:00:06. > :00:10.Welcome to the show. We have highlights from four Premier League
:00:10. > :00:16.games for you this evening, plus all the goals from yesterday... Not
:00:16. > :00:26.now, Mario! About to go on air! This is... Leave it! This is a
:00:26. > :00:26.
:00:26. > :01:11.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds
:01:11. > :01:15.festive edition of Match Of The Day Hello, everybody. With super Mario
:01:15. > :01:18.Balotelli handing out free money dressed as Santa in Manchester city
:01:18. > :01:23.centre last night, we are well in the festive mood for tonight's show.
:01:23. > :01:28.As Christmas is all about looking after the elderly, I have brought
:01:28. > :01:37.Alan in from the cold to join the guest that keeps on giving, Lee
:01:37. > :01:47.Dixon. Four games tonight and not a turkey amongst them.
:01:47. > :02:21.
:02:21. > :02:25.The blue side of Manchester kicked off against Arsenal in the darkness
:02:25. > :02:29.of today's fixtures so we begin with United who had the chance to
:02:29. > :02:31.return to the top of the Barclays Premier League if they could beat
:02:31. > :02:35.Premier League if they could beat QPR at Loftus Road in the early
:02:35. > :02:38.kick-off. There is one thing for sure that will be on Neil Warnock's
:02:38. > :02:43.Christmas wish-list, that will be a Premier League ticket for next
:02:43. > :02:48.season. At the moment, that is looking good. Wins against Chelsea
:02:48. > :02:55.and Stoke have been particularly impressive as Rangers mix it with
:02:55. > :03:00.the big boys. For Fergie and United, their wish will be to lift a
:03:00. > :03:04.record-extending 20th top-flight title. You wouldn't bet against it!
:03:04. > :03:14.Their last defeat was that 6-1 thrashing against City. Since then,
:03:14. > :03:25.
:03:25. > :03:32.they have won five out of six. They QPR plunder the spoils as the
:03:32. > :03:42.forces of Manchester United's mighty empire sail on a tide of
:03:42. > :03:47.
:03:47. > :03:51.misfortune caused by injury. side unchanged for the first time
:03:51. > :03:59.since they thumped Arsenal in August.
:03:59. > :04:09.Wayne Rooney has scored against 44 clubs. He has not managed a goal
:04:09. > :04:09.
:04:09. > :04:53.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds
:04:53. > :04:56.taken the lead in 53 seconds. It is his first Premier League goal
:04:56. > :05:03.against Queens Park Rangers on his 299th league appearance. He went
:05:03. > :05:09.such a long while from September until last week without netting.
:05:09. > :05:19.He's scored two against Wolves and has another here. Got across his
:05:19. > :05:38.
:05:38. > :05:46.man. Valencia - a good, darting Alex Ferguson turns 70 over the New
:05:46. > :05:56.Year. That was a free header! Manchester United should have been
:05:56. > :06:12.
:06:12. > :06:16.made to pay. Helguson has been in went. He's stayed down. He is
:06:16. > :06:26.holding his right ankle. Queens Park Rangers have Mackie on the
:06:26. > :06:27.
:06:27. > :06:37.ball. A great chance for Bothroyd. Manchester United are furious. It
:06:37. > :06:48.
:06:48. > :06:57.No, it's gone up now! It won't count. From his reaction, it was
:06:57. > :07:01.close. He checked - he is onside, I think. At worst he is level with
:07:01. > :07:07.the defender. Manchester United went into this game knowing victory
:07:07. > :07:17.could take them top of the Premier League again, if only for a few
:07:17. > :07:42.
:07:42. > :07:52.The first goal for Manchester United was in the offing for Johnny
:07:52. > :08:15.
:08:16. > :08:19.Evans. The keeper got nowhere near Cerny blocks. He has scored two in
:08:19. > :08:29.his last three games and should have made it two for Manchester
:08:29. > :09:03.
:09:03. > :09:13.Great recovery from Cerny. Good stretching. Bothroyd was well off
:09:13. > :09:30.
:09:30. > :09:40.target. De Gea went early for the it down. Such an entertaining
:09:40. > :10:00.
:10:00. > :10:06.the first minute of the first half. Straight at the goalkeeper. Danny
:10:07. > :10:13.Gabbidon was not on the field of play at the start. No Gabbidon -
:10:13. > :10:19.out he comes. Can't come on the field of play. With QPR one man
:10:19. > :10:24.short, Manchester United nearly scored the second. Rooney had to
:10:24. > :10:34.check back and the keeper saved. He would have been furious had
:10:34. > :10:54.
:10:54. > :10:59.Manchester United scored against run! What a good goal! Manchester
:10:59. > :11:03.United finally have a second goal. For Michael Carrick, it's his first
:11:03. > :11:10.in 11 months since he netted against Manchester City in last
:11:10. > :11:14.season's League Cup. Stolen away from Barton and a lovely soft-shoe-
:11:14. > :11:21.shuffle took him clear. What a good goal that was. A fine run was
:11:21. > :11:31.deserving of Manchester United's second goal. Brushed off Faurlin
:11:31. > :11:50.
:11:50. > :12:00.been a thorn in QPR's side throughout. Rooney couldn't poach a
:12:00. > :12:11.
:12:11. > :12:17.considering substituting Welbeck any moment now. That's a brilliant
:12:17. > :12:22.save. APPLAUSE Well, whether Welbeck looked across and saw
:12:22. > :12:27.Hernandez waiting to come on and was anxious to score before he was
:12:27. > :12:37.to depart, I don't know. It was a good run. A fine piece of
:12:37. > :12:57.
:12:57. > :13:04.Rooney! QPR clear it. Queens Park Rangers survive by the skin of
:13:04. > :13:14.their teeth again. Nani slipped beyond his man. It was a good save
:13:14. > :13:19.
:13:19. > :13:29.he miss, DJ Campbell? A lovely ball played in. A fine cross. Oh, he has
:13:29. > :13:31.to hit the target from there! That's a shocking miss. They have
:13:31. > :13:41.made a statement here today to Manchester City that they will be
:13:41. > :13:45.
:13:45. > :13:50.on their shoulder throughout the Manchester United to have Hernandez
:13:50. > :13:53.fit and playing again so soon. Wayne Rooney was outstanding before
:13:54. > :14:02.his substitution. His goal paved the way for a very comfortable win.
:14:02. > :14:05.2-0. It could have been four or So United stroll to another win.
:14:05. > :14:08.Rooney's header after 52 seconds set them on their way. Carrick's
:14:08. > :14:12.solo goal was another pre-christmas present. But Fergie's men could
:14:12. > :14:15.have had a bagful. As for QPR, they just couldn't live with the
:14:15. > :14:22.champions. And when they did unwrap their defence, they couldn't
:14:22. > :14:28.convert. We should approach that game to bed after 30 minutes. The
:14:28. > :14:30.goalkeeper had two fantastic saves. We were very wasteful with our
:14:30. > :14:36.chances but it was a good team performance and some very good
:14:37. > :14:41.football. If we should have scored a lot of goals. Danny Gabbidon got
:14:42. > :14:47.hurt. He had a couple of stitches in his head. He should have been
:14:47. > :14:53.out there. If he'd come back, he would have got a second booking and
:14:53. > :14:57.that would have been a catastrophe. The official used common sense.
:14:57. > :15:02.It's a long season and there are times when people are not at their
:15:02. > :15:07.best, but it's about picking up the points. We've managed to do that
:15:07. > :15:11.this season. People say we are not this and not bad but we are in
:15:11. > :15:18.there, challenging. Hopefully the best is to come. Overall, they were
:15:18. > :15:23.better than us but to expected from the champions. I think that when we
:15:23. > :15:28.get to New year's Day, in the ball park, hopefully we'll get a chance
:15:28. > :15:32.of the second half. Well, they always do. QPR never got their
:15:32. > :15:37.claws into the Champions today. Man United cruised to victory
:15:37. > :15:42.superbly in all departments without even breaking sweat. I think QPR
:15:42. > :15:47.were disappointing. Neil Warnock will be disappointed with the goals.
:15:47. > :15:51.But you just felt United could step up and it Sir Alex Ferguson is
:15:51. > :15:56.right. They should have won the game. Eight clean sheets that had
:15:56. > :16:03.now which surprise to be. I've been critical of them at the back but a
:16:03. > :16:07.clean sheets already. It was two very familiar people. I think it's
:16:07. > :16:11.the best Man United played this season. Totally in control. In
:16:11. > :16:16.every department. When you have a little bit of a crisis, big players
:16:16. > :16:21.come to the fore. Rio Ferdinand and a lot of people including myself
:16:21. > :16:25.thought he'd gone. Culminating in a low point at Old Trafford against
:16:25. > :16:29.Manchester City. Today, he was back to his very best for so I don't
:16:29. > :16:34.know where it has come from, but certainly, he was totally in the
:16:34. > :16:40.front. His performance was nothing short of magnificent. It comes at a
:16:40. > :16:50.time when they have lost Nemanja Vidic. In the air, dominant. On the
:16:50. > :16:55.
:16:55. > :16:59.And here, what about this for a pass with his feet? This is
:16:59. > :17:03.something we haven't seen in 18 months, him anticipating,
:17:03. > :17:10.interception, reading the play and, finally, six weeks ago, he wasn't
:17:10. > :17:15.fit enough to do this. To intercepted, anticipated, fantastic
:17:15. > :17:25.passing to Wayne Rooney. Rooney himself, appreciation, space,
:17:25. > :17:25.
:17:25. > :17:30.technique. Nutmeg there. After that, he was absolutely sensational. This
:17:30. > :17:36.is what Wayne Rooney is all about. He gets it back, plays it quick. He
:17:36. > :17:40.was like that all afternoon. I love this. If you watch the second pass,
:17:40. > :17:47.when he opens he his body up, he gets into position and that is
:17:47. > :17:53.phenomenal passing. Inch-perfect. Finally, a game at the passing to
:17:53. > :17:58.Jones was perfect for that great save. You look at that performance,
:17:58. > :18:08.and a lot of people were writing them off. You should never do that.
:18:08. > :18:09.
:18:09. > :18:13.Last year, I thought they played How easy did QPR make it for them,
:18:13. > :18:16.especially in the first half? Warnock said he was disappointed
:18:16. > :18:21.but when you play against one of the top teams, Manchester United,
:18:21. > :18:25.at home, I think defence is really important. Yes, you have got to try
:18:25. > :18:29.to score goals but you have got to play narrow, no gaps in between
:18:29. > :18:33.your players at the back and that's what they didn't do, QPR. Their
:18:33. > :18:43.back four did not link up, they were too wide, and they needed to
:18:43. > :18:45.
:18:45. > :18:50.play from a solid base and they is on the right. Connolly has got
:18:50. > :18:58.to come over, Danny Gabbidon. Shifting positions. The furthest
:18:58. > :19:04.man, Nani, his most dangerous. Rooney is of the box, playing
:19:04. > :19:07.catch-up. Great header from Wayne Rooney. He has got to be tight here.
:19:07. > :19:13.If he doesn't get tired, Danny Gabbidon is not even looking at the
:19:13. > :19:20.ball. Luke Young, not on the cover. He's got to get back. One pass, as
:19:20. > :19:26.it happens, just offside, he gets away. Rooney is in space here. What
:19:26. > :19:30.Connolly, do is go to the ball. Any movement to the ball, either pass
:19:30. > :19:35.Rooney to make either side of him, when he gets the ball, he just
:19:35. > :19:39.turns. There he is, Jones is a way. Back four split apart and he should
:19:39. > :19:46.score. If you're going to get tied on Rooney, you have got to have
:19:46. > :19:53.cover behind. Here, no cover. Look where Luke Young is now. No cover
:19:53. > :19:58.behind. Rooney get some. This was the second goal. Michael Carrick, a
:19:59. > :20:02.way. They have got to shift over it. Connolly has to come over. They
:20:02. > :20:07.don't, they stay where they are, leave a massive gap and run
:20:07. > :20:10.straight into it. It's about having a back four. Not breaking your
:20:10. > :20:15.lines, and covering each other across the pitch and they didn't do
:20:15. > :20:18.It's more important to get off to a good start against Manchester
:20:18. > :20:22.United at home but Old Trafford because if you get off to a bad
:20:22. > :20:30.start, but because the home crowd are urging you to chase the game,
:20:30. > :20:36.and when you do that, that happens. What about the start of the second
:20:36. > :20:42.half? I've never seen that. All the years I've been watching the world
:20:42. > :20:50.of football, I've never seen a team start the second half with one
:20:50. > :21:00.player shot. You look and think, where is he? -- one player short.
:21:00. > :21:02.
:21:02. > :21:10.here, he's in. I've never seen a team start with one man of the
:21:10. > :21:20.pitch before. I'd been caught short at the toilet but never managed not
:21:20. > :21:21.
:21:21. > :21:25.QPR, in terms of expectations, three points above the dreaded but
:21:25. > :21:30.dotted line going into Christmas but only three points below 10th,
:21:30. > :21:35.and should be glass half full. the start of the season, you would
:21:35. > :21:41.be happy with that. But you would be happier going into the Christmas
:21:41. > :21:46.period with six or seven out of 12 of. One a point out of 12 is a very,
:21:46. > :21:53.very bad run. You could go into freefall because confidence is low.
:21:53. > :21:57.You are under pressure. Individual, collectively. I think they got
:21:57. > :22:02.money to spend Christmas if they need to. A packed Christmas
:22:02. > :22:05.schedule which we will tell you about late in the show. So United
:22:05. > :22:08.after that win went back to the summit by a point. But they would
:22:08. > :22:17.be knocked off again by City unless Arsenal spoiled their party by
:22:17. > :22:20.taking all three points at the Etihad. Arsenal, thanks to Robin
:22:20. > :22:23.van Persie, are soaring. So it's not surprising Arsene is hoping for
:22:23. > :22:27.more from his flying Dutchman? He's scored 15 league goals in total.
:22:27. > :22:32.The latest a belter against Everton making his recent record 14 in his
:22:32. > :22:35.last ten. He's on fire. Can he keep his run going though today? City's
:22:35. > :22:38.unbeaten record melted away on Monday in the heat of a frenzied
:22:38. > :22:43.battle at the Bridge. After going a goal up, Mancini's men lost their
:22:43. > :22:47.way. And having a man sent off was snow joke as they paid the penalty.
:22:47. > :22:57.But 14 matches unbeaten was some run. Now they must keep cool and
:22:57. > :22:58.
:22:58. > :23:02.refocus. Talking in the air for us slightest jolt seem serious so now
:23:02. > :23:07.to see how Manchester City react after the first bit of turbulence.
:23:07. > :23:17.There's been a bit to that of trading, this week, too. Mario
:23:17. > :23:23.
:23:23. > :23:29.Balotelli and Micah Richards both to extend their unbeaten run to
:23:29. > :23:39.nine unbeaten games. 12 goals for Robin Van Persie in his last few
:23:39. > :23:41.
:23:41. > :23:45.matches, 19 already this season. 40, is yet to shine since moving to
:23:45. > :23:52.City. Maybe with all the hostility from his former supporters today,
:23:52. > :24:02.this might be his time. A wonderful pass from Barry. Sergio ago where a
:24:02. > :24:20.
:24:20. > :24:28.was onside but has placed it. Over Very understated from the manager.
:24:28. > :24:38.David Silva. Manchester City starting to look in the mood. Samir
:24:38. > :24:38.
:24:38. > :24:43.Nasri. David Silva. Mario Balotelli, lurking. Finding the passes there,
:24:43. > :24:50.threading them through now. Arsenal look as if they could be too easily
:24:50. > :25:00.opened up. Mikel Arteta. Incredible that is right up there amongst the
:25:00. > :25:01.
:25:01. > :25:11.Premier League top scorers this post as far as arsenal are
:25:11. > :25:11.
:25:11. > :25:14.concerned. It came out of nothing, that. Great pass to Gervinho. It
:25:14. > :25:24.was saved somehow even though they got there pretty well, actually.
:25:24. > :25:40.
:25:40. > :25:46.that and it was going in. It's a really good save by England's No. 1.
:25:46. > :25:54.Robin Van Persie's delivery. That's a little bit more routine. The
:25:54. > :25:58.first nervous moment near the Manchester City penalty area. Scott
:25:58. > :26:08.Johnson staying cheerful, despite the fact it's their turn to wait
:26:08. > :26:18.
:26:19. > :26:22.because he thought he had done everything right. Both goalkeepers
:26:23. > :26:29.involved in important action. How did Mario Balotelli come away with
:26:29. > :26:39.that lovely take down to get in between the two defenders? The
:26:39. > :26:50.
:26:50. > :26:58.goalkeeper spread himself and Davina is wide. Ramsey. Blocked by
:26:59. > :27:08.Yaya Toure. That was a swift arsenal move and it's a good block
:27:09. > :27:12.
:27:12. > :27:22.from a Richards. A really good Premier League, arsenal have won 20.
:27:22. > :27:31.
:27:31. > :27:41.goalkeeping all round. He had to go sideways for a while, here. The
:27:41. > :27:54.
:27:54. > :27:57.goalkeeper anticipated exactly forward now? Mario Balotelli will
:27:57. > :28:03.get there. He has got plenty of room and time to consider his
:28:03. > :28:13.options. He might do it all by himself. He will try and it is
:28:13. > :28:28.
:28:28. > :28:33.through on to the ball. And he had loads of time here. Tried to do it
:28:33. > :28:42.by himself. And it nearly worked for him. Too hot for the goalkeeper
:28:42. > :28:47.to handle. That would not go in. It would from David Silva. Here we are,
:28:47. > :28:52.pre-Christmas. And David Silva has made it six goals for the season,
:28:53. > :29:02.equalling his tally for the whole of the last campaign. He has been
:29:03. > :29:13.
:29:13. > :29:23.absolutely outstanding throughout to be distracted by the continuing
:29:23. > :29:23.
:29:23. > :29:33.celebrations around the ground. Arsenal back at City and it was a
:29:33. > :29:44.
:29:44. > :29:54.finish but it doesn't count. Credit to Gervinho. Isn't that tight? That
:29:54. > :29:54.
:29:54. > :30:44.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds
:30:44. > :30:48.taking issue with the fourth finishing touch. They are trying to
:30:48. > :30:52.walk the ball home. Magical stuff from Nasri. Could Balotelli have
:30:52. > :31:02.slid? I think the feeling around the ground is he could have got
:31:02. > :31:02.
:31:02. > :32:19.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 44 seconds
:32:19. > :32:29.gaps. That was a hefty thump It's bundled wide by Ramsey. It was
:32:29. > :32:36.
:32:36. > :32:46.in line. Not that it mattered anyway. Hart, Ramsey, post. Ball
:32:46. > :32:59.
:32:59. > :33:09.Robin van Persie has a word with Phil Dowd. It does hit the hand of
:33:09. > :33:35.
:33:35. > :33:40.it wide. That's a great dart from right back. Look at that. He could
:33:40. > :33:50.have played it for Aguero. He seemed to be in two minds. Had to
:33:50. > :34:21.
:34:21. > :34:24.be offside. I think the flag went preserved three big points for
:34:24. > :34:34.Manchester City. City weren't alive to the fact that Vermaelen was
:34:34. > :34:51.
:34:51. > :34:56.watching and waiting and ready to Vermaelen - it was curling but it
:34:56. > :35:01.wasn't curling enough for Arsenal. Joe Hart must hope that that is the
:35:01. > :35:11.last thing that is going to come his way. A great effort. When he
:35:11. > :35:13.
:35:13. > :35:16.gets forward, he is as good as many gets forward, he is as good as many
:35:16. > :35:22.a striker. That's it. City were knocked off the top for
:35:22. > :35:25.four hours. They now sit at the top of the tree thanks to Silva. Van
:35:26. > :35:29.Persie couldn't find the net as the Gunners lost in the league for the
:35:29. > :35:34.first time in 11 weeks. REPORTER: A great game with some
:35:34. > :35:40.big performances. What stood out for you today? I think we did a
:35:40. > :35:46.very good performance. Also, some moment after 1-0 we concede some
:35:46. > :35:51.space for them and I think that we should have more control on the
:35:51. > :35:59.game. We had a good performance. We gave everything and we were unlucky
:35:59. > :36:05.as well because we had chances, the offside position are not completely
:36:05. > :36:08.convipsing. Are you thinking about the -- Convincing. Are you thinking
:36:08. > :36:14.about the goal you had ruled out? It is part of the game. This game
:36:14. > :36:19.could have finished 1-1. 2-0 for them. 1-0 for us. It was this kind
:36:19. > :36:24.of game. It was very up-and-down. You weren't off the top of the
:36:24. > :36:27.table for very long. How important was it to hit back at Manchester
:36:27. > :36:33.United today? It was important because Manchester United are doing
:36:33. > :36:36.a good season. Like Manchester City. It is important to stay on the top
:36:36. > :36:42.in the end. You have clear frustrations in defence. How close
:36:42. > :36:46.are your full-backs to returning? At the moment, not very close.
:36:46. > :36:50.Unfortunately. Can I ask you one more thing? The usual question
:36:50. > :36:57.about Mario Balotelli. Have you heard anything about him throwing
:36:57. > :37:01.money out of his car to people last night? I think Mario is a good
:37:01. > :37:07.player. Today, he did a fantastic performance. You know, he is very
:37:07. > :37:13.dangerous. I don't know about that. Mario is a quick guy. People who
:37:13. > :37:21.know him, he is really special. The most important thing is his talent
:37:21. > :37:27.is great. He can score a goal time. That is what we want him to do.
:37:27. > :37:32.me... Did he say "yes"? That was confirmation he was dressed as
:37:32. > :37:36.Santa giving away free money last night. You two are humbugs, you can
:37:36. > :37:42.find fault with any game. It is hard with that one? That was about
:37:42. > :37:45.as good as it gets. You got two great footballing sides playing
:37:45. > :37:50.full throttle. I think the feature of the season has been the games
:37:50. > :37:55.between the big teams have been great. We have had Manchester
:37:55. > :38:00.United 8 Arsenal 2, Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6. Chelsea
:38:00. > :38:04.3 Arsenal 5. This game didn't have 3 Arsenal 5. This game didn't have
:38:04. > :38:09.the goals but it had the quality. The football was fast, fluent and
:38:09. > :38:15.end to end stuff. The control of the ball, the passing, the touch.
:38:15. > :38:20.Aguero should have scored there. At the other end, Song, a brilliant
:38:20. > :38:26.ball and a good hit and a great save by Joe Hart. Balotelli - this
:38:26. > :38:32.is a phenomenal piece of skill. Great hit, good save. When we look
:38:32. > :38:39.at the use of the width of the pitch. City on the right-hand side,
:38:39. > :38:42.goes to the left-hand side, it comes to the full-back, Zabaleta,
:38:42. > :38:47.and then they decide to come all the way back but always in control
:38:47. > :38:53.of the ball. It's into feet, it is controlled. Never in any doubt
:38:53. > :38:58.where it is going. Then Richards on that side makes another fantastic
:38:58. > :39:03.run. This time, it's Silva into Nasri. Phenomenal play. It should
:39:03. > :39:08.have been a goal. Then, right at the end, we had a well-worked free-
:39:08. > :39:13.kick to Vermaelen, great save from Joe Hart. Then, finally, Vermaelen
:39:13. > :39:18.makes a tackle there, it's last- chance saloon, it is played up,
:39:18. > :39:23.route one, comes to Van Persie, who comes into the picture? Vermaelen.
:39:23. > :39:29.It is a fantastic first touch. Hits it and that is phenomenal. He is
:39:29. > :39:34.distraught. You can tell by Joe Hart's cheeks what he thinks. It is
:39:34. > :39:39.like relief. And it was a fantastic game. I didn't think Arsenal
:39:39. > :39:44.deserved to get beat. It's a rejuvenated Arsenal. They played
:39:44. > :39:49.really well. Lee will tell you one or two of the decisions went
:39:49. > :39:53.against them. To come back when they were under pressure, it's a
:39:53. > :40:03.sign of champions. Where does this leave Arsenal? Whether they
:40:03. > :40:03.
:40:03. > :40:07.deserved to get beat or not, they did? They did. Arsene Wenger was
:40:07. > :40:11.very disappointed. Manchester City were magnificent. A brilliant game.
:40:11. > :40:14.They are decimated with injuries at the back, especially their full-
:40:14. > :40:18.backs. Me and Nigel might get a call! And they don't look
:40:18. > :40:24.comfortable at the back. They have four centre-backs playing. That is
:40:24. > :40:29.not ideal at the best of times. The way the prospects are for the full-
:40:29. > :40:37.backs coming back, it will be like that for a while. Now Djourou has
:40:37. > :40:42.got injured. They have massive problems at the back. It could have
:40:42. > :40:49.been different, though. Decisions go one way or the other? Yeah, I
:40:49. > :40:55.mean, Van Persie, the offside goal, a split decision. Great finish. As
:40:55. > :41:01.the ball comes in, Van Persie makes his run, overshoots, he just goes
:41:01. > :41:09.offside, does he? We see it from this angle, look at Kompany at the
:41:09. > :41:14.top of the screen, I think he is level. You can see his feet. It is
:41:14. > :41:18.very difficult for the linesman. It is decisions like that - what a
:41:18. > :41:21.fabulous finish. Also the handball. How he misses this I don't know. He
:41:21. > :41:26.must think that that is not - I don't know why he doesn't think
:41:26. > :41:32.this is handball. Is he too close? We see his position. That, for me,
:41:32. > :41:35.is a penalty. How it's not given. So, yes, Manchester City played -
:41:35. > :41:41.they probably had the better of the chances. Ramsey is telling him what
:41:41. > :41:46.he thinks there. Ultimately, they were unlucky today. Any comfort in
:41:46. > :41:52.defeat is always a cold one. We sat here last time Arsenal went to play
:41:52. > :41:59.in the league in Manchester and it was pub team stuff. They were
:41:59. > :42:03.beaten 8. That's more the Arsenal we all recognise? It is. They have
:42:03. > :42:10.signed - Arteta was fantastic today. They have signed Mertesacker - he
:42:10. > :42:15.adds experience. I don't think he is the answer. So, yeah, a lot
:42:15. > :42:21.better performance. You talk about where Arsenal are in the league, so
:42:21. > :42:25.many fixtures. As far as the two two go - we will take a look at
:42:25. > :42:29.what to expect from them. It favours Manchester United
:42:29. > :42:35.especially that little home run for them? You look at some of these
:42:35. > :42:39.fixtures, you think these are easy. Because the games come thick and
:42:39. > :42:43.fast, there is never anything easy. They will rotate the players.
:42:43. > :42:52.There's a lot at stake at Christmas. You can't win it at Christmas. You
:42:52. > :42:56.can lose it. Manchester City have got fantastic strength in-depth.
:42:56. > :42:59.Manchester United, you know, time and time again over the years you
:42:59. > :43:03.write them off and when they went to the Champions League, we said
:43:03. > :43:06.they ain't going to win the Premier League, but you look at the way
:43:06. > :43:10.they played today and I think that the winners will eventually come
:43:10. > :43:16.from these two. I don't think there is any doubt about that. I don't
:43:16. > :43:19.think those fixtures are that much different. It is not that hard for
:43:19. > :43:28.both of them. Christmas is a funny time. You get a couple of injuries
:43:28. > :43:31.in key positions. It is City's to lose, the way they are playing.
:43:31. > :43:35.Alan said, he did mention the old cliche, you can't win the league
:43:35. > :43:45.over Christmas, but you can lose it. You will see all the winners and
:43:45. > :44:16.
:44:16. > :44:19.A bumper Christmas of football then here on the BBC. But we're not even
:44:19. > :44:23.half done here tonight. Later we're at the Lane for Spurs vs Sunderland.
:44:23. > :44:32.But now, we head to the Midlands and Big Eck's Villa against Little
:44:32. > :44:37.Kenny's Reds. Villa could be seen to be a little bit like Scrooge.
:44:37. > :44:40.They don't score many but they don't give away too many either. 18
:44:40. > :44:43.goals for and 19 conceded this season tells the story. Seven draws,
:44:43. > :44:46.four wins and four defeats is their record. And although it's not a
:44:46. > :44:49.case of saying bah humbug to champagne football, Alex McLeish
:44:49. > :44:52.and his troops have performed more than admirably. A Christmas Carroll
:44:52. > :44:55.on form though is what Liverpool fans would love to see as the
:44:55. > :44:57.record breaking �35 million man has struggled since his arrival at
:44:57. > :45:01.Anfield. He's scored just four League goals since January. And
:45:01. > :45:07.only two this season. But the Reds need Big Andy firing as king Kenny
:45:07. > :45:17.could easily ask just what the Dickens is going on? Our Bob
:45:17. > :45:26.
:45:26. > :45:36.Stewart down in returns to Villa Park for the first time. In his
:45:36. > :45:56.
:45:56. > :46:06.last game for Aston Villa, he do when he plays on the right. On
:46:06. > :46:27.
:46:28. > :46:37.blocked by Warnock. Liverpool corner. It's fair to say, he's
:46:38. > :46:42.
:46:42. > :46:48.getting a warm reception from the and Craig Bellamy has his second
:46:48. > :46:55.Premier League goal this season. Stewart down's corner was not held
:46:55. > :47:05.and Craig Bellamy reacted quickly. Bellamy, back in the team and back
:47:05. > :47:37.
:47:37. > :47:47.Villa to retain their shape and not moment. Corner taken by Bellamy.
:47:47. > :47:47.
:47:47. > :47:56.Uninviting one to and in! Liverpool, 2-0 in front. Inside quarter of an
:47:56. > :48:00.hour. Martin Skrtel, he just guided that into the corner. The Slovakia
:48:00. > :48:10.got a really good contact on that. Disappointing for Aston Villa from
:48:10. > :48:23.
:48:23. > :48:29.the defensive point of view. for his first Aston Villa goal. No
:48:29. > :48:35.problem with the strike. Always rising a fraction too much. This is
:48:35. > :48:42.certainly a tested at Aston Villa's character now. Charles N'Zogbia has
:48:42. > :48:47.found it. He certainly looks the most likely for Aston Villa to try
:48:47. > :48:52.to get them back into it. He was the only option, in all honesty
:48:52. > :48:59.here for the Alfonso. A fraction wider that he might have liked. The
:48:59. > :49:09.ball was only in the side netting. Gabriel Agbonlahor, 10 goals
:49:09. > :49:23.
:49:23. > :49:30.between him and Darren Bent. A big won it back. Luis Suarez! Liverpool
:49:30. > :49:34.hit the woodwork again. It looked as though the chance had gone there
:49:34. > :49:44.but brilliantly stepped inside, Collins, and rattled it against the
:49:44. > :49:59.
:49:59. > :50:06.crossbar. A lick of paint away from Aston Villa just cannot get out.
:50:06. > :50:12.Now Johnson! Good save it. If that had gone in, Aston Villa would only
:50:12. > :50:22.have had themselves to blame. He will want to kill this off as soon
:50:22. > :50:37.
:50:37. > :50:42.now moved into a central role. Liverpool have conceded just seven
:50:42. > :50:52.goals in the Premier League. Aston Villa, somehow or other, need to
:50:52. > :50:54.find a way of breaking down a defence. Deflected. There would be
:50:55. > :50:58.nothing that Pepe Reina could have done about that. If it was on
:50:58. > :51:08.target, that was in. That might have been the slice of luck Aston
:51:08. > :51:28.
:51:28. > :51:38.why Rez! Bellamy! -- Louise wires it was not he came back from an
:51:38. > :51:39.
:51:39. > :51:49.using his arm up. -- it certainly looked. Somehow or other, Aston
:51:49. > :52:07.
:52:07. > :52:12.Villa have kept it at 2-0. You do Given away. Charlie Adam. It is
:52:12. > :52:22.still Adam and it still won't go in for Liverpool. How have they not
:52:22. > :52:33.
:52:33. > :52:37.scored in this second half? They here. Set up really nicely for him
:52:37. > :52:47.but he could not keep it down. Liverpool supporters,
:52:47. > :53:13.
:53:13. > :53:19.Mark Albrighton were asking for. Did it hit his arm? It's a
:53:19. > :53:25.debatable one. By the way, it's not been Aston Villa's day. Arsenal at
:53:25. > :53:35.home, next. Away games at Stoke and Chelsea. Might be a tough
:53:35. > :53:44.
:53:44. > :53:49.away with the ball. Aston Villa needed. Daniel Agger allowed to
:53:49. > :53:59.stride forward. What about that? There are three options here for
:53:59. > :54:00.
:54:00. > :54:04.Stewart Downing. Once again it he could not keep the effort down,
:54:04. > :54:07.Shelvey, and it be a desperately disappointing day for the Aston
:54:07. > :54:13.Villa supporters. FULL-TIME WHISTLE BLOWS Kenny
:54:13. > :54:18.Dalglish Marks's 350 of game as Liverpool manager with their 4th
:54:18. > :54:28.away win it. Goals from Bellamy. It could and
:54:28. > :54:29.
:54:29. > :54:33.should have been more. It mattered, STUDIO: Two early goals were enough
:54:33. > :54:36.for Liverpool who enjoyed an easy win. They created so many chances
:54:36. > :54:41.and could have scored more. As for McLeish's men, their woes defending
:54:41. > :54:47.corners continued. Scrooge they were certainly were not at the back.
:54:47. > :54:52.I thought we played really well. Every part of the team was doing
:54:52. > :54:56.well and I think they felt they deserved it. The goals that we lost
:54:56. > :55:03.where pretty shocking. I thought they were shocking. We shouldn't be
:55:03. > :55:07.losing goals like that, set pieces, runs in the box. We have got to
:55:07. > :55:11.look at that seriously on the training ground. How strange was a
:55:11. > :55:17.coming back for you today? Plain goal to collateral ground is always
:55:17. > :55:24.difficult. The limit keeping quiet was to get the result. I expected
:55:24. > :55:27.it. Disappointing. I tried my best run I was here but the main thing
:55:27. > :55:31.for me was to play my normal game and get the result for the team
:55:31. > :55:36.which we did. If we can put performances like that on in
:55:36. > :55:46.training, it must be encouraging for everybody. Lots of the players
:55:46. > :55:51.enjoyed it. Hard work and a bit of class. The snow fell at Villa Park
:55:51. > :55:56.today. If truth be told, Aston Villa were a bit flaky. More than
:55:56. > :56:01.that, they were awful. The way they pass the ball today. Are they had
:56:01. > :56:06.the ball in the game because every time Liverpool gave it away, Aston
:56:06. > :56:11.Villa gave it straight back to them. The possession from Liverpool away
:56:11. > :56:15.from home, I thought you can't give teams like that the ball every time
:56:15. > :56:18.it. Their passing, back, the bid field, I thought was awful.
:56:19. > :56:23.Defending like that from set pieces, they will get into trouble because
:56:24. > :56:27.it's not acceptable. Set pieces was the problem? Their last more than
:56:27. > :56:33.any other team in the Premier League. Today was no different. --
:56:33. > :56:43.they have lost more. The problem was not Liverpool, they defended
:56:43. > :56:43.
:56:43. > :56:47.front post. It's an important part of the pitch. As soon as an Aston
:56:47. > :56:57.Villa player comes into shot, they go tired, find the space, it goes
:56:57. > :57:01.
:57:01. > :57:06.along. This is what happens. Watch this space. Nobody picks up Shelvey.
:57:06. > :57:14.Nobody gets him. There are four players not even looking at the
:57:14. > :57:18.ball. It's a shocking shot, it really is. Sensational. Luis Suarez
:57:19. > :57:26.it react and then Bellamy react. It's a great ball from a Bellamy.
:57:26. > :57:32.Difficult to defend against. A free header, six or seven players around
:57:32. > :57:38.him, and there was no way back, Skrtel, but a great team
:57:38. > :57:43.performance. Aston Villa are the top half of the table but are they
:57:43. > :57:47.going up or down? I think, over all in the season they have done all
:57:47. > :57:51.right. Obviously, they didn't have Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor
:57:51. > :57:57.playing today. Scoring goals has been a problem for them at the last
:57:57. > :58:01.few games. They scored one in five games, so struggled in that
:58:02. > :58:06.department. Alex McLeish has got to get Shay Given back on the training
:58:06. > :58:10.pitch, get him back to basics for the ultimate league, when they are
:58:10. > :58:16.fit, they are decent. Look at the bench today, Liverpool's bench was
:58:16. > :58:24.really strong and not so strong from Aston Villa. Jordan had the
:58:24. > :58:31.sun, his best game yet. Absolutely. He played great. -- Jordan
:58:31. > :58:35.Henderson. The star of the show was Luis Suarez. I don't know what he
:58:35. > :58:45.was drinking their but I would like to get some of it. Mike Rutherford
:58:45. > :58:50.nutmeg there. The movement, the touch, the technique. A touch of
:58:50. > :58:57.aggression. He chases it, gets it back. He cuts the corner and is so
:58:57. > :59:01.unlucky there. And this one, you know, again, Warnock comes in. A
:59:01. > :59:07.hint of hand ball there. The technique to chip it. The
:59:07. > :59:14.goalkeeper has no chance. Unbelievably unlucky and then, the
:59:14. > :59:21.right peg, inch-perfect. Good, decent save of. And finally, inch
:59:21. > :59:27.perfect for Bellamy. He has been a sensational. He loves the post.
:59:27. > :59:32.wonderful player and so did a good to play against. 16 times Liverpool
:59:32. > :59:35.have to hit the woodwork this season. Still to come, all the
:59:35. > :59:39.goals from yesterday plus some seasonal treats you do not want to
:59:39. > :59:42.miss. But our final game from today takes us to White Hart Lane and a
:59:42. > :59:44.visiting side who got an early christmas present in the form of
:59:44. > :59:54.new manager Martin O'Neill. But Spurs though give nothing away at
:59:54. > :59:58.
:59:58. > :00:08.sensational season so far. Last week, their 11-match unbeaten run
:00:08. > :00:08.
:00:08. > :00:14.ended in disaster at Stoke. Was it a penalty? Oh yes it is! The ref
:00:14. > :00:22.said? Oh, no, it isn't! As for Martin O'Neill, he will be rubbing
:00:22. > :00:29.his lamp! He's already got off to a winning start after last week's
:00:29. > :00:39.late show and as for the bad times? It's behind you! It's a phrase he
:00:39. > :00:51.
:00:51. > :00:59.With him in their side, Spurs have taken 25 points out of 27 this
:00:59. > :01:09.season. Larsson's free-kick a week ago ensured Martin O'Neill's reign
:01:09. > :01:38.
:01:38. > :01:48.got off to the best possible start. Ekotto has not scored for over two
:01:48. > :02:13.
:02:13. > :02:19.smartly to save at the feet of Walker. It's coming for Tottenham.
:02:19. > :02:29.Their pace is worrying Sunderland. Martin O'Neill very encouraged by
:02:29. > :02:44.
:02:44. > :02:54.what he saw last week. And what he been forced to make. He caught it
:02:54. > :03:03.
:03:04. > :03:09.well. It would have gone in. It oh how close? Just behind him in
:03:09. > :03:13.the six-yard box. Great counter- attack from Sunderland. Larsson's
:03:13. > :03:23.pass intended for Richardson. He was a yard too quick for the pass
:03:23. > :03:42.
:03:42. > :03:46.side, Tottenham need Assou-Ekotto to go on more and more of these
:03:46. > :03:56.runs. He was looking for Pavlyuchenko and Vaughan's touch
:03:56. > :04:10.
:04:10. > :04:15.was vital. Brilliant skill from spotting that one. Now, then, all
:04:15. > :04:25.eyes on Larsson here. Richardson is there as well. I doubt very much he
:04:25. > :04:44.
:04:44. > :04:48.right to keep it out. Tottenham had done their homework and it pays off.
:04:48. > :04:52.It's a sweet strike from Larsson. Tottenham did have a player on the
:04:52. > :05:02.line as well. Walker had gone back there. Friedel has been the busier
:05:02. > :05:07.
:05:07. > :05:12.of the goalkeepers. The last minute Pavlyuchenko is there! The ball is
:05:12. > :05:18.not in the back of the net. The closest Spurs have come to scoring.
:05:18. > :05:28.Brilliant by Scott Parker. Pavlyuchenko almost scores with his
:05:28. > :05:35.
:05:35. > :05:41.first meaningful touch since coming Vaughan! Plenty of power in that.
:05:41. > :05:51.Friedel at full stretch. Vaughan scored the equaliser a week ago
:05:51. > :06:10.
:06:11. > :06:20.against Blackburn. He left Sandro Colback took too long to shoot.
:06:21. > :06:42.
:06:42. > :06:51.What a moment. What a moment that goal! The Russian sub breaks the
:06:51. > :06:57.deadlock! Remember the name on the back of the shirt! An hour played,
:06:57. > :07:02.and Tottenham take the lead. The careless pass from Brown, that's
:07:02. > :07:08.what opened Sunderland up and then the crisp passing. Pavlyuchenko
:07:08. > :07:14.with a deadly accurate shot. Lovely reverse ball from Van der Vaart and
:07:14. > :07:24.Westwood is left grasping thin air. Tottenham on course for home win
:07:24. > :07:33.
:07:33. > :07:39.number six on the bounce. And the such a narrow lead. It's run
:07:39. > :07:47.Tottenham's way. Van der Vaart - a great run by Adebayor - he's in -
:07:47. > :07:53.Westwood saves! What a miss by Modric! Prior to that, it is a
:07:53. > :07:56.glorious save from Westwood. Adebayor thought here he had put
:07:56. > :08:02.the game beyond Sunderland. Westwood came to his team's rescue
:08:02. > :08:12.and Modric fluffed his lines. If this goes in, surely it is game
:08:12. > :08:23.
:08:23. > :08:29.over. Only Modric knows how he Adebayor - good save from Westwood.
:08:29. > :08:39.The second time he's denied Tottenham. Again, he's keeping
:08:39. > :08:51.
:08:51. > :08:57.Looked very rusty earlier on today, but he has looked much more like
:08:57. > :09:07.his former self in this second half. Scored one and close to his second
:09:07. > :09:33.
:09:33. > :09:43.with Sessegnon - Bendtner is horribly wide. How the Spurs' fans
:09:43. > :09:48.
:09:48. > :09:54.enjoyed this finish, a chance to as Harry's Snow Whites returned to
:09:54. > :10:02.winning ways. As for the Black Cats, they tried but failed to unleash
:10:02. > :10:06.their scoring genies from the lamp. It was a tough game. They were
:10:06. > :10:10.dangerous on the counter-attack. We had to be aware of that. Once we
:10:10. > :10:15.scored, we started to play. We had a spell where we played as we can
:10:15. > :10:18.play. We got the result in the end. Confidence wasn't eroded, it was
:10:18. > :10:21.the fact that Tottenham took that chance and then while we were
:10:21. > :10:26.chasing the game, perhaps they could have put it beyond us. We
:10:26. > :10:31.were always in it. You look round, we are looking for another striker,
:10:31. > :10:36.it is difficult to find anyone better than Pav. He is a fantastic
:10:36. > :10:40.player. Two great feet. He can score. He's top drawer when he is
:10:40. > :10:45.at it. Pavlyuchenko comes in from the cold. I'm impressed with how
:10:45. > :10:49.many different ways Spurs have won this season. Yes, a spirited
:10:49. > :10:55.performance from Sunderland. As far as Spurs are concerned, they didn't
:10:55. > :11:00.play great. It was like life without Lennon and Bale. Bale out,
:11:00. > :11:05.Lennon off injured. We know what that produces for the team - pace
:11:05. > :11:10.down the sides. Here he is, electric. Not a great cross. Gives
:11:10. > :11:14.the ball away. That is what we expect from Tottenham. This - no
:11:14. > :11:19.Bale on the left, the space is there. Assou-Ekotto, where does he
:11:19. > :11:25.go? Inside. Normally Bale would whip the ball in, Adebayor would
:11:25. > :11:29.know that, cuts inside, now it's got tight. They lose the ball. This
:11:29. > :11:33.time, Modric, who played on the left in the first half,
:11:33. > :11:37.Pavlyuchenko knocks the ball out. If this is Bale, he is going to
:11:37. > :11:42.bomb down that side. Two strikers will make the same runs and there
:11:43. > :11:50.is a chance on goal. Modric cuts on his favoured right foot, loses the
:11:50. > :11:55.ball. Adebayor this time. Walker on an overlap. Normally Lennon would
:11:55. > :11:57.be ahead of him. Lennon would know to come inside. He would go into
:11:57. > :12:03.that space. There would be an option for Adebayor to play in
:12:03. > :12:06.there, another player to play with, but he is not there. Basically,
:12:06. > :12:10.goes down that end, cuts inside, all of a sudden tightens up. The
:12:10. > :12:16.only time they got joy is when they went down the middle and this
:12:16. > :12:22.happened. Pavlyuchenko with a good finish. They played in a certain
:12:22. > :12:29.way today that we have not seen them play like that before.
:12:29. > :12:33.affects Walker as well, he could bomb forward. He is good at it?
:12:33. > :12:40.affected them all over. If you can win like that, 1-0, get the points
:12:40. > :12:43.on to the next one. As for Sunderland, a new manager and
:12:43. > :12:46.certainly positivity. They have the same problems? They are organised.
:12:47. > :12:50.You can take a lot of positives from the match. They were in the
:12:50. > :12:53.match for a long time. Goalscoring is a problem. They will have money
:12:53. > :12:57.in January. What does that mean? With all due respect to Sunderland,
:12:57. > :13:02.if you are in the bottom half of the table, how difficult is it to
:13:02. > :13:07.attract a proven goalscorer? It have got. That will always be a
:13:07. > :13:11.problem. Do you take a chance on somebody? It's a dilemma. Martin is
:13:11. > :13:15.a good manager. He will know what he wants and he will know how to
:13:15. > :13:19.improve the side. Obviously, the goalscoring thing is a problem.
:13:19. > :13:23.That is their major problem. They have people in midfield, Larsson,
:13:23. > :13:26.Colback, they have energy. It is putting the ball in the net.
:13:26. > :13:34.thought Colback was great today. He stood up when they were losing and
:13:34. > :13:37.he was counted. I said that! said it better than you said it!
:13:37. > :13:41.That is why he is paid the big bucks. All the goals from yesterday
:13:41. > :13:51.in a second after a quick look ahead to a big Thursday night at
:13:51. > :13:59.
:13:59. > :14:03.achieved has been recognised. would feel humble people want to
:14:03. > :14:07.vote for me. To be nominated with other great sports people is a
:14:07. > :14:13.great achievement. It's been a truly wonderful year for me and
:14:13. > :14:18.this would capitol. Just to be nominated is a great feeling, the
:14:18. > :14:24.highest accolade bestowed on you. This is massive. To win it, I would
:14:24. > :14:29.be lost for words. One of the highlights of my career so far.
:14:29. > :14:39.great list of winners. And one I would like to try to join. We don't
:14:39. > :14:46.
:14:46. > :14:49.play sport for accolades, but it The Year AP McCoy will be in action
:14:49. > :14:52.at the Welsh National at Chepstow next week. We've got coverage of
:14:52. > :15:02.one of the best festive sporting showpieces on Tuesday, December 27
:15:02. > :15:06.
:15:06. > :15:11.So let's get on with showing you yesterday's goals. Alan, you did
:15:11. > :15:20.Match Of The Day last night. Are those presence under the tree for
:15:20. > :15:28.me? I think Santa Claus has come Elly, boys. What can this be? Let's
:15:28. > :15:33.see if there is one for Alain. Take that. Here you go. We have got one
:15:33. > :15:41.for you as well. Let's get but over. Don't open it yet. Let's see if I
:15:41. > :15:44.have got one. There it is, there. By the way, for the children
:15:44. > :15:54.watching, Santa gave us permission to open these early. You don't do
:15:54. > :15:56.
:15:56. > :16:03.it. You wait until Christmas Day. Oh, boys! The just my colour.
:16:03. > :16:13.it around. Oh yes. I think we need some privacy so let's start a
:16:13. > :16:18.
:16:18. > :16:23.regular round-up. First stop, Ewood families at Blackburn. No protests
:16:23. > :16:28.against Keane for two games but after this defeat, the relationship
:16:28. > :16:38.counsellor is on call. West Brom could have connected better with
:16:38. > :16:45.
:16:45. > :16:52.that chance. Another bite of the take any chances. Just over old son.
:16:52. > :17:02.Morrison! What a hit. They did not deal with the first ball, but when
:17:02. > :17:09.
:17:09. > :17:19.it came out to Morrison, he still It's a very tight one. And a
:17:19. > :17:28.
:17:28. > :17:38.debatable one. They finished well, it for West Brom. What about that
:17:38. > :17:41.
:17:41. > :17:48.Park. Most have seen enough, not just today. Owen Coyle is failing
:17:48. > :17:52.to raise a smile after they lost a game. A free header in the box.
:17:52. > :18:01.Clued Dempsey showed Bolton the folly of their ways. -- Clint
:18:01. > :18:11.Dempsey. Great header. A brilliant goal. Once he gets there, he's got
:18:11. > :18:28.
:18:28. > :18:36.an awful lot to do, but he guided Mark Davies's shot was saved by
:18:36. > :18:43.Stockdale. Chris Eagles went wide from a distance. It is now 13
:18:43. > :18:51.defeats. Not all bad news in the north-west, though. Although the
:18:51. > :18:55.first half was a turkey. This effort was saved. Wigan called for
:18:55. > :19:01.a penalty after the ball hits Ivanovic in the area. The best bits
:19:01. > :19:11.were in the second half. Lampard start the game but had to come of
:19:11. > :19:16.
:19:16. > :19:26.brilliantly. There is a goal scorer at the very top of his game right
:19:26. > :19:44.
:19:44. > :19:52.I think. John Terry has let Ivanovic deal with that. It has
:19:52. > :19:58.bounced off Gomez. Do Santos! Deflected behind. Wigan, zero.
:19:58. > :20:04.Chelsea, one. Wigan will feel they have done something to get out of
:20:04. > :20:13.it. It will be a source of frustration for the boss. Gomez
:20:13. > :20:17.have scored! Wigan have got something out of it. It was toe-
:20:17. > :20:20.poked towards goal and Petr Cech really had to hold it. Wigan
:20:20. > :20:26.thought they should have had a free kick after the challenge but a
:20:26. > :20:33.vital point was briefly received. And point celebrated by Wigan and
:20:33. > :20:39.two points which will be cursed by We are by much a team on Match of
:20:39. > :20:43.the Day 2. Don't to build your part, camera two. I'm a bit annoyed
:20:43. > :20:48.because I got those jumpers so you would look terrible but you both
:20:48. > :20:54.look quite fetching. We look great, yes. The best we've have a look, to
:20:54. > :20:59.be fair. Not much Christmas cheer to be found at Bolton or Blackburn.
:21:00. > :21:04.There is a front page leader tomorrow calling for Keane's head.
:21:04. > :21:13.Bleak times. It is. He has not been wanted their by most of the fans,
:21:13. > :21:17.that's for sure. I honestly think Blackburn will get out of trouble,
:21:17. > :21:21.I really do. Even with the way things are going, yes they need
:21:21. > :21:27.goals, but the way they play, I haven't seen them get really beaten
:21:27. > :21:34.severely by many teams. I honestly think they will get out of it. With
:21:34. > :21:40.Keane, I don't know. Bolton, on the other hand, they go on the pitch
:21:40. > :21:44.and think they can't get beaten. They think where is the next result
:21:44. > :21:47.going to come from. They are playing so badly, Blackburn will
:21:47. > :21:54.will we game pulls up the next. Will come if possible at Ewood Park
:21:54. > :21:59.because they played that next. What about Wigan? Never relied
:21:59. > :22:04.Manchester United for the title. Never put Wigan down. Absolutely
:22:04. > :22:08.fantastic. In the middle of their defeats, you think they will never
:22:08. > :22:13.win another match and now they had taken eight points in the 15th.
:22:13. > :22:18.They are still in the bottom three and had begins to come, but never
:22:18. > :22:23.rule out Wigan. Absolutely. he's got a great relationship with
:22:23. > :22:25.his German which helps out. Right, let's fire through the remaining
:22:25. > :22:35.three games from yesterday. Starting at a ground that doesn't
:22:35. > :22:43.
:22:43. > :22:49.Everton failed to take their chances. Big John kept out this
:22:49. > :22:59.goal before Martin performed goal- line heroics. Grunt colt showed
:22:59. > :23:01.
:23:01. > :23:06.hole to. He has scored at fabulous goal! What a goal from Grant holds
:23:06. > :23:13.up. A magnificent goal for the look at this. Surrounded by blues and
:23:13. > :23:21.somehow, squirmed it in at the far post. Louis Saha shot wide as
:23:21. > :23:29.Everton continued to press. Bellini had it coming together. Holds
:23:29. > :23:37.escaped punishment. He put stepping in. Louis Saha. He wants it back.
:23:37. > :23:41.He kept his feet well. A great chance! A fabulous save. He was
:23:41. > :23:47.still busy at the other end and the goalkeeper continued to thwart
:23:47. > :23:57.Everton. This time, Louis Saha. Until the resistance was broken.
:23:57. > :24:14.
:24:14. > :24:18.couple of great goals this season already and has got away again.
:24:18. > :24:23.Look at that for a shot. The goalkeeper somehow got something on
:24:23. > :24:29.it. A tough day on Tyneside as the Geordie is came together to
:24:29. > :24:39.remember Gary Speed. His family were in attendance as a bread of
:24:39. > :24:47.
:24:47. > :24:57.into the game. As 11 minutes that, supporters from both sides applaud
:24:57. > :25:12.
:25:12. > :25:17.and paid tribute to the late Gary for the second time. They had the
:25:17. > :25:23.best of the rest of Newcastle's chances. Michelle wall on brilliant
:25:23. > :25:33.form once again that. -- former. Scott Sinclair had Swansea's best
:25:33. > :25:38.
:25:38. > :25:45.Woodgate did his best to make it Topsy. Yellow for this challenge.
:25:45. > :25:55.But should it have been red later? Jarvis scampering up the left-hand
:25:55. > :25:55.
:25:55. > :26:01.side. Woodgate. Jarvis is called by Woodgate. Penalty. Is he going to
:26:01. > :26:04.get another yellow card? No, the referee is pointing to the spot to.
:26:04. > :26:10.Jarvis was showing the tricks and Woodgate catches him. It is a
:26:10. > :26:15.penalty. Stephen Hunt entrusted with the responsibility here. And
:26:15. > :26:21.he takes it out star of the reach of Sorensen put up Johnson's tackle
:26:21. > :26:30.on Walters led to a free kick. Bowls were not happy but stoke took
:26:30. > :26:40.advantage. It was on target. -- Wolves. It's an equaliser. It does
:26:40. > :26:43.
:26:43. > :26:53.take a mix of but all, doesn't it? -- Nick of the wall of. There are
:26:53. > :26:59.
:26:59. > :27:06.five stoke players here now. Etherington, time to deliver. The
:27:06. > :27:11.I'm at running out of things to say about stoke up the moment. They
:27:12. > :27:20.have been wonderful. I think they had a wobble. They have been in
:27:20. > :27:26.fantastic form. Four wins out of four. His great cross the was
:27:26. > :27:31.played to your strengths. And that exactly what stoke have done. Plus
:27:31. > :27:37.they have batted quality as well. Thank you, Lee. Thank you, Alan.
:27:37. > :27:47.It's been fun tonight. Here are the headlines from today. City top the
:27:47. > :27:47.
:27:47. > :27:55.Fergie had a festive flyer too as United shatter the Hoops' dreams.
:27:55. > :27:58.Kenny's Reds gave Big Eck the blues in a winter wonderland stroll. And
:27:58. > :28:08.hot Spurs they weren't. But the Snow Whites did enough to melt
:28:08. > :28:11.
:28:11. > :28:14.Martin's Black Cats. So Manchester neighbours United following their
:28:14. > :28:18.wins. Spurs now are up to third and Liverpool move up to sixth after
:28:18. > :28:22.they both won today. Arsenal stay fifth and Villa 10th. At the bottom,
:28:22. > :28:31.QPR and Sunderland stay 15th and 16th. But it remains grim reading
:28:31. > :28:36.for Bolton, Blackburn and Wigan who That's it from Match Of The Day 2
:28:36. > :28:39.until New Years Day. So on behalf of all our cast and crew, we send