01/01/2012 Match of the Day 2

Hello everybody. It's the first Match of the Day 2 of 2012. My new

year's resolution? More baldy pundits. Dion Dublin and John

Hartson are here for one hour of top flight football in glorious HD.

So sit back, nurse your hangover and enjoy all of this. We're

tripping the Stadium of Light fantastic as Sunderland host

Mancini's city slickers. We're dancing on down to the Hawthornes

as the Baggies faced Everton and we'll move to the beat of the best

goals from December. Plus as always we'll show you all the best action

from the holiday weekend but let's start in Sunderland and a game

between two sides who are hoping It's been happy days for Sunderland

since Martin O'Neill took of. Seven points from 12, including two wins

is just what they needed. They're playing with renewed confidence as

they look to leave the bad times behind. A win hasn't been possible,

a late Darren penalty was last season. Mancini have a team to go

all the way to the title. Last time out with the Baggies, they failed

to find the net for the first time. The blues know it is games like

this and that they have to win to be the kings of cool come May.

If City can keep their cool and win today, there will be a three-point

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and Bendtner has to do it by himself. Hart stopped him. Great

work from Sessagnon. Hart did excellently. Just forced him to go

wider than he wanted to be. Hart wouldn't commit himself until he

did that two seasons ago and did it brilliantly, at the other end. The

angle was more faveable and that one-off the top of the net. I

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wonder why he gets a seat at all in scenting blood here. Cleared away

by goal. Handball is the shout. A strong southern shout and the call

with that. Bounced off and grabed Wide of the target but he put

everything he had into the shot. How close was this? It cliped the

crossbar I think from Dzeko. Very, the ball down. That wouldn't have

mattered if Gardner's strike was x It started to look as though he

could do with a goal, Dzeko, first start in five games. At that

tremendous start of the season, with seven goals with the first

four games. Sessagnon. No he wasn't caught, play goes on with Silva.

Behind for a corner saved by Sunderland and supporters furious

that a free kick wasn't given on Sessagnon here. He couldn't have

had a better view and he felt last two visits here. Here is

Sessagnon and could make it worse, just past the post. Will Sunderland,

and Sessagnon get a better than that in the rest of the game? Did

brilliantly to set himself up. He tried the outside of the boot but

couldn't get enough bend on the going to be a yellow card here too.

Richards went for it too. He caught it in the back of his

head. I haven't said it because I didn't want to tempt fate. There

hasn't been a 0-0 draw since 1938. You wouldn't have thought with the

players we have today, that this would finish Phil but it just might.

Silva, Richards, on to the bar! It trying to usher their team out of

defence. Silva and the goalie saves and holds. Richards nod it had back

towards goal. And when Silva got another go, it was a routine save

not quite. And Sunderland break, here is their time. It is Larsson.

Into the corner says the manager. Dong-Won, four against three,

Sessagnon. Back to Dong-Won, he's turned hard it is Dong-Won one and

these two days of remarkable result saying keep the ball, go into the

corner and run down the clock. Dong-Won didn't do that, there is a

hint, more than a big hint off-side, he is off-side and that will hurt

Man City even more. But the goal stands. And the goal is a huge one

in the title race. It's gone against Man City, and gone for

O'Neill's Sunderland. Sunderland one, Man City nil. And that is it.

You wouldn't have believed it. Since half time, Man City have been

camped into the Sunderland half of the field, but they couldn't find a

way through and Sunderland did, off-side yes, that's what City will

say and they'll be right to say it. Ji Dong-Won won't care one bit.

Sunderland one, Man City nil. won by name and nature. Ji's goal

made Martin juch for joy. As for City, the result was a real

sickenier and Sir Alex must have been a happy chappy as the blues

failed to capitalise on the defeat yet yesterday. It is incredible.

But, this is a football. Last year But, this is a football. Last year

here the same situation. Last year we lost on penalty. Part of the

goal was off-side, but, I think that we were really lucky, but a

team like us, we can't consider three or four attacking in the end

of the game. Let me ask you to the build-up to the goal. Were you

calling him to call it into the corner? Generally speaking I would

do, but I thought there wasn't enough time, throofs three minutes

left, there wasn't enough time if Man City, did dispossess us, there

wouldn't be enough time to get the ball up the field. So I was

actually Ji to go and attack him, when he played it he played it to

square to Sessagnon, and I thought maybe the chance might have gone,

but he squeezed it through and he's there again. So no, actually, the

opposite. Generally speaking you would be right but not this time.

Tell us about the goal scorer. I know Dong-Won doesn't speak English,

he found it a struggle? He is working at English, and he's only

20, and has been training brilliant and he got a chance today and took

it. It will give him a big lift. missed a big opportunity today,

because, we had a big chance to go two points up to United, but now,

because we're playing in 48 hours, and we should have a good

concentration for the next game. came a day late but happy birthday

Sir Alex and another tale of the unexpected? That normally happens,

Chelsea have a stinker, Man United have a stinker, all the Man City

fans, thinking a lovely cigar, top of the table and you know what

happened. Sunderland bled for those points, fully deserved? You say

fully deserved, for the way they defended, Martin O'Neill has been

in charge for five games, but from the beginning the players have gave

him everything. And today, as I said, they defended magnificently.

From the word go, you can see it early on, Deco get the touch, look

at the amount of Sunderland players on the touch, bang, you haven't got

a second to touch. Silva here pick it is up in the second half, and

Aguero with a shot, Aguero should score there. Johnson up, look at

Gardner here, he throws his body in everything behind it, so brave. And

we highlight again, Barry, and look at the players, seven players back

defending the ball. Again, get in blocks, in, everybody throwing

everything to the cause. Look at this one again, it's Silva with a

shot and eight defenders plus a goalkeeper, in the last five

minutes of the game. It is a decent save, and I believe this is the

goal here, Aguero with a shot, and it is interesting, Larsson, he

doesn't know where to go, but he realises, five versus three, he get

it to Ji, gets it inside, plays a one-two and Dong-Won thinks he made

the perfect run there. But as you can see, he is off-side, the

linesman not up with play, so that's the slice of luck Sunderland

zeshed, but defensively they were unbelieveable.

His eye line, was obscured by Barry, who worked so hard to get back. And

this is amazing. They're trying to get him on his

lips. He can technically take that fan to court!. Mancini said he

thought he deserved them to win. Eyebrows should be raised over his

selection? Aguero and Silva and players of such quality on the

bench, what the frustration was was Man City was sloppy, they weren't

as clinical in front of goal. They just weren't at the races. This one

here, Johnson here, half a chance for the ball, they should hit the

target here. Wasteful, just better quality, this one from Kompany,

forcing it, when do we know Man City to force, they pass and pass

it. Little things put together that shows they're sloppy. That one sums

it up from Johnson. The manager is thinking we don't training like

that, we shouldn't play like that, it is pure frustration that his

team and players are better than what they performed today. It is

funny how the league works out over 48 games. If you look at a team

with a new manager, against a team in the doldrums, it can make the

difference. O'Neill all wins against Blackburn, QPR and Man City,

the winning city, 88 minutes plus. Every single one. What does that

say? It says the least he expects from his players is maximum effort.

Right until the very end. Larsson here scoring against Blackburn.

Harris takes a great free kick. Brown, that was an equaliser, at

the last minute against QPR. What does it say about Martin O'Neill?

It is 90 minutes, plus time, concentrate, do not give anything,

loose balls, put your body on the line. I'm asking you to do a job,

do your job. You know all about Martin O'Neill. Is he the type of

manager, when he is kicking every ball, if he screams you to get into

position, and you're not, do you foe about it on Monday? There's no

he is spite, you have to go to the end. You can't get sloppy, that's

what he demands on the players. The defenders have to throw their

bodies up. If it is three nil up, and you have to save a goal, that's

why he stands on the line. He likes to get involved and close to the

players. So he can nail them when they're not doing their jobs.

doesn't, you can see it and hear it Players like boundaries. He is

flying, the three wins and draw, top of the table, 45 points each.

What a run, that could decide their season? No give mes there, live

pool three times, united incredible. You have Wigan who can turn around

and surprise a few people. They have some good players. You

wouldn't say they should win to that. It is the Wigans and Boltons

that can trip you up. It is OK winning a big Derby giem, but it is

like others, because they're weaker, it doesn't mean they're going to go

through them. Sunderland still need a striker, any of you two? Did you

see the state of my knees. On we go to the Hawthorns, with two sides,

who entered 2012 not sure to be looking up the table or down it.

Home life has been a night mare for the Baggies this season. They've

lost five, drawn two, and won twice at the Hawthorns. But Roy and his

boys started put the wrongs right six days ago as they held high

flying City to a draw. Confidence is something Everton could do with

in front of goal. They scored three in the last five and it seems that

McCoy has lost his place. Fischer McCoy has lost his place. Fischer

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McCoy has lost his place. Fischer but Everton only manage today score

three in the last five games are struggling to get anything this

hovering, but he was always stretching there, the Irishman

unable to get over the headed opportunity that came his way. But

it is the closest we've come to a at the body of Jones he's won the

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build-up from Everton, fifth corner keeping it on point there, but it

from the players, far more miss, Odemwingie, first 90 seconds

of the second half, Everton felt the Nigerian was off-side, he's not.

It is a horrible strike. And Howard, still hasn't been needed to make a

in the way again. It is so congested will you the centre.

make his first real save of the day. Instant snapshot from one of the

nice build-up from Everton, testing centre and Osman, wasn't far away

from getting the important touch. stolen it. Four minutes from time.

Anichebe, what a come back for him. Four months out of the game with a

groin injury. And the masses are thrilled to bit to see him back.

Osman, fantastic play. Hibbert's cross caused chaos, and Anichebe

pounces and Everton, surely have won it now. He was ton won't care

how it's gone in. Look at the An afternoon that was bad enough,

it's just got worse, Brunt hobbles off with a nasty injury. And deep

into out of time, he comes on. Victory with a right grab and smash,

and Anichebe, he returned to the action. West Brom was hard to take

defeat. It is frustrating and disappointing. I don't think we

deserved to lose the game or win it either. It wasn't particularly a

good performance from our side. We kept in the game well and certainly

I didn't see great signs of danger, I didn't see us lsing it. I would

see perhaps we'll go to a 0-0 and the only take we would get was a

clean sheet. Gifted Everton at the end of the game. It looks like it

was 0-0, very few chanceness the game. They've done well. We kept

pluging away. A tough game, we've not a great record. We were brave,

put a couple of boys up front and it made the difference.

significant was the musclar strength when it came to the

chance? I was light on my feet I thought but I got to the ball as

quick as I could and swung my left foot and the next thing I knew it

went in. But the main thing is getting the three points for the

team. That's his first time back, he's not had a reserve game. He's

important because of what he can do and offer us. We always thought if

we can get him on the pitch, he would play, he is he a' good player.

I have I've been going crazy, with all my injuries. It was for my dad,

he's in hospital, it was nice to score the game and for the

supporters to give something back. We saw Brunt hobble off at the end,

any idea what that problem is and how long he could be missing for?

It is too early so say, but it was painful, it was a job to assess

exactly what happened. He didn't seem to have anyone near him at the

time. He felt he'd taken a kick from behind, he didn't, it was his

standing leg as well. So we'll have to wait and see what the doctors

say and the scan will show. defeats this season, and seven

goals, you don't need me to tell you the problem that will cause

you? We're doing bad at home. you? We're doing bad at home.

you put your finger on why? No. don't know what was wrong with

I'll let you have that, just this once. What it was with Everton,

they started wrong. Their shape was wrong. Who am I to criticise Mr

Moyes, but he got to wrong. Is a is a out at left-winger, you're

looking at two centre halves. No looking at two centre halves. No

Everton goes anywhere near them. Where do they go, there's not

enough forward passes, two centre halves, they've nothing to do,

they're moving and moving, still no pressure, and they are restricted

to a 30-yard shot. That's not good enough for Everton. This is the

probably the best chance for is a is a, if that was on the left -

Saha, if that happens, he doesn't get a good contact. Brunt when the

ball is passed, Brunt looked the wrong way, he went towards the ball,

he is ball watching N the meantime, Hibbert is down the right hand side,

behind brunt where he should be marking him. In the shaded area,

where you want it to be as a centre forward. Great quality crossing,

two centre-halfs, getting mixed up, no communication, and Anichebe,

found his way in two West Brom players. Roy Hodgson is fuming.

That should have been cleared. What it was, it was sheer desire, and

that's come from the manager. That's write. The same with West

Brom, he was talking about the home form. They are in a nice run. At

the moment were you surprised by the performance?Tives Disappointed

in West Brom if I'm honest with you. They've come off the back of three

good result. Two were away. They had a great point against

Manchester City, many who fan eeed to go and win the title. Here, the

ball is given away early on, and Osman gives it out, there was no

lack of quality. Understanding between the two front men here,

Shorey plays a great ball in. Long should be spining off Jagielka with

the left shoulder. We high shrieted the area, but broad broad should be

telling Long. Morrison wins the best header, and this is the best

chance. This time again, you talk about decision-making, Morrison in

twice, he ignores it both times. Morrison is making a great run and

he can put it in the left foot, he ignores him twice, he places it out

to Shoney, but in the end it comes to nothing. But a player that would

really frustrate me this time, he doesn't get his head up, he is

shooting, he made his mind up there. Again from Long, talk about getting

hold of the ball, a simple pass, and infuriates his manager.

Frustrating at home, basics, communication, decision-making but

poor from West Brom who have been going well. You expect them to pass

and be patient. That's how Roy wants his team to play. They rushed

things and looked unfortunately on the ball which is very much not

like them. And banged his head off a metal bar, which was bizarre.

Frustration, he will have to go with Brunt and get that sorted out.

Agreement with the production office, Man of the Match, we all

had the same name? I had a little bit of the go with front players,

but they were up against two defenders, they worked as a

partnership. With this guy, he's not unfortunately with the ball,

this one is perfect. He has to get it, with the real dodgy boots on

there. I can see you in a pair of those. Steady.

Jagielka and guess who, look who is mopping up, by this time they've

won their luck, up the field and tells the striker to get hold of it.

I want to talk about the comparisons we touched on with

Martin O'Neill and David Moyes, five out of selfen wins, the

winning goals have come 80 minutes on wards. You don't want to

encourage rath and not give 90 minutes a game? Players play for a

man injury, the respect and demands their managers, how many goals have

you seen Man United score late. It is not a coincidence, they keep

going and give everything until the final whistle. Those managers you

can put in the same category. the way, Goal of the Month and

highlight from yesterday, but before we look back, let's peak

OK, so the goals did rain down, 152 in December, and here is our Goal

of the Month short list. In three minutes and 40 seconds, John will

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Well I'm sure you'll have your faists at home. But the pressure is

on you. There was a couple, if I had to say one, I'd have to go for

Percie. That is as good as you'll ever see. Magnificent. It is the

goal of the season. We'd like to criticise him but we can't. There

was spectacular goals, any other month, Morrison. Morrison was

amazing, but he has to get himself back to get himself set. But the

great ones, but van Percy skills is great. Hot? For a big man, great

feet. That's our five goals of the month. And now a roundup of

yesterday's action. A normal day at the office, few surprises. We'll

AVB was beaten as the party was ruined at Stamford Bridge. It

Chelsea greats here. Oh he has just and it's 150, in competition for

Drogba at Chelsea. Celebration tries first time, that mieed be

handball, but it won't matter as hit the bar and it's come out to

lamb pored. Here's Clarke, goodness me, Petrov, he scored, how much

space did Chelsea leave him there? Aston Villa must be just looking at

the clock and thinking we're five minutes away from one of the best

result. Oh it may get better. Ireland intercepted, he's through,

and Aston Villa will go through and Chelsea are taken apart! Swansea

are great at home and Spurs are great away. So a lively draw

the path and his shot goes in for a will their lead. The Swans pileed

on the pressure, first Walker saved the day. And then it was cleared

off the line. But Spurs couldn't point. Arsenal resurgeonance

continued at QPR. The legends gathered. But these days, it is all

penalty when Young handled the shot league goals in the calendar year

of 2011. On Sir Alex's 70th birthday, he promised the faithful

of three years, but struggling it is Berbatov who pulled Somalia,

and Yakubu has taken three, and scored the lot and scores again.

chance he's scored, black burp rovers are 2-0 up. How on earth did

this happen? So time for the Less than a minute between the

goals. Valencia on the outside, goal and Blackburn Rovers are in

front and Manchester United cannot believe it. We're into the last of

an incredible toned 2011. Brilliant win, good performance all credit to

them. Wayne Rooney watched on from a private box because the papers

say he went out with dinner with colleagues and wives on Boxing Day

and Fergie gave him a hard drive for Christmas and he will end up in

the stand. It is a stuff of nothing? It probably is, but we

spoke about it before, if there's laws and rules in place and you

break them, you deserve to get break them, you deserve to get

punished for that. If he's gone out for a meal I'm sure he won't get

told off. Sir steward Hall calling it a beautiful game, what a credit

to the league, Swansea? Swansea so have won, Spurs were for the taking,

Swansea, a couple of shots off the line, they surprised players, with

how they create chances. They were ust not to get all three point.

points for Swansea, there might not be 40 points to stay up either?

Swansea have come into this decision and looked comfortable.

Norwich have done the same, but Swansea's style is brilliant.

from home, they've not had the illusive away win, but the fact

they're so strong at home. Four more games for you from yesterday.

And 1 more goals for those who missed the last 48 hours of

football. - 12. It was a game of big decisions, at the Britannia, as

stoke and Wigan saw off 2011 with the referee gave the penalty. He

looked a long look at this, if it is a deliberate to deny a goal

scoreing opportunity, and it is. at a equaliser. They have a penalty.

Oliver says the shirt was pulled. The moment gave Ben Watson with one

instruction, score. He's succeeded. If you look at Moses in the

foreground he doesn't want to look. At Carrow Road the Canaries left it

late with Fulham who got off to a back under cover there. Off the

line this time. And for a second First time Naughton hit the bar and

then Jackson. Then, deep in the In comes the cross, Jackson!

There's the equaliser. With Blackburn's famous Old Trafford win

sending Bolton to the bottom, they could have done with three point,

but maifplged one. - maifrpled one. What a return to the first team

Goal scorer, Rickets was punished. And all the way in. It is an

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this is how Liverpool saw off to Adam. Back to Bellamy. In,

crossbar. Henderson, Gerrard on ahead of him, it is Gerrard and now

the live pool skipper has sealed it. That's some return for Gerrard. A

loaded question, is the skwoirskwoir ban going to be the

making of Carroll. Maybe. Maybe he needs that pressure, the mantle to

be on his shoulders to start to be on his shoulders to start to

perform and get goals. You got sources in football, where are the

transfer moves coming, tell everyone at home? I don't think

Alex McAleish will thank me, but I'm a massive fan of Bent and he

will be a great addition to the top four. What have you heard? On my

grave vine, Drogba will be away, and now, will tore tore Phil the