Anthony Gordon returns to the action. Soon after Callum Wilson forces Jordan Pickford into an easy save with a tame header.

Manchester United

Image source, Getty Images

Erik ten Hag has defended his squad after Manchester United were charged by the Football Association for failing to control players in Sunday's game against Newcastle.

The charge came because United's players surrounded referee Craig Pawson after he disallowed a Cristiano Ronaldo goal against the Magpies.

When asked about the incident, Ten Hag said: "I don't think it was too strong but I don't know what's happening exactly on the pitch as it's too far away for me on the pitch.

"I've seen the video, there was a touch from the player from Newcastle, that's quite clear and they wanted to point that to the referee.

"First of all, I want to express we always accept the referees' decision but it's also quite normal to ask why in the moment, it was a curious incident, you ask as a team why.

"But finally and quite clear you have to accept it. Then you have to move on. You are right we are example for amateurs and youth, quite clear. We have to know our role but it's also about professional football so when it's a decision like this, and it was quite obvious a player touched the ball from Newcastle, our players took advantage of it to ask why."

Anthony Gordon is down after a coming together with a Newcastle player. He is back up after a bit of treatment but needs to limp to the touchline to have his ankle further looked at. Losing him would be a hammer blow to the Blues.

Now then. West Ham have soaked up some pressure - plus been helped by Alisson's dodgy distribution - and now have a bona fide chance of their own making.

A free-kick on the right, almost next to the corner flag, is swung into the danger-zone by Aaron Cresswell - right under Alisson's nose.

Good hands.

Brentford are causing Chelsea some bother here.

A series of corners forces the away defence to dig deep, which they do to good effect. Just.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's interesting to see Firmino in that position. He is almost playing as a number 10 even though he is wearing number 9. They're playing a 4-2-3-1. Firmino has got such a silky touch, he only needs a couple of inches of space, he'll turn and feed in the likes of Salah and Nunez as well as Carvalho on the left hand side.

Anon: Re Craig 19:26. The Knowledge in The Guardian answered this in passing a couple of weeks ago! It's 5.

Chance!

Ivan Toney finds space in the box to meet a chipped cross from the right and forces Kepa to tip his headed effort over.

Not the toughest save, but needs making.

Alistair Magowan
BBC Sport at St James' Park

That's a booking for someone who is keen to start his first game of the season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is up against the granite-like figure of Sven Botman tonight, will have to watch himself for the following 83 minutes.

The boos continue for Jordan Pickford as this games begins at a quick pace.

More groans from the Kop as Alisson continues his uncertain start with another sloppy clearance straight to Declan Rice.

This time it goes further towards the halfway line, but again Liverpool go unpunished.

Oh, this is close!

Jacob Murphy cuts in from the right and opens up space for a curling shot that flies just over the bar.

It has been mainly the home side on top so far.

Dominic Calvert Lewin's first act is to foul Bruno Guimaraes and earn a yellow card. It was late and ugly. Deserved the punishment.

Someone has pushed the button and Liverpool are getting going.

The home side begin to dominate possession and chalk up the first shot of the evening when Roberto Firmino drags a right-footed shot wide of the left-hand post.

Cheers from the away fans at that end tell you how far wide it was.

Brentford are in no mood to let Chelsea play out for the back with any ease. They charge in after a short goal-kick and Kepa needs to be fast to punt the ball away. Could have been embarrassing for the Spanish keeper.

Remember what happened to Man Utd and David de Gea here when they messed about with the ball at the back?

Crakkers: Let’s hope our fantastic win against City wasn’t in vain and we go on to get 3 points again tonight. Come on Reds! Shout quietly Klopp!

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

That was not good at all. Liverpool were just a bit lucky that Bowen was on his heels when the ball was played through to him.

Woah! Alisson?

The Liverpool keeper casually kicks out straight to Declan Rice about 20 yards out from the home goal.

Rice tries to find Jarrod Bowen, but Virgil van Dijk comes to the rescue and clears.

Van Dijk turns to his team-mate and has some sharp words.

Southampton are straight on the front foot as they look to make big waves at Bournemouth tonight.

Not least because they are wearing a teal shirt with a swirling wave pattern.

Makes me feel sea-sick looking at it.

Anyway... Bournemouth go on the attack and Dominic Solanke shoots wide from distance.

Huge boos for for ex-Sunderland man Jordan Pickford, who takes his time over a goal-kick to really let the abuse rain down.