22/04/2012 Match of the Day 2

Playing Everton is never easy, but we are where we are, and hopefully

be can get the result. We are determined to finish this season

she fondly and do the best we can for Everton. It will be a tough

game. We need to play like against Norwich City. We have to try to win

the game, so we will take the game to Manchester City. It will be good

to see what auction back. I am sure he will get a warm reception.

will be interesting to see if the squad can keep their focus, keep

themselves going. Hello, another battle of Manchester

tonight. My advice is to stay up late and worry about Monday morning

when it comes. It is quality all the way in the company of one of

the greatest Premier League players are all -- all time, one of the

finest managerial minds in the Premier League and under 12 Sport

champion Robbie Savage! We begin at Old Trafford.

Five clear and four to go, Manchester United are indifferent

run in position as the marathon enters its closing stages. Led by

Paul Scholes, they were formidable last week, and another win today

means it is another step closer to title number 20. Everton have their

usual stumble at the start, but they have started running with the

best of them. They have won three at a four in the lake. A win would

heal the wounds of their Cup semi- final loss, but their last victory

United take another sizable stride towards retaining the title and

raised the tantalising possibility of them clinching at the home of

neighbours Manchester City a week on Monday. The blue half of

Manchester are united with the blue half of Merseyside today. Sir Alex

Ferguson says in his programme notes the media enjoyed a field

take over Ashley Young last week. He has left him on the bench this

afternoon, but says it is not connected with the spotlight on the

player. Nani starts. David Moyes is without Leighton Baines and he

drops Tim Cahill to the bench. Steven Pienaar, Phil Jagielka and

Tony Hibbert start in a vicious fought line-up that sees Sylvain

Everton making much of the early running. They have not scored in

any of their last three visits to United, and it was always going

vetch! This was not on Manchester United's script. Several times,

Everton have threatened in and around the penalty area. This time,

they make the breakthrough. He got there ahead of Rafael. Tony

Hibbert's cross, and the Croatian's finish. A long way to go, but this

a pinball machine. But Tim Howard on the ground was able to

eventually get his hands on the ball. You sense Everton might be a

tough nut to crack. They have 10 points from the last 12 available,

build up a head of steam. Wayne Rooney! Manchester United are back

in the game, and a landmark goal for Wayne Rooney. He draws level

with George Best and Dennis Violett as Manchester United's joint fourth

highest goalscorer of all time. He scores against his former club, his

179th goal for Manchester United. He got in behind Phil Neville to

level the scores. He has brought the crowd to their feet. It will be

an interesting final few minutes to was the break. -- towards the break.

Majesty that it made another call if they are to retain the upper

hand. -- Manchester United need smashing strike! Manchester United

are head, Everton argue when they had a player down. David Moyes is

not happy, but Manchester United were playing to the whistle. It is

Danny Welbeck, what a goal it was. As the ball broke loose, Danny

Welbeck was waiting, he sidestepped the challenge of John Heitinga. He

gave Tim Howard no chance. It was potentially puts the game beyond

reach. He was brought into the team to play against Ashley Young -- to

play instead of Ashley Young. The increases the lead. Great skill and

presence of mind. A lovely finish from Nani. Three minutes and 42

seconds, the gap between the second second assist of the match for Tony

Hibbert. Everton are not finished after all. Midway through the

second half. Just one goal in the game again. Tony Hibbert's cross,

Marouane Fellaini's finish. He United will be kicking themselves

if it ends up that they have thrown Welbeck and Wayne Rooney combining

beautifully. Wayne Rooney stands alone as the fourth highest

goalscorer for Manchester United. 180. A perfectly weighted ball, and

the return as well. They made it look easy. A great finish. Again,

some breathing space from Manchester United. He is looking a

bit more relaxed now than shortly Manchester United almost scoring

their fifth goal. Just over eight United are keeping their side of

the bargain by heading for victory here. Closing down all of the

avenues as Everton try to find their way through. Nikica Jelavic!

The Croatian has his second goal of the game! Seven goals in the match!

For the second time this afternoon, Manchester United have a two goal

lead pegged back to one. Nikica Jelavic pounces. Everton will not

lie down. There has only been one goal in it in three of the last

four league encounters at Old Trafford between these teams.

Manchester United have won each Steven Pienaar! I have seen it all

now! Everton are level, unbelievable! Steven Pienaar! What

a game! Another twist in the race for the Premier League title. It

looks as though Wayne Rooney would have secured three more points. But

Manchester United might be conceding a bit of the initiative,

as they concede four calls at home. 3-1 down, 4-2 down, but now Everton

Tim Howard. Rio Ferdinand with the shot. He has not scored in the

Gibson clears. That is the final moment of the game. Mike Jones

blows the final whistle and Manchester United leave the door

ajar to Manchester City in the race for the title.

STUDIO: What a massive result in the title race. United led 3-1 and

the title race. United led 3-1 and 4-2. Everton never gave in and

punish the Reds in clinical fashion. Unbelievable score, and

unbelievable game and an unbelievable season.

That was an incredible final few minutes. You were in such a good

position. We threw it away, no question about it. It is hard to

imagine, but it happened and we have to think about how poor

defensively we were. Face called soft goals. But some of the

football we played today was magnificent. The forward players

did not deserve what happened. definitely thought we would score

one more goal, I didn't know if we would have enough time to score two.

I thought we had another couple of chances. I thought we might call on

the counter-attack, but when they won 4-2 up, we went for it again.

don't know how to explain this result today. But we are still

alive, we still have points. We still have a chance to fight for

the title. The goals were very soft, they were very easy, no challenges

on their goals, which was unusual in a team that is going for a

championship. We had to see the game out. We hit the post at one

end to make it 5-2 and they go up the park and score a third goal.

didn't look like you would get a draw, but did you believe?

never. But Everton fight to win the game. I think today, a great

performance. We have four games left and we can keep going and try

to win every game. We have to get a result at the Etty had stadium now,

it is a derby game of amazing proportions. It is probably the

most important derby game in my time. We have to go there and make

sure we perform in the right way and not give away silly goals.

After that, next at Old Trafford, yourself, Brendan, with Swansea.

You would take four goals? Absolutely. I thought Everton were

fantastic. You go 4-2 behind at Old Trafford, but David has built up a

real team spirit at the club. He has made the team work very hard

and they are very hard to beat. I thought they were terrific. Very

unfortunate to score four at Old Trafford and not win. 53 years

since Manchester United scored four at Old Trafford and did not win,

Newcastle were the last. Everton deserved it. You could have been

forgiven for thinking heads would be down after the FA Cup semi-final

defeat. If anybody knows David Moyes, you would know his team

would go out and finished the campaign in style. They started

that today. I really thought they that today. I really thought they

were magnificent. But they were certainly helped by a woeful

defending from Manchester United. I'm not taking anything away from

Everton because I thought they were brilliant. The ball gets played out,

Evra is not at left-back, Nani has to do better and try to stop the

cross from Tony Hibbert. Raphael is at the far post. It is a great

header from Jelavic, but the right- back is not sure where he is.

Fellaini comes in for the second goal. No one comes with him. He has

time, he turns, he knocks the ball out wide. He drifts into the box.

It is a good ball, but there's Evans, Ferdinand, Scholes. No one

picks him up. They are back in the game. This one, Ferdinand and Evans.

Evans did not have to come for that all because Ferdinand is in control.

If that ball falls to Evans where he should be, he clears it. Pienaar

with Raphael again. He is ball- watching, he doesn't know where

penile is. The ball is in the back of the net. -- Pienaar. It was a

great game of football. Only a man of your quality could seek free

volley. At 4-2, they were there would wake -- woodworker way.

was a huge turning point. Evra has had a great chance at the back

stick. A good move. Played out wide. Evra is on the back stick, a great

header that hit the post. Three minutes later, Everton get the goal

and go 4-3. The three of us sitting here, in the last minute of the

game, United would get a chance. It fell to Rio Ferdinand. Fantastic

save from Tim Howard. The old boy coming back to haunt them. It is

the PFA Player of the Year awards tonight. You have won it a couple

of times. It is voted for in January so the hot favourite is of

Robin van Persie. You have reached a unanimous decision for a

different player. I think there have been many outstanding players,

David Silva is one. For me, Wayne Rooney has been absolutely

exceptional. This little cameo use the next to devise everything that

is terrific about his game. He is not the biggest, but his timing and

ability to get in between defenders here is magnificent. A great cross

into the box. He glances is 10. -- he glances it in. His timing is

superb. This is a great example of his strength. What good strikers do

is get into the box, he wants to score goals. This is where I think

he is brilliant. He has got an in- built brain for football. He is

finding the space just off the defender. He makes his finish. He

has a real in-built brain. This is why he is up there with Messi for

me. Not only is he a fantastic offensive player, he does a job for

the team. His mate is out of position on the left side and he

gets himself in and covers space. In what I've experienced this year,

he really is world class. I think he has dragged United through games

this year. I don't think United have been anywhere near their best.

But for me, he is the reason why they are still in the title race.

You will do something similar when you look through the videos before

you go to Old Trafford. How do you train before that? How can you

contain that type of performance from Rooney? The world class

players, there's a number of them in the Premier League, but I look

at Wayne Rooney, however you set up your defence, he will find space.

David Silva, you can prepare, you work on your team, but they will

always find space. You have to nullify that as much as you can.

hope your keeper has a good day as well!

Going into city's game at Wolves, the title was technically in blue

and red hands given that they play each other on Monday week. Wolves

knew that anything but a win would see them down. As we enter the

final leg of the title race, City have found a second wind. Two weeks

ago, they were struggling. Now they are right back in it. Since their

defeat at Arsenal, they have run riot, but in four past West Brom

and six pars Norwich, but with United and Newcastle next, anything

but three points is unthinkable for the Blues. They think it is all-

over at Molineux, the Championship beckons. Terry Connor has only

taken two points from nine matches in charge. The last win was in Nick

McCarthy's era. Their last home success was on December fourth.

As the man said, never say never. The title is back in Manchester

City's hands and if they keep winning, United surely will not

wrench it back. If City Winter day macro, even if they draw, Wolves

are relegated. Only a home win can delay the inevitable. Wolves make

four changes. Hennessey is run late -- replaced by de Vries. Edwards,

Jarvis and Bassong return. One change for City. Like her at orate

in for Nigel de Jong. City looking to win and win big. Goal difference

could be crucial and City's is four better than United's at the start

of play. Manchester City, as shocked as anyone by the Old

when that went over the crossbar. Good strength bike Tevez, licking

to test out Dorus de Vries in the already prompted to leave the dug-

out. Important for Poltimore Ward that they start brightly. -- Wolves.

Deflected! It wasn't far away from going in. Joe Hart smiling as Joe

Hart often does, but this was not far away. A deflection off Gareth

Barry. Some introduction to frontline management for Terry

Connor. Onside, Aguero. Right across the face of the Wolves goal.

The flag stayed down. That was pressure, can't you(!). We have

Hart. David Davies with his right foot. He has only ever score three

times in his career, two for Shrewsbury and one for Inverness

Caledonian Thistle. I would suggest none would have been as important

as this. He doesn't look impressed created, it really is, and Nasri

should score. A lovely pass into Nasri. He just drag at the finish.

inches. We are in the 20th minute of what has been an engrossing

match. Manchester City haven't half Mr few chances in those 20 minutes.

What a goal. Fabulous pass by Clichy. Aguero's cool finish, but

this goals about this pass. Absolutely inch-perfect. It has

been a struggle for Manchester City, but they have the league now.

walked off at the Emirates with the Steven Fletcher's header for Wolves.

Almost in slow motion, it seemed to be creeping in the corner, but Joe

Hart got there. Manchester football fans of a red persuasion are still

corner. Well done, Kevin Doyle. City's lead is a slender as they

as the City doubled their lead. There will surely be no

Wolverhampton recovery now. A contentious goal, because

Wolverhampton were unhappy about the award of the free kick. Was it

a free quick? -- free kick? It was taken quickly. Wolverhampton were

outnumbered. It was Sebastien Bassong running back who pulled his

hamstring in trying to chase Samir Nasri. That is why there was so

much space. Manchester City, with that ball, have moved into striking

distance of their neighbours are. - - their neighbours. Roberto Mancini

acknowledges the song of the If Manchester City beat Manchester

United a week on Monday, they will go top on goal difference, so every

should have been 3-0. No excuses. He was definitely onside. Why did

he try to nutmeg Christophe Berra? He will after the answer to Roberto

Mancini later. -- he will have to save from Dorus De Vries. A

terrific save to prevent an own goal from Richard Stearman. The

goalkeeper's union is still alive and strong but! It is somehow

appropriate that this battle against the drop should end under

grey skies and pouring rain. As Roberto Mancini Braves a torrential

downpour and consoles Terry Connor, what an extraordinary day, what a

turnaround it might be in the title race. Manchester City might have

the title in their grasp, but Wolverhampton Wanderers are down,

The difference is three points, and it is convenient that the next

match is Manchester City against Manchester United next week. The

bookies still have united as the favourites, but it is tight.

Wolverhampton's relegation was confirmed, ending three years in

the top flight. An extraordinary day in the title

race. Who is the favourite? Manchester United, always. Why?

They have more points, for this reason. You have been here a long

time, a difficult day. A very difficult day. Not just for myself,

but for all of the players, the staff, the supporters, everyone. It

will be 80 few days to come. difficult question, did the change

in manager hop or not? -- help or not? I do not think it helped. It

was a tough situation for him to come into. He has done a great job

under the circumstances are. But it is a difficult one, I respect the

chairman, he wanted a change in direction, but we have not been

good enough. We signed up for 38 competitive games, so the next

three may have a bearing on other teams, so it is important we show

integrity and honesty and play the games in the right manner. Did you

watch the Manchester United game? It is not important. They are at

the top of the lead, they have Brendan Rodgers, you have a right

to reply. Despite the fact you have beaten Manchester City, he says you

are an easy game! We have shown we will be competitive at this level.

Raw emotion from Terry Connor. As far as the race for the title does,

the away form for Manchester City has come good at the right time.

They are hot. With the news of Manchester United earlier in the

day, if they needed any confidence, it was there for them. They are in

hot form. It was the ideal game. They won at a canter. Sebastien

Bassong and Stephen Ward. Sergio Aguero in the middle. Taylor from

the neck from Gael Clichy, and a fantastic ball. -- 8 not make from

Gael Clichy. A lovely touch, he finishes well. Wolverhampton

started OK. This is the nearest they came. David Davies. Joe Hart

is expected to save that. Another header from Steven Fletcher, but

that is all they offered. A quick free kick. This is where the shot

players come alive. Samir Nasri is there with Matt Jarvis. He gets

away from him. Carlos Tevez is alert, he stays alive, he plays a

quick free kick. The good players become better and they stay alive

and they are alert to situations. It is an excellent finish. You can

see what it means, they are back in this. We thought it was over, but

great credit to them. When it was eight points, we said it was almost

there! It changes every week! for Wolverhampton, it will not be

an easy show to watch tonight. What hope can you give the fans? They

will be playing in the Championship, but they have got a new stand,

fantastic facilities, and in Terry Connor, somebody who cares about

the football club. It means so much to him. It was a terrible decision

to get rid of Mick McCarthy. To put him in charge was a shocking

decision. Why not give him a chance next season? If not him, somebody

junk and hungry, like Lee Clark. I think they will bounce straight

back, it is a fantastic football club. How does that feel today?

have been there, I know how he feels, it is a horrendous day for

him and the club. I feel for him, he was put in an almost impossible

situation, he could not turn it down, he has given his all, and it

has been really tough, because he has had the team to work with that

Mick McCarthy left behind. They struggle beforehand, but he has put

everything into it. I feel a lot of sympathy, because it was not

handled in the perfect scenario when they gave the job to him.

Looking to the top of the table, let's look at the fixtures. I do

not know why we do this, the make the Manchester United

favourite son. They have already won at the Etihad Stadium in the FA

Cup. Newcastle away is such a tough game for Manchester City. Would you

rather be Manchester United or Manchester City? You would rather

be Manchester United. You are ahead, two or three points clear, you

It will be difficult to forecast. The fact we have written the title

of, it means we should stick with Manchester United? Manchester

United, just. Brendan?! I will say nothing! That is what I expect! You

never say nothing, Robbie Savage! will go for Manchester United.

Seven games next Saturday, including Wigan against Newcastle.

Chelsea against QPR and Tottenham against Blackburn next Sunday. On

April 30th, Manchester City against Manchester United.

All of the goals from yesterday on the way, after tonight's third game,

a mid-table affair. Kenny Dalglish is turning out to be

the Cup caned at Anfield. He has the Carling Cup, there could also

beat and FA Cup. But as far as the Premier League goes, they are well

off the pace, they have only picked up seven points from the last nine

games. For West Brom, a big day for Brett Hodgson, his first return

since his exit in January last year. He has established West Brom as a

Premier League force. England could place in the FA Cup final last

weekend. They want to climb above them in the table. After his match-

winning header at Wembley, Andy Carroll has elevated his status.

One of his four goals this season came at the Hawthorns in October.

Roy Hodgson guided West Brom to their only win in the last 21

meetings against Liverpool. Chris Brunt was responsible with two

penalties, but they have not won won it. He set it up for Luis

Suarez. He was unselfish, he laid it into the path of Dirk Kuyt. Dirk

Kuyt took his time, he was very look. He says goal-kick. The

referee had a good look. He took his time. Does he get clipped, Maxi

bar. Liverpool continuing to find their way through West Brom. At the

moment, West Brom are just repelling them. Glen Johnson did

well. A good plot by dense Foster - Excellent goalkeeping. West Brom's

first opportunity of the match. Pepe Reina, back after suspension,

the expense of West Brom's first 40 had scored. He put his hands to

his head. Another escape for his head. Another escape for

Foster knew nothing about it. Again, West Brom escape. That is a free-

Liverpool, his only goal for Liverpool, came in August against

Bolton. This time it was the underside of the bar that prevented

him. On the rebound, it hit Foster and could have gone anywhere. To

foster's relief, and that of West impossible angle. Had it gone into

the net, it would have been spectacular. He has a few

colleagues wondering why he chose the first goal. Off the inside of

the post! They have hit the underside of the bar and the inside

of a post. Surely the opening goal just have to arrive for Liverpool.

They are pulling West Brom to the wet -- to the left and to the right.

It opened up for Dirk Kuyt. Foster Rodriguez could not get them back

because Ridgewell did. West Bromwich Albion, somehow, every

which way they can, are managing to keep Liverpool out. Chance after

chance. Suarez into the area, a couple of West Brom players and

then Ben Foster got it clear. Carroll fell on the floor and

another great block from Chris Brunt who was on the line. You have

to credit West Brom because they are managing, somehow, to get

one of phase days for Liverpool. Conversely, one of those days for

West Brom. Johnson gifts and opportunity and Odemwingie takes it.

After chance after chance had been spurned by Liverpool, they have

been picked pocketed at the other rent and credit to West Brom for

hanging on in and Credit To Odemwingie for taking the chance.

He had not scored in his last six games. He has now become West

Brom's all-time Premier League top scorer with 25 goals and he has

become their first scorer at Anfield since Garth Crooks in 1985.

STUDIO: What a return to Anfield for Roy Hodgson. A fantastic wind

and West Brom are now in the top half of the table. Another dark day

for Liverpool. Anfield is not the fortress it once was. They have

fortress it once was. They have only won five out of 17 at home in

the league this season. I'm very proud of the team. I can't deny we

rode our luck on a lot of occasions and Liverpool played very well,

especially in the second half. But it was a fantastic regard action

from the players. At this stage of the season, it is nice to see we

have that much fight and determination in us to hang on to a

result. It is not often that West Brom win here. 45 years ago to the

day, I think. Albeit I accept Liverpool were the better team and

had the better chances and were very unlucky to lose, but I'm very

happy we have won and done it in such a determined manner. We are

playing well enough. You can't complain about the attitude can of

the effort, their commitment. You can't complain about the way they

prepare themselves. After we won the Carling Cup, we played Arsenal

and we were brilliant and still lost. It is difficult for them to

take. But it is not knocking them too badly. To take three points

here after 45 years, we feel very happy. I think we deserved to win

today. Myself and shame really worked hard, we had a few chances

and we can only be proud of our performance. Away from home, you

have to take your chances. It was one of those games, Liverpool had

chance after chance and from 60 minutes coming like a juggernaut

over the hill was a West Brom winner. You just knew West Brom

would get a chance and Odemwingie would get a chance and Odemwingie

would get a chance and Odemwingie to kick. It was a decent

performance from West Brom, but Liverpool should have won. Roy

Hodgson will be thinking that I have got one over you, Kenny! To be

fair to Liverpool fans, they gave rape -- Roy Hodgson a fantastic

Shane Long in the box. His awareness, if he takes it in front

of him, it is a great opportunity. It is a perfect performance from

West Brom away from home. You have to soak up pressure. You know you

will get limited chances, but when they come along, you have to take

them and that was a brilliant finish by Odemwingie. He gave Reina

the eyes and put it in the bottom corner. How frustrating is that? I

remember the Newcastle game a few weeks ago, 70% of possession.

Absolutely. Sometimes you have to accept it. We have had a number of

games this year where we have totally controlled and dominated

the game, but failed to take chances. You can have as many

chances as you want, but you have to score them. Against Newcastle,

Cisse was brilliant. A little touch of class can make the difference.

Alan, you know better than anyone else, it is a result business.

was a familiar story for Liverpool and Kenny. They created numerous

chances. Kenny must be banging his head against the dressing room door.

Dirk Kuyt, an excellent chance. He had to hit the target. One from

Suarez and then Maxi. Three chances in five minutes. Into the second

half, this is excellent play and it is unlucky from Henderson. Suarez

should hit the target again. Dirk Kuyt gets a little defection and it

hit the post. You are thinking, is there any chance of you taking a

chance and making your possession count? Carroll does not connect.

Spearing off the line. What the defenders are doing with a head as

I'm not sure! They keep pushing and pushing. Foster fails to get hold

of it and you think it is just not going to be their day and it wasn't.

Familiar story. Liverpool will have to rectify that problem next season

to rectify that problem next season if they want to better themselves.

West Brom are in the top 10 as it stands. Roy has got as many points

at West Brom as Kenny has at Liverpool and they are only one

point behind the Reds. That is not to be underestimated, that

performance by Roisin sea has gone there. Absolutely. Whatever

happened at Liverpool, there's one thing you can always know, he is a

very, very experienced manager and he has worked at the top level.

Sometimes you go to a club and it is just the wrong time. But he has

got a great tactical brain, his natural environment is on the field

and he works outstandingly well with players. What about Liverpool?

Where rather? You have to be honest. You look at the midfield three

years ago when they had: so, Master Rono. -- they had Xabi Alonso and

having missed a runner. They are a top-eight club. Are they a cup

team? Unless they have Investment on and off the field, with five or

six players. They are far away from challenging for fourth place never

mind the title. You get the midfield, the players. Henderson,

Shelby might come good. But at the present, not good enough. It is

quite clear where Liverpool's problems have been busier.

Defensively they have been sound. Only Man United and then -- Man

City have been better than them. Sunderland, Everton, at Fulham,

Norwich, Blackburn have got more goals from them. Suarez is their

top scorer with eight goals. He has been excellent this year, but he

has to start scoring more goals. They are creating chances and they

need a goalscorer to stick them away. It has happened too many

times, dominating games and not winning. Two massive events to tell

Now talon special guest, Brendan Rodgers, who has masterminded us

sensational season as manager of the first Welsh club to make the

Premier League. Yesterday they were at Bolton, but before we see how

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

they get on, let's have some golden all season. Brendan Rodgers and his

boys have been showing style and substance. Can the good times

continue rolling today? It will not be easy against a Bolton side

goal. Brilliant, brilliant strike from Scott Sinclair. First attack

of the game from Brendan Rodgers's time -- side and they are read. --

ahead. Eagles! 1-1. Really good cleared. What a chance for Steven

Caulker. Danny Graham! Could block by Bogdan. -- a good block. Bolton

are back-pedalling. Graham put it just wide. Danny Graham! Off the

bar. Eagles and Klasnic... Eagles! What a season it has been and

another point in the bag. Robbie hinted at begat financially between

Liverpool and Manchester United and we say all the time lesser clubs,

no offence. Give me a couple of examples of the chasm between

Swansea and Manchester United. the likes of ourselves, it is

enormous in terms of the gap. At Swansea, on the field, it has moved

much quicker on the field than off the field. We are still trying to

get hold of our own training ground and trying to ensure we have an

exclusive right to develop players and prepare for training. But it

has been a wonderful jumper. The players, against the odds, have

terms of their courage to play, but also to get results. It has been a

joy to work with them. You don't want to finish too high in the

Premier League this season and put pressure on yourself for next

season! It has been seen numerous times, second-season syndrome. They

have found it difficult in their second year, how will you attack

that? It is trying to ensure we retain the hunger. I will look at

freshening up the squad for next season. I am very fortunate, I've

got a very humble group of players. They won't become complacent, for

sure. We know we have to be at full tilt. And then take that into the

games. Thankfully this season, up until now, all of the hard work has

paid off. Next year, like you say, the Barclays Premier League gets

better every year, it gets quicker. You always have to adjust and try

to improve all the time. It is making sure you retain that

ambition. I think there's been a sea-change. You have proved it this

year. You can play football in the Premier League and stay up. I think

it is about winning. There's no right or wrong. I don't have a

complex about way we play. I've been coaching a certain way for

nearly 20 years. It is how wirework and how I like to develop players

to gain results. Paul Lambert has been brilliant at Norwich with his

players and on a limited budget. It is a very, very tough league and

I'm fortunate to work with some great players. When you looked at

the penny you had for every �50 the big clubs had, where was your

starting point macro for building a team? Up front, at the back? Home

It was about making sure we retained along identity. I worked

for four-and-a-half years at Chelsea, I had experience of the

Premier League, and I felt we had to be different. But different in a

way which would get results. They were nowhere near the stature of

some of the clubs, but we had real honest players with talent, and who

were prepared to work. If you have a good possession came, if your

team is technically and tactically strong, you have belief, and that

can carry you a long way. It is about holding on to your hottest

properties. He has had a magnificent year, I hope he

finishes on a high, they deserve that, and we wish him well for the

rest of the games and for next season, wherever he is! Just in

case nobody has noticed, he is Northern Irish, it is a great

Blackburn put a stop to their run of five consecutive defeats, but

they still cannot make it out of the bottom three. Discontent was

still audible around Ewood Park, there was a protest before kick-off,

but Steve Kean was focusing on the job at hand. In this case, the hand

of Martin Sparkes appeals for a Blackburn penalty. At the other,

Jonny Howson was given all of the Philippe Senderos scored his first

Premier League goal in four years to deny Wigan another triumphant

many people had him down as the first goalscorer, his first goal

for over two years. Mark Schwarzer from Fulham! Off the bar from Pavel

Pogrebnyak! How close was this? Great play from John Arne Riise.

The Russian gets the touch, off the QPR made it four home wins on the

trot thanks to Tottenham old boy Adel Taarabt. Tottenham's promising

season looks like being one of spectacular capitulation, despite

Gareth Bale. Sandro was adjudged to have brought down Adel Taarabt, who

Still the same player, only this time he picked up a yellow card,

then he kicked the ball away to earn a second yellow. The Moroccan

was taking an early bath. Paddy Kenny perform some last-gasp

heroics as QPR had told them to their list of big guns who have

fallen at Loftus Road. A frosty welcome back for Martin O'Neill at

the club he managed for four years, but Aston Villa could only manage

The referee was in no doubt about this decision. But at the other end,

Nicklas Bendtner wasted a golden opportunity. A yellow card was a

boarder to Craig Gardner for this tackle. -- awarded to Craig Gardner.

Dick Simon Mignolet handled outside Bendtner stock market it will be

Some help from the BBC graphics department. Remember the yellow

card? Another one. He is off. Yohan Cabaye is the talk of the tomb as

Newcastle edged closer to the top four. This was Stoke City's best

Cabaye is on hand to knock in the rebound! Everything Newcastle do is

precise. Papiss Cisse! He has got his goal! It did not take him long!

Look at the pass from Yohan Cabaye. and it is an absolute beauty. What

a player, Yohan Cabaye. What a team, The most anticipated fixture on

woodwork. So nearly Robin van It was not Arsenal's day. More than

700 minutes since Robin van Persie scored in open play. Should he have

4 1/2 years at Chelsea, so you will be watching the game against

Barcelona. It will be difficult. is a fascinating game. Chelsea have

the same tactical discipline in the first leg, they have a great chance.

It is up to Barcelona to break them down. Newcastle will have to handle

a different kind of pressure, most people's favourites for the

Champions League! There is no pressure, they should just enjoy it.

I want them to do it, because Robbie Savage said he would buy a

new taxi for a Geordie! Before we go, tomorrow's headlines.

Manchester United's title bid gets sticky as Everton enjoyed a tasty

comeback. Manchester City cash in, Wolverhampton checkout. Roy Hodgson

returns in style as Liverpool Kop another bad one.

It is officially back on, the title is in the balance, Manchester

United just a slight favourites. We will know after the Manchester

derby in eight days. That defeat for Wolverhampton confirms their

relegation. Another two from five will join them next season.