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New Duo Make The Bench via Official EFC

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Yannick Bolasie and Ashley Williams feature in an Everton squad for the first time as the Blues take on West Brom. The new Blues duo are joined on the bench by Romelu Lukaku, with the striker having m…
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Lukaku, Bolasie and Williams all likely to feature via Royal Blue Mersey

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Trio have trained with the squad this week

Forward Romelu Lukaku trained fully on Thursday and might be short of match fitness, but should be a lock to start in the Everton XI today against West Bromwich Albion. The Belgian forward will have fond memories of The Hawthorns, where he spent a glorious 2012-13 season on loan from Chelsea scoring seventeen goals in the process. He missed the Toffees’ season opener last weekend after getting stitches in a heel injury during the Blues’ last pre-season game against Espanyol.

Seamus Coleman will still be out at least another couple of weeks, while Muhamed Besic is still recovering from knee surgery this offseason. Youngster Tyias Browning is also recovering from a knee injury.

For the Baggies, James Morrison has fully recovered in midfield after playing against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Left-sided player Chris Brunt is out for at least another couple of months after incurring a serious knee injury that resulted in the player missing the Euro 2016 tournament with Northern Ireland.

New Everton signing Yannick Bolasie is in a unique situation where he could face the same opponent in consecutive Saturdays, having come on in the 66th minute last weekend for Palace against West Brom. Bolasie will be keen to not repeat the result though, getting booked and then eventually losing the game.


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Romelu Lukaku tells Everton boss Ronald Koeman he is ready to stay at Goodison Park, with Chelsea reluctant to pay £75m asking price via Daily Mail

Ronald Koeman has revealed that Romelu Lukaku came into his office on Friday and said he was ready to stay. Lukaku has been a target for Chelsea this summer but no bid has been made.
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Burnley v Liverpool, Watford v Chelsea and more: football clockwatch – live! via The Guardian


3.53pm BST

Back with more, shortly. Remember, however your team are getting on, it could always be worse:

Şoimii Pâncota having a rough start to the season in Romania's Liga II https://t.co/49nQ6ToVdL pic.twitter.com/5yLP5FZWoY

3.52pm BST

“Dundee United completely dominating their west coast counterparts Ayr, leading 2-0, as are Hibs at St. Mirren” says Simon McMahon.

“And Cowdenbeath, the small club from the small city, have taken the lead against the small club from the big (Edinburgh) City”.

3.51pm BST

Birmingham 1-0 Wolves
Blackburn 1-1 Burton
Bristol City 0-1 Newcastle
Fulham 1-0 Cardiff
Huddersfield 1-0 Barnsley
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wigan
QPR 0-1 Preston
Reading 1-1 Brighton
Rotherham 1-0 Brentford

3.49pm BST

Burnley 2-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-0 Hull
Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace
West Brom 1-1 Everton
Watford 0-0 Chelsea

3.47pm BST

Everton equalise on the stroke of half-time, Barkley linking well with Mirallas, who fires the ball beyond Foster.

3.45pm BST

Liverpool looking to pull a goal back, with Coutinho and Sturridge failing to link up. They’ve had plenty of pressure, but the defensive tomfoolery seen at the Emirates has continued.

In the Championship, the provisional top two are Huddersfield and Fulham. Ryan Sessegnon, just 16 years old, has opened the scoring for the Cottagers against Cardiff.

3.43pm BST

Championship hot-shots Burton bag their eighth goal in four games, Jackson Irvine levelling it up at Blackburn. In League Two, Luke Berry’s penalty has made it Cambridge 2-1 Carlisle.

3.41pm BST

Lukaku replaces James McCarthy for Everton, who have a promising free kick at the Hawthorns – but Leighton Baines wellies it into the crowd. Robert Snodgrass appears to be hauled down by Amat on the edge of the area, but Stuart Attwell waves away Hull’s protests.

3.39pm BST

A piping hot transfer update: Claudio Bravo is set to join Manchester City next week, pushing Joe Hart closer to the exit door:

Related: Pep Guardiola’s hopes to sign Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo this week

3.38pm BST

Burnley double their lead, and it’s a lovely counter-attacking move led by Steven Defour. He tees up Andre Gray, who turns two defenders inside out, and fires into the far corner. Turf Moor goes wild!

3.37pm BST

Championship goals! Huddersfield lead Barnsley through Chris Lowe, Rotherham lead Brentford via Danny Ward, and Preston have taken a surprise lead at Loftus Road.

3.36pm BST

I'd have all seven Everton subs in my starting XI, and if they're fit enough for the bench, they're fit enough to play @niallmcveigh

You’re about to get (14.28% of) your wish Gary – Romelu Lukaku is coming on.

3.34pm BST

Plymouth lead 2-0 at home to Mansfield, with Graham Carey scoring both. At the other end of the country, Hearts are also two goals to the good against Inverness, who look set to stay rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

3.32pm BST

Everton struggling up front with Gerard Deulofeu leading the line, summed up by Gareth Barry getting forward for their best chance – firing a shot from ten yards straight at Foster. Still goalless at Swansea, with Jack Cork pinging a shot wide from distance.

3.30pm BST

A smart double save from Hennessey, who parries a deflected shot from Kane and gets up to save the rebound from Vincent Janssen. Liverpool continue to threaten, with Danny Sturridge flashing a shot wide of Heaton’s far post. Speaking of Heaton, here’s an interview with Burnley’s No1:

Related: Burnley’s Tom Heaton: ‘It got heated for a minute or two with Alex Ferguson’

3.26pm BST

Lallana tests Tom Heaton with a low cross-shot to be filed under ‘languid’. In the Championship, Blackburn lead Burton through Craig Conway, with a 25-yard screamer that will bring some cheer to the Rovers faithful, while in a West Midlands showdown, Birmingham lead Wolves 1-0.

3.24pm BST

A Vicarage Road update from Alan Smith, who tells me there is horizontal rain, and the floodlights are being switched on and off, for some reason. On the pitch, lots of running and battling, not much goalmouth action – but Odion Ighalo has just fired over from an Amrabat cross. Thanks, Alan.

3.22pm BST

Newcastle lead at Ashton Gate, Dwight Gayle getting in behind the home defence and tucking the ball in the far corner. At Ibrox, former Celtic striker Scott McDonald has made it Rangers 0-1 Motherwell.

3.20pm BST

From a Palace corner, Eriksen breaks for Spurs with support on either side, but delays the killer ball for far too long. A lively affair at the City Ground, where Wigan have levelled, and Matty Cash has just troubled the woodwork.

3.18pm BST

Cameron McGeehan has put Luton ahead in the er, A505 derby, against Stevenage. In League One, more bad news for Sheffield United – they’re a goal down at Millwall, while Coventry lead Bradford at Valley Parade.

3.16pm BST

Miguel Britos has been busy at Vicarage Road, firing a low shot at Courtois before sticking to Eden Hazard and cutting out his cross as Chelsea tried to break. Liverpool turning the screw at Burnley, winning a couple of corners and forcing the hosts into some agricultural clearances.

3.14pm BST

Toby Alderweireld fires a bullet header straight at Wayne Hennessey as Spurs search for a breakthrough. At Turf Moor, Liverpool are enjoying a spell of possession after that flying start from Burnley.

“Re: the Klopp photo, you can see Henderson thinking ‘this is hardly the time for him to be showing me the chords to Let It Be’” says Oshi Mi-Chi.

3.11pm BST

Here are the kits on show this afternoon – some highly dubious choices there.

Take a look at how the #PL clubs will be kitted out this weekend… pic.twitter.com/HFY6awzaUs

3.10pm BST

Given the teams and the scoreline, it’s no great surprise this came from a set piece. A corner, to be precise, nodded in by Gareth McAuley with Maarten Stekelenburg caught out of position.

3.09pm BST

Sigurdsson is inches away from putting Swansea ahead, as his half-volley is turned onto the bar by Jakupovic. Nottingham Forest lead at home to Wigan through Britt Assombalonga, while Brighton have equalised in short order against Reading.

3.07pm BST

Early goals ahoy in Leagues One & Two: Scunthorpe lead 1-0 at home to Gillingham, while John Akinde has fired Barnet ahead at Crawley.

In the Championship, Matt Ritchie is causing Bristol City problems at Ashton Gate, holding its biggest crowd for 26 years with Newcastle in town.

3.05pm BST

Crystal Palace start strongly at White Hart Lane, with Jason Puncheon testing Michel Vorm. Back in Burnley, Dejan Lovren denies Andre Gray with a terrific last-ditch tackle, as the hosts cause havoc in the Liverpool defence.

3.03pm BST

John Swift has scored a suitably early goal for Reading, firing past David Stockdale to give them the lead at home to Brighton.

3.02pm BST

Oh boy. Clyne gives the ball away, Gray slides the ball into Vokes, who turns neatly and fires into Mignolet’s top corner!

3.01pm BST

They’re off at Turf Moor, and elsewhere.

2.59pm BST

Kick-off is imminent – here’s a couple of match reports while you wait:

Related: Manchester City brush aside Stoke with Sergio Agüero and Nolito doubles

Related: Marcus Antonsson makes his mark for Leeds in win at Sheffield Wednesday

2.56pm BST

In more pre-match news, Liverpool, who are wearing their bright green third kit at Burnley, are currently warming up in snazzy matching anoraks:

2.53pm BST

When unveilings go wrong…

Roberto Pereyra and Younes Kaboul get a soaking from the on-pitch sprinklers as a pre-match welcome to #WFC at Vicarage Road…

2.47pm BST

“Is Dele Alli on the naughty step?” asks John Tumbridge. I couldn’t possibly comment, but he starts on the bench for Spurs, who go for Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier in an uncompromising central midfield pairing.

2.45pm BST

2.38pm BST

“Is Benteke not playing for Palace today because he actually signed for Burnley?” asks Ian Copestake. I wonder if Sean Dyche is looking into whether Twitter profiles are legally binding.

2.37pm BST

Here’s what else to look out for in the second tier:

2.25pm BST

Results

In the early kick-off, it’s finished Stoke 1-4 Man City. Sergio Agüero scored twice to give the visitors a comfortable half-time lead, before Bojan pulled one back from the spot. Nolito scored two late goals to add some gloss, as City join United at the top of the table.

2.20pm BST

Here’s Simon McMahon, acting like the Scottish Premiership no longer exists:

You forgot to mention Scotland’s game of the day at Tannadice where there’s an East v West battle of the United’s as Dundee United welcome Ayr United. I forgive you, though. Ray McKinnon’s United have endured a tricky start to life in the Scottish Championship, with a draw and a defeat in their opening two games. Expect the fired up Tannadice men to take all three points today. Other games include Raith Rovers v Dunfermline and St. Mirren v Hibs.

2.15pm BST

And finally, to the Liberty Stadium, where Borja Baston is unavailable for the hosts. Hull, in entirely unsurprising news, are unchanged.

2.11pm BST

Tottenham start with Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen together up front, while Conor Wickham is Palace’s lone striker – perhaps for the last time in a little while.

2.09pm BST

At the Hawthorns, Ronald Koeman names Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie and Romely Lukaku on a stacked subs’ bench. Saido Berahino, now looking set to stay at West Brom, starts for the hosts.

2.06pm BST

At Turf Moor, record signing Steven Defour makes his debut, while Sadio Mané isn’t fit to start, and James Milner(!) replaces Alberto Moreno at left back.

2.03pm BST

Starting with Watford v Chelsea…

Watford: Gomes; Cathcart, Prodl, Britos, Holebas; Guedioura,
Behrami, Capoue, Amrabat; Ighalo, Deeney.
Subs: Nyom, Doucoure, Zuniga, Vydra, Anya, Pantilimon, Hoban.

1.58pm BST

Team news and Football League previews to come – but first, Christian Benteke is officially a Crystal Palace player – although he caused a flurry of excitement on Twitter, specifically in the Burnley area, earlier:

Benteke’s Twitter accidentally reads that he went to Burnley, not Crystal Palace https://t.co/pKld3Si2ZQ pic.twitter.com/KSaYOGuggT

Oops my bad lol Yes I signed for cpfc and not burnley. Sorry for the little mistake the person that manages my Twitter got a little confused

6.41pm BST

Hello. A solid 50% of this weekend’s top-flight games are kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday, and among the five matches in question, we could well see history made, with plenty of barren runs there to be ended.

Crystal Palace may have passed through the Lane on the road to Wembley, but they haven’t won at Tottenham in the league since November 1997, when Neil Shipperley brought in the Christian Gross era with a bang.

4.11pm BST

Here are today’s 3pm kick-offs:

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West Brom 1-2 Everton via GrandOldTeam

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Everton come from behind to take all three points at West Brom.

McAuley gave West Brom the lead just before 10 minutes, but Kevin Mirallas equalised in first half stoppage time before Gareth Barry headed in the winner to give Ronald Koeman his first league victory as Everton manager and to also end a torrid run in which Everton had lost their last 10 games in all competitions when their opponents scored first.

Ronald Koeman opted to name the same starting 11 as the team that drew 1-1 with Spurs.

Match report to follow.

The post West Brom 1-2 Everton appeared first on GrandOldTeam.

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Burnley 2-0 Liverpool, Watford 1-2 Chelsea and more: football clockwatch – live! via The Guardian


4.57pm BST

Victor Wanyama’s close-range header earns Spurs a narrow win to deny battling Palace a point.

4.56pm BST

Hull join Manchester City and Manchester United at the top after another hard-earned win, with Shaun Maloney and Abel Hernandez on target.

4.55pm BST

Another comeback win, as Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa, who could have been sent off, turn things around for Chelsea after Etienne Capoue’s opener.

4.54pm BST

Steam pours out of Iain Dowie’s ears, as Thomas Lam fires Forest into a 4-3 lead over Wigan.

4.54pm BST

A late set-piece for West Brom, and Ben Foster heads upfield – and fires a volley just wide of the near post! That’s full time, and Everton fight back to earn their first win of the season.

4.52pm BST

Michy Batshauyi rattles the bar at Vicarage Road as Chelsea finish on the front foot. In League One, a Steve Morison penalty has earned Millwall victory over Sheffield United, and Gareth Barry’s nephew Brad has given Swindon victory over Port Vale.

4.51pm BST

Goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray give Burnley a famous first win of the season. Jürgen Klopp has work to do (defensive drills) on the training ground.

4.50pm BST

Hull soak up pressure, break at speed, and Abel Hernandez seals the win. This is quite the job interview from Mike Phelan.

4.48pm BST

Liverpool are running out of time, going into injury time two goals down. Fulham equalise at Craven Cottage through Kevin McDonald – and Burton follow suit at Blackburn. 2-2 in both matches, and at Reading, where Brighton have held on despite the hosts’ pressure in the second half.

4.47pm BST

Will Grigg heads in for Wigan to level things at 3-3! That’s his fourth goal of the season. He’s scoring a lot of goals lately.

4.45pm BST

Diego Costa, booked for dissent but not for diving, is set free by a Cesc Fabregas through ball, and tucks the ball underneath Gomes! That could be a second late winner from Costa in a week…

4.44pm BST

Gillingham have crumbled at Scunthorpe, and are now 5-0 down – Tom Hopper with the latest goal for the Iron.

4.42pm BST

Spurs finally make the breakthrough, and it’s Victor Wanyama who heads home on his home debut. It’s looking like no points, no goals for Palace…

4.40pm BST

A bad day at the office for Inverness – they’re 5-0 down at Tynecastle, Sam Nicholson with the latest Hearts goal. Portsmouth lead Colchester in League Two, and Ollie Burke has struck again for Nottingham Forest – they lead Wigan, as Ian Dowie just put it, “1-0, 2-1… 3-2!”

4.39pm BST

@niallmcveigh "Will Grigg's playing well, your defence is mildly worried." I can see it catching on.

4.38pm BST

Chelsea are level, Hazard’s shot proving too hot for Gomes to handle – and Batshuayi is where he needs to be to turn the ball home. Now they’re pressing for the win…

4.37pm BST

Hull break out of defence and force a series of set pieces, and from Davies’ flick-on, sub Shaun Maloney bundles home! They’re at it again…

4.36pm BST

At Watford, the assistant referee does Branislav Ivanovic a favour, flagging him offside seconds before he heads a sitter a mile wide of goal. Fabregas and Batshuayi are on, with time running out.

4.35pm BST

Two subs for Liverpool – Alberto Moreno(!) is on for Milner, and Marko Grujic is on for Adam Lallana. At the Liberty Stadium, it’s been a backs-to-the-wall job for Hull, but they’re holding on for a point.

4.33pm BST

Will Grigg has equalised for Wigan at the City Ground. He’s in good form, Grigg – playing very well, you might say.

4.32pm BST

Leicester v Arsenal is today’s appetising teatime top-flight offering: you can follow it with Rob Smyth.

Related: Leicester City v Arsenal: Premier League – live!

4.30pm BST

A far more legitimate penalty shout for Chelsea – the ball striking Craig Cathcart’s hand from a cross. Nothing’s given, but it should have been. Jon Moss not having the best afternoon.

In League One, Coventry’s afternoon has gone to pieces – a red card, an equaliser and a second Bradford goal in the space of three minutes. Elsewhere – specifically, in Walsall – it’s Walsall 1-1 Charlton.

4.28pm BST

Cardiff have turned it around at Craven Cottage, Anthony Pilkington putting the Bluebirds ahead. At White Hart Lane, Janssen has a great chance to break the deadlock – but he fires wide of goal!

4.27pm BST

Danny Batth has fired Walter Zenga’s Wolves into the lead at St. Andrew’s, while at Vicarage Road, Costa throws himself over in search of a penalty. Jon Moss chuckles at the comical effort, but doesn’t book the striker – who was on a yellow card.

Moments later, Chelsea win a free kick out on the right of the area, but Watford bundle it away. Victor Moses, would you believe, is coming on for Chelsea.

4.24pm BST

Equalisers! It’s Fulham 1-1 Cardiff in the Championship, Rangers 1-1 Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, Oxford 1-1 Peterborough in League One, and Tranmere 1-1 Maidstone in the National League.

4.22pm BST

Iceland get the better of England once again, as Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson skips past Jordan Henderson and draws a foul, and a booking for the Liverpool captain.

4.21pm BST

Changes aplenty as we pass the hour mark: Sturridge is replaced by Divock Origi for Liverpool, Dele Alli is coming on for Spurs, and new boy Yannick Bolasie is about to make his Everton entrance.

4.19pm BST

Ben Foster makes a great save from Funes Mori, but from the corner, Gareth Barry heads in at the far post. That’s his first Premier League goal since January 2014.

4.18pm BST

There’s a chronic lack of wind in Liverpool’s sails, and they’re struggling to hold onto the ball like they did in the first half.

4.16pm BST

Oliver Burke puts Nottingham Forest 2-1 up at home to Wigan, and Paul McShane pulls Reading level – it’s now Reading 2-2 Brighton. Aberdeen lead Partick 2-0 at Pittodrie, and Bolton are back on track at home to Fleetwood – Gary Madine with the equaliser.

4.13pm BST

Watford lead! Etienne Capoue chests down a cross from the right and lashes the ball into the top corner. Finish.

4.11pm BST

At Vicarage Road, Oscar’s low cross from the right just evades Eden Hazard. More goals in the Championship: Preston lead 2-0 at QPR, while Joe Mason has levelled things up for Wolves with an absolute peach.

4.09pm BST

Everton start the second half on top at West Brom, but the hosts have the first clear chance – Darren Fletcher testing Stekelenburg from an angle, the keeper saving with his foot. At Turf Moor, Roberto Firmino almost embarrasses Tom Heaton with a lob from 30 yards.

4.07pm BST

Barnsley level at Huddersfield through Alfie Mawson, while in League One, Oxford get a welcome goal to take the lead over Peterborough.

4.07pm BST

The temperature remains lukewarm at Vicarage Road, where Chelsea can’t find any forward momentum. And on the touchline, where Mazzarri and Conte have yet to resume their Serie A beef.

4.05pm BST

Heartwarming scenes at Ashton Gate:

A man just proposed on the Ashton Gate pitch at half-time. She said yes. The crowd booed the couple off. #BristolCity #NUFC #bbcefl

4.04pm BST

Anthony Knockaert fires Brighton ahead at Reading – Jaap Stam’s team talk not exactly working wonders for the hosts.

4.02pm BST

Back under way around the grounds. A big 45 minutes for Liverpool, two goals down at Burnley…

3.53pm BST

Back with more, shortly. Remember, however your team are getting on, it could always be worse:

Şoimii Pâncota having a rough start to the season in Romania's Liga II https://t.co/49nQ6ToVdL pic.twitter.com/5yLP5FZWoY

3.52pm BST

“Dundee United completely dominating their west coast counterparts Ayr, leading 2-0, as are Hibs at St. Mirren” says Simon McMahon.

“And Cowdenbeath, the small club from the small city, have taken the lead against the small club from the big (Edinburgh) City”.

3.51pm BST

Birmingham 1-0 Wolves
Blackburn 1-1 Burton
Bristol City 0-1 Newcastle
Fulham 1-0 Cardiff
Huddersfield 1-0 Barnsley
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wigan
QPR 0-1 Preston
Reading 1-1 Brighton
Rotherham 1-0 Brentford

3.49pm BST

Burnley 2-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-0 Hull
Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace
West Brom 1-1 Everton
Watford 0-0 Chelsea

3.47pm BST

Everton equalise on the stroke of half-time, Barkley linking well with Mirallas, who fires the ball beyond Foster.

3.45pm BST

Liverpool looking to pull a goal back, with Coutinho and Sturridge failing to link up. They’ve had plenty of pressure, but the defensive tomfoolery seen at the Emirates has continued.

In the Championship, the provisional top two are Huddersfield and Fulham. Ryan Sessegnon, just 16 years old, has opened the scoring for the Cottagers against Cardiff.

3.43pm BST

Championship hot-shots Burton bag their eighth goal in four games, Jackson Irvine levelling it up at Blackburn. In League Two, Luke Berry’s penalty has made it Cambridge 2-1 Carlisle.

3.41pm BST

Lukaku replaces James McCarthy for Everton, who have a promising free kick at the Hawthorns – but Leighton Baines wellies it into the crowd. Robert Snodgrass appears to be hauled down by Amat on the edge of the area, but Stuart Attwell waves away Hull’s protests.

3.39pm BST

A piping hot transfer update: Claudio Bravo is set to join Manchester City next week, pushing Joe Hart closer to the exit door:

Related: Pep Guardiola’s hopes to sign Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo this week

3.38pm BST

Burnley double their lead, and it’s a lovely counter-attacking move led by Steven Defour. He tees up Andre Gray, who turns two defenders inside out, and fires into the far corner. Turf Moor goes wild!

3.37pm BST

Championship goals! Huddersfield lead Barnsley through Chris Lowe, Rotherham lead Brentford via Danny Ward, and Preston have taken a surprise lead at Loftus Road.

3.36pm BST

I'd have all seven Everton subs in my starting XI, and if they're fit enough for the bench, they're fit enough to play @niallmcveigh

You’re about to get (14.28% of) your wish Gary – Romelu Lukaku is coming on.

3.34pm BST

Plymouth lead 2-0 at home to Mansfield, with Graham Carey scoring both. At the other end of the country, Hearts are also two goals to the good against Inverness, who look set to stay rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

3.32pm BST

Everton struggling up front with Gerard Deulofeu leading the line, summed up by Gareth Barry getting forward for their best chance – firing a shot from ten yards straight at Foster. Still goalless at Swansea, with Jack Cork pinging a shot wide from distance.

3.30pm BST

A smart double save from Hennessey, who parries a deflected shot from Kane and gets up to save the rebound from Vincent Janssen. Liverpool continue to threaten, with Danny Sturridge flashing a shot wide of Heaton’s far post. Speaking of Heaton, here’s an interview with Burnley’s No1:

Related: Burnley’s Tom Heaton: ‘It got heated for a minute or two with Alex Ferguson’

3.26pm BST

Lallana tests Tom Heaton with a low cross-shot to be filed under ‘languid’. In the Championship, Blackburn lead Burton through Craig Conway, with a 25-yard screamer that will bring some cheer to the Rovers faithful, while in a West Midlands showdown, Birmingham lead Wolves 1-0.

3.24pm BST

A Vicarage Road update from Alan Smith, who tells me there is horizontal rain, and the floodlights are being switched on and off, for some reason. On the pitch, lots of running and battling, not much goalmouth action – but Odion Ighalo has just fired over from an Amrabat cross. Thanks, Alan.

3.22pm BST

Newcastle lead at Ashton Gate, Dwight Gayle getting in behind the home defence and tucking the ball in the far corner. At Ibrox, former Celtic striker Scott McDonald has made it Rangers 0-1 Motherwell.

3.20pm BST

From a Palace corner, Eriksen breaks for Spurs with support on either side, but delays the killer ball for far too long. A lively affair at the City Ground, where Wigan have levelled, and Matty Cash has just troubled the woodwork.

3.18pm BST

Cameron McGeehan has put Luton ahead in the er, A505 derby, against Stevenage. In League One, more bad news for Sheffield United – they’re a goal down at Millwall, while Coventry lead Bradford at Valley Parade.

3.16pm BST

Miguel Britos has been busy at Vicarage Road, firing a low shot at Courtois before sticking to Eden Hazard and cutting out his cross as Chelsea tried to break. Liverpool turning the screw at Burnley, winning a couple of corners and forcing the hosts into some agricultural clearances.

3.14pm BST

Toby Alderweireld fires a bullet header straight at Wayne Hennessey as Spurs search for a breakthrough. At Turf Moor, Liverpool are enjoying a spell of possession after that flying start from Burnley.

“Re: the Klopp photo, you can see Henderson thinking ‘this is hardly the time for him to be showing me the chords to Let It Be’” says Oshi Mi-Chi.

3.11pm BST

Here are the kits on show this afternoon – some highly dubious choices there.

Take a look at how the #PL clubs will be kitted out this weekend… pic.twitter.com/HFY6awzaUs

3.10pm BST

Given the teams and the scoreline, it’s no great surprise this came from a set piece. A corner, to be precise, nodded in by Gareth McAuley with Maarten Stekelenburg caught out of position.

3.09pm BST

Sigurdsson is inches away from putting Swansea ahead, as his half-volley is turned onto the bar by Jakupovic. Nottingham Forest lead at home to Wigan through Britt Assombalonga, while Brighton have equalised in short order against Reading.

3.07pm BST

Early goals ahoy in Leagues One & Two: Scunthorpe lead 1-0 at home to Gillingham, while John Akinde has fired Barnet ahead at Crawley.

In the Championship, Matt Ritchie is causing Bristol City problems at Ashton Gate, holding its biggest crowd for 26 years with Newcastle in town.

3.05pm BST

Crystal Palace start strongly at White Hart Lane, with Jason Puncheon testing Michel Vorm. Back in Burnley, Dejan Lovren denies Andre Gray with a terrific last-ditch tackle, as the hosts cause havoc in the Liverpool defence.

3.03pm BST

John Swift has scored a suitably early goal for Reading, firing past David Stockdale to give them the lead at home to Brighton.

3.02pm BST

Oh boy. Clyne gives the ball away, Gray slides the ball into Vokes, who turns neatly and fires into Mignolet’s top corner!

3.01pm BST

They’re off at Turf Moor, and elsewhere.

2.59pm BST

Kick-off is imminent – here’s a couple of match reports while you wait:

Related: Manchester City brush aside Stoke with Sergio Agüero and Nolito doubles

Related: Marcus Antonsson makes his mark for Leeds in win at Sheffield Wednesday

2.56pm BST

In more pre-match news, Liverpool, who are wearing their bright green third kit at Burnley, are currently warming up in snazzy matching anoraks:

2.53pm BST

When unveilings go wrong…

Roberto Pereyra and Younes Kaboul get a soaking from the on-pitch sprinklers as a pre-match welcome to #WFC at Vicarage Road…

2.47pm BST

“Is Dele Alli on the naughty step?” asks John Tumbridge. I couldn’t possibly comment, but he starts on the bench for Spurs, who go for Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier in an uncompromising central midfield pairing.

2.45pm BST

2.38pm BST

“Is Benteke not playing for Palace today because he actually signed for Burnley?” asks Ian Copestake. I wonder if Sean Dyche is looking into whether Twitter profiles are legally binding.

2.37pm BST

Here’s what else to look out for in the second tier:

2.25pm BST

Results

In the early kick-off, it’s finished Stoke 1-4 Man City. Sergio Agüero scored twice to give the visitors a comfortable half-time lead, before Bojan pulled one back from the spot. Nolito scored two late goals to add some gloss, as City join United at the top of the table.

2.20pm BST

Here’s Simon McMahon, acting like the Scottish Premiership no longer exists:

You forgot to mention Scotland’s game of the day at Tannadice where there’s an East v West battle of the United’s as Dundee United welcome Ayr United. I forgive you, though. Ray McKinnon’s United have endured a tricky start to life in the Scottish Championship, with a draw and a defeat in their opening two games. Expect the fired up Tannadice men to take all three points today. Other games include Raith Rovers v Dunfermline and St. Mirren v Hibs.

2.15pm BST

And finally, to the Liberty Stadium, where Borja Baston is unavailable for the hosts. Hull, in entirely unsurprising news, are unchanged.

2.11pm BST

Tottenham start with Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen together up front, while Conor Wickham is Palace’s lone striker – perhaps for the last time in a little while.

2.09pm BST

At the Hawthorns, Ronald Koeman names Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie and Romely Lukaku on a stacked subs’ bench. Saido Berahino, now looking set to stay at West Brom, starts for the hosts.

2.06pm BST

At Turf Moor, record signing Steven Defour makes his debut, while Sadio Mané isn’t fit to start, and James Milner(!) replaces Alberto Moreno at left back.

2.03pm BST

Starting with Watford v Chelsea…

Watford: Gomes; Cathcart, Prodl, Britos, Holebas; Guedioura,
Behrami, Capoue, Amrabat; Ighalo, Deeney.
Subs: Nyom, Doucoure, Zuniga, Vydra, Anya, Pantilimon, Hoban.

1.58pm BST

Team news and Football League previews to come – but first, Christian Benteke is officially a Crystal Palace player – although he caused a flurry of excitement on Twitter, specifically in the Burnley area, earlier:

Benteke’s Twitter accidentally reads that he went to Burnley, not Crystal Palace https://t.co/pKld3Si2ZQ pic.twitter.com/KSaYOGuggT

Oops my bad lol Yes I signed for cpfc and not burnley. Sorry for the little mistake the person that manages my Twitter got a little confused

6.41pm BST

Hello. A solid 50% of this weekend’s top-flight games are kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday, and among the five matches in question, we could well see history made, with plenty of barren runs there to be ended.

Crystal Palace may have passed through the Lane on the road to Wembley, but they haven’t won at Tottenham in the league since November 1997, when Neil Shipperley brought in the Christian Gross era with a bang.

4.11pm BST

Here are today’s 3pm kick-offs:

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Gareth Barry completes Everton revival with winning header against West Brom via The Guardian

A decisive intervention from Ronald Koeman gave his new Everton charges three points at the Hawthorns in a typically physical contest against Tony Pulis’s West Bromwich Albion.

The home side gained an early advantage when Gareth McAuley headed home, but the first-half substitution of James McCarthy for Romelu Lukaku and the change of formation it brought about helped Everton to draw level before half-time through Kevin Mirallas. The Toffees went on to impose themselves on the second half and decided the match with Gareth Barry’s close-range header.

Related: Victor Wanyama strikes late for Tottenham to see off Crystal Palace

Related: Chelsea’s Diego Costa pounces late to sink battling Watford

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Burnley 2-0 Liverpool, Watford 1-2 Chelsea: clockwatch – as it happened! via The Guardian

Sam Vokes and Andre Gray scored as Burnley stunned Liverpool, Diego Costa scored another late winner for Chelsea, Hull extended their winning start to the season and there were hard-fought wins for Everton and Spurs

5.26pm BST

Thanks for joining me, and don’t forget you can follow Leicester 1-1 Arsenal with Rob Smyth right now. I’ll leave you with the rest of today’s match reports. Cheerio!

Related: Shaun Maloney hands Hull second win in a row at Swansea

Related: Gareth Barry completes Everton revival with winning header against West Brom

Related: Chelsea’s Diego Costa pounces late to sink battling Watford

5.24pm BST

In League One, Bolton extended their 100% run with a hard-earned home win over Fleetwood. Scunthorpe thrashed Gillingham to stay on the Trotters’ tails, while Millwall and Oxford won through late penalties. Shrewsbury surprised Chesterfield, Bradford fought back to beat Coventry, and Charlton earned a welcome win at Walsall. There were also away wins for Oldham and MK Dons, and Wimbledon got their first point of the season at Northampton.

In League Two, Luton were undone by struggling Stevenage, and second-placed Colchester lost at Portsmouth. That means Morecambe are the new leaders after the Shrimps won at Yeovil. Bottom club Exeter won at Accrington, Plymouth beat Mansfield and there were away wins for Doncaster, Leyton Orient and Notts County. The four remaining games – Blackpool v Wycombe, Cambridge v Carlisle, Newport v Crewe and Crawley v Barnet – all finished level.

5.11pm BST

Match reports, get yer match reports, starting with Burnley’s win over Liverpool:

Related: Burnley and Sam Vokes catch Liverpool cold as Klopp’s men fire blanks

Related: Victor Wanyama strikes late for Tottenham to see off Crystal Palace

5.07pm BST

In Scotland, Rangers have scored a last-gasp winner – who else but Kenny Miller? They’re going top of the table. Elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, it finished Hearts 5-1 Inverness, Aberdeen 2-1 Partick and Ross County 2-0 Kilmarnock. Dundee United, Hibs and Queen of the South won in the Championship, and in League Two, the mighty Edinburgh City went down 2-0 at Cowdenbeath.

5.01pm BST

Birmingham 1-3 Wolves
Blackburn 2-2 Burton
Bristol City 0-1 Newcastle
Fulham 1-2 Cardiff
Huddersfield 2-1 Barnsley
Nottingham Forest 4-3 Wigan
QPR 0-2 Preston
Reading 2-2 Brighton
Rotherham 1-0 Brentford

5.00pm BST

Burnley 2-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-2 Hull
Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace
West Brom 1-2 Everton
Watford 1-2 Chelsea

4.58pm BST

The usual late Football League drama: Wolves fire in a third at Birmingham, Stevenage shock Luton in League Two, going 2-1 up at the death; and back in the Championship, Huddersfield Town are going top – Jonathan Hogg gets the winner against Barnsley.

4.57pm BST

Victor Wanyama’s close-range header earns Spurs a narrow win to deny battling Palace a point.

4.56pm BST

Hull join Manchester City and Manchester United at the top after another hard-earned win, with Shaun Maloney and Abel Hernandez on target.

4.55pm BST

Another comeback win, as Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa, who could have been sent off, turn things around for Chelsea after Etienne Capoue’s opener.

4.54pm BST

Steam pours out of Iain Dowie’s ears, as Thomas Lam fires Forest into a 4-3 lead over Wigan.

4.54pm BST

A late set-piece for West Brom, and Ben Foster heads upfield – and fires a volley just wide of the near post! That’s full time, and Everton fight back to earn their first win of the season.

4.52pm BST

Michy Batshauyi rattles the bar at Vicarage Road as Chelsea finish on the front foot. In League One, a Steve Morison penalty has earned Millwall victory over Sheffield United, and Gareth Barry’s nephew Brad has given Swindon victory over Port Vale.

4.51pm BST

Goals from Sam Vokes and Andre Gray give Burnley a famous first win of the season. Jürgen Klopp has work to do (defensive drills) on the training ground.

4.50pm BST

Hull soak up pressure, break at speed, and Abel Hernandez seals the win. This is quite the job interview from Mike Phelan.

4.48pm BST

Liverpool are running out of time, going into injury time two goals down. Fulham equalise at Craven Cottage through Kevin McDonald – and Burton follow suit at Blackburn. 2-2 in both matches, and at Reading, where Brighton have held on despite the hosts’ pressure in the second half.

4.47pm BST

Will Grigg heads in for Wigan to level things at 3-3! That’s his fourth goal of the season. He’s scoring a lot of goals lately.

4.45pm BST

Diego Costa, booked for dissent but not for diving, is set free by a Cesc Fabregas through ball, and tucks the ball underneath Gomes! That could be a second late winner from Costa in a week…

4.44pm BST

Gillingham have crumbled at Scunthorpe, and are now 5-0 down – Tom Hopper with the latest goal for the Iron.

4.42pm BST

Spurs finally make the breakthrough, and it’s Victor Wanyama who heads home on his home debut. It’s looking like no points, no goals for Palace…

4.40pm BST

A bad day at the office for Inverness – they’re 5-0 down at Tynecastle, Sam Nicholson with the latest Hearts goal. Portsmouth lead Colchester in League Two, and Ollie Burke has struck again for Nottingham Forest – they lead Wigan, as Ian Dowie just put it, “1-0, 2-1… 3-2!”

4.39pm BST

@niallmcveigh "Will Grigg's playing well, your defence is mildly worried." I can see it catching on.

4.38pm BST

Chelsea are level, Hazard’s shot proving too hot for Gomes to handle – and Batshuayi is where he needs to be to turn the ball home. Now they’re pressing for the win…

4.37pm BST

Hull break out of defence and force a series of set pieces, and from Davies’ flick-on, sub Shaun Maloney bundles home! They’re at it again…

4.36pm BST

At Watford, the assistant referee does Branislav Ivanovic a favour, flagging him offside seconds before he heads a sitter a mile wide of goal. Fabregas and Batshuayi are on, with time running out.

4.35pm BST

Two subs for Liverpool – Alberto Moreno(!) is on for Milner, and Marko Grujic is on for Adam Lallana. At the Liberty Stadium, it’s been a backs-to-the-wall job for Hull, but they’re holding on for a point.

4.33pm BST

Will Grigg has equalised for Wigan at the City Ground. He’s in good form, Grigg – playing very well, you might say.

4.32pm BST

Leicester v Arsenal is today’s appetising teatime top-flight offering: you can follow it with Rob Smyth.

Related: Leicester City v Arsenal: Premier League – live!

4.30pm BST

A far more legitimate penalty shout for Chelsea – the ball striking Craig Cathcart’s hand from a cross. Nothing’s given, but it should have been. Jon Moss not having the best afternoon.

In League One, Coventry’s afternoon has gone to pieces – a red card, an equaliser and a second Bradford goal in the space of three minutes. Elsewhere – specifically, in Walsall – it’s Walsall 1-1 Charlton.

4.28pm BST

Cardiff have turned it around at Craven Cottage, Anthony Pilkington putting the Bluebirds ahead. At White Hart Lane, Janssen has a great chance to break the deadlock – but he fires wide of goal!

4.27pm BST

Danny Batth has fired Walter Zenga’s Wolves into the lead at St. Andrew’s, while at Vicarage Road, Costa throws himself over in search of a penalty. Jon Moss chuckles at the comical effort, but doesn’t book the striker – who was on a yellow card.

Moments later, Chelsea win a free kick out on the right of the area, but Watford bundle it away. Victor Moses, would you believe, is coming on for Chelsea.

4.24pm BST

Equalisers! It’s Fulham 1-1 Cardiff in the Championship, Rangers 1-1 Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership, Oxford 1-1 Peterborough in League One, and Tranmere 1-1 Maidstone in the National League.

4.22pm BST

Iceland get the better of England once again, as Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson skips past Jordan Henderson and draws a foul, and a booking for the Liverpool captain.

4.21pm BST

Changes aplenty as we pass the hour mark: Sturridge is replaced by Divock Origi for Liverpool, Dele Alli is coming on for Spurs, and new boy Yannick Bolasie is about to make his Everton entrance.

4.19pm BST

Ben Foster makes a great save from Funes Mori, but from the corner, Gareth Barry heads in at the far post. That’s his first Premier League goal since January 2014.

4.18pm BST

There’s a chronic lack of wind in Liverpool’s sails, and they’re struggling to hold onto the ball like they did in the first half.

4.16pm BST

Oliver Burke puts Nottingham Forest 2-1 up at home to Wigan, and Paul McShane pulls Reading level – it’s now Reading 2-2 Brighton. Aberdeen lead Partick 2-0 at Pittodrie, and Bolton are back on track at home to Fleetwood – Gary Madine with the equaliser.

4.13pm BST

Watford lead! Etienne Capoue chests down a cross from the right and lashes the ball into the top corner. Finish.

4.11pm BST

At Vicarage Road, Oscar’s low cross from the right just evades Eden Hazard. More goals in the Championship: Preston lead 2-0 at QPR, while Joe Mason has levelled things up for Wolves with an absolute peach.

4.09pm BST

Everton start the second half on top at West Brom, but the hosts have the first clear chance – Darren Fletcher testing Stekelenburg from an angle, the keeper saving with his foot. At Turf Moor, Roberto Firmino almost embarrasses Tom Heaton with a lob from 30 yards.

4.07pm BST

Barnsley level at Huddersfield through Alfie Mawson, while in League One, Oxford get a welcome goal to take the lead over Peterborough.

4.07pm BST

The temperature remains lukewarm at Vicarage Road, where Chelsea can’t find any forward momentum. And on the touchline, where Mazzarri and Conte have yet to resume their Serie A beef.

4.05pm BST

Heartwarming scenes at Ashton Gate:

A man just proposed on the Ashton Gate pitch at half-time. She said yes. The crowd booed the couple off. #BristolCity #NUFC #bbcefl

4.04pm BST

Anthony Knockaert fires Brighton ahead at Reading – Jaap Stam’s team talk not exactly working wonders for the hosts.

4.02pm BST

Back under way around the grounds. A big 45 minutes for Liverpool, two goals down at Burnley…

3.53pm BST

Back with more, shortly. Remember, however your team are getting on, it could always be worse:

Şoimii Pâncota having a rough start to the season in Romania's Liga II https://t.co/49nQ6ToVdL pic.twitter.com/5yLP5FZWoY

3.52pm BST

“Dundee United completely dominating their west coast counterparts Ayr, leading 2-0, as are Hibs at St. Mirren” says Simon McMahon.

“And Cowdenbeath, the small club from the small city, have taken the lead against the small club from the big (Edinburgh) City”.

3.51pm BST

Birmingham 1-0 Wolves
Blackburn 1-1 Burton
Bristol City 0-1 Newcastle
Fulham 1-0 Cardiff
Huddersfield 1-0 Barnsley
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Wigan
QPR 0-1 Preston
Reading 1-1 Brighton
Rotherham 1-0 Brentford

3.49pm BST

Burnley 2-0 Liverpool
Swansea 0-0 Hull
Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace
West Brom 1-1 Everton
Watford 0-0 Chelsea

3.47pm BST

Everton equalise on the stroke of half-time, Barkley linking well with Mirallas, who fires the ball beyond Foster.

3.45pm BST

Liverpool looking to pull a goal back, with Coutinho and Sturridge failing to link up. They’ve had plenty of pressure, but the defensive tomfoolery seen at the Emirates has continued.

In the Championship, the provisional top two are Huddersfield and Fulham. Ryan Sessegnon, just 16 years old, has opened the scoring for the Cottagers against Cardiff.

3.43pm BST

Championship hot-shots Burton bag their eighth goal in four games, Jackson Irvine levelling it up at Blackburn. In League Two, Luke Berry’s penalty has made it Cambridge 2-1 Carlisle.

3.41pm BST

Lukaku replaces James McCarthy for Everton, who have a promising free kick at the Hawthorns – but Leighton Baines wellies it into the crowd. Robert Snodgrass appears to be hauled down by Amat on the edge of the area, but Stuart Attwell waves away Hull’s protests.

3.39pm BST

A piping hot transfer update: Claudio Bravo is set to join Manchester City next week, pushing Joe Hart closer to the exit door:

Related: Pep Guardiola’s hopes to sign Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo this week

3.38pm BST

Burnley double their lead, and it’s a lovely counter-attacking move led by Steven Defour. He tees up Andre Gray, who turns two defenders inside out, and fires into the far corner. Turf Moor goes wild!

3.37pm BST

Championship goals! Huddersfield lead Barnsley through Chris Lowe, Rotherham lead Brentford via Danny Ward, and Preston have taken a surprise lead at Loftus Road.

3.36pm BST

I'd have all seven Everton subs in my starting XI, and if they're fit enough for the bench, they're fit enough to play @niallmcveigh

You’re about to get (14.28% of) your wish Gary – Romelu Lukaku is coming on.

3.34pm BST

Plymouth lead 2-0 at home to Mansfield, with Graham Carey scoring both. At the other end of the country, Hearts are also two goals to the good against Inverness, who look set to stay rock bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

3.32pm BST

Everton struggling up front with Gerard Deulofeu leading the line, summed up by Gareth Barry getting forward for their best chance – firing a shot from ten yards straight at Foster. Still goalless at Swansea, with Jack Cork pinging a shot wide from distance.

3.30pm BST

A smart double save from Hennessey, who parries a deflected shot from Kane and gets up to save the rebound from Vincent Janssen. Liverpool continue to threaten, with Danny Sturridge flashing a shot wide of Heaton’s far post. Speaking of Heaton, here’s an interview with Burnley’s No1:

Related: Burnley’s Tom Heaton: ‘It got heated for a minute or two with Alex Ferguson’

3.26pm BST

Lallana tests Tom Heaton with a low cross-shot to be filed under ‘languid’. In the Championship, Blackburn lead Burton through Craig Conway, with a 25-yard screamer that will bring some cheer to the Rovers faithful, while in a West Midlands showdown, Birmingham lead Wolves 1-0.

3.24pm BST

A Vicarage Road update from Alan Smith, who tells me there is horizontal rain, and the floodlights are being switched on and off, for some reason. On the pitch, lots of running and battling, not much goalmouth action – but Odion Ighalo has just fired over from an Amrabat cross. Thanks, Alan.

3.22pm BST

Newcastle lead at Ashton Gate, Dwight Gayle getting in behind the home defence and tucking the ball in the far corner. At Ibrox, former Celtic striker Scott McDonald has made it Rangers 0-1 Motherwell.

3.20pm BST

From a Palace corner, Eriksen breaks for Spurs with support on either side, but delays the killer ball for far too long. A lively affair at the City Ground, where Wigan have levelled, and Matty Cash has just troubled the woodwork.

3.18pm BST

Cameron McGeehan has put Luton ahead in the er, A505 derby, against Stevenage. In League One, more bad news for Sheffield United – they’re a goal down at Millwall, while Coventry lead Bradford at Valley Parade.

3.16pm BST

Miguel Britos has been busy at Vicarage Road, firing a low shot at Courtois before sticking to Eden Hazard and cutting out his cross as Chelsea tried to break. Liverpool turning the screw at Burnley, winning a couple of corners and forcing the hosts into some agricultural clearances.

3.14pm BST

Toby Alderweireld fires a bullet header straight at Wayne Hennessey as Spurs search for a breakthrough. At Turf Moor, Liverpool are enjoying a spell of possession after that flying start from Burnley.

“Re: the Klopp photo, you can see Henderson thinking ‘this is hardly the time for him to be showing me the chords to Let It Be’” says Oshi Mi-Chi.

3.11pm BST

Here are the kits on show this afternoon – some highly dubious choices there.

Take a look at how the #PL clubs will be kitted out this weekend… pic.twitter.com/HFY6awzaUs

3.10pm BST

Given the teams and the scoreline, it’s no great surprise this came from a set piece. A corner, to be precise, nodded in by Gareth McAuley with Maarten Stekelenburg caught out of position.

3.09pm BST

Sigurdsson is inches away from putting Swansea ahead, as his half-volley is turned onto the bar by Jakupovic. Nottingham Forest lead at home to Wigan through Britt Assombalonga, while Brighton have equalised in short order against Reading.

3.07pm BST

Early goals ahoy in Leagues One & Two: Scunthorpe lead 1-0 at home to Gillingham, while John Akinde has fired Barnet ahead at Crawley.

In the Championship, Matt Ritchie is causing Bristol City problems at Ashton Gate, holding its biggest crowd for 26 years with Newcastle in town.

3.05pm BST

Crystal Palace start strongly at White Hart Lane, with Jason Puncheon testing Michel Vorm. Back in Burnley, Dejan Lovren denies Andre Gray with a terrific last-ditch tackle, as the hosts cause havoc in the Liverpool defence.

3.03pm BST

John Swift has scored a suitably early goal for Reading, firing past David Stockdale to give them the lead at home to Brighton.

3.02pm BST

Oh boy. Clyne gives the ball away, Gray slides the ball into Vokes, who turns neatly and fires into Mignolet’s top corner!

3.01pm BST

They’re off at Turf Moor, and elsewhere.

2.59pm BST

Kick-off is imminent – here’s a couple of match reports while you wait:

Related: Manchester City brush aside Stoke with Sergio Agüero and Nolito doubles

Related: Marcus Antonsson makes his mark for Leeds in win at Sheffield Wednesday

2.56pm BST

In more pre-match news, Liverpool, who are wearing their bright green third kit at Burnley, are currently warming up in snazzy matching anoraks:

2.53pm BST

When unveilings go wrong…

Roberto Pereyra and Younes Kaboul get a soaking from the on-pitch sprinklers as a pre-match welcome to #WFC at Vicarage Road…

2.47pm BST

“Is Dele Alli on the naughty step?” asks John Tumbridge. I couldn’t possibly comment, but he starts on the bench for Spurs, who go for Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier in an uncompromising central midfield pairing.

2.45pm BST

2.38pm BST

“Is Benteke not playing for Palace today because he actually signed for Burnley?” asks Ian Copestake. I wonder if Sean Dyche is looking into whether Twitter profiles are legally binding.

2.37pm BST

Here’s what else to look out for in the second tier:

2.25pm BST

Results

In the early kick-off, it’s finished Stoke 1-4 Man City. Sergio Agüero scored twice to give the visitors a comfortable half-time lead, before Bojan pulled one back from the spot. Nolito scored two late goals to add some gloss, as City join United at the top of the table.

2.20pm BST

Here’s Simon McMahon, acting like the Scottish Premiership no longer exists:

You forgot to mention Scotland’s game of the day at Tannadice where there’s an East v West battle of the United’s as Dundee United welcome Ayr United. I forgive you, though. Ray McKinnon’s United have endured a tricky start to life in the Scottish Championship, with a draw and a defeat in their opening two games. Expect the fired up Tannadice men to take all three points today. Other games include Raith Rovers v Dunfermline and St. Mirren v Hibs.

2.15pm BST

And finally, to the Liberty Stadium, where Borja Baston is unavailable for the hosts. Hull, in entirely unsurprising news, are unchanged.

2.11pm BST

Tottenham start with Harry Kane and Vincent Janssen together up front, while Conor Wickham is Palace’s lone striker – perhaps for the last time in a little while.

2.09pm BST

At the Hawthorns, Ronald Koeman names Ashley Williams, Yannick Bolasie and Romely Lukaku on a stacked subs’ bench. Saido Berahino, now looking set to stay at West Brom, starts for the hosts.

2.06pm BST

At Turf Moor, record signing Steven Defour makes his debut, while Sadio Mané isn’t fit to start, and James Milner(!) replaces Alberto Moreno at left back.

2.03pm BST

Starting with Watford v Chelsea…

Watford: Gomes; Cathcart, Prodl, Britos, Holebas; Guedioura,
Behrami, Capoue, Amrabat; Ighalo, Deeney.
Subs: Nyom, Doucoure, Zuniga, Vydra, Anya, Pantilimon, Hoban.

1.58pm BST

Team news and Football League previews to come – but first, Christian Benteke is officially a Crystal Palace player – although he caused a flurry of excitement on Twitter, specifically in the Burnley area, earlier:

Benteke’s Twitter accidentally reads that he went to Burnley, not Crystal Palace https://t.co/pKld3Si2ZQ pic.twitter.com/KSaYOGuggT

Oops my bad lol Yes I signed for cpfc and not burnley. Sorry for the little mistake the person that manages my Twitter got a little confused

6.41pm BST

Hello. A solid 50% of this weekend’s top-flight games are kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday, and among the five matches in question, we could well see history made, with plenty of barren runs there to be ended.

Crystal Palace may have passed through the Lane on the road to Wembley, but they haven’t won at Tottenham in the league since November 1997, when Neil Shipperley brought in the Christian Gross era with a bang.

4.11pm BST

Here are today’s 3pm kick-offs:

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Koeman on Lukaku’s future via GrandOldTeam

rom-150x150.jpg


Ronald Koeman has confirmed reports that Romelu Lukaku has informed him of his desire to remain at Everton.

Koeman: “He [Lukaku] told me yesterday that he made the decision by himself to stay for at least one more season. It’s great news for everybody”

Koeman also admitted a possibility that Lukaku could be set to receive a new contract.


'@RonaldKoeman confirms @RomeluLukaku9 has told him he wishes to stay at Everton.

— Everton (@everton) August 20, 2016


'@ronaldkoeman on @RomeluLukaku9: "He told me yesterday that he made the decision by himself to stay for at least one more season." #EFC

— Everton (@everton) August 20, 2016


'@ronaldkoeman on @RomeluLukaku9: "It's great news for everybody." Asked could it mean a new contract? "That's possible." #EFC

— Everton (@everton) August 20, 2016

The post Koeman on Lukaku’s future appeared first on GrandOldTeam.

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Everton top West Brom 2-1, earn first win under Koeman via Royal Blue Mersey

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Mirallas and Barry were the goalscorers

Everton withstood a poor first half to get their first win under new boss Ronald Koeman, beating West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday. The goals for the Blues came from Kevin Mirallas and Gareth Barry.

The game started very poorly for Everton. In the ninth minute, Gareth McAuley put the Baggies up 1-0 off of a corner kick. It was exactly what you don’t want to do against West Brom, give up a set piece goal and allow them to sit behind the ball for the remainder of the day.

McAuley’s goal was all kinds of ugly. On the corner kick, Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg tumbled to the ground while the ball was in mid-air. Then McAuley rose above Mirallas to hammer the ball home.


Gareth McAuley elevates and knocks in Craig Gardner's fabulous set piece! #PLonNBC https://t.co/eIJEOma3EI

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 20, 2016

But Everton didn’t wilt. James McCarthy started the game on the right side of the field as a winger/wing back of sorts, but he wasn’t productive. In the 38th minute, he was removed in favor or Romelu Lukaku, allowing Gerard Deulofeu to move out wide. Rom didn’t play especially great, but he forced the WBA defense to pay attention to him, and that opened space for other attackers.

Just before half time, Mirallas knotted things up. Following some beautiful passing between Mirallas, Barkley and Barry, the Belgian slotted a shot past Ben Foster to give the Toffees momentum headed into the locker room.


Ohhh Kevin Mirallas
pic.twitter.com/mvxWzfb8hY

— Everton Pictures (@evertonfcpics) August 20, 2016

The second half was very back and forth. West Brom had several really good chances, but Everton were the ones to find the back of the net. Off of a corner, the ball fell to Mason Holgate, who tried to volley it towards goal, but it was miss hit. No matter, Barry happened to be in the right place, near the far post, and headed it in to give Everton the lead and the win.


Gareth Barry rises and scores for @Everton! #PLonNBC https://t.co/Ac7ShWv083

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 20, 2016

It may sound cliche, but this felt like the type of game that, a year ago, Everton would have lost. Instead, they showed a tenacity and a desire to impress. Mirallas’ motor was going 100 mph all game. The 18-year-old Holgate was impressive at the back. And Stekelenburg made two more huge saves to give Everton a chance to win.

In addition, both Bolasie and Williams got their debuts, and the butterflies that go along with that, out of the way. When it comes to Williams, it was only 10 minutes and he was fine; nothing great or bad. Bolasie got a half hour and did really well. He made one heck of a cross into Ross Barkley, who should have scored. And on another occasion set up Lukaku, but the striker kicked it right at the keeper.

Now, some negatives. The Blues still look dicey defending set pieces. OK, the Baggies are probably an above average team in terms of scoring off these opportunities, but it felt like every corner or free kick was so close to finding the net.

The need for another striker gets more and more glaring. Without Lukaku, the attack got pushed around. That’s understandable, but if Rom gets a knock at some point it feels like the team will struggle mightily to score.

McCarthy could be out of a job. He is not a wing player; that’s obvious. But the two starters at his natural position have been great. Barry, at 35 years old, was magnificent today and Idrissa Gueye was solid again. Will the Irish international be able to handle a back-up role?

While the opening 45 minutes were disappointing, on the whole this is a good victory. Three points are three points. On the road, against a nasty team like West Brom, that is even more vital. The beginning of the season, with it’s slate of games against lower half teams, needed to translate into points. So far, they have four points in two games, which you puts them right on track.

Next up, Everton host Yeovil Town in the League Cup on Tuesday. That should give Koeman a chance to feature some of the backups: Bryan Oviedo, Arouna Kone, Tom Davis, etc. Then, on Saturday, it’s back to the Premier League with a visit from Stoke City.

Who was your Man of the Match? Vote in our poll here!



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