West Bromwich Albion

West Brom boss Sam Allardyce, speaking to Sky Sports: "It is small moments that change the game. The first few moments with the header and Pickford saves it. Also what I consider to be a penalty for us for a foul on Diagne in the box. If we get 1-0 up it is good for us. We start well and then slip up for one moment and concede. We score a great goal at the end and he is two millimetres offside and you realise you are not getting the luck you deserve. We now need to beat Newcastle on Sunday and get closer to the teams above us. I can give the lads a lot of credit but unfortunately no points.

"We have struggled to score goals from day one and that was the case again tonight. Everton had one lucky chance for Calvert-Lewin and the goal. We had more chances but we didn't take them.

"We were in the position to get more than one point today. We haven't even got that today. We need to correct that now on Sunday. It will be about mentality. Grit and determination and the size of your heart. We need to pouch through the pain barrier. We will still be feeling the mental and physical exhaustion of this game."

Bright start by Chelsea as they look to get at Liverpool early. Timo Werner is away down the flank and gets a cross in but the flag goes up for offside.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

Fabinho's return from injury is huge for Liverpool, not just for his ability but also his experience and influence. He was having a very long discussion with new boy and defensive partner Ozan Kabak as Liverpool warmed up. The Brazilian will be a reassuring presence.

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think Thomas Tuchel is in Jurgen Klopp's league yet - but I think that the idea that Klopp is a shouter and a chest beater and that Tuchel is a master tactician will have aggravated Klopp.

But Liverpool need to get back to winning ways if they want a top four spot this season. It's not like they've lost to world beaters, they drew against West Brom and lost to Burnley and West Brom. I don't think anybody saw the wheels coming off for Liverpool like they have done, so tonight is an opportunity for them to put that right against Chelsea.

Right, we'll keep the reaction coming but now it is on to the big battle in the fight for the top four. We're under way at Anfield.

West Bromwich Albion

West Brom's Conor Townsend: "It is disappointing. We have been playing well recently and not getting the results we deserved. We were better tonight than Saturday and deserved at least a point. We need to take positives from this into a massive game on Sunday. We can't feel sorry for ourselves.

"They are a good team in good form. They had one really good chance and took it. We were doing the right things but couldn't take our opportunities. We are still fighting.

"We have been pretty good in general from set-pieces but they have good attacking players in the air."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, speaking to BT Sport: "In this period we need three points. Fulham are a very good team, they play well. We should be better on the ball but without it we did everything we could to keep a clean sheet.

"Of course it helps if you win but we have to keep going and working hard. The team spirit we showed today we have to show in every game.

"I know it is a cliche but we have to see game by game. Today was a very important three points."

Everton

Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, speaking to Sky Sports: "Never in doubt! Keano (Michael Keane) assures me it was offside.

"Dominic (Calvert-Lewin) has scored a lot of goals but Richarlison is chipping in now at the right time. 1-0 in the last game and today. That is six points he has won us in the last two. It was a tough game. We knew they would defend deep and well. We had an idea a set-piece might win it.

"With Allan coming on he wanted us on the ball and playing. He did well and I got the assist.

"We are confident after a couple of good results. But it is tight at the top. We have to keep going and work hard. If we get on a run we have a chance."

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Højbjerg on the Fulham goal being ruled out for handball: "I haven't seen it. I don't know. My own opinion is that this handball situation is a very difficult one.

"For the players and maybe the referees it is a very difficult one because some are high intensity and not on purpose but they get given. As players I think what we wish is some kind of consistency in the reviews with the handball situations but I haven't seen it so I can't say if it was on or not."

Matt Upson
Former England and West Ham defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Massive decision from the referee and VAR to call that a handball - I think it's very harsh on Fulham. Tottenham did a lot in the first half - they played some slick football, pressed the ball and dominated the first half.

That wasn't the story of the second half, Fulham came out, credit to them, they really had a go at Spurs, got on the front foot and got on top of them. They got the goal and it would've been so interesting to see where the game would've gone from there but they just huffed and puffed to the end and didn't have enough.

All over.

A valiant display by Fulham but no points to show for it as Tottenham win to keep themselves in the mix for the top four.

The handball decision will prove particularly galling for the hosts.

Everton hold on. Just.

Tottenham have everyone back as they try to hold off the Fulham attacks.

Time is almost up...

Michael Brown
Former Sheffield United midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

It was so close, the finish was a great goal but ultimately VAR got it right. So cruel this game.

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

19:51 GMT 4 March 2021

West Brom 0-1 Everton

How close? Diagne's boot is just marginally off as the cross from the right comes in, leading to his finish. It backs up a great spot from the assistant.

It doesn't rain, it only pours for West Brom.

Pain for West Brom.

Diagne thinks he has rescued a point for his side as he finishes superbly in the box, but the flag is up.

VAR will check. Huge moment...

Into the first of four added minutes. Fulham maybe have one or two more opportunities to get the point their performance has deserved.

Abu: Surely it's about time these officials come out after the game and explain their decisions......

Snoi: When I grew up handball was simple ... if you "took an advantage" from a handball that was a free kick (or penalty) but if the thing hit you, everyone just got on with it

Aleksandar Mitrovic drives an effort across the box and Matt Doherty slides in to direct the ball just wide of his own goal.

Fulham are pressing but time is running out.