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Live Action

Minute 1: Newcastle United 0-0 Nottm Forest The whistle blows! We’re under way at St James' Park stadium and, probably, in the additional fixtures as well.

The moment is near for the matches. Sky Sports are displaying all four fixtures on a single screen, a premiere for their top division broadcasts, but it’s a bit headache-inducing and it's hard to follow, so we’ll probably switch between the games.

This date in 1997 … The footballer scores a hat-trick against Ruud Gullit’s Chelsea.

“Notable to see that Forest’s pre-match tracksuits are beige, a sign perhaps of their uninspiring displays and outcomes since ‘Major’ Ange became manager,” notes a commentator. “But truthfully, what was he planning, accepting the owner's money? Or did he swallow it by error?”

I was also puzzled, because he must have known it would take time to introduce such a major change of approach. Perhaps he was keen to improve Spurs.

Newcastle versus Nottingham Forest

“Honestly, mate, I don't believe Nottingham Forest have been poor under Postecoglou,” comments a viewer. “The results are a little inaccurate: having seen a few of their games, they’ve either been genuinely unlucky, lacked finishing or had every outfield player (including their goalkeeper), along with substitutes, all the coaching team, the team bus driver, the symbol and the kitchen staff all moved forward for a (short) corner in the dying embers of a match.

“I’m not Postecoglou's greatest admirer for a bunch of causes*, but I’m genuinely concerned of the team's offensive strength (including on their reserves). There may be a few surprises in this one.

* He ignored my ‘connection request’ on the social platform.”

I can’t get my head round the coach being under so much scrutiny. He's only been in charge less a month. The only legitimate cause for dismissing him at this juncture would be if he disparaging the legendary manager's green jumper, and still a formal apology would probably do.

Everton versus Crystal Palace

“A fine day at this impressive ground for two respectable sides facing off,” comments Gary Naylor. “Speaking to some Crystal Palace lads on the way up, they were expecting a challenging game, but admitted with me that the striker is the difference.

“Nevertheless, nice to feel nervousness rather than fear... for now.”

Wolves against Brighton Squad Updates

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-3-3) Sam Johnstone; Tchatchoua, S Bueno, Krejci, Hugo Bueno; Munetsi, the midfielder, Joao Gomes; the winger, the forward, Hee-chan Hwang.
Reserves: the goalkeeper, Wolfe, the defender, Arokodare, Mosquera, the midfielder, Hoever, Bellegarde, the midfielder.

Brighton (4-2-3-1 formation) the goalkeeper; Wieffer, the defender, the captain, Kadioglu; the midfielder, Ayari; the attacker, the playmaker, Minteh; Danny Welbeck.
Reserves: the goalkeeper, the forward, the attacker, Watson, the defender, James Milner, the defender, De Cuyper, Coppola.

Match referee the official (Australia)

Newcastle versus Nottm Forest Squad News

Newcastle (4-3-3 formation) Nick Pope; the right-back, Thiaw, the centre-back, Burn; Guimaraes, the midfielder, the midfielder; Elanga, Woltemade, Anthony Gordon.
Substitutes: the goalkeeper, the defender, Lascelles, Barnes, the defender, the forward, Jacob Murphy, Willock, the youngster.

Nottm Forest (three-four-two-one)) Sels; Milenkovic, Jair Cunha, the defender; Savona, Anderson, the midfielder, Williams; Ndoye, the playmaker; Wood.
Subs: the goalkeeper, the defender, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Igor Jesus, the attacker, the midfielder, the winger.

Official the referee (Merseyside)

The Toffees versus Palace Squad News

Everton FC (four-two-three-one) Jordan Pickford; the defender, Tarkowski, Keane, the defender; Garner, Gueye; the winger, Ndiaye, the playmaker; Barry.
Substitutes: the goalkeeper, the defender, Patterson, the winger, Beto, the defender, the midfielder, the defender, Iroegbunam.

Palace (3-4-2-1 formation) Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, the defender; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, the wing-back; Sarr, the winger; Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Substitutes: the goalkeeper, the midfielder, the forward, the defender, Hughes, the defender, the defender, the midfielder, Cardines.

Match referee Michael Salisbury (Lancashire)

Aston Villa versus The Clarets Squad News

Aston Villa FC (probable 4-2-3-1 formation) Martinez, the defender, the defender, the defender, Digne, the midfielder, Bogarde; McGinn, the attacker, Malen; Ollie Watkins.
Reserves: the goalkeeper, the defender, the midfielder, Elliott, Buendia, Jimoh, the defender, the midfielder, the forward.

Burnley (5-4-1) the goalkeeper; the defender, Tuanzebe, the defender, Esteve, the defender; Tchaouna, the midfielder, the midfielder, the winger; the striker.
Substitutes: Weiss, Worrall, the winger, Ugochukwu, the defender, Humphreys, Flemming, Broja, the midfielder.

Official the official (from Durham)

Premier League Rankings Prior of Today's Action

Position	Side	Played	GD	{