Chris Wise
Final Score at Craven Cottage

Burnley’s position might look concerning, but Vincent Kompany will be looking at the trends.

They’ve taken seven points from their past six games. Compare that to the four points they collected from their first 13 Premier League games, and there are signs that the Clarets are going in the right direction.

But we’re halfway through the season now, and Kompany will know that the gap to safety cannot get much bigger than it is now as survival will quickly be beyond them.

The atmosphere at Villa Park these days is as raucous as ever. These Villa players must relish strutting their stuff here.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

City have paraded all five trophies they won this year before kick-off: the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup and World Club Cup.

“Not bad, at all, not bad, always can be better. It was good, really good,” was Pep Guardiola’s verdict on his side's 2023. I can't help he slightly underplayed it there.

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator on Football Focus

Still lots for Manchester City to do but we know Pep Guardiola loves a title race. What a momentous year it's been for City, they've got the lot.

Guardiola has warned that his side have had troubles against Chris Wilder sides in the past.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on Final Score

You have to give Aston Villa credit.

But when you think about the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, you have to say that Villa aren't title contenders.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Kevin de Bruyne had to limp off after only 23 minutes of Manchester City's opening game of the season, at Burnley on 11 August, and he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury ever since.

So it is great news for City that the Belgian is back, albeit on the bench, for his side's final game of a stellar 2023 that saw them become the first English club to win five major trophies in a calendar year.

The City fans showed how pleased they were to see him when he left the pitch after his warm-up, and I imagine he will get quite a reception if he makes it back on later.

Luton Town

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards speaking to BBC Sport: "There is a little bit of comfort when we come back like that. What we can guarantee is that we will leave it all out there.

"That was an incredible performance out there today and I'm immensely proud of the football club today.

"It was difficult. Chelsea defended well. We tried to do the right thing but they are a very good team. We changed the dynamic at half-time, made some brave attacking substitutions.

"I really liked us today. We had big spells in that game and created a load of chances against a top team."

"[We just had to] keep believing, keep going, that is all we can do at that stage [at 3-0 down]. They were scrambling. We just couldn't quite get the ball over the line.

"We have been playing well consistently for a while now. We have changed the narrative a little bit around ourselves.

"You can see the growth and evolution in the team. I believe in this group."

Image source, Getty Images

A huge boost to have Hwang Hee-chan fit after a back spasm. He's been in electric goalscoring form recently.

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on Final Score

If there's any team that can go on a long run then it is Manchester City. If they win their game in hand then they're two points behind Liverpool.

This is when City come good.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to TNT Sports after the 3-2 win at Luton Town: "I am so pleased and so happy because we need to be great to beat Luton. When you see previous games against Luton and Arsenal they are difficult to break down and they come back into the game. I think it is a great example. They are doing a great job and it is difficult to play here. I seem to manage this type of situation that we needed to win and I think he is doing a fantastic job. It is difficult here.

"I think today there are a lot of positive things that we need to be consistent. The work ethic. I see many aspects that are improving. But at the same time, it is a young team. They need to work together to create this trust and confidence. This type of result when you need your team-mates to fight with you will help and be a really good thing. We need to push to have the same attitude because we have the quality. You need to match the attitude first."

On Thiago Silva's frustration at the final whistle: "Thiago is like this. He is always moaning and never happy - but that is good. He is 39 years old and still playing. I think sometimes we are there on the pitch but sometimes it was the small details. You want to show that you want to help the team and your emotion is there."

On the January transfer window: "It is a thing that we are going to discuss with the owner. At the moment the most important s to work with our squad and our team. Players need to step up and be part of the squad and be available. From the beginning of the season, we suffer many injuries. Personally, I am not thinking of going into the market but it is something we will discuss with the owners and the sporting director."

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator on Final Score

I was at Goodison Park on Wednesday and Phil Foden was absolutely fantastic.

He ran the game and he's a player right on top of his game.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on Football Focus

I think everyone would agree Roy Hodgson seemed like a stop gap. It didn't seem a permanent, long-term appointment.

Crystal Palace won't get relegated under Hodgson, so if Steve Cooper is available then bring him in now.

Kevin Campbell
Former Everton striker on Final Score

If Villa are there or there abouts come April, then you have to say that they are in the title mix.

Chelsea

Chelsea forward Noni Madueke speaking to BBC Sport: "It was still a good Chelsea performance. Credit needs to be given to Luton, they make it very difficult. We defended very well for 70 minutes and then came a bit unstuck.

"As the game wears on maybe a bit of fatigue kicks in. Credit to all the boys, three points going into the new year is what we set out to achieve."

On his goal: "Whenever I shift to my right I just try and hit it as cleanly as possible. I feel like they were scared of me coming inside so I thought I would shift it and hit it clean."

On Cole Palmer: "That's him all over. He is very composed, very relaxed in goal scoring situations and I'm happy for him. He has done very well since he came into the team."

On Chelsea's progress: "Credit to Luton, they made it tough for Arsenal and Manchester City when they came here and for 70 minutes we dominated. It is a top way to go into the new year. It's about becoming consistent. We are going in the right direction."

Michael Brown
Former Tottenham midfielder on Football Focus

Sheffield United have had that bounce.

They certainly should have got something from the Luton game if it wasn't for some freak incidents.

Image source, Getty Images

It's not been the best end to a year in which Manchester City won the Treble and became world champions.

They have gone eight consecutive league games without a clean sheet - no team manager by Pep Guardiola has had a longer run.

City also have 37 points after 18 matches. Their lowest tally at the halfway stage of a season under Guardiola is 38 in 2019-20.

They did get an important win at Goodison Park on Wednesday which keeps them within touching distance of the top though, and they have only lost their final match of the year once in the previous 22 years.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, are in trouble.

They sit bottom of the table, seven points adrift of safety and are only the second team to concede as many as 47 goals after 19 Premier League games in a season.

However, Sheffield United have earned four points from five league outings since Chris Wilder's return, just one fewer than in their opening 14 fixtures under Paul Heckingbottom.

Football Focus

Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash, speaking to Football Focus: "It's crazy. I think in the changing rooms, we're trying not to mention it [the title race]. In the past year we've progressed very well. Everyone has jumped on board with the manager and some of the stuff he has done is amazing and we're all buying into it.

"Since the manager has come in, it's a completely different mentality. We go into every game thinking we have to win."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

The grey skies make Etihad Stadium look particularly uninviting today, especially for a Sheffield United team without an away win all season... but then Manchester City are never the most welcoming of hosts.

City won their first 23 games of 2023 here in all competitions and, although they have drawn their past three after conceding late equalisers on each occasion, they are still unbeaten here this year.

So, who fancies the Blades today then? Erm, not many of you. From more than 40,000 votes so far on Chris Sutton's prediction page, only around 1,500 of you are going for an away win. That's just 4%.

Leanne: We got 3 points and right now for Chelsea points are more important than performance. Let our rivals laugh but Luton have already proven against teams higher in the league that they are no pushovers

Tim: Chelsea won away from home scored 3, the youngsters learnt a lot about football at the top level. Poch is doing fine.

Image source, Getty Images

This is the only fixture in Premier League history in which the first five meetings have been drawn.

Each of the past three encounters finished 1-1 as a result of an equaliser in the final 15 minutes.

Palace have never drawn six consecutive league fixtures against the same opponent.

The most recent of Brentford's three league wins away to Palace was 2-0 in the Third Division South in March 1957 (D4, L10).