Manchester City welcome Antonio Conte's Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium in what should be one of the stand-out fixtures of the season so far.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The two sides are separated by a single point, with the Blues sitting pretty at the top of the league on 31 points and City a single point behind on 30.
Victory will hand either side a massive boost in their title campaigns as the two continue to set the pace for the rest of the league.
Pep Guardiola's men have the opportunity to overtake their London rivals, but to do so would require breaking down Chelsea's seemingly impenetrable defence.
Conte's defence has conceded just one goal in their last seven games as the side continues to thrive under the coach's new formation.
But with the home advantage, City will know that today is their opportunity to strike and stake their claim for that top spot.
Follow all the action below...
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
Saturday's fixtures:
Manchester City 12.30 Chelsea
Crystal Palace 15.00 Southampton
Stoke 15.00 Burnley
Sunderland 15.00 Leicester
Tottenham 15.00 Swansea
West Brom 15.00 Watford
West Ham 17.30 Arsenal
19 MINS
It's the first encouraging move from West Ham as Lanzini bursts forward into the Arsenal box, forcing a save from Cech. Koscielny does well to stand up to him and force him wide, but it's better from the home side.
Corner kick to West Ham.
22 MINS
Lanzini feeds Fernandes, but Monreal comes sliding in to redeem possession.
The home side are starting to find their feet and when they introduce the likes of Payet and Fletcher - they look dangerous.
24 MINS
GOAL!
WEST HAM 0 - 1 ARSENAL
It's a defensive nightmare from The Hammers and against a striker with such determination such as Sanchez - this proves costly. He beats the defenders to the ball and runs towards the West Ham goal, then he unselfishly pulls the ball back for a simple tap in for Ozil.
They deserve that.
27 MINS
The advantage appears to have injected Arsenal with momentum, as they battle all the way up the pitch. West Ham have to show immense character to stay in the game here.
Could it be the job of super-sub Carroll to make the impact for his side? Bilic looks unsettled.
30 MINS
YELLOW CARD
Coquelin receives a very pointless yellow card, for kicking the ball away when it had gone out of possession.
33 MINS
Walcott charges forward, but he's surrounded by a sea of West Ham shirts and he quickly looses possession. The makeshift back four are under constant pressure here.
Mustafi takes down Fletcher in the middle of the park - free kick to The Hammers.
35 MINS
It looks like a certain goal scoring opportunity, as Sanchez is put through on goal from a terrific ball from the Ox. The Chile international bolts past the defender, but it's clever from Randolph who denies the striker.
38 MINS
Payet whips the ball in towards Fernandes, but it meets the safe hands of Cech. The keeper wastes no time in reactivating an Arsenal attack and he launches the ball forwards.
41 MINS
Lanzini charges forward and then pulls the ball back to Payet, but he makes the wrong decision and goes for goal. It's a terrible strike that flies way over the crossbar. When a goal would be so crucial, it seems inane that the West Ham decision making could be so bad. Half time can't come quick enough for them.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments