Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's huge Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge!

This is the second of the big top-six clashes on Sunday, with Manchester City currently leading Arsenal in the other which puts more pressure on both Chelsea and United to keep up with the league leaders here. It is all to play for on Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge, and it promises to be an occasion not to be missed!

Before we take a closer look, though, let's first check out the team news...

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Hazard, Morata

CHELSEA SUBS: Caballero, Rudiger, Ampadu, Drinkwater, Willian, Pedro, Batshuayi

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Bailly, Jones, Smalling; Valencia, Herrera, Matic, Young; Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Rashford

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, Blind. Darmian, Fellaini, McTominay, Lingard, Martial

What can we make of those two sides, then?

Well, we'll start with the home side and the headline news is that N'Golo Kante returns to the starting lineup for Chelsea having missed the last six games with a hamstring injury. Kante has been sidelined since the last international break with the problem, but recently returned to training and has been included from the off by Antonio Conte today - a huge boost for the hosts.

We all know about Kante's ability in midfield, but he also scored in both home games Chelsea had against United last season, so the visitors will need to keep an eye out for him in the final third too.

Kante's inclusion is one of three changes made by Conte from the midweek defeat to Roma, with Luiz, Rudiger and Pedro all dropping out of the starting lineup for today's match.

That means another start for Andreas Christensen in midfield, with the Dane being increasingly trusted by Conte, while David Zappacosta also comes into the side along with Kante. Gary Cahill, who was rested against Bournemouth last weekend, is also included from the start.

The initial suggestions are that it will be a slight varying on the 3-4-3 system we are used to seeing from Chelsea today, with Hazard and Morata playing more as a front two and Fabregas in the hole behind them rather than making up a front three.

Fabregas is certainly adept at playing in that position and unlocking defences, and having been linked with today's opponents in recent weeks he insists that he is happy at Chelsea and wants to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge.

Kante's return will give Fabregas more license to roam and free him of some of his defensive duties, and the sheer amount of work Kante gets through means that the same can be true for Bakayoko.

The summer signing once again starts in the middle of the park today, with Zappacosta and Alonso providing the width as the wing-backs. All of them will be aiming to get up in support of Morata - who has blown hot and cold so far this season - and Hazard, who is yet to hit his full stride having missed the start of the season through injury.

As for United, there are no real surprises in their starting lineup, with Jose Mourinho naming the same XI that beat Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent Premier League outing last weekend.

That means that the likes of Phil Jones, Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young all return to the starting lineup this afternoon having been left out of the midweek Champions League win over Benfica.

Romelu Lukaku leads the line for the visitors today as expected, and the Belgian may feel like he has a point to prove against his former club having never really made the grade during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were understood to be keen on signing him again last summer, only to miss out to United, but Lukaku is currently going through something of a dry patch in front of goal having failed to find the back of the net in his last six outings - that after scoring 11 in his first 10 games for the club.

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Lukaku has often been criticised for his record in the big games and, while the majority of his appearances against the league's best sides have come during his time at Everton, the stats are nonetheless fairly damning for Lukaku.

The Belgian has scored only 15 goals in 59 Premier League games against 'big six' opposition, averaging a goal ever 295 minutes in that time. Compare that to his record of 77 goals in 137 games against non-big six opposition - an average of a goal every 137 minutes - and it is clear to see that he drops off in these types of matches.

Lukaku will be supported today by Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the latter of whom has gone off the boil a little following a blistering start to the season which saw him pick up five assists in his first three games.

At the other end of the pitch David de Gea tends the goal, as ever, and no goalkeeper in Europe's top five leagues has kept more clean sheets than his tally of 22 since the start of last season.

There is plenty of quality on both sides, then, which should make for a fascinating contest today. Chelsea against Manchester United has been a huge fixture in the English football calendar for a while now, and the added sub-plots of Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge - along with Lukaku and Matic now - have added even more spice to that.

Victory is so important for both sides, though, as it looks as though Manchester City will make it 10 wins from 11 in their clash with Arsenal having just taken a 3-1 lead.

As far as Chelsea are concerned, that City scoreline would leave the champions 12 points adrift of the Premier League leaders by the time they begin this match, which is a huge ask to make up even at this relatively early stage of the campaign.

A defeat this afternoon could all but rule them out of the title race by the start of November, and for Antonio Conte it could also prove to be a result which costs him his job if recent speculation is to be believed.

It seems utterly ludicrous to be discussing the future of a manager who less than six months ago steered Chelsea to the Premier League title with a record-breaking 30 wins along the way, and this season currently sits in the top four and on the brink of the Champions League knockout stages.

The last two title-winning managers have not lasted the following season, though, and with reports that Conte has fallen out with Roman Abramovich building steam, Conte could become the latest to add to that curious curse if his side lose today.

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Chelsea had won three matches in a row before their midweek Champions League defeat to Roma, but their form has been mixed if you look a little further back, with three wins and three defeats in their last seven outings across all competitions.

Premier League victories over Watford and then Bournemouth have helped steady the domestic ship following back-to-back losses against Man City and Crystal Palace, but neither have been entirely convincing and questions still remain about the champions.

One of the biggest changes this season from last for Chelsea is their defensive record. The settled back three last season proved to be the base for Chelsea to go on and win the title, but so far this term Conte has been chopping and changing with much more regularity.

As a result, the Blues have kept only five clean sheets from their last 18 matches across all competitions, while in the Premier League this season they average conceding one goal every game.

Chelsea's home form has also tailed off, with two defeats at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League already this season - the same number as they suffered throughout the whole of their title-winning campaign last term.

Indeed, if only home form counted then Chelsea would currently sit 12th in the table, with the Blues having amassed five more points from the same number of games on the road. Should Chelsea win today, though, they it would be back-to-back Premier League home wins for the first time this season.

This match will renew the rivalry between Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, both of whom have named a number of not-so-subtle digs at each other since Conte took over at Stamford Bridge last summer.

Conte has won 112 point from his 48 Premier League games in charge of Chelsea, which is 11 fewer than Mourinho had amassed at the same time as his own Chelsea career, while Mourinho only lost once in that time compared to Conte's eight.

Mourinho just about holds the bragging rights over his Italian adversary, then, but the Portuguese will not be expecting a particularly warm welcome back to Stamford Bridge this afternoon.

Mourinho was once a hero of the Chelsea faithful having steered the club to three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three League Cups over two spells, but his switch to United has soured the relationship and he is now a figure for fans to ridicule rather than praise.

Mourinho has lost three of his last four away games against teams he has previously managed, and his tactics in these big games have been under heavy scrutiny already this season following a goalless draw with Liverpool and late win over Tottenham.

Mourinho is winless in all six Premier League away games against last season's top six, but he will be of the opinion that a draw here is another good result.

United have made their best start to a season since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson with their 23-point tally after 10 games, although the gap to leaders Manchester City is now eight points so victory is vital here.

Tottenham's victory earlier in the day has also seen them draw level on points with United, and should the Red Devils lost today then just one point would separate second from fourth in the table.

It is tough to keep up with the relentless pace being set by Manchester City at the moment, but United aren't doing a terrible job with just one defeat from their last 16 matches across all competitions.

Since the Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid in August United have won 13 and drawn two of their matches, in addition to that shock defeat at the hands of Huddersfield Town.

United have also kept eight clean sheets in their 10 Premier League outings so far this season, including in each of their last three and another today would give them four on a row for the first time since February.

United have lost five of their eight away Premier League games following a European fixture in midweek since Mourinho took charge, though, including each of their last three against Arsenal, Tottenham and Huddersfield.

Away from home United have not been too bad this season, with five wins from nine games, but it is nothing compared to their 100% home record which has seen them win every match across all competitions at Old Trafford.

United have only lost two Premier League games from their last nine attempts, while they are winless in their last two courtesy of the draw at Anfield and defeat the John Smith's.

One thing Mourinho has managed to restore in this United side is their ability to play until the very end of their matches, with a league-high 43% of their goals this season having come int the final 10 minutes of games.

Indeed, United alone account for 21% of the Premier League goals inside the final 10 minutes this season, so Chelsea will know when it gets to the closing stages that they either need a cushion or need to keep things tight at the back.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Stamford Bridge, which means that it is time for a prediction!

Mourinho has a reputation for playing defensively against his direct rivals, particularly away from home, and I cannot see the manager changing his ways for this one. It is likely to be a closely-fought contest, so I'm going for a score draw.

SPORTS MOLE SAYS: Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd

United won the most recent meeting between these two sides in April when Rashford and Herrera were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford, but in general it is Chelsea who have dominated this fixture in recent times.

The Blues went 12 games unbeaten against United across all competitions prior to that April loss, while United today have the chance to win back-to-back games against Chelsea for the first time since September 2011.

Indeed, United have lost more Premier League games (17) and conceded more goals (66) to Chelsea than any other club in the competition, so if the Red Devils do have a bogey team then it is today's opponents.

The corresponding fixture here last season saw Chelsea add another win and four more goals to their totals, with Pedro, Cahill, Hazard and Kante all on the scoresheet in a 4-0 victory.

The two sides met again at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March, with Kante again on the scoresheet with the only goal of the game.

In the Premier League Chelsea have only lost one of their last 15 home games against United stretching back to 2002, with that defeat coming in October 2012.

Right, that players are out and we're just about ready to go here. A recap of the team news before we get started...

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Bakayoko, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Hazard, Morata

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Bailly, Jones, Smalling; Valencia, Herrera, Matic, Young; Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Rashford

KICKOFF: Here we go then! United get this heavyweight contest underway at Stamford Bridge!

SAVE! Chelsea win an early free kick in a dangerous crossing position, but he instead chooses to play it short to Kante. The midfielder takes his time before getting his shot away, but it is a comfortable stop from De Gea in the end.

United win a corner following some good work from Young and, after the corner is played short, Rashford whips a devilish ball into the box which Courtois collects comfortably.

United have made a confident start to this match, seeing plenty of the ball inside the Chelsea half in these opening exchanges.

DISALLOWED GOAL! The ball is in the back of the net following a spectacular own goal from Jones, but it is immediately disallowed for a foul from Morata. It is a soft one, with Morata just pushing Jones as the United defender was looking to clear a cross, forcing Jones to volley the ball into his own top corner.

CHANCE! Big chance for United at the other end as Young's swinging cross finds Rashford completely unmarked, but the youngster seems more concerned with the onrushing Courtois and sends his header over the crossbar. A little more bravery there may have brought about the opening goal.

Mourinho will be very happy with the start his side have made to this match. They have come out confidently and could - probably should - be ahead here.

CHANCE! Big chance for Bakayoko now as Zappacosta's cross somehow makes it all the way to the midfielder inside the box, with Smalling and Herrera both failing to deal with the danger. Bakayoko really should score, but he gets his finish all wrong and steers it well off target.

SHOT! Bakayoko looks to atone for that miss with another strike - this time from range - but his low effort takes a deflection on its way past the far post.

This has been a very open match so far, which is not something we were expecting. United usually make sure chances are few and far between in these types of games, but both sides could have scored already here. It is shaping up very nicely indeed.

SAVE! Lukaku gets his first sight of goal of the afternoon as he spins away from his marker and tries to pick out the bottom corner with a curling strike, but Courtois gets down to make a strong save and deny his compatriot.

Bakayoko has another shooting chance here as he is once again left in space just outside the area, but this time Jones is quickly out to throw himself in the way of the ball. This has been a really good start to the game.

SAVE! Hazard is the next to come close with a stringing drive from the edge of the box which De Gea sees late and can only parry up into the air, but Fabregas can only turn the rebound into the side-netting and the flag was up anyway.

YELLOW CARD! Bakayoko is the first name in the book this afternoon after clattering into Jones when trying to get on the end of a one-two with Morata.

Half a chance for United as Rashford floats a free kick in towards the back post which Matic gets on the end of, but he can't turn the ball towards goal with any real conviction and Courtois claims it comfortably.

The opening quarter of this match has flown by - we were expecting a tight and cagey affair as that is what United usually provide in away games against direct rivals, but it has been anything but so far.

Fabregas floats a ball into the box which Morata is interested in, but Bailly marshals him well and the Spaniard is unable to get anything on it.

Manchester City's victory earlier must have had an impact on how both sides are approaching this game, particular United. Right now, though, the scoreline suits City better than anyone.

Zappacosta swings a deep cross into the box which Alonso rises highest to meet at the back post, but he can't trouble De Gea with his header.

Chelsea have done a good job keeping Lukaku quiet so far - the Belgian has had one notable sight of goal which was beaten away by Courtois but aside from that he hasn't been able to make much of an impact so far.

SAVE! Fabregas threads a pass into the feet of Morata, who advances into the box before cutting onto his right foot and putting a tame shot straight at De Gea.

Fabregas lifts a pass into the box which goes safely through to the keeper, but off the ball Morata goes down under a challenge from Smalling. The referee waves away the penalty claims, though, and rightly so.

Chelsea have seen far more of the ball than United over the past 10 minutes or so, and they are beginning to control proceedings a little more as a result. Fabregas and Hazard are enjoying a growing influence.

SAVE! Another save for De Gea to make, but once again it is a simple one as he collects Zappacosta's tame effort.

Just over five minutes remaining in this first half now, and it has been an absorbing contest despite the lack of goals so far. Chelsea look the most likely to score at the moment.

CHANCE! Chance for Chelsea to get that goal as Christensen escapes his marker from a corner to rise highest and meet it with a header, but he just gets his timing wrong and the ball comes off his shoulder before looping over.

United's attacking threat has diminished as this half has gone on - they started really brightly but most of their efforts have been put into defending for the past 15-20 minutes or so.

Hazard goes to ground under the challenge of Valencia and lets out an almighty scream for good measure, but it is Conte's reaction which earns a word from the referee.

The first half comes to an end at Stamford Bridge and we are still goalless between Chelsea and Manchester United, although the game has been a lot better than that scoreline might suggest.

United started the match well, but Chelsea began to gain more control over the game as the first half wore on. Both sides have had chances and could be ahead, though, so it is still all to play for in West London.

The ball has been in the back of the net already today, but the goal was quickly disallowed for a push on Phil Jones before he skewed his attempted clearance spectacularly into his own net.

The contact was minimal, but Jones exaggerated and ensured that he got the free kick, with Anthony Taylor sparing his blushes by awarding the foul.

Marcus Rashford has also had a glorious chance to break the deadlock, but he bottled it when Courtois was rushing out, closing his eyes as he sent his header over the crossbar when he should have scored.

Lukaku's only sight of goal so far arrived after 16 minutes when he worked space to shoot from the edge of the area, but his low drive was too close to Courtois, who parried the effort away.

Chelsea have created chances of their own too, with De Gea the busier of the two goalkeepers in that opening 45 minutes.

Arguably Chelsea's best opening fell to Bakayoko, but he skewed his finish horribly wide having been found unmarked inside the penalty area. Hazard, Morata, Kante and Zappacosta have all forced saves from De Gea so far, while Christensen failed to test the keeper with a good opening in the closing stages of the half.

KICKOFF: Chelsea get us back underway for the second half here at Stamford Bridge!

Chelsea have quickly resumed control of possession here. They ended the first half on top and look to have picked up where they left off upon the restart.

SHOT! Clever effort from Morata as he takes the ball down and gets a quick snapshot away which flies wide of the target.

YELLOW CARD! You won't see many clearer yellow cards than this one - Jones flies into a challenge on Hazard and gets nowhere near the ball.

Hazard wins another free kick, this time from Matic and in a much better crossing position. Fabregas's subsequent delivery is poor, though.

YELLOW CARD! Hazard is fouled for the third time in two minutes, and this one produces a second yellow card too. Herrera is the man in the book this time having trod on Hazard's ankle.

UPDATE: There has been a goal in the game's other 4.30pm kickoff, and it is more bad news for Everton as Richarlison has given Watford a 1-0 lead at Goodison Park.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Hazard to break the deadlock! The Belgian is left in all sorts of space inside the box but has to take this shot on first time and he cannot get a good enough connection to sweep his finish past De Gea.

It has been coming! Chelsea break the deadlock at Stamford Bridge through Alvaro Morata, who plants a fine header past a helpless De Gea.

Azpilicueta had far too much room to run into down the right channel and it was simple for him to swing his cross into an unmarked Morata, who left De Gea rooted to the spot with a really good header.

United just cannot get their foot on the ball for any length of time at the moment. Chelsea are winning the midfield battle quite comfortably and right now the visitors do not have an answer.

It may not be long before we see Fellaini and perhaps Martial too. Fellaini would beef up the United midfield which is being outplayed at the moment, whereas Martial has four goals as a sub already this season, more than any other player in Europe's top five leagues.

Less than half an hour remaining for United to get themselves back into this one now. A reminder that, as things stand, City will stay eight points clear of the Red Devils and nine above Chelsea.

MAN UTD SUBS: Double change for the visitors as Marouane Fellaini and Anthony Martial come on in place of Jones and Mkhitaryan.

Fellaini gets away with one here! A dreadful touch on the edge of his own box allows Chelsea to steal possession back and the ball arrives to Morata, but Smalling does well to challenge the goalscorer.

CHELSEA SUB: Change for the home side here as Antonio Rudiger replaces Zappacosta. That should see Azpilicueta switch to right wing-back.

Chelsea look in control of this game and deserve their lead, but a one-goal advantage is never safe in the Premier League. Conte's side will be desperate for another to give themselves a cushion.

Good block from Kante as he rushes out to thwart Rashford's effort after Fellaini had nodded the ball down to the youngster.

The resulting corner is only cleared as far as Herrera, but his attempted first-time volley is never troubling Courtois. Paul Scholes he is not.

UPDATE: Things go from bad to worse for Everton, who are now 2-0 down at home to Watford courtesy of a Kabasele strike.

UPDATE: Quick response from Everton, though - Oumar Niasse has halved the deficit at Goodison Park.

YELLOW CARD! Fellaini is the latest name in the book for an elbow on Morata.

United have been disappointing in this second half - and indeed stretching back to the closing stages of the first half too. They have been unable to create much of note since their bright start to the game, but they are still in this game at only 1-0 down.

CHANCE! Bakayoko really hasn't brought his shooting boots today. Once again Fellaini is slow on the ball and Bakayoko nips in to steal possession and suddenly find himself clean through. The midfielder beats Smalling too, but puts his finish a couple of yards wide when he should have at least hit the target.

SAVE! Chelsea come forward again here as Hazard carries the ball to the edge of the box, but Matic does well to cut off a pass to Morata and in the end Hazard is forced into having a go himself, which De Gea deals with.

Good football from Chelsea as Hazard's pass is left by first Alonso and then Fabregas, but Morata then turns into trouble and losing possession. Moments later the ball is almost played through for Hazard inside the area, but he can't take it in his stride.

MAN UTD SUB: United make their third and final change of the match as Jesse Lingard replaces Young.

CHELSEA SUB: Chelsea also make a change as the influential Fabregas departs to be replaced by Danny Drinkwater.

The Chelsea fans want a second yellow for Herrera, who comes through the back of Hazard. Silly foul, and he may not get away with another one of those.

SAVE! The resulting free kick falls to the feet of Cahill, who manoeuvres space to shoot well but sees his subsequent effort comfortably collected by De Gea.

Rashford tries to swing a cross towards Fellaini at the back post, but there is just too much on it for the Belgian to get there. Time is ticking away for United here.

CLOSE! Almost an equaliser for United as the ball is only cleared as far as Rashford, who collects it on the edge of the area before firing a left-footed half-volley narrowly wide of the target.

CHELSEA SUB: Third and final change for the home side as Willian replaces Hazard.

CHANCE! United are knocking on the door here! Fellaini almost rescues a point as he takes the ball down on his chest from Bailly's long ball forward, but he rather scuffs his finish and Courtois is able to make the save.

There will be four added minutes at the end of this match. Can United rescue something?

CHANCE! Dreadful from Morata as he races clean through on goal but, when trying to cut back inside and past Smalling, he hits the ball into his own leg and a great opportunity goes begging.

CLOSE! United win a free kick in a really good position and Rashford's effort is good too, but it takes a nick off the top of the wall which sends it zipping narrowly over the bar.

It's all over at Stamford Bridge and it is Chelsea celebrating at the full-time whistle as they hold on for a valuable 1-0 victory over Manchester United!

It is a deserved win for the home side too, with Alvaro Morata getting the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, although Antonio Conte's side needed to withstand some late pressure to pick up the points. The result restores Chelsea's nine-point gap to leaders Manchester City, but United are now eight adrift of their local rivals.

Right, that is all we have time for this evening!

Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match as Chelsea see off Manchester United courtesy of an Alvaro Morata header. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!