03/03/2013 Match of the Day 2

Are we going to like a fuse? 10, 9, Highlights of the biggest Premier

League fixture of the weekend on Match Of The Day 2 tonight, along

with February's Goal of the Month and all the action from yesterday,

all in the company of Alan Hansen, John Hartson and, I'm sure to the

delight of all Arsenal and Spurs fans alike, Sol Campbell. White

Hart Lane is the only place to This is the joint highest scoring

for sure in Premier League history with 121 goals, 33 coming in the

last six memorable matches. Despite two wins in the last two matches

for Arsenal these neighbours are close. Tottenham, unbeaten at home

since November, and Arsenal, despite the hullabaloo, have won

four a to of the last five. Both have home-grown talents that are

lighting up the league. finish up of Arsene Wenger for the

first time? Unbeaten in 11 games and with Gareth Bale possibly the

most scintillating player in Europe they make the rather better chance,

amid reports of a �1.5 billion Middle-East takeover of the Gunners.

AVB, looking for a first managerial victory against Arsenal, makes two

changes from Monday's victory at for the red car at Arsenal in

November that cost them the game. Other Diaby has a calf strain, so

Aaron Ramsey stars. -- starts. One year and one week ago, Tottenham

Hotspur were 2-0 up at the Emirates and effectively 10 points clear of

Arsenal, they lost the game and because of the challenge from

Vertonghen. He saved Tottenham Hotspur. Good vision, good

execution of the pass, but hesitation, and the chances gone. -

- chance is gone. Monreal was not strong enough, but he recover. This

is the first time the Arsenal defence has to withstand Real

pressure. Something has been thrown on the pitch over there. Looks like

a banana, to me. The assistant referee picks it up. We could hear

more about that later. Gareth Bale with the corner kick, touched away

initially, he comes out to Assou- Ekotto, and Adebayor takes a tumble

middle, he is through on goal, Gareth Bale! There was no stopping

the boy from Wales. 20 goals this season. He made the run, Arsenal

failed to track, Adebayor might have been offside but he was not

interfering. And the hottest property in British football scores.

11 goals in 12 games for club and country this calendar year. He

might never enjoy such a prolific spell again. Enjoy it will you can,

is onside, at 2-0, Spurs! The same field offside trap, same result, up

2-0, Tottenham Hotspur, two goals in two minutes, and the Arsenal

centre-backs look at each other. They gave it away. You could drive

a bus between the gap between the defenders and Thomas Vermaelen had

switched off, Aaron Lennon was onside, and Arsenal are in a pickle,

now. No peripheral vision, a lack of awareness, statuesque defenders,

one pass these them all. Aaron Lennon takes advantage with his

third goal against Arsenal in north London derbies. And that is what it

meant. Arsenal desperately need to improve in key areas, defensively.

He has been in this position before, too many times, perhaps, for has

first foul, not the second one. Theo Walcott will take it. Per

Mertesacker with the goal! Game on again. He likes playing Tottenham.

He scored against them in November and he gets his second Arsenal goal

against them. Surely not again, the Spurs fans think. Good, in swinging

free kick, a little bit of luck about they header, and the goal

from Per Mertesacker levelled it at the Emirates, and he has brought

Arsenal level again. Well Spurs throwaway another two-goal lead

against Arsenal? It would be unforgivable, but they still lead

played, Hugo Lloris. The cross fail to pick out Aaron Ramsey and

Olivier Giroud, but the goalkeeping was sound and brave. Defeat in the

north London Derby would have a crumpling effect on the confidence

of the manager, but I absolutely believe he will be in place at the

chance for Spurs, and he went too early. Over the top it went.

Injuries have limited Tomas Rosicky to a cameo role this season.

Fantastic pass to Jermain Defoe. Gareth Bale arrives in support,

Arsenal lopsided, and Per Mertesacker clears it. Arsenal lost

it higher up the pitch. The pass released Gylfi Sigurdsson. He was

in on goal, and could not finish. Spurs have had two good

opportunities to put the game beyond Arsenal. David Dein, Heavy

former German who played such an important role in Arsene Wenger's

early years at the club, is I think Mark Clattenburg has been

excellent. That was a painful one. Right on top of the foot. Can Theo

Walcott do a Gareth Bale? It was perilously close for Spurs. That

was some strike. About one foot wide. Bending the wrong way,

unfortunately, but they were the attempt. -- a worthy attempt. Lukas

Podolski - deflected away. It is a corner kick to Arsenal. Michael

Dawson flung himself at it, and Lukas Podolski was denied. His

Arsene Wenger entirely happy with that? Four minutes of stoppage time

have slipped away. Could this be Arsenal's last chance, and it goes

beyond the far post, good Ramsey has to get it up into the

next, and Olivier Giroud attacks it from a standing position. It is

cleared away by Kyle Walker. Wojciech Szczesny has to get there.

It is a free kick. Power locker is going to get a yellow card for

kicking the ball away, and another 30 seconds will be added, for that.

This is the last chance for Arsenal. The pendulum of power in north

London is ready to swing, perhaps. Tottenham have won! What a victory

for Rhyl! Seven points clear of Arsenal. They all run from Gareth

Bale, Aaron Lennon needed two within two minutes, then a header

from Per Mertesacker, but it was Seven points macro is not big

enough in the Premier League. feels sorry for the team and of

course the fans. -- you feel sorry for the team. It is always a big

disappointment. He based started well. -- Arsenal started well.

had some problems. The first goal helped us to bring Arsenal down.

will be difficult now. We will fight. We will keep that spirit and

go into the next game with the same attitude. It means a lot to their

fans. The suffering they went through last year was tremendous. I

think everybody is on the alert. Everybody understands it is not

over. It is an important win. fair result? I think so. I think

Tottenham defended unbelievably. They were very organised. To be

honest, the first 25 minutes, Arsenal had control of the game.

Tottenham did not push too much. They did not ask too many questions.

Once questions were asked of Arsenal, there were cracks. They

were out of sync, communication was down. Is it a simple as that? West

bears just better? The game was won in the first half. Arsenal were a

shambles. The minute you start pushing away from that 18 yard line

it gets complicated. It is about communication and leadership. The

centre backs have to play off one another. If a fall-back is behind

the centre back, the only way that can work is if they can influence a

back. That line was tight. Walker got back and it was solid. That's

your warning in the first five minutes. He Gareth Bale was unlucky

there. He this was the third morning. Here is warning number

four. Watch here. Per Mertesacker went back. Arsenal created space

for Tottenham. The danger was not Gareth Bale or other by your. --

the danger was not Gareth Bale or Before the game, people were

talking about Gareth Bale. Theo Walcott was fantastic. I know he

did not get any joy but he lookout. Nobody is picking him out.

I do not know why. For some strange reason, nobody is picking him out

today. Usually when you are running and running, and not getting

anything, you stop running, but he kept running. There are wonderful

talented passers. Again, he is Ian Rush used to say what everyone

you make, you have made that 20 times before. Absolutely. They will

stop making the runs. Theo Walcott today just kept on running.

would you rate it? He had a huge strikers would have stick it there.

Gareth elected run across his body and that was an exquisite finish. -

- Gareth let it run across his body. He is equally as good with his

right foot. He went out wide. Gareth got into the box. Look at

that ball. That is outstanding. He shows great desire to get into the

That was an own-goal, wasn't it? We are going to talk about AVB. He

spurned by Chelsea, he has all the players playing for him at the

moment. Failed at Chelsea, he goes to Tottenham, the first five or six

games, the jury was out. They're playing fantastic football now. The

players are 100 per cent behind him. I can see a rosy future for AVB.

three points for Spurs and the plot thickens in the three-way London

battle for Champions League places, so before we talk about that in

detail, we catch up with what has been an eventful week for Rafa

Benitez and Chelsea, and wherever there is a story, Kevin Day is

sniffing around nearby. Is the empire about to implode? Roman

general after a Roman general have been dispatched ruthlessly and

without mercy. No matter how successful they have been. This

week, Rafa Benitez has shown there are still issues. Roman Abramovich

has been massively successful. His relationship with managers,

questionable. Is the massive megalomaniac or a generous

benefactor? Let's talk to the people of Chelsea, the people that

matter. This club is a mess. chairman has questions to answer

but he never will answer those. am still here for the team but it

is out of order. I have always wanted to sit in a leather chair

and be interviewed on television. He there will be double on his back

now. Whatever he said, people will always feared he was the role

appointment. People who make the appointments are not listening to

fans. Unrest among the hoi polloi. Things are never easy at Chelsea.

At the press expecting another changed? When this club gave Carlo

Ancelotti the sack, they seem to be potential. I think it is the most

ill-advised appointment probably in the history of Chelsea football. I

think it would be better for everybody when he leaves. Does it

cut the atmosphere when you have a chairman who was that strong, that

powerful? I think both chairmen have been good for the club. Ken

Bates in his way, no matter what people say, I think he was good for

the club and I think Roman Abramovich has been wonderful.

today's battle. Jonathan Pearce Foster. He -- good reactions there

reaction. Demba Ba. Chelsea are winning this game easily. That was

a brilliant save. Good reflexes They were not behind you. Did you

lose your temper on Wednesday? trying to enjoy today. It has been

a long and emotional day at St but you six. One thing we have learned

his managers come and go, but the Roman Empire will: Regardless. --

the Roman Empire will roll on regardless. One thing he has shown,

he has amazing strength of character. He has shown amazing

strength. He will have a better band balance! We know where the

trophy is going. Alan, I know you are not a fan of looking at

fixtures, so I have broken them Tottenham have got hard fixtures. I

think they will definitely finish in the top four. I think Chelsea

will. I think Arsenal will be out of the top four. A as you all know,

you cannot take any fixture for granted. There will be teams

fighting for their lives. It is hard to predict. I think Arsenal

will go one amazing round. John, who has the strongest side?

paper, it looks like Chelsea. Top- drawer players. I think the top 11

would be Spurs. Does that mean by default Arsenal are the biggest?

Yes. 32 goals to show you before we say goodbye, and a lot of sport on

the way on the BBC. Some big commentaries coming up this week on

Five Live Sport, starting tomorrow evening with a big match between

Aston Villa and Manchester City in the Premier League. Then on

Wednesday it's all about the Champions League and the second leg

of Manchester United, Real Madrid. That's live from Old Trafford from

7pm. Also, memories of Bill Beaumont and Crazyhorse fills the

mind as question of sport reaches Ten of the best from February, this

clearly being the best, so expect John Hartson to pick something

entirely different in February's Goal of the Month. Right now, we

begin our round up of all of Saturday's action with the league

leaders, a new star in red and the birthday boys. Strivers took on

survivors yesterday. Bucking the trend, the match at St Mary's

Stadium. Southampton against QPR was the first big relegation six.

Match of the season. -- six point match. Goal for Remy. He caught

and Gaston Ramirez scores the equaliser for Southampton. One

minute into added time at the end Bothroyd! QPR are back in front.

Jay Bothroyd, in seven to seven minutes. And Harry Redknapp returns

to St Mary's for the first time as a manager and takes three points. A

good response to some headlines this morning. It was a disgusting

story in the newspaper, completely full of untruths. Nobody could have

worked harder than those players did, in Dubai. So it is completely

and utterly fabricated, that story. It has got no substance and no

truth to it whatsoever. That was a good day for QPR as a Reading and

Wigan Athletic failed to get anything against Liverpool and

Everton. And there is Marouane Fellaini, and Everton are in front,

three minutes before half-time. Steven Pienaar, going it alone,

wonderful strike. It has broke into Steven Pienaar, he returns it to

Kevin Mirallas, and it is 3-0. Surely the three points safe for

Everton. And Reading have got one back through Hal Robson-Kanu,

ball, and that is a very good long pass. Coutinho goes past the

challenge at the livers to Stewart Downing, Liverpool lead. Cracking

start at the DW Stadium for Liverpool. Steven Gerrard, back to

the Brazilian, Coutinho come again. Luis Suarez collects and converts

Foster 17 minutes in and Liverpool have an two goal lead at the DW

Stadium. Luis Suarez, it was deflected, and it is in, off the

post. This might be well over, well before the break. Nobody can stop

him at the moment. Glen Johnson powers through, and finds Luis

Suarez, Coutinho is breaking on the left, and Luis Suarez does it by

himself, to complete his hat-trick. He has taken his Premier League

tally of goals from 18-21 in just over a half of football. In the end,

United continued their surge towards title number 20. That touch

from van Persie to Shinji Kagawa, 1-0. And it has come in stoppage

time at the end of the first half. Shinji catch up -- is it -- Kagawa

with the goal. 2-0, beautiful finish, Kagawa. He has doubled his

goal tally for United today. Is this that trick? Yes, it is. -- the

hat-trick. He has come of age today from Manchester United. Shinji

Caddell wire has three. -- Kagawa. Rooney, brilliant goal. I am sorry,

Shinji Kagawa, but that tops the After a couple of games, Coutinho

is catching the eye for Liverpool. He has got great vision and

awareness. He has got the lot. It is the ball to Stewart Downing that

is sensational. He puts it on a plate. It is a great pass, and

great first touch to Luis Suarez, and it is a great goal. And we talk

about pushing up and holding the line, and Wigan get it wrong. Gary

Caldwell should be able to get across and cover-up that. The

player on the left-hand side. But, unfortunately he's in front. He

puts the hand-up, thinking it is offside, but it is not offside,

Luis Suarez comes in and it is another great goal. Luis Suarez,

Gareth Bale, Robin van Persie, best player? Suarez! We have you go, we

have decided. -- there you go. Three more games then from Saturday,

with the vast majority of team involved still craving valuable

points. Swansea could achieve at the Holy Grail of 40 Premier League

points yesterday. For the others, that magic number is some way off,

There was contact on Dejagah. Casual as you like. Sascha Riether

is storming off on the counter attack. Dejagah goes on the outside.

Dejagah, and Sasha Riise tucks in. -- Sascha Riether. Is that a

penalty? Yes, it is. No hesitation from the referee. And it was an

emphatic penalty by Craig Gardner. The game opening up. Adam Johnson,

and Stephane Sessegnon. He equalises for Sunderland. With 20

minutes remaining, Sunderland have might have clipped the top of the

crossbar. Right on to the top of the crossbar. Guy Demel and Ricardo

Vaz Te, combining. What a chance, right at the end when Jack Collison,

when there has barely been any sight of goal. Andy Carroll looked

as if he might have been impeded. But West Ham are one up, at the

the crossbar. It is not away yet, but it is now, from James Collins.

Charlie Adam, thumping it towards the goal. It took a little

deflection to make even more difficult to save, and the crossbar

came to Jussi Jaaskelainen's 8. -- body but I do not think that was a

penalty. I think Andy Carroll drags him down and pulls his short and

pulls him down. It is a blatant the situation? Yohan Cabaye - were

a shot! Off the top of the crossbar. That is the closest Newcastle have

come to scoring by some considerable margin. Michu with the

shot, he almost knocked Steven Taylor Alden with the force of that

shot. -- Stephen Taylor over. And it falls for Luke Moore a! The

deadlock is broken. And it is Luke Moore. It was the challenge of

Yohan Cabaye that effectively redirected the ball into the corner

of the net. It caught a bit heated, the conversation about best player,

Player of the Season. What is the cut-off point about Riise fan to so

many dry? Before yesterday you would have said QPR were in big

trouble. They one against the odds yesterday, the next four games,

Sunderland, Fulham and Wigan, there could be some points from that. The

bottom four are in trouble. We talk about teams getting dragged back.

about teams getting dragged back. It does not happen that often.

think Queen's Park Rangers have got a chance. That was a big three

points yesterday, away to Southampton. When Harry Redknapp

took over I was not so sure. But Sunderland at home, Wigan at home,

those are games that are winnable. It will be down to the bottom five.

The rest have a better squads, so I think it will be from the bottom

five. And it falls to John Hartson to pick February's goal of the

Frank Lampard, he just keeps us going. That was out of nowhere. --

Frank Lampard, he just keeps on scoring. That was a great effort.

Great golf. -- Great goal. What about that? How many hours of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 70 seconds

Enrique. Fabulous. Will take finish. Brilliant goal. It was an absolute

He is a giant of a man and it is a He adopted! I do not believe it. --

25 yards out and Gareth Bale shoot. This and wins the goal -- This wins

We are nearly finished. Today's headlines and the melt and montage.

No defence for Arsenal, as Spurs hold out for a precious 2-1 win at

White Hart Lane against their bitterest of rivals, Arsenal. So

Manchester United have a massive 15-point lead over neighbours City,

who can cut the gap when they play their game in hand tomorrow night.

That victory in today's north London derby means Tottenham have

moved to within two points of second place - and they are now

seven points clear of Arsenal. QPR are still rock bottom despite

winning yesterday, but glimmers of light beginning to appear. Aston

Villa will move out of the relegation zone if they can get

anything out of the visit of Manchester City on Monday. And with

that we move onto tonight's Alternative table, which honours

today's north London derby with just results between all six London

clubs. Spurs way ahead after that win today, with Arsenal in second

place and with the most goals scored. Chelsea have a game in hand

so not much to choose between the top three. Spurs way ahead after

that win today, with Arsenal in second place and with the most

goals scored. Chelsea have a game in hand so not much to choose

between the top three. West Ham have played the most and conceded

the most goal, while QPR are managing more than a point per

London fixture, which woud be enough to stay up if they

replicated that across the league. Fulham bottom but games in hand.

The London only table. That's all from us, on a week when the main

football headlines centred around another priceless Rafa rant. If you