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As it happenedended

Premier League as it happened: Manchester United held by Everton, Leicester, Watford and Burnley win

Re-live Tuesday's top flight action

Joe Miles
Tuesday 04 April 2017 13:57 EDT
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic carries the ball forward at Old Trafford
Zlatan Ibrahimovic carries the ball forward at Old Trafford (Getty)

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Manchester United entertain Everton in the pick of the fixtures for this week's first night of midweek Premier League action. Elsewhere, Burnley host Stoke City, Leicester face Sunderland and Watford do battle with West Bromwich Albion.

Tuesday's Premier League fixtures

Burnley vs Stoke City - 7.45pm

Leicester City vs Sunderland - 7.45pm

Watford vs West Bromwich Albion - 7.45pm

Manchester United vs Everton - 8.00pm

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's Premier League action.

The fixture list is as follows:

Watford v West Bromwich Albion (19:45)

Burnley FC v Stoke City (19:45)

Leicester City v Sunderland (19:45)

Manchester United v Everton (20:00)

Stay tuned for all of the build up, team news and minute-by-minute coverage of the action. 

Joe Miles4 April 2017 17:09
Joe Miles4 April 2017 17:15
Joe Miles4 April 2017 17:34
Joe Miles4 April 2017 18:09

These two sublime strikers will be going head-to-head tonight. Here's how they compare: 

Joe Miles4 April 2017 18:29

Lukaku's time to shineFollowing a lacklustre performance from the league’s top scorer in the Merseyside derby at the weekend, the 21-year-old certainly has a point to prove in this imperative fixture. An away clash against a struggling United side is the perfect chance for the striker to atone his reputation and silence the critics. Despite bagging himself the Premier League Player of the Month award for March, speculation still surrounds the Belgian’s ability to provide the goods against the higher standard of opponent. 

Arguably, he entered the clash against Liverpool fatigued from international duty - but this is a valueless excuse for a man who already has 21 goals so far in this campaign. However, he did lack service from his midfield outlets, leaving the Belgian looking isolated and static against a disciplined defence. This combination resulted in a meagre performance from the main man and a 3-1 defeat for The Toffees. 

Only one of the strikers 11 league goals in 2017 has been scored away from Goodison Park, which adds another problem to the pile for Ronald Koeman’s men.

Nonetheless, the Belgium international carries the attributes to give any defence nightmares. His pace, power and ability on the ball is unrivalled within his side, which allows him to change a game at his own accord. There is no doubt that the United defenders will be prepared and ready for him, but do they have what it takes to keep him quiet? We'll see.

Joe Miles4 April 2017 18:34

Can Zlatan steal the show? Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns from his three-game ban to face The Toffees and his former boss at Ajax, Ronald Koeman. Despite the Everton boss labelling him as ‘difficult’ to manage, he still believes that the 35-year-old is still one of the best in the business.

Ibrahimovic’s impact on the Premier League comes of no surprise to his former coach, so it is safe to say his defence will be on full alert to prepare for United’s talisman.

The goalless draw for Mourinho’s men last weekend against The Baggies simply exaggerated United’s need for their attacking menace. With 26 goals so far, including 15 in the league, his label as the Red’s top scorer remains without any competition. Juan Mata has bagged 10, closely followed by Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford with seven.

Will the 35-year-old prove pinnacle tonight? We’ll see.

Joe Miles4 April 2017 18:44

Which striker would you prefer to have in your team?

Joe Miles4 April 2017 18:53

Manchester United Vs Everton: Team news

Joe Miles4 April 2017 19:02

The return of Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from suspension will certainly boost the morale of Mourinho's men following a disappointing, goalless draw at the weekend. Pogba is sidelined following a hamstring injury, but there's no doubt that he will feature tonight if the Reds need a dosage of his midfield magic. Luke Shaw will return to the bench, despite speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford.  

Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain absent with injuries.

Ronald Koeman continues without Morgan Schneiderlin, Aaron Lennon, James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes due to injuries.

Joe Miles4 April 2017 19:18

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