1840: All in all, so many reasons for you to check out Match of the Day 2 tonight from 2200 on BBC Two and online that should you miss it, all your friends would be justified in pointing and laughing in your general direction. No excuses. A big weekend for the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool, Wolves and Wigan, not so good one for Man City, Aston Villa and Newcastle, and a fair-to-middling one for Tottenham, Arsenal, Blackburn and Blackpool I'd say. I tell you what, Premier League, have yourself a break. I, Sam Lyon, will see you all again right here in two weeks yes? Before then it's the international break, a good reason for you to look out for Fabio Capello's England squad announcement later. Until 2 April, though, adios!

HenryWhitfield on Twitter: "How about that Chelsea team, just when you think they're down and out they get back in the race. What a season this is."

1832: CHELSEA 2-0 MAN CITY
Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge reports: "Huge relief for Chelsea, their fans and boss Carlo Ancelotti and they should send their thank you cards to a Mr David Luiz c/o Brazil. The result leaves City fourth with Tottenham breathing down their necks but you have to wonder if this was the time of season for them to go for broke."

1829: SUNDERLAND 0-2 LIVERPOOL
Saj Chowdhury reports: "There was plenty of bad luck for these Black Cats today. Three injuries, a debatable penalty and a sending off. Meanwhile for Liverpool, victory means that their last hope of qualifying for Europe still remains a possibility."

1826: Here's what our match reporters made of things, then...

NorthernBen on Twitter: "The Premier League title race is going to toss and turn for a while yet."

1823: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti on Sky Sports: "We showed good focus, spirit and attitude and we worked hard for 90 minutes. Defensively we were good, the transition was good - and the longer the game went on the better we got going forward. It was a big win for us." On John Terry: "He doesn't have an injury problem. He will play for England [against Wales next week]."

Exasperated Citizen, Notts via text: "Title challengers? Champions League contenders? Europa League again? They may say City play boring football, but supporting them is anything but."

1818: Man City boss Roberto Mancini on Sky Sports: "We played two days ago against Dynamo Kiev and in the last 20 minutes today we were so tired. Until 70 minutes it was normal that Chelsea had more ball possession, we didn't concede anything before then. After yesterday the result today was a very important and had we won it would have been fantastic. But now it is the same as before so we carry on. With eight games until the end of the season it will be important to recover all our injured players."

Howard, West Yorks via text: "The two games in hand are Chelsea v Birmingham & Spurs v Arsenal. Interesting?"

Gambeanosnitch on Twitter: "The Premier League IS a two-horse race - between Man Utd and Chelsea. Arsenal will slip away, while Chelsea have resources to get stronger."

1811: Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien on Sky Sports: "It was a very important victory. It was a difficult game but we gave it everything to get three points. It was a tight game but we always go out and do our best. As far as the title is concerned, we have to keep believing and we will do our best to fight for every point."

Chris, London via text: "This is shaping up to be one of the, if not the, best PL seasons we could ask for."

1807: Where does that leave the Premier League table then? Well Chelsea move to within four points of second-placed Arsenal and nine points of leaders Man Utd, over whom they have a game in hand. Man City meanwhile, remain four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham but having played a game more. Is the battle at the top of the table going to finally start matching the battle at the other end for twists, turns, swings and roundabouts?

Zain_Patel on Twitter: "It looked like Man City would definitely be getting into the CL, but they have Liverpool and Spurs creeping behind their backs!"

OptaJoe on Twitter: "Manchester City have only won one of their seven 2010-11 Premier League games against last season's top five."

1801: So what do we think folks? The end of Man City's title charge once and for all? The kick-start to Chelsea's? The race for fourth well and truly back on? I told you there was a lot riding on this match.

littleginiK on Twitter: "Hmmm, Arsenal had better start looking behind them."

Martin from Manchester via text: "Mancini's problem is he's too afraid of losing so just doesn't take risks."

1754: Stamford Bridge is bouncing now as the home fans sense that's the win all wrapped up. Man City, understandably, look like the wind has been knocked right out of them.

Chelsea goal: Samba magic. Moments after Man City force a desperate Chelsea clearance from a Mario Balotelli knock-down at one end, Ramires wraps up the victory at the other with a moment of real individual brilliance, the Brazilian dancing around two defenders and firing into the top corner past Joe Hart to put the seal on a precious three points.

1750: It's just a brief spell in defence from the hosts, however, and now Didier Drogba is playing his part in a spot of keep-ball by the City corner flag.

1748: Here, though, comes the hint of a Man City rally with the visitors starting to push the hosts deep into their own half.

1745: Saying that, it's been all Chelsea since the goal - and only a couple of Joleon Lescott blocks prevent the hosts extending their lead, the first from Ashley Cole's drive on the angle and the second from a cross to deny Nicolas Anelka in front of goal.

1742: It looks like we will - and it's that man Mario Balotelli who is called upon to provide it. He comes on for Yaya Toure, with Adam Johnson also on in place of James Milner.

1741: We've got 10 minutes of normal time remaining, surely now we'll finally see some ambition from City?

Chelsea goal: Breakthrough! And David Luiz cements his place as a Chelsea cult hero in one fell swoop, earning the free-kick that Didier Drogba swings over and providing the finish with a firm glance header past City keeper Joe Hart.

1737: Is Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov the man to provide it? He comes on as Blues' final change in place of Salomon Kalou.

1735: My word this match could do with some inspiration. Seriously.

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge: "Boos ring out as birthday boy Fernando Torres is brought off. The Spaniard did not look too happy and was muttering to himself as took his place on the bench. The goal drought goes on."

1730: It will be Fernando Torres taken off - prompting a notably unhappy shake of the head from owner Roman Abramovich in the stands, I see - along with Florent Malouda as Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka stride on to the field.

1728: Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are moments away from an introduction.

1727: And that's not a million miles away from the Bosnian either, Edin Dzeko's back-header from James Milner's free-kick from deep drifting narrowly wide.

1726: Talking of defensive rocks, David Luiz has been impressive for Chelsea today and he has just stopped Edin Dzeko's long-ranger with an outstretched foot.

1722: Vincent Kompany has been an absolute rock for Man City this season and he has just saved them once again - though I'm not sure he knew too much about it - the Belgian defender blocking Branislav Ivanovic's goalbound header from Frank Lampard's cross from point-blank range. Would surely have been a goal without that.

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge: "John Terry is not looking too well with his injured knee. He is still hobbling which much cause huge concern for Fabio Capello. This England captain situation is turning into a right mess isn't it?"

1718: Oh that's cynical. Michael Essien, on the charge as Chelsea look to break in numbers, is body-checked by Nigel de Jong to bring an end to what looked a potentially promising attack and the Dutchman is righly shown the yellow card.

1717: A brief glimpse of City going forward, but with Yaya Toure threatening to break into the box, David Silva's pass is overhit and Petr Cech is able to come out and clear.

1715: With Fabio Capello watching on, John Terry is down and receiving treatment on what looks to be a twisted leg. At first it looks serious - prompting thoughts about who the Italian might appoint as England captainthen - but the Chelsea skipper gets up to jog it off. How ironic, after all the fuss it caused, would that have been for Capello?

1712: Better. Much better. Fernando Torres kick-starts a Chelsea break involving Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard, but Florent Malouda's swept finish from 12 yards out is held low down by City keeper Joe Hart.

1709: Four minutes into the second half and we've picked up exactly where we left off before the break. Unfortunately. Messier than a student bar crawl, so it is.

1705: We're back up and running at Stamford Bridge.

Infostrada Sports on Twitter: "Man City have drawn their last four Premier League matches with a 0-0 half-time score and are unbeaten in their last six."

dicky2200 on Twitter: "This game badly needs a goal."

chris1ian on Twitter: "£501mill and a massive anti-climax. Missing Tevez's energy, and Balotelli's theatre."

1652: HALF-TIME Chelsea 0-0 Man City
Alistair Magowan's HT snap-shot from Stamford Bridge: "Not a thriller so far, but Chelsea are threatening down the left and you guess that a change up front might be on the cards if it stays this way. Roberto Mancini the happier boss, for sure."

1649: There's your half-time whistle. Ho hum.

1648: That's the first we've seen of Man City in an attacking sense for a while, Edin Dzeko leading a break before Aleksandar Kolarov's cross is hacked clear by a Chelsea defender.

1645: A bit of soft-shore-shuffle earns Salomon Kalou a bit of space in the City box, but with nine men behind the ball the visitors were always favourite to clear that one. Moments later, the same Chelsea striker collects Florent Malouda's cross to turn and shoot - but it's straight at Joe Hart. Did well to get a shot off there, the forward.

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge: "There is a growing sense around the Bridge that it will take something special to break through this City defence. Looking rock solid so far and that is not counting Nigel de Jong who can cover too. Great challenge on Fernando Torres there."

1639: And another, Ramires bursting into the box and pulling the ball back to Frank Lampard, Vincent Kompany the City defender across to block this time.

1637: But here's a chance for Chelsea, Fernando Torres found in the box by Salomon Kalou but the Spaniard's effort is well blocked by Nigel de Jong's desperate slide tackle. Better.

1636: Hhmm... after a bright start to proceedings, this game is now scrappier than Scooby's nephew.

1633: Half hour gone, honours even, Chelsea maybe ahead on points but City probably happy with things as they stand.

adamtillsley on Twitter: "Torres is looking a lot better today, starting to get in some better positions and running at defenders again!"

1629: ...which Frank Lampard slams straight into the wall.

1628: We have our first booking, James Milner cautioned for a tackle from behind Salomon Kalou. Free-kick Chelsea, 30 yards out...

1626: Close. Ramires thinks he has released Frank Lampard in the box one-on-one but the linesman's flag is raised for offside - replays show that decision was spot on. Chelsea building a head of steam, though, with City just struggling to get hold of the ball now.

1623: Chelsea continue to press their claims and they want a penalty when Salomon Kalou's cross hits Joleon Lescott's arm, but referee Chris Foy rules it was a case of ball to hand.

1621: He's got four in four but he won't add to that tally with this effort, Frank Lampard spooning over with a dipper from range.

1620: Good work Joleon Lescott, the City defender just robbing Fernando Torres of the ball just as it looked like the Spaniard might be striding clear of the visitors' defence. Chelsea settling right into this game now.

1617: Better from Salomon Kalou this time as his run into the box causes the odd heart flutter among the City defenders, the ball falling to Ashley Cole to slap over from 25 yards out.

1615: First signs of life from Chelsea as they work the ball into the City area but Salomon Kalou, looking to get on the ball in the area, falls over team-mate Ramires and the visitors are able to clear.

BBC Sport's Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge: "Bright start by Manchester City, David Silva already causing problems for Chelsea down the left and in gaps between defence and midfield. City boss Roberto Mancini is asking James Milner to stay wider on the right to provide balance."

1612: I must confess I wondered beforehand just how defensive City's mindset might be today, but they've started firmly on the front foot in this game. Less surprisingly, David Silva is at the heart of most of what is good about their early play.

1609: And that's a stinging effort from City midfielder Yaya Toure, the Ivorian pinging a low effort at goal that Petr Cech does well to get down and palm away. Chelsea sitting very deep here.

1608: Chelsea just looking a touch sloppy in these opening exchanges, giving the ball away far too easily, and as a result Man City are enjoying plenty of possession.

1606: It does look like Chelsea are starting out in a 4-4-2 formation, with Salomon Kalou alongside Fernando Torres in the advanced positions, while Man City are set up in their usual 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation. That midfield battle might just be key.

1603: Minute's silence observed, Chelsea get us up and running...

1559: As Paul, below, points out - this is the most expensive Premier League game ever. Ever. A combined total of around £501m spent on both squads so I'm told. Incredible. For now it represents only a battle only for third - but the victors will surely have their tails up for a title charge in the run-in, no? We're moments away from the start.

Paul, Rotherham via text: "In terms of transfer fees paid, the most expensive game ever. 0-0 then."

1555: A quick refresh folks and our audio commentary from Stamford Bridge will appear before your very eyes on the right-hand side. Nice.

1553: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti: "It's important we win to clarify our position in the table. At the moment, our position is not so clear. After this game, it'll be clear what we're going to do in the Premier League." Man City manager Roberto Mancini: "'I hope to win by the same score again [as their last trip to Stamford Bridge when City won 4-2] but it will be very difficult. At this moment, Chelsea are playing very well. They are in good form and they also had one day's extra rest because they played in Europe on Wednesday. We'll try because it is an important game for us."

1547: CHELSEA v MAN CITY (1600)
Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge reports: "Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti might not thank chief executive Ron Gourlay for publicly announcing this morning that his job would be up for discussion in May. The Blues already go into the game against Manchester City trying to overcome a three-game losing streak against their opponents but don't be surprised if Chelsea skipper John Terry leads the resistance with extra puff in his chest after being re-installed as the England captain. If City lose, the hosts will overtake them in the Premier League table. "

PJHamill on Twitter: "Balotelli to come on and score the winning goal? What are the odds on that?"

Gavin, London via text: "It's Torres's birthday. If he doesn't score today, I don't know when he will..."

1542: So what do we reckon this afternoon then folks? Well Mark Lawrenson, who is having a decent weekend to be fair, has called this as Chelsea 1-1 Man City among his predictions. Have a go yourself why don't you?

1539: Although, talking of Liverpool. Here's Jamie Carragher on that Liverpool win: "I thought it was a penalty but then at half-time we saw it could have been outside the box. But it's gone for us. It was a pretty even game." And on Luis Suarez: "He's a top player and has given everybody a lift. He made the difference today."

Adam9309 on Twitter: "So anyone from Sunderland to Wigan could all be sucked down into the relegation scrap. 11 teams, and 3 spots..."

ScouseMick via text: "Chelsea v Liverpool? The modern game, huh? It's just match after match."
It's fixture congestion gone crazy. This country...

1536: Ooh, that's not right is it? RE: 1529, it's Chelsea v Man City. Obviously. Refresh please.

1535: CHELSEA v MAN CITY (1600)
Alistair Magowan at Stamford Bridge reports: "Chelsea make five changes to the team which drew with FC Copenhagen in midweek. Fernando Torres and Salomon Kalou replace Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka up top, in midfield Michael Essien and Florent Malouda replace John Obi Mikel and Yury Zhirkov, while David Luiz comes in for Jose Bosingwa. For Man City, James Milner is in for the injured Carlos Tevez, leaving Edin Dzeko as the sole front man in place of Mario Balotelli. Presumably that apology did not work for Roberto Mancini?"

Rachel Tyrrell, Desperate Spurs Fan, Lincoln via text: "Can Chelsea and Man City both lose please?"

Pengumile on Twitter: "The bottom of the table is nearly as exciting as the top!"

1529: CHELSEA v MAN CITY (1600)
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Torres, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Drogba, Mikel, Bosingwa, Zhirkov, Ferreira, Anelka.
Man City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, De Jong, Toure Yaya, Barry, Milner, Dzeko, Silva. Subs: Taylor, Wright-Phillips, Adam Johnson, Boateng, Vieira, Boyata, Balotelli.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

1527: Now let's check out the Chelsea v Man City teams...

1526: That victory represents Kenny Dalglish's 250th in his managerial career, which is nice. Liverpool stay in sixth but move to within four points of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand, Sunderland stay in ninth - just six points off the drop zone. My word it's close down the bottom isn't it?

1522: Keep ball from Liverpool, who are seeing this game out comfortably. Sunderland's player look well and truly spent.

1520: We'll have four minutes of stoppage time.

1516: Into the last five minutes at the Stadium of Light and Liverpool look bang on for a win and three points that takes them up to just four points off fifth spot. King Kenny continuing to work his magic.

Sunderland red card: More controversy and another reason why Kevin Friend has worked his way off the Christmas card list of all Sunderland fans. Pepe Reina launches a ball over the top to Luis Suarez, whose progress is halted by a tug on the shirt by John Mensah. Referee Friend, again advised by his linesman, gives the foul and decides it was a goal-scoring opportunity so brandishes a red card. Steve Bruce is aghast on the sidelines.

1509: TEAM NEWS SNAP
Chelsea start with Fernando Torres and Salomon Kalou up front, so no Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka. Manchester City's Carlos Tevez has failed a fitness test, so Edin Dzeko is the lone striker.

Liverpool goal: That should seal it for the visitors - and it's a lovely goal, Luis Suarez collecting Dirk Kuyt's throw-in and bursting into the box before thrashing a superb finish home at the near post from right on the byeline. It looked an impossible angle.

1505: No no no, that's no good. Asamoah Gyan throws himself over in the box near Daniel Agger in a bid to win a penalty for Sunderland, but referee Kevin Friend is not fooled and waves away the spot-kick appeals. Rightly so.

1504: Ooh, top strike, top save. Jay Spearing - who has impressed today - turns inside on the edge of the Sunderland box before firing a rising effort at goal that Simon Mignolet (who is Belgian, not French) does excellently to tip over the bar. The corner comes to nothing.

1502: Andy Carroll's wait for first his Liverpool goal will go on for a while, the £35m signing replaced by David Ngog for the closing stages. The Stadium of Light take the opportunity to show him their, ahem, 'appreciation' of his efforts.

1458: And he is followed in swiftly by goalscorer Dirk Kuyt for a late challenge on Phil Bardsley. I make that six bookings in total this afternoon, three on each side. I think.

1457: Luis Suarez the latest man to work his way into the referee's notebook after launching a verbal volley at the linesman in protest at a decision.

1455: Great chance for Sunderland, Ahmed Elmohamady beating his marker to a Jordan Henderson corner to send a header at goal, his effort blocked by Glen Johnson. There's a half-hearted appeal for a penalty for handball, but Kevin Friend is having none of it.

1454: Not for the first time this afternoon Sunderland fail to stick an end product on to some neat build-up play, Jordan Henderson's wayward effort from outside the box to blame this time.

1451: Danny Welbeck - who also looks to have picked up an injury, unbelievably - is the man replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.

1448: Liverpool certainly having the better of things in the second half at the Stadium of Light - and Sunderland, with one remaining substitution up their sleeve, look like they're going to introduce Ahmed Elmohamady in an effort to get back on top of things.

1445: ...and Luis Suarez swings it all of 2.7 inches wide of the post with a low effort. Kevin Friend is no-one's favourite man on Wearside right now.

1444: And now it's Raul Meireles's turn to miss a decent chance, blazing over from wide of the box after Titus Bramble's tackle on Andy Carroll had seen the ball fall to the Liverpool midfielder. Sunderland's sense of relief is only temporary, though, as referee Kevin Friend drags play back for Bramble's earlier foul on the edge of the box...

1442: Off the line! Sunderland - for the umpteenth time this afternoon already - fail to deal with a Raul Meireles corner and with Simon Mignolet (who is Belgian, not French) in no-man's land, the ball lands on the head of Andy Carroll unmarked at the back post only for Lee Cattermole to deny the Geordie a first Liverpool goal with an instinctive goalline clearance. Top work from the home midfielder.

1440: So what will Sunderland's response be to their feeling of injustice? Well the second half is more nip and tuck than a Lose Angeles boulevard at the moment, which is at least an improvement on the way the hosts finished the half.

1436: Oh, also, even though I corrected it almost immediately it would appear some of you are still seeing me describing Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet as French. Please refresh this page and accept my humblest apologies. Merci beaucoup.

1435: Right, second half up and running, Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool.

Luke, Newcastle fan in Durham, via text: "Although it wasn't a penalty, what was Mensah doing trying to chest that ball?"
It was indeed frankly rubbish defending.

1430: Now then, if you're interested in the Celtic v Rangers League Cup Final, check out Colin Moffat's live text why don't you? Aces.

InfostradaLive on Twitter: "Liverpool have won just one out of five Premier League matches in which they have lead by a one-goal margin at half-time (1-3-1) this season."

1427: I know you all want me off the fence, so here I go... it should not have been a penalty, says I. The first contact was outside the box for me. Happy? *Puts hard hat on*

TLW1Dan on Twitter: "Bruce said 'these things happen' after beachball last season. I wonder if he'll be so laid back this time?"

1422: HALF-TIME Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Saj Chowdhury's HT snap-shot: "Tough on Sunderland. They've had the majority of possession, but have seen two players leave the pitch with injuries before falling behind following a debatable penalty decision. Manager Steve Bruce's face has already turned puce, he can't turn an angrier shade of red can he?"

1420: There's the half-time whistle... and the inevitable chorus of boos from the home fans. Not happy.

1417: We'll have three minutes of first-half added time. Lee Cattermole has gone into the book, meanwhile, for a foul on Luis Suarez. Was that because of the foul or because it's Lee Cattermole, though? Hhmm.

1414: Chance for Andy Carroll, the big striker rising unmarked to meet Raul Meireles's corner but heading way off target from in front of goal. Should have done better there the Liverpool frontman.

chris__dixon on Twitter: "The linesman must have had his vision blocked by a beach ball! Karma!"

1412: There's no doubt Sunderland have been rattled by that penalty decision. Now, for all their early dominance, they are looking to simply hold on before the half-time break. Liverpool tails are up.

1410: Top save. Simon Mignolet comes to Sunderland's rescue as Luis Suarez lashes a volley at goal from the angle underneath a high ball, the Belgian keeper getting down brilliantly to tip the effort around the post.

1409: I've now seen half a dozen replays of that penalty decision and changed my mind over whether it was a great shout or a terrible decision every time. Thoughts?

Liverpool goal: Controversy. John Mensah takes away the legs of Jay Spearing as he charges into the Sunderland box and Kevin Friend gives a free-kick on the edge of the box. On the advice of his linesman, however, the referee changes his decision to a penalty - much to the home side's disbelief and annoyance - and up steps Dirk Kuyt to give Liverpool a barely-deserved lead.

inside_my_mind on Twitter: "Sunderland's groundskeeper has really pulled it out of the bag with that mowing pattern."
This is the kind of top-drawer analysis I'm after people. Seriously.

1401: Sunderland really are knocking the ball around lovely today. Asamoah Gyan, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are really enjoying themselves out there. No end product as yet, however, and plenty of vulnerability at the back on show, too. This quite simply can't remain goalless for too long, can it?

1357: We're 25 minutes in and it remains Sunderland 0 Liverpool 0. Injuries 2.

1355: Deary me, the Sunderland players are dropping like flies - now Kieran Richardson is forced off with an injury, Steed Malbranque on in his place.

1353: Scramble! Simon Mignolet looks comfortable enough as he looks to collect a wayward pass but inadvertently palms it back into play for Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez to dance around. Neither can get a meaningful shot off, though, and Sunderland survive.

1352: RE: 1349 - not Steed Malbranque, who is on the bench and therefore probably blameless for not getting on the end of a cross you'd have to say, Kieran Richardson. Ahem.

1351: Enforced early change for Sunderland - Sulley Muntari limping off to be replaced by Lee Cattermole, who makes a first appearance in three months.

1349: Liverpool counter immediately and despite some good feet on the edge of the box from Andy Carroll, he fails to find the unmarked Luis Suarez - much to the Uruguayan's evident chagrin - and the move breaks down.

1349: Oh, fine move from Sunderland - Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck swapping passes and combining brilliantly down the left before the former swings a doozy of a cross over that just eludes Kieran Richardson at the back post.

1346: ...referee Kevin Friend spots an infringement under the cross, though, and Sunderland are awarded a free-kick of their own.

1345: Here's a free-kick in a dangerous position for Liverpool, though, as Sulley Muntari is mugged by Luis Suarez on the right-hand side of the box. Raul Meireles is stood over it...

1343: Those couple of early scares aside, Sunderland will be happy enough with their start to the match here I reckon. Plenty of buzz about their midfield and front two so far.

1340: This, by the way, is Sunderland's first league match at the Stadium of Light for a full five weeks. Blimey. How have the people of Wearside coped without football on Saturday afternoons for all that time? Sacrilege.

1337: And from the resulting corner, Dirk Kuyt is again found unmarked, only for the Dutchman to head over in front of goal. Two let-offs in a minute for Sunderland.

1336: There's Andy Carroll, though, and he causes problems straight away for Sunderland, his knock-down finding Dirk Kuyt, whose swiped finish is somehow turned around the post by Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet. Good chance, fine save.

1335: Sunderland immediately on the front foot against Liverpool, resplendent in their black change kit. Few touches for Andy Carroll and/or Luis Suarez as yet.

1334: Still not sure about Asamoah Gyan, but apparently the Sunderland mascots refused to shake Luis Suarez's hand. Hilarious.

1332: Let me know on that one, won't you? Anyway, Sunderland kick us off at the Stadium of Light.

1331: I missed it! Did Asamoah Gyan and Luis Suarez shake hands? Did they???

1329: Anyway, the players are out and warmed up at the Stadium of Light - we'll have a minute's silence in tribute to those affected by the terrible recent events in Japan, and then we'll get down to the football.

1327: BREAKING NEWS
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo could be sidelined for up to three weeks due to a hamstring injury, leaving him with a race against time to be fit for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Tottenham. It would appears the £80m man aggravated the problem against Atletico Madrid last night.

1325: Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish: "You control your own destiny in this league and we've got to gain points ourselves and not worry about teams around us. The boys are committed and up for it today - every time you play for Liverpool it's an honour and something you should look forward to. It might take more than one game to get the Suarez-Carroll partnership right but everyone is excited about it."

stonesliam on Twitter: "Matt_Elmo... I will take that bet."
With the proceeds going to Comic Relief? Ah, how nice.

1322: SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL (1330)
Saj Chowdhury reports: "Sunderland have stuttered recently having been in a position to challenge for a European spot. The Black Cats have lost four of their last five matches and face a Liverpool side who they have beaten only twice in their previous 19 Premier League meetings. Liverpool go into today's match on the back of bowing out from the Europa League. The Reds need to take fifth spot to guarantee European football next season, so it is essential for them to pick up three points at the Stadium of Light."

1318: FYI - we have a late substitution in the BBC office here, with Saj Chowdhury now your man for the Sunderland-Liverpool match. Apart from that, as you were people...

Anon via text: "RE: Mattharding007 - two sub appearances and one starting berth and already we are to judge him? I hope that is a hook in the water I see and not an actual evaluation of Liverpool's new number 9!"

OptaJoe on Twitter: "Liverpool have lost all three of their Premier League away games directly following a Europa League matchday this season. Fatigue."

1314: A reminder, too, that the FA Cup semi-final draw - that guaranteed Man Utd or Man City will be in the final - means that in all probability only a top-five finish will earn you a European spot this season. Liverpool, largely resurgent under Kenny Dalglish since his appointment, are currently seven points off fifth-placed Tottenham with nine matches left to play, and Sunderland 11 points behind the Londoners. If either have European ambitions, you'd have to put today's match down as a 'must-win' wouldn't you?

matt_elmo on Twitter: "£10 says Gyan doesn't shake Suarez's hand."

1310: SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL (1330)
Saj Chowdhury reports:"Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck will make his first start since January. Manager Steve Bruce has also named Nedum Onuoha and Lee Cattermole among the substitutes. Liverpool have handed £35m striker Andy Carroll his first start, with fellow new signing Luis Suarez also in the starting XI. Jay Spearing and Lucas Leiva are picked in the Liverpool midfield."

Tony, Sunderland via text: "Sunderland due a win today. It's a tough game but I reckon 2-1 to Sunderland, with Gyan & Welbeck scoring."

1308: News coming out of Stamford Bridge, by the way, that Carlos Tevez has been undergoing a late fitness test for Man City ahead of this afternoon's clash against Chelsea. The rumours are that he passed... but how fit is he? And just how big a boost for Chelsea would it be if he were to miss out?

Gary Jones via text: "So did Liverpool's season end on a depressing Thursday night against Braga? Well... win today, and with Spurs at home to come and them distracted by the Special One, we could just sneak up on the rails, unlike my horses at Cheltenham."

mattharding007 on Twitter: "Carroll looked out of his depth for Liverpool on Thursday. He needs to start justifying his inflated price tag soon."

1300: SUNDERLAND v LIVERPOOL (1330)
Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bramble, Mensah, Bardsley, Sessegnon, Henderson, Muntari, Richardson, Welbeck, Gyan. Subs: Gordon, Zenden, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Cattermole, Colback, Onuoha.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Spearing, Carroll, Suarez. Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Ngog, Poulsen, Wilson.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

MitchWaddon on Twitter: "I can see Man city starting a slide down the table, and ultimately finishing 5th, starting today with a 2-1 loss to Chelsea."

Frank via text: "Carroll and Suarez will really work for Liverpool. I feel it is the start of a new era. This time next season, Torres will wish he'd never left."

1255: It's not just Chelsea-Man City bossing the side-show antics today, though, of course - not when the Sunderland-Liverpool match pairs Asamoah Gyan and Luis Suarez off against one another for the first time since that handball from the latter helped Uruguay dump Ghana out of the World Cup quarter-finals. Gyan has attemped to play it down... "I know people will be focusing on what happened in the World Cup. But it's gone and life goes on," the striker said this week, but keep your eye out for the pre-match get together. We could have another handshake-gate on our hands. Woop-de-do.

trundandle on Twitter: "No beachballs today please..."

JackHawkins23 on Twitter: "I wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool got complacent today - 3-1 Sunderland. As for Chelsea/Man City, 2-2."

1249: TEAM NEWS SNAP
Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll both start for Liverpool for the first time at Sunderland, who have Danny Welbeck up front following his injury return and Lee Cattermole and Nedum Onuoha on the bench.

Phil_McMahon on Twitter: "As a Man Utd fan I'm not Liverpool or City's biggest fan, nor Chelsea's either, but there is no doubt these are great games today."

1246: And this is how you all get involved... same drill as always... Tweet the commentary via the hashtag #BBCFootball, Tweet me @sampatricklyon or text me via 81111 (UK).

1242: Two potential crackers there, then, if you ask me. Which, admittedly, none of you did. This is your order of play...
Sunderland v Liverpool (1330)
Chelsea v Man City (1600)

1239: So plenty of the side-show about this afternoon's Stamford Bridge clash - and plenty more on that to come - but before all that we've got a match of arguably equal standing. If you're a fan of beachball-affected histrionics, anyway. Sunderland are the hosts as they look to avoid being caught up in what is fast becoming an 11-team battle against relegation, with Liverpool the visitors, Kenny Dalglish's men suddenly in danger of losing any sense of purpose about the run-in of their league campaign. You lot up for that one?

1236: Yep, while Roberto Mancini is being forced to lob luggage at dummy-spitter-in-chief Mario Balotelli, Carlo Ancelotti has been reading about John Terry apparently putting his international team-mates' noses out of joint by being re-appointed England captain and listening to Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay guaranteeing the Italian's position at the club... until the summer. Ouch.

1234: What you probably need as a manager ahead of the game, then, is a nice easy life. You know, a stress-free training environment, your players not being caught up in a media maelstrom, the ability to turn on the wireless without fear of listening to your boss casting a bit of a shadow over your long-term future at the club, for example. So just how many black cats have Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini run over then, I wonder?

1230: Two days after pulling the red half of Manchester out of the hat in the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Chelsea today turn their attentions to the city's blue half. Man City are in town, on a run of three straight wins over the west Londoners, and there could be more riding on this match than on a rush-hour train from Clapham Junction. Win and either side could claim to be back in the title race. Lose and all of a sudden the push for fourth spot is in the balance. It's a pressure game, no doubt about it.