FINAL SCORES
Blackburn 3-1 Watford
Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough
West Ham 1-4 Chelsea
GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)
Have your say on the relegation battle - or any of tonight's games - on Radio Five Live's 606 at 2200 BST by calling 0500 909 693 or sending a text to 85058, or get involved on the 606 discussion site.
2156: FULL-TIME West Ham 1-4 Chelsea
And that's your lot at Upton Park as Chelsea close to within three points of Manchester United yet again and West Ham drift ever closer to the drop.
2155: The West Ham fans are providing a rousing end to the match at Upton Park, but the players have been resigned to their fate for a while now.
2153: FULL-TIME Blackburn 3-1 Watford
Watford are all but down now it would seem as Blackburn close out a comfortable victory - in front of a bumper 16,035 crowd - to emerge victorious from the 'battle of the losing semi-finalists' (not quite as snappy as I'd hoped that really).
2152: Three more minutes to be played at Upton Park - I don't know about you, but I'm backing the Hammers for an almighty comeback. Ahem.
2151: FULL-TIME Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough
All over at Anfield as Liverpool jump back into third with an easy win. Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate can content himself with the fact he's still in with a chance of matching Steve McClaren's finish last season - erm, 14th.
2148: It should be four at Ewood Park - Brett Emerton's cross finds Jason Roberts but the striker fails to hit the target. It won't be costly, but he won't want to see it again that's for sure.
2145: Comedy from Peter Crouch as he tries to steer Jermaine Pennant's slide-rule pass home but manages only to miss completely, stumble and then launch into the 'The Robot', albeit unintentionally. Bless him.
2144: David Bentley curls a free-kick narrowly wide from 20 yards as Rovers attempt to finish the match in style against Watford.
2141: Joe Cole, who hasn't scored a Premiership goal since Chelsea clinched the title against Manchester United last season, dribbles into the box but shoots high and wide.
2139: I'll be honest with you, all three matches are drifting towards a conclusion at the moment with little action at either end. However, there's always plenty of positive chat on the messageboards, so check it out why don't you.
2136: A rare second-half shot at Ewood Park as Paul Gallagher tries his luck from 25 yards, but it flies wide.
2134: Steve Kabba is in agony at Blackburn, the Watford striker writhing about after falling awkwardly at Ewood Park. Watford have already used their three substitutes so it could be down to 10 here.
2132: For those wondering what has been happening in the Rovers-Watford game - suffice to say our trusty reporter Richard Hookham suggests the game was done and dusted a while back. So content yourself with helping Tommy Smith break the '5' barrier on Player Rater -
2129: As if a powerhouse display from Frank Lampard was not enough, Jose Mourinho decides now is the perfect time to throw on Joe Cole. Fair play to the West Ham fans, though, the former Hammer's entrance is greeted by polite applause.
2127: Owner Eggert Magnusson adopts his trademark pose in the stands - head slumped in hands while seated, hence force known as 'The Eggert' - as a selection of Hammers fans decide it is home time. And I can't really blame them, there's no way back here surely.
2125: GOAL West Ham 1-4 Chelsea
Who says Chelsea cannot play fantastic football? A lovely move ends with Frank Lampard feeding Didier Drogba, who clips the ball past James Collins' diving tackle before sliding home easily. The Blues are rampant and Manchester United are looking over their shoulder again.
2123: GOAL Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough
Andrew Davies is harshly adjudged to have held back Peter Crouch going for a cross and Steven Gerrard fires the penalty into the corner in front of the Kop.
2219: It's almost four at Upton Park with West Ham in danger of crumbling - Didier Drogba spins onto Frank Lampard's clipped pass but fires inches wide.
2116: GOAL Liverpool 1-0 Middlesbrough
It always looked like it would need something special to light up Anfield and Steven Gerrard duly obliges - picking up the ball 40 yards out before taking a step and blasting into the bottom corner from range.
2115: And it should be 1-0 at Liverpool as Bolo Zenden contrives to fire Dirk Kuyt's neat pull back over the bar from 12 yards out.
2114: GOAL West Ham 1-3 Chelsea
And it costs West Ham dear as Chelsea counter, Frank Lampard crosses and after keeper Rob Green brilliantly denies Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou taps in from all of three inches. An extremely brief SMS from 'West Ham Russ' suggests he fears for the Hammers future - and don't forget you can make your own predictions here...
2112: First chance of the half at Upton Park as Bobby Zamora tamely fires George McCartney's cross into Petr Cech's arms. The striker appeared to be taken by surprise that the ball had reached him but he should have done better.
2111: That chance for Mascherano appears to have stoked Rafael Benitez's ambitions and the Spaniard takes off Mohammad Sissoko and brings on striker Dirk Kuyt. A point would take Liverpool above Arsenal on goal difference but Rafa clearly wants all three.
2109: So close to an opener at Anfield - Javier Mascherano heads onto the bar unmarked from a corner and Boro breathe a heavy sigh of relief.
2107: Steven Gerrard wakes the crowd from their slumber with a decent run, but his cross his headed away for a corner.
2102: The players casually make their way back onto the pitches at Blackburn and Liverpool. Chelsea and West Ham are apparently not yet ready to brave the increasingly nippy conditions. Not something that appears to be worrying the, dare I say rather delightful, Hammerettes...
2055: As I put my feet up with a nice cuppa, don't forget to have your say on the Player Rater who you think is doing the business so far.
Benni McCarthy is leading at Ewood Park -
Steven Gerrard is leading at Anfield -
And, unsurprisingly, Carlos Tevez and Shaun Wright-Phillips are leading at Upton Park -
2049: It comes to nothing, though, and it's Chelsea that go into the break with the advantage thanks to Shaun Wright-Phillips - how the Hammers must be wishing their summer approach for him had been successful.
2048: Half time at Ewood and Anfield...but there's a corner at Upton Park...
2046: Poor from Yossi Benayoun at Upton Park - Petr Cech comes for the ball but loses out to Carlos Tevez, the ball spills to Benayoun but the midfielder dallies with a couple of Chelsea defenders between him and the goal and his effort drifts wide.
2044: Just a quick word as half-time approaches about the crowd - or distinct lack thereof - at Ewood Park. Wednesday night down the local supermarket must be a nightmare I reckon.
2042: Great chance at Anfield - Jamie Carragher slips near the halfway line, gifting Fabio Rochemback a free run on goal but the midfielder can't make up his mind and fires wide from range with just the keeper to beat.
2041: While there's not a great deal happening around the other grounds, it is a feast of football in East London - and West Ham should be level again, James Collins heading straight at Petr Cech from eight yards out.
2039: GOAL West Ham 1-2 Chelsea
You can't take your eyes off it at Upton Park - fine work by Wayne Bridge down the left and his pinpoint cross is volleyed home quite brilliantly by Shaun Wright-Phillips at the near post.
2037: GOAL West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
Cometh the hour, cometh the man - the Hammers are right back on terms. He's the fans' favourite without mistake and Carlos Tevez brings the Hammers level with a stunning 25-yarder, though Petr Cech will wonder how he missed it to be fair. That's the first goal the Czech has conceded in 13 hours and 46 minutes.
2034: GOAL West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
Shaun Wright Phillips breaks the deadlock - and hammers a nail into the hosts' relegation coffin - with a superb opener at Upton Park, the winger picking the ball up 30 yards out, turning past Spector and into the box before drilling home.
2032: GOAL Blackburn 3-1 Watford
Still we can always rely on Ewood Park. David Bentley is the star of the show - his cross is headed home brilliantly by Benni McCarthy for the South Africans 20th of the season.
2031: A rare chance at Anfield - Pennant pulls back to Sissoko, but the midfielder side-foots tamely wide. It could be a quiet night for the scorers here.
2030: Almost half an hour gone at Upton Park and, though chances have been few and far between, the stats show the teams sharing 50% of the possession - Alan Curbishley looks on with a contented glint in his eye.
2029: Tommy Smith limps off for Watford with what looks like a hamstring injury. James Chambers - and not Marlon King - comes on to replace him, much to the chagrin of the visiting support. All 37 of them.
2026: King of the long shot, Liverpool's John Arne Riise, tries his luck from fully 35 yards, but only the supporters high in the stands, and not Mark Schwarzer, need worry.
2025: Mark Viduka looks on sullenly as Liverpool and Middlesbrough keep each other quiet. There's talk of the Australian leaving this summer, but on this showing, he's exactly what Boro need to spark up front.
2024: That's the Brazilian's first goal for the Hornets and, just as they have all season, the visitors are putting up a real fight again.
2022: GOAL Blackburn 2-1 Watford
Hold the phone - Watford might not be dead and buried here. Hameur Bouazza crosses and Douglas Rinaldi heads home at the back post with aplomb.
2020: While at Anfield, Mohammad Sissoko receives treatment after a tackle with Lee Cattermole. It would appear he's nursing a sore, erm, groin shall we say. He gets up to a light smattering of applause and a fair few winces.
2018: It looks like 3-0 at Ewood Park - Morten Gamst Pedersen taps in on the rebound after Roberts' shot is parried - but the linesman's flag is raised. It's about the only thing that's gone right for Watford so far.
2016: The Hammers, should they go down, are not going to do so without a fight. Literally in Lucas Neill's case as he goes into the book for a waist-high tackle on Shaun Wright-Phillips.
2014: West Ham appear to have made Chelsea angry, however, and the visitors storm up the pitch on the counter. Salomon Kalou forces a half-save from Robert Green before squaring to Didier Drogba only for the striker to dither and allow Green - supported by two defenders - to clear.
2013: James Collins heads the first half-chance half a mile - give or take - over the bar at Upton Park.
2011: GOAL Blackburn 2-0 Watford
Oh dear, it's a woeful start from the Hornets. Jason Roberts it is this time as he strolls through on goal and slots it calmly past Ben Foster in the Watford goal. Bentley was again the provider and there is certainly no FA Cup hangover from the hosts here. The same cannot be said of Watford.
2010: England coach Steve McClaren is among the onlookers at Anfield, but it's a low-key opening between Liverpool and Middlesbrough. Not that that is a huge shock, let's be honest.
2008: Don't fret just yet Watford fans, though. Rovers have taken the lead in their last three Premiership matches and lost them all...and there's plenty of time left.
2007: GOAL Blackburn 1-0 Watford
It merely delayed the first goal of the night, though, as Christopher Samba rises at the back post to nod home unmarked David Bentley's corner and Watford are already behind.
2005: The first action of the evening at Ewood sees Jordan Stewart make a timely interception to deny Rovers striker Jason Roberts a goalscoring opportunity.
2004: It would appear Yossi Benayoun is playing more centrally than usual against a much-changed Chelsea side. How the hosts need him to step up tonight.
2002: Anfield follows suit, after a perfectly-observed minute's silence marking the 18th anniversary of Hillsborough, with Upton Park doing the same not long after.
2000: And we're underway at Ewood Park.
1959: Early indications are that it is a cracking atmosphere in East London. My mate 'West Ham Russ' will be tucking into that nicely I'd imagine.
1957: Bit of fun before the games get underway - predict where your, or your rivals', team will finish this season.
1954: The opera dude finishes his set with a 'stirring' rendition of 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' - a selection of older ladies are loving it, the more youthful among them are less impressed, judging by the gestures.
1951: So anyone looking for long odds would be advised to go for a Hammers, Watford and Middlesbrough tri-cast this evening...best of luck, hey!
1950: As for Liverpool v Boro - the Reds are on a run of six matches unbeaten, while Boro have won just nine of their 39 league points away from home and have failed to score in three Premiership matches against Liverpool.
1949: Bit of background info for the West Ham-Chelsea encounter. The match pits the team with the worst defence and most defeats in the Premiership (West Ham) against the team with the best defence and most wins (Chelsea).
1945: Perhaps they should have done the same at Ewood Park - they are hardly packing them in as the two teams go through their warm ups.
1943: To get the Upton Park fraternity into the mood, some fella is cracking out an apparently passionate opera song. I'm not sure what he's singing about, but it sounds very dramatic and, erm, miserable to be honest.
1940: Apologies, Watford are not, of course, down just yet - and a second successive Premiership win for the first time in 68 matches would take the Hornets to within eight points of safety. Come on, stranger things have happened... And what a way that would be to mark Adrian Boothroyd's 750th day in charge.
Have your say on the relegation battle - or any of tonight's games - on Radio Five Live's 606 at 2200 BST by calling 0500 909 693 or sending a text to 85058, or get involved on the 606 discussion site.
1938: Plenty of interest in tonight's fixtures, and not just for supporters of the teams involved.
Manchester United fans will be keeping a close eye on Upton Park as Chelsea attempt to close the gap at the top of the Premiership to three points, while a host of clubs in and around the bottom three will be praying the Blues turn it on.
Elsewhere, Arsenal supporters are hoping Middlesbrough prevent Liverpool leapfrogging the Gunners back into third, while the likes of Scunthorpe will be sizing up future Championship opponents Watford at Ewood Park.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham make three changes, with Matthew Etherington dropped and Lee Bowyer and Anton Ferdinand injured. Luis Boa Morte, Yossi Benayoun and Jonathan Spector start instead. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho makes five changes. Andriy Shevchenko is sidelined by injury, while Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Claude Makelele, and Joe Cole are rested. Mikel Jon Obi, Wayne Bridge, Salomon Kalou, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Lassana Diarra replace them.
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch returns to the starting line-up along with midfielders Momo Sissoko and Bolo Zenden, with Xabi Alonso, Steve Finnan and Dirk Kuyt making way. Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka is only fit enough to start on the bench, while Emanuel Pogatetz replaces Robert Huth in central defence.
Jason Roberts has recovered from the foot injury he sustained in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Sunday and takes his place in the Blackburn attack, with Stephen Warnock (ankle) also fit. Ben Foster (cup tied) is back between the posts for Watford and Marlon King is back on the bench.
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