Liverpool meet Bournemouth today in a game which could see Jurgen Klopp’s league leaders open up an 11-point advantage at the top of the table.
Bournemouth are in woeful form with four defeats in a row stalling their season, and Eddie Howe knows his side face an enormous task this afternoon.
Liverpool by contrast cannot stop winning and come into the game as major favourites to extend their lead at the top of the league, with Leicester City to play on Sunday. Follow all the action live following the conclusion of Everton vs Chelsea:
Bournemouth 0 – 0 Liverpool
3 mins: Keita tries to find Firmino with a froward pass to the edge of the box but Lerma makes the tackle and sends Wilson away with a long pass but Bournemouth are caught offside.
Also underway at 3pm Tottenham take on Burnley with Watford hosting Crystal Palace.
But kick off at the Vitality Stadium is less than five minutes away… Bournemouth vs Liverpool is up next.
The Manchester Derby kicks off at 5:30pm today and it is a big, big game for both teams. A loss for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City would send them further behind Liverpool at the top of the table and Pep himself admitted he doesn’t know how to stop the Merseyside giants:
Theo Walcott and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have given their reaction to the victory over Chelsea.
Walcott said: “Duncan has come in and the club is his heart. That was the Everton way, we play for each other and Dominic was immense. We wanted intensity and pressure and to get in behind them. We put them under pressure and made them make mistakes. Duncan said go out and play your game and enjoy it. As much as it sounds a cliche, that is what we did.”
Whilst Calvert-Lewin added: “It was a massive game for us and I have a very close relationship with Duncan. He has stuck by me for the three years I have known him. The most important thing was to go out and give 100%.”
Liverpool are in tremendous form against Bournemouth, they’ve won each of the last four meetings between the side with an aggregate score of 14-0.
Can Bournemouth change that today?
Next up on Premier League Saturday, Bournemouth host league leaders Liverpool who are looking to extend the gap at the top of the table to 11 points.
Here’s a look at the two teams:
What we learned from Duncan Ferguson’s first win in charge of Everton:
A huge win for Everton as they overcame high flying Chelsea, here’s how the players rated:
Everton 3 – 1 Chelsea
90+3 mins: Chelsea continue to send the ball into the box but they’re aren’t getting any rewards. Pulisic picks it up on the edge of the box and boots it wide of goal.
Everton 3 – 1 Chelsea
90 mins: Lots of cheers as the ball bounces over Pulisic and goes out for an Everton throw in. There’s six minutes added on. SIX!
Everton 3 – 1 Chelsea
87 mins: Bernard comes on for Walcott who looks like he’s picked up a bit of a knock. Duncan Ferguson encourages the fans to keep singing and cheering and they oblige.
Everton are almost there, it hasn’t been pretty but its been hard work and determination. Much like Everton of old.
Everton 2 – 1 Chelsea
83 mins: Chelsea whip a corner into the box but it beats everyone and Chelsea win a free kick when Sidibe fouls Pulisic who collects the ball.
The free kick comes into the box and a header bounces up for Pickford to claim.
Everton 2 – 1 Chelsea
81 mins: A nervous energy settles on Goodison Park as Chelsea are able to come further and further forward. Everton are dropping deep.
Azpilicueta finds Mount with a cross into the box, Mount hits the volley but Holgate makes the block.
Batshuayi comes on for Chelsea replacing James.
Baines comes on for Everton with the injured Digne going off.
Everton 2 – 1 Chelsea
78 mins: Christensen collects a ball from Kovacic and Everton allow him time on the ball. He lines up a shot from about 30-yards and puts it wide of goal.
Everton 2 – 1 Chelsea
75 mins: Pickford and Keane sandwich Tammy Abraham as the ball is going out of play and that hurts the Chelsea striker who rolls off the pitch and awaits treatment.
Calvert-Lewin spots Kepa off his line and goes for goal but Kepa is aware enough to get back and claim the ball.
Abraham comes back on.
Everton 2 – 1 Chelsea
72 mins: Digne gets free on the left side of the pitch, he gets a cross away and Davies almost wins it. He throws himself at the ball but misses it completely. Chelsea clear the ball away.
Match preview
Team News
Harry Wilson is ineligible to play against his parent club, adding to a Bournemouth absentee list that also includes Charlie Daniels, Andrew Surman, David Brooks and Joshua King.
Fabinho is a long-term absentee for Liverpool, while Joel Matip is also out. They have no fresh injury concerns.
Odds
Bournemouth win 6/1
Draw 4/1
Liverpool win 2/5
Prediction
Bournemouth are without a number of key players, particularly in forward areas, and will struggle to keep Liverpool’s relatively rested frontline at bay.
Bournemouth 1-3 Liverpool is our prediction.
When is it?
Kick-off at the Vitality Stadium is at 3pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
The match will not be shown live on TV in the UK, but highlights can be seen on Match of the Day, which begins at 10.30 on BBC One.
The Independent will also have live coverage of the game via our live blog
