Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, speaking to BBC Sport: “I think we played a very risky system against Swansea because they had a shape with four midfielders in a diamond.

“We played with three defenders but we did very well and created a lot of chances. We didn’t score, though, and that’s our problem. When we scored, there was not a problem any more. We scored two beautiful goals.

“I am very happy for the players because they had to play under big pressure and now we have won. We are still near the top of the league and the gap is less. So that’s football. That’s a season. A season takes eight months or something like that and not one month.

"I hope this is a fantastic starting point for us in the New Year and we can continue against Sheffield United.”

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren: "The players can't believe it, we controlled and dominated the game after the first 10 minutes.

"We asked for a performance and the players gave it, but we conceded one soft goal and lost the game. You can't fault the performance, we just have to be more ruthless at both ends.

"We caused them so many problems and controlled them at the back and we're bewildered how we have not got anything. 

"In the last three games we have lost 1-0 against Everton in the last minute, 1-0 to West Brom in the last 10 minutes and this one. The spirit is tremendous and I can't fault them, I'm just really disappointed."

Vicarage Road is rocking for tonight's late game.

We will bring you all of the major incidents here but you can follow minute-by-minute updates over here.

Sunderland

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Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce told BBC Match of the Day: "I was very pleased with everyone holding their nerve, fans included. When Villa scored we could have went under. But we kept it tight at the back. 

"You need anxiety to play football but if it goes too far into fear you can lose your nerve. When you’re confident things come naturally. But when you want to take an extra touch or an extra second to pass, with that fear, you give the ball away. The only way to dismiss that fear is to win games."

Charlton drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest this afternoon, but the attention is on off-field matters.

The Addicks supporters are outside Valley Parade protesting against Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet.

BBC Sport's Faye Carruthers has filmed the action...

Swansea City

Swansea caretaker-manager Alan Curtis: “We almost got something out of the game. Funnily enough, Lukasz Fabianski had asked a couple of minutes earlier to go up for a similar situation. I told him to stay back. I wish I’d asked him to go up earlier.

“We had to get back into the game. We were comfortable with the midfield diamond when it was 0-0, but once we went behind, we had to change things, so we put two wingers on to get back into it.

“We were a little disappointing in the first half, as we didn’t keep the ball well. We grew into the game after that, and we were unlucky not to get something."

On the likeliness of Swansea appointing a permanent manager: “We’re just carrying on. It could change from day to day. We prepare for a cup game next week, but things can change. Somebody could come in within the next day or two.”

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce: "It’s a great relief. It’s such a long time since we felt the joy of winning. Until the third goal went in we weren’t comfortable. We probably won’t be very comfortable until the end of the season. We got what we wanted. It was all about the result, not the performance.

"Thank God for Jermain Defoe and his finishing qualities. He turned the game back in our favour. He could have had a hat-trick but for an offside. Hopefully it will give us confidence going forward. We’re still very much in trouble but this win was critical.

"Goalscorers turn games. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez at Leicester are into double figures and the rest of the team barely score a goal. Watford’s front two score all their goals. We need to pair off a couple like that to get double figures and keep tight at the back."

We heard earlier from our colleagues at BBC Radio Leicester, external that Birmingham City winger Demarai Gray was having a medical at Leicester, after the Foxes activated a £3.7m release clause for the 19-year-old.

BBC Radio 5 live's Ian Dennis has more to add...

Gray was left out of Birmingham's squad this afternoon, and they went on to win 2-1 against Brentford in the Championship.

Manchester United

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling: “Today it was all about the result. We fought hard against Chelsea and had to dig in today. That’s what we’ve got to do every week.

“We created a number of chances and scored two fantastic goals. If we keep doing that, we’ll win games. It’s good to see both our main strikers scoring, and we hope we’ll kick on now, because we can’t afford any more slip ups.

“Anthony Martial’s been terrific. He’s so direct. I know I wouldn’t want to play against him.”

Bournemouth

More from Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe: "It was there for the taking at 0-0 but the sending off was a total change.

"The referee was on the other side so there is no criticism from me but it was one of the tackles of the season from Simon Francis. A fantastic recovery against Jamie Vardy.

"Artur Boruc made an excellent save and kept the penalty out and we then had to adjust and took a massive point. It is a great result for us."

Newcastle United

Newcastle remain in the bottom three after losing 1-0 at league leaders Arsenal.

Newcastle midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum says: "I thought we were the better side, we had good precision play and created chances but we didn't take them so it was going to be difficult. They had one set piece and scored.

"We had a lot of confidence that we could play football here, but in the end we have nothing and we're sad - it's really frustrating. You know they have the quality to score but if we had taken two chances we would have won.

"You must keep faith that you are going to score goals, but every time you don't you get frustrated and disappointed. But we have to keep our heads up and we must fight to get the points."

The team news is in for the late game, can Manchester City muscle in on Leicester's turf or will Watford continue their fine season?

Follow that game in full here while we bring you the best of the reaction.

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

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"I don't think that Manchester City need anything in the January window to be honest - apart from injured skipper Vincent Kompany back.

"They just need him fit. It is clear that Kompany plus one is their best centre-back combination. It is so frustrating for him and the club, you wonder if there is an inherent weakness."

Match of the Day pundits have their say on what each Premier League club needs to do in the January transfer window.

There were victories for League Two’s pace-setters. 

Leaders Plymouth beat Carlisle 2-0 and Northampton put three past Barnet in a 3-0 win. Oxford, third in the league, also won, beating Notts County 4-2.

Yeovil climb off the bottom of the pile after beating York. The Minstermen are now propping up the Football League. 

Sunderland matchwinner Jermain Defoe: "It’s massive to be honest. This was the biggest game of the season. We knew it would be difficult as Villa are scrapping for their lives and need the points too. 

"The manager said we needed to show controlled aggression - we did that. We deserved the three points. I thought we were the better side throughout. It’s a massive three points."

Image source, Reuters

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "[On Simon Francis' red card] I didn't think it was a foul from my angle, he definitely touched the ball. It was a great recovery tackle. It's not a foul, a penalty or a sending off.

"It was a very even game before that point, a high tempo game and very high quality. We had some great chances in the first half but when we went down to 10 men we showed character and it's a great point for us.

"We won't appeal the red card as it's a one-game ban and the FA Cup is coming up."

It's not looking good for basement club Aston Villa, is it?

'Champagne for my players'published at 17:06

17:06

Leicester 0-0 Bournemouth

Image source, Reuters

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri: "We knew it was a difficult match and we started playing too late. Bournemouth moved the ball very quickly but in the second half we were much better. 

"A draw is not OK, it is only one point, but it is OK as we have 40 points which was the goal. It's champagne for my players!

"We hit the post, we missed a penalty and had some good chances. We have not scored for three games but we have had chances. Sometimes everything is right but now some things are wrong. The performance was good, a fantastic effort."

Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson: “I think after we got back into the game, we could have defended better. It’s not easy come here, but we got back into it.

“I think our performances have improved over the last few games. We got three clean sheets and five points. We need to score more goals, but that will come.

“I thought Lukasz Fabianski had scored right at the end. It was a great header.”

Middlesbrough extend their lead at the top of the table thanks to two late strikes against second place Derby. 

At the other end of the table, Charlton drew 1-1 against Nottingham Forest, while Fulham lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday. Bristol City remain in trouble after Nick Blackman’s 90th minute winner gave Reading the three points.