Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. What a match we have in prospect today as these two title contenders go head to head.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Nastasic, Clichy; Garcia, Fernandinho, Nasri, Toure, Silva; Aguero

The visitors have made four changes to their starting lineup following Wednesday's win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League as Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, and Martin Demichelis all come in. It's Demichelis's debut for City after his summer move from Atletico Madrid.

CHELSEA: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle; Torres

It's just the one change for Chelsea as Ashley Cole returns from injury to replace Cesar Azpilicueta.

CHELSEA SUBS: Schwarzer, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Mikel, Willian, Mata, Eto'o

Just waiting for confirmation of the Man City subs as kickoff draws ever nearer.

MAN CITY SUBS: Pantilimon, Navas, Kolarov, Dzeko, Negredo, Milner, Richards

Not that we have the teams through let's get down to business. Today sees two of the Premier League's big boys meet in what is arguably the fixture of the weekend. There's plenty riding on it as well: Chelsea can move up to second place in the table with a win, while Man City can climb as high as third spot if they come out on top.

UPDATE: Today's early kickoff in the Premier League has just finished at the Stadium of Light and it's a huge result for Sunderland as they have beaten local rivals Newcastle United 2-1 thanks to a screamer from Fabio Borini.

So, what kind of match can we expect today? It looks as if Man City's formation is designed to catch Chelsea on the break with a busy five-man midfield. The hosts have set themselves up similarly, but they will be expected to dictate the tempo of the game.

If things aren't going right for either team during the match, at least they both have hugely-talented benches to call on. There is plenty of talent in both dugouts.

If the Met Office are to be believed there's a storm hitting these shores very soon, but will it be raining goals at Stamford Bridge? #mcfc — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 27, 2013

RECENT FORM:

CHELSEA: WDWWWW
MAN CITY: WLLWWW

Chelsea's last outing in the Premier League was a comprehensive 4-1 win at home to Cardiff City last weekend, while Man City saw off West Ham United 3-1 at Upton Park.

If you're interested in reading about how Sunderland defeated Newcastle earlier then you can read out match report here, hot off the (digital) press

HEAD TO HEAD: Chelsea just about edge it when you look at the record between these two sides down the years. The West London club have won 55 out of 138 matches, with Man City coming out on top 46 times. For those who aren't too good at maths, there's been 37 draws.

The lads are out warming up on a well groomed pitch! #chelseavcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/A3aDp1xFHY — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 27, 2013

The bad news for Chelsea if that they haven't beaten Man City in any of the last four games. Their last win came in December 2012 with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. This fixture last season ended 0-0, but Man City won the corresponding game 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Around 10 minutes to go until kickoff and Stamford Bridge is filling up nicely. Let's hope that the enormity of this match doesn't produce a drab 90 minutes. The quality of both teams would suggest anything but.

Can we get the #cfc #mcfc subs to have their own game outside? Luiz, Mata, Willian, Eto'o, Negredo, Navas, Dzeko etc

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) October 27, 2013

Here come the players!

The pre-match rituals have been performed and it will be Chelsea to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been mostly Chelsea in the opening few minutes. Hazard whipped a fairly weak cross into the box, but Demichelis, making his Man City debut, took no risks by whacking the ball away. A chance then fell to Cahill, who volleyed over from about 10 yards after the visiting defence had switched off.

This has been a very good start from the hosts indeed. They're playing at a high tempo, while Man City are struggling to get a touch of the ball.

A half-chance falls the way of Torres, but his ambitious header is easily gathered by Hart. The Spaniard has looked up for it so far.

The visitors are starting to enjoy a bit more of the ball now. They haven't done too much with it, mind. However, manager Manuel Pellegrini is likely to be happy with what he's seeing.

It should be said that quite a few tasty challenges have been made during these first 11 minutes. The ball has been contested with plenty of determination, particularly in midfield.

Nervy times in the Chelsea penalty area as Silva's cross causes some confusion before Man City win a corner, which comes to nothing. The away side have been in firm control in the last few minutes.

Chelsea look quite happy to take the sting out of Man City at the moment. The hosts are passing the ball around comfortably, trying to slow things down after a period of dominance from the visitors.

An effort on goal for Man City sees Aguero weave through the Chelsea defence before prodding a weak shot at Cech. The away side are building another head of steam right now.

The movement in Man City's midfield is causing Chelsea a few problems at the minute. They likes of Silva and Nasri are popping up all over the place, keeping the Chelsea defence on their toes. However, the service to Aguero hasn't been great so far.

YELLOW CARD: First booking of the day goes the way of Man City's Pablo Zabaleta for a clumsy challenge on Hazard from behind.

Ramires puts a glorious cross into the box, but Torres decides to chest it towards goal. His improvised effort goes wide, but the flag was up for offside anyway.

MISS! How has Torres put that over the crossbar?! The Spaniard had acres of space in the area after being picked out by Ramires, but he somehow scooped the ball over Hart's head and out of play. That was a terrible miss.

YELLOW CARD: Matija Nastasic now goes into the book for clattering into Torres from behind. No complaints there.

Torres makes amends for his bad miss a few moments ago by setting up Andre Schurrle for his first Chelsea goal! Torres surged down the right wing before squaring for the summer signing to tap in from close range. First blood Chelsea.

13 - Fernando Torres now has more Premier League assists for Chelsea than he managed for Liverpool (12). Evolution.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 27, 2013

There have been quite a few momentum swings already in this match, and that goal has really put the wind in Chelsea's sails. They're suddenly looking a lot sharper in attack while Man City struggle to get into the opposition half.

OFF THE BAR! What an effort from Torres! The Chelsea striker picked the ball up on the left side of the box before cutting onto his right foot an unleashing a powerful drive towards goal. Hart was well and truly beaten, but it came back off the crossbar.

That sums up Man City's fortunes in the final third so far as Aguero hits a tame volley into the hands of Cech. Man City have looked good going forward, though it just hasn't happened for them in the box so far.

CHANCE! Nearly an equaliser for Man City as Aguero works some space before firing at goal on the angle, but he shoots straight at Cech who beats the ball away.

Chelsea captain Terry heads wide from a corner as the hosts end the half strongly.

Two minutes added time.

Referee Howard Webb blows the half-time whistle and it's Chelsea who lead Man City 1-0 thanks to Andre Schurrle's first goal for the club. That opening 45 minutes absolutely flew by, didn't it?

There was very little to separate the teams during that first half, but it would not be unfair to say that Chelsea deserve to be ahead due to the fact that they always looked more dangerous in the final third. Man City enjoyed plenty of possession in the opposition half, but they never really used the ball all that well.

There are two other matches in the Premier League currently taking place: Swansea City are drawing 0-0 at home to West Ham United, while Tottenham Hotspur are being held to goalless draw at home to Hull City.

Today's early kickoff in the top flight saw Sunderland defeat Newcastle United 2-1 in the Wear-Tyne derby thanks to a wonderful late winner from Fabio Borini.

If Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho feel the need to make any changes to their respective sides after the break they have a wealth of talent at their disposal.

Right, the players are back out for the second half and it will be Man City to kick us off. Here we go!

WHOOSH! Some early pressure from Man City sees Zabaleta try his luck from the edge of the box, but the defender can only blast the ball well over the crossbar.

What a goal from Sergio Aguero to draw Man City level! That is superb! The little Argentine was played in by Nasri before unleashing a ferocious left-footed effort past the helpless Cech from an acute angle. Stunning.

The match now has a totally different complexion to it. The visitors are all over Chelsea at the moment and look the more likely to take the lead.

CHANCE! Man City nearly do take the lead, but Garcia's header from a Silva free kick is straight at Cech.

This is a real end-to-end contest now. Both teams are surging forward in search of more goals, providing great entertainment in the process.

PENALTY APPEAL! Chelsea want a penalty after Hazard goes down under a challenge from Zabaleta, but Howard Webb says no. It looks like he probably got that decision right as Hazard went to ground a bit too easily.

CHANCE! Lampard's free kick from the left is met by Torres, who heads straight at Hart. A yard either side of the goalkeeper and Chelsea could well be in front. It's riveting stuff at the moment.

YELLOW CARD Javi Garcia is the latest Man City player to be cautioned, this time for cynically blocking off Torres.

PHOTO @aguerosergiokun celebrates his wonderful strike and Man City's equaliser at Stamford Bridge #CHEMCI pic.twitter.com/Wj8LuNntS0

— Premier League (@premierleague) October 27, 2013

Wonderful play from Ivanovic sees the Serbian glide past Clichy down the right side before trying to find a teammate in the box with a cutback. However, the Man City defence is there to see out the danger. At the other end Silva has his shot saved by the feet of Cech.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Two changes for Chelsea here as Willian and Jon Obi Mikel replace Andre Schurrle and Frank Lampard.

Chelsea win a free kick on the edge of the box following a trip on Torres, but Oscar can only hit his effort high and wide. Meanwhile, Jesus Navas comes on for Samir Nasri for the visitors.

Decent opportunity for Man City as Aguero sets Navas away down the left. However, Cahill does well to recover and block the Spaniard's shot.

Fifteen minutes of normal time remaining and it's still unclear who, if anyone, will win this match. It continues to be played at a frantic pace with both teams bombing forward whenever they can.

It's Chelsea who are doing most of the probing at the moment, pressing Man City high up the pitch. They don't want to leave themselves vulnerable at the back though because Man City have looked very dangerous on the break. Ramires almost catches Hart out with a spectacular, but it goes narrowly over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: A change for Man City here as Aleksandar Kolarov is introduced in place of Javi Garcia.

The home side continue to dominate as the full-time whistle moves nearer. They're enjoying a lot of luck out on the flanks, putting in plenty of good crosses to ask questions of the Man City defence.

SUBSTITUTION: A final swap for Chelsea sees Samuel Eto'o replace Eden Hazard. Can the veteran striker make a difference?

SUBSTITUTION: Man City's last change is Alvaro Negredo on for Sergio Aguero.

Time is running out but it's Chelsea who look like they want it more at the moment.

Fernando Torres scores possibly the winner for Chelsea, but what a catastrophic mix-up from Nastasic and Hart. The Man City defender tried to head a long ball back to his goalkeeper, who had drifted off his line to the edge of the area. The ball went past Hart, allowing Torres to tap in. Incredible stuff.

There will be four minutes of added time.

The full-time whistle goes and Chelsea move up to second place in the Premier League table thanks to a 2-1 win over Manchester City. Andre Schurrle gave the hosts the lead before Sergio Aguero levelled early in the second half. However, the match was settled in the 90th minutes when Fernando Torres capitalised on some poor Man City defending to tap in.

Anyway, that's all from me for now but stayed tuned right here on Sports Mole for all of the reaction from today's matches in the Premier League. Thank you very much for your company and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodnight!