Someone has texted in taking offence at our "hysterical laughter" in the commentary.

Why have a pop and not leave your name, eh?

Oli McBurnie being readied by Chris Wilder.

Good goalkeeping from Lukasz Fabianski, quickly off his line to collect Oliver Norwood's ball into the box.

Chelsea

Didn't spot it on first viewing, but Kepa starts in goal for Chelsea. His first league game since a 3-3 draw with Southampton on 17 October.

*gulp*.

Bubbles blown.

Second half under way.

West Ham up to fourth in the table, as it stands, jumping over Liverpool.

Chelsea will overtake the Hammers on goal difference should they beat Newcastle later on.

The champions could end the night sixth place in the table.

Good grief.

Image source, BBC Sport

There are six changes to the Chelsea side who beat Barnsley in the FA Cup on Thursday.

Antonio Rudiger, Jorginho, Timo Werner, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Cesar Azplicueta all return to the side.

Kai Havertz and Thiago Silva miss out. Kepa retains his place in goal ahead of Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, Jorginho, Abraham, Werner, Kovacic, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta

Subs: Mendy, Kante, Pulisic, Zouma, Giroud, Chilwell, Ziyech, James, Emerson

Image source, BBC Sport

Steve Bruce makes four changes to the Newcastle side who beat Southampton in the league on 6 February.

In comes Ciaran Clark, Jamaal Lascelles, Dwight Gayle and Emil Krafth. Javier Manquillo, Callum Wilson and Fabian Schar, who all drop out from that side who faced Southampton, are not in the squad due to injury. Jeff Hendrick serves a one-match ban.

Newcastle XI: Darlow, Clark, Lascelles, Shelvey, Saint-Maximin, Gayle, Hayden, Lewis, Krafth, Almiron, Willock

Subs: Dubravka, Dummett, M Longstaff, S Longstaff, Carroll, Joelinton, Ritchie, Fraser, Murphy

Only Chelsea (14) have scored more set piece goals in the Premier League this season than West Ham 13.

Speaking of Chelsea, team news for their game v Newcastle is coming right up.

That is what I meant. Not worded that entry too well.

Lee Dixon
Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

West Ham have been in more control in midfield - they've created some chances, two or three breaks where they've caught Sheffield United sleeping at the back and could've made more of it.

The penalty was definitely a penalty and 1-0 at half time, both managers will probably say that's about right.

Chris Wilder is having a word with the officials and his staff before they make their way down the tunnel.

Surely can't be complaining about the penalty being awarded?

It's the most blatant foul I've ever seen.

Declan Rice's spot-kick the difference at the break in what has been a decent watch.

Declan Rice is the first player to score a Premier League penalty for West Ham since Michail Antonio against Manchester United in July 2020.

Look, you can earn £100k a week or £10 an hour, but if you've got a bloody nose you have to shove a twisted piece of tissue roll up your hooter.

Colin Bundred: I'm afraid the Blades just don’t have enough skills to stay up. They look slow , ponderous and totally lacking in ideas

Postpublished at 45 mins

45 mins

West Ham 1-0 Sheffield United

Chris Wilder won't be laughing but that penalty conceded by Chris Basham is hilarious everytime you look at it.

Meanwhile, Blades defender Ethan Ampadu has a bloodied nose after an accidental collision with Jesse Lingard.

Claret is a flowing.

In among all that, Chris Basham was booked for the foul on Jesse Lingard.

Only a yellow because of the double jeopardy rule where the foul was committed deliberately...and it certainly was!

Had he tripped him by mistake it would have been a red. Work that one out.

Lee Dixon
Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Straight run up to the penalty, puts it in the right hand corner and the first person to run over and celebrate is Jesse Lingard so no hard feelings there because Lingard definitely wanted to take that, he had the ball taken off him.

Declan Rice just strokes it into the corner, West Ham deserve to be up.

There was a debate between Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard about who would take the penalty, the skipper claimed the ball and Lingard came in after the goal to celebrate with his team-mate.

No hard feelings.