EPL blanketed by heavy snow

Chelsea's home game against title rival Manchester United was called off as a blast of heavy snow Saturday wiped out most of the weekend Premier League program.

The conditions made it too hazardous for fans to attend matches, with Chelsea's game on Sunday being the most high-profile of seven top-flight fixtures to fall victim to the big freeze.

The Stamford Bridge fixture was postponed around 27 hours before kickoff after consultation with the police and the local authority in London.

United defender Rio Ferdinand questioned the decision, highlighting the fact many shops remained open for Christmas shoppers.

"Can't believe our game is off … ruined my weekend," Ferdinand tweeted. "Are all the stores shut as well [for the safety of the people attending them]??!"

Games at Arsenal and Liverpool were called off hours before kickoff on Saturday, when only two matches were played — Sunderland's meeting with Bolton and Blackburn's game against West Ham.

While most pitches were deemed playable, clubs are concerned about the treacherous conditions surrounding their stadiums and on approaching roads.

Arsenal, which was due to play Stoke, said three inches (seven centimetres) of snow fell over the Emirates Stadium before the referee called off the match and the north London club said there appeared to be "no apparent let up."

There were also heavy snowfalls in Liverpool, where the home side was due to play manager Roy Hodgson's former club, Fulham.

Wigan said 10 inches (25 centimetres) of snow fell overnight as "freak weather conditions" hit the town before its match against Aston Villa was forced to be postponed.

Birmingham cited "health and safety grounds" for the decision to call off its home match against Newcastle.

There will be no matches on Sunday, with Blackpool's home match against Tottenham and the derby between West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton unable to go ahead.

On Monday night, Manchester City hosts Everton.