Chelsea have reacted angrily to being asked to play two Premier League games in the space of 72 hours after their trip to Everton was rescheduled for TV.

The club argue the change from Saturday 19 to Thursday 17 April "undermines the sporting integrity of the competition", as they also host Wigan on 14 April.

They say it gives their title rivals an unnecessary competitive advantage with more time both to recover and prepare.

Everton have described the fixture change as an "uncomfortable precedent".

The Merseysiders, who like Chelsea also wanted the match played at the weekend, say in a statement that they fully support their broadcast partners, but hope common sense prevails in the future and sensible alternatives can be reached.

Chelsea lie second in the table, five points behind Manchester United, while Everton are pushing for fourth place and Champions League qualification.

And with the Londoners still involved in this season's Champions League, they are concerned their European bid could also be derailed.

Chelsea's statement concluded: "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."

The Premier League have defended the switch, saying: "The compilation of the fixture list is a complex procedure.

"It faces enormous pressure from international match and European competition dates, as well as the need to balance the important requirements of the police and our broadcasters.

"We are also required by the European Commission to televise 138 matches per season, which brings its own inevitable pressures."