Manchester City 4-0 Bournemouth, RESULT: Plus Premier League scores for West Ham 2-3 Newcastle and the rest of the 3pm action as it happened

Not much movement up the top of the table, but plenty of changes down the bottom following those 3pm games that bring up the halfway point of the season.

Fallout to come on the homepage as I leave you with table, but attention now turns towards Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur and you can follow all the Turf Moor action with myself on this link.

Click here for more fixtures, tables and results with our Match Zone

Stoke counter deep in stoppage time, with Eric Choupo Moting squaring for Ramadan Sobhi to seal a huge win for Mark Hughes.

Fill your boots time (again) at the Etihad Stadium, as Danilo adds City's fourth with five minutes left after getting on the end of a Sterling pass.

The second half is getting worse for Southampton as Charlie Austin has picked up an injury while shooting nd with 12 minutes left he is replaced by Manolo Gabbiadini.

Sound the City goal klaxon. It is Sergio Aguero's 101st goal at the Etihad Stadium as with 11 minutes left he heads home Bernardo Silva's cross to put this game to bed.

I said Swansea looked doomed, and Jordan Ayew fires those words right back down my throat as he equalises with a cracking low strike from the edge of the box.

Henri Saivet made amends earlier and Andre Ayew follows suit as after missing a penalty he now pulls a goal back after pouncing on the loose ball following Elliot's save from an Andy Carroll header.

We've just witnessed something very rare indeed – a Brighton goal!

'Pascal Gross picks the ball up and has no right to score from this distance. Yet he unleashes a shot from 20 yards, straight at Heurelho Gomes, who fumbles and it rolls into the net. 1-0!'

Bring on the goals. Huddersfield are back on level terms at Southampton with Laurent Depoitre nodding the Terriers level.

Finally Brighton find a way past Heurelho Gomes as Pascal Gross blasts home from just outside the box.

That Ayew penalty is looking like a huge miss for West Ham now as Christian Atsu fires home following a counter attack from the Toon

New manager, same old Swansea. Federico Fernandez trips Ruben Loftus-Cheek inside the box and from the penalty spot Luka Milivojevic puts Crystal Palace in front.

It's not even Christmas and Swansea are starting to look doomed.

Mark Noble is the regular penalty taker but he isn't around so Andre Ayew steps up, only for his spot-kick to be saved by Rob Elliot.

Ciaran Clark appears to trip Michail Antonio just inside the box (I'm not quite certain at first glance) as West Ham get an instant chance to respond.

And that's just about game over at the Etihad Stadium as Raheem Sterling finishes nicely for his 16th goal of the season.

Could Newcastle be picking up their first win in over two months? They have only collected one point in that time but they lead at West Ham after Mohamed Diame converted Christian Atsu's cross.

'We really need a goal here. This has turned into quite a dull game.
At half-time, some bookmakers were offering odds of 3/1 for it to stay 0-0. Very generous...'

Nacer Chadli has come on for James McClean, and the change has sparked West Brom into life as a long ball over the top finds Salomon Rondon who cuts Stoke's lead in half.

'The tunnel at the bet365 is at the foot of the away end – and the Baggies supporters were not shy in letting their players know exactly what they thought of that first-half.'

'Half-time at St Mary's. Saints finish the half very, very well. Dusan Tadic, who was dropped to the bench against Chelsea, has done really well here.

'He came close to adding a second for his side shortly after Austin's opener. Huddersfield haven't registered a shot on goal since Southampton took the lead. David Wagner will be wondering where his attacking flair is going to come from in the second half.'

I wonder what the dropped Virgil van Dijk made of that first half from his position inside St Mary's....

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With just about the last kick of the half Stoke double their lead as Eric Choupo-Moting collects a through ball from Allen before taking the ball past Ben Foster and slotting home.

My mistake, I had completely forgot about events at the Liberty Stadium. That's because nothing has happened in a match that finished 5-4 last season...

Just the AMEX Stadium without a goal, much to Brighton's frustrations as they continue to toil in attack against a Watford side without a win in five.

'Newcastle are actually doing reasonably well, here. They responded confidently to conceding an early goal and they have outplayed West Ham for long periods.

'Matt Ritchie hit the inside of the post with a lovely curling effort but Marko Arnautovic is in such dazzling individual form that you would not bet against him being the decisive factor if Newcastle do not convert their possession into chances more frequently.'

'So close to a fairytale first Premier League appearance for Connor Goldson. Completely unmarked at the back post from a corner, the 25-year-old sent a free header straight at Heurelho Gomes. What a story that would have been.

'Richarlison is getting wound up by the Brighton crowd here. He is looking frustrated.'

'City make what they do look easy, but sometimes it’s not until other teams try if that you realise just what Pep Guardiola has achieved at the Etihad.

'Bournemouth tried to copy their opponents by passing the ball across the back-five from left to right rather than clearing their lines, and it has cost them a goal.

'The ball was played back to Begovic who clipped a poor pass into no man’s land and Fabian Delph intercepted.

'In no time, the ball was played to Fernandinho who crossed for Sergio Aguero to head in. City are good enough without being invited to score as they were there.'

'Jonas Lossl receiving treatment after Charlie Austin caught him in the face with his boot. Really unnecessary from Austin who could have got out of the way. Lossl had already claimed the ball on the ground. The goalkeeper left with a cut on his nose.'

Asmir Begovic's poor pass puts his team in all sorts of trouble and that's all Manchester City need to finally breakdown the visitors as the ball is worked towards Sergio Aguero at the backpost who converts his 100th goal at the Etihad Stadium.

'Charlie Austin heads Southampton in front. Corner was flicked on by Wesley Hoedt and Austin was lurking at the far post to place his header beyond Jonas Lossl. A big moment for Saints who had looked poor until that point.'

Southampton had made a slow start but they get their noses in front as Charlie Austin pounces to get on the end of a Wesley Hoedt knockdown following a corner.

'Bournemouth have set up with one bank of five and another of four to try and keep Manchester City out, with Callum Wilson operating as a (very) lone striker.

'The early injury to Junior Stanislas won’t affect the strategy which, you assume, has been worked on comprehensively in training this week. It’s all City but Asmir Begovic has had a relatively quiet game for now.'

Marc Pugh was a 12th minute replacement for Stanislas.

A priceless goal from under pressure boss Mark Hughes' perspective. A Peter Crouch volley across goal is turned home by Joe Allen. 

'It's been all Brighton so far. Only a training ground move from a corner has given Watford a sniff of goal.

'There is a Premier League debut for Connor Goldson here in the absence of Brighton defender Shane Duffy. Just nine months ago, Goldson underwent heart surgery. Remarkable recovery.'

'‘Tony Pulis, he’s coming for you,’ sing the West Brom fans at Stoke. This almost-derby is not without spite. Plenty of abuse for Saido Berahino, who has something to do with that, from the away end.'

'Quite a first Premier League appearance of the season for Henri Saivet in the Newcastle midfield.

'Gave the ball away to Marko Arnautovic for West Ham’s opener in the sixth minute and scored a fabulous free-kick to equalise four minutes later. Away fans singing Rafa Benitez’s name.'

Now that's how you make amends! Having given the ball away for West Ham's opening goal, Henri Saivet scores his first Premier League goal for Newcastle after equalising with a 25-yard free-kick.

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'Southampton seem to lack confidence in defence when Virgil van Dijk isn't in the team. They can't rely on him today as he's not even in the matchday squad.

'Maya Yoshida knows it, too. Rajiv van la Parra's half-hearted effort was going nowhere until Yoshida fluffed his clearance which nearly allowed Huddersfield a very early chance to take the lead. Shaky Saints.'

'Leon Britton has gone for the gillet look. His good mate Garry Monk used to talk about 'earning the right to wear a suit', for those who wonder about these things.'

He's gone full Tim Sherwood mode! You never go full Tim Sherwood mode!

It's Henri Saivet's first Premier League start of the season and it's a dreadful one. He gives the ball away to Marko Arnautovic who continue his recent fine form by then opening the scoring.

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Chance for Huddersfield Town, all of Southampton's making. Maya Yoshida fails to clear a simple ball, Fraser Forster fails to pounce on the afters but there is no Huddersfield Town player to pounce.

Remember to get the most out of our live coverage by following all the action with Sportsmail's excellent Match Zone.

It features the latest line-ups, formations, match stats and a handy player comparison tool.

In addition there are heat zones for EVERY player as well as detailed maps of all the goals as they go in. Read more on the above link.

It's the final day of Premier League action before Christmas, but will it bring the goals? Let's find out...

'Redbridge Brass band bringing pre-match seasonal cheer to the Olympic Park with their festive knitwear and Christmas carols.

'Outside it’s busy at the Westfield Academy of Shopping. Inside, it’s filling up.'

'Already a good weekend for the Manchester clubs and neither of them has kicked a ball yet.'

'Virgil van Dijk was not expected to be in today's squad to face Huddersfield Town as speculation continues to grow over his future at Southampton.

'Van Dijk arrived at St Mary's not in his club tracksuit and is left out of the matchday squad.
Manchester City and Liverpool have both shown interest in signing the central defender.'

The final whistle has blown at Goodison Park and, despite plenty of efforts at the Everton goal, Chelsea have drawn a blank this afternoon and lose further ground on the Manchester clubs above them in the Premier League table. 

CLICK HERE to read all about it. 

As the Premier League reaches the half-way point and the end of 2017, our reporters give their predictions and favourite moments of the season so far.

Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton has omitted Arsenal from his top-four prediction while he tips Manchester City to win both the league and the Champions League.

Here is the round up the action on an eventful first-half to the Premier League campaign.

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR VERDICTS

Here are pictures of Manchester City's players arriving at the Etihad Stadium a short time ago.

They are aiming for a 17th consecutive victory in the Premier League this afternoon against 16th-place Bournemouth.

You really have to feel they are nailed on for victory here but stranger things have happened. 

12.30pm
Everton 0-0 Chelsea (Latest)

3pm
Brighton vs Watford
Manchester City vs Bournemouth
Southampton vs Huddersfield Town
Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City vs Crystal Palace
West Ham United vs Newcastle United

5.30pm
Burnley vs Tottenham Hotspur

7.45pm
Leicester City vs Manchester United

Brighton: Ryan, Saltor, Goldson, Dunk, Suttner, Stephens, Propper, Knockaert, Gross, March, Hemed

Substitutes: Hunemeier, Kayal, Baldock, Murray, Izquierdo, Schelotto, Krul

Watford: Gomes, Janmaat, Prodl, Kabasele, Holebas, Cleverley, Watson, Carrillo, Pereyra, Richarlison, Gray

Substitutes: Mariappa, Wague, Sinclair, Capoue, Karnezis, Okaka, Folivi

Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire)

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph, De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva, Sterling, Aguero, Sane

Substitutes: Bravo, Danilo, Gundogan, Mangala, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Toure

Bournemouth: Begovic, Adam Smith, Steve Cook, Ake, Simpson, Fraser, Gosling, Surman, Ibe, Stanislas, Callum Wilson

Substitutes: Boruc, Pugh, Afobe, Lewis Cook, Hyndman, Mahoney, Mousset

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

Stoke City: Butland, Zouma, Shawcross, Wimmer, Cameron, Allen, Fletcher, Edwards, Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting, Crouch

Substitutes: Berahino, Afellay, Adam, Diouf, Sobhi, Grant, Soutar

West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Nyom, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs, Brunt, Livermore, Barry, McClean, Rondon, Robson-Kanu

Substitutes: Rodriguez, Chadli, McAuley, Dawson, Myhill, Yacob, Burke

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)

Swansea City: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson, Carroll, Roque, Clucas, Narsingh, Abraham, Dyer

Substitutes: van der Hoorn, Nordfeldt, Ayew, Rangel, Sanches, Fulton, McBurnie

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Kelly, Tomkins, Dann, Schlupp, Loftus-Cheek, Cabaye, Milivojevic, McArthur, Townsend, Zaha

Substitutes: Van Aanholt, Hennessey, Souare, Fosu-Mensah, Sako, Puncheon, Riedewald

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

Southampton: Forster, Stephens, Yoshida, Hoedt, Targett, Davis, Lemina, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond, Austin

Substitutes: Long, McCarthy, Romeu, Boufal, Gabbiadini, Hojbjerg, McQueen

Huddersfield: Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Schindler, Malone, Mooy, Williams, Quaner, Ince, van La Parra, Depoitre

Substitutes: Smith, Whitehead, Coleman, Cranie, Lowe, Lolley, Mounie

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)

West Ham: Adrian, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Zabaleta, Kouyate, Obiang, Masuaku, Ayew, Arnautovic, Antonio

Substitutes: Carroll, Sakho, Hernandez, Collins, Hart, Quina, Rice

Newcastle: Elliot, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo, Atsu, Saivet, Diame, Ritchie, Gayle, Joselu

Substitutes: Dummett, Murphy, Aarons, Perez, Mbemba, Haidara, Darlow

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

The countdown to Christmas is on and as part of a festive feast of football there is a packed programme of Premier League matches this afternoon.

Everton vs Chelsea is already underway, but this live blog will focus on the six 3pm kick-offs in the top-flight, with a focus on both ends of the table.

Manchester City will hope to continue their glorious start to the season when they host Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. 

Bottom of the table Swansea host upwardly-mobile Crystal Palace and there's a relegation six-pointer as Stoke play West Brom.

Elsewhere, Brighton host Watford, Southampton play Huddersfield Town and West Ham welcome Newcastle United.

Your best bet is to stick with us here for all the goals as they go in. We'll have all the team news for you in the next few minutes.