22/01/2012 Match of the Day 2

There are 20 teams in the Barkley Premier League and they're all of

equally him on Match Of The Day two but today we concentrate on a brace

of matches that may have a massive influence as to where we send a

taxi for this baby on May 13th. -- Thanks for choosing us this Sunday,

as we get straight down to business, in the company of two men who grew

up supporting opposite sides of Manchester. The date ended up the

roads and began up the Etihad, which is where we take you straight

away. Head teacher Roberto Mancini must be pleased with his pupils as

they are top of the class, winning ten out of ten at home. The

question is can they go to 11th heaven today? They will be in

confident mood of maintaining perfection especially after beating

Wigan and walloping Spurs in August. Dzeko led the rout, scoring four.

Spurs have lost just once since then and just twice on their

travels so with six out of ten awayday mins, the Head Master Harry

will be happy but he knows if they are to lift the title they can't

drop points like they did last week against Molde and they must take

something from games like this. -- against Wolves. Our star pupil is

stars yet, the hardest exams are to come. Richards has passed one test

this week, he is back to fitness. He captains the team today.

Zabaleta drops to the bench, where he is joined by Balotelli. Adebayor

can't play for Spurs today, so Defoe is into start. He scored the

last four Times t has. King is also win for his first appearances

before Christmas. 19, drawn two, that is but score when they have

each other's way. Silva did brilliantly. It seemed as though

Dzeko wasn't the best bet to get ready to hit this and it did indeed

deflect off him. Aguero thought that the ball was hit -- his to put

City a corner and he gets every Manchester City fan in the ground

to his or her feet. It is just what Manchester City supporters have

become accustomed to saying from Richards. Fantastic Dawn Keeping

Assou-Ekotto with the block, it does come off his what right arm,

it is difficult to tell if the arm was raised deliberately to block

the ball, or whether it's just hit that is from Nasri. Manchester City

have broken through. We have had to wait a while for the first moment

of real table-topping quality in the game but goodness me, we have

got it now. Brilliantly timed, on- site and then a thumping finish

from the former Arsenal man, who just seems to love playing and

scoring against Spurs. Silva with yet another assist in the Premier

League to his name. Nasri's 4th goal for Manchester City makes it

City one, Spurs' nil. The reaction from the manager suggests about

time too. He has upset Harry Redknapp and Tottenham Hotspur

made -- he nearly made another one. All of a sudden is -- it is as if a

light has come on with Manchester They are raising the roof at the

Etihad Stadium now. Two goals with barely three minutes between them.

They will -- Bale tried to head it away, there is a little touch from

Dzeko, then it is part Lescott, may be part Parker. Lescott will say it

is his goal. It is Manchester City two, Tottenham Hotspur nil. His

first goal in the Premier League confidence from every player in

not out of it yet. You don't present Jermain Defoe with that

sort of present. Savic looks bewildered. He missed judges it and

does not react quickly, he seems to stop. -- misjudges. Hart timed his

amazing second half this has become. Even the City manager is smiling,

he can't believe that has just to. And Spurs have come back from

the dead this afternoon. From two- nil to 2-2, Spurs'' fighting

qualities have been shown in abundance. They are going full tilt

at the title. It is Lennon to Bale and a quite brilliant hit of the

football. It is not hit hard. It is not absolutely whacked. It is

delicately and precisely and with real style put over Hart into the

corner. It is Manchester City two, Tottenham Hotspur two one that is

one of the second halves of the season. -- and that is one of the

-- Kaboul. He gets Lescott's arm, doesn't it? I am not sure that was

Assou-Ekotto and Assou-Ekotto was rolling around. It is a yellow card

for Balotelli. I don't know if there was any doubt about free kick

and fowl, I think you will always right. It is a poor, clumsy tackle.

and the referee has to stop it. Balotelli clasps his hands together,

pleading innocence, I think everybody knows it was purely

Parker. But look at that, look at that. I don't think that's a

natural landing position at all. I think Balotelli realised

straightaway, that is why he was concerned about Parker's welfare.

What a shame Patrick Vieira can only sit and watch these days. No

comeback for him, he insists. He would have loved this second half

chance for Spurs to win it. A quick break, two on one, Lescott did the

right thing. He did not dive in and it is Euro 96 all over again,

Gascoigne for England, agonisingly close to it. It looked as though he

should have got there. Harry awkwardly, and Howard Webb point to

the spot. Manchester City have a chance to win it. Seconds of the

game remaining. It is Balotelli bringing it down, King goes in, the

legs are in a tangle and the referee has a clear view. Balotelli

cool is the now? He is super-cool. It is Manchester this -- it is

Manchester City three, Tottenham Hotspur two. Defoe could have won

it for Spurs just moments ago but it is now Balotelli who has won the

day for City. He rolls it home. City are extending their lead on

Spurs to eight. And as David Platt punches the air and Joe Hart turns

away to join in with the fans' celebrations, Roberto Mancini just

years with a few more instructions to his players and tells them that

whatever happens they must hold on to what they have now got, three

more points. It is all over, incredible drama at the Etihad

Stadium. Mario Balotelli has won the game. He has made sure that

Manchester City take one giant step towards winning the Premier League

title. Even with so many games to go, this could be such an important

moment. It is Manchester City three, a last-minute winner from the spot.

-- For many that four goals. Breathtaking stuff with added

controversy. Should the match- winner Balotelli have been sent

off? Let the debate begin. In the second half, probably by virtue of

the goals we got, it became more open and the dramatic last couple

of minutes, from the position where we thought we have lost it, we had

the counter-attack and there is a penalty in the last minute and

Mario has that ability to be able to put it away, so it was a good

player to be have concentrating on that, even though the way the game

had gone,... Harry, losing always hurt, does it

hurt that bit more losing like that? Yes, for sure. We looked like

the team to win the game at that stage, and then a long, hopeful but

Forward, a bit of the melee and the penalty came from that. That Bude.

We had a great chance to win it before that.

You can't keep him out of it, did you had any doubt he would score

that penalty? He is perfect for that situation, he has so much

confidence, probably the best penalty-taker I have seen. Joe Hart

never seems to have saved any in training.

They was a collision and a bit of a going on with Scott Parker.

Somebody just mentioned it to me, I haven't seen it on video and I

didn't see anything during the game. If people have got an issue with it,

I am sure it will be taken up, but live, I never saw anything about

couldn't comment until I see. there an issue with the player who

won had scored the penalty for City? Yes, he has kicked Scott

Parker in the head, purposely. He has back-heeled him in the head.

Wide you go and kick someone in the head when they are laying on the

floor that why do you? It is not the first time he has done it.

we continue to win and get the point, we will be hard to beat but

we know the teams in and around there will continue to win, so a

lot of twists and turns. A big victory today but it doesn't do

anything other than put a little bit more daylight between us, but

we have to concentrate on the next games.

It was terrible for 55 minutes but the last 35 made it all worthwhile.

Absolute the, the first half was mundane, no pace or intensity and -

- absolutely. A very little shot on target. And then it exploded into

life, four goals in nine minutes and then the finish was as good as

any you will see, either side could have won it. Another Sunday

together, Lee, and another conversation about Mario Balotelli.

He is an entertainer for all sorts of reasons. He is in the news again

for the finish but he gets a yellow card early on in the game and it

was kind of "Is something else coming?" and it was virtually

everything. No complaints over the yellow card. A foul on a Salakhov

too. He has a little complained but the referee was right -- Benoit

Assou-Ekotto. And then there was this. There was a falling over,

shall we say. He stands on his hand with his left leg, John stand and

that is the incident where people are saying it, did he try and stand

on his head. If you see his left leg lift off the ground, I think

you have to give him the benefit of the dead, he is not looking at the

player. In -- of the doubt. And then he is brought down for the

penalty and how cool is this? think we should have another look

at that. I am checking that you are saying he didn't stamp on him.

don't know but I'm saying that there is reason to believe because

he is off balance, and he puts his leg down... I think he stamps on

him. He is not looking at, but when you hit the ground, you don't stamp.

There is a definitive stamp their. The reason why he does a stamp is

if you look at his left leg it, it is off the ground when his right

leg it comes down. I know it looks bad that bad and he might well have

done, but I'm saying nobody could possibly tell -- I know it looks

bad. The referee is six yards away, he should have given him a red card.

That wasn't the only incident you spotted, one we are not talking

about as much. I think Joleon Lescott is very lucky to get away

with this. There is a coming together, we see the elbow on

newness Kaboul. He is off. He has hit him. 2-2 at the time, it might

have changed the game totally. are you sure he wasn't just off

balance? The one to make excuses? don't know. I think give him the

benefit of the dead. He was a lawyer in a reserve -- former life.

What was beyond doubt was that Spurs needed a gift from Manchester

City to get back into it and they got one. City went to 2-0 up and

you thought there was no way back, but in the defender misjudges the

flight, Jermain Defoe does ready well and they were back in the game.

Dead and buried at 2-0 and then at this fantastic goal. And then he

sets often at pace. A So Close, and then the penalty kick. It is a

massive three points for Manchester City. And a big blow for Tottenham,

because they would be a -- could have won that game. Yaya Toure and

Carlo Tory were warming up before the game on a big screen. -- Kolo

Toure for a. They are going to miss them, but people have to step up.

This is the beauty of strength in depth, people can come in and play

well but also, the man of the match James Milner, he was fantastic. Not

only protecting the back four, he played just in front... This is a

tackle on Gareth Bale. It is simple but very effective, because City

are on the attack, Sergio Aguero comes in and it is deflected for a

corner. And another one on a Luka Modric, who was very disappointing,

because... And they are in possession. The beauty of

protection in front of the back four, he can pass it as well. He is

playing it nice and simple. This is a nice little trick here, turns the

corner and plays it into David Silva. Again, nice and simple. But

when it comes to quality passing it, he can produce it as well. He spots

the run of Micah Richards. Inch- perfect pass inside Gareth Bale.

And what about this for tracking. You have got James Milner and

Gareth Bale there. When Joleon Lescott wins this, he is entitled

to go the other way, but he keeps on going, and that is a phenomenal

tackle on Gareth Bale. A great performance and it is great to have

players who can come in and not only do well but play fantastically.

It is amazing how much of that had like a Richard said and the good

work he did today. He is back from the world -- will do this. -- how

much of that had Micah Richards in. He is better than anybody at right-

back. As for Spurs, 150 million if you want Gareth Bale. Tottenham

played really poorly first half and I think what part them, if Gareth

Bale plays well, they play well. Where he normally plays, left, he

has been drifting inside over the last few weeks and today he drifted

into much, sometimes in the middle, sometimes to the right. This is

what he is best that, going down that left side, a brilliant ball

into the box. At best that. This time, when he finally gets the ball

again, normally Gareth Bale would be outside and with it into the box,

and he goes inside again. This time, down the right wing, no real player

on the left unless the fullback has got forward. The ball gets switched

eventually to this left side, Benoit Assou-Ekotto on his own, if

you don't want him there, you want Gareth Bale attacking that space.

This time, he picks it on the halfway line, he is not wide left.

There is the other three, very narrow, and they lose the ball and

City Army attack. In the second half, he played more on the left,

attacking at Micah Richards, a fantastic across into the box. 150

million for him, maybe 100 million if he keeps scoring goals like this.

He starts the move, edge of the box and he had just missed one before

this when he fell over. He didn't follow the this time. I think the

way he played today didn't suit Tottenham, they need him down the

left-hand side. When you are going down the Champs -- for a

Championship, you have a defining period and the Tottenham, the last

week was. At home to Wolves and away to Man City, one point out of

six and they are out of the Championship race. They cut the

figure of a team that had just after the FA Cup final. I think

they know the importance of those two games and this from that is

coming up, games against Manchester United, Liverpool. To be fair,

Tottenham have done remarkably well, they are a great team, a great

they are a great team, a great squad of players, a great manager.

And it Actual fact, they have had a great season. You would say to them,

the manager and the players at the start of the season, you will

finish third, you would fight their hand-off. That bite their hand off.

But when you have a chance that the Championship, you are massively

disappointed to have attended a week. And the victims to have done

it and won it before, they bounce back. -- the big teams who have

done it. But Harry will build -- will feel they are demoralised a

tomorrow. Even with a good run in that fixture, at they are not going

to win them all, are you saying that is it for Spurs? I think it

was a big game for them to lose. Yes or no? I didn't think they

could win the league before, but I don't especially now. Maybe that

would look better in slow motion. He was off balance. Before we head

said, more football coming off a -- said, more football coming off a --

more football coming up in the BBC. You can catch up with your local

Football League clubs every Monday at 11:05pm. On Tuesday, a place in

the Carling Cup final is at stake. Alan Hansen is live in the Welsh

capital at 7:30pm on BBC Two. On Wednesday, highlights of the other

second leg of the semi-finals, Liverpool against Manchester City.

Still to come the Bard, all 27 goals from yesterday but now to the

Emirates -- come tonight. With United walking down the tunnel

known that City had somehow got the job done against Spurs, Arsenal

were buoyed by all of the teams around them dropping points on

Saturday. Arsenal, though, must be trembling at the thought of facing

United, with Fergie's flyers relishing the prospect of smashing

they gun as again. Five months ago, they scored eight against Arsene

Wenger's boys and a match which rewrote the record books. Sinstadt

humiliation, Arsenal have hit back Baxter the goals of Robin van

Persie but back-to-back defeats have had them. United are still

many people's title favourite and after defeats to Blackburn and

Newcastle, they eased past Bolton last week. Paul Scholes was on the

scoresheet, Anders on the bench today, but Thierry Henry is not

come back out with a car Fischer -- and he is on the bench. Steve

Wilson is your commentator. In every way, this is Match of the

Day 2. How well the first game affected the outcome of this? --

how well. Paul Balotelli's penalty to not look like a turning point in

the title, they need to win -- 4. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes his

first Premier League start for Arsenal. Preferred to Andrey

Arshavin. Thomas the May Limb starts and Thomas Lisicki is back -

- Thomas Vermaelen. Ryan Giggs retakes the mantle of elder

statesman as Paul Scholes as on the bench. Rio Ferdinand is injured but

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones return. United have won seven and

lost only one of their last nine what a start is nearly was. He

picked Phil Jones's pocket and charged at the United defence. And

Walcott put it in and Chris Smalling can clear. Phil Jones

looks like he is not going to be able to continue. It is as he tries

to turn, Theo Walcott accelerated away from him and Jones just

Manchester United are getting Manchester United and also to

through the gears, cranking up the Good pressure from Manchester

United. Giggs in behind, tried to has caught the eye in the first 25

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

on the edge of the 18-yard box, Nani tried to curl it into the far

post but Djourou is the most Manchester United are in front. A

brilliant ball and Valencia from close range simply had to put it in

the back of the Arsenal net. It has been coming. It is a fabulous Paul

Ince cannot onside. -- it is a fabulous ball in, onside. Giggs

judge the past, Valencia got inside Vermaelen. In stoppage time at the

end of the first half Manchester United half -- Manchester United

for the people to miss a sitter, Robin van Persie and Smalling gets

away with it. A terrible time to slip, Rosicky on to it, van Persie

there, can you believe that Robin van Persie has put that right? He

Everything right and told a shot. Lindegaard is furious with those in

front of him. A got -- Oxlade- Chamberlain again at the heart of

almost everything could that Arsenal has done. -- everything

Mike Dean says it wasn't. Watch for his hands here. You can see why

is only just wide. A bit of good fortune in the way it went from

Koscielny to Oxlade-Chamberlain, but he is so close with the shot.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

Mertesacker. That might have brilliant goal. Robin van Persie

makes amends. Seconds after Koscielny's brilliant piece of

defending. Look at this on Rafael, and from inside their own penalty

area, Arsenal, in the space of two or three passes, and four or five

go. All to play for a game. Arsenal are going to make a change. Oxlade-

Chamberlain is coming off and Arshavin is coming on. That is not

a popular decision with the Arsenal fans. Oxlade-Chamberlain has been

terrific. Well, a substitution greeted with dissent by the Arsenal

fans, who shake their heads and do not understand why Alex Oxlade-

Chamberlain, who has been invented, sharp, bright, and positive from

the off, has been taken off and replaced by Arshavin, who

occasionally is none of the above. And that just might be van Persie's

Welbeck and that might win it for Manchester United -- to the back of

the net. Welbeck with the goal. glides past the Russian here. Then

it is an intricate touch, a great stuff. 2-1 to Manchester United.

Arsenal have it all to do it again. Manchester United back in the box

Smalling got a touch on it and almost got it away from the

Evans makes it clear where it hit away from Arsene Wenger.

Another great game and United stay in touch with their league

neighbours thanks to Welbeck's winner. Van Persie scored his

customary goal but it was not enough, with some of the fans

berating the manager who made a tactical change which subsequently

didn't work out. In the first half I don't remember

your goalkeeper having a save to make and the second half was an

extraordinary it, open game, end to end stuff? Yes, Arsenal were

motivated at half-time and they came out really aggressive and

determined and made a real game and from what you are saying from the

first half when it could have been three or four goals up, it turned

into a real battle and it was and ten. You could hear and see that

some Arsenal fans did not agree with that the decision to take off

Oxlade-Chamberlain. Well, they do not need to agree, you can

understand that, you know. I don't think, I don't know how many

thousands of substitutions in my life, not everybody agrees every

time with it. Can you explain it to them, because he played

terrifically well, especially in the first half? I make decisions, I

stand up for them and that is it. was enjoying the game but it is the

boss's decision and a respect his decision. He has been a quality

manager for many years. He is the top manager and the Quality man so

I respect his decision. I have been looking forward to my chance and I

was glad to say I got that today and overall I was quite pleased

with my performance but I was disappointed with the final resort.

Do you feel it is now between City and United? I think it is going to

be hard for both of them to collapse, I would have to say that.

It was a defeat -- a disappointing result for Spurs today, they

deserve better. At the moment we have a few points clear of our

rivals, both of us, and we have to keep on their coat tails, that is

all we need to do. Typical Manchester United, it is 3:15pm,

you are warming up before the game and you hear news of 2-2 and that

happens -- and it happens, a last- minute goal. Have you been in that

Yes, a few times, normally it was Manchester United when we were

going for the Championship but sometimes it works in your favour

to live in Europe. If you hear your rival has dropped a couple of

points you can go yes, let's get stuck into this game but sometimes

you can going to it we are all right and we will win this game but

today, man -- United, it focused their mind. They were playing

catch-up against City. They have to win and they did win in the end.

That dressing room, United's dressing room, would have been

fired up to the hilt, to say we still have to play our best game to

be a very good competitive Arsenal team at home, where they have a

decent record, but in the end United got the winner and it was a

great game of football especially in the second half. It could have

gone either way but United deserved it. In the dressing room it was the

players who were in their tracksuits to make the difference.

Arshavin. The supporters were not enamoured with it. Neither was the

captain, who has done -- who has gone, no, no. On 76 minutes

Ferguson brings on Park, takes on - - takes off Rafael. For the goal

the two of them meet up, Arshavin and Valencia. The male and did not

cover himself in glory because he gives Arshavin no cover whatsoever

but this has never been at tackled -- Vermaelen. It ends up in the

back of the net. The old boy does it again. I think it was a really

strange decision about point of the game because they had just got back

into it, Oxlade-Chamberlain was playing well, he was creating

chances and all the sudden he took him off. He might have had a knock,

injured, but he did not look it to me. If you look back over the

results between Arsenal and Manchester United in recent years,

I hear Wenger and Fergie are friends but they would be. I think

what Alex does, especially when he goes to the Emirates, he'd sit back

and sits on the break and tries to capitalise. -- capitalise on any

Arsenal defensive frailties. They just attack, they are attacking the

right areas and as I say, if you have any frailties whatsoever, this

is a joke, the way they try to defend this. Nobody is picking up,

nobody is closing down quickly, the same with Valencia here. Into Giggs,

cut to ribbons. At this stage you think it is only a matter of time.

They go the other side and jury was all over the place. Nani comes in

there, it is a ball that has gone 40 yards, should do better. Then it

is Evra's turned, he picks it up, plays it. He goes round the corner

for the next one and he should do better. Then Giggs eventually for

the goal comes in that side and this is a new concept of defending,

I can't get my head round it, way you put your arms behind your back.

You can't when you do that. It is in the back of the net and to be

fair and just United should have been three, four, five up at half-

time. I thought Arsenal did well to get back in it but it should have

been dead and buried. They have some decent players, but you can't

win anything when you have got individuals, you have to be a team.

Their team mentality when they haven't got the ball is not good

enough. They have had some decent results here and there but to

challenge at the top in the top four, you have to be organised when

you haven't got the ball and they that aside, there's a young lad

making his four Premier League debut and as far as they go, this

is near the top of the trade. did really well, I have seen him

play in the Champions League and he has flitted in and out. This is an

early on, showing his intention straight from the kick-off. He is

predominantly right-footed, he played on the left-hand side. Great

little touches, can I get at Patrice Evra, not scared at him,

great a little ball in. Arsenal are not getting enough men in the box.

He chases after it, and his first thought is can I take him on? He

has got a little trick, sets up Theo Walcott. This time on the left,

he gets the ball and he Sox players are over, because of his pace and

his right foot, United players are conscious of it -- he Pauls players

over. Allows him to get a shot away. That is the key thing to a decent

winner, affecting the game. He has a bit of bite in him, willing to

tackle, and he ends up getting shot away here, he could have been a

hero with this one. And he set van Persie up for the goal, a fantastic

first touch. Right-footed, you would expect the best way is to go

down the left but he knows he's going to cut in on his right foot,

which creates the space for van Persie to run into. And it set up a

brilliant goal. So there are positive. The spirit and the second

half, Oxlade-Chamberlain's performance but overall, that was a

little light in a dark place. Unlike some of the other Arsenal

youngsters, he is very strong, Beady Eye legs. Yes, it will be

interesting to see how he develops. -- big legs. Theo Walcott showed

that sort of impact when he first got in but went off the boil.

are run a run of three consecutive defeats, they are going to struggle

to get into the Champions League. If they don't, it is a long... It

is a lowly place next season. van Persie disgruntled because of

the substitution, he has a new contract to sign, there is

definitely unrest. Let's have a look at the race for the title now

we have seen both Manchester clubs win. Still three points between

them and on the face of it, you would rather have Manchester City's

fixtures. We have said before, there is nothing easy. It has been

easy for the top teams to go anywhere and get beaten but you

would take City's fixtures. Man United have Chelsea away, Liverpool

at home, Norwich away and Tottenham away at a defining time of the

season. We always talk about the course and distant. If you look at

the top three sides this season, Manchester United have played by

far the worst of the three sight and yet they are still in there.

Last season, they were woeful away from home and they want the chance

-- the fire at -- they won the title and got to the final of the

Champions League. It is because they have been there before and how

bright in the mix. City are looking over their shoulder and United will

be there to the end. Prove that you shouldn't take anything for granted

is coming up soon. That proved. First there reminder that Sport

Relief in her bath first a reminder that Sport Relief is coming. --

first a reminder. 2012, the year Sport gets serious. Sport Relief is

back and it is part -- your chance to be part of the UK's biggish year

of sport. We want the whole country to get active and raised a load of

cash. You can help the world's poorest countries by doing the

Sport Relief march on March 25th. We want one million people to take

part. Why can't I be the front? is a horse. And you can buy these

lovely socks to help or one of these T-shirts. There will be jaw-

dropping celebrity challenges leading up to an unmissable light-

entertainment kicking of the Sport Relief we can. However you decide

to do it, go the extra mile for Sport Relief. Go to the website. I

think that went all right. The Sport Relief Mile, he will be

your other half? That stuff, and so much for -- good

stuff and so much more to tell you about. The World Bowls

Championships start tomorrow. We are now and -- on air all week from

1pm. And American football, highlights from the AFC and NFC

Championship so games. It is the Raiders, the Patriots and the 49

ers. Let's get back to the old

association football and to a brilliant Saturday of Premier

League action, with great goals in abundance.

It was a glorious return of Robbie Keane, but Karl Henry was certainly

not Mick McCarthy's pressures. Gary Gardner almost scored in the

opening minute but villain didn't have to wait long. The -- below.

What is the referee going to get? A penalty, Christophe Berra armed

Darren Bent. I don't think the referee had any choice. -- on. If

Darren Bent scores, which he does, it is his 99th Premier League goal.

Aston Villa are 1-0 up. Fletcher has made his run. Michael

Kightly on to his left, what a great finish. Super goal. He meant

every inch of that. He took that brilliantly.

Michael Kightly's cracker started a seat at the Aston Villa goal and

eventually Wolves read the report with a little help from the

official -- and reaped the rewards. Michael Kightly can take the corner.

It is Ian! Edwards! 2-1 Wolves -- it is in. Cushioned it down to

Robbie to hit -- Robbie Keane on the turn, what a great goal. A

minimum of celebration, a minimum of back lift but a devastating

finish. It all turned sour for Wolves. Emmanuel Frimpong's bravery

saw him spend time in hospital with an eye injury. That was before Karl

Henry's moment of madness earned him a red card. Lovely ball in.

Clearing header by Johnson. Robbie Keane! He has done it! Fantastic

finish. He has scored again against his former club and he might well

have won this game for Alex McLeish and Aston Villa. Only inches away

from a hat-trick to remember. A trilogy of blockbusting strikes

at Loftus Road made this game a thriller, as Mark Hughes's QPR

showed a real chemistry and left Wigan bottom-of-the-table. Wigan

should have taken the lead, whilst Ali Al Habsi showed off his

reflexes that the other end. Sadly, so did James McCarthy from the

resulting corner. Can Heidar Helguson add to his eight goals

this season? Yes, he can. It just. Akos Buzsaky has tested Al-Habsi

already. What a goal! A stunning strike from Akos Buzsaky. Despair

for Wigan, it is his first goal since April. Buzsaky was a

fingertip away from another blockbuster, before Hugo Rodallega

tried his hand at the other end. Rodallega! Another tremendous hit.

Clean strike, Paddy Kenny didn't move. That is the piece of quality

that Wigan needed, game back on. Heider Helgusson then went down and

got up to have his penalty saved by Al-Habsi. And then saw his snapshot

go the wrong side of the upright. Tommy Smith is square. Tommy Smith!

He has surely won it for Queens Park Rangers now.

It was a naughty hand and a good week that saw the points shared at

Blackburn. Leighton Baines wasn't the right place to keep Blackburn

out early on. Donovan. Marouane Fellaini. 10 K L! He scores for the

first time in over a year -- Tim Cahill. Paul Robinson appealing for

a handball and it was, it was the right arm of Fellaini. David

Goodwillie... Off the post. Pedersen's free kick. Tim Howard

completed this debt, Tim Cahill is our malign but Blackburn had an

equaliser -- completely missed it. David Goodwillie. Tim Cahill could

not clear. Leighton Baines are the dangerous ball and off the crossbar.

When there would work wasn't coming to Rovers's rescue, Paul Robinson

and former care were on hand to get the point. -- Formiga.

Bolton have only lost once in 2012 and they are out of the bottom

three at the blasting three past the Liverpool events that was Gone

With the wind at a blustery Reebok Stadium. Mark Davies allowed to go

all the way and Bolton lead. Shocking defending by Liverpool.

That night's handiwork was adjudged as accidental by the referee.

was adjudged to be going on to the ball. You have seen them given.

Nigel Reo-Coker! It is at 2-02 Bolton Wanderers.

Good header by Charlie Adam. On by Andy Carroll. Craig Bellamy is in

on goal. Liverpool are back in the game. Bellamy was also trying to

influence the game at the break and Reo Coker had to be restrained.

is aimed long. The header comes back to Steinsson. What a finish

that is. Absolutely magnificent. 3- Daniel Agger allowed to, long way

and he will like a shot. What a good effort. -- allowed to come.

Nothing official at the top of the table and nothing foreshore at the

bottom either. Bolton, one defeat in four, some progress there. QPR,

one win in the Cup, two wins on the trot, and Blackburn have taken

points of Liverpool, United, Fulham and Everton since Christmas. It is

not over yet. For Wigan, their toughest yet. They are getting cast

adrift, no win in seven. 12 more goals to catch up on,

starting with a magnificent seven The home side were lucky to have 0

at half-time and will well worth five at the end. Clint Dempsey has

his first ball of dollars but Fabio Capello may well be interested in

David Stockdale, who kept Newcastle at bay until best... Danny Guthrie!

It is a great shot. A generous decision by the referee handed

Fulham our way back in. Danny Murphy slots it away and Fulham are

level six minutes into the second half. Buoyed by their good fortune,

fault -- Fulham pressed on, including one player in particular.

This is Bobby Zamora. Dempsey! 2-1 Fulham. Clint Dempsey!

Heroes Zamora, he has got Dempsey in again. It is 3-1 -- here is.

Dempsey again, looking for Johnson. Johnson is through, and he has gone

down. Another penalty. What is the referee going to do with the

goalkeeper? It is yellow. Two in a row on Johnson and the referee

wasn't standing for that. Bobby Zamora. It is a 4-1. Extraordinary

scores. -- tricks his way inside. There goes Dempsey again. Is he

going to get a hat-trick? He has done it, he has done it for the

second time in a matter of weeks. story with a couple of late twists

but it was Dorrans who stole the show. Although Morrison set the

tone as did Sorensen in keeping his shot out, until... Here is Morrison,

he has hit one from range and he has got another one. Sorensen can't

hold it. West Brom lead. It just moves very late and Sorensen can't

keep it out. Sorensen couldn't but the Post could, as Morrison looked

for his second. Walters was given a chance to level from the spot.

Against Foster and Foster stops him. And Morrison went close again to

adding a second but beware Stoke and the set pieces. Jerome! It is a

significant goal. It eludes Ben Foster and delights Tony Pulis.

Stoppage time, free kick to West Brom. Straight into the corner of

the goal. Sorensen believes it should perhaps be offside. Well, he

is onside, isn't it? It wasn't an offside player. A great point for

the Canaries as Torres continues to fire more blanks than an entire

season of the 18. Holt proved more than a handful for Chelsea but

could not find the target but at least Torres brought the best out

of Ruddy. It is deflected for Torres and he has put it wide. By

have got to say that Torres in red would have put that into the net

first. Ruddy was still inspired to earn Norwich their first clean so -

- clean sheet of the season. O'Neill has quickly turned the

Stadium of Light into a fortress while Swansea still can't find

their swagger away from home. Both sides had chances to take the lead

but while Larsson kept his composure, Sinclair's went a cop --

that is from Szczesny on. -- Sessegnon. A finish of pure

artistry. Sunderland pushed on for second, Sessegnon and Wickham found

the wrong side of the post. While Sinclair was still trying to find

the shot on goal. Wattage goal but it's come absolutely outstanding

goal from Gardner -- what a goal that is, absolutely outstanding

goal from Gardner. The substitute makes it two-nil. The goal of the

weekend more difficult than goal of the month. Van Persie. Absolutely

fantastic. It was a great Manchester United move, a great

tackle, then this is fast, free- flowing, direct, great movement.

Chamberlain cuts inside van Persie, a great move their and a fantastic

finish. Lee? I am going for this lad, Bale, a poor first half but

when he can do that, absolutely wonderful goal. A wonderful strike.

Sensational goal. You did that so much better than Colin would have.

At least I went for a proper one. Before we go, let's have a pre-

emptive strike on tomorrow's Mario stamps his authority. City's

title hopes remain spot on. Man United state well in touch

sensitive Danny Boy's winner. Here with Tottenham eight points behind

the leaders. At the bottom, two. Separate 16th and 19th place. Here

My five-year-old doppelganger caught on camera at Craven Cottage.

QPR fans choose a bad day to go sunbathing. Robbie Keane makes an

unsteady start as Villa return. Dustin Hoffman smuggles Hedgcock

into match. -- Hedgcock. Bad news for this man, Harry signs secret

deal with Manchester City. So that is just about it on what has been a

top class weekend of Premier League football, with Sunday's final score

reading Manchester two, London nil. What a finish that is from Nasri.

Eight is in for two-nil. Jermain Defoe into an empty net, Spurs not

That was the chance for Spurs to win it. Balotelli, who has won the