Chelsea and Everton are furious that their Premier League match has been moved to accommodate television schedules.

The two were meant to play on Saturday, April 19, at Goodison Park but the Premier League have moved the match to the previous Thursday so it can be broadcast by Sky Sports.

Chelsea accused the Premier League of giving title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal an advantage.

"We believe the decision to hold the match on Thursday April 17 undermines the sporting integrity of the competition by giving our rivals for the Premier League title an unnecessary competitive advantage at a critical time of the season, with more recovery time from their previous match and preparation time for their next fixture when we have to play two games during the same period," Chelsea said in a statement.

"The decision sets a dangerous precedent in changing match days still further when fixture congestion does not exist and when a sensible solution regarding other television matches that weekend was suggested."

Chelsea also expressed anger at the inconvenience for fans travelling to Liverpool, while Everton, chasing fourth place, also wanted the match to be played on the weekend.

"We feel this decision sets an uncomfortable precedent of moving fixtures from a weekend to midweek and, whilst we fully support and back our broadcast partners, we do hope that common sense prevails in the future and sensible alternatives can be reached," an Everton statement said.

Chelsea hosts Wigan Athletic on April 14 and will now travel to Everton three days later, while Manchester United and Arsenal both play on Saturday, April 19, with both matches televised.

José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, was holding talks with Inter Milan yesterday with the Portuguese being tipped to take charge at the Italian club next season, it has been reported. Portuguese media said that Mourinho, 44, had left Lisbon earlier in the day, supposedly to discuss a contract with Massimo Moratti, the Inter president.