Here’s the team news from St James’ Park. No place for Falcao in the United XI…

Here’s the team news from Anfield — Sturridge starts:

Here’s the rest of the fixtures on what could be another significant night in the race for the title, top four, and to beat the drop.

All kick-offs at 7.45pm, except Liverpool-Burnley which is underway at 8pm.

• Man City v Leicester
• QPR v Arsenal
• Stoke v Everton
• Tottenham v Swansea
• West Ham v Chelsea

Here’s a quick reminder of the state of play at the start of tonight:

Louis van Gaal has been talking to BBC about his decision to start Marouane Fellaini ahead of Radamel Falcao:

We want to beat the pressure with him. We expect Newcastle to press us, so maybe with Fellaini we will beat the pressure more easily.

Or maybe you want to get rid of Falcao? Just a suggestion…

There are no fewer than six Irish internationals starting the clash of Stoke and Everton at the Britannia: Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan and Jon Walters for the hosts; Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Darron Gibson for Roberto Martinez’s side.

The action is underway at St James’ Park.

Di Maria had a great chance to put Man United ahead inside the opening minute. He was put through by Rooney but hesitated when he probably should’ve pulled the trigger, and the chance was squandered. Won’t do his already low levels of confidence much good.

Here’s Super Mario arriving at Anfield earlier on…

Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Newcastle have had a very strong penalty claim waved away. Smalling brought Rivière down in the box, the ref waved it away but it looked a penalty to me.

Rojo tees up Herrera but his shot from just outside the box goes a couple of yards wide.

Ashley Young has gone down under a flailing arm from a Newcastle player.  Didn’t seem to be much in it but it would be very unlike Young to exaggerate, of course.

Goalless at Anfield so far, with Liverpool aiming to build on Sunday’s impressive win against champions Manchester City.

Golden chance for Wayne Rooney, who was set up by Young, but he clips it wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. Best chance of the game so far at St. James’ Park.

Liverpool dominant at Anfield so far. No breakthrough just yet but Henderson did have a shot that would have cleared the netting behind the goal if it was at Croke Park.

Another decent chance for Rooney. Di Maria dispossessed Coloccini and crossed for the Man United captain but the ball was smothered by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Burnley starting to see some of the ball near the Liverpool penalty area but no danger for the home side yet.

Bit of a disagreement between Cisse and Evans after a tackle. Some very aggressive finger-pointing followed.

Chance for Sturridge to open the scoring for Liverpool but he’s inches away from getting a touch on the ball.

GOAL! Liverpool 1 Burnley 0 – Jordan Henderson

Coutinho’s shot was blocked but Henderson followed up with an absolute brilliant strike from the edge of the box. Great goal from the skipper.

Half-time: Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 0

Another shot by Coutinho, a superb curling effort that goes narrowly wide.

Here’s the goal that has Liverpool in front…

Did Evans spit at Cisse? Did Cisse spit at Evans?

Sturridge straight through on goal but another fine save by Heaton, who’s been keeping Burnley in the game.

Joe Allen with an ambitious long-range effort but it wasn’t too far away at all.

Good save by Mignolet to stop a header from Barnes, with Ings lurking at the back post.

Half-time: Liverpool 1 Burnley 0

The game has resumed at St James’ Park and Rojo goes very close for Man United with a long-range effort. Would’ve been a beauty had it gone in.

Wonderful chance for Newcastle. Coloccini headed towards the back post for Rivière but De Gea did well to keep it out.

Glorious chances for Fellaini and Young but somehow Krul keeps them out with a brilliant double-save.

Rooney finds the net… but it’s ruled offside. Not too sure about that one. A let-off for Newcastle.

Angel di Maria’s difficult spell continues. He’s been replaced by Adnan Januzaj after failing to make a significant impact. Not a terrible performance from the Argentine, but you’d expect more from a player of his quality.

The second half has started at Anfield, where Liverpool lead Burnley 1-0 thanks to Jordan Henderson’s cracker.

Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Burnley’s Ashley Barnes is down after being clattered by Simon Mignolet. Nemanja Matic won’t be shedding any tears, we’re sure.

Great to see Jonas Gutierrez being introduced for Newcastle.

GOAL! Liverpool 2 Burnley 0 — Daniel Sturridge

Henderson’s cross from the right is neatly headed home by Sturridge.

Plenty of talk online about the Evans and Cisse incident in the first half at St James’ Park. Will the pair face some retrospective action?

Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

Here’s how Sturridge doubled Liverpool’s lead…

Rooney goes close again for Man United, forcing a fine save from a headed effort from Tim Krul.

Still waiting for a breakthrough with nine minutes to go, but the good news for Man United fans is that Fellaini is off and Mata is on.

Fantastic to see Jonas Gutierrez back after beating cancer. His first appearance since October 2013.

Steve Drew Steve Drew

The bad news for Newcastle and Man United fans is that your teams are running out of time to snatch a winner. The good news? Only four more minutes of Michael Owen’s commentary.

Man United badly in need of a goal in the dying minutes and Falcao has stayed on the bench. It doesn’t look good for his United future, does it?

GOAL! Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 1 — Ashley Young

Horrendous defensive error from Newcastle and Young capitalised to surely win it for Man United.

Michael Owen has just named David De Gea his man of the match as the Manchester United goalkeeper makes another outstanding save to deny Newcastle an equaliser.

Full-time: Newcastle United 0 Manchester United 1

Here’s the goal that won it for Man United…

Still 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield. Burnley working hard to pull a goal back but the hosts are looking comfortable.

Full-time: Liverpool 2 Burnley 0