A quick break from Watford. Gerard Deulofeu has Abdoulaye Doucoure in support but he can't squeeze the pass through.

Everton force a corner thanks to some 2008 pace from Theo Walcott down the right but it's well dealt with.

Jordan Ayew is sent chasing a ball down the left but Jack Stephens is there to mop up. Not much happening at St Mary's.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

Carlo Ancelotti has been very positive with his team selection. He's trying to play Moise Kean in the number 10 role, he keeps telling him to drop back in and stop going too high. It's set up to be an interesting game.

Image source, Reuters

A slick one-touch passing move from Watford breaks down with a sloppy touch from Will Hughes, but that was nice.

Glimpses of what Nigel Pearson is trying to imprint.

Very good start from Newcastle as Andy Carroll wins a header that only he really could, flicking into the path of Joelinton. Everton have a back four in action this afternoon.

It's Palace who are enjoying the early possession, winning a corner on the right which comes to nothing.

In the end, Wilfried Zaha gives a foul away on the far side, dragging back Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Tottenham and England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think if Miguel Almiron hits the ground on the tackle he'd have got a penalty. He tried to play on, which is admirable, but it cost Newcastle.

He's been punished for doing the right thing.

Gerard Deulofeu could have given Watford the lead! The corner is swung in from the left. Troy Deeney heads it down and Christian Kabasele gets a toe on it. Tom Heaton reacts well and it falls inches past Deulofeu, who was pouncing for the rebound.

John Acres
Final Score at Vicarage Road

Image source, .

I spoke to some nervous fans on the walk from Watford Junction.

Just some of the things they're saying: "We've got to win." "A draw is no good." "We look better organised." "Having Troy Deeney back is massive."

Everton fans in fine voice as we get up and running at St James'. Who would have guessed they would end 2019 with a three-time Champions League winner at the helm?

But it's the hosts who have a chance straight away, Miguel Almiron gets into the box and toes it wide. Was he fouled in the process?!

Nope.

Corner to Watford within 30 seconds. Sharp!

Chris Wise
BBC Radio 5 Live at St Mary's Stadium

Southampton are probably hoping this festive period never ends. They’re only one of three teams (Liverpool and Wolves) that won both their Premier League fixtures either side of Christmas.

The shackles seem to be off when they’re away from home though, because the success stories at St Mary’s are few and far between. Ralph Hassenhuttl has also chucked Sofiane Boufal into his side today - he’s not started a Premier League game for three months, and hasn’t scored for Saints for two years!

Image source, BBC Sport

Off we go then in all three games. Where will the first goal come from?

Brighton & Hove Albion

Image source, AFP

Brighton head coach Graham Potter, speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought we deserved the game and the three points. It was great courage from the players. We've had a frustrating period so the three points are important."

On Alireza Jahanbakhsh's goal: "Sometimes you get lucky with team selections. Ali sums up the group. He's been frustrated but his approach to the team has been perfect and he deserves his goal. He has been fighting to make an impact. He has worked away and improved and deserved his chance. I'm delighted he has been able to contribute to win."

On VAR: "With VAR, if it's a millimetre it's offside you have to put up with that if you use the system. It is what it is and you have to accept it."

Bournemouth

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Sport: "That was a tough day today, we know how good Brighton are with the ball and we gave ourselves a mountain to climb and didn't settle in the first 10 minutes.

"We did recover and did well in the remainder of the first half.

"What was most disappointed was the second half where we needed to get on the ball and we didn't have the composure to do that."

On the Cherries' injury problems: "You know with a small squad the Christmas period is ultimate test and you need to rotate players, it's very difficult to ask players to go twice in three days and it looks like we've lost Joshua King and Jack Stacey so it is not a good day.

"The games come thick and fast and this was one of the games we needed to get something and we didn't. We need to learn our lessons."

On his team's perilous position: "The most difficult is the run or results but the strength of the squad has been knocked and that allows a feeling sorry for yourself if you don't get the results you want. But we have to go again, find the inner strength and keep going."

On January transfers: "It depends on the severity of these injuries and how the players who are coming back are. We need to assess that very quickly."

Kyle: With the squad that Newcastle currently have and with our attackers have hardly scored any goals. It's unbelievable that we are only four points off the top 6 and seven off the top 4. More importantly seven above the bottom 3. Great job Bruce and the lads are doing.

Big battle at the bottom. A six-pointer as they say.

Watford could do with the win.

Image source, BBC Sport

Steven Reid
Former Blackburn midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

He's had a bit of a break since his last job. He's probably spent a little bit of time away and thought about what he's not done so well in previous jobs. He's got a reaction so far. Today's game is huge, if they win I can see Watford getting out of it.