Phew! We’re up and running after some initial teething problems (read: water on Gremlins etc) but we’re strapped in now for a couple of hours of busy Premier League action. It’s like the old, pre-Sky Sports days with a packed  3pm schedule and we’ve already had two goals. Clint Dempsey scored the first of the afternoon to put Fulham one up on Norwich at Craven Cottage and Daniel Sturridge has just put Chelsea ahead against Villa.

That goal at Villa Park came after we saw emotional scenes with the entire stadium applauding Stiliyan Petrov, who was moved to tears by the tribute.

We’ve had an Irish goal in the Premier League. Are you watching Trap? Well, it’s our old pal Damien Duff who has put the Fulham two up early on despite Norwich enjoying all the possession according to Chris Kamara. He also adds an ‘unbelievable’ for good measure. Reports from Villa Park suggest that the Chelsea goal was a controversial one meanwhile, with Torres apparently fouling in the build-up.

So, I’m keeping an eye on QPR’s game with Arsenal and it’s hotting up nicely. The home side have gone a goal to the good against the Gunners thanks to a lovely bit of work from Adel Taarabt; he skipped around Thomas Vermaelen and placed the ball in the corner. He was booked afterwards for his celebration. As I type, Phil Thompson is telling us that ‘Fernando Torres’ should have scored.

In all the excitement at Loftus Road, I was remiss in telling you about Leon Osman’s goal for Everton. Leon Osman scored for Everton. More as I get it.

Are you reading Manchester United fans? City are a goal behind against Sunderland thanks to another super Larsson strike. The Eastlands crowd are very much on the players’ backs according to Merse.

Goal for Arsenal. Theo Walcott has been anonymous up until now but he’s just equalised. His first shot form outside the box cannoned off the butt of Paddy Kenny’s post and the England winger was the first to react and finish well the second time. That’s against the run of play.

Penalty to City as Dzeko is taken down, Sunderland players are furious…

Balotelli equalises from the spot. Obviously. One would be interested to hear Patrick Vieira’s take on soft spotters after the whistle however — Merse reckons that ‘was never a penalty’.

As most of the games around the league wind up for half-time, Sunderland go ahead again. Manc city have never been behind at home this season we’re told but they will be today. Bendtner hammered home a header to give the Black Cats the advantage at the interval.

As commenter Alan says below, “The osman goal is updated on the sky sports app! Again very poor online commentary from the journal! If your going to offer a service it should be provided! And technical issues can’t be your excuse again!” So yeah, that goal has been given to McAuley as an OG.

We’re up and running at Loftus Road again with Arsenal having a bit of work to do if they’re to get back to north London with the win this evening. I should also let you know that two Irish players have been central to Reading going 2-1 up at West Ham: Ian Harte had an assist with one of those trademark whipped-in crosses and then Noel Hunt put the Royals in front.

Wolves have scored and the place is absolutely hopping. Michael Kightly has been the most prominent name on Terry Connor’s team-sheet this afternoon and it’s he who’s tucked in from the wing and buried an invaluable goal. Now, can they stay in front? As I type, former Waterford United man Daryl Murphy has broken the deadlock for Ipswich against Barnsley.

This is non-stop. ‘Where is Tevez, get him on’ asks Merson as Sunderland go 3-1 up at Eastlands. This, to quote Kammy, is unbelievable. It’s another of those quick, counter-attacking goals which they’ve become so adept. Seb Larsson finished, for his second of the day. Moments earlier Wigan at last got the goal they’ve worked so hard for all afternoon, Alcaraz putting them ahead against Stoke.

Tevez is off the bench and will be introduced momentarily but it looks like David Silva might be sacrificed for the Argentine. At Villa Park, Alex McLeish’s green looking young side are now 2-0 thanks to a Branislav Ivanovic goal after 51 minutes.

‘Ian Harte does not miss them does he?’ asks Jeff Stelling as the former Ireland defender slots a spotter at Upton Park. Let’s not mention the World Cup, shall we? Reading are now 3-1 up against West Ham in London and Big Sam will not be pleased at all.

So the answer to that question about Wolves hanging onto a lead? It’s no. Bolton have levelled up through the penalty spot — Martin Petrov doing what he does.

John comments below:

Looks like Man City’s challenge is over unless they can somehow snatch victory today. Poor return (in the form of one FA Cup) for the hundreds of millions that have been spent in recent yrs. Chelsea used to be the biggest spenders – at least they won 3 FA Cups, 3 League titles and a couple of league cups between ’03 and ’10.

It is all set up for a comeback like United’s against Sheffield Wednesday in ’93. Will Mancini and Platt be dancing around the pitch come full-time in relief?

Daniel Taylor from the Guardian tweets from the Etihad: “This sums up #MCFC afternoon. Balotelli and Kolarov arguing over who takes a free-kick. Kompany tells Balotelli to clear off.” Back in London, QPR have gone ahead against Champions League-chasing Arsenal. Mackie cut inside and fed Diakite who finished.

Everton have doubled their lead against West Brom. Pienaar was the architect as he drove forward again before Victor Anichebe tucked it away.

Our own Niall Kelly is watching the City v Sunderland game. It sounds a good one: “Sunderland taking the absolute mick at Eastlands. Kilgallon wriggles free from three City defenders in the box and then a rabona cross”. Ian Dowie tells us Wigan look comfortable in their game and I’m trying to watch the Arsenal tie at Loftus Road — Gervinho has trotted on and the Gunners are enjoying plenty of the ball but don’t look like threatening really.

Goal at Villa Park! The home side have clawed one back through Collins after Chelsea looked to be absolutely cruising. On an emotional day in Birmingham, can McLeish’s side earn an unlikely point?

Unreal. Villa equalise! “It’s Desmond Two-Two here,” wails Thommo. Lichaj tucks it home on the back post, the second home goal in two minutes. As I type, Bolton have gone ahead over Wolves away. This is frantic, Ted.

Here’s TeamTalk’s desciption of that Bolton goal: “Ngog’s header hits bar following Petrov cross and Alonso is on hand to fire rebound into net.” Meanwhile, Villa have had all their good work undone as Chelsea have again gone ahead; Ivanovic gets his second.

GOAL! This is the end of Wolves season, you’d imagine. Bolton have scored again — club captain making it 3-1 in the Black Country. Poor ol, Terry Connor.

City score again! It’s all level and maybe this is Mancini’s dancing on the pitch moment? Kolorov has scored a belter by all accounts to reel in Martin O’Neill’s side.

Write down the date. Fernando Torres has scored. 2-4 at Villa Park now, Jeff.

Match of the Day is gonna be gold tonight. Balotelli has scored his second of the afternoon to get City back into this game – it’s now 2-3. And that’s the score at Wolves too as the home side have scored. Kevin Doyle flicked on and Jarvis finished.

The last couple of updates seem to have been transposed but you get the picture. To confirm: Balotelli scored the second before Kolorov scored the third at Eastlands. Elsewhere, Wigan have made sure they’ll take all three points against Stoke — Moses scoring to make it 2-0.

It’s all over at Loftus Road despite a delay; a linesman was struck with a coin. But, across this white line, QPR have beaten their London rivals and given their promotion hopes new impetus. Chelsea have beaten Villa and Wolves have gone down 2-3 to Bolton.

So what do you make of that lot then? I need some sugary tea after what was one of the most dramatic afternoons of the season. Is that it for Wolves? Are draws little better than defeat for City at this stage? Is Torres back?

So, to paraphrase, Sharon Ní Bheoláin, there we leave it. I’m going for a lie down in dark room but keep the comments coming in the usual ways.