Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

With cases across most parts of the country rising, the coronavirus pandemic is starting to have a bigger impact on the Premier League.

Newcastle have already had one match called off and Allan Saint-Maximin and captain Jamaal Lascelles miss out again tonight as they struggle to shake off the effects of the virus.

But Manchester City have suffered too as Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus are absent due to positive tests that were confirmed on Christmas Day and will rule the pair out of the Festive programme.

Kenneth: Lampard always clueless on big games. Just with the injury to Zylech his team is completely off. Am upset here

Dennis Ethan: Chelsea play Aston Villa next and then Man City, they could easily by outside top 10 before they resume on 15th January with a West London Derby at Fulham

Thiago Silva nailed a header in against West Ham but this time he batters one a yard over the top. Not Chelsea's night tonight.

Sheffield United

Image source, BBC Sport

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder makes two changes from the side that started their draw against Brighton.

John Lundstram begins a three-match suspension and John Fleck drops to the bench so Oliver Burke and Ben Osborn both start.

Oli McBurnie and fellow forward Lys Mousset both take spots on the bench.

Sheff Utd XI: Ramsdale, Baldock, Egan, Stevens, Basham, Robinson, Ampadu, Osborn, Burke, McGoldrick, Brewster

Subs: Verrips, Fleck, McBurnie, Sharp, Mousset, Lowe, Jagielka, Norwood, Bogle

Image source, BBC Sport

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti names an almost identical side to the one that started the 2-1 win over Arsenal in their last Premier League match.

The only exception is Brazil forward Richarlison, who was forced off with a head injury against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. He is replaced by Anthony Gordon.

James Rodriguez, Allan and Lucas Digne remain out, with the Blues naming two goalkeepers - Robin Olsen and Jonas Lossl - on the bench.

Everton XI: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Mina, Godfrey, Sigurdsson, Doucoure, Davies, Gordon, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Olsen, Lossl, Kenny, Tosun, Nkounkou, Bernard, Gomes, Coleman, Branthwaite

Manchester City

Manchester City make one change from the side that beat Southampton 1-0 in their last Premier League outing.

Nathan Ake comes in, replacing Kyle Walker, who has tested positive for coronavirus and misses out as a result. Gabriel Jesus is also absent from the squad after also testing positive for Covid-19.

Sergio Aguero is on the bench for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Man City XI: Ederson, Joao Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Ake, Gundogan, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling, Torres.

Subs: Aguero, Zinchenko, Steffen, Laporte, Mendy, Fernandinho, Mahrez, Foden, Palmer.

Image source, .

There’s four changes for Newcastle from their 1-1 draw in their last Premier League fixture.

Matty Longstaff, Fabian Schar, Isaac Hayden and Jacob Murphy are the players to come into the side.

Newcastle XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Murphy, Hayden, Matthew Longstaff, Almiron, Joelinton.

Subs: Carroll, Gayle, Wilson, Lewis, Krafth, Manquillo, Gillespie, Sean Longstaff, Anderson.

Image source, .

Chelsea have never lost a Boxing Day Premier League game by a three-goal margin. They last lost a Boxing Day top flight game by at least three goals in 1990: 4-1 at Leeds United.

They have been poor today. Shapeless, threatless, pointless.

Nicolas Pepe, as shrewd an investment as my 2020 gym membership and round the world flights, comes on for Arsenal replacing Gabriel Martinelli.

There could be more goals in this one yet. Joe Willock, just on for Arsenal, slashes over from a horrible angle after a sharp breakaway down the right.

Chelsea still going. Christian Pulisic floats a good ball in but Granit Xhaka has tracked his man all the way back and can just chest the cross into his keeper's arms.

Could be four! Kieran Tierney flies down the left wing and has the ball as well, slots in to Gabriel Martinelli on the penalty spot. He lets the ball come across his body and hits it low and hard - Edouard Mendy bats it out.

As it stands Chelsea would still only be three points off second in this bizarre season. Arsenal are up to 14th and six points clear of trouble.

Image source, Reuters

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been dispatched to the corner to warm up, looking a lot more smiley than he was before kick-off.

Arsenal playing with zest now as Gabriel Martinelli flicks an improvised overhead kick on goal but Edoard Mendy can hold it.

It seemed to drift over the keeper's head in slow motion.

Chelsea instantly put the ball in the Arsenal box but Kurt Zouma can't get on the end of it.

Chelsea pressure, really well relieved by Emile Smith Rowe, who nutmegs two Chelsea players and carries them up over halfway. It's called back as Gabriel Martinelli has taken a knee to the back. He's OK.

Good from Chelsea as Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic link up in the area, the American swivels and puts a cross/shot across goal but Arsenal just about clear their lines.

Chelsea opening up the half with a spell of possession, N'Golo Kante a bit higher up now with Jorginho leading the rhythm section. Get one back and this Arsenal side will be under real pressure again.

Callum Hudson-Odoi's first touch is to whip in a dreamboat of a cross that Hector Bellerin has to head away. Such a good ball!

He's gone right with Christian Pulisic on the left now.