Southampton

Southampton forward Nathan Redmond: "Coming off the win on Monday it is always a tough challenge the next game. Sheffield United are a good side like any team in this league. We needed to put in a professional performance.

It has been a slow start personally. I've not come back in the fittest of shape. Thankfully we have a strong group of boys here dedicated to the cause. If one player isn't playing well we have a squad.

"Most teams are hard to beat. We can beat like that on our day. I have been in their position so I knew they would be tough. It is a long season and we take it game by game.

"It almost felt normal playing without fans. But they were still there behind us. It was good to have them here today and it is a small step in the right direction."

Mark Schwarzer
Former Fulham keeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Far too often since the pandemic it's been really soulless at games and like being at a training match.

This is now bringing it back to what it's really like to play in a Premier League match with fans there, being scrutinised by the fans. Accountability is finally back in football.

Tottenham Hotspur

Jose Mourinho tells Sky Sports that Gareth Bale is not involved in today's game as he "doesn't feel very well".

"It's not coronavirus," adds the Spurs boss. "It's kind of a flu. He's not feeling very well."

Image source, .

Roy Hodgson names the same Crystal Palace XI that thrashed West Brom 5-1 last Sunday.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Kouyate, Cahill, van Aanholt, Schlupp, Milivojevic, McArthur, Eze, Benteke, Zaha.

Substitutes: Butland, Ward, Tomkins, Ayew, Townsend, Batshuayi, Riedewald.

Image source, .

France midfielder Tanguy Ndombele returns as Jose Mourinho makes one change to the Tottenham Hotspur side that beat Arsenal 2-0 last Sunday. Giovani lo Celso drops to the bench.

Gareth Bale misses out through illness, but Dele Alli is on the bench.

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Bergwijn, Sissoko, Son, Kane.

Substitutes: Doherty, Hart, Rodon, Lo Celso, Alli, Moura, Davies.

Sheffield United are only the fourth side in English league history to have no more than one point from their opening 12 league games of a season, after Manchester United in 1930-31, New Brighton in 1931-32 and Newport County in 1970-71.

Southampton are one point off top in December. What a world.

Spurs can extend their lead at the top if they win today, but if they fail then Liverpool could end the weekend top.

Image source, .

Thanks Phil. There are only two teams above Southampton in the table - and they are playing in the next two games today.

It's time to look at Crystal Palace v Spurs, which kicks off at 14:15 GMT, with Fulham v Liverpool after that at 16:30.

That is all from me. Emlyn Begley is here to guide you through the day's second game, with Palace hosting Spurs.

A complete one-sided contest gets the scoreline it deserves.

Saints up to third, Blades remain rock bottom.

"We are Southampton, we're taking the..."

I best not finish that. But it is what the home fans are currently singing as their side pass around the Blades players.

Three minutes of injury time left for Sheffield United to endure.

And another Saints change. Oriol Romeu is replaced by Ibrahima Diallo.

Romeu's assist for the Redmnd goal was is first in the Premier League, in his 193rd appearance. It is not all his own fault, though. That was the 96th chance he has created in those games.

Alex Coe: Amazing to think that at this stage last season it was Southampton who were struggling, sitting in 19th place with just 8 points after 12 games. They went on to finish 11th with 52 points, 2 points behind Sheffield United

Che Adams gets a little rest, with Daniel N'Lundulu replacing him.

Could so easily be 3-0. Danny Ings is away down the left with the Blades defence scrambling to recover. He has Walcott for company but can't steer the ball to his team-mate for what would surely have been a finish.

That is Walcott's final run. He departs to a standing ovation from the home fans and to be replaced by Nathan Redmond.

The first threat from Sheffield United for a while sees Sander Berge fire well wide having been found in space in the box.

Ramsdale has just one clean sheet from his last 31 Premier League games. He was relegated last season with Bournemouth and it is not looking good this campaign. He must be wondering what he has done to deserve this.

There is only one team looking likely to score another goal in this game. Ward-Prowse whips over a corner that Vestergaard gets to but heads wide.

Soon after, Ings is set loose in the box by Adams but is denied again by a superb save from Ramsdale.

Lys Mousset replaces Chris Basham. Forward for a defender. Wilder going for broke with three strikers on the pitch. What choice does he have?