Liverpool vs Everton LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Divock Origi goal seals derby win
All the reaction and updates from Anfield in a crucial Merseyside derby for both teams
Follow live reaction as Liverpool kept their Premier League title challenge on track as they overcame a battling and stubborn Everton side at Anfield to leave their Merseyside rivals in the relegation zone.
The Reds had been frustrated by the visitors in a feisty derby until Andy Robertson broke the deadlock midway through the second half, as the full-back met Mohamed Salah’s cross at the back post in front of the Kop.
Substitutes Luis Diaz and Divock Origi then combined to seal the win - with the Belgian striker scoring another derby goal against Everton, in what was an inspired double change from Jurgen Klopp.
The result sees Liverpool close the gap to Manchester City to one point with five matches of the season remaining, while Everton are left in serious danger after Burnley’s win over Wolves earlier in the day saw Frank Lampard’s side drop into the bottom three.
Brighton vs Southampton
Then at the Amex Stadium Brighton host Southampton in a game with quite a lot less riding on it.
Still, Brighton will be hoping they can move back into the top 10. But Saints will leapfrog above the Seagulls with a victory on the south coast.
Brighton XI: Sanchez, Cucurella, Webster, Dunk, Maupay, Mac Allister, Trossard, Mwepy, Welbeck, Caicedo, Veltman.
Southampton XI: Forster, Walker-Peters, Romeu, Long, Ward-Prowse, Adams, Redmond, Livramento, Salisu, Tella, Bednarek.
Burnley vs Wolves
Meanwhile, Burnley have a huge game in the battle for Premier League safety today. They can move out of the drop zone if they avoid defeat at home to Wolves.
Relegation rivals Everton then travel to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at 4.30pm.
Burnley XI: Pope, Taylor, Cork, Tarkowski, Brownhill, Weghorst, McNeil, Roberts, Rodriguez, Collins, Vydra.
Wolves XI: Sá, Jiménez, Boly, Coady, Silva, Jonny, Semedo, Hwang, Saïss, Moutinho, Dendoncker.
Chelsea vs West Ham
So, David Moyes clearly has more than one eye on their Europa League semi-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. Understandably so.
No Michail Antonio, no Jarrod Bowen, no Declan Rice in the startling line-up.
Team news
And here is the West Ham team!
West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Cresswell, Johnson, Masuaku; Noble, Soucek; Fornals, Benrahma, Yarmolenko.
Subs: Areola, Fredericks, Alese, Rice, Kral, Lanzini, Vlasic, Bowen, Antonio.
Team news
Here is your Chelsea team for this afternoon’s clash against West Ham.
Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Christensen, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek; Mount, Havertz, Werner.
Subs: Kepa, Chalobah, Kenedy, Sarr, Barkley, Saul, Pulisic, Ziyech, Lukaku.
Chelsea vs West Ham
West Ham can move above Manchester United into sixth place with a victory at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
However, the Hammers have only won once away at Chelsea over the past 20 years. History is not with David Moyes’ men.
Chelsea vs West Ham
Chelsea have suffered three home defeats in a row against Brentford, Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel partially blamed the pitch for the loss to Mikel Arteta’s men in midweek, but that didn’t wash for a lot of Blues fans.
A defeat here today could really sour the mood in west London as the season approaches its conclusion.
Chelsea vs West Ham
Welcome to The Independent’s live updates of today’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and West Ham.
We will also be keeping a keen eye on Burnley vs Wolves and Brighton vs Southampton so you don’t have to go anywhere.
It promises to be another thrilling day of top flight action in England.
Team news to come from Stamford Bridge.
Is Chelsea vs West Ham on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and more
West Ham fans would have bitten your hand off before the season started if you’d told them they would be in the Europa League semi-finals and in with an outside chance of finishing in the top four.
David Moyes’ men now appear to be third or fourth favourites to clinch a Champions League qualification place through their Premier League position... but it is still up for grabs with five games remaining.
Meanwhile, Chelsea look a safe bet to secure third place but will be keen to quash any Tottenham or Arsenal hopes of catching them before the end of the campaign.
This could be a major scalp for West Ham if they can win at Stamford Bridge - a result which would condemn the European champions to a fourth straight home defeat.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of today’s match.
Antonio Rudiger turned down Chelsea record wage offer as Real Madrid circle
Antonio Rudiger rejected the chance to become the highest-paid defender in Chelsea FC’s history, the PA news agency understands.
The Germany defender is understood to have turned down a major contract offer from Chelsea, that the Blues had tabled before falling under Government restrictions.
Chelsea have continued to hold out hope that the Stamford Bridge club’s sale could turn the tide in their bid to retain Rudiger’s services.
But the continued strong interest from Real Madrid could now see the 29-year-old leave the west London club when his contract expires this summer.
Rudiger had for some time vowed to leave the decision on his future until the end of the campaign, but interest from other clubs has remained consistent.
He has been understood to want to continue working with Thomas Tuchel, having hit new heights under the Blues’ German boss.
But Madrid could now hold the edge in the race to land one of Europe’s top defenders.
Chelsea’s recruitment and retention has been halted by the strict operating terms after Roman Abramovich’s UK Government sanctions.
The sale of the Stamford Bridge club should be complete in May though, which will allow the west Londoners to return to standard transfer business.
More details here:
Antonio Rudiger turned down Chelsea record wage offer as Real Madrid circle
Continued strong interest from Real Madrid could now see the 29-year-old leave the west London club when his contract expires this summer
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