Finances prevented West Ham United from buying Everton's Yakubu & ex-Portsmouth skipper Marc Wilson - report

David Lynch reports from Goodison Park: “Greetings from Goodison Park where an improving Everton host Champions League chasers Chelsea. The Toffees' expectations may well be higher than usual in meeting such illustrious opponents today given that their last home fixture was an impressive win over league leaders Manchester City. Chelsea's stuttering form will also give David Moyes' side something of a boost, with the Blues having thrown away a 3-0 lead to draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last time out. Unfortunately, new striker Nikica Jelavic is absent from proceedings today with a virus, failing to make even the squad. Everton will hope that Steven Pienaar and home advantage may just be enough to take them over the line.”

Rob Stewart reports from the Stadium of Light: “Greetings from Wearside where it is freezing in the Stadium of Light but then again that is nothing new because it’s like this in the middle of the summer. There’s something of a microclimate around the ground because it’s perched right next to the River Wear and that means there’s always a bitter wind swirling around the ground. With that in mind everyone here will be desperate for a humdinger of a game on what could be Thierry Henry’s last Premier League game for Arsenal. The two sides play each other next Saturday in the FA Cup here and I will stick my neck out and predict an away win today and the opposite next week. That’s mainly to do with the fact that Sunderland had a tough midweek game down at Middlesbrough and Arsenal will have a Champions League match against AC Milan next week. Both games are bound to take their toll and hopefully that will raise the chances of a good entertaining game to take everyone's minds off the weather.”

Alex Fisher reports from the Reebok Stadium: “Good afternoon from a wind swept Reebok Stadium. There are still spots of snow around the ground but the pitch looks in pristine condition despite all the adverse weather we've been having. This is a massive game for both sides - a real six-pointer at the bottom of the table between two Lancashire rivals. A draw would be no good to either side so I'm expecting to see both teams go all out for the win. No official team news yet, but Kevin Davies is expected to start for Bolton today.”

Wayne Veysey reports from Craven Cottage: “Welcome from a gloriously sunlit Craven Cottage, where conditions are like an alpine ski resort - bright and chilly in equal measure.  We still await official team news, although I'm told that Matthew Upson has won the battle of the centre-backs ahead of Jonathan Woodgate and will partner Ryan Shawcross in the absence of the suspended Robert Huth. Up front, we are expecting a strike force aggregating a combined 13ft, with Kenwyne Jones set to partner Peter Crouch.”

Reporters are firing over their pre-match updates ahead of the 15:00 games as we speak, so a reminder, then, of the fixtures in store for the rest of today:

15:00
Blackburn v QPR
Bolton v Wigan
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Stoke
Sunderland v Arsenal
Swansea v Norwich

17:30
Tottenham v Newcastle