Everton 0-3 Chelsea, Middlesbrough 2-2 Manchester City: Premier League - as it happened
Blues go within three wins of the title while City are held by struggling Middlesbrough.
- Chelsea three wins from a fifth Premier League title after beating Everton.
- Pedro, Gary Cahill and Willian with the goals for the Blues
- Middlesbrough keep survival hopes alive with draw against Manchester City.
- Alvaro Negredo and Calum Chambers twice put Boro ahead, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus responded for City
- Boro six points from safety with three games left.
- Recap: Manchester United 1-1 Swansea City
A significant day in the title race you have to feel. Ahead of the north London derby, Chelsea go seven points clear again with an easy win at Everton, who offered little resistance throughout. Pedro opened the floodgates with a fabulous strike and there was no way back at that stage.
In the north east, Middlesbrough are clinging on to their top flight status after a controversial draw with City. Alvaro Negredo scored against his former club but the manner of the equaliser, which came from a penalty as Sane was felled by De Roon, will wrangle with the hosts. Calum Chambers' effort was cancelled out by Gabriel Jesus late on as the points were shared.
Well that brings an end to our live coverage of this Premier League double-header. Until next time, it's goodbye.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 2-1 Manchester City (Calum Chambers)
What a moment in the battle at both ends of the table. Alvaro Negredo looks like he has missed the chance to shoots but the loose ball falls his way and he cross, with Chambers sticking out a leg and poking home. Justice done? The hosts will think so.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-1 Manchester City (Sergio Aguero)
Kevin Friend is the subject of derision at the Riverside after awarding a controversial penalty. Sane appears to knock the ball out of play but then continues his run and collides with De Roon. The German theatrics win him a spot kick which Middlesbrough are furious about, but Aguero is unperturbed and he levels by sending Valdes the wrong way.
Half time: Everton 0-0 Chelsea
Not a half with a great deal of chances but I doubt either manager will be overly worried at this stage. Chelsea certainly have the edge, with Everton - bar the opening minute - creating a great deal. Hazard hitting the side-netting the best chance by far to break the deadlock.
GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-0 Manchester City (Alvaro Negredo)
The home side get the opening goal after an impressive first half display. George Friend releases Stewart Downing and when his cross is pulled to the edge of the box Negredo is waiting and though he slips as he shoots, it hits the post and drops into the net. A lifeline for Steve Agnew.
There have only been six goals in the six completed games in the Premier League this weekend, and after half an hour of our two mid-afternoon kick-offs we are no closer to improving on that tally.
The lowest scoring matchday I have found from some brief research is from the 2013-14 season when there was 16 in August; can anyone beat that? Post your findings in the comments section below.
Alekandar Kolarov drives from range but it goes well side. Not a classic this one, or at Goodison.
Earlier, there were goals when Manchester United hosted Swansea. Head to our live blog to catch-up with all the events of the game at Old Trafford.
Middlesbrough breathed new life into their Premier League existence in mid-week but news of Sunderland's relegation will only highlight how close they are to the drop. A first win for Steve Agnew will change the mood around the north east however, so could they shock City this afternoon? It feels like an absolute must-win.
Middlesbrough unchanged from the win over Sunderland in mid-week. Maarten de Roon retains his place after he scored the winner over the Black Cats.
Five changes for Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero start up front. Aleix Garcia begins in midfield instead of Yaya Toure. Caballero comes in for the injured Bravo, Jesus Navas replaces Zabaleta. Gael Clichy is also back.
At the Riverside meanwhile, Middlesbrough welcome back Gaston Ramirez after suspension while Victor Valdes and Grant Leadbitter are not expected to feature.
Man City are missing goalkeeper Claudio Bravo while there are concerns over John Stones and David Silva. Gabriel Jesus is back in training but might not be risked.
We're not far away from finding out the teams for our two mid-afternoon kick-offs, so let's look at the team news ahead of the game
Aaron Lennon, Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori are all out for Everton but Enner Valencia is back after being ineligible to face parent club West Ham. Leighton Baines could make his 350th Toffees appearance.
Chelsea have a fully fit squad to take to Goodison Park. Antonio Conte's main decision will surround whether to retain Cesc Fabregas, who was instrumental in the win over Southampton.
With Sunderland having filled the first decisive berth in the Premier League the business end of the campaign is very much upon us. And as a warm-up to the north London derby later this afternoon we have four sides in action all with something to play for. Everton, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Manchester City may all have different motivations but their goal this afternoon will be the same.
Everton and Chelsea have of late played out some of the most entertaining top flight fixtures, with 25 goals being shared in their last five league clashes. In December at Stamford Bridge, the Blues ran-out 5-0 winners and a repeat of that would strengthen their grip on the title. If Ronald Koeman's side can avenge that loss it would reignite their attempts to finish in the top six and qualify for Europe.
The north east is in mourning after Sunderland dropped into the Championship but can Middlesbrough pull off the great escape? Steve Agnew claimed his first win as manager over the Black Cats in mid-week to give Boro hope, and a win today would bring to within four points of 17th place Hull. Opponent Man City have Champions League qualification on their minds and could go third for at least 24 hours with a third win in four.
All the build-up, team and news and updates on the way ahead of the 2:05pm BST [don't ask] kick-offs.
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