Chelsea

TNT Sports spoke to goalscorers Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer after the narrow win at Luton.

Palmer on his second goal: "Just when I took it round the keeper I thought the other guy was going to come across and I just waited a second and finished."

On his start to life at Chelsea: "Hopefully it is just the start. I have adapted to a new life, new team-mates and the city. Hopefully I can show more on the pitch as well."

Madueke on coming away from Kenilworth Road with three points: "I feel like staying together in the last moments [was key]. We know it is a difficult place to come and we made it hard for ourselves but I am happy with the three points."

On Palmer's composure for his second goal: "That's why they call him 'Cold Palmer', isn't it!"

On his own finish that put Chelsea 2-0 up in the first half: "Cole gave it to me. He knows my game and it was a double-team most of the time I had the ball. I just thought I'd shift it onto my left and hit it, and luckily it went in the top corner."

Ambitions for 2024: "I think we take it one step at a time. I spoke after the Palace game about consistency. Two wins on the bounce gives us confidence. I think if we do that, we will be right in the mix come the end of the season."

Kevin Campbell
Former Everton striker on Final Score

The investment that's gone into Chelsea to keep them challenging the teams at the top hasn't quite gone to plan.

They were very good, but when they conceded they were at sixes and sevens.

Image source, Getty Images

It's a good time to be a Wolves fan as they aim to win three league matches in a row, and continue their seven-match unbeaten run at home.

Gary O'Neil's side have eight more points than they did at this stage last season and they have scored in each of their last 16 Premier League home games.

Top-scorer Hwang Hee-chan's tally of 10 league goals this season is already two more than he managed in his first two seasons at Wolves combined.

Meanwhile, Everton have responded to their 10-point deduction magnificently, winning five of their last seven away league fixtures.

And despite that 10-point deduction, Everton's tally of 16 points at the halfway point of the campaign is one more than they had at this stage last season.

Steve: Phew, we are our own worst enemies. Too inexperienced. As the only experienced player there Thiago shaking his head after the final whistle says so much.

Alan: After all the talk from the doubters about “Chelsea blow it again”, we still come away with 3 points unlike Liverpool, City etc.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have been impressive under Unai Emery and though their 10-match unbeaten league run ended on Boxing Day, they have already equalled the club record of 31 domestic wins in 2023.

It leaves them third in the table, three points below leaders Liverpool, in a strong position going into the new year.

They come up against a Burnley side who are unbeaten on their past four visits to Villa Park, with each of the last three ending in a draw.

Vincent Kompany's side kept a first clean sheet in 16 Premier League away matches when they beat Fulham 2-0 last weekend.

They are aiming to earn consecutive top-flight away victories for the first time since May 2021.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Sheffield United have done lots of stretching in their warm-up so far, but not any shooting practice … and I can’t help think they need it with their record in this fixture.

They’ve not managed a goal in any of their five away Premier League games at City since 1992, and are yet to find the net at Etihad Stadium in any competition.

The Blades’ last goal in an away game against City came at Maine Road in October 1991 when Brian Gayle got both their goals in a 3-2 defeat in the old Division Two, and you have to go back to October 1987 for their last win… a 3-2 victory, with current boss Chris Wilder part of their line-up that day. At least he can tell his team today what it felt like.

There's still five matches to come today with four kicking off at 15:00 GMT.

Aston Villa and Manchester City are hoping to keep up their chase of league leaders Liverpool, while Burnley, Sheffield United and Everton all need crucial points at the bottom of the table.

Here's what's coming up:

Aston Villa v Burnley

Crystal Palace v Brentford

Manchester City v Sheffield United

Wolves v Everton

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United (17:30 GMT)

We'll start building up to those matches but stick around for reaction from Kenilworth Road.

Rob: As an Everton fan, Luton worry me far more than Burnley or Sheffield United. A talented manager, and a mix of experience, youth and very motivated players.

Martin: Luton have shown they can live with mid table sides like Chelsea. I'm backing them to stay up and Forest to go down.

Five goals to kick off today's Premier League action.

We've four games coming up at 15:00 GMT and we will start building up to those but will also bring reaction to this game when we get it.

All over as Chelsea hold on to round off 2023 with a victory.

No points for Luton, but it has been another battling display by Rob Edwards' side.

Into the final minute. Chelsea look to have done enough but this has been a fightback that the Luton fans can be proud of.

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Cauley Woodrow is on for Luton, replacing Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Chelsea have gone to five at the back to try and hold on as Malo Gusto is booked for timewasting.

Andrew: Chelsea, much like Manchester United at the minute, are so mentally weak that no lead is safe. The slightest form of adversity or uncertainty causes the wheels to fall off and any gameplan to evaporate.

Thomas: Chong with an incredible performance today. He’s dragged Luton back into this!

Anon: This is real fun. Luton are limited but they can be very effective with their tails up.

Chelsea just cannot deal with the Luton crosses now.

A nervous final few minutes for the visitors, who have sent on Alfie Gilchrist for Cole Palmer.

Anon: This is really poor from Chelsea. Cruising at 3-0 and they go and let Luton back in the game. I wouldn't be surprised if Luton got an equaliser. Chelsea not clinical at either end of the pitch. Pathetic! Poch OUT!

Anon: Chelsea are very poor at the back. They just don't defend. No challenges but lots of looking around at each other. Luton should be level.

Frank: Still plenty of time for an equaliser! Those Chelsea fans are shaking if they bottle this after going on about top 4!

Hendrix: As a neutral, I would absolutely love for Luton to nick this. They have just not given up.

Superb football now from Luton as Ross Barkley backheels the ball to Tahith Chong but his ball into the middle of the box is cleared.

There will be six minutes of stoppage time.

Into the final minute and it is all Luton, who are backed by fantastic noise from the home fans, who have played their part in this fightback.