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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Chelsea, Sunderland v Everton - Premier League matchtracker

It was big night in the Premier League.

Good evening one and all and welcome to our live coverage of Wednesday’s three Premier League fixtures.

At Anfield, Liverpool – still chasing Europa League qualification – entertain Chelsea while Sunderland can pull off a remarkable relegation escape with victory over Everton at the Stadium of Light.

Meanwhile, Norwich host Watford knowing they will be down if the Black Cats do manage to win but will want to secure three points in case Sam Allardyce’s side slip-up.

It’s set to be a fascinating evening so stick with us for all the action.

Before we get into the team news, let’s take a check on tonight’s fixtures:

  • Norwich City v Watford (7.45pm)
  • Sunderland v Everton (7.45pm)
  • Liverpool v Chelsea (8pm)

Jurgen Klopp has made nine changes from Sunday’s win over Watford with many of his regulars returning.

Four changes for Chelsea, with Diego Costa dropping out. Bertrand Traore, Pedro, Baba Rahman and Asmir Begovic all come in.

Sam Allardyce has kept faith with the XI which defeated Chelsea at the weekend, and why wouldn’t he? It means John O’Shea has to settle for a place on the bench.

And this is how Everton will line-up:

This is the state of play before tonight’s games. It’s a pretty simple equation for Sunderland: win and stay up.

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The teams are out at the Stadium of Light and Carrow Road.

Norwich City v Watford - Barclays Premier League - Carrow Road PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Kick-off! Everton set the ball rolling at the Stadium of Light. We were told tonight’s game is a sell-out but there are still a lot of empty seats.

Frenetic start, as you can imagine. There’s a nervous tension inside the ground and Everton have started brighter.

Lee Cattermole is fortunate to escape an early booking for a rash tackle on Barkley.

Plenty of possession for Everton as Sunderland sit deep in their rigid formation. The Black Cats deploy three in central midfield and the middle of the park is already very congested.

Jermain Defoe can find himself very isolated at times, with Borini operating off the right. It looks like they’re going to try and catch Everton on the break and play directly.

Sunderland look dangerous when they get on the ball. Defoe has been lively in the opening 10 minutes – but Everton have enjoyed 70% of the possession.

They’re taking the sting out of any early Sunderland onslaught by keeping hold off the ball.

Moments away from kick-off at Anfield. We’ll keep you abreast of all the developments at both grounds as the evening progresses.

And in the evening’s other game, Norwich are in deep, deep trouble with Watford taking an early lead at Carrow Road. Troy Deeney the man on target.

Brilliant work from Defoe as he holds off three Everton defenders to retain possession for his side. Sunderland have seen much more of the ball in the last five minutes and the crowd have responded.

Kick-off! And we’re underway at Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge is hauled down right on the edge of the area by John Obi Mikel in the opening minute. The Liverpool striker stands over the free-kick but his delivery is over-hit.

Norwich are back level through Aaron Redmond. As it stands, the Canaries are still going down.

We’ve yet to have a shot on goal at the Stadium of Light but Sunderland are knocking at the door. They’ve been camped inside the Everton half for the last five minutes and are exerting a lot of pressure.

What a turnaround at Carrow Road! Norwich have come from behind to lead 2-1 with Mbokani slotting home after Redmond’s shot came back off the post.

Liverpool come close to taking the lead at Anfield. Brilliant move down the right creates the opening but Coutinho’s strike comes back off Sturridge.

The Reds peppering Chelsea’s goal. Begovic is forced into two saves in quick succession, as Lallana and Moreno try their luck from range.

First sight of goal for Traore as Hazard forces his way through but the young striker’s effort is tame and straight at the goalkeeper.

Close! Younes Kaboul finds himself on the left touchline and he does brilliantly to manufacture a yard of space. The defender cuts inside on his right foot and unleashes a dipping drive which has Joel scrambling – but it goes inches wide of the far post.

It’s an entertaining game at Anfield as both sides throw numbers forward in attack. Chelsea’s defence looks particularly vulnerable and Liverpool have come close to finding the breakthrough on a couple of occasions.

Nathan Redmond levelled proceedings at Carrow Road before Norwich hit the front.

Norwich City v Watford - Barclays Premier League - Carrow Road EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Nearly half an hour gone at Sunderland, with Ross Barkley the latest to shoot from range.

Sunderland v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Stadium of Light PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Kaboul is playing like a man possessed. He storms out of defence in possession, swatting aside the challenge of three Everton defenders before winning a free-kick.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are growing in stature at Anfield and have seen plenty of the ball in the last few minutes.

An important intervention from Toure.

Lovren steps out of defence and is given acres of space to stride into. Chelsea back off and the Croatian tries his luck with a rasping drive but he can’t keep it down.

Moments later, a direct run from Firmino nearly pays dividend but his final touch was poor and Begovic was able to close him down.

There’s not a lot happening in the North East. Sunderland are huffing and puffing but it’s all very disjointed.

GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Everton (van Aanholt)

The Stadium of Light comes alive! Patrick van Aanholt somehow fires a free-kick through the Everton wall and Joel is completely wrong-footed.

That was really poor from Joel and just about sums Everton up at the moment.

Save! Joel forced into action again as Defoe gets across the box and heads goalwards, only for the goalkeeper to tip over.

GOAL! Sunderland 2-0 Everton (Kone) 

Everton fail to deal with the corner and the ball is thrown back into the box, where Lamine Kone lashing it home from close range. Sunderland are on the brink of survival.

And while all that was happening, Norwich have extended their lead through Craig Cathcart. It’s all in vain, however, with the Canaries going down as it stands.

The Stadium of Light is bouncing and even Big Sam can smile on the touchline. Out of nowhere, the hosts lead 2-0 and it’s difficult to see any way back for a lifeless Everton side.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea (Hazard)

And Chelsea have taken the lead at Anfield. Absolutely superb from Hazard as he dances his way through before firing low past Simon Mignolet.

Half-time: Sunderland 2-0 Everton

Sunderland in complete control but they won’t be celebrating at the Stadium of Light just yet with another 45 minutes to play.

Two set-pieces, two goals for Big Sam’s men and they’re withing touching distance of Premier League safety now.

Sunderland have lift off.

Sunderland v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Stadium of Light PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

After a bright start, Liverpool are really struggling at Anfield. Chelsea are doing what they do best and frustrating the hosts by getting numbers behind the ball and making it difficult to find any space.

Frustration for Jurgen Klopp and his players so far.

Chance! Traore gets in behind the Liverpool defence but snatches at his effort after Mignolet came off his line.

Tempers flare at Anfield. Emre Can cynically trips Hazard in full flight and Gary Cahill doesn’t take kindly to the challenge. Both sets of players get involved before Michael Oliver calms things down.

Can unsurprisingly booked for the foul.

One minute of added time and Liverpool have a free-kick in a dangerous position. Milner swings it in and Begovic half clears it before Can’s effort is cleared off the line.

Half-time: Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea

Back underway at the Stadium of Light. Roberto Martinez has brought Aaron Lennon on for Ross Barkley.

Everton have started brightly as they search for a way back into the game – but they’re still all over the place at the back. Another corner causes problems with Kirchhoff heading over.

Chelsea fans unveiled this banner during the first-half at Anfield.

Liverpool v Chelsea - Barclays Premier League - Anfield PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Sunderland fans trying to lift their team again. Everton have come out for this second-half with more purpose and certainly one goal back would change the mood inside the Stadium of Light.

The crowd are desperately trying to drive Sunderland forward and out of their own half. Just like the first-half, Everton have started on the front foot but are yet to really threaten.

Off the line! One straightforward ball down the middle sets Defoe through on goal and he lifts the ball over Joel, only for Jagielka to get back and hack off the line.

GOAL! Sunderland 3-0 Everton (Kone)

It’s that man again! Joel flaps at the corner and it just drops perfectly for the defender to fire home from two yards. Three set-pieces, three goals.

Sunderland are all but home and dry and the roof has come off the Stadium of Light. Everton, for their part, have been woeful.

It’s so easy for Sunderland. Wahbi Khazri has acres of space and he runs straight through on goal but tries to find Defoe when he should have gone for goal himself.

Norwich are going down but they’re on course for three points tonight. Dieumerci Mbokani has scored his second of the evening to restore their two-goal advantage. It’s now 4-2 to the Canaries at Carrow Road.

Liverpool restart proceedings at Anfield.

Kolo Toure the second Liverpool player to go in the book for a blatant body check on Hazard. The Belgian has been superb tonight.

Save! Having dropped a little deeper to protect their lead, Sunderland spring forward and Defoe once again finds space in the box. He gets the ball out from his feet and gets his shot away but Joel palms it away.

There’s not a lot to shout about at Anfield. Klopp is barking orders from the touchline but his side have been far from their best this evening.

Sunderland are enjoying this.

Sunderland v Everton - Barclays Premier League - Stadium of Light PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Standing ovation for Jan Kirchhoff as he makes way for Sebastian Larsson. Minutes before, Leighton Baines tested the handling of Vito Mannone. 

Hazard continues to terrorise the Liverpool defence. He collects the ball in midfield before embarking on a mazy run with Mignolet then forced into smart stop down to his right.

Mannone suddenly called into action again as Jagielka meets Baines’ corner. Just 17 minutes remaining at the Stadium of Light.

Guus Hiddink has introduced 20-year-old Brazilian Kenedy. He replaces his compatriot, Willian.

Sunderland have been able to sit back and protect their lead but it’s just allowed Everton to really press. Tom Cleverley very nearly forces his way through but Sunderland have enough bodies there to snuff out the danger.

John O’Shea is coming on for the final 12 minutes with Cattermole making way.

Attacking the Kop end in this second half, Liverpool have yet to really trouble Begovic. On this occasion, Lallana drags his volley wide.

Last six minutes at Sunderland and the hosts are just about there. Liverpool have more time to find an equaliser but they’re lacking ideas as Chelsea’s defence holds firm.

The young striker hasn’t done badly tonight and this was certainly his brightest moment.

Liverpool’s frustration is just beginning to show with captain James Milner booked for a rash tackle on Fabregas.

Hiddink, meanwhile, is bringing on another youngster with Tammy Abraham coming on for Traore.

Last throw of the dice from Klopp.

Defoe is determined to get himself on the scoresheet as he weaves his way through only for Joel to thwart him.

Five minutes of injury time at the Stadium of Light.

Meanwhile, Begovic is very fortunate to get a free-kick after flapping at a corner. Sturridge’s effort was then blocked on the line but the whistle had gone.

What a job Big Sam has done at Sunderland. The Black Cats looked doomed before embarking on an inspired run which has seen them go five games unbeaten.

Off the bar! This has been most definitely Sunderland’s night. Lukaku swivels and smashes the ball off the bar with Mannone well beaten.

Liverpool have been largely restricted to efforts from long range with Can forcing Begovic into a decent stop.

Full-time! Sunderland 3-0 Everton

Sunderland have done it, and there are joyous scenes at the Stadium of Light.

Contrasting emotions at Carrow Road, where Norwich’s fate has been confirmed despite tonight’s 4-2 win over Watford.

Liverpool are pushing for an equaliser on Merseyside but Chelsea have been very comfortable. Just five minutes remaining at Anfield.

Liverpool make their last change with Ojo on for Toure. Azpilicueta is then booked for a reckless challenge on Coutinho.

Save! Chelsea hit Liverpool on the break and Mignolet has to pull off another save to deny Pedro.

Three minutes of added time.

Meanwhile, all the action is happening at the Stadium of Light. Big Sam is dancing on the pitch.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Benteke)

Liverpool have snatched a point! Benteke heads home at the far post.

That was really poor from Begovic. He’s been unsteady under the high ball tonight and he only palms Ojo’s cross onto Benteke’s head.

Full-time! Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea 

Liverpool salvage a point right at the death and Chelsea will be wondering how they let that slip having done all the hard work – but credit to Klopp’s men who kept knocking on that door right until the end.

Sky Sports have just confirmed the games they will show on Sunday, the final day of the season.

With the league and relegation battle signed and sealed, all eyes will be on the race for Champions League football.

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Thanks for joining us this evening on a great night for Sunderland as their 3-0 win relegates Newcastle and Norwich and could also be the final straw for Roberto Martinez at Everton.

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