17/12/2016 Football Focus

This is getting better and better. Cristiano Ronaldo! History boys

indeed. They have won the cup. He has done it. He has done it.

And the football keeps coming over the festive season.

Put the shopping on hold for an hour,

We talk Merseyside derbies with Jurgen Klopp.

It is pressure, of course, but we all love it.

He's the new hope for Spurs and England -

And you can see what Monk told Mills is the hardest part

Explaining to the daughter why we lost the game. That is the hardest

bit for that she's quite ruthless. And the ladies of

Newcastle love him. We're on an excited Tyneside to hear

Matt Ritchie on the Rafaloution. We'll have some of the key midweek

goals for you as well, all in the company of Jermaine Jenas

and Kevin Kilbane. There was a full Premier League

fixture list on Tuesday A quick turnaround for

everyone this weekend. Crystal Palace and the leaders

Chelsea play in the early game. We'll get the latest

from Selhurst Park in just a minute. We're live at Middlesbrough

as they take on Swansea. The big one on Sunday is 3rd

against 4th as Manchester City We'll feature that shortly

but we start with second-placed Liverpool, who face

a Merseyside derby on Monday and a first one

at Goodison Park for Jurgen Klopp. I love Derbys. I have had a lot in

my life. When you are in Germany, the derbies against Bayern. I know

how it feels I am really looking forward to it. Everybody would be

prepared 100%. Everyone is looking forward. This moment when you get a

little bit nervous is absolutely normal. Like an actor in the

theatre. The last seconds are not mostly enjoyable but they are part

of the attitude, part of the mood you need. If you win everything,

good, but it causes you a lot of problems when you lose. It is not

that you talk for five weeks about it when you win but very often it is

like this when you lose. It is pressure, of course, but we all love

it. We want a large stadium, a really emotional crowd, all of that

stuff. Most of them probably will be on the Everton side but that is no

problem. Our job is to make Goodison Park as quiet as possible.

We are not in doubt about the quality. With the young players,

like always, I feel it is a good moment when I see them in training,

they are always ready. If you ask them, nobody would say, please don't

play me in the Derby. They are ready but it is my decision at the end.

You should not bring in these young players at this moment to change the

game. They need to collect the experience. If something happens

this week, maybe they will start and everything is good.

27th, 31st, no problem. Completely OK. Then playing again on the second

makes no sense. As a football fan I would like to watch football every

day. After four weeks, everyone can't see that anymore. You have to

accept problems he calls with things like this. Pep Guardiola said

exactly the right thing about this. It is not about coming from Europe

and saying, let's do different. It is really about what's right and not

right. It is part of the game that you need to always be ready. But you

need the boys for it and I care about the boys. I know, for me, it

is no problem. I can have every day a game, I do not have to run. They

have to run. It is city on the 31st and Sunderland on the second.

Dealing with pressure is not so different to the normal life. It is

being as well prepared as possible. It is not about ignoring the

circumstances, it is about using their circumstances. We spoke in the

last few weeks about being angry. In a sport, you can be angry and do not

have to talk much about motivation and things like this because it is

clear they are full of motivation. It is really more about doing the

right thing in the right moment. Even in a very emotional atmosphere.

He says emotional atmosphere. His only Merseyside derby has been a

comfortable win at Anfield. You'll be pretty noisy on Monday night. He

knows exactly what he will get when he goes to Goodison on Monday night.

We talk so often. We have heard so many Evertonians talking about the

listen and the like. The atmosphere will be tremendous on Monday

evening, as we saw maybe last week against Arsenal. He will know full

well going into this match what it will mean for him and what it will

be like. I think he thrives on it. If about his time at Dortmund, as a

manager, it is electric. Every game is like a derby. It is crazy. One of

the first things he did when he arrived at Liverpool, he pointed out

the cop and made them feel important. He knew if he was to have

success on the pitch they would have to give him back. He is very strong,

he and stands it. At Goodison Park on Monday. That is something he will

love. He talked about nurturing the young players. He put up a fight for

Karius, his goalkeeper. It is interesting to watch how he has

dealt with the goalkeeping situation. Over the years, it is not

the first time we have seen this kind of situation. I remember Joe

Hart going through similar with Pellegrini having to take out of the

limelight little bit. For goalkeepers, it is very difficult

when they are suffering with confidence. When you look at the

mistakes that Karius has made, it has pretty much cost them six

points, if you are honest. It is about Jurgen Klopp nurturing the

goalkeeper and understanding he is young and still has a lot of

potential. He feels the best thing is to take him away from it. He

spoke quite openly about the fixed period. He knows the title could get

away from them during the next four, five games. Karius is having a bad

time. They got a good win but it was more around the penalty area, even

in possession on the ball he was not comfortable. That is why he needed

to change it up. One man enjoying the limelight is Adam Lallana. Any

cost and Sanchez have been involved in more goals, either scoring or

assisting. He is adding goals to his game he did not used to have. He

looks comfortable playing deeper. We have seen him in a Liverpool shirt

playing wider. Playing deeper has helped him. He has game know-how. He

came up through the leagues. He knows when to make his run.

Liverpool instantly know they will filter back into position. He is

more that kind of player. When he is playing in the wide positions, the

onus is on him to create and get into positions. Now he can arrive

later. He is the main man. When he arrived at Liverpool, he was

fighting with Sturridge, Coutinho, they all wanted to play in the same

area of the pitch. He was having to find other areas. Now, Liverpool

fans are singing his name. He is walking onto the pitch thinking, I

am the man. I will make it happen. That is what he is doing.

We'll have a lttle more on the Merseyside derby later,

as Kenny Daglish tells Lawro about that classic

25 years on, the current Everton vintage were involved in one

of the big midweek games, as they took on an Arsenal -

unbeaten in the league since the opening weekend.

No side have beaten Everton more than Arsenal. A form book suggests

the Gunners may find the hosts to their liking once again. Alexis

Sanchez sizing it up, going lower, and it goes in. A good ball. It goes

in. Header from Coleman. Everton strike. Another good ball in. Even

by Williams. His first goal for Everton. A very late sending-off.

Phil Jagielka will miss the Merseyside derby on Monday. It is

the third time in a row I won as manager. Three times in a row it was

about a referee. OK, sorry, Arsenal. We won through the referee of

tonight. Sorry. A big win for Everton. You picked

out Seamus Coleman because he is driving the team forward at crucial

moments. He has taken the armband and I think he is getting better. He

has been one of the most consistent full-backs in the Premier League. He

has scored some important goals. The celebration as well. He has

mature as a player. It was a bit messy for the supporters because it

was flat at Goodison. Supporters needed something on the pitch, a

spark. This was a late goal scored against Swansea. They score goals at

important times when I have needed them maybe the crowd has been

turning against them at times because they have not played well on

the pitch. Coleman has provided that spark. I have been mightily

impressed with him. This season, but the goals and big moment he has

produced. He is a player who has taken Everton forward.

Everton have been criticised and it has not been great for Ronald Koeman

lately. What do they have to do to take the most of home advantage? On

Derby day, everything goes out of the window for is you can work on

certain things on the training pitch. With the quality that

Liverpool possess they will always find ways to create opportunities.

That win has done a massive favour. The fans can go in at the end user

and be positive on the pitch. That celebration from Coleman and he

looked angry. He was a bit like to give something back and we will give

you something as well. They will need that against Liverpool.

Liverpool are going there in good form. When you are stopping the

likes of Lallana, Firmino and main, sometimes there is no play you can

put together. -- Mane. Statistics sometimes can be blinding. This is

Pep Guardiola's worst start to a managerial spell. Missing Aguero as

well. Even the goals must come from elsewhere. What have you made of

them at the moment. They are a work in progress. Pep

Guardiola is constantly trying to figure out how to get to the players

he wants to be in three, four years' time. He is asking players to play a

certain Michael. Zabaleta popped up with this goal in midweek. That is

not something I think will be a regular occurrence. It was great.

You can see the relief on Zabaleta's says. It is all a process. He will

have ups and downs. He is a brand-new manager. We are all a bit

light, it is by the owner, he has the magic touch.

It is a tough league. In the Premier League, you might look at it as a

weakness. At the minute, Manchester City are finding it a bit difficult

to get to grips with Bardy Ola and where he wants to be. -- Pep

Guardiola. I have seen them over the last few weeks. I do not think they

have been a great watch. I saw them in the Chelsea game when they should

perhaps have been in front. I was at the Burnley match. They still have

players you are expecting to kick on through the future. Pep Guardiola

has made a lot of changes, bringing the players then you are expecting

to be at Manchester City really producing. I do not think it is a

great watch. Playing out from the back, yes. What they have done, when

they have played well is when they have mixed the game up a bit. That

is what I like about teams that may be Pep Guardiola needs to adapt to.

Another great one to look forward to. Arsenal have played some great

stuff. Unbeaten since the start of the season and then they lose

against Everton. It is the first goal they have conceded from a

corner all season. Neither of you could work out what they are trying

to do. That is how they have been doing it.

Mesut Ozil has been picked out. It is not organised. That is organised.

What is Sanchez looking at? What is the job of Alex Iwobi? Drop back to

cover the post or be more effective. The three Everton players will make

a run and you have met Ozil. His responsibility is not the mark so

annoyed but you need a block, can he affect him in some sort of way? He

is shirking away from the challenge. Such a bad goal to concede

considering it came at such a late stage. Is that won the manager plays

back to you? They should do because you learn from that. They are partly

responsible. Usually, it is drilled into you and a few Mark zonal, you

run and stand there and you are in the right spot, it seems they were a

little all over the place. Both Manchester City and Arsenal

are playing catch-up. Chelsea, at the moment, would

definitely get a '10 from Len'! Chelsea are pleased to see the back

of September. Can Chelsea save the lead?

Comfortable victory for Chelsea, Antonio Conte very much on top. Not

in their wildest dreams did Chelsea think it would be so easy. Brilliant

goal from Diego Costa! Magnificent material, monumental masterclass

from Chelsea. Six successive Premier League wins for Antonio Conte's

Chelsea. Victor Moses scores! Very difficult match and important

victory. Chelsea turn it around, what a

second-half performance this has been!

Playing for that ninth league win in a row.

Sensational goal! Brilliant play from Diego Costa!

Cesc Fabregas! Brilliantly well taken. Ten wins in a row for Antonio

Conte table topping Blues. It's Crystal Palace this

lunchtime for Chelsea. Let's get the team news

from Steve Wilson. Yes, it is a foggy lunchtime in

South London, struggling Crystal Palace who have lost seven of their

last ten against Chelsea, who have won their last ten. The injury

crisis at Crystal Palace continues to make life very difficult for Alan

Pardew. The latest to join that list is Mathieu Flamini. Bakary Sako,

Conor Wickham among the injured for the Palace manager. They make a

couple of changes. Jo Ledley is back in, as is Jason Puncheon who was

suspended for the midweek defeat against Manchester United. Two

changes for Chelsea, looking to equalise their club record, 11

consecutive league victories. Cesc Fabregas and Pedro dropout and in,

the many Matt Ritchie and Eden Hazzard. What you would say about

Chelsea's starting XI, four have yellow cards, one booking away from

a ban. Thank you.

They're trying to equal their club record of 11 wins in a row.

Arsenal did 14 in a row in the days of the Invincibles.

This time last year, Palace was sixth in the division and six then

-- since then, 26 points from 35 games, it has been a horrible year.

I was at the game against Manchester United, they were too passive. Alan

Pardew played is aha upfront alongside Christian Benteke and it

did not work. -- Wilfried Zaha. They were far too passive without the

ball and they allowed United to build attack after attack. Today,

they will be in the faces of Chelsea and this will be more competitive

than Wednesday. Taking on a side nobody has been able to prevent.

Eden Hazzard is back among the many Matic, Cesc Fabregas is out despite

playing well, that side is so impressive. It is so consistent as

well. I feel that they are in that lovely groove and they know the

weight each other is playing and they have a lot of players in very

good form. That thing off Cesc Fabregas come again and the players

on the bench, everyone seems happy. No players are sulking, they come in

and do a good job and over the festive period, that is massively

important, I think they will win that game and I think Palace and

their confidence is shot, conceding late goals and set pieces. And

playing at home is probably worse for them right now. The big Belgian

at the back coming into great form. Alan Shearer was saying a good

keeper is worth 10-12 a season, Sunderland had great chances. That

is a world-class save and he has gone under the radar because he has

not had much to do but as Alan Shearer was saying, it is the saves

he has had to make that he is producing, they are the key moments

that win titles. He is bang in form at the moment. Chelsea have had an

unchanged side for a while but he will have to make changes after

Christmas, so we will see variation. Of course, and four players are away

from suspension with bookings. One of them will pick up a yellow card

and he will have to make changes. But the system stays the same and I

am sure the player who comes in will know his job exactly. The system

working well, at the moment. Ten points behind Chelsea

are the team who went toe to toe for the title with Leicester

for much of last season, Tottenham. This season is proving a little

tougher, but Dele Alli is still Earlier this week,

he was taking part in the launch of the Premier League Kicks Heroes

project for the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, which helps youngsters

develop their potential. They made a drawing of the man

himself, who then sat down Last season, is it fair to say it

was a bit of a whirlwind for you, that first full season in the

Premier League? Yes, it was crazy, everything happened so fast. I have

a lot of people to thank for my success but I need to carry on and

build from it and make sure this season finishes better. How would

you assess this season so far? It has been tough for me so far this

season. Oh, Dele Alli hit the bar! I found

my form as well as I did last season, I am not performing as well

as I should be. Is it like the tricky album syndrome when a band

has an amazing first album and they have to follow it up? Yes, maybe

last season people were not as aware of me as a player. Since my first

season in the Premier League, I was in league one before and people

realise where I play and try to cut me out of the blue -- out of the

game. Every player expects that, I thrive on that and I am sure they

will do well and will work hard and do as do as well as last season. How

would you describe being catapulted from MK Dons into the Premier League

not what was that like for you? A lot of things changed, moving from

Milton Keynes to London, I thought it would be hard but the boys at

Tottenham made it a lot easier for me. A great bunch of boys who

settled me in well which was important coming into the Premier

League at 90 and fighting for a place. At the start, a lot of people

were saying about going out on loan -- 90. As you -- as soon as I said,

and wanted to be a Tottenham player and hopefully I did that last

season. Such great supporters at Tottenham and the way they helped me

settle in, they took to me immediately so I could call

Tottenham a home. When you were growing up, who did you aspire to be

like, who was your idol? I always said Steven Gerrard, the way he was

on the pitch and as a leader and a player not just for Liverpool but

for England as well. He is a player I really looked up to. I saw that he

went up to Liverpool and you wanted to meet Steven Gerrard but he was

asleep, is that true? Yes, there is a bit more behind it but at the time

at MK Dons, there was contact with Liverpool before a signed for

Tottenham before we had spoken to Tottenham, six months before. I

think they knew Steven Gerrard was my hero and they said he would meet

me and I got there and take -- and he was asleep. He had a game the

next day so I understand. Have you ever spoken to him about that? No!

Your manager recently called you a little bit naughty. Are you naughty?

E has called me worse! Did he catch on? If it is not a

penalty, it is a yellow card for diving. Penalty! There is nothing in

that at all. I am a competitive player and there is no point playing

if you are not competitive and you want to win games. Nobody wants to

be labelled a cheat or somebody and I am sorry if anybody feels that

way. And Swansea will feel here that an

injustice has been done. I think what he meant by a little

bit naughty is it is part of your game, it gives you an edge and that

is what the best players have, is it? I do get wound up easy on the

pitch and I learned that a lot of season and I spoke to the gaffer and

the players. For me as a player and personally, it is important not to

lose it out of my game. Back to your Spurs manager, how much credit can

he takes for the way you play and you have come through the ranks? He

has been massive for me. I cannot thank him enough for how he helped

me to come into the Premier League and when I heard Tottenham was

interested, I did not think twice. When I thought about leaving Milton

Keynes, I wanted a manager with the same sort of philosophy and way to

put trust in the kids. You get to play and that is important. The

players trust him as a manager and as a person committee has been a

massive part of my Premier League career. Is that why the players love

him because he is relatable? Yes, you can talk to him about anything

and he likes to make you a better person of the pitch which is

important. He does not have anybody bad in the changing room letting the

team chemistry down. And he is a decent player as well!

We have seen the video, does he get involved in training? I am sure that

was edited! Does he get involved with training? We have something

called boxes and he gets involved with that but I do not know why he

gets involved in the ones you have to do a lot of running in! Is that a

sly dig at your manager? I might have to end it at that bit! Tell us

about the Song Spurs fans saying, you know the one! I I do know, I am

not going to say! Tell us the lines. I think it is... We have got Ali.

Dele Alli. I just think you understand. He is better than Ozil?

We've got Dele Alli. You only cost ?5 million, are you better than

Mesut Ozil? That is not for me to decide!

I think we can officially confirmed Dele Alli cannot sing, he can do a

lot of things! You know him well, he talked about the naughty side of his

game which is what Natalie asked him, is he a dive and does it

matter? He did dive the other day against Swansea. It has been around

for a long time and the referees need more support with it. Players,

managers, fans, they will do everything they can to influence a

referee's decision. He said he is competitive and he wants to win

games. I had been in teams and players and go, why have you not

gone down? In that moment, all you want to do is win. He did to dive.

At the same time, you cannot have retrospective action because that

doesn't help the team playing at that moment. So it is more about

that the referees get the support they need at that time so they can

go, he has dived, and not give the penalty. It takes it away. I think

the diving does matter. I think we have to try some sort of way to try

and take it out. What are we are going to do? Retrospective action,

at some stage, it has to do. If he goes down for a penalty and that

cost Swansea, that does not help Swansea. No, I know that. Still, a

ban has the comp. I do think that. The other side of his game he spoke

about, I do not want that to change, I want Matt Frei in him and that

nasty streak he has in him. Interesting revelation, it could

have been a Liverpool player had Steven Gerrard not been sleeping!

When you put it like that, it sounds bad! But Steven Gerrard might have

had a game and if somebody came to me before a game to see this young

lad, I would say, you are having a laugh! I have got a big game

tomorrow, EU deal with him! To be fair, he probably did the right

thing! He might regret that now! He probably did not know it would turn

out like that. Has he been worked out? You were a PFA Young Player of

the Year like Dele Alli, that was in 2002, a long time ago! I think Terry

Henry was the Young player of the. Did you struggle after winning that

award? He is not struggling but people have found him out. There you

are! I did struggle a little bit. My issue is more within myself. At that

time, I felt if I did what I did the season before, I would have done it

again this season after. Whereas I needed to do more than what I did in

terms of fitness and work great because so many players look at you

and go, I want to be you and take your place, and it makes life very

difficult. I think he was being harsh on himself because it is more

of a Spurs issue, the team is not playing as well. He is doing all

right and if he puts away half the chances he misses which he would be

critical of himself about, we could be talking about Dele Alli 90 goals

already. He is getting himself into positions

and getting himself forward. He is not that far off. He is still doing

well. A few weeks ago you had a little dig about Eriksen. I was at

the West Ham game and it highlighted an issue I had with Eriksen pulled I

did not feel he was getting involved in games enough. He was doing a lot

of running without having an actual influence on the team. Whether or

not my words have inspired him, I do not know. He has certainly proved

over the last few weeks what a good player he is. Last season, he had so

much of a creative influence, this season he just seemed flat and was

way off the level he was at last season.

Tottenham against Burnley will feature on Match of the Day 2

which, don't forget, is on Monday night -

We've seen one of the standout matches in midweek.

The standout performance came from this man.

He really was leaping like a Salomon!

It has been one of those lights when a decent delivery from a set piece

breaks it up. Here he is, Rondon with a goal. Rondon and it is two.

Can he find Rondon again? Oh, he has scored again. The Venezuelan has a

hat-trick. If you can name the only other

Venezuelan to play in the Premier League, I will give you full marks.

West Brom take on Manchester United this evening. They are playing some

good stuff. They are tough to beat. The bench is getting stronger. Tony

Pulis is getting stick from the bands a couple of weeks ago. The

last three games at home, they scored four goals, three goals and

three goals. They are flying in. For United, it is tricky. The one thing

I would say about United where they can handle the aerial threat that

West Brom bring to the table. Manchester United are a big,

physical side. Rondon is great. He has not consistently got the goals.

Throughout the side, they have real leaders in the team. Chris Brunt who

are getting him back fit, that is a big one. Morrison, Fletcher. They

have created, good players who can play a bit. A really good mixture in

the side. Phillips is playing well as well. Manchester United have not

lost in the league since they were battered by Chelsea in October. He

is finally getting into a place where he knows his best 11. Carrick

is giving people like Paul Pogba another new lease of life and the

team has more balance than before. They are onto something. I was very

impressed in the game against Everton. He is on a run but this is

tricky for him. Could be another good game to watch this weekend.

Another heavy loss for Swansea means they remain in the bottom three.

A visit to Middlesbrough for Bob Bradley's side this afternoon.

And Guy Mowbray joins us for a third week in a row.

can you preview this match without using the phrase "six-pointer"?

Can I go for the other one then? I'll call it a cup final. It is a

significant fixture for both sides. It is more of must not lose for

Swansea. Boro, as the home team, they have to win to go to Christmas

in the best of festive spirits. Might that mean a more attacking

approach this afternoon? Only slightly. It is not really the

manager's way. He is more Roundhead bank have a late. They must score

more goals. Their approach has worked and got them back into the

Premier League but it can be slightly frustrating for the Boro

fans. They need to get more shots on goal as well because they are bottom

of the charts for that as well. Chelsea have some really key games

coming up, don't they? This one is followed by West Ham and Boorman at

home. To start 2017 they have got Crystal Palace away. On the subject

of Christmas and Welsh folk, can we say to all of those making the long

trip up from Swansea to Teesside today, a huge well done. They

deserve one of these. You are not getting away with your Welsh six

pointer. 20 more from him on final score and Match of the Day as well.

-- plenty. Another big game at the bottom

is the late one today. They have had six consecutive away

defeats. At the start of the season it was a magnificent start. They

excelled at the start of the season. I did not expect how to be where

they are. That is where I expect them to be, in the bottom three at

the end of the season, unless there is significant spending. All your

old teams are struggling at the moment. Sunderland. David Moyes, you

spoke to him. He was saying, had he known what it he knew now about the

money that was available, would he have taken the job? He was saying he

knew the task he inherited. I think he wanted more money and funds

available to him throughout the last transfer window. It was not

necessarily there for him. It looks as though he wants to sell players.

A lot of difficulties for David Moyes. He needed to get back in. I

feel the task is huge at Sunderland. I firmly believe he is the right

man. I think he can keep them up. The players have the experience. He

still has Jermaine Defoe, who did the business last season. He must

score the goal is to keep them up. That is the one thing that Hull do

have. Jermaine Defoe guarantees you goals. It depends how many

opportunities you can give to him in a game. They brought in new people

to give them a lift at the right time last season but this time it

seems they are not willing to invest. It will be tough.

That match is one of the 3 o'clock matches that Dion Dublin

and Martin Keown will be keeping a keen eye on from 4pm on BBC 1.

He'll be back for Match of the Day with Danny Murphy and Gary at 10:25.

And there's a review of the football year on the Premier League Show

15 years ago, Leeds were fighting for the Premier League

and in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

After many troubled years, they are now 6th

in the Championship, under Garry Monk.

We dispatched one of the old guard for a chat with the current boss.

Gary, a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for having us. Looking around, this

really has not changed an awful lot since I was here. You would have

done a few miles round here. It is a Premier League structure of a club,

Forshaw. 100% of this environment here is perfect to work in. The

weather is always like this, every day, in Leeds. Trust me. I have been

in Swansea. I think it is the second rainiest city in the UK. It is a

great place to live, in and around Leeds. That takes me back a bit. You

have played with a few of these, haven't you? Harry Kewell has scored

the most spectacular equaliser! Are you the man to take leads back to

the Premier League? I am trying. That is the burning ambition of the

owners, the fans. Yes, I always have that on my mind. My job is to come

in and recognise what we are. At this moment, it is about putting

foundations in and getting the club back to where it needs to be. All in

all, the ambition will always be there to get back to the Premier

League. Like many at the time, I thought your departure from Swansea

was harsh. What did you do in the six months before you got back into

football? I analysed myself, everything I did. I really enjoyed

it. It is the first time in 20 odd years I had an opportunity to have a

bit of a break in supple, which was strange. Making sure you are raring

to go will stop was it difficult when you got sacked from Swansea

question that you gave the club so much of your life. Was it tough? It

is never easy. Not something you want to go through. A high

percentage of that period was successful. Highly successful. In

the majority of it, apart from the ten game period at the end. I was

part of that club for many years. Part of the work that went to build

it to where it is. I want the fans to have a club that is successful

and remains in the Premier League. I wish everyone the best. What is the

most difficult part of your day to day job? Explaining to the daughter

why we lost the game. That is probably the hardest bit. She is

ruthless. Leeds has been in turmoil since my day. It started to go

wrong. You cannot blame yourself for everything. Is it now on sure

footing and feeling more secure. I was not here then so I do not know

the ins and outs with the ownership. The owner here has stabilised the

club and try to put it on an even keel. He was losing money, so you

have to give him the credit. What will be successful Gary Monk? We

need to give the fans something to be proud of. Playing for the shirt

100%. I have been two clubs where you have the unity and it is

filtered through onto the terraces. It is a club that is united in going

forward together. It gives you the best chance. The owner has been

banned from football for 18 months but he is appealing that decision.

He seems so level-headed. He has stabilised everything. He has a team

on the pitch performing for the crowd. When I have played against

Leeds and they have been in the championship or been to watch Leeds,

there is a negative feel from the supporters regarding the team. Now

he has united them all. That is what he has done. Overall I think they

will be find this season. He is not looking back at his time with

Swansea with sour grapes. He did have the best record of all the

Swansea managers in terms of points per game. As Danny mentioned in the

interview, we all thought it was a weird one. Managers will go through

moments in their career where they have a tough run of games like it is

not quite going for them. You would expect, with Gary Monk being at the

club for so long, they would have stuck with him in that period. It

does not seem to have been the right decision to sack him. We often say

this but the championship is so competitive. We are going to talk

about Newcastle later and Brighton are playing well. You have to keep

your form going. A long period of time. The players are so brutal.

Watching last night where Huddersfield played Norwich. It was

such a hard game to call. We say it every week. How close it is from

first to 16th in that league is a joke. That is the difficulty every

manager faces when they go to a championship team. Leeds- Brentford

today. They are eighth in the division and he has been sacked and

Lola has come in. He has ambitions. -- Zola. They want to be challenging

to go to the Premier League. This is the ambition of many other clubs. I

know has difficult this championship is.

I know where I have to go and I will be working hard for that. Owners can

make whatever decisions they like. We see it sometimes I wonder. Temp

Astruggled at Watford. Obviously, the West Ham time as well. -- Zola

struggled. He can walk away with his head held high, can't he? Listening

to some Birmingham City fans, they are baffled, as everyone else is

forced when he came to the club it was not in the best places. He has

pretty much grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and grab them -- dragged

them into chasing the play-offs. It is such a vital time in the season.

I am confused. I think it is a disgrace. What chance does that give

young, British managers going through the system, getting success

are starting to stabilise the club? The turnaround at Birmingham is

incredible. It is a disgrace to sack him at this moment. Eye-macro

hopefully you'll get another job quickly.

Birmingham City will face Newcastle in the third

They'll be joined in there by a number of non-league teams

Right footed, it has gone a long way, it doesn't make it. The home

side to take the lead and the club is facing disaster here, with just

five minutes to play. They could not clear their lines and it has been

turned into the back post for the non-body macro side.

-- for the non-league side. Out wide down the far right-hand side, this

is a chance for Constable. Ball into the penalty area and eventually

Wilson taps it in, what a goal that was for the Spitfires! Great ball

down the right-hand side and Wilson gets his third goal of the season!

Dawson, towards the penalty. He has got a penalty! He steps up and puts

it in! 2-0 up, Eastleigh. McDonald's. Not

the first time McDonald has touched the ball, he takes on Fitzpatrick.

He goes inside and it's the ball away. Trying to win it back on the

edge of the penalty area. Handball, shocked by the centre forward. It is

Taylor with his left foot. The man goes down but the work rush

but the referee waves play on. Roberts picks it up. Rockwell scores

his first goal for Oxford United. Johnson, fed by Ryan Taylor. Taylor

flicks it into the path of Kane Hemmings. 3-0, Oxford United. Kane

Hemmings, on as a substitute, puts this tied firmly beyond

this tied firmly beyond Macclesfield.

So an away trip to League 2 Wycombe Wanderers

awaits for Stourbridge - the lowest ranked side left.

Whilst Eastleigh go to Championship Brentford.

Macclesfield miss out on a trip to Rotherham.

Let's have a double dip in the Championship this week,

where Newcastle fans are hoping for a quick return

And Mark Clemmitt has been to see one of their stars.

If I had said to last Christmas that Welborn Slater, you would be living

and working in the City, what would you have said?

I would have loved, it has happened so quickly but is delighted to be

here and enjoying it. -- I would have laughed. Any worries about

dropping down a division? It crossed my mind. You work hard all your

career to play at the top level and with Bournemouth, we achieved that.

As a kid, you dream of playing big stadiums. With thousands of fans.

That was something Newcastle offered and the support the season has been

incredible. At home, 52,000 every week. And away, as soon as it has

gone on sale, it has sold out and the lads struggle to get tickets for

family and friends. When you move to a new City as a player, do you get

among states and visit places like the Baltic and immerse yourself?

Immerse yourself in the history and culture. You have to buy into the

sort of place as well. You have to make a home here. We have done that,

to be honest. What a strike! You won. Spurs after

that goal against Sunderland, how many times has been dragged out?

Yes, that was a nice ice breaker with the fans, a Lott said to me,

you are a legend already for the goal against Sunderland. Hopefully,

I can score those for Newcastle. What people might not realise is the

extent of the rougher revolution, what has he done for you and how

daunting was it to step into a Rafael Benitez dressing room,

Champions League and Europa League and World Championships and Cup

winner? He has been great with me. What has he done for you? Still, a

work in progress. Developing my game. At previous clubs, I have been

more of a midfielder. I would say in sort of football old score terms, I

was more of a wide man. Here, we play with a nine and a ten. And I

need to run behind more which is not something I have been used to. You

must feel on top of the world at the moment. Baby this year, your move to

a big club. Playing in front of a lot of people. A fixture in the

Scotland side, life is coming together. Yes, it is a lot of hard

work and guidance from good people. So hopefully, a successful part of a

successful time for the club. That is my next goal.

And if you thought, how did Matt Ritchie

manage to do an interview on the Millennium Bridge

in Newcastle without being asked for an autograph?

This lot were around for sometime and he signed a lot of autographs

and he passed on Merry Christmas wishes. A thoroughly young man.

way or you don't play, but his way is the right way.

You just keep doing it as a player. At the top of the league, things

going great, you buy into what the manager is asking you. If it slips

away, it you question it. Benitez is so experienced, it is a privilege

for those players to be managed by him. This man has got European cups

and been at the top clubs in Europe and to come down a division is a

massive signal to the players and that will have given them the

confidence straightaway. First day of the season. The goal is to go

straight back up. That is why I would imagine from the perspective

of Matt Ritchie, to go from a Premier League side to a Champions

League shipside, it is easier. And contracts as well, he is going to a

huge club. Benitez has obviously had to sell him where he expects the

club to be in five years and it is such a big club. The North East, I

cannot describe how big the club is within the North East at Jermaine

has played, I have played in the North East, it is football or

nothing. They are embracing him at the moment and the team, which is

great. He would not have been on that bridge last year when they were

about to get relegated because somebody would have thrown him off

at! When you are winning, the momentum the fans give you, 52,000

every week which is what they are getting, it is like having an extra

player. He was instrumental last season.

He had a hand in both Bournemouth goals in their Premier League win

The first time they beat them since 1958.

How do you see the South Coast derby going tomorrow?

I was at this game and it was a great atmosphere. Zeneca folk they

had also just signed. It was a great atmosphere, the witness that game at

Bournemouth. I think the way they are playing, momentum is with them.

Good stuff this season. Kenny Dalglish had a spell

in charge on Tyneside, but his glory years were at Anfield,

where he took the club Back in 1991, they were top

of the league and played Everton Dalglish has been telling

Lawro how a crazy match The most important derby.

Eventually, you decided that was enough. Did you know before that

game? Dip -- yes. Did you? I was thinking, I think I need a rest

here. During the game, I was going to make a change and put an extra

man at the back and try and hang on, but I went, not sure. OK. And then I

thought, if you are not making decisions, it you go.

Beardsley! Deflected off the goalkeeper!

He scored some brilliant goals and some terrible goals!

And it is a goal! He scores his second two. Rush. He

has done it again. Tony Carty might get one now! Unbelievable! And it is

in! It was a mad game. We were in front

anyway. Unbelievable!

A moment for thought. Standing ovation, and a match which will be

remembered as long as the FA Cup is We thought nothing this week could

be more sensational than the eight goal thriller between Everton and

Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish's resignation yesterday proved us

wrong. Because you had been in the

limelight, did you need a rest, because you had dealt with the

pressure? I don't know the reasons. But when you come to that point, and

it might have been a little bit forced by the way. It was not fair

on anyone, myself or the club, for me to carry on if you cannot make a

decision or you are hesitant about making your decision. You can always

make a decision but a successful manager makes a good decision. If

you are hesitant, it is not going to be a good decision. So the best

thing for everybody was for me to take a break. At the end of the

season, who knows, it might have been different.

It has been an absolutely horrendous week for Liverpool. Congratulations

to Everton, winning by 1-0. Sorry, I was just having a chat!

Trying to correct the fact is that it was a fourth-round replay, it was

the fifth round, I take responsibility!

The season before that was the last time Liverpool won the league!

25 years. The blue half have been waiting a bit longer! It has been a

barren spell, especially Liverpool, you see the way the Premier League

and the investment they have but then, they have got big players and

spend big money and not found the winning formula. That game does

stand out, you remember the John Barnes Keller, everybody does. He is

my hero, I remember that! When he popped up with that on his right

foot, phenomenal! Some of the girls were comical but the atmosphere and

the standing ovation at the end, valiant! I told you about the

Venezuelan player, the other player was Fernando Amorebieta. I knew

that. Does all your friends with that later!

Dont forget, it's Sports Personality tomorrow night

And the winner of the 1985 Overseas Sports Personality

of the Year takes on Lawro in predictions this week.

No football next Saturday, as it's Christmas Eve,

We leave you with the Man of the Match from midweek -

the terminally ill five-year-old Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery.

His smile lit up the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.

We use the word is brave and fight in football, Bradley Lowery gives

them real morning -- meaning. We wish him and his family all the love

for the weeks and months ahead. You are charged with

the murder of Mrs Emily French. I'm back.

Who are you? The Doctor.