It's fair to say that Manchester City playmaker David Silva has not been at his best since returning from a seven-week lay-off at the start of December.

The signs are Silva is getting some of his sharpness back, however. He impressed after coming off the bench against Everton in midweek and has been City's most influential player so far against Crystal Palace.

The Spaniard had more touches and played more passes in either half than anyone else in the first 45 minutes. He also made three key passes (one of which is shown by the yellow arrow), had four shots, and made one assist (blue arrow) when he set up City's first goal. Not a bad afternoon's work so far.

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In the Championship, leaders Middlesbrough being held at 0-0 at managerless Bristol City means that Hull could close the gap to the top to three points. They're already 4-0 up at home to Charlton.

At the top of League One, this morning's leaders Burton are drawing 0-0 at Coventry. With Gillingham leading 1-0 at Doncaster, they would currently go top, with Walsall, who are 3-0 up at Bury, going second. 

And in League Two, first-placed Plymouth are 3-1 up at Stevenage. They could pull away from second placed Northampton, who are drawing 0-0 at Dagenham. 

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A cracking half for the home side in what is a well balanced game. Close in terms of possession, close in terms of territory and each side has had six shots.

The key - Newcastle have hit the target four times and two have flown in. Not over yet this one though.

Shay Given
Stoke City & Republic of Ireland goalkeeper on Final Score

"Charlie Austin was linked with lots of clubs for £15m a year ago and now he has gone for a relatively low fee. If you create chances then Austin will grab goals. He is an out and out finisher. There is a question mark about his injuries but I think the fee is good business for Southampton." 

In case you missed the news earlier, Southampton have signed striker Charlie Austin from QPR for £4m.

Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger speaking to 5 live Sport said: "Signing Charlie Austin from QPR is a clear sign of our direction, our hunger to continue to grow and the love we have for maintaining an English spine in the team. Charlie is an athlete, a footballer, who fits into our culture. 

"He has been tracked by us for years now - we have so much depth of information. He's a young player, 26 years old, and we think he still has a huge learning curve and he's still hungry to play for England. We will do everything possible to find Charlie's potential. 

"Right now, nobody is for sale - they key is to understand that we're seeking depth. Charlie's arrival gives us an unbelievable depth off the bench."

Don't despair just yet Chelsea fans...

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Earlier today, Tottenham hammered Sunderland 4-1. Black Cats defender Jan Kirchhoff had a debut to forget with a series of errors

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce spoke to BT Sport about Kirchhoff's debut: “Our legs were running out and I wanted to make sure we had the energy to stay in the game. 

"John O’Shea and Wes Brown are in their late 30s so will feel the pace of the game. The extra defender was to tighten it up. 

“It’s coming in the Premier League for the first time. He’s found out how difficult it is. We had to get him on at some stage. You can’t judge a man on one swallow. He knows what the pace is like now. He’s contributed to the loss with the penalty. But we opened up too much – that was the problem.

“Jordan Pickford is a good lad. The experience he has gained on loan has helped him out a tremendous amount. He looks comfortable at this age. It’s a bright future for us and for him."

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So your team is losing. It could be worse, right? Not if you are a Charlton fan. Their team lost 5-0 at Huddersfield on Tuesday and are 4-0 down at half-time at Hull. The players offered to reimburse the fans who travelled on Tuesday. This could end up being an expensive week for them!

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender at the Etihad for BBC Radio 5 live

"I just think that Alan Pardew has to say to his players, 'Score the next goal in the game and get City on the back foot and we can get something out of it', but but I can not see it happening."

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And there is the half-time whistle.

A goal before the break for West Ham would make this interesting and Cheikhou Kouyate thinks he's got it but for a fine save by Rob Elliot. Seconds left before the half-time whistle.

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Boos greet the whistle at half time as Bournemouth fans think Norwich keeper Declan Rudd should have been sent off. I think the ref got it right though.

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James Ward-Prowse has both goals as Saints steam towards victory. West Brom need to change something, and fast. The watching Charlie Austin will be very happy with his choice of club on this evidence.

If you are a Chelsea fan, that was rubbish. From an Everton point of view, it is half a job done.

Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

"That was a stonewall red card! Afobe would have tapped the ball into the net but was taken out by Declan Rudd. How the referee hasn't set him off I have no idea.

"Norwich have got away with one there."    

Chelsea seem to be adopting a 2-0-8 formation.

A look at the average positions their players have taken up so far show how deep John Terry and Kurt Zouma are playing, with full-backs pushed on and a lot of bodies around Diego Costa.

Perhaps unsurprising Everton have looked dangerous at times on the break.

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Chelsea cannot get going at all today. That is down to Everton, who are grafting their behinds off. Everytime the ball even threatens to head towards the Toffees box they are swarming round the home side. The home fans are beginning to show their frustration through the medium of groan.