23/10/2011 Match of the Day 2

As a shows go, tonight is as good as it gets. We have a five matches

of real significance, and one in particular which may give us a

better idea as to who will lift the Premier League trophy at the end of

the season. Welcome to Match Of The has! Absolutely brilliant. Peter

Alan and Lee are here. What a week it has been for the City of

Manchester. The Stone Roses are back together and their most famous

musical song is number one in the album charts. But even noel

Gallagher himself full tenure that the most important event was today

at Old Trafford. Red versus blue. United and City. Second against top.

A mouth-watering clash of huge significance. Champions United have

won that Premier League title 12 times. In 1968, they finished the

two points ahead of United, city. Mancini's men, they do look

equipped to go all of the way. There will be many twists between

now and 13th May. But how important this result in terms of the destiny

of this year's title. Guy Mowbray watch worldwide. -- from all four

involved over the years. They have been some classic fixtures between

these two. Roberto Mancini's 100th game as City manager. The perfect

fixture for that milestone to come up. High praise from his opposite

number, Sir Alex Ferguson, in his programme notes. He said the way

Mancini handled the Tevez situation shows he's a manager right at the

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top of his game. It is James Milner. best player of the team at the

passed the ball into the goal. There is a message for everyone.

Why always me? It is always him scoring at the moment. That is a 5

games in a row. Silva inevitably involved in the build-up. Balotelli,

well, he just picked his spot... It's a wonderful goal, the way he

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bathroom yesterday - crackers. -- here. Now he needs a team-mate.

Mill there is on hand. It's onside. Ferdinand dived in at just the

right time. United there, would just letting Aguero and will no

kick their way through. Can they do that on the counter-attack? Welbeck

has tumbled. What happened? It's a yellow card, it's already out.

front of Evans and go down. It's a free-kick just outside the penalty

area. City are saying penalty. It's also a red card for Evans. What a

start to the second half at Old and Evans has denied the Italian a

clear goalscoring opportunity. What a chance for City to double their

lead, too. It is the lonely run of it. He didn't bother to catch the

eye of his manager. It is Balotelli. It's gone to Richards. Phil Jones

will be coming on. We understand there is a bit of concern about

Ashley Young's movement and fitness. Some of the elder statesman in the

coming together of the players. Young thought he'd got the ball at

first. There was no foul there, they might have been one there. It

was seen as purely a collision by the referee but certainly not by

for Balotelli, who has his second! Manchester City lead 2-0.

Brilliantly worked. The finish was Milner was unselfish, so Balotelli,

is going to get a yellow card for Match Of The Day, 20 years ago that

sort of tackle would get you a new contract. These days, a yellow or

red card if its aggressive. Richards! It is three. Aguero has

surely wrap this up once and for all. Manchester City are running

away with it at Old Trafford. They haven't been here for a day like

this in donkey's years. Beautiful build-up play again. Back-heel from

Balotelli. The pinpoint passing and then Aguero with determination to

get there first. One thing that is beyond any doubt, Manchester City

are staying first in the Premier League tonight. Aguero gets his

pretty much customary goal. A substitution made by Mancini that

nobody complains about. Balotelli makes way. There will be no match

ball for him. What an impact he has Old Trafford. This could get very

put quite a lot on him finishing Manchester United supporter. In the

Premier League last season, only West Bromwich Albion got anything

here at all. They won 18, they drew glorious Manchester United goal.

Fletcher and Hernandez combined. It is brilliantly finished. Surely it

is still too far big and ask for Manchester United, but another goal

would certainly get the blood in a right old model. All smiles on

the bench. Manchester City's goalscorers, Balotelli and Aguero.

This is Lescott. It has bounced in. It's another Manchester City goal,

they've got four. It came in off Tevez, he deserves as much of the

credit as Lescott does. It is a Dzeko's name that will go on the

scoresheet. Manchester United players aren't used to days like

of the Barclays Premier League. A momentous afternoon in Manchester.

Coasting through, Silva. He was never going to miss that sort of

chance. Those sorts of chances have been coming all day for Manchester

is Tim -- it is his name that is being sung. It was too easy. He

should have had a double and City through de Dzeko. 6-1 to Manchester

City! Dzeko makes no mistake this time, he has got his second. This

is Manchester United's worst ever day in the Premier League. It is

Manchester City's best, by millions and millions of miles. Silva once

more with a sumptuous ball through. Secco's finish. -- Dzeko. It is an

incredible day. It was said that this game was a test to see whether

the gap was closing or had closed in Manchester between Manchester

City and Manchester United. Those City fans will tell you it's not

closing, it's getting wider - a wider, because city now leader

Manchester United five points at the top of the Premier League. What

What a game it and kill a shock, and come the end of the season,

this could be a most significant result. This was the stuff of

dreams for Mancini, a nightmare for Fergie. United's 30 seven-match

unbeaten home record comes to an end. This is History Today, a great

day for Manchester City, isn't it? For Manchester City, it will be a

great day if we win the Premier League. Now, we have won only one

game, important game, because I think we beat a fantastic team.

was a horrible defeat, but we were suicidal, to be honest. With 10 men,

we kept attacking, the full-backs were right up as winners, almost.

It was crazy football. It ends up being an embarrassment. But the

sending-off was a killer. And the timing of it as well, was that a

factor? Yes. What about not switching on again after the break?

It was a bad header out of defence, straight to their player. I always

believe you should never bring a player down outside the box, let

him go through, because you have still got somebody else on the

pitch. It was a beautiful day, we made history today, but it is only

three points. We keep looking at it in that way. Do the players know

what it means to the fans? Yes, and that is what we do it for. You

could hear them, if they were allowed to become they would still

be there now. How do you recover from this, is there a set formula?

The impact will come from the embarrassment of the defeat.

There's a lot of boys in the dressing-room who are feeling that,

and we are expecting an impact, without doubt, there will be a

response. Four more cracking games to come tonight, and more tales of

the unexpected, but gentlemen, nothing quite like that. Well, it

was quite a day. Manchester City, they came, they saw, they conquered.

And for the first time we can really call the new Manchester City

A-Team. We have said time and time again they will not go away,

because of the finances. But we wondered would they ever become a

team, or how long would it take? Well, today, they were a team. They

play for each other, they paid for the manager, the played for the

supporters. We have seen them going with two holding players this

season, there were a bit more rigid today, with four in the middle. The

two wide players, Milner and Silva, worked like you would never believe.

It was fantastic to watch one of the best players in the league,

Silva, working his socks off. It was a remarkable performance.

Alex Ferguson described it as the worst day in his time at Manchester

worst day in his time at Manchester United. Some of the statistics go

beyond even that. It is very rare that you go to Manchester United

and get anything at all. To go as their biggest rivals at the moment

and to run up these sort of statistics is unbelievable. 1926!

Unbelievable. To go and play like they did, the sending-off did

affect things, but I think overall, they were well and truly beaten. It

is the first time they have conceded six at home since 1930.

For Manchester Siddique fans, we For Manchester Siddique fans, we

are on the iPlayer until midnight on Tuesday. Where did it all go

right? If you go to Old Trafford, you know you're in for a hard game.

Their strengths are the pace down the wings, with Nani on one side.

And also Rooney playing in the hole. City today had two full-backs who

were outstanding. In front of them, the two wide midfield players,

Silva and Milner, were sensational. There were Craig was unbelievable.

There were Craig was unbelievable. This is early on. The full-back,

Clichy, he knows what he has got to do. He says to him, let's see what

you have got. He's going to test me. First minute, he's going to run me

down the line. He stays with him, and Nani runs it out. On the other

side, Richards gets a tackle in on Young to let him know he's there.

He gives a foul away, but Young was not happy about it. But it was also

the protection in front of the full-backs. Silva is going to

become almost an emergency left- back, covering his player. What a

tackle this is. On the other side, Milner, in front of Richards.

Richards goes short, Milner drops in behind him. The ball eventually

comes out, and they block the cross. This to me just sums up Manchester

City. Again, James Milner, behind Richards, covering. He shows him

inside, the next two holding midfield players come out to close

the ball down. Silva knows he's going to have to come across to

cover his full-back. There he is. Look at Barry's position, every

single one of them knew their job. If you have got wide players who

will work that hard, you have got a chance of going places. They were

tremendous today. 11 players doing what the manager tells them. Yes,

in theory. Sometimes you do what the manager says, it works, not all

the time. So, Alan, where did it go wrong? The warning signs have been

there for Manchester United, in several games. Last week against

Liverpool, there was a host of chances for Liverpool. When you

talk about defending, we talk about pressure on the ball... That's the

Manchester United defence. Silva, arguably the best player in the

Premier League, oceans of space. No pressure on the ball, still no

pressure on the ball. Back at the net. The sending off, Jonny Evans,

for me, turns the wrong way. He never watches the ball at any stage.

He's under pressure, and brings down Balotelli. Does it change the

game? Maybe it did. But it was a horror story. Richards charges in,

should have been a penalty. We were talking about picking up the

runners. You have got over it going to the ball. They just do not pick

them up. -- you have got Evra going to the ball. Rio Ferdinand should

have come across to help him. Young leaves Milner for dead, Balotelli

at the back stick, it is so easy. Cash in your back four. Rio

Ferdinand comes forward, the ball is played inside Patrice Evra.

Aguero comes in, and it is in the back of the net, it was far too

easy. As far as that game is concerned, Manchester City have not

won anything, they have just got three points. Literally, you have

got to keep your feet on the ground, get on with the next game. For

Manchester United, I was looking at some stats, in their five home

games this season in the Premier League, they have given away 91

chances against their goal. Not all of them hit the target, but that is

too many for Manchester United. bigger and harder tests will come

from Manchester City when they are playing badly. You do not win the

Premier League when you're playing well, it is when you're playing

badly. They have not come under pressure yet. Then we will see how

good a side they are. We have just got to pay homage to a man who

entertains every week. He has had one of those weeks. He did not play

in the Champions League on Tuesday, he was suspended, and they missed

him. He came in today, was it a risk? I'm not so sure. The finish

on this, the ball comes across, he sees the gap and he passes it into

the far corner. It's a beautiful goal. It is a fantastic be.

that's the best celebration ever, although he got booked. It was one

of those moments, like Eric Cantona's collars. We have got more

wonderful goals and high drama to come. We will be at Craven Cottage

for Fulham against Everton. And we stay in the capital for Arsenal

versus Stoke at the Emirates. And we go north for Blackburn against

Spurs. But now we move on to a London derby which kicks off a

three-game run which will really test QPR. A win for Chelsea today

should be enough to silence anyone who still thinks the Premier League

this year is a two-horse race. QPR versus Chelsea these days is a

classic David versus Goliath battle. But 25 years ago it was a different

story. Aided by the plastic pitch, Rangers hit the Blues 46. What

price that result today? Rangers conceded six in their last London

derby, so they have got a tough job to stop Andrew Villas-Boas's boys

against the club with whom he one a Championship medal six years ago.

Rangers recall Adel Taarabt in place of Jamie Mackie. It is the

500th Premier League game of Frank Lampard's Korea. Chelsea need one

goal to reach 6,000 in League football. And Didier Drogba becomes

their second-highest appearance maker among overseas players.

Queen's Park Rangers have got a great history, and of course, in

the early years of the Premier League, they finished in very good

positions and Gerry Francis. It is a very compact ground here at

Loftus Road. Helguson goes down, he was challenge by David Luiz. And

the referee has given a penalty! What a start, with eight minutes

gone. Yes, left arm in the back, the referee was per to -- perfectly

entitled to give that. David Luiz it at bit of a risk taker in the

Fens. -- in defence. Queen's Park Rangers take the lead. Heidar

Helguson, with his second goal in consecutive games. This is just the

start that Queen's Park Rangers wanted. Petr Cech, left hand, but

he could only help it in. Not the best penalty in the world, but

Rangers will not mind about that. It is a flying start for Neil

Warnock's team, who have not won at home since April, when they beat

Phillips through! Foul. Red card! It is a red card for Bosingwa! John

Terry complaining, Didier Drogba coming to the referee as well.

Chelsea are down to 10 men. Bossing were is sent off, because the

referee has decided he was the last about, there was a bit of cover to

the right. How bad was the foul? Well, his right arm went across

think quickly, he will have to put somebody else on in defence. Adel

Taarabt will take it... Now, what are Chelsea going to do? Somebody

else has got to play right back, with Wright-Phillips running riot

red again. Drogba is off. That was for eight two footed challenge on

Taarabt. Chelsea are going to be down to nine men. Sensational stuff

here at Loftus Road. This is the challenge. It looks two footed, one

of them was off the ground? The referee didn't hesitate. It's the

second red card of the afternoon to Chelsea. It is the follow-through

fault which makes it reckless. Drogba goes. Chelsea are down to

nine men in the first half a. Two red cards in eight minutes for

earlier today must have thought they'd had enough excitement for

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one afternoon. You would never have almost impossible task of pulling

the team round when you've had two young-looking for his first goal

here. Lampard has gone down and is claiming a penalty. It has not been

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changed back in the Queens Park Rangers penalty area there. David

Luiz appealing to the referee but Joey Barton will take the free-kick

Helguson. If he could have got that Borlee right he could have put the

game beyond Chelsea's reach. A quite unpredictable and unexpected

afternoon here in west London. for Nicolas Anelka. Straight into

Luiz with the overhead. It went score himself, then he turned.

David Luiz with the overhead and that Chelsea look more like

equalising than Queens Park Rangers was a flag up on the far side.

There seems to have been a John Kerry incident there maybe that is

what Richards was a flagging for. There was a bit of a tango. John

by Kenny before Lampard could follow in. The finish is as frantic

as the start. For the second time tonight, what again! Another dude

shock and a win for QPR. The sending-offs no doubt key moments.

The game had it all, including nine yellows, as Rangers held on to

record their first home win of the season.

You were on the right side of the refereeing decisions. What was your

view? I thought he got everything right apart from that little tug on

Lampard in the second half. I think he's made fewer mistakes with both

teams today. I'm delighted we had somebody like him. I am

disappointed to with the performance to date. I don't think

he was in control of the game. A couple of decisions he got right

but for the most part the decisions he got wrong. I thought Shaun

Wright Phillips was past temples of although you could say that is

either way, you get some, you don't get some. Usually Chelsea get those

kind of decisions. We are title contenders and we want to believe

that we are title contenders. We are pushing to play attacking, good

football. We are colliding with a lot of bad days from the referees.

Eventually one day things will go our favour. But I think this is too

much. It's not Premiership standards. It's a great and well

known Premier League. To win, this is what it's all about. QPR beating

Chelsea - it's dreamland! We had a meal on the show last weekend he

said he would be happy with seven points from nine, Chelsea at home,

Spurs await. We did allow ourselves a laugh. He'd be happy with three

points but everything else now is a bonus. It was magnificent from

start to finish. I thought QPR did really well. They didn't allowed

Chelsea to settle, they got right into their faces. They went at a

quick pace. When Chelsea went to nine men, they were the better side

and conceivably could have got a point out of it conceivably.

sensational game. Entertainment. QPR, the first 25 minutes were

brilliant. Chelsea's second half, down to nine men, it was

sensational the way they put QPR under pressure and thought they

were going to get the equaliser. The referee in the headlines for

supposedly the wrong reason. I thought he had quite a good game.

That is a penalty for me. Helguson is clever, just back into him. A

crazy talent there, I don't know what he's doing there. Gives the

ball away and then this is a singer on Wright-Phillips. The referee got

a great spot on it. He must have been in a goalscoring opportunity.

There is the shirt poll. He saw that so he gave a foul. Here, John

Terry is not going to get back to stop Wright-Phillips shooting. He

has to give a red card there. The other red card as far as Drogba is

concerned, no doubt about this. Wins the ball, yes, but you can't

go into tackles two footed like this. The referee, no question.

Straight red card. Nine yellow cards. Was it a bit harsh? It

wasn't a dirty game but there were tackles in there which perhaps

warranted yellow cards. I thought the referee had a decent game.

had a bit of a QPR love-in last week, so let's concentrate on

Chelsea. Can you judge them with nine men? A thing you can judge the

starting line-up. I always worry about them defensively. From Terry

five years ago could have played with you in the centre of defence.

If you look at Ivanovitch or David Luiz, I think they are iffy.

Especially David Luiz today. He has given three penalties away. This

one today is typical. I think he is impetuous. He goes for the ball

when he should never go for it. The referee gets it right. This one, as

Lee mentioned, he picks it appear and plays it a bit short. It is cut

out. Defensively, in this position here, he has got to make the

opposition go round him. But it goes through his legs. The only

place he should and let it go. He's got to make sure that it goes round

him and he buys a bit of time. That is a mistake. Bennett is a bit

theatrical here, to say the least! He cannot believe it. Defensively

is where you would worry. Where the ball comes in here, I don't know

for the life of me what he is trying to do here. On the other

side, with Shaun Wright Phillips, again, defensively this is just

abysmal. It doesn't get any worse than that. Lee and I were looking

for a position for him. I think this is it, an attacking midfield

player. He wins it there, skips past the next one, attacks the

defence. Outside of the right food, great. He keeps on going and what

about this? Sensational. It hits Frank Lampard on the food and it's

in the back of the net. The right- hand side of a Chelsea defence

would worry me. So what you're saying is as far away from the goal

as possible for impulse a substitute would be great for them.

John Terry has categorically denied making a racist slur against Anton

Ferdinand. This relates to videos are circulating tonight on the

internet after today's game. From Terry has released a statement and

he says a lot of things, including, I would never see such a thing.

I've known Anton for a long time and he has not accused me of any

wrongful remark. Let's get back to the football. Traffic in London a

nightmare today. Arsenal at home, QPR at home, the NFL at Wembley.

Everton fans will be to make a slow journey back north tonight with

smiles on their faces after what has been a tough few weeks. Fulham

first, and the last time they starred in Match Of The Day 2 they

went goal crazy, netting six against QPR. A great win, but

that's their only victory so far in the league season which has seen

them draw four times. Everton enter this following three losses. First

at Manchester City, then Liverpool and last week at Chelsea. ATOC run

and today will be another test for them, they scored just seven and

former clubs, having scored a hat- trick in his last appearance here

at Craven Cottage. There is a first start for Vellios. Neville returns

where the ball was there for a moment. It is with Everton. What a

goal! What a brilliant goal. Drenthe after two minutes and 18

seconds. An outstanding strike from the Dutch international, making his

first start for Everton after five appearances in the Premier League

as a substitute. He scored late on against Wigan and he has scored

very early on here against Fulham. What a brilliant shot that is! Look

at the Cole on the ball. Schwarzer just get his fingertips to it but

can't prevent that ball going into again. Here's the pacy Royston

Drenthe. That's a free kick. Foul by Danny Murphy. Marouane Fellaini

caused Fulham plenty of problems from an Everton free kick in a

Royston Drenthe. He gets it back. He tries again. That's a great ball

in, and Jack Rodwell only just put it wide. Rodwell had loads of room

by the penalty spot. It has been a very positive start from the

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consolation goal at Chelsea last for a goal against Everton. It did

indeed hit the back of Tim Howard, and went behind for the corner,

when it looked more likely to go Howard. That's twice in as many

minutes that Tim Howard has been severely tested. Fulham's best

chances of the game so far. That closer to an equaliser. Great

closest we have had to a goalscoring opportunity in the

second period so far, after 15 minutes. Change for Fulham, the

skipper, Danny Murphy, being withdrawn. He will be replaced by

Bryan Ruiz. Big call from Martin A sumptuous goal from Ruiz. The

substitution has paid off for Fulham. It is his first goal for

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the club following his move from these teams, one moment of

Zamora... Bryan Ruiz! Saved by the legs of Tim Howard. And maybe that

was the chance for Fulham to win it. I do not believe he missed that.

And I don't think anybody else in Craven Cottage can believe what

they have just seen, either. How did that not end up as the winning

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time you see it. That should have stabs it past Mark Schwarzer. Is

that Everton's second away win of the season? Bobby Zamora really

should have won it for Fulham. But just 70 seconds later, Louis Saha

has made it 2-1 to Everton. What must he be thinking? What must

every full-on fan be thinking? And what in particular must Bobby

Zamora the thinking? Rodwell! That is victory confirmed for Everton.

Jack Rodwell gets his first goal spoils, but Fulham could easily

spoils, but Fulham could easily have won it. Martin, we should be

discussing a Fulham victory, shouldn't we? Yes, there's a lot of

contradictions. First 10 minutes, they scored a goal with the little

boy from Holland. He never played on the right! When Bobby Zamora got

hold of that ball in that position, were you thinking, we have lost it?

I was more disappointed with the way we had defended to let them

through. But once he goes round a goalie, you are expecting to see

the net bulging. But it didn't. From that, we took a lot of

confidence, and I think you saw the quality of Louis Saha. We are all

sick about that, but that is football. If he scores that one, I

think it was so hard, I don't know how you say it, like somebody

smacking you in the face, you do not have enough power to get up

again. Big three points, Alan, for your second favourite team.

Absolutely massive, because they have had three defeats on the spin.

Chelsea was by far the worst performance. So it was great for

them to get three points. Because they have got another big game next

week against when did Manchester United. It was a brilliant match,

great goals, great chances, for long will look at it and be really

three points, let alone one point. The goals were sensational. This

was a great strike from Drenthe. Beautiful strike. At the other end,

Murphy's unlucky. How that doesn't go in, I don't know. I don't think

Howard knows, either. And Fulham's goal, Kuala check this was from

Ruiz. Fabulous technique. -- what a chip. And then the mad minute,

first, Zamora gets the chance to win the game. Blasts it over the

bar. From the goal kick, literally, Tim Howard sends it upfield, and a

bit of quality, as the manager said, wins the game. Everton go away with

the three points. But it was a fantastically entertaining football

match. It was another brilliant game, what the Premier League is

all about. Best Match Of The Day 2 ever? That's why I read the links

at! What he was trying to say was, we like to give you the option of

even more sport, if you want it. American football is back on the

Not a minute to waste, as we had to the Emirates to see Arsenal, who

began today 12 points away from the top spot. And Stoke are no bodies

mugs. Robin van Persie has been walking all season, scoring goals

to keep Arsenal just about on the right Road. Although they are doing

well in Europe, domestically, Arsene Wenger's boys are still

unconvincing. Stoke are having a ball this season, loving every

minute of their Europa League adventure, and still performing in

the first time this season, as Arsenal take the bold decision to

rotate van Persie to the bench. It is the 100th league game at the

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in the middle... Push away by kind of challenge. Walcott is

beginning to worry him. That's a good header away under pressure by

absent. Ramsey with the shot. Arsenal side that can no longer

sell out its own games, it would first home goal for the club.

Skipped beyond the Stoke defence, a lovely ball played through to him.

well be that Crouch planted his feet on the ground and anticipated

Crouch. It is 1-1. Stoke have scored from a free-kick that

Arsenal the lead shouldn't have been given. Stoke played it so well.

Shawcross's gripping alone too headed back into the middle. From

thereon in, Arsenal were in trouble. shoulders of Chamakh? There was a

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switched off. Chamakh got across their talisman of 2011, Robin van

Persie. Disappointing day for Robin van Persie. 23 goals in 25

area. That Hedda could have caused him great problems. In the end, a

Arsenault's to 100th League goal at the Emirates Stadium. He left van

Persie on the bench hoping he would bring him on as an impact

substitute. Gervinho got the wrong side of the defender and van Persie

in off the goalkeeper gives Arsenal gets another. It was controversial,

they brought him on and he has won the game for Arsenal. Could the

goalkeeper have done better? Two more for van Persie. Nine this

season. It was all about Gervinho's pace and poor goalkeeping. Got away

from Upson, who struggled to get back to him. Gervinho picked out

van Persie, who stuck his foot on van Persie. At the moment, he is

unstoppable. We are spoilt tonight and Match Of The Day 2. Arsenal

scored back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Yet again

it was van Persie who shot them to victory. The two goals were crucial

in beating a Stoke side were again seemed to have Europa League

hangover. How frustrating was there to start the game on the bench?

at all. I spoke with the boss about it and we both thought that it was

the best decision to make. Is that because you just needed a rest?

Yeah, mainly because I've been playing lots of 90 minutes in the

last couple of weeks. I'm doing fine, the body is working well with

me. But we just both felt that today was a good chance to come on

later instead of starting the game. In the end it paid off it. Robin is

a special quality. His first touch always gives you a problem. He can

open teams up. Maybe the confidence of a team goes with it as well. His

moment in the box is absolutely fantastic. We are disappointed with

the second and third goal. We could have done better in both goals.

That is a disappointment. We've let Arsenal in behind us three times

today. More than three times, but three times that have cost us goals.

For the first time in 11 months, Arsenal have won in the lead after

eight champions League match. Important to get rid of that record.

Is that so? Yes. Very important. I love it a bit of a stats, it's a

get onto that in a second. Signs all over of improvement? A bit

better, four wins out of six in the Premier League. It's all about

confidence with Arsenal. Defensively they can still improve

but better. As for Stoke, 3 losses this season and all come after

Europa League games. They need to learn how to deal with that side of

it. The starting 11 on the bench, he is the real attraction. He is a

fantastic centre-forward and a great substitute as well. He has

the touch and technique. The movement in the box is second to

none. Arsenal were struggling at this stage, it was 1-1. 15 minutes

to go and how to finish it. I think this is even better. He drifts into

a position there between the two centre-backs. The left Tyneside

centre-back and the full-back. You watch his movement there. It is

like a predator ready to pounce. It is two or three yards, the pace and

movement. I think Arsenal have done really well to get back somewhere

near where they want to be. worrying thing is if he gets

injured. That is why Arsenal are protected him, just to keep him

fresh. If he gets injured, there is no natural goalscorer to come in

behind him. Chelsea next week. Massive game. Is that one of ours,

is that Sunday? I've just heard it's not. Next, the team looking

most likely to end Arsenal's run in the top four against a side to see

their marked every appearance in this show with a protest. Another

match, another march. Fans make their feelings towards beleaguered

Blackburn boss Steve Keane very clear. Just one win so far. Rovers

are second from bottom. Dark days for the former champions, but at

the moment Keane has the owner's' backing. It's happier days for

Spurs. The winning run ended with a draw at Newcastle last week, but

Harry's boys are firing. Winning four out of their last five,

scoring goals for fun. One thing is for sure, they are always

has received the public backing of his players. He made three changes

today, including a first start for way he is still revered, having

For the fourth game in a role, Spurs take the lead through van der

Vaart. He knows an awful lot to the presence of mind and the pace of

Kyle Walker, who made a brilliant burst from the right full-back

position. He outpaced Givet and had the thought and presence of mind to

have been but for a terrific piece irresistible at the moment. I think

it was Olsson that got the touch. Robinson. Robinson getting the

better of his nemesis on this occasion. In truth, Adebayor didn't

quite get the cleanest of contact when his ball came in at him. It

gave Robinson the chance to make Steve Keane. It was really well

executed. It wasn't an easy shot to take first time, as it dropped on

by Robinson. He suddenly put his foot on the accelerator and darted

into a gap that presented itself in foul by Shiva a on the back of van

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 57 seconds

they get into Blackburn territory. They do find room and space. They

are finding the right ball. Van der Vaart! Now they do find that goal.

He opened the scoring with a precise finish. He has now put

Spurs ahead with an equally effective curling shot. It bounced

off Assou-Ekotto. It was sat up to be hit by van der Vaart. These data

beyond the reach of Robinson. -- he eased it beyond the reach of

this throw. Samba comes forward. Samba's header. And that was a

devastating on the counter at times. Samba is deceptively quick for a

big fella. He kept pace with Gareth Bale. Luka Modric! Robinson with

the save. Blackburn fell asleep there, it was just a throw-in.

Modric thought he had scored. of the net. I think just for a

second, Friedel was back-pedalling desperately, he thought it was

The pressure heaps on Steve Kean, a protest before the game, and

another one after. It is only six wins in 30 matches in charge.

Rivers are now bottom. Spurs march on, five wins out of six now. But

today, it was close. They really worked hard, to hear people

demonstrating against a manager, I mean, the players have given

everything today. They fought to the last whistle, they put balls in

our box, what more can you do? The manager cannot do any more than

that. The supporters are allowed their own opinion, I respect that.

They were fully behind the team, that's all I can ask for. And Harry

has got it right, because I think they were worried, and they were

fortunate. Full credit to my lads, they got after Tottenham and made

it difficult. We know we can win every game, especially then we play

our game, we can win against everybody. Today was much better

than last week. That's why we won. How does it feel to be the centre

of that kind of negative attention? Somebody has got to take it. I have

got broad enough shoulders. I said to my players tonight, they can pat

themselves on the back for a performance that deserved more. If

anybody has a gripe, they can aim it at me. I will protect my players.

We will get organised and get back out and win games. First of all,

the football, Alan, another Dutch man to have a look at. Yes, Rafael

van der Vaart, another quality player, very much like van Persie.

Great appreciation of space. The first goal was excellent, the

second, sensational. Kyle Walker second, sensational. Kyle Walker

does really well here. We track Van der Vaart, when you look at him on

the edge of the box, just hanging back, and then that is a great

finish. But the second goal is just real quality. Just sensational.

When you see it from behind the goal, he gives the 'keeper no

goal, he gives the 'keeper no chance. It is all about timing and

placement, it is a great result for Tottenham. I watched them against

Newcastle last week, twice they went ahead, Newcastle got a point,

so that is a big result for them. And Blackburn, here's a problem,

Steve Kean handles himself with extreme dignity, but the fans pay

money to see the team, it is an unsavoury situation. It is, and

nobody likes to see it, but sometimes, if it is a big-name

manager, a manager that the fans want in the first place, he will

get more time. With Steve Kean, that is not the case, not

particularly the manager the fans wanted in the first place. Nobody

likes to see this. The thing he said in his interview was good,

that they are behind the team. So, he can take that, he has got broad

shoulders. But ultimately, they will drive you out if it stays like

that. It is a resource based business, but they are not far away.

They are not getting hammered every week. They just need one or two

little breaks and they might turn the corner. Despite all the

football tonight, we will not abandon our pledge to bring you all

abandon our pledge to bring you all the action from Saturday. We begin

time these days, with Newcastle making their best start in years.

Moses! That's a find save by Tim Krul. He saw it very late.

Rodallega! Could not find the target. Demba Ba! It was straight

at Al Habsi. Newcastle thought for first ever Newcastle goal for Yohan

Cabaye. Two West Midlands wins in the row for the Baggies. Derbies

are always a bit tasty. Darren Bent! Alan Hutton then pulled out

his best street fighter slide on Shane Long, and after licking his

wounds, Long decided he fancied round two. But it was game over for

Shane Long as he went off injured. Is that a penalty? It is. Steven

Reid wants the goalkeeper to come, and Agbonlahor nipped in first.

When Foster did get there, he got there too late. Darren Bent has

scored the penalty. The Baggies got a penalty after Chris Herd

allegedly stamped on Jonas Olsson. Replays were inconclusive. More

than a penalty, a red card. Chris finish. Paul Scharner gives West

Bromwich Albion the lead. Up the M6, Wolverhampton Wanderers left it

effort, fine save. Graham in space, Joe Allen! It's two. Mick McCarthy

made two changes. You do not know what you're doing, shouted the wolf

pack. Hindsight is a wonderful penalty turned down. Time for that

come back. Sam Vokes! Doyle's cause! -- Doyle scores! O'Hara! 2-

2! Both these sides had tough stance to the season, but it was

Steve Bruce who came out on top at the Reebok. Richardson blocked

twice, unbelievably. Connor Wickham... He has hit the bar.

Larsson's corner. It is in! And deservedly so, Sessegnon gives

want a penalty, but the referee says no. Colback is tearing down

the middle. Game over! A belting game at Anfield, and when asked if

she would take a point, Delia said, let's be having you. It was mainly

Liverpool in the first half. Suarez! Downing! Splendid

goalkeeping. Craig Bellamy! Against his old side. Scores for Liverpool.

Luis Suarez! It is off the post again. Charlie Adam... No free kick.

Grant Holt! Oh, what a moment for Norwich City. Delia Smith,

goalkeeping, point blank range. Just over a minute left. Andy

Carroll! Suarez! How about that for a save! Outstanding! And that is

your weekend of Premier League football. What a weekend it has

been. Absolutely. Sensational. mind boggles as to what tomorrow's

back-page headlines will be. It will be better than that, and

furthers his nest again. And Spurs won at Blackburn. City are now the

favourites to win the title, moving That's it from us, on what has

arguably been the most eventful Match Of The Day to ever. In that