08/04/2012 Match of the Day 2

A huge day in the Barclay's Premier League. United going first at home

to QPR and City following with an away trip to Arsenal. That trophy

cannot be run -- the one today but a win for the Reds and a defeat for

the Blues would mean that it was all over bar the shouting. We begin

at Old Trafford. Sir Alex looks like he is about to

conjure up his 13th title as United manager. What a magician he is. At

one stage, the Reds were five points behind and they enter this

five a head. On Monday they beat Blackburn 2-0 thanks to which it

strikes from Valencia and Young, extending their record to 10

victories out of 11. Mark Hughes' QPR are inspired by Tommy Cooper.

Just like that, Adel Taarabt helped them to victory over Arsenal. For

Rangers to win today and avoid a Premier League disappearing act,

Sparky will lead his side to show Sparky will lead his side to show

more than a trickle two. -- trick or two. Manchester's

Merlin is warning that one false move could get a league leaders

blown out of the water. Mark Hughes knows all about United's staying

power. Two changes. The back four is unchanged. United have not

conceded a Premier League goal in six hours. QPR make two changes.

Joey Barton will get a two-match ban if booked for a second time.

The Bobby Zamora eyes only on the bench because of a hip injury.

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Bothroyd gets his second start. -- Rooney. United's resurgent second

He was the last defender in there. If there was contact, then it was a

penalty and he had to go. Interesting to see if young was

onside when he made the run. He is clearly offside. The linesman is

looking right along the side. There is a definite touch. Young went

down far too easily there. As soon as the touch came in, he knew what

he was doing and went done -- went down. The referee will say he had

no option. Mark Hughes did not need an early setback. This is a major

one. Wayne Rooney, from the penalty Wayne Rooney. 12 in his last 11

is definitely a penalty, once the offside has been missed. He has put

his hand on the back of the player. You cannot do that in the penalty

box. It was an invitation for Young to go over. Once the referee makes

that decision, he has to send a player off but it should have been

a free kick to QPR. It is a long way back for his side

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Spanish goalkeeper, justifying his the middle. The signs are ominous

for QPR. Manchester United do not to defeat when they are ahead at

offside. This time, the flag is raised. Good move by Manchester

United. He is offside. Let us remind ourselves that assistant

referees do not have imaginary lines across the field of play.

Some of the decisions this weekend played in by Ashley Young.

Unbelievable that it stayed out. It should have been two for Manchester

United. I have got a feeling that Kenny might have touched that, in

Welbeck has missed two good chances now. Kenny is keeping QPR in this.

Watch to see if it comes off Kenny's PHI and hit the woodwork.

It came off his flank. He made himself began when download. --

earlier than that because players had not arrived. By the time they

best player by a mile in this game has settled the match. The

magnificent Paul Scholes makes it Manchester United 2, Queens Park

Rangers 0. Sir Alex Ferguson's team will be eight points clear of

Manchester City at the top of the Premier League by the time they

take off at Arsenal. -- kick-off. He drove on and was simply

determined. Simply determined. Determined to win the game for

Manchester United. How many times as he celebrated the brilliance of

Paul Scholes? And in this form, Manchester United's magnificent run

fans were screaming for character shoot at 20 did, he was unlucky. --

Carrick to Chuter and when he did, effort on the United goal in the

second half. It has been a Manchester United moved a step

closer to title number 20. QPR are at 17th, but their efforts have

ruined by Shaun Derry being sent off. Only six games left, a goal

better than City. I was disappointed after the man was sent

off, and before the sending off, we were playing well, the move and

speed of play was good. But after the sending off until half-time, we

would just too casual. We were disappointed with what the referee

produced. Everyone could see clearly that the boy was offside,

but the referee seemed to want to put the whistle to his lips too

readily. The boy has gone over and minimal contact and the referee has

basically given a penalty before the lad has stopped rolling, so

that did not give his assistant any way to raise the flag. In front of

Manchester United fans, he will not all will rule the referee. You need

strong officials under those circumstances. We did not get that.

If we keep winning games, it is still a long way to go, lots of

games., and back Manchester United calm and clinical, as we have come

to expect. The game was ruined early doors? Manchester United star

to strongest. QPR came to get men behind the ball. I do not think QPR

got out of their half at first. The decision was key to getting their

noses ahead. We have been critical of referees, and praised them, but

certainly, this decision today was unfathomable. I do not know how

penalty has given, changing Rhydian. QPR played well after, but we do

that know if -- but we do know what Decisions like that a change games.

Let us look at what happened next. This is minimal contact. She has

built contacted in the box, won the penalty for his team. I have

cheated in the past, gone down after minimal contact. He has won a

penalty for his team, but he has dived. The referee could not wait

to blow his whistle and produce the red card. People say he is quick to

bloke. He is in a position where a hand has touched him and he has

gone down and the referee was fooled by that. He has gone down

easy. Shock horror that he has admitted cheating live on TV.

am embarrassed by my actions in the past, but it happens, the best

players do it. There is no player out there who has not tried to bend

the rules. Sometimes, you knock the ball past the player, which is

cheating as his diving. I will check my wallet after spending bid

day with him. We saw details yesterday, looking at playing

against lesser clubs. For I have played with decent teams. I have

went to a large grounds and officials can bottle it. I am

talking about yellow cards, such as Wayne Rooney should have got one

today. Carrick brings down Mar feet in exactly the same spot and no

penalty. -- brings down Murphy. Some referees can bottle it in

front of that many fans. But would you see that what QPR against

Wigan? If you play for a big club, where you are winning most dreams,

if you play for a lesser club, you tend to have decisions where you

lose more games than you would. There is an element of white is

this happening to us? With Arsenal, we sometimes spoke about getting

penalties we should have. Certainly at large grounds, such as Old

Trafford, they have had their fair share of penalties against them.

But United have not lost since January before. I assume some of

those have not just been because of bad decisions. They are at our

place in the position would they have many successes. They are a

juggernaut going towards the end of the League. QPR have seen their

fear share of red cards since Mark Hughes arrived. I was with him on

Wednesday. It is difficult for QPR to win with 11, never mind 10. You

cannot blame the manager. It is lack of discipline, stupid tackles.

They have missed several players, now they are going to miss Joey

Barton. If you set all your tactics during the bleak, do you training,

then 20 minutes into the Aegean, or 14 minutes today, players leaving

the pitch, you have a mountain to climb. You have to keep everyone on

the pitch. QPR have a reasonably strong team. They are wanting to

keep Joey Barton for Wednesday. Le Joey Barton was left out, up was

superb against Arsenal. They are needing their best players and Joey

Barton is one of them. Let us go straight to the Emirates. I am sure

United's success Pelynt even more Some of the star turns look tired

and the soap opera with Mario Balotelli continued last week.

Arsenal ended their League One last week. And Robin Van Persie was not

the crunch for Manchester City. If they do not win this match, they

could lose the title at the end of April to Manchester United, even if

they win all three games up to that point. Arsenal are looking to go up

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too far. -- to third. Six changes Song. Toure still hobbling terribly.

Arteta and Song, it is all Arsenal. The referee says coroner. -- corner.

Vincent company went into the back of Robin Van Persie. Whether he

meant it or not it is another matter. -- Vincent Kompany. Robin

Van Persie was blocked on at the line. I think by Vermaelen. On to

the back of Thomas Vermaelen. You could not choreographed that if you

referee did not see anything wrong with that. It did not look like a

good tackle it to me. How has the referee missed it? She went right

through him, how has the referee missed it. -- he went. Martin

Atkinson too easily have sent Balotelli off for that and did not

even give Arsenal a free-kick. That was a shocking tackle and a bad

miss by the referee. Manchester City without a clean sheet in their

last six games, they are washed defensive run in 12 months. --

their worst. It is almost Manchester City's coherent attack.

Balotelli Merk and clear that just about. That could have gone in.

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the challenge on Sagna. Sagna got their just before Balotelli.

Balotelli caught Sagna, although nothing like the attack on Alex

goes over the bar. If Zabaleta had not got involved, I wonder if

the post. Twice Robin Van Persie has hit the woodwork. The base of

the post denies Robin Van Persie. He will be disappointed. He watch

hugely unlucky not to score in the first half and will field he would

-- he should have scored there. It is massive leap in crossing. --

midway point of the second half. had made contact with that, I could

carried it, and carried it and carried it, and van Persie is

offside. Good decision by the linesman. Manchester City

incredibly fortunate to be on level wide. How have they missed it?! How

have they missed it? Unbelievable let off. Walcott had a touch of the

post. Benayoun, from one yard, could not put it in. It has been a

Manchester City. The prospect of United winning the title for the

20th time looms larger. The possibility of them winning it at

the home of Manchester City becomes It has been coming. And it has

arrived. It is Arsenal 1, Manchester City 0. And the title

just might have gone. Great strike by our tete. Wrestled the ball from

Pizarro, looked up, smashed it low. Arsenal lead by a 1-0 with barely

four minutes to play. Arsenal delight matched by Manchester City

misery. Some of their supporters have seen enough of. And the

Arsenal fans milk it to the full with their own version of the

Poznan celebration. Without a trophy at the end of this campaign,

it looks almost certain for Manchester City. From the owners to

the dug-out, they will end up with nothing. Szczesny and Koscielny

managed to get it away. He is going to go. Misery upon misery. Mario

Balotelli will get a second yellow card here. He could have got a

straight red in the first. He has gone now. Balotelli's lunge into

sat nav. -- Bacary Sagna. For the second time this season, sent off.

Mancini telling him to get off the pitch. The man who has been the

subject of so many headlines right through this campaign leaves the

field and leaves his manager here. He misses by a mile. He has

van Persie and fog say it -- and Oxlade-Chamberlain to answer to. He

missed by a mile. City's 5th away loss in nine has

cost them so dearly. Mancini's men looked devoid of ideas and with

Balotelli's 4th red card, it was a day to forget. I did not see the

first tackle, but now I have first tackle, but now I have

watched it, he deserved a red card. I am very sorry for him. I do not

have any words for his behaviour. I love him because he is a good guy,

and he's a fantastic player, but he needs to change. If not he could

lose all his talent. You say you're sorry for him but you love him as a

guy, but are you angry with him? am disappointed with him because

he's young, and he continues to make mistakes. I am sorry for him.

It seems that he should have been set off for the first challenge.

looked to me during the game, but it was a red card. It was difficult

to see. It was a bad tackle. Arsenal, it was a day to remember.

They look bound for the Champions League again. In this situation, it

is better than it was four months ago. There will still be changes I

believe. I think we have to be consistent. We want to be preparing

for Wednesday's game. But everyone is in the same boat. That is why we

keep that spirit. Baptiste United will believe that they can now win

the title at your ground. City fans would hate that. I did not know

this. I think today we have 15 points more than last year. It is

difficult, but they could lose some points. Six games, 18 points, never

say never. He says never say never, what about you two? He has to say

that, because he has to keep his players focused. He cannot tell

them that is all over, and there is still a mathematical chance but

everyone else, us included, will say that it is over. United have

got to the point where I cannot see them being taught -- been caught.

For me, United are dominant, the best league in the Premier League

ever. If it is all over, who, why, or what, where, when? From City's

point of view, it boils down to five points. I think when you look

at it, it is formed, injuries, dressing room that, experience and

the team. As far as form is concerned, the first half of the

season was extraordinary. Players like David Silva, and Samir Nasri

playing well. Does echo scoring. -- Zico. Ironically, the away form has

cost them. The first half of the season has not been backed by the

second. Injuries and suspensions. It boils down to not having a

strong enough squad. If you look at company and Lescott been out for

four weeks, that is a key area of their defence. -- Vincent Kompany.

And the dressing Room is a very important thing for me. When you

look at what has happened in the dressing room, keeping things in

there, keeping a tight ship, making sure that you are looking after

each other. Balotelli goes in at half-time and everybody walks past

him. There is a looseness to their dressing room that I think other

teams, especially Manchester United, have not got. Carlos Tevez does not

help with that. What happened with him, missing a player of his

calibre, what that did to the factions in the dressing room, and

then you look at the experience, the running. I think their

hamstrings have got tight. Manchester have been there and done

it and they know how to win. A thing that told. It boils down to

the last thing, which is the most important thing, the team. At the

start of the season, individuals were playing brilliantly and they

were scoring goals and winning games. That is fine, that is -- but

the sign of a great team is that you still win when individuals are

playing poorly. Balotelli? He is detrimental for the cause. We see

him today, he wears a T-shirt before he goes out, I don't know

what he had on. "You only live what he had on. "You only live

once." It is always about him. This challenge, this is a leg breaker.

It was a shocking tackle. That could break Sans's leg. Adhere,

this was a good run, but his reaction, he smashes the post. He

got to yellow card for that, which I thought was fortunate. And then

this one here, the players walk past him. Here, his reaction, he

kicks the ground, frustration. This was going to happen all day. It was

a shocking tackle. He is a liability. His team-mates' reaction,

what are you doing? The manager ushers us -- ushers him off. If I

ushers us -- ushers him off. If I was the manager, I would tell him

to Galway and not come back. He is a talent, yes, but every single

week something happens. Roberto Mancini has set that he will not

play again. When asked if he would sell him, he said probably. In his

defence, I think he has done a better job keeping him under wraps

than Jose Mourinho managed at Inter Milan. He has managed this long

without it blowing up in his face, but he seems to have run out of

patience. He said that out loud, so what does that say to the player? I

think his days are numbered. Let us give Arsenal the credit they

deserve because they were wonderful today. They looked like the team

going for the title. They passed the ball yet that they passed the

ball well, they had pace and movement. I thought they were

exceptional. This first chance, Vermaelen got underway. He stopped

Vermaelen got underway. He stopped the ball from going in. I had never

seen that happen before! Unbelievable. This one, great

movement. He should have scored there. A think Arsenal really drove

the game forward. This was probably the doubleness of the season

although Dirk Kuyt's yesterday takes some beating. They get the

goal eventually and Mikel Arteta was outstanding today. As was Alex

Song. They have hit some form. They Song. They have hit some form. They

lost 2 QPR last week but they have had some form. I like the one guy

in the middle, not having it at all. You have looked at the keys to

register City's demise, what is the key to United's title? The five

points we mentioned earlier, you can flip at around and say that

United have done that. Therefore in the second half of the season has

got better. Their injuries, not when Ferdinand and Zigic have been

out, they have that Jones and Evans, who have been outstanding, Smalling.

The squad seems to have been working. Ferguson is a master of

keeping the environment of the dressing room the same. It is no

coincidence that bringing back Scholes was a master stroke, not

only on the pitch but in the dressing room. He has the old boys

in there, learning of each other. That experience is invaluable.

Credit to Manchester United, the team is the most important thing.

That takes time. Let's not rule out Manchester City, they still have

time. They have time to get that on the dressing room. Carrying on from

what we're saying, bringing Scholes back into the fouled, most people

would have advised against that. The pundits were saying that he

could not replace van der Sar. He has been proven wrong. He seems to

know more than the rest of us. think he has been a huge plus for

Sir Alex. Fair play to the guy, he has made some great saves.

Especially with Norwich, away. That was a big turning point. As Lee has

said, United, Rio Ferdinand has been brilliant as has Rooney and

schools. If United had a character like Balotelli, I think the players

in the dressing room would get him and say, listen, sort yourself out.

Let's point out that they have not won yet! You have already nailed it.

If it is all over, looking towards 21 and 22 titles, the beginning of

the season we talked about transition for that squad. Are you

seeing players coming through that could be the next Giggs and the

I think they still need to add that central midfielder. Great two is a

fantastic player. He will be there for years. -- Carrick is a

fantastic player. I think there is a basis to go 14 years. There was a.

In the Manchester City dressing room, cups flying, but denied by

City. -- there was a fight in the Manchester City dressing room.

Following us at 1125 pack -- 11:25pm, it is MotoGP. Tomorrow is

a football bonanza, starting with Final Score. And match of the day

at 10:20pm with highlights of all five of tomorrow's games. And we

have the Football League Show tomorrow evening. The fund

continues on Wednesday, again with Match Of the Day. All massive

matches. And one of the biggest sporting events next Saturday, the

The coverage begins at Thursday A lot to come up from the next 72

hours. As we always do on Sunday, Mark against Wolves but it is six

defeats on the trot. Crouch. It get a touch? I think that might

have been Kightly's goal. Stoke City went in search of an

equaliser. Matt Etherington and Michael Cagney also -- almost came

to blows. We can guess what is not cleared by Wolves. -- Robert

Out of the reach of Wayne Hennessey. Stoke City now lead.

The curse of the manager-of-the- month award for Owen Coyle's Bolton.

It was Clint Dempsey who did the damage.

It's brilliant! That is why he took it. He has scored his 20th goal of

the season and it is one of the second time today. -- Dempsey!

Alan Bott than was on hand to keep the score down. -- Bogdan was on

hand. Denying Damien Duff not once He cannot be too bogged down. --

beatbox Dan. That is Diarra, and it is game over.

The Baggies at one point from 12 before this game but salt Blackburn.

-- saw off Blackburn. 1-0 West Brom. Good ship by

Macaulay. It is an own goal from Olsson.

Yakubu! Fantastic save. Ben Foster -- What a cross. It is a good one.

That has sealed it. Liam Ridgewell makes it 3-0 West Brom.

Rover has had all lone striker modest dismissed for kicking out at

Billy Jones. -- on loan. -- Modeste. Aston Villa will be the

happier returning home from a hard- earned point. The afternoon began

in silence as fans and players remember the 96 fans who lost their

started brightly and were unfortunate when Shay Given kept

out of this shot from Dirk Kuyt. Referees do not get those might

find glasses. Chris Herd! Aston Villa take the

lead. Chris Herd whipped his first- ever goal for Aston Villa. The

presence of pesky net that Tony could not get a fist on it. --

Heskey meant that he could not get a foot on it.

A number of appeals turned down, including this one for a challenge

or Suarez. Dirk Kuyt auditioned for Ness of the season. -- miss.

What a mess. Dirk Kuyt clears the crossbar.

Suarez saw this had to stay out with help from Shay Given. And

Craig Bellamy battled the frame. Aston Villa with everybody back!

Agger! And in by Suarez. The goal is given. Liverpool are level.

The two Robbie's put on a show at the bridge as Chelsea took the

points. Ali Al-Habsi was in inspired form,

saving from Gary Cahill, and then from Juan Mata.

And twice from Didier Drogba. Another saved by Al-Habsi. And then

everything went haywire. Drogba! It has gone in. Ivanovic. Wigan are

furious. As the ball was played, Ivanovic was clearly offside. That

is a real injustice on Wigan. Almost immediately, it is Moses.

Santo! This time, Ivanovic, the goalscorer at one end, is the

saviour at the other. Remember at the DW Stadium, at Christmas, Wigan

came back to 1-1 very late. And they have done it again! It is

Diame! Called well as in the penalty area.

gone end. One matter. A -- one the drop? You need the decisions to

go for you. Unique form if you are down there. Look at how you

wouldn't have done. -- you need form. -- look at how Wigan have

form. -- look at how Wigan have Three more games to bring you,

beginning at Carrow Road. What it two out standing signings, Norwich

and Everton shared the details been his fourth goal for Everton after

purchase from Leeds almost beat again before the most controversial

most unhappy about their goal. The field they should have had a free-

kick. The Canaries then look to the man who gets them out of trouble

usually. And Grant Holt! He gets his 15th goal of this season.

There were more hands than feet at the Stadium of Light as both sides

did little to trouble the scorers. Did that hit a hand? And near post.

A big shout for handball against Scott Parker. You can see why the

referee Mike not give it. A chance for Rab Jehle van der Vaart --

Rafael van der Vaart. Swansea's impressive home record counted for

nothing. And Sisse Keeps the stunning record of one goal per

game intact. And a good save their. -- there. Managing to get it away.

Cisse has found the net again! Even though the balance may not have

been right, at the finish very much was. I could watch that goal all

He is great to watch. Everyone loves watching him play. He has a

defenders, into great positions where he can score goals. There is

such an attacking threat for Newcastle. The three of them are

impressive. We know Newcastle can play well under Alan Pardew due,

but took their chances that were there against Swansea. Once they

had so much possession. But Alan Patchett is manager of the year for

A lot to choose from. But before we go, here are tomorrow's headlines

tonight. 20 is plenty. United stand on the brink of two decades of

titles. City are cast adrift on a day to forget at the Emirates. Six

games to go and United almost there. Eight points clear of City at the

top. Arsenal moved up to third after today's win. Tottenham

Hotspur are in for. The battle to avoid the drop in 10 supplies. --

intensifies. So, here on the BBC, it is not the done thing to call