Dwight Gayle has scored 28 league goals since the start of last season - more than twice as many as any other player for Newcastle. The next closest? Matt Ritchie, with 13.

Rhys: Easiest argument against Liverpool being better than City is the (current) 15 point gap between them. Best team always finishes top. Undeniable fact.

John G: There's only one thing that matters. The statistic that Man City have won more games than Liverpool and that's why they will win the league.

TAA must be on for an England cap soon.

Image source, opta

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a busy boy in the first half as this touch map illustrates.

The young full-back is not afraid to get forward and has provided some decent ammunition for Liverpool's big guns up top.

Nick: Lorus Karius showing what he can do for Liverpool. If you watched the Bundesliga you'd know his quality after what he did for Mainz. He'll be a top keeper just needs time

Kolo: Rafael Benitez means business today. Newcastle better get something out of this game today.

Terry Butcher
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

I can’t believe it is half time, it’s been end to end stuff. West Ham have played their part, but Liverpool have ripped them apart, and probably should have scored more than one.

If West Ham can get Marko Arnoutovic into good positions, he can score, but they have their work cut out at the back, Liverpool have been in menacing form.

Bit of a snooze-fest this one so far.

Boos from the home fans. Newcastle have been excellent.

A whistle met with universal silence.

Jordan Ayew strikes the post with a shot and Martin Olsson drags wide with the rebound - a big moment just before the half-time whistle...

Kaushik: No matter what the statistics and numbers say, Liverpool are 100 per cent better than Man City as a team! I dare anyone to argue with me on this.

Shane Duffy rises to meet Pascal Gross' hanging cross and plants a header against the frame of the goal with Lukasz Fabianksi planted to the floor. Should have been two...

Chance! That's one good chance each at the Hawthorns as Matt Phillips lifts a dinked cross to the back stick, The Town defence are under it and James McClean arrives on it but can only volley over the bar.

Head in hands moment.

Charlie Daniels taking matters into his own hands with a big drive from outside the box on his left that goes sailing over - but not by much!

That's poor from Southampton. The first time they manage to work a decent move up the pitch in a while is wasted as Nathan Redmond's poor cross is easily picked off.

Just a few minutes to go before the break. Fans won't need to catch their breath.

Another fine save from Loris Karius, again denying Marko Arnautovic! The Austrian takes aim from a good 25 yards out but the keeper watches it all the way to push it away from the top corner.

Image source, Reuters

Jeff Hendrick can't get the ball from out beneath his feet as he picks up a chipped through ball - but the flag was up for offside anyway. Very, very few chances in this one so far. Cagey, but the home side maybe just about on top.

Image source, PA