Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma with team-mate Gary Cahill (left) after scoring against Watford during the FA Cup third round match at Stamford Bridge last week. Chelsea advanced after a 3-0 win over the Championship team.Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma with team-mate Gary Cahill (left) after scoring against Watford during the FA Cup third round match at Stamford Bridge last week. Chelsea advanced after a 3-0 win over the Championship team.

It is only alphabetical order that is currently keeping Chelsea ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings.

The Blues’ stunning 5-3 defeat to Tottenham on New Year’s Day has enabled champions City, 3-2 winners over Sunderland in their last league outing, to join Chelsea at the top of the standings with an identical goal difference (44 in favour and 19 against).

This afternoon, the Citizens travel to Goodison Park to play guests to the below-par Everton.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini will hope his players produce a much better performance than the one that saw them needing a last-gasp James Milner goal to see off Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the FA Cup last week.

City’s title challenge was boosted by the news that veteran Frank Lampard will only leave the club at the end of the season to join New York City FC in the United States.

Everton fans are in a shock with the news that the club is willing to listen to offers for star player Ross Barkley who is set to become the main protagonist in this month’s transfer window with City also showing interest in the talented midfielder.

Everton skipper Phil Jagielka believes it is up to the club’s under-performing players to repay manager Roberto Martinez after the team suffered a fourth defeat in a row against Hull City on New Year’s Day.

In the last ten seasons of Premier League football, Everton have overwhelmed City at Goodison Park with seven wins to their opponents’ two.

2014: Everton-Man. City 2-3.
2013: Everton-Man. City 2-0.
2012: Everton-Man. City 1-0.
2011: Everton-Man. City 2-1.
2010: Everton-Man. City 2-0.
2009: Everton-Man. City 1-2.
2008: Everton-Man. City 1-0.
2006: Everton-Man. City 1-1.
2006: Everton-Man. City 1-0.
2004: Everton-Man. City 2-1.

Today, Chelsea have the chance to avenge their defeat to Newcastle earlier this season when they host the Magpies at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was delighted with his team’s FA Cup win over Watford and was particularly pleased with goalscorers Willian and Kurt Zouma.

This week, goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer left Chelsea to join Leicester, a move that should end rumours about Petr Cech’s future in London.

Newcastle crashed out of the FA Cup after a 1-0 defeat at Leicester but still caretaker manager John Carver has defended his team.

United at home

After eliminating Yeovil from the FA Cup, third-placed Manchester United will be at Old Trafford to host Southampton, who are a point behind the Red Devils in the standings.

This week, United signed Spaniard Victor Valdes who put pen to paper on an 18-month contract. The former Barcelona goalkeeper will be David De Gea’s understudy at Old Trafford.

This evening, Tottenham will be involved in a London derby at Crystal Palace.

Andros Townsend has scotched reports that he will be made available for sale by Tottenham in this month’s transfer window.

Arsenal are one point behind north London rivals Tottenham in sixth place.

Tomorrow, the Gunners play Stoke at the Emirates Stadium as they look to make up for their 3-2 upset to the Potters at the Britannia Stadium late last year.

Liverpool, shocked by the news that skipper Steven Gerrard will leave at the end of the season, play away at Sunderland as Swansea clash against West Ham United.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League
Burnley-QPR - X
Chelsea-Newcastle - 1
Crystal Palace-Tottenham (18:30) - 2
Everton-Manchester City - 2
Leicester-Aston Villa - X
Sunderland-Liverpool (13:45) - 2
Swansea-West Ham United - X
West Bromwich-Hull City - 1

Tomorrow
Arsenal-Stoke City (14:30) - 1
Man. United-Southampton (17:00) - 1

Standings: Chelsea, Man. City 46; Man. United 37; Southampton 36; Tottenham 34; Arsenal 33; West Ham 32; Liverpool, Swansea 29; Newcastle 27; Stoke 26; Aston Villa 22; Everton 21; Sunderland 20; Hull, QPR 19; West Brom 18; C. Palace, Burnley 17; Leicester 14.

The Championship
Birmingham-Wigan - 1
Blackpool-Millwall - X
Bolton-Leeds United - 1
Bournemouth-Norwich - 1
Brentford-Rotherham - 1
Cardiff-Fulham - 1
Charlton-Brighton - 2
Huddersfield-Watford - X
Ipswich-Derby (13:15) - X
Nottm Forest-Sheffield Wednesday - 1
Reading-Middlesbrough - 2

Tomorrow:
Blackburn-Wolves (15:00) - 2

League One
Barnsley-Yeovil - 1
Bradford-Rochdale - 1
Bristol City-Notts County - 1
Chesterfield-Port Vale - 1
Crawley-MK Dons - 2
Crewe-Gillingham - X
Leyton Orient-Fleetwood - 1
Oldham-Doncaster - 1
Peterborough-Colchester - 1
Sheffield United-Preston NE - 1
Walsall-Scunthorpe - 1

Monday:
Coventry-Swindon (20:45) - 1

League Two
Burton-Mansfield - 1
Carlisle-Cambridge - X
Dagenham-Oxford - 2
Exeter-Northampton - 1
Hartlepool-Cheltenham - X
Morecambe-Tranmere - X
Newport-Portsmouth - 1
Southend-Plymouth - 1
Stevenage-Wimbledon - X
Wycombe-York City - 1

Hot four:
Bolton, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Nottm Forest.

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