Manchester United vs Everton: LIVE Commentary of the Second Half

Hello and welcome to my second half LIVE Commentary of the Manchester United vs Everton match.

But first, here is the analysis from yesterday's late afternoon match, between Manchester City and Southampton.

Manchester City 3 Southampton 2

What an epic match at The Ethiad Stadium yesterday.

EPL Champions versus EPL new boys.

Striker Sergio Aguero gave City injury worries in the 8th minute after getting a twisted knee after a late challenge from Nathaniel Clyne.

Southampton pressed in the first half after this, before and after Tevez was tripped in the penalty box after 15 minutes.
A weak penalty by midfielder David Silva was saved by Kelvin Davies.

Weak: Manchester City midfielder David Silva has his weak and low penalty saved by Kelvin Davies.

Tevez broke the deadlock after a good pass by Nasri was finished into the corner in the 40th minute.

Striker Rickie Lambert equalised for Southampton in the 59th minute with a low curling shot out of goalkeeper Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart's reach.

Equaliser: Striker Rickie Lambert makes it 1-1 against Manchester City in the 59th minute.

Midfielder Steven Davis made it 2-1 to Southampton in the 68th minute.  

Shock - but not for long: Midfielder Steven Davis celebrates his goal against Manchester City in the 68th minute.

In the 72nd minute, Manchester City substitute striker Edin Dzeko was open in free space inside the 16-yard-box before shooting from 6 yards out to equalise.

Vital equaliser: Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko made it 2-2 in the 72nd minute and gave City hope.

Relief: Edin Dzeko celebrates his goal to give City a chance of winning the match at The Ethiad.

In the 80th minute, from a Manchester City corner which was cleared away by a Southampton defender fell to Samir Nasri who hit the ball downwards towards goal before the ball fiercely hit the net.

Late winner: Midfielder Samir Nasri scores in the 80th minute for City against Southampton.

Three points instead of one: Nasri seals an important win for City after a scare against Southampton.

Nasri won the match for City, 3-2.

Southampton played very well despite losing 3-2... Scoring 2 goals and pressing City throughout the match.
They were not afraid of City, and gave them a lot of trouble - on City's OWN BACK YARD.
 



At 20:56:
HALF-TIME SCORE:

Manchester United 0 Everton 0 

An interesting first half, in which United goalkeeper David De Gea has been busy in the sticks, having to save lots of shots, especially from Baines' curling free-kick.

Clearing away to safety: Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea punches the ball away from danger.

Everton has dominated the first half with midfielder Marouane Fellani, Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic both linking up well.

BREAKING NEWS: Everton have confirmed the £5million signing of Belgian midfielder Kevin Mirallas on a four-year contract deal.

Unveiled: Everton unveiled midfielder Kevin Mirallas at Goodison Park before the match tonight against United.

United's new signing Shinji Kagawa has played well so far, passing the ball well and finding his team-mates with pace and trickery.

Fine showing: Manchester United's new midfielder Shinji Kagawa has impressed so far against Everton tonight.

However headline striker Robin Van Persie is on the bench for United.

Waiting game: Robin Van Persie has to be patient before playing on his debut for new club Manchester United.

Here is a recap of the Team Line-ups:

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Gibson, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini, Jelavic.
Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Naismith, Gueye, Barkley, Coleman, Anichebe.

Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Carrick, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Cleverley, Scholes, Kagawa, Rooney, Welbeck.
Subs: Lindegaard, Da Silva, Anderson, Berbatov, Young, Van Persie, Wootton.

Referee: Andre Marriner 

LIVE Commentary: Manchester United vs Everton - Second Half

21:03:

45: United have kicked off the second half at Goodison Park. No changes for either side at the minute.

47: Everton midfielder Darron Gibson finds space from 25 yards out before taking an ambitious shot.... OVER THE BAR!! 

48: Cross by defender Tim Hibbert into the box, partially cleared away to Leon Osman who strikes the ball high towards goal... OFF THE WOODWARK!!!
Close by Osman, as De Gea was beaten but the crossbar comes to United's rescue.

49: A United counter attack by Danny Welbeck is well cleared away by defender Phil Jagielka who slides in cleanly to win the ball.


55: United midfielder Tom Cleverley intercepts a pass, before trying to find Rooney with a through ball.
Everton defender Distin sees through it, and clears the ball away.

56: Great play by Kagawa. Nice pass to Rooney, before doing a dummy past Baines into the box. Rooney had a long shot, but it was WELL WIDE of the goal.


57: Everton whip a corner into the box, before midfielder Marouane Fellani heads the ball downwards towards goal.... GOAL!!!

Everton have broken the deadlock at Goodison Park, with none other than Fellani who has been the star man tonight!!

Bullet: Midfielder Marouane Fellani broke the deadlock for Everton against Manchester United in the 58th minute.

Pure jubilation: Jelavic and goalscorer Fellani get mobbed by the Everton crowd after the opening goal.

Everton 1 Manchester United 0, with 30 minutes to go.

You think United will give up? I certainly do not.

62: United pressing for the equaliser here with a corner and several crosses into the box. Everton are strong in defence though.

63: Everton free-kick lifting into the box by Baines for Fellani again. He jumps higher than Vidic before heading towards goal.... SAVE! by David De Gea.

65: Everton fans are jubilant and all singing here.
I bet none other than one of my favourite bloggers Dan.

Look at his blog please fellow football fans here:

http://dansfootballmusings.blogspot.co.uk/

67: I knew this was going to happen all night:

Manchester United SUB:

Danny Welbeck OFF 
Robin Van Persie ON

69: United fans hoping that Van Persie can deliver a debut miracle. 1-0 to Everton, 20 minutes to be played.

70: Everton striker Nikica Jelavic has gone off for treatment after a cut underneath his eye.
Meanwhile, United continue to press with Vidic's header just wide of the goalmouth.


73: United desperate for the equaliser. Misplaced pass by Nani gives Everton a goal-kick to clear away any danger.

74: I can just imagine the look on Gary Neville's face right now in the SkySports studios... Urging United to score here. LOL

75: Poor cross by Manchester United winger Nani into the box, as there is another Everton goal-kick. 

76: Winger Ashley Young looks to be coming on for United here... Last chance saloon here.

77: Robin Van Persie tries to find Wayne Rooney with a through ball into the box, but Distin clears the ball away for a corner.

80: Everton SUB:

Leon Osman OFF
Seamus Coleman ON

Fresh legs needed for Everton, with 10 minutes remaining.
I can picture all Everton fans all over the qworld biting their fingernails now... LOL

82: Great tackle by Everton defender Tony Hibbert to deny Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra from crossing the ball into the area.
Not getting past him with ease.

84: Manchester United SUB:
Tom Cleverley OFF
Anderson ON

Fresh legs for United, as they look for the equaliser with 5 minutes plus stoppage left.

85: Everton try and make a counter attack with Coleman trying to cross from the wing, but it rebounds off him and it is a goal-kick.

86: Everton have a welcome break here, with striker Nikica Jelavic down on the floor with cramp.

88: Tense last few minutes at Goodison Park, with United passing patiently looking for a gap in the defence.
Everton counter attack with Coleman taking his time past Vidic. 
Everton free-kick after Vidic was pulling his shirt.

89: Everton SUB:
Nikica Jelavic OFF
Steven Naismith ON

90: The fourth official has signalled for four minutes of stoppage time to be added on.

90+1: Manchester United midfielder Anderson has a shot from 20 yards out which is powerful.... JUST WIDE!!!!


90+2: Everton SUB:
Maroaune Fellani OFF
John Heitinga ON

Everton trying to strengthen the defence with Heitinga coming on.

90+4: Everton fans are screaming here, as referee Andre Marriner blows the whistle to end the match at Goodison Park!

FULL-TIME SCORE: 

Everton 1 Manchester United 0

My Man of the Match:

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellani. 

He worked very hard, throughout the match, until he was substituted in the last few minutes of the match. He won Everton the match with a good header, and was the anchor in their team tonight.


Before I leave you all tonight, I will do a quick EPL transfer and news Update:

Barcelona have confirmed that Arsenal midfielder Alexandre Song has moved to them for a fee of £15million pounds, and he has signed a five-year contract deal.

Bye Bye Arsenal: Song arrived in Spain, at Barcelona on Monday morning, before addressing supporters.

Superstar's welcome: Alex Song signs autographs for his new club's supporters outside the club.

I do not understand what Wenger is trying to prove here, selling two of his best players again.... Arsenal will struggle to qualify for the CL next season now.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has announced that he has signed a long-term contract with The Reds. 

Signed: Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has signed a new long-term contract deal with The Reds.

Vitesse Arnhem left-back Alexander Buttner has revealed that he is set to seal a 'dream' £4million move from Manchester United.
He has arrived in Manchester, and has completed his medical.


Chelsea's young midfielder Josh McEachran has joined Championship club Middlesborough on a season-long loan deal.

Tottenham are reportedly going to attempt to secure the £6million signing of Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor this week.

The only on-going issue is wage demands, because at City he is getting a lot of money per week....

Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng has almost completed a £6million move to Swansea, after admitting that he wants to move.
Although, there has been a lot of interest from other clubs in the EPL, including Arsenal and Liverpool.

Arsenal have stepping up their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin, by asking them whether they can sign him if his loan spell is succesful.

We will see: What Nuri Sahin would look like at Arsenal. Liverpool look to be out of the race to sign him.

Liverpool look out of the race to sign Sahin, due to the fact that they cannot provide CL football, yet Arsenal can.

Arsenal are close to signing him... and he should be an Arsenal player by the end of this week... 

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has challenged EPL clubs to show that they really want him after admitting that he wants to return to the English Premier League in the near future.

 

Wants to return: Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that he may leave if there is interest shown.

 

Manchester United have been offered Real Madrid midfielder Kaka on a season-long loan deal.



 




Thank you for reading my EPL Blog and I will speak to you all in my next EPL Update, on Wednesday.

Super Sunday EPL Special LIVE, PFA Player (and Young) of the Year Coverage:

Super Sunday EPL Special LIVE:

Today:

12:30pm:

Manchester United 4 Everton 4

This match was played at Old Trafford, as 1st placed United hosted 7th placed Everton. 

Striker Nikica Jelavic broke the deadlock in the 34th minute after heading the ball from an impossible angle past De Gea which hit the post before hitting the net.

Deadlock broken: Jelavic heads Everton ahead against Manchester United in the 34th minute at Old Trafford to make it 1-0.

Shock start: Jelavic celebrates his goal with his team-mates, after he opened the scoring against Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney equalised just before half-time in the 41st minute to ensure Everton would not take a lead into the second half.

Striker Wayne Rooney's header beats goalkeeper Tim Howard to equalise for United in the 41st minute.

After half-time, in the 57th minute striker Danny Welbeck did a fake shot past two defenders before placing the ball into the top right hand corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Power over placement: Young striker Danny Welbeck makes it 2-1 to United with a beautiful effort.

Winger Nani used his incredible pace to push past the Everton defenders before chipping the ball over Tim Howard's head into the goal-mouth in the 61st minute to make it 3-1 to United.

Cheeky chip: Winger Nani chips 'keeper Howard to give United a 3-1 lead in the 61st minute.

If only you knew: Nani celebrates with Evra, Welbeck and Carrick, thinking that the match is over.

In the 69th minute, midfielder Marouane Fellani hit a clean volley past goalkeeper David De Gea to put Everton back into the match from a cross.

Back in the match: Fellani celebrates his goal with his team-mates to make it 3-2 against Manchester United.

2 minutes later, striker Wayne Rooney scored his second goal of the match to give United a 4-2 lead.

Is it over yet? Wayne Rooney scored his 34th goal of the season to make it 4-2 against Everton.

In the 83rd minute, striker Nikica Jelavic scored a late goal to give Everton  hope of getting something out off the match..

6th goal in the EPL: Nikica Jelavic scores his second of the match, to make it 4-3 against United with 5 minutes to play.

2 minutes later, midfielder Steven Pienaar took a shot from inside the box in the 85th minute which beat De Gea before hitting the back off the net to make it 4-4, and complete an amazing comeback.

Steven Pienaar scores his 5th goal of the season, and it was his most important as he made it 4-4 against United.

Comeback kings: Everton celebrate Pienaar's goal to equalise against United and earn a point in the race against their rivals Liverpool for 7th place.

United pressed for a late goal, but Everton stayed strong for the last 10 minutes (5 minutes of stoppage time), and took a well earned point from Old Trafford (while scoring 4 at OT), which is not an easy thing to do.

16:00pm:
 

Wolves 0 Manchester City 2 

This match was played at Molienuex, as 20th placed Wolves HAD to win against Manchester City, or they would be relegated to the Championship.
Manchester City needed a win, to close the gap between them and 1st placed rivals United to only 3 points after United failed to beat Everton earlier in the day.


Striker Sergio Aguero finally broke the deadlock for the away side in the 27th minute after a heap of chances were all wasted.

Finally: Sergio Aguero breaks the deadlock in the 27th minute to give Manchester City the lead at Molienuex.

22nd goal in the EPL: Aguero wheels away to celebrate his goal against Wolves.

Liverpool 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 
This match was played at Anfield, as 8th placed Liverpool had the chance to overtake rivals Everton into 7th place.

Striker Peter Odemiwngie scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute, to give the away side the three points at Anfield.


PFA Player of the Year Winner:

Robin Van Persie  (Arsenal)

Captain Fantastic: 34 goals this season in all competitions for Van Persie.

2nd place: David Silva (Manchester City)

3rd place: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Untied)


PFA Young Player of the Year Winner:

Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Young startlet: Full-back Kyle Walker is a favourite to play for England at Euro 2012.

2nd place:
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

3rd place:
Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) 

PFA EPL Team of the Year:


Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defenders: Vincent Kompany, Fabricio Coloccini, Leighton Baines, Kyle Walker. 
Midfielders: Yaya Toure, David Silva, Scott Parker, Gareth Bale.
Strikers: Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

Midweek EPL Results and Analysis, The Weekend's EPL Previews:

Midweek EPL Results and Analysis:

Tuesday:

Aston Villa vs Bolton Wanderers: POSTPONED
This match was supposed to take place on Tuesday at Villa Park, but Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba's condition was too serious for Bolton players to focus on the football match.

Blackburn Rovers 2 Sunderland 0
This match was played at Ewood Park as 17th placed Blackburn hosted 9th placed Sunderland. 
Midfielder David Holiett opened the scoring for the home side after 58 minutes to make it 1-0.

Winger Junior Holiett breaks the deadlock against Sunderland at Ewood Park after 58 minutes to give Rovers a 1-0 lead. 

Striker Yakubu scored his 14th goal of the season to double Blackburn's lead in the 86th minute to ensure all three points for Rovers.

Heads I win: Striker Yakubu scores his 14th goal of the season - making him 5th top scorer in the EPL.

Pray 4 Muamba: Yakubu shows his support for Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba who is in intensive care.

Blackburn are now in 16th place with 28 points, while Sunderland are still in 9th place with 37 points.

Wednesday:

Everton 0 Arsenal 1
This match was played at Goodison Park, as 10th placed Everton hosted 4th placed Arsenal.
Defender Thomas Vermaelen scored the only goal of the whole match for the away side after 8 minutes.

Defender Thomas Vermaelen heads Arsenal into the lead at Goodison Park.

Celebration time: Vermaelen celebrates the eventual winner for Arsenal against Everton and his 5th goal of the season.

The home side had some controversial decisions that were not given including a disallowed goal by Royston Drenthe, and luck was not on their side on Wednesday. 


FACT: Thomas Vermaelen has now scored two winners for Arsenal in back-to-back matches.


Arsenal move up to 3rd place, 1 point above Tottenham while Everton stay in 10th place.

Manchester City 2 Chelsea 1
This match came from The Ethiad Stadium, as 5th placed Chelsea and 2nd placed City went head-to-head in an interesting battle. City were looking for revenge after a 2-1 defeat suffered earlier in the season at Stamford Bridge (which was also their first of the season), while Chelsea looked to make ground in the race for 4th place. 


This match was exciting from the start of the second half.... and the away side were surprisingly in-front thanks to defender Gary Cahill with a half-volley which took a deflection and sent goalkeeper Joe Hart the wrong way to break the deadlock after 60 minutes.

Wrong way: Goalkeeper Joe Hart is sent the wrong way from a deflection and Chelsea go 1-0 up against Manchester City from defender Gary Cahill in the 60th minute. 

Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov took a shot inside the 18-yard box which was deflected by the hand of Chelsea midfielder Michael Esssien, and City were awarded a penalty. 
Striker Sergio Aguero cooly slotted the ball past 'keeper Petr Cech to give the visitors hope in the 78th minute.
Carlos Tevez came off the bench in the 68th minute and had a positive effect on City's performance, which paid off in the 85th minute when his clever lay-off to midfielder Samir Nasri who chipped 'keeper Cech and scored a late winner for the home side.

Samir Nasri: Scores a late winner for the home side against Chelsea in the 85th minute with a cheeky chip over Petr Cech.

Jubilation: Celebrates scoring with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko

This result puts City in 1 point of 1st placed United, while Chelsea lose ground for a top 4 place after Tottenham drew and Arsenal won so they are 5 points off 4th placed Spurs (and 6 off 3rd placed Arsenal)

QPR 3 Liverpool 2
This fiery five-goal thriller surprisingly came from Loftus Road, home of 18th placed QPR who hosted 7th placed Liverpool. 


Defender Sebastian Coates broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 54th minute, from an overhead bicycle kick which flew past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny into the net.

Defemder Sebastien Coates hits his first ever Liverpool goal, which was a spectacular finish against QPR.

Striker Dirk Kuyt doubled the scoreline in the 72nd minute to give The Reds a 2-0 lead. Everyone though that it was all over for QPR, before defender Shaun Derry halved the deficit in the 78th minute to make it 2-1. Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse equalised late on in the 86th minute for QPR before striker Jamie Mackie scored in the 90th minute to give Rangers the comeback of all comebacks to gift them 3 points against Liverpool.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Stoke City 1
This match was played at White Hart Lane as 3rd placed Spurs hoped to move closer to title rivals City and United, while edging closer away from London rivals Arsenal for a 3rd place finish.

The Weekend's EPL Previews:

This is Round 30 of this season's EPL. Title challengers City face Stoke while rivals United host Fulham on Monday. The race for a Champions League spot is heating up with all three (top 6) London rivals in the fight. Arsenal face Villa, while rivals Chelsea and Tottenham go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge for a place in Europe next season. 
The relegation battle is still alive for 5 different clubs with Wigan, Wolves, QPR, Bolton and Blackburn in the frame.

Saturday (15:00 unless stated):

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur: LIVE at 12:45pm


The first match of the weekend comes from Stamford Bridge as an early kick-off between two rivals Chelsea and Tottenham fight for a Champions League spot in 5th and 4th place (respectively), (with only 5 points between them)
Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon will miss tomorrow's match against Chelsea with a hamstring injury.
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) is a major doubt for the match.

Defender Ledley King (knee) will have a late fitness test but long-term absentees Michael Dawson (ankle), goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes (knee), and midfielder Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are out.

John Terry is set to return to lead out Chelsea. The Blues captain missed Wednesday night's defeat at Manchester City with a calf strain but trained fully on Thursday.

Fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic is doubtful with a thigh problem suffered at the Etihad Stadium, while Oriol Romeu is fit after a knee injury.

Arsenal vs Aston Villa:


This match will be played at The Emirates Stadium, as in-form Arsenal will look to continue their current run of form by moving 4 points away from rivals Tottenham.

Aston Villa winger Charles N'Zogbia is battling to overcome a tweaked knee ligament in time to face Arsenal tomorrow.

Striker Andreas Weimann is pushing for a start after scoring the winner against Fulham a fortnight ago. If N'Zogbia is ruled out of the match, Weimann could play up front with Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Striker Darren Bent (ankle), defender Richard Dunne (shoulder) and midfielder Fabian Delph (ankle) remain long-term absentees while utility player Ciaran Clark is still recovering from a knee problem.

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby will not be risked. He has recovered from a hamstring injury, but boss Arsene Wenger will not name him in his squad until next week.

Wenger will use an unchanged squad against Villa from the group which won at Everton, with Per Mertesacker (ankle) and midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) still sidelined.

Bolton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers:

Bolton return to action against Blackburn at the Reebok Stadium a week after Fabrice Muamba's harrowing collapse at White Hart Lane.

Muamba remains in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest, but his family have given the go ahead for the match to start as manager Owen Coyle's men looked to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

Coyle has told any player who does not feel up to taking part they should step aside, but it does not appear he has had anyone who has dropped out yet.

Defender Gael Givet is Blackburn's only doubt ahead of the match.

Givet aggravated a slight hamstring problem while on Tuesday and is doubtful to make the squad.

Steve Kean is only to make a few slight changes.

Liverpool vs Wigan Athletic:


This match will be played at Anfield as 7th placed Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their embarrassing 3-2 defeat on Wednesday to QPR after being 2-0 with 13 minutes to go against 19th placed Wigan.


Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega remains an injury doubt for the match after missing last week's match due to a knee problem.
The Latics manager Roberto Martinez says that the trip to Liverpool may come too soon for the forward to make his return to football action.
Midfielder David Jones (knee) and goalkeeper Mike Pollitt (shoulder problem) are not 

Defender Martin Kelly should be fit despite having to come off injured in Liverpool's last two matches.

The club are awaiting a full assessment of Charlie Adam's knee problem, sustained in Wednesday's defeat at QPR, but the midfielder could be doubtful.

Right-back Glen Johnson and forward Craig Bellamy are still missing with niggles while centre-half Daniel Agger (rib) is not yet ready.

Norwich City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers:

Wolves will be without suspended defender Ronald Zubar for the away Barclays Premier League clash with Norwich after his red card against Manchester United last weekend.

It could mean a recall in a reshuffled back four for skipper Roger Johnson who has been axed for the past four matches since caretaker boss Terry Connor took charge.

But Connor's biggest headache is in central midfield where David Davis (broken rib) has joined Karl Henry (hamstring) and Jamie O'Hara (groin) on the injury list.

The only positive team news for Connor is the return to training of midfielder Nenad Milijas after his calf problem.

Norwich midfielder Anthony Pilkington has recovered from the knock he suffered at Newcastle last weekend and is available.

Marc Tierney and Daniel Ayala are back in training, but not yet ready, while James Vaughan is still missing with knee trouble.

Goalkeeper Declan Rudd, meanwhile, has resumed light training.

Sunderland vs QPR:

Sunderland striker Stephane Sessegnon returns to the squad for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with QPR after suspension.

The Benin international is available after completing the three-match ban he incurred for his sending-off in the derby draw at Newcastle, but midfielder Lee Cattermole still has one game left to serve.

Central defender John O'Shea will undergo a late fitness check on his hamstring injury, but Kieran Richardson (calf) is still out, as are long-term absentees Wes Brown (knee) and Titus Bramble (Achilles/calf).

Armand Traore will miss QPR's trip to Sunderland on Saturday in the Barclays Premier League.

The Senegal international was brought off at half-time of Wednesday's 3-2 victory against Liverpool and is out for the next couple of weeks with a grade one hamstring injury.

Clint Hill will travel with the squad to the Stadium of Light but will have a back injury assessed, while long-term absentees DJ Campbell and Heidar Helguson are making good progress.

Swansea City vs Everton:

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers is set to restore Ashley Williams to his starting XI for Saturday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Everton.

The defender missed last weekend's impressive win at Fulham due to illness, but is likely to take his place back from club captain Garry Monk against the Toffees.

Wayne Routledge will continue on the right wing as Nathan Dyer serves the final game of his three-match ban after his red card in the win at Wigan.

Everton could have Darron Gibson back at the Liberty Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland international has been out of action for five games due to a knee problem but Toffees manager David Moyes says Gibson's fitness is improving and has indicated he could feature against the Swans.

Fellow midfielder Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and wideman Seamus Coleman (thigh) remain sidelined.

Stoke City vs Manchester City: LIVE at 17:30pm


This match will come from The Brittania Stadium, as 2nd placed Manchester City can leapfrog rivals United into 1st place, two points ahead (at least until Monday) with a win at Stoke.

Manchester City hope to have captain Vincent Kompany back for Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke.

The Belgium defender has an outside chance of returning after missing three games with a calf injury but centre-back partner Joleon Lescott (hip) is ruled out.

Striker Carlos Tevez is again expected to be on the bench after making his first appearance for six months in the midweek win over Chelsea.

Stoke winger Matthew Etherington (ankle) is fit to return after missing the midweek draw against Tottenham.

Midfielder Salif Diao (hamstring) is likely to miss out but defender Jonathan Woodgate, who has not played for a month, could come into contention for a place on the bench.

Striker Ricardo Fuller misses out as he completes a three-match suspension.

Sunday:


West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle United: LIVE at 16:00pm


This match will be played at The Hawthorns, as 13th placed West Brom host 6th placed Newcastle in a slight mis-match.

West Brom centre-back Jonas Olsson will return after a one-match suspension for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle on Sunday.

Olsson's probable recall alongside Gareth McAuley means Liam Ridgewell is likely to revert from central defence to left-back in place of Nicky Shorey.

Albion are hopeful striker Peter Odemwingie will be fit after missing the 1-1 draw at Wigan last weekend with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Zoltan Gera (knee) and right-back Steven Reid (foot) remain long-term absentees.

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is rated at 50-50 to return from injury.

The Ivory Coast international missed last weekend's 1-0 win over Norwich with a hamstring problem and remains a doubt, although full-back Danny Simpson has a chance of returning from his adductor strain.

Utility man Ryan Taylor (calf) is still out, as are long-term casualties Peter Lovenkrands (thigh), Leon Best and Sammy Ameobi (both knee), Steven Taylor (Achilles) and Sylvain Marveaux (groin).

Monday:


Manchester United vs Fulham: LIVE at 20:00pm


1st placed Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford. A win will ensure that they stay at the top of the EPL table ahead of rivals City in 2nd place who are only 1 point behind The Red Devils.

Sir Alex Ferguson will be picking from strength when Manchester United face Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday.

Nani (ankle), Anders Lindegaard (ankle) and Michael Owen (thigh) are the only absentees, along with long-term casualties Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher.

Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, Fabio, Paul Pogba and Phil Jones all came through a reserve outing on Thursday unscathed.

Fulham have no new major concerns heading into Monday's trip north.

The Cottagers came through last week's defeat to Swansea unscathed, although they will be without third-choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for at least the next couple of weeks with a wrist problem.

Zdenek Grygera (knee), Steve Sidwell (hernia) and Orlando Sa (hamstring) are expected to be the only notable absentees.