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Richard Sellers
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool vs Watford, Crystal Palace vs Man United, Premier League match tracker

We went minute-by-minute on a busy night of action in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Good evening everybody and welcome along to our match-tracker for an exciting night of action in the Premier League, one where everyone in the top six is involved.

The title race could potentially take another dramatic twist as Liverpool host Watford at Anfield, while Manchester City host West Ham at the Eithad.

The Reds were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against old foes Manchester United over the weekend in a game which, in all honestly, was absolutely dreadful. 

Pep Guardiola’s men, meanwhile, secured the first piece of silverware on Sunday after defeating Chelsea on penalties at Wembley, where Kepa made a holy show of himself.

Elsewhere tonight Manchester United maintain their battle for a Champions League spot away to Crystal Palace, while Arsenal (who currently occupy fourth by a solitary point) host Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.

There are a myriad of intriguing plots and talking points, especially at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea host Tottenham. We’ll keep you on top of all the action in the Premier League throughout.

Tonight’s fixtures:

  • Arsenal vs Bournemouth (7.45pm)
  • Southampton vs Fulham (7.45pm)
  • Chelsea vs Tottenham (8.00pm)
  • Crystal Palace vs Manchester United (8.00pm)
  • Liverpool vs Watford (8.00pm)
  • Manchester City vs West Ham United (8.00pm)

Liverpool v Watford - Premier League - Anfield Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League - Selhurst Park

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Stamford Bridge

In the first plot twist of the evening, Maurizio Sarri has dropped his rogue, instruction-defying goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to the bench for tonight’s game against Spurs.

The Spaniard caused a whole host of drama during Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City when he refused to be substituted prior to penalties.

Many of us forget about the real victim in all of this, poor Willy Caballero. Standing on the touchline ready to be the Wembley hero against his old club, poor Willy didn’t get a run out.

He deserved better than that and tonight the Argentine gets the starring role he deserves, as he is picked to start by Sarri for the visit of Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Let’s get started some of tonight’s key team news:

Crystal Palace v Manchester United line-ups

Crystal Palace: Guaita, Ward, Tomkins, Kelly, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojevic, Schlupp, Townsend, Batshuayi, Zaha.

Subs: Dann, Meyer, Kouyate, Hennessey, Ayew, Benteke, Riedewald.

Man United: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Dalot, Fred, Pogba, Sanchez, Lukaku.

Subs: Bailly, Rashford, Andreas Pereira, Rojo, Romero, Garner, Chong.

Liverpool vs Watford line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner, Mane, Salah, Origi.

Subs: Mignolet, Camacho, Henderson, Lallana, Keita, Shaqiri, Sturridge.

Watford: Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Subs: Gomes, Cleverley, Sema, Gray, Quina, Navarro, Kabasele.

Manchester City v West Ham line-ups

Man City: Ederson, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Zinchenko, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva, Mahrez, Aguero, Sane.

Subs: Walker, Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Mendy, Sandler, Foden, Muric.

West Ham: Fabianski, Fredericks, Diop, Ogbonna, Johnson, Obiang, Rice, Antonio, Nasri, Felipe Anderson, Carroll.

Subs: Zabaleta, Lanzini, Snodgrass, Adrian, Noble, Hernandez,
Diangana.

Chelsea v Tottenham line-ups

Chelsea: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pedro, Higuain, Hazard.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Willian, Christensen.

Tottenham: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Davies, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Lamela, Son, Kane.

Subs: Rose, Wanyama, Llorente, Foyth, Gazzaniga, Aurier, Lucas Moura.

Arsenal v Bournemouth line-ups

Arsenal: Leno, Papastathopoulos, Koscielny, Monreal, Jenkinson, Guendouzi, Torreira, Kolasinac, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang.

Subs: Cech, Elneny, Ramsey, Lacazette, Iwobi, Mustafi, Suarez.

Bournemouth: Boruc, Clyne, Mepham, Ake, Smith, Ibe, Gosling, Surman, Fraser, Mousset, King.

Subs: Daniels, Brooks, Rico, Simpson, Begovic, Taylor, Surridge.

Liverpool v Watford - Premier League - Anfield Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League - Selhurst Park

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Stamford Bridge

KICK-OFF: We’re underway at the Emirates and at St Mary’s as Arsenal take on Bournemouth and Fulham travel to face Southampton. 

GOAL! The goals have arrived already tonight. Back in Unai Emery’s starting XI following a considerable absence, Mesut Ozil strikes to Arsenal the lead after just four minutes. He strikes over the head of Arthur Boruc to break the deadlock.

The rest of tonight’s games get underway shortly at 8.00pm. Word has it that Kepa’s name has been booed around Stamford Bridge when it was announced alongside the rest of the Blues’ line-up. An awkward one for sure.

KICK-OFF: We’re underway in tonight’s four other games as Chelsea take on Tottenham, Liverpool face Watford, Man City battle West Ham and Crystal Palace welcome Manchester United.

The battle for top four is almost intriguing as the title race this year. As it stands Arsenal will maintain their Champions League spot, but still unbeaten in the league since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, Manchester United are hot on their tails.

Off the post! Gonzalo Higuain nearly breaks the deadlock at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine opens up his bodies and smacks a powerful volley which has Hugo Lloris beaten, but comes back off the woodwork.

At the Etihad, meanwhile, Sergio Aguero has come close to giving Man City the lead against West Ham. A chance for David Silva was missed before another from Aguero also failed to beat Lukasz Fabianski from close range.

GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Fulham

Southampton have taken the lead at home to Fulham. Oriol Romeu on target after 23 minutes for Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men, who are in desperate need of a win.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Watford

Liverpool have taken the lead at Anfield via Sadio Mane! Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross is headed powerfully goal-bound and the effort beats Ben Foster. It’s his fifth goal in six games.

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Bournemouth

30 mins — Two goals in a flash at the Emirates. The Gunners initially doubled their advantage via Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but three minutes later Lys Mousset capitalises on some dreadful defending from Matteo Guendouz to halve the deficit.

Manchester City are enjoying the lion’s share of possession, at one stage 83%, against West Ham, but the defending champions have failed to find a breakthrough. It’s Manuel Pellegrini’s first game back at the Etihad.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Watford

Sadio Mane has the home fans at Anfield in dreamland tonight. He grabs his second of the game to make it 2-0 inside just 20 minutes against Watford. 

At Selhurst Park it’s been an even start between Crystal Palace and Manchester United. Both Romelu Lukaku and Andros Townsend have come close, but no goals to speak of.

As things stand Liverpool would increase their lead at the top of the table to four points, as Man City continue to try and break down West Ham. That Mane goal is well worth watching, by the way. At outrageous back heel which goes over the top of Ben Foster from inside the box. Sublime stuff.

Approaching the interval in both 7.45pm games tonight. Arsenal still lead 2-1 after that freakish two goals in three minutes gave Eddie Howe’s visitors a lifeline and a way back into the game. 

GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Fulham

Four minutes before the break and James Ward Prowse has doubled the Saints’ advantage. Nathan Redmond’s initial strike is batted away by Sergio Rico, and Ward Prowse is on hand to tap home from close range for 2-0.

At Stamford Bridge Tottenham are piling men forward, but finding no luck. Son and Lamella are causing quite a bit of havoc in the final third, but David Luiz is playing out of his skin to keep them at bay. 

GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester United (Lukaku 33)

Romelu Lukaku strikes first at Selhurst Park. Excellent work by Luke Shaw who cuts inside right onto the edge of the box before crossing towards the Belgium international. He fires past Vicente Guaita for 1-0.

HALF-TIME: Arsenal take a 2-1 lead into the interval against Bournemouth to hold onto fourth spot, while Southampton are 2-0 up against relegation-threatened Fulham. A much-improved display from Hasenhüttl’s men tonight.

Still no breakthrough for Manchester City just yet against West Ham. Gundogan and Otamendi both close, but no cigar.

Jurgen Klopp’s side still two goals to the good against Watford. Sadio Mane with two well-taken goals, the second of which was an absolute cracker of a backheel. Mane almost completed his hat-trick just there, hitting the post, with Fabinho blasting over the bar shortly after. Liverpool very much on top.

Liverpool v Watford - Premier League - Anfield Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Off the bar! Harry Winks comes within inches of giving Tottenham the lead at Stamford Bridge. He hits an almighty effort from range which has the better of Willy Caballero, but it smacks off the woodwork and back out.

HALF-TIME: Here are all the results from the 8.00pm kick-offs at the break…

  • Chelsea 0-0 Tottenham
  • Crystal Palace 0-1 Manchester United
  • Liverpool 2-0 Watford
  • Manchester City 0-0 West Ham United

SECOND-HALF: We’re back in action at the Emirates and at St Mary’s!

GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Bournemouth (Koscielny 47)

Laurent Koscielny has restored Arsenal’s lead against Bournemouth. He stays up in the box after Mesult Ozil’s initial free-kick is cleared at the first hurdle. Possession is recycled, Mkhitaryan delivers another cross and the French defender delivers a clinical finish from the penalty spot.

SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway in all the 8.00pm kick-offs now as well.

GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Bournemouth (Aubameyang 59)

This is turning into an absolute one-sided riot at the Emirates. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gets in on the scoring action and Unai Emery’s men have gone from strength to strength in the second half with two goals in the space of 12 minutes. 

Mkhitaryan collects possession before driving forward and playing a neat through ball. Aubameyang latches onto it, rounds Artur Boruc and slips the ball into an empty net.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United (Lukaku 52)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men double their advantage seven minutes after the break. Lukaku has grabbed his second, and truth be told easily find himself netting a hat-trick tonight. Roy Hodgson’s side really struggling.

Crystal Palace v Manchester United - Premier League - Selhurst Park Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Manchester United.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham (Pedro 57)

At last we have a goal at Stamford Bridge! Pedro skins Toby Alderweireld with a brilliant turn. The Spaniard shifts possession onto his left boot and beats Hugo Lloris with a deft finish at his near post.

Manchester City will have the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot against West Ham after Bernardo Silva was brought down inside the area. Sergio Aguero is the man that will take it.

GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 West Ham (Aguero 59)

Sergio Aguero makes no mistake and beats Lukasz Fabianski from the spot. So, both Liverpool and Manchester City ahead tonight to keep just one point between the sides at the top of the table.

Here are all of tonight’s scores at the moment:

Screen Shot 2019-02-27 at 21.19.25

GOAL! Arsenal 5-1 Bournemouth (Lacazette 79)

Unai Emery’s men are running away with absolute ease. Alexandre Lacazette curls a free-kick over the Southampton wall and while Arthur Boruc does get a hand to it, the Polish goalkeeper can’t keep the ball out and it flies into the back of the net.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Watford (Origi 66)

The Reds look to have three points wrapped up over at Anfield as Divock Origi adds a third. He came in to replace Roberto Firmino and has repaid Jurgen Klopp’s faith.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United (Ward 66)

Roy Hodgson’s side may have found a way back into this game. Joel Ward halves the deficit with a little over 20 minutes remaining. Schlupp provides a cross and Ward pops up with a powerful diving header which has the better of David De Gea.

Approaching full-time in tonight’s two early kick-offs. Southampton still holding on to that comfortable 2-0 lead against Fulham. This will be their fourth straight defeat in the Premier League. 

GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Watford (van Dijk 79)

Liverpool have been on fire tonight as Virgil van Dijk adds a fourth to make absolute sure of the three points. Trent Alexander-Arnold with yet another excellent delivery into the box and the big Dutch defender heads past Ben Foster.

Liverpool v Watford - Premier League - Anfield Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

FULL-TIME: 

  • Arsenal 5-1 Bournemouth
  • Southampton 2-0 Fulham

GOAL! Liverpool 5-0 Watford (van Dijk 82)

You are not reading this wrong, Virgil van Dijk has scored two goals in the space of three minutes and is now on a hat-trick. Andy Robertson tees him up with his second assist of the night and Big Virg makes no mistake with another header to make it 5-0.

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United (Young 83)

Ashley Young puts some distance between the sides with United’s third at Selhurst Park. Paul Pogba is instrumental in the build-up and Young provides a deft, powerful finish.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham (Tripper own goal 84)

Oh goodness me. Kieran Tripper doubles Chelsea’s lead with an absolutely comical own goal. A long ball punted up the pitch is knocked on by Olivier Giroud. Tripper attempts a pretty standard back-pass towards Hugo Lloris, but the French goalkeeper has come from his line and the Spurs defender ends up slotting the ball into his own net. Insert crying laughing emoji.

FULL-TIME:

  • Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
  • Crystal Palace 1-3 Manchester United
  • Liverpool 5-0 Watford
  • Manchester City 1-0 West Ham

There we have it then, another exciting evening in the Premier League. Liverpool and Manchester City stay the course with wins apiece at the top of the table, meaning the Reds maintain their one-point lead in the title race.

Elsewhere, Southampton got back on track with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Fulham, who suffered their fourth defeat in a row at the bottom of the table.

There were also wins for Arsenal and for Manchester United in the race for fourth, while Tottenham’s slim title hopes took yet another hammering with a 2-0 defeat away to Chelsea.

Thanks a million for joining us tonight. Until next time, adiós!

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