Key events
Show key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this feature
The nerdier element of our readership might enjoy this
Here’s Andy Hunter’s match report from Anfield. Liverpool’s next game, a week on Saturday, is a humdinger: Manchester City away, the revival of a classic rivalry.
“Good morning from Pittsburgh!” says Eric Peterson. “Cole Palmer’s transfer move to Chelsea was discussed in detail earlier today by Robbie Earle and Steven Warnock on the TV over here. Unfortunately, they left out what I think Pep Guardiola made quite clear in his press conference yesterday, even if he skillfully obscured it in mediaspeak.
“Quote: ‘I’m really pleased. He wanted game time, he has it. Congratulations. I wish him the best.’ Translation: ‘He’s where he belongs, which is somewhere else. I don’t need a player to tell me when he’s earned playing time, I’m Pep Freaking Guardiola! If you’re more concerned about getting playing time than competing for it, then I don’t have room for you in my squad. Go to Chelsea. Have an instant impact. Wonderful. It’s easier at Chelsea than at Manchester City, isn’t it?’”
One of the gazillion things to admire about Guardiola is how relaxed he is about selling players to potential or actual rivals. That’s very unusual at the top of the Premier League.
“I know it’s unlikely,” says Joe Pearson, “but I’d love to see Chelsea win this, just so there would be a three-way tie at the top of the table, separated only by goal difference.”
That would be good, even in November. It’s not quite the same, but I’ve always loved this four-way title race in 1971-72.
Premier League full-time scores Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham
Brighton 1-1 Sheffield United
Liverpool 3-0 Brentford
West Ham 3-2 Nottingham Forest
Pre-match reading
Team newsMauricio Pochettino makes one change from the team that hammered Spurs on Monday. Marc Cucurella, who City wanted to sign 18 months ago, replaces Levi Colwill at left-back. Colwill isn’t in the squad so you’d assume he’s injured.
City make five changes from their midweek win over Young Boys. Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva replace John Stones, Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes. They have only eight players on the bench, two of them goalkeepers.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Sanchez; James, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.
Substitutes: Petrovic, Gusto, Maatsen, Badiashile, Ugochukwu, Madueke, Matos, Mudryk, Broja.
Manchester City (possible 4-1-2-3) Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri; Alvarez, Bernardo; Foden, Haaland, Doku.
Substitutes: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Kovacic, Grealish, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
Referee Anthony Taylor.
There’s plenty going on in the 2pm games, especially at the London Stadium. Tim de Lisle has all the latest news.
PreambleHello and welcome to live coverage of Chelsea v Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. They used to be rivals, these two. It’s only two and a half years since they met in a Champions League final, when Kai Havertz scored the only goal of a hard-fought contest in Porto.
The teams have met six times since then; City have won the lot without conceding a goal. Sometimes revenge is a dish best served in tiny portions.
City went on to win the Champions League last season, the fulfilment of 15 years’ work. It’s ominous for the rest that, despite a slightly hungover start to this season, City are still top of the Premier League. The next month should tell us whether there is going to be a title race or not. City’s three league games after today are all against teams in the top five: Liverpool (H), Tottenham (H) and Aston Villa (A).
On paper this looks like a comfortable win, especially as Chelsea have been wretched at home in the league. But they will effectively be the away side today. And, as Monday’s truly bonkers win at Spurs reminded us, football is never played on paper. Thank goodness for that.
Kick off 4.30pm.