18/03/2012 Match of the Day 2

Hello, welcome to Match Of The Day 2 and you Sunday-night fix of

football. It has been another significant day in the Barclays

Premier League. Here is what is coming your way: At Molineaux could

relegation-threatened Wolves stop table-topping Manchester United? We

have the battle of the birds as the Magpies took on the Canaries. We

will look back on yesterday's action as Swansea continued to

slide. All that to come and all in the company of Dion Dublin and Mark

Lawrenson. But first, it has been a day where the football world's

thoughts are with Bolton's spare piece Muamba who collapsed during

his side's FA Cup quarter-final yesterday. He is still in a

critical condition at the London chest Hospital. Fans have been

gathering at the Reebok Stadium all day with well wishing messages for

Fabrice, not just fans of Bolton, but fans from clubs across the

north-west, indeed from across the country. You would not expect

anything less from football fans. It is great. I do not know who

coined the phrase a football family, but it is the football family that

is coming out to wish him a speedy recovery and the deepest sympathy

as well for his family and friends. It was the same last night when we

were talking to Bolton fans and Tottenham fans, paying respect to

each other over how they dealt with the situation. Yes, the speed of

the medical staff was amazing. You can always tell if something is

wrong and they knew straight away. They dealt with it and we wish him

all the best. We do. Our own thoughts are with Fabrice and his

family. Bolton's game against Aston Villa on Tuesday has been postponed,

but there were two games today and the footballing community showed

their support. At Molineaux and at St James's, players, officials and

fans all stood in a round of applause for her Fabrice, with the

response incredibly positive for the Bolton midfielder across the

country. Newcastle and Norwich is later in this show, but we start

the action at Molineaux Fort Wolves against Manchester United. You

commentator is Guy Mowbray. Three days after Manchester United got

knocked out of the Champions League in December they took out their

frustration on Wolves with a 4-1 win. Now three days after their

Europa League exit, Wolves are in their way again. There is a

depressed man in the Molineaux seed. Terry Connor has made one change to

his team that lost against Blackburn last weekend. Kevin Foley

comes in. There are places for Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck and Javier

Fernandez, none of whom started on ball played just across the front

of the Mexican who was lunching in. The Mexican's reaction suggests he

kick to Wolves. Wayne Rooney is showing signs of frustration. Still

going on, look at this. It is supposed to be the team that is at

the bottom and all at sea and going to fall against Manchester

United, they are going to for hard there. Nothing on for himself,

so he fed character instead. -- shake his head and not give him

anything. It was a straight race. and it was wide. Listen to the

applause a thundering around Molineaux. That was positive. The

flag stayed down. It went wide of have just curled around the other

side of the flag as its barn. Wolves have only won one of their

last 14 Premier League games. That much a tapping in for the centre-

back. After all the hard work that Wolves had put in in the opening 20

minutes, it has been undone. It could be a big goal for Manchester

shepherd it out. The pair were hesitant. I guess this is how it

goes when you are bottom of the League. All of a sudden, things can

completely fall apart. They were playing with confidence and now it

It needed to be made and it needed to be timed. A survey last week

revealed that two-thirds of Premier League managers think that

Manchester City will win the title. trouble because they are going to

be down to ten men. He was late again and it is a second yellow

card. Wolves are going to be a man down for the rest of this half and

all of the second. As if it was not the referee. He had no choice. Poor

Terry Connor. He can get his team motivated and set them up

tactically right, but you cannot legislate for players doing that

and giving their team-mates and work from Matt Jarvis. Wolves had

got to make the most of everything they get now. He got that all by

one end to the other. That might be the end for Wolves today. It is the

beginning of it, that is for sure. After all that Matt Jarvis did in

winning the corner. That was a else. Back from injury, back in the

side and back with a goal. It is even half-time. It is 3-0 against

ten men. You have got to feel for that man. He is in danger of

watching his side get properly blown away. Danny Welbeck made the

run. He pointed where he wanted the ball to go. No block and no hand to

That was going in all right. He was Hernandez has scored, they're all

having a go. Not only running away with it, but they're sharing out

the proceeds of this profitable win between them. Look at Hernandez.

See you later. He goes on to 11 goals for season and Manchester

United have four for the afternoon and counting. Steve more gan, the

Wolves owner, no smile at all. The crowd are doing a Mexican wave.

five! It is her Nan Des to get his second. -- Hernandez. They started

wanting the win to that would put them clear. Wolves who were 1-0

down when Zubar got sent off, are absolutely in free fall now. What

does a crushing defeat do for the rest of their battle to remain a

fans rising to their feet to applaud the effort. They're just

inspiring a bit more from the Wolves players here. De Gea again

has to save. Spilled it. Corner. The sun's come out. And Wolves have

started to come out and have a go again. We're going to win 6-5, is

going to be a yellow card. Shown to Danny Welbeck, to great cheers from

the Wolves supporters. Still more than a quarter of the game to go.

De Gea has been forced into two saves in the last couple of minutes.

Is he going to be worked again here? Stearman and it is just wide.

It is a goal kick. It was a Wolves touch last. The captain flinging

from Jonsson. I think Valencia was trying to feet - efeed Rooney with

a goal. He is the only one who has a goal. He is the only one who has

missed out. You have had your problems here in the past. You

wouldn't have believed it today? You're right we have lost two of

the last three games here. But I think the finishing was good today.

We had some good finishing. It was ant great performance. It was

adequate and are battlers and the score looks as if it was an easy

victory. It wasn't. But our finishing was very good. Thought we

did well for 20 minute and made a mistake from a set play and that

gave them the initiative. But I thought up to that point we were

their equal. After the sending off it is difficult when you have ten

men. I thought the second half, although two more went n I thought

the lads gave everything. With ten men. It has been a long time coming.

You have got one? Finally, I have hit the woodwork and fissed a few.

-- missed a few. Was it Stricker's -- was it striker's instinct:

You have got breathing space now. don't think it is only a point, it

is four points, but you never know what will happen on Wednesday, they

have Chelsea and it is a big game for both teams. Chelsea are

battling to be in the top four and they're maybe coming back to form.

You never - -- you never know. The important thing is to lack at

yourselves and win our games. -- look at yourselves and win our

games. He must be fairly satisfied with where they? I would think he

is delighted. I thought in his interview where he said the way

Manchester United played, he said it was an OK form. I think that is

just keep it nice and low. Don't say we have been fantastic. Keep

them going. They are the team to beat. We use it so often, course

and distance, every single year. May try and stay under the radar

and maybe for United, players who maybe go under the radar bit

deserve credit. On regular occasion. I have watched him a lot, Jonny

Evans has been superb and grown into a very comfortable centre half.

He knows his positions, he is played alongside Rio Ferdinand and

Vidic and he is a very comfortable Vidic and he is a very comfortable

centre half. Here he is on the front foot. This one here, he loses

out there, and he makes it back 25 yards. He doesn't know if he can

get there, but he stops the ball. Here, about 20 games ago he would

have smashed that up the field. I think his game has got better. That

is the perfect back four in that situation. It doesn't get any

better. When Evans, you see him go back in to a back four and then he

comes back out and then leaves a three. So Carrick goes in to fill

in and make it a four. He realises that I'm going to say here, until

full back comes out and he goes back and it is amazing. Jon is

learning from the older players. This one here, calm as you like, he

could have put it in the corner, but he wants to keep possession.

Get Ferdinand on the ball. He keeps things simple. I think what he has

done he has got stronger. He has been in the gym and he is getting

forward. He is fitter. That was a shot on goal for Valencia. Here, he

plays it and wants to get forward and get involved. He gives it away,

trys a bit of skill, which centre halfs, they haven't got. Here we

expect Scholes to make a pass like that. But Jonny is thinking,

anything you can do, I can do as well. He pings a longer pass to a

very good wing back there in Valencia. I think it was Welbeck

and it is a great goal. And he gets hi goal. He is enjoying his

football. He is smiling. And then he becomes dangerous. About a year

ago, I think all the strikers in the Premier League, the big ones,

were saying you could knock him over. You can bully him. And either

he or the coaching staff have worked on that and I think this is

more of relevant point, Smalling, Jones, play centre back. You have

got Vidic and Ferdinand, he has had a look around and thought I might

be fifth choice. That is what happens. You mentioned Jones and

Smalling and once you have that competition, you think, I need to

be in front of them, I want the shirt and to be on the pitch. It

makes you a better player. He has played 21 times at centre half,

more than the others. With that will come experience and with that

will come a confidence, which breeds the composure and the

willingness to attack? And then the willingness to repeat the

performances. And you know, Manchester United is like any other

club. Once you get in the team and play well, it is like, try and find

a reason to leave me out, is what you're saying. You may not find

Evans playing that well in a different side. Because you may not

have the quality of player around him to bring that quality of

himself. Take us through the wofrs defence. They conceded 19 in the

last five. It was like a car crash. Circled the three, this is so easy.

Every time you watch these balls come n players are just free. This

is against west wrom. -- West Brom. This was Fulham. Pogrebniak and

Stearman has him, but where does he go? I don't know. This was I think

Blackburn, Hoilett, Dail is supposed to pick -- Doyle is

suppose to pick hip up.Y example, there are free headers and the

slightest bit of movement by the opposition and it's a goal. You can

rectify that in five minutes on the training ground. It is lard work on

the training ground? -- hard work. And be responsible for your man.

takes a good coach to say, this is what you have got to do. It is

concentration and wanting to do your job. Don't pass it on to

somebody else. Do your job. I can't believe Terry Connor's not

addressed that. But something happens in a game. There Doyle, he

is looking at the throw and Hoilett walks off him and it is fractions,

but fractions root you to the bottom. Here is a quote from Alex

Ferguson he said about Valencia, before he was injured, he was

outstanding, now he could be very important. I find a player like

this, you have got to give end product. This is what he does all

the time. In the great scheme of things at Manchester United, they

always make the pitch bigger. This us just, this is Manchester United

at their best. They defend a corner, drop off, great ball to Rooney, but

look how quick he is, Valencia. He is another who has bulked up. He is

a strong boy. On his day he is unplayable. When you get into that

position, it is hard to finish. He made it look easy. Here he sees his

mate... Bang! It is that easy. A look and there you go. And again

this, he does the dirty stuff as well. He will work hard and gets a

break. But the great thing about him and I think he is the best

right-sided player at the moment, there is a an end product and he

gets his head up. This is great. A triangle. In it goes. Simple.

said before as soon as the ball lands at his feet, the first second

he is so fast. If you play agains him and you're three yards away,

you realise he gets into a sprint quickly and you have got to go back

and then you're toast. His first touch, your first touch is to go

forward. He wants to go forward and that is what you like if if in your

wingers. He is a big miss if he doesn't play. Here is the run in.

Manchester City have the game in hand on Wednesday. There is a Match

of the Day special. Manchester City's next three or four games are

tricky. If I could see the monitor that far away, I could tell you. No,

they are. The pressure's on them and you know, we Saud about Alex

Ferguson keeping the players down, saying it wasn't that good. For

Roberto Mancini the last two games, he has got his tactics wrong and it

has taken him a while to address it. You want to be in Manchester

United's position. You have got your glasses case on the table.

Stop being so vain. I don't think they're in there! Good. That will

help. To the north-east next for Newcastle against Norwich with both

clubs keen to keep their decent clubs keen to keep their decent

runs going. Both teams looking for a return to winning ways in a

season that has exceeded expectations. Newcastle still have

their pass ports on hold for a possible European place. Ba has

scored in two of his three game here so far. Perch is recalled.

Dimp son has been passed fit. -- had time to check. This is a

warning for Norwich, no question. He almost had to much time to wait

up the situation. In the end it was fairly comfortable for the

Norwich serve five. A promising situation for Newcastle. -- serve

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third goal here. It all came from Jonas Gutierrez. No chance for John

Ruddy. A beautifully timed run. In ahead of Zack Whitbread. Inch-

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perfect. Norwich's behind. He is the direction of a Mike Williamson.

No question about it, his anger is Ruddy. Demba Ba is denied.

Wonderful reflexes from the Norwich goalkeeper. The fingertips of John

Ruddy prevents it Newcastle and Guthrie immediately appealed for

this. Elliott Bennett is the Norwich player involved. He did

Newcastle. That was a real provider. John Ruddy made himself

chance and that he raised for Norwich in this first half. Jonas

Gutierrez went to ground. The cross caused the indecision and Andrew

Surman had time to bring it down, tells you perhaps he regretted that.

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He could possibly have gone on. He fantastic save. That is the first

time he has had to make a top- drawer saves. It denied sack

certainly thought they had scored, direction from Newcastle's leading

goalscorer. Look at the power he generates. But he was drifting off

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Finally gathered by the Norwich second goal that could be all

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important to them. Demba Ba has won kick for Newcastle. He has had a

steady afternoon indeed, Jonas hand. After four games without a

win, it is three points for Newcastle United. It is courtesy of

this man. Today is a winning one to make sure that European charge

still has plenty of fuel in it. were not firing up all cylinders.

We have lacked a bit of rhythm in our play and that was evident today.

We could have been two up at half- time. But the rest of the game,

with a lack of balance in the team, in terms of injuries, we need to

get back to controlling the game a little bit better. Norwich had the

good grasp on the game for long periods. Disappointed, but

performance wise I thought we were excellent. I thought our passing

was excellent, there were chances to get the ball back. We switched

off, but I wasn't disappointed by the performance. It is important to

reset the goals and we have to try and make the Europa League. We have

not got all cylinders working, but get a few players back and

hopefully we will. We have got nine games to go, nine Cup finals, it

really hard games next week, for example West Brom. I can see us up

It was not the greatest game, but it was settled by a fantastic goal.

You said it was like 1989. 1988. finishes. Jonas Gutierrez gets

forward and that is where we like to see him. He puts it into an area

where he hopes one of his forwards is going to be. You get a better

view the way the ball goes into the back of the net. It is the outside

of his right boot. That is the hardest way he could have finished

that. He generated some power. is tough skill and he made it look

That is not just dangling your leg out. He has aimed for that corner.

When we look at Newcastle, CSA has got three and four at home. Can he

and Demba Ba be a double act They work really well together. He

should have finished that. That was a poor finish for him. He is always

wanting to go forward. That was a great first touch. He is always

looking for the next man. Always looking positive. There is the

other striker in the box and unique the strikers to work as a pair.

This one here, he knows he is on his own and he tries a bit of skill

and it does not work, but it is very positive. Jonas Gutierrez is

trying to get the ball into the box when he can. He is always on the

move. What a fantastic save that was from John Ruddy. It is not very

often you see in the Premier League a pairing like this who are working

This one here, outside of the boot pass from Gutierrez. The other

thing with both of them, is they have pace to burn. So you take a

couple of steps back and you make the pitch bigger for everyone else.

They are those boney strikers that you hate playing against. They hurt

you. They have got like... They have got elbows on elbows. Do they

need work as a partnership? They have only played twice up front

together for Senegal. Cisse in jarmy was usually on his own. --

Germany. And they have to get used to their team mates. Cisse has a

problem with the language. But the signs there for Newcastle are

excellent. And you consider that Ba cost nothing. It is rare you get a

striker over six foot two that can hold the pal up and he is skilful.

They have two. Norwich are struggling a bit. They haven't won

in four. There was something missing at the end today. Yes, but

the other thing is they haven't got the biggest squad and they can't

rotate. It this a stage of the season where you would like to make

changes. But they will be fine. The football's good. Yes it is in the

final third, Newcastle sort limited them to shots outside the box.

There is no movement from the players in front of him and he has

to have a shot from distance. Those players there are giving him no

help. Tim Krul, he will be happy with shots outside the box. To the

end they became more positive and put the ball into the box. But it's

great doing it in the two thirds, in your own third, but in the final

thirdive got to have people in the box and there not enough. This is

the best chance for Norwich. A great take. Should have hit the

target. But they have got players in the box and they are saying,

pass to me. They are making the wrong decisions. When Grant Holt

comes on, it makes a difference. also bashes them. The thing is it

is at this stage of the season where you want a bit more quality

from the players. Stay in the league, in the summer some business

and you go up again. But they great. If Newcastle are looking to go up

again, they speaking Ogg -- of nine games left to get into the Europa

League. Don't say it. I think they will fall short. And nine games

sounds better than nearly a quarter of the season. I think they will

fall short. It will be interesting to see what Newcastle do in the

summer. I think they may have one or two going out again. With near

lay quarter of the season to go, we have highlights from yesterday's

matches in a moment. But first a lot of sport to tell you about.

Following us it is Formula One and highlights of first race of the

season, the Australian Grand Prix. And then if you're still awake at 1

o'clock, we have action from the final weekend of the snakess. And

on Wednesday, there is -- from the Six Nations and on Wednesday we

have Match of the Day with highlights of Manchester City and

Chelsea. Just two games from yesterday. Wigan West Brom after we

yesterday. Wigan West Brom after we Dempsey's shot. Tipped over the top

ball to pick out Rangel. It is six or eight inches wide of Schwarzer's

post. Schwarzer, it has come to Sinclair. A good save by Schwarzer

and it needed to be. Now Mark Schwarzer here really dropped a

clanger, presenting it under pressure from Graham, to Sinclair

and the keeper made amends with a post and Sigurdsson makes it 1-0 to

Swansea. Sigurdsson with the goal. This is a really nicely worked goal.

Look at Sinclair at the back post, he has got so much room. I don't

know if Kelly knows he's there. But he knows he is there when he knocks

it back to Sigurdsson there and that is a really good header.

Routledge squares, Sigurdsson, 2-0. Sigurdsson again. A brilliant goal.

Fulham have really struggled the last ten minutes, just to get the

ball. Swansea pass, move, pass move, can't get there and Swansea lead by

three! Joe Allen with the third. Well how many ways could Fulham

have avoided this? First Senderos gives it away and then he slips and

then Schwarzer can't save it. It is a poor goal for Fulham to concede.

Don't hear Swansea complaining - is a really good effort. The

keeper's got a finger tip to this. Well hit by Dempsey. Vorm with a

touch on to the bar. They're eighth touch on to the bar. They're eighth

in the league are Swansea. Now the cost of the squad this season.

�7 million for the 14 who started Ged. -- yesterday and most of them

played in lore leagues. So in terms 06 dynamic of the dressing room,

they know where they are. Manchester City, are trying to buy

players to win the league. 32 time more expensive than Swansea. What

it is, 50% of a good player is the natural ability. You have got to

have the other side and Swansea tr that. They have good players with

heart and passion and they work hard and Brendan Rodgers has got

them working in a structure that is perfect. Their keeper will get in

most teams. As an outfield player. Given the bargains and Vorm is one,

it will be an interesting summer with probably more money available.

His problem is his chairman thinks he can buy a team that are going to

finish in the top Sen for �7 million. Mr Chairman, I'm afraid

you will have to... Have a reality check. It doesn't happen. Now one

other game to catch up from yesterday. Here is the best from

yesterday. Here is the best from the finger tips were enough. A

lovely ball in, Boyce arriving. A strong challenge by McCarthy and

scrambled away by Foster. A whiplash shot and look at the

reactions of keeper. He got across byline, Moses, it's in, it's

bundled in, Moses realised he could get on the end of the deflection

and it is in by McArthur. Brunt with the corner, it is in, 1-1 and

Scharner it is against his old side. Could that be the goal that sends

his old team down? He stooped to conquer. 1-1. Mulumbu holding and

was fouled. Doesn't need to react like that. How stupid is that? The

way he was holding on to the ball invited a challenge. He has cone

done very little wrong except push him in the back. You never want to

see a player sent off. But West was going wide any way. What an

opportunity that was for Wigan to win it. All he needs to do is hit

the target and he has scored. It is deflected on to the post and away.

deflected on to the post and away. Would you believe it? Do they just

need someone who can score? I think so. They seem to have everything

nels regards the commitment and desire. They can't put the ball in

the back of the net. When did they last score? Yesterday! Eight goals

in 2012. It is poor. Do the players need too step up. QPR, that was in

August. Do others need to step up? Yes I mean the problem with

yesterday, they could have won four games with the chances they had.

Before we go, the latest news on Fabrice Muamba this a the Bolton

player is still in a critical condition in hospital. He has

received plenty of support from all of those involved in today's

football. I think it puts everything into perspective. I

thought what was terrific yesterday was both sets of fans acknowledged

there was a problem. The medical staff were fantastic. They got

there immediately. I think it is a credit to our game that the safety

in the stadium is fantastic. If it had been elsewhere, who knows?

players wanted to send their best to him. And hopefully wish him a

speedy recovery. As we all do. The tribute before the game I thought

was an excellent gesture. It is a terrible situation a long lad and

to collapse like that and I know it happened in Scotland a while back

and it is hopefully everything will be OK. Everyone thinks about what

has happened. Yeah I hope that lad will be OK. I share everyone's

thoughts and I would like to, as manager of this club, to send our

best wishes to his family and to the player and the team. From

everyone at Newcastle. All our thoughts are with him. It is a

shadow over today's game. And we just hope that it works out for

Fabrice andless back soon. His own manager, Owen Coyle said our

concern is Fabrice and Fabrice only that is what our our energy is

going into. Hope flay happy outcome. Gary Cahill scored for Chelsea in

the cup today and he dedicated the goal to his friend. Now a quick

look at the table. Thanks to that victory, Manchester United are now

four points clear of Manchester City at the top. They're now the

9/4 on favourites. Newcastle have strengthened their position in

sixth. Wolves are now bottom. They swapped places with Wigan. QPR

complete the relegation places. But it is very tight. Blackburn are not