Day commentator

"This fixture has a welcome habit of producing goals. This will be the 102nd meeting and in all that time my exhaustive research tells me that there has only ever been one goalless draw. And that was 67 years ago!

"Tottenham have looked tired recently, hardly surprising given their gruelling fixture list, and this will be their 49th game of the campaign.

"Time is running out for the Foxes, who are bottom of the Premier League. A repeat of their 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane in the FA Cup two months ago is required to inject much-needed impetus into their Great Escape bid."

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Andy Knowles: Well done city. Can't ask for much more. Always tough to break down a team with 10 men. Bony excellent.

Tom Chance: Never a good sign for a referee when you're trending on Twitter. Unlucky Neil Swarbrick.

Neil Stone: Unjust decision or not, West Brom's response to going a man down has been pitiful. Look what PSG did with 10 men last week.

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Alan in Manchester: Far too many analysts these days. Sending off yes, wrong man yes. Get over it there's a game going on.

Kye in Manchester: don't understand how people are saying that this has cost West Brom because they still would have been down to 10 men if the ref had made the right decision.

Half-time stats

Getty Images

A pretty even first half that. Oh wait, no it wasn't, it was massively one sided.

A packed midfield suggested West Brom would have been happy with a point before kick-off, even more so when they had a player sent off but there looks to be no chance of that with Manchester City two goals to the good and well in control.

They've had 80% of the possession and 26 shots on goal, compared to none for the Baggies.

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

Reuters

"It is only half-time at Etihad Stadium but you sense that Fernando's goal means any doubt over the outcome of this game is already over. Ten-man West Brom have barely made it out of their half since losing Gareth McAuley early on and a manager as pragmatic as Tony Pulis is unlikely to risk his side's goal difference - which is superior to all but one of the seven teams below them in the table - by trying anything but damage limitation after the break."

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

On the sending off of Gareth McAuley (see 2 mins), an apparent case of mistaken identity.

"Mike Riley, Howard Webb, surely they need to come out quickly after the game to explain what has happened and why. I know quite a few referees, I speak to them a lot and I know they are getting more decisions right, but they are getting the big ones massively wrong and that is the problem. We talk about penalties and dives and it is very difficult to get those decisions correct, even on a replay, because it's not always black and white. But getting the wrong player? These have not been debateable decisions, they have been absolutely horrendous decisions. I know I have always badgered referees but is there any wonder why? This was just inept. It's unforgivable."

In late February, Wes Brown was sent off for Sunderland at Manchester United, despite television pictures suggesting John O'Shea had committed a red card offence by fouling United's Radamel Falcao.

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Henry Oputa: One way traffic...the only people enjoying this match are City fans

Paul Harris: City desperately needed some luck today...and boy have they got it.

HALF-TIME

Neil Swarbrick blows the whistle to signal half-time and the players make their way off the pitch. Tony Pulis hangs around in his technical area, clearly keen to give Swarbrick a piece of his mind, which he does once the latter gets within earshot.

Sergio Aguero tries to add a third just before the break, driving a shot at goal from inside the area but it is straight at Boaz Myhill.

Baggies in hot water?

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

"Seeing his side a man down and so firmly under the cosh cannot be easy for West Brom boss Tony Pulis to watch and his frustration boiled over for the first time when James Morrison fouled David Silva to concede a free-kick on the edge of the Baggies box.

"Pulis is prowling around his technical area with his hands on his pockets, shouting at his players but also to himself, and his side's defending for City's second goal is unlikely to have changed his mood.

"He might not get a cup of tea at half-time to calm him down either. There has just been an announcement over the speakers at Etihad Stadium that there are no hot drinks available because of "a problem in the local area". Bad news all round for the Baggies."

Getty Images

Two minutes of added time. The break cannot come soon enough for the Baggies.

This could get very messy for West Brom as Manchester City look determined to rack up the goals and make a big statement after recent disappointing results. Sergio Aguero shoots low from distance and it has too much bite for Boaz Myhill, but luckily Chris Baird is there to hack away the loose ball.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

AP

"Absolutely shambolic defending. For some reason Jonas Olsson dives in with a sliding challenge and rolls the ball away from his goalkeeper, right into the path of Fernando. There was no danger at all, and five yards from goal, Fernando just turned it in. That certainly is game over now."

GOAL

Game over surely as Manchester City grab a second after some comical defending by West Brom. The Baggies fail to clear a corner, before Jonas Olsson and James Morrison paw at Vincent Kompany's hooked effort and Fernando takes full advantage to smash home the loose ball and give City their 1,000th Premier League goal.

AFP

Sergio Aguero is like a little terrier chasing a tennis ball. Wilfried Bony's attempted pass fails to find him and as West Brom try to work the ball forward Aguero scampers some 30 yards to make a tackle and give City possession once again.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

On the sending off of Gareth McAuley (see 2 mins), an apparent case of mistaken identity. "It's a decision that has completely ruined the game. And what if this was a really important match? What if that mistake had cost West Brom their place in the Premier League?

"The four officials in the stadium clearly didn't talk to each other, and they got it wrong. Because the technology is there - the fourth official can see it. I know all about players doing everything they can to gain an advantage, but if a player is saying to you: 'It wasn't me, it was him', then all the referee has to do is speak to his fourth official and say: 'Have I got this right?' No-one has to know, he can put his hand over his mouth and talk to him because they are mic'd up. How many times have we seen decisions reversed? It's not a problem, all we want to get is the correct decision."

Getty Images

A Manchester City free-kick, 20 yards from goal and David Silva is over it, but his strike flies over the West Brom bar.

A rare moment for Saido Berahino to stretch his legs as the ball goes back to Eliaquim Mangala and the West Brom striker tries to put pressure on the City defender by running at him. Mangala calmly strokes the ball back to Joe Hart, who hoofs it up field.

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

"That was a big moment for Wilfried Bony, who has his first Manchester City goal in his seventh game for the club, after a wait of 210 minutes. The £25m striker must fancy his chances of adding to his tally against West Brom's 10 men his afternoon. The pattern of the game has not changed since Bony's goal - it is still City's attack against West Brom's defence, with the home side currently enjoying more than 90% possession. That might give you an idea of you how one-sided this game is."

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Robert Thompson: 4-4-2 and Joe Hart wearing a baseball cap. Strong 90s vibes from City today!

Oliver Middleton: Very quiet today in the Etihad today, fans clearly nervous despite city's advantage #library

GREAT SAVE!

Boaz Myhill is again called upon to produce a fine save as he stretches to keep out Jesus Navas' side-footed effort from the edge of the area.

Joe Hart worked as hard as he would in two games against Barcelona, but he is getting the chance to work on his suntan at the moment. I can't see that changing either.

What will West Brom's response be? We won't know just yet as Manchester City come forward again. Frank Lampard delivers a perfectly weighted ball into the area for Wilfried Bony to chase. The striker, confidence now clearly surging through him, tries to roll the ball past his marker but fails and the Baggies clear.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

Reuters

"There was bit of pinball inside the West Brom area, and as it came over his shoulder Wilfried Bony just waited. The ball bounced kindly for him, and he remained calm to powerfully side-foot into the net. Sadly now, you have to say that is game over."

GOAL

Getty Images

Well, no-one can say it has not been coming as Manchester City finally break West Brom's resolve with a deserved opener.

Vincent Kompany's shot on the edge of the area is blocked, but Wilfried Bony hooks the deflection into his path and the burly striker powers home his first goal for the club.

CLOSE!

For all of Manchester City's dominance, Boaz Myhill did not have a great deal to do in the first 20 minutes.

That has just changed, though, as David Silva eyes a gap on the edge of the area and he curls an effort seemingly destined for the top corner but Moaz pulls off a Hollywood save to parry the ball away.

Chris Baird stabs away a low Jesus Navas cross before Craig Dawson blocks Frank Lampard's shot from just outside the area as Manchester City continue to pile on the pressure.

Sorry West Brom fans, unless you are a fan of entries detailing your players blocking shots, this might not be an enjoyable live text commentary experience for you...

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Billy Francis: Mandatory sight test for referees ? Although 35 year old McAuley does look identical to 24 year old Dawson...

Ryan Stayner: Whilst I agree we seem to have a shocking ref performance each week, don't forget the other 9 who have a solid game.

NJ Pedersen: Howard Webb must be pulling his hair out when he sees decisions like that.

Manchester City are getting closer. Another patient approach to the West Brom area ends with Frank Lampard having sight of goal, but he connects horribly with the ball and skews a powerful drive just wide. A thumbs up from Manuel Pellegrini, who can perhaps sense a goal for his side is only a matter of time.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"By the end of this game possession will be around 80% in City's favour. But they need to just draw West Brom out of their area a little bit because it's very congested in there. The home side are going to have to be patient and hope for a lapse in concentration - West Brom aren't going to venture forward. If City don't win this now it really will be an absolute disaster."

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Derek in Bewdley: This last man rule is a farce, it was originally bought in to punish deliberate attempts to prevent a goal, not for misplaced tackles.

A Peck in Bishops Stortford: Not sure if this will help City. At least with 11 West Brom would be ventured forward at times. Now they'll sick 10 men behind the ball. Who fancies scoring against a Pulis team with 9 defenders and a keeper.

Tom in Brighton: Refs having a deliberately bad season in an attempt to finally give them some assistance via technology? Horrible job. They deserve all the help they can get.

Another minute another Manchester City attack. This time, Sergio Aguero clips the ball out wide to Jesus Navas who, unmarked, breaks into the area before cutting the ball back to David Silva. The City midfielder can't quite get his foot around the ball and his effort is straight into the grateful hands of Boaz Myhill.

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John Pierce: Clearly a red card (Dawson), you see McAuley say to Swarbrick it's not me. Right decision poor execution.

Ross Taylor: Ref clearly has Craig Dawson in his Fantasy Football team.

Pete Chilton: McAuley makes a big mistake under hitting his pass. Ref makes a big mistake of identity. Get over it.

Reuters

David Silva strides forward as the West Brom midfield retreats. He pokes the ball forward for Sergio Aguero, who dances around the West Brom defence before shooting high over the bar from just outside the area.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"We need to hear from the officials, because I don't understand what was going through the referee's mind. I'm sorry but that is just a horrendous decision (see 2 mins). One's got Dawson on his back, and the other has McAuley. Does the referee not have the common sense to just say to one of his officials, have I got the right man? They are all mic'd up.

"We can almost turn our seats now though. We are sat on the halfway line and I don't think we are going to have much action in the Manchester City area."

Tony Pulis was smiling from ear to ear on arrival at the Etihad Stadium but is sporting a face like thunder at the moment. This could be a long 80 or so minutes for West Brom, with Manchester City still in possession.

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Gary Leung: Hoping West Brom have the same resilience that PSG had against Chelsea. Too optimistic?

Seyi Bruv: Do referees need technology to punish the right players too?

Jas Grewal: What is going on with English referees these days, just as poor as English clubs in CL.

Saido Berahino looks a lonely man as he patrols the halfway line, the rest of his team-mates back deep in the West Brom half.

Manchester City are embarking on wave after wave of attacks, the latest of which ends with David Silva's curled effort deflected wide by Jonas Olsson. How long can the Baggies keep the hosts at bay?

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

"There is a heated discussion going on in the West Brom technical area following that early red card but even more in the Etihad Stadium press box as we tried to work out why Gareth McAuley, rather than Craig Dawson who committed the foul, had been dismissed and was walking slowly off the pitch towards the tunnel below us. Any ideas?"

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Ash Williams: A straight 1 on 1 race. Swarbrick would've seen the number of Dawson. Refs cannot justify these decisions

Andy Haywood: Is that the quickest red card in #PremierLeague history?

Jay: I can't think of any reason how the ref could have confused McAuley for Dawson

After all the confusion Frank Lampard takes the free-kick, but sends it high over the bar. West Brom are firmly on the back foot in the early stages of this already strange game.

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Seany Ekon: Why does this happen in the world's most watched sport. The ref sends of the wrong player!!! How does this happen?! Kills me.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"I can't believe that. Unless he has said something, which I presume he hasn't, that is the most ridiculous decision. Everyone here has seen it was Craig Dawson's challenge. That is almost as bad as the Jan Vertonghen offside decision.

"It was Gareth McAuley that had a bad touch, Wilfried Bony nipped in, Dawson made a challenge, but anyway there were players starting to come round, and there was no thought in my mind that that could be a red card."

Reuters

Replays show it is Craig Dawson who commits the foul just outside the area, Wilfried Bony tries to continue but runs into the lunging foot of Gareth McAuley inside the area. Surely a penalty if McAuley gets his marching orders? Not sure what has happened here.

RED CARD FOR WEST BROM

Getty Images

What a terrible start for West Brom, but a huge boost for Manchester City. Wilfried Bony tries to bundle through on goal but is blocked by Craig Dawson. Referee decides it is denying a goal scoring opportunity and out comes the red card.

But hang on? He's sending off Gareth McAuley. Mistaken identity?

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"West Brom will be very organised, they won't have come here to win but will make it very difficult for Manchester City. Tony Pulis gets criticised at times for playing long ball football, but when he has the players he can play a little bit more expansively, and they are now safe you feel.

"City, though, they have to show a response after those two defeats. They have to produce a performance to lift the fans, lift the club, and put that little bit more pressure on Chelsea."

KICK-OFF

Referee Neil Swarbrick gets the weekend's Premier League football under way.

BBC

"Come on boys!" roars Vincent Kompany as the two teams stroll out of the tunnel and into the Manchester sun, beaming down on the Etihad pitch.

Will this be the game that sees Manchester City reignite their title push? Time to find out.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, speaking to BT Sport: "We know every week we must win so the pressure is exactly the same. We are still second, we have to play nine games more and it just depends on what we can do to keep our position at least.

"I don't think the season here at home has been good enough."

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

"So, are Manchester City in crisis after two devastating defeats in less than a week? If so, then at least they have been here before, almost exactly 12 months ago, when they went out of the Champions League to Barcelona days after losing to a north-west club they were expected to sweep aside with ease (in that case Wigan in the FA Cup, rather than Burnley in the Premier League).

"Back then, City bounced back with what proved to be one of the most important wins in their journey to the title - a 2-0 victory at Hull despite playing with 10 men for 80 minutes after Vincent Kompany was sent off.

"They went on to win eight of their 11 remaining league games, losing only once in the run-in. Even a repeat of that form might not be enough for them to retain their title, but it might help to keep Manuel Pellegrini in his job."

Line ups

Football

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy, Jesus Navas, Fernando, Lampard, Silva, Bony, Aguero. Subs: Sagna, Milner, Dzeko, Caballero, Fernandinho, Demichelis, Jovetic.

West Brom XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Olsson, Sessegnon, Fletcher, Baird, Gardner, Morrison, Berahino. Subs: Wisdom, Anichebe, Davidson, Pocognoli, Mulumbu, Nabi, Rose.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

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Matthew Bennett: Boxing Day 2000 aged 12, in a freezing Craven Cottage watched Watford lose 5-0 registering their first shot in the 89th min.

Ben Smith: 2004, 800 mile return trip up to Middlesbrough. Crouch scores a late winner to give Villa three points and a sweet journey home.

Paddy Emmerson: Norwich v Liverpool 1976. 1-0 win thanks to David Fairclough. Ted MacDougall seemed to spend 90 mins off side.

Get involved using #bbcfootball on Twitter, text us on 81111 (UK only), or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook, or Google+ page.

Guardiola to City?

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson

Football Focus

BBC

"Manchester City would love to have Pep Guardiola at the club, with there already being the two boys from Barcelona involved in running things. I think Manuel Pellegrini will be in charge next season, but if Bayern Munich win the Champions League, there could be a chance of them getting Guardiola."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Francis Coster: I like Manuel Pellegrini, you never see him moan about a dodgy refereeing decision. If he goes the league will lose a gent.

'Messi the difference'

West Brom boss Tony Pulis: "We have to get 8-9s ratings out of every player and have a bit of luck too.

"People say there was a massive difference between Manchester City and Barcelona in the Champions League. No ,there was a little difference and that was Lionel Messi.

"If City had Messi they would have gone through, without a doubt."

Getty Images

Tony Pulis was in a very jovial mood as he strolled on to the Manchester City pitch alongside Baggies coach Gerry Francis a few minutes ago.

He has every reason to be cheery, having worked his magic once again. West Brom are sitting pretty comfortably in 13th, eight points clear of danger, and might well fancy their chances of getting a result against a wounded City side.

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

BBC

"It's not a huge surprise that Manchester City have made seven changes from their midweek defeat by Barcelona, given this is a Saturday lunchtime kick-off following a Wednesday night game, but is there anything to read into Samir Nasri not being involved at all, given he came off after only 45 (hugely disappointing) minutes at the Nou Camp?

"The four survivors are Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and goalkeeper Joe Hart, who surely won't be kept as busy by Tony Pulis's side as he was by Lionel Messi and co in Catalonia. They have just emerged to warm up on what is a sunny spring day in Manchester."

Championship football

BBC

It may be a tasty battle at the top of the Premier League, but just as exciting is the one at the top of the Championship.

Bournemouth versus Middlesbrough, third versus second in the table, has just got under way, and you can follow the action in our dedicated live coverage.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills

BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Manuel Pellegrini, yes he has won the Premier League, but has he taken Manchester City to that next level? Is there a pressure for City to go out and get somebody else now?

"The club is changing. There is this new academy site - the whole facility is absolutely magnificent - and the stadium is getting bigger. Expectations have changed so much but have the fans'? Ten years ago the fans were happy to stay in the Premier League, but I don't think they have changed so much. That is why they are happy to stand by Pellegrini."

Playing for their future?

Guardian

I wonder how many of the 11 Manchester City players out on the pitch are playing for their futures at the club?

The Guardian reports that the club's hierarchy is planning its biggest shake-up of the squad since Sheikh Mansour became owner in 2008, and the article suggests Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna are just three of the players who could be on their way this summer.

"What is expected is a cull so drastic that by the end of summer a new and unfamiliar City squad may require name badges to identify each other," writes Jamie Jackson.

No need to worry about a birthday cake for Yaya this year then...

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

The Earl of Jeffs: Two up front for Pellegrini again? It feels like a return to the 90's

Nathaniel Jansen: Advocaat should drink in his premier league debut, he hasn't got a snowballs chance in hell of keeping them up.

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium

BBC Sport

His team are out of the Champions League and both domestic cups, they have won only five of their 14 matches in 2015 and their title defence is hanging by a thread, but Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is staying decidedly positive in his programme notes ahead of today's visit of West Brom.

"We have to keep trusting in what we are trying to do and believe our performances will return to our normal levels," writes the Chilean. "We must just look to trust our skills and ability and try to begin a winning run."

BBC

'Big turnaround to come'

Jason Roberts

Former Blackburn striker on Football Focus

"There is a rebuilding job to be done at Man City. After winning the title, they missed a great opportunity. I think the players who've come in, like Mangala, haven't quite been good enough for them.

"Whether or not Manuel Pellegrini is the person to do that rebuilding remains to be seen as you've seen this season that Chelsea have moved ahead of them and other teams are coming up strong too.

"I think there will be a big turnaround in the manager and the players before next season."

Vote result

We've been asking you this morning whether new manager Dick Advocaat will keep Sunderland in the Premier League.

The results are in - and 61.3% of you believe he will not keep the Black Cats in the top flight.

Thanks for voting.

Smiling so far

Getty Images

If Manuel Pellegrini is a man under pressure he did not show it when arriving at Etihad Stadium this morning.

Stepping off the team coach to the sound of Oasis's Shakermaker as a man who sounded not unlike Young Kenny from Phoenix Nights announced their arrival, Pellegrini was all smiles as he waved to the gathered fans.

How long that smile lasts, though, is a good question. City really need to kick-start their title challenge today, but it will be far from easy against a solid West Brom side who have kept six clean sheets in nine league games under Tony Pulis.

BBC

Keeping the pressure on Chelsea is not Manchester City's only concern, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all in close company below them.

City have won just three of their last 12 matches in all competitions and failure to beat the Baggies today could see them drop down the table, if their rivals pick up wins.

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Sam in Swindon: Swindon away at Coventry in 2013, went 1-0 down in the 2nd minute, scored 2 in the last 4 to win 2-1.

Chris in London: First away day was Liverpool at Highbury, watched Mike Hooper get lobbed by Anders Limpar from improbable range. Mixed feelings about that one.

Sam in York: York away at Rochdale 2002. I remember the disappointment on my face when I realised we wouldn't be playing in our away kit which I had gone to the trouble of wearing that day, and my kind father pinching my £3 to pay for parking. York ran away 1-0 winners courtesy of a Lee Nogan goal. Great day.

Team news

Manchester City make four changes from the side that lost to Burnley last week, with Eliaquim Mangala, Frank Lampard, Fernando and Wilfried Bony all coming in. It is seven changes to the side that lost to Barcelona in midweek.

West Brom make three changes after beating Stoke last weekend. Boaz Myhill comes in for the injured Ben Foster, while Jonas Olsson and Chris Baird both start too.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Lampard, Silva, Bony, Aguero

West Brom XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Baird, Morrison, Gardner, Fletcher, Sessegnon, Berahino

Guy Mowbray

BBC Match of the Day commentator at Etihad Stadium

"If losing in Barcelona in midweek had seemed almost inevitable for Manchester City, then so does beating West Brom - or should that be "so DID beating West Brom"?

"City have won all of the last six league meetings of these clubs, and yet with the way things are right now nobody can be quite so sure anymore. Albion will undoubtedly believe that they can secure their first ever win at the Etihad against a team mentally and physically drained by events at Nou Camp.

"It's Manuel Pellegrini's 100th game as Manchester City manager, and how many more there'll be is something else that we can only speculate upon. "Nine games to save his job" is a view that was aired within moments of Wednesday's final whistle, whilst the hideous phrase "dead man walking" has also been used plentifully of late."

BreakingBREAKING TEAM NEWS

Wilfried Bony makes only his second Manchester City start for the visit of West Brom, partnering Sergio Aguero in attack. Midfielder Frank Lampard also starts for the hosts.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Lampard, Silva, Bony, Aguero

Top work Sham.

Can Manchester City bounce back from their Champions League disappointment and close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea, and will Manuel Pellegrini ring the changes to try to get a positive response?

It's not long until we find out, with team news dropping any minute.

Handing over

Right, that is my stint done as I head to other duties. Manchester City v West Brom team news is imminent. Will Wilfried Bony get a start? Can City close the gap on leaders Chelsea?

Gary Rose will have all the answers as he guides you through the afternoon's action. Over to you...

Pearson feeling the pressure?

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Is Leicester manager Nigel Pearson feeling the heat with his side bottom of the Premier League table? You bet he is!

The Foxes are seven points away from safety and they travel to London to face Champions League-chasing Tottenham today.

They drew 0-0 against Hull in their last game, with Pearson in particularly spiky mood after the match.

Watch the video of an uncomfortable exchange between him and a reporter

Kane's pain

So, Harry Kane might be 21, scoring goals for fun in the Premier League, and a lot richer than you or me, but it turns out he's got something in common with all of us - he too has been reduced to tears by the performance of our national team.

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"I've cried watching England," the Tottenham forward tells the Daily Mail's Martin Samuel. "I remember the European Championship in 2004 and I definitely cried when we got knocked out then."

Kane, of course, is celebrating after being called up to by England for the first time, in the squad for the upcoming double-header against Lithuania and Italy.

"I used to watch all the England games in the pub with my family," Kane adds. "I'm a very patriotic England fan and, actually. I always wore my heart on my sleeve."

We'll look ahead to the Tottenham v Leicester (15:00 kick-off) match later on.

Pardew urges caution

BBC

Crystal Palace were in the relegation zone and without a win in eight games when Alan Pardew took over in January.

But such has been the impact made by the former Newcastle boss, they have climbed up the table to a lofty 12th position, eight points clear of the drop zone.

"We can't relax," said a cautious Pardew. "Two results for one of those bottom teams and it will be very tight again, so we know we still have work to do.

"Can we catch Stoke? No. They've had a great season under Mark Hughes. They were disappointing last week and they will come recharged for us."

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Martin Sheehan: Rushing to get the train to Goodison, I tripped and fell down the hill near the station! I ran to Tesco (where I worked at the time) and bought a cheap jumper and jeans and just made the train! We lost the game!

Thomas Whelan: Forest away at Rotherham's old ground in 2006. Thought the away end was going to cave in with all the jumping up and down!

Ryan Taylor: First away day was Newcastle v Southampton in 2002, my eight-year-old legs barely made it up the stairs to the away end!

Football Focus

An earlier than usual Football Focus is about the start on BBC One and at the top of this page. Tune in.

5 live Sport

BBC Radio 5 live

Join Mark Pougatch from 12:00 GMT for 5 live Sport and all the build-up to this afternoon's live football.

Live commentary from Etihad Stadium of Manchester City v West Brom in the Premier League will be on from 12:45 GMT.

You can click the option at the top of this page to listen.

Potters boss praises Pardew

The Potters have had an excellent season and find themselves in eighth position, but a push to get into a European spot looks unlikely.

They face an improved Crystal Palace side and manager Mark Hughes has praised the work done by Alan Pardew since taking charge.

"Alan has done a tremendous job and has managed to navigate the team away from the difficult position they found themselves in.

"They are a very dangerous team with a lot of quality and are arguably a more dangerous proposition for us at home than they were when we played them down in London late last year."

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David in Ruislip: QPR fan. Southampton away on the train - first away trip on my own. Late 80s. Lost 5-1! Colin Clarke got a hat-trick. Our away form hasn't changed much!

Jonny Church: Southampton 0-1 Charlton. Last minute Chris Iwelumo winner with 10 men. Unbelievable stuff.

Ollie in Canterbury: Blackburn away at QPR when I was 5. Was a dire 0-0. Set me up perfectly for life as a Rovers fan.

Vokes wants to be Shear class

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Sam Vokes is hoping to replicate the goal-scoring exploits of boyhood heroes Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier at St Mary's today.

But the forward wants to do so in Burnley's colours, rather than the red and white of the heroes he watched at the Dell as a boy.

"I tried to mould my game on them," Southampton-born Vokes, who attended his first Saints game in 1993, told the Daily Express.

"But it's certainly setting a high target there. I asked my dad where he is going to be sat and I think he is in with his mates in the Southampton end!"

Burnley building on City win

Last time out, lowly Burnley secured a shock victory over champions Manchester City at Turf Moor, which moved the Clarets to within one point of safety.

Manager Sean Dyche knows not to rest on his laurels though, and wants them to back up that triumph with a positive result against Southampton.

"The one thing I have learned is there is no guarantee," said the man affectionately known by supporters as the Ginger Mourinho.

"It was a good performance, we edged it and did enough to get a win on the day and we are going to have to do it again."

Pelle's goal wait goes on

BBC

It will be intriguing to see whether Southampton manager Ronald Koeman picks striker Graziano Pelle today or not.

The Italian started the season well scoring nine goals in his first 12 matches, but has not netted in the league for three months now, and was dropped for the game against Chelsea.

"Nobody is happy to stay on the bench," said the Dutchman. "Sometimes you need a reaction off the player in that situation. He is doing well.

"In the Chelsea game, in that moment, I think it was good to change the way of playing with more fast players up front."

Championship: Second meets third

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Away from the Premier League, there's another big day of fixtures in the Championship as the race for promotion hots up.

Bournemouth in third host Middlesbrough in second in the early kick-off.

The Cherries are unbeaten in the last five while Boro have picked up two impressive wins in the last week against fellow challengers Ipswich and Derby thanks to the goals of Patrick Bamford (above).

We'll have full live text coverage from 11:45 GMT.

Get involved

A few of your tales of following your side on the road for the first time from the BBC Sport Facebook page:

Nick Abraham: Birmingham City v Bristol City 1971. I left my Bristol City scarf in my dad's car and came back to find about six Birmingham fans trying to tip the car on to its roof. Those were the days. I think we lost 1-0.

Kritsada Leungchavaphongse: Boro - Arsenal 2008 KO at noon. I had to catch the overnight train from King's Cross to Leeds and then Middlesbrough to be there on time. The result was 1-1 on a windy rainy day in December.

Scott Ward: 7th April 1979... Villa away at Coventry....1-1 double sending off Hutchinson / Evans.., I was 11, went with my uncle. It probably wasn't a family atmosphere...!!

Write result for Coquelin

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Many journalists harbour failed dreams of football careers, but not Arsenal's Francis Coquelin, who anticipated a life in the media before signing as a professional in France.

"I wanted to be a sports journalist when I was a teenager," the Gunners midfielder, 23, told The Sun.

"I began a diploma at school but had to change course after a fortnight, as it clashed with my training at Laval.

"But maybe I will take the diploma in future to please my mum."

Wenger refocuses on league

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After their exit from the last 16 of the Champions League for a fifth consecutive season, manager Arsene Wenger's focus has been turned back to the Premier League.

The Gunners are third in the table and only a point behind second-placed Manchester City, but has ruled out a late surge for the title.

"At the moment we are too far away from Chelsea," said the Frenchman. "They still have a very good cushion and very good security.

"We just have to focus on our performances and our strengths. I do not count on the weaknesses of any of our opponents."

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Joe in Northampton: Liverpool at West Ham earlier this season. Got in five minutes late already 1-0 down. 2-0 seconds later. Not quite the brilliant day I had promised my brother.

Ian, a Chelsea fan in Whitley Bay: Sheffield Wednesday 1-4 Chelsea. Sat in the home family enclosure and got hit on the head by the kid behind with his old fashioned football rattle. I've always assumed it was on purpose because I didn't jump up to celebrate their consolation goal. I also remember Big Ron staring down the Chelsea fans as they sang "He's big, he's fat - he's gonna get the sack. Atkinson!"

Away win?

The Magpies need not get out of their nest today...

BBC

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

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Neil Halliwell: The beach ball game (Sunderland v Liverpool October 2009). Sat with the home fans. It wasn't pleasant.

Dave McFadyen: Arsenal at Leeds. Brian Deane probably hit every bit of the woodwork that day. 0-0 and I was sitting with Leeds fans. Very lucky.

Andy McNamara: Sheff Weds. My brother was at uni there; my Dad came with his washing in a huge bin bag. They didn't believe us. Everton lost

No Monk-ey business

Reuters

Swansea go into the game on the back of two consecutive league defeats to Tottenham and Liverpool, with manager Garry Monk coming up against a familiar foe in Tim Sherwood.

"I'm on the same coaching course as Tim and his views on football are very interesting," said Monk.

"We've got the same desire, commitment and principles and are clear in what we want.

"He has had a fantastic start and I am sure he will take Aston Villa forward after being unlucky at Tottenham."

'Newcastle have their flip-flops on'

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Newcastle have won just nine Premier League games this season, and Match of the Day pundit Phil Neville suggested the players "had their flip-flops on" during last weekend's defeat at Everton.

The former Manchester United and Everton player made the comments after Newcastle lost 3-0 at Goodison Park.

But manager John Carver has hit back by saying: "I was pretty angry when I heard it because he couldn't be any further from the truth.

"I think it's insulting and it's wrong, especially from ex-players."

Early Focus

Football Focus BBC Sport

Football Focus

With an afternoon full of drama with the oval ball ahead in the Six Nations - Football Focus moves to an earlier slot this weekend.

Get yourselves tuned in to BBC One from 11:30 GMT, where Dan Walker will be joined by Mark Lawrenson and Jason Roberts for a look forward to the weekend's action. You can watch that programme at the top of this page as well.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Zac Cohen: Seeing West Ham lose 2-1 away to Aston villa in the 90th minute, boy that set the tone.

Jonathan Kent: Bolton away to Wigan. Drew 1-1. Elmander scored for us and I wondered why he could hardly ever do that at home.

Stuart McCash: Blackburn v Liverpool August 2002, can't remember the score but I remember I lost my watch.... I liked that watch!

Stormin' Norman

BBC Radio 5 live

Adam Williams-Online

Tune in to The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live to hear from Danny's studio guest Norman Whiteside.

Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend Norman is reminiscing about his career as a teenage wonderkid, his job today as a podiatrist and meeting former President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

'England will win the Euros'

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Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has seen a love affair grow with the club and their supporters since taking over as boss on Valentine's Day and has issued a rallying cry ahead of their match against Swansea.

Although he lost his first two games in charge, Villa have won their last two in the Premier League, including last weekend's victory over Sunderland.

"This game is huge. The fans are going to be very important for us. We are going to need them with us," said the eccentric Englishman.

But bizarrely, the former Spurs boss went on to say he thinks England will win Euro 2016. "Roy Hodgson will stumble across a team that will win the Euros. He will, I tell you. They will win it," he said.

Could he possibly be right?

Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood is always good value for a headline, but I think he has finally lost the plot. What he has said is up next. I advise you to sit down for it...

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George in Bicester: Was about 11, Preston vs Burnley, a big derby. We lost 5-3... still haven't seen us win away in a league game having been to maybe 15 away games since.

Gary in Aberdeen: Blackpool away at Man Utd in 1975 in the old Second Division. I was 8 and a Blackpool fan with my dad. United were presented with the Second Division champions trophy before the game. They hammered Blackpool 4-0. I was celebrating when the third goal went in and have been a United fan ever since. My dad was gutted.

Neil in Norwich: Away at Palace losing 1-0. Terrible game. Terrible pitch. Terrible stadium. Great pie at half time.

Home win?

West Brom might as well not turn up...

BBC

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Rupert Snow: In Stretford End watching Norwich take Man Utd apart on Gary Pallister's debut. Bruv supports Man Utd, I do not - happy days.

Adam Blaney: Everton at Bolton aged 8-10 in 2001-02. Gazza scored his only Blues goal in a 2-2 draw. Was more impressed the Reebok had a McDonald's!

Michael Brockman: Palace 'away' to Wimbledon FC, at Selhurst Park... when the two clubs ground shared. Probably doesn't really count.

Praise from Pulis

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis has done an excellent job since taking over the Baggies in January. He has presided over a run which has seen them lose just three times in 13 games.

But they face a stern test today at Etihad Stadium, coming up against champions Manchester City.

"City have had a poor time over the last couple of weeks, but they are one of the best two teams in the country," said Pulis.

"They have some wonderful players and on their day, as they have proven, they are better than most."

Mr Faulty

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For those unfamiliar with Fawlty Towers, it was a 70s British sitcom which featured a waiter from Barcelona called Manuel. His haplessness at a Torquay hotel often left owner Mr Fawlty frustrated.

Manchester City's own Manuel looks to be testing the patience of his bosses, in a season which is close to collapsing. Failing to defend the League Cup, shocked in the FA Cup, ousted from the Champions League.

Will it be time for Mr Pellegrini to check-out from the Etihad should his side relinquish hold of the Premier League title? The Engineer is more Mr Faulty at the moment, and he needs to find a fix... sharpish.

"We can do better - especially in both cups, that was not good for our team - but I don't think I have anything to complain about. Second position in a whole year I don't think is a disaster."

Coming up

Seven games taking place today, so let's have a look at what the managers and players have been saying ahead of their games.

How is Mr Pellegrini feeling after losing in the Champions League to Barca? Has Arsene Wenger been able to sleep since Arsenal went out to Monaco? And which manager is tipping England to win Euro 2016? No seriously...

All the chat is coming up...

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Elliot Leaver: Went to Derby to see Chelsea in 2001. Country had a small earthquake that day and we didn't even notice!

Harry G Henderson: Fulham 2-2 Chelsea. I celebrated like mad for the Chelsea goals until I remembered I was sitting with the Fulham fans.

Storm Jarvis May: Southampton FC away to Wolves, when I was 5 years old. Saints won it 4-1 and Claus Lundekvam scored one of his two Saints goals.

Saturday's back pages

The Times

So, what went wrong for the English sides in Europe and what needs to be done?

England coach and TV pundit Gary Neville, writing in the Daily Telegraph, has a gloomy message for English football, claiming "our game cannot go on like this". By this, he means a long list of what he considers problems in the sport in this country.

In what is quite a hard-hitting piece, Neville says "player thinking is really poor, problem solving is really poor ... I have been appalled in the last season or two by some of the defending collectively". He also slates the roles of super-agents, adding: "We are forking out very good money for average players". Interesting stuff.

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

A few more of Your very first away day memories here to tie in with The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live.

Callum Mankl: When Man Utd lost 4-0 to MK Dons, we just kept on singing the whole time.

Immsy: Watching Liverpool v United in Liverpool pub with United jersey on.... how suicidal was that? Close encounter.. We won 2-1

Mason James: At the age of nine my mum sent me to Anfield with my Man Utd shirt on. We were also sitting in the Kop. Thanks Mum...

Saturday's back pages

Shamoon Hafez

As you would expect, this morning's newspapers are going heavy on a certain Premier League match taking places tomorrow in the North West.

But there is space for The Sun to reflect on their back page that Sunderland winger Adam Johnson - back from a club suspension - could play in Dick Advocaat's first game in charge.

Text us on 81111

The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live wants to hear about Your very first away match. Here's an early contender to get things started:

Joe in Ipswich: I was living in Norway at the time and went to see Liverpool play Rosenborg with my dad and it was such a slow match and so cold I fell asleep and missed a Michael Owen goal. I was 9. Thankfully I have seen LFC play since.

Vote now...

Sunderland's Premier League position is precarious to say the least - a point above the drop zone, with the possibility of being plunged into it before they even play today.

But there's been a change at the top, so can Dick Advocaat stop the slump and steer the Black Cats to safety?

You can vote on the right-hand side of this page, or via the vote tab on your mobile or tablet.

Full terms and conditions here.

BBC

All change at Sunderland

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After last weekend's heavy home defeat against Aston Villa, Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was given the chop and Dutchman Dick Advocaat has been brought in until the end of the season.

Can the former Rangers boss turn around the fortunes of the beleaguered North East club?

Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Each week we team up with The Danny Baker Show to discuss some of your footballing memories. You can listen to the show on BBC Radio 5 live right now, or by clicking the link at the top of this page.

This week we want to know about: Your very first away match

Did you end up in the wrong section with your club's strip on? Were you given a police escort to the ground like I had at Elland Road?

Let us know on Twitter using #bbcfootball on the BBC Sport Facebook page or by texting in to 81111 (UK only).

Best to leave out any stories about the time you were involved in a punch-up with a rival supporter...

Saturday's games

An important weekend for the top and bottom sides in the Premier League table as we enter the business end of the season, but who is in action today? Here is the full line-up of matches:

Manchester City v West Brom (12:45)

Aston Villa v Swansea (15:00)

Newcastle v Arsenal (15:00)

Southampton v Burnley (15:00)

Stoke v Crystal Palace (15:00)

Tottenham v Leicester (15:00)

West Ham v Sunderland (17:30)

Euro agony

EPA

In a week when Chancellor George Osborne delivered the Budget, all eyes were, in fact, on Europe.

And it turned out to be a chastening week for the Premier League sides who lost their seats at the European table.

Manchester City were humbled by Barcelona, Arsenal valiantly went out (again) on away goals to Monaco, while Everton were trounced in Kiev.

But City and the Gunners return to home comforts as they look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League today.

Poor old Premier League

Down...

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And out!

Reuters