Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Watford vs West Ham - as it happened: Andre Ayew's second half-strike salvages a point for the visitors

Re-love all the action from Saturday's Premier League fixtures

Sam Dymond
Saturday 25 February 2017 12:23 EST
Comments
West Ham celebrate their equaliser at Vicarage Road
West Ham celebrate their equaliser at Vicarage Road (Getty)

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.

It's a return to normality after last weekend's round of FA Cup fixtures and while there may be a shortage of eye-catching clashes, there's still plenty to get stuck into.

With six of the bottom seven sides in action, today could prove to be a significant turning point as the battle for survival heats up.

Crystal Palace host fellow relegation rivals Middlesbrough in a crunch match for the two struggling sides. With three precious points up the grabs, expect fireworks.

Elsewhere, Sunderland travel to Goodison Park in an difficult fixture for David Moyes' men while Hull take on Burnley at the KCOM Stadium.

League leaders Chelsea welcome the resurgent Swans to Stamford Bridge, Bournemouth travel to West Brom and Watford round up proceedings at Vicarage Road as they go head-to-head with London rivals West Ham.

Follow the live action below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

Saturday's kick-off times:

Chelsea 15:00 Swansea

Crystal Palace 15:00 Middlesbrough

Everton 15:00 Sunderland

Hull 15:00 Burnley

West Brom 15:00 Bournemouth

Watford 17:30 West Ham

Is there anybody not making their 300th Premier League appearance today?

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 14:56

KICK-OFF: Dead on three o'clock, Saudi Arabia-bound referee Mark Clattenburg blows his whistle and they are off and running at the Hawthorns. That's the kind of efficiency we'll miss. The departing official's signal is replicated by four of his colleagues around the country and all five of this afternoon's Premier League games are in play. 

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:00

4 mins: PENALTY! WEST BROM 0 BOURNEMOUTH 0:

Mark Clattenburg is going out with a bang! Less than four minutes on the clock, and the referee has pointed to the spot for a Bournemouth penalty. Scottish livewire Ryan Fraser bundled his way into the West Bromwich Albion box, and when Allan Nyom dragged him to ground, the match official had no hesitation in awarding the spotkick. It's a huge early chance for the struggling Cherries.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:04

5 mins: GOAL! WEST BROM 0 BOURNEMOUTH 1:

Josh King makes no mistake from 12 yards! The Bournemouth lone striker was a composed figure inside the Hawthorns as he stepped up, and slotted past Ben Foster. There will be no third consecutive clean sheet at home for the Baggies.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:05

10 mins: GOAL! WEST BROM 1 BOURNEMOUTH 1:

Bournemouth's lead didn't last long! The visitors sat back as right-back Craig Dawson marauded forward, and with that invitation to strike, the defender didn't disappoint. That's not the say that some good fortune wasn't required, and that arrived with a significant deflection off an opponent. That ricochet was enough to take the curler away from Artur Boruc and inside the left post.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:10

17 mins: Chelsea 0 Swansea 0: A slight scare for the league leaders as Eden Hazard writhes around the pitch in pain after being caught on the instep by Leroy Fer's studs. The Belgian is soon up and limping though. Panic over and the hosts remain on top.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:19

19 mins: GOAL! CHELSEA 1 SWANSEA 0:

Back in the team and on his 300th Premier League appearance, Cesc Fabregas has bundled Chelsea into the lead at Stamford Bridge. Good work from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard in the build-up saw the ball moved right to Pedro, and when the Spaniard crossed low into the middle, there was his compatriot arriving to control and force past Lukasz Fabianski into the bottom left corner.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:20

21 mins: GOAL! WEST BROM 2 BOURNEMOUTH 1:

West Brom have turned it right round at the Hawthorns! It's a horrorshow for Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who completely fluffs his attempt to punch clear Chris Brunt's cross. The intended clearance instead fell at the feet of Gareth McAuley, and the veteran defender poked into the vacant net.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:21

30 mins: Crystal Palace 0 Middlesbrough 0: Not much happening here.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:32

32 mins: Hull 0 Burnley 0: Or here - but Hull are putting the pressure on their Lancastrian opponents. Indeed, Marco Silva's team have conjured up a number of attempts on goal but, as of yet, none have hit the target to test Tom Heaton.

Sam Dymond25 February 2017 15:35

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in