05/05/2013 Match of the Day 2

but did they blow red for hot or blue for called? As well as goal of

the month, all of the action from yesterday and a seasonal climax, in

the company of Alan Shearer and Pat Nevin. We begin at Old Trafford.

This will be Chelsea 's 65th game of the season, 13 more than their

hosts, but United have already won the title. But Chelsea's season goes

on, they have a U Roper League two win, they do not want to defend it

next year, so three points are vital. Each match between them this

season has been entertaining, controversial and full of golf, so

for the fifth and final time this season, Manchester United against

starring these two feuding families. Bring on the champions, screams the

programme. Huge banners are already flying. United have not been slow in

ramming home the latest point in the running psychological battle. Anders

Lindegaard has his first league appearance in five matches #5

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is capable of great athleticism. He had to readjust, he could not get

anything on the header in the end. Rafa Benitez has lost five of his

saved Manchester United there. Oscar ran over half the length of the

field, Manchester United backpedalling. The goalkeeper would

have seen it late from behind Nemanja Vidic. It was a decent save

in the end, the post help. Chelsea handful. Goodness me! Not a finish

to befit the Theatre of dreams. That is a very poor finish. Rafa Benitez

to Germany, one newspaper said this United. First down the right-hand

side, such a dangerous ball in. United creating danger down their

left. Petr Cech sprawled, he could Manchester United. Sheer quality. A

magnificent ball, ending onto the foot of Robin van Persie. No more

He saw that Robin van Persie had crept into space. The header was

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looked as if Manchester United had a was on David Luiz's shoulder, and he

told him. It might just have been outside the box. How would Webb was

a long way away, but his assistant was very close. Chelsea should have

he covers ground. Robin van Persie timed his run perfectly. Chelsea are

playing the more fluent attacking He had to snatch at it. He poked it

over. He stays on 201. They are missing the trickery of Eden

Hazard. He suffered from a tight calf muscle. They did not think it

was worth the risk, with the games could not get over it. He has 16

goals, lacking behind Robin van Persie on 29. The goalkeeper on the

imposition, if he had been stronger in the air, what a chance! The one

attacking player they would not want wondering quite David Luiz missed

it, which left a gap. As a centre half, you cannot miss a tackle fared

like that. Manchester United were know it is an important game, but

you cannot react towards a referee like that. It was a Chelsea

throwing, he had every cause to be aggrieved. If he does not shut up,

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he will talk himself off the pitch. to go. Manchester United believe

they should have had a foul at the other end. But they still had plenty

of time to get it away. It was a clever pass by Oscar. It went in the

armed Anders Lindegaard. I do not think it took a deflection. Oh, it

did. It just came off Phil Jones, and that took it past the

goalkeeper. At the other end, Ramires has won the ball cleanly.

Wayne Rooney's leg caught the back of his standing foot, that is not a

foul. The referee got it right. Manchester United are behind. The

Chelsea fans are singing, they have not won here in their last four

Giggs involved in pushing and shoving with Ramires. Frank Lampard

trying to calm things down. You can see Rafael's tempo building up. He

swung his foot, he caught David Luiz, and it is a red card. Rafael

is sent off. David Luiz was holding the wall, he bumped into him, that

is why he was frustrated. It was a crude attempt to win the ball, but

look at David Luiz smiling. He has done himself no favours there. It is

games, and this is the first one. It is very important for us, because we

play Tottenham on Wednesday. If we win that, we will be in the top

four, but we still have games to Everybody at the club, we had a bit

of pressure, because we want to play in the Champions League next

season, it is a very important challenge for the club. We were

missing our age today. We made some changes, but there was always the

expectation that you should always be better, and we expected a better

performance today. What about the sending-off? He retaliated, he was

quite clearly elbowed twice by Luiz, who rolled about like a dying swan,

and I think that convinced the referee. There was a shot of him

lying on the ground with a smile on his face. It is bad, isn't it? It

is not professional. Good kip I have a lot of moments of

satisfaction, because you can see the players on the pitch, training,

working hard, winning games. I said before, with all of the

circumstances that we have around, I think we are doing the job we

have to do. Hopefully we can finish at the end doing even better.

Massively important match. You think of dropping two points when

Suarez got the late goal, but if they get the win against Tottenham

in the week, they are basically there, because of the better goal

difference. So, it was massively important today. We did have a bit

of controversy in the game, but first of all, what about the goal?

I thought Jonathan Pearce called it I thought Jonathan Pearce called it

perfectly. It was a very good tackle from Ramires on Wayne Rooney.

He gets the touch, but from this other Engel, you can see, Wayne

Rooney gets his right boot behind his left one, but you can see that

Ramires gets the ball cleanly, I think. It is a very good tackle,

and they take the ball forward. It summed up Manchester United today,

that. It was a poor clearance here, comes back into Ramires, and I am

thinking, he has got to shoot. But it comes back to Oscar, who finds

Mata. It was a decent strike, I think it went through the legs of

Jones. There has been talk of it being an own goal, but not for me,

you have to give that to Mata, who was by far the best player on the

Park. Up until that point, we were saying, is used to aim for United

against Chelsea... Yes, it was bordering on soporific. I was half

asleep. He is always half asleep. But if you want a game livened up,

you can depend on David Luiz. He does it almost every time. He is

the guy you enjoy watching for the good things, and the bad things, as

we know. I think he shows a lot of strength here, and I think he is a

wee bit miffed. But he is really positive, really strong. I do not

know if that is a foul. At this point, he is really pushing it

already, right in the face of the referee. But this is when it gets

really dodgy. I do not know about an elbow, but he is certainly over-

strong. The referee lets it go. That is point, you're thinking, he

has lost it. Whether he gets it right or not, it is a couple of

Brazilians together, but that was when the tackle hits, and you can

see how far away the ball was. You cannot call for it to tackle.

not like this. Smiling at the fans, but the second time he rolls over,

to pretend he is injured, I'm afraid, I do not like that. Look

what she says, yellow card, please. To be fair... I do not like this.

He is better than that. It is not the sending-off which leads to the

big fracas. Ryan Giggs is fuming about that, he says, we do not do

that. It annoys the living daylights... Frank Lampard says, we

daylights... Frank Lampard says, we understand, he is wrong. He is

doing it again, Frank Lampard... Referees have been told to clamp

down on that, and I hate that, showing imaginary cards, it does

not belong in this country. To not construe this as token what do, but

how good has Sian Massey been? There was a bit of controversy, but

she has to be 10 got the better than of August, and she has been.

It is nothing against the other officials that are running the line,

she just does not get things wrong. She is almost like a machine, in

the best possible sense. She is very special. What about Manchester

United's performance today? thought they were very sloppy,

particularly going forward. They got into some excellent positions

without getting the ball into the without getting the ball into the

box. They were sloppy. This comes into Valencia, he can take a touch,

but he tries to put it in first time. Andersen saying, calm down.

Phil Jones breaks with the ball here, and eventually he comes out

on to the right side, and look at the options he has got. Too much

weight on it. The final ball was poor again. Valencia have the

chance to play it in, chooses not to, takes an extra touch. Straight

into the hands of Petr Cech. It probably, this was the worst one of

the lot, Rafael, with three options to pick out, and he picks none of

them. That summed United up, they were poor. We're going to return to

everyone's favourite player from that game, David Luiz. You know the

scene from escape to Victory, with Pele going up to the chalk board,

was that the position that David Luiz was playing today? Officially,

he was playing centre-back. What I like about him is the fact that you

want to pass the ball in to strikers. The sees space. And he

drives into it. Keep on watching him at the bottom of the screen

here. He does not run back, he just cruises around. He thinks, and I

want to get back up there for a shot at goal. It passes this one a

bit too far, but keep an eye on him, he thinks, I might have a chance

here. Have a look at David Luiz here. And have a look at the

referee running past him. As you say, he is not killing himself to

get back. He understands that others will do the job for him, but

he wants to play in midfield. looking at the United team, there

is a bit of chat about the starting XI. I am absolutely fine with it.

Alex Ferguson has got nothing to do with Tottenham or Arsenal. His main

concern is Manchester United, not any other team. And any other top

team would have the same philosophy. We're going to move on to Anfield,

and the Merseyside derby which could decide which side of Stanley

Park enjoys the bragging rights over the summer months. There will

be no silver were on display in Mersey side this season, but there

is a local title to be won. Everton are favourites to finish above

Liverpool for the second season in a row, but they have not finished

above Liverpool -- they have not beaten Liverpool at Anfield since

1999. Liverpool want to show there is more to them than just Luis

Suarez. Watching the 220th Merseyside derby, Steve Wilson. If

this is a fixture which has fallen on hard times, which is struggling

for significance, you would never know it. Anfield is growling with

an atmosphere as good as the glory days. It is a special rivalry, but

there is also a special bond, and a message of thanks from red to blue

today for their support as the Hillsborough cover-up unravelled.

It was no Suarez, no problem, for Liverpool at Newcastle. It is no

surprise that they are unchanged. It will be Jamie Carragher's 30th

and last Merseyside derby. In the last 50 years, in which Everton and

Liverpool have been together in the top flight, the Blues have never

finished above the Reds in successive seasons. Well, they will

if they win today. But David Moyes has never had a victory at Anfield.

Today, he leaves Jelavic on the bench, and brings back Darren

Liverpool, tries to find Daniel Sturridge. Great bowl. Coutinho

arriving in the middle, and Downing... Here's Downing...

Leighton Baines underneath it for start to the game. Daniel Sturridge

with the shot, goal-kick. The first really fluent attack of the game.

It started with a great ball from Henderson to Daniel Sturridge, and

finished with him shooting wide. It is his 25th taste of the Merseyside

derby. The relationship between David Moyes and Bill Kenwright is

the heartbeat of Everton's continuing success. Lovely ball by

Jagielka, finds Coleman. Was a nice turn by Mirallas, but Lucas to kick

off him. Steven Gerrard goes along to Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge,

possibly a bit selfish, with three teammates arriving. Eight goals in

11 Liverpool appearances so far for on Steven Pienaar. Liverpool are

aggrieved about what they thought was a handball decision which did

Everton in front. That's a really good ball from Leon Osman.

Coleman... Corner kick. And Jose Enrique wanting Henderson to wake

up. The Baines' corner, dangerous. It has gone behind for a goal kick.

minutes of football you have ever seen, in all honesty. Downing,

kick, Liverpool, Fellaini onlookers. That was a big chance for the

out. Gerrard... It was not that far fans will see him on the pitch

again, assuming he does stay over the summer. Phil Thompson,

alongside Ian Rush, who was the scourge of Everton for so many

years. Daniel Sturridge! Chance for Coutinho! Great tackle by Phil

Jagielka. Tremendous defending. That was Downing, lovely touch from

Henderson and a brilliant tackle to Coutinho. Lovely ball... Daniel

Sturridge! But he cannot beat Tim Howard. The ball is still in play.

That was Liverpool's best chance so far. Henderson... Daniel Sturridge!

Side netting. This was a great pass a corner. Everton's fourth corner of

the game. Liverpool had only had one. Michael Oliver having a word

with Victor Anichebe and Jose Enrique. It is in the back of the

net, but the whistle has gone. Sylvain Distin thought he had

scored, but the whistle of Michael Oliver ruled it out. Victor Anichebe

gets a yellow card for his protests. I wondered if it is him blocking

Pepe Reina. There is not a lot of Distin. That was great covering from

Sylvain Distin. Steven Gerrard did fantastically. Lovely weight on the

pass from Daniel Sturridge. Sylvain Distin arrived in the nick of time

for Everton. They have only conceded one goal in their last four games,

and awkward. Pepe Reina puts it behind for a corner. Just over three

minutes to go, that would be close. Sylvain Distin as frustrated

as anyone after his headed goal was disallowed. David Moyes who wait for

a victory at Anfield goes on, it has day with a lot of positions, but we

have had that in the past, and I do not want to whinge, but we scored a

legitimately good goal today. you ask the referee about it?

spoke to Victor and said he committed a foul. We looked in the

dressing room, and I do not see anything, but it is easy to look at

it in a dressing room. When it is life, it is more difficult to judge.

When I saw it initially, the referee had loan when the ball was in the

air, so he has made the header and then it was disallowed. He has blown

for the foul, you can see it clearly, so it would not be a goal.

They did not play as well as they can, that is often the way in derby

games, that is why the defence has come out on top. Credit to Everton,

if they come here and get a draw, it is a good result for them. How much

does it mean to do, this thing about finishing above Liverpool two years

running? It is not significant, we need to get back into Europe, that

is what we need. We are desperate to try and give those nights back to

the supporters. Your final Merseyside derby, how does it feel?

It is sad, I am disappointed we did not get the result. But the draw was

a fair result, Everton got what they wanted. I am fortunate to have been

able to work with him this year, to see what the main polity -- the

mentality is like for somebody of that ilk. His performance level was

outstanding, and we will really miss It turned out to be a damp squib. I

should almost apologise to people for not giving away the results!

Should Everton have had all three points? You are asking me first, I

know what Alan will think! There is nothing wrong with it. The referee

had a word beforehand. Watch Victor Anichebe. As it comes in, is he

fouling or is he standing his ground? I think he is standing his

ground. He should not have to get out of the way because the

goalkeeper is coming. The referee blows early, to be fair. I do not

see anything wrong with that at all. The only thing I thought he might

have given the free kick for, coming into the picture now, a little shove

on Jamie Carragher, but it is given for Victor Anichebe. What can he

do? He cannot disappear. It was one of those, we were expecting more,

but it was disjointed and cagey, not many chances. Last week, Liverpool

were rampant against Newcastle. It did not happen many times today.

Daniel Sturridge was isolated on his own. Steven Gerrard picks his head

up, a fantastic early ball, direct, look how long it takes people to get

up to support him. We are talking five or six seconds. By the time

people get up, he has got no option but to have a shot. Into Jose

Enrique, it is no contest. It is a poor ball, he is the only one in the

box. He looks up again, this time he sees both of them, Phil Jagielka and

Sylvain Distin. He will not win the header. It is a damp squib again.

This was the worst of the lot, a long ball forward, and I think, what

will he do? Nothing whatsoever. The second half was probably the best

bit of quality of the game. A lovely little ball, in behind, a good run,

but he goes round him, and there is nobody near him. For defenders in

the box, and this is three or four seconds after the pass. It happened

all afternoon. Credit all day long to those whose job is to defend, but

from an Everton point of view, they got their tactics right. Yes,

Everton wanted to stifle the midfield. They pushed Liverpool

further back in the game went on. He gets whacked, three of them around

him, do not give him space. With no Luis Suarez, the expectation is

elsewhere for the creativity. Look at how a leaky is tackled. This is

the big moment, perfect room, he has finally got a 1-2. If you play the

ball there, he is in for a tap in. He would have played that ball to

Daniel Sturridge, if it was the other way round. When he gets the

ball, he will constantly be surrounded by Everton players. He

has got the quality to get a flick. Look at how furious he is, he knows

he is the creative player. He has done well to tackle and create

space, but look at the players around him. Nobody in the box to

help him. By this point, he is finding space, that is lovely. That

is what Everton did to him all afternoon. They closed him down, if

he got past one, there was another one there. He played well, but

Everton stifle him enough. Both of the games tonight have been

practical, because some weekends we are spoiled, some of the world's

best players, football at an amazing pace, amazing goals, but today was

awful. People would have got their beer or fizzy pop, the pizza was

ready... We have tried to make this look good! I have kept this to the

best players. That is not the best pass you have seen! We often talk

about the greatness and the great goals. Who is that to from Ramires?

! It was like that all afternoon. This was the best of the lot!

is Robin van Persie. This was both games. There were some big mistakes.

A real mess of an afternoon. We are not going to pretend it was anything

else. You expect one or two of those balls in an afternoon. That is a bad

pass. It is great players. Wayne Rooney, with a good through ball to

Ramires! I have not seen many afternoons like this. Apart from

that, they were great games! Thankfully, we can promise you more

goals than you can count, all of the big moments from yesterday, all of

congratulations to Hull City from in one place, and you are safe in

the hands of Kevin, who spent Saturday in the shadows of Upton

the Newcastle fans. They are on their way to West Ham after a

terrible month. @ Pancras, that is where the Eurostar is, from where

happened? It is incredible, so many excuses about Europe, they were

saying they were tired for the Sunderland game. They should be on

adrenaline alone. The only thing you can give Alan Pardew, you should

always invest in a position of strength. The second half against

Liverpool looked awful. This is the train that goes to the Olympic

Stadium. Newcastle's season looks like it is falling flat. Everybody

got too comfortable, too early. is the mood about Alan Pardew? The

club seem to be on the back foot, banning newspapers. When you are

forced into a corner, you fight back, and that is what he has done.

I thought I would crack you outside the press box, because you have been

naughty! What have you been up to? have been banned for writing the

story about tensions in the dressing room. I thought it needed to be

addressed. The timing is not ideal, I hope we see a reaction. The

players are good, but it takes time to settle in England. Newcastle are

going to have to stay united to stay line? Maybe not. Much better from

Simpson with the challenge. Somehow, it has stayed out. Brilliant work

from the goalkeeper. Jaaskelainen has committed himself. So close to!

Newcastle United respond, as Alan Pardew wanted them to. The players

needed to show that a lot of what has been said this week was

complete rubbish. Some of the stories were way off the mark, no

stories were way off the mark, no foundation to them, and unfair.

is only a six minute train journey back, but it was not the best, was

it? I was not so sure about Ben Arfa getting taken off. And

Coloccini in defence made a huge difference. We have got people

watching the ball bounce. We are worried about where we are. So, six

hours and six minutes later, we're back where be started, and arguably,

Newcastle are worse off than when we started. Newcastle fans have got

a long journey back up to the north-east, facing up to the fact

that they are right in it. They cover just about everything, the

Newcastle fans, should they have spent from a position of strength?

We have got the alleged split in the camp, denied by Alan Pardew. It

is a far cry from 12 months ago. When you concede three against

Sunderland, six against Liverpool at home, people will be asking

questions. There will be scrutiny. Things were great last year, and

Alan Pardew, for the first time, is finding out what it is like being

Newcastle manager when things are not so rosy. It is not a nice time

at the moment. They have got to dig deep. I'm not sure banning

journalists is the right thing to do. The end of the season cannot

come quick enough. Moving on to the rest of yesterday's games,

beginning at The Hawthorns, and a must-win match for this season and

every season's escape artists, every season's escape artists,

Wigan. Yacob timed it well. Rosenberg... Watson has a threat,

Rosenbaum! -- Rosenberg! West Bromwich Albion have the lead.

Shane Long scores for the second weekend in a row. Over it comes to

easy for West Brom. How simple a McArthur scores. He has only just

come on! Roberto Martinez has made vital changes, and Wigan's team up

for the fight again. -- Wigan seem. He gets to the byline, and Callum

McManaman has scored a! Are Wigan doing it again? Remarkable. What a

talent they have in Callum McManaman. He scores a big goal for

hit! And what a goal from Gabriel Agbonlahor. What a big goal it

could be for Aston Villa. The game is really stretched now. Snodgrass,

up against Bennett... What has the referee's assistant signalled? He

has given a penalty. Norwich City have just their second Premier

League penalty of the entire season. Jo Bennett is the one penalised.

it for Aston Villa, with a goal which could go a long way to

ensuring their Premier League survival. And it has come in the

very last minute. Carrow Road is stunned. It was a magnificent ball.

He still had plenty to do. He held off the challenge of Bassong. Right

across the face of the goalkeeper. Another composed finish from

Gabriel Agbonlahor. That could be a big twist in the fight to stay in

Then he has hit the post to! Headed into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Well, Spurs have been warned. Bale coming inside... He has got across

his man, and Bale has done it again, the footballer of the! Three awards

in a week, and now, a goal which may have helped Spurs towards the

The Championship and heat one have had their last day drama. It looks

like in the Premier League, it is going to come up the bottom. I so

going to come up the bottom. I so specked people have got 40 points

are safe. So I think you are looking at the five beneath that.

What if a Wigan win it in midweek? Toughness they are all bang in

trouble. If I had to pick one, it would be Sunderland. And for you?

Do not answer that. I do not want you to say Sunderland on national

TV. Now, the strikes from excellent form. He looks for

Walcott on the right-hand side. Podolski, playing through the

middle. Rosicky has had a fine end to the season. He picks out Ramsey.

Lovely ball through, Walcott...! Arsenal take the lead inside 23

seconds at Loftus Road! Exactly the same as last week. Walcott gets

them off to a crackerjack start. For the first time, he has 20 goals

in a season, and what an opening for Arsenal again. Now, what can

Queens Park Rangers to here? Bobby Zamora... Great save. He has had

little to do in the last 15 minutes, but he kept that one out from Remy.

Splendid save. Danny Guthrie, perhaps with a second opportunity...

It was blocked by Riise. Is that a penalty? It is. Reading get a spot

kick, with just over 10 minutes played. Reading lead. Robson-Kanu

gets his sixth goal of the campaign. Lovely ball forward from Danny

Guthrie, and Reading are on the break. Pogrebnyak is in the middle.

Robson-Kanu! Second goal of the afternoon for him. And relegated

from Fulham, and they have a goal back. Bryan Ruiz makes it 2-1.

Lovely passing and movement from Fulham. Adam le Fondre... A third

goal for Reading. Adam le Fondre comes on yet again from the

substitutes' bench and scores. Reading restore their two goal

what a moment for Jem Karacan. His first Premier League goal, and his

first goal for Reading since March of last year. Here's Nathan Dyer

for Swansea. Michu... Nastasic came in with the challenge, but my Jones

was not remotely interested. As it is played into Michu, oh, my

goodness, he certainly did not get nothing going for Michael Laudrup

and Swansea. Zabaleta, can he reach it? He did, and Edin Dzeko has Mr!

Well, that just about takes the biscuit. -- missed. I do not think

we are ever going to get a goal. This one is right up there for the

miss of the season. So, that's everything from yesterday. Let's

move on to Goal of the Month, and 10 of the best from April. Surely,

Alan Shearer has the easiest of jobs picking a winner. You have a

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a goal from Lowton! That is a who won the title for them who has

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Sunderland have doubled their lead appearance, and that's his first

goal of the season. What a strike. Here's David Luiz... He might go

for goal. What a hit from David Luiz! Simply unstoppable! No chance

Daniel Sturridge! Liverpool are Robin van Persie! Not many players

in the world of football could do that. Across the body, eyes on the

of Callum McManaman! That is one heck of a way to ring up your first

winner! I cannot remember a better month. Some of the goals were

staggering. I will pick Robin van Persie, the volley, the technique.

That is the hardest technique in football. A volley. Watch the

technique, it is perfect. Perfection. A great pass from Wayne

Rooney. The pace, the power, the accuracy, stunning. My tally in the

Premier League is lower than yours, was it close with Loic Remy? I could

have picked several. But rather -- Robin van Persie, I am afraid.

month, regional over the super goals, but we give little thought or

recognition to the strangest brood of footballer, the goalkeeper, so

What a save by Brad Friedel! good touch over. What a strike, and

what they save by Mark Schwarzer. It is a good save! Alex McCarthy saves

Reading. A great save. How did Artur Boruc keep that out? What a save!

Brad Guzan denies Christopher Samba. of the season? Possibly the last

one, you have counted that, you have decided it is in, you have already

chalked it up. He has got no right. It is in the top corner. But there

have been more. There are millions more. But that one is special.

Manchester United golf keeper got the goalkeeper of the season.

would say Petr Cech, but I am although Everton might feel they

should have had one. Goalless in the Merseyside derby. No net all check

at Old Trafford until the dying minutes as Chelsea stole the points.

Manchester United are just 13 points ahead of Manchester City. Chelsea

took a huge step towards the Champions League. Wigan's great

escape gathered momentum. Sunderland play tomorrow, a victory against

some -- Stoke City would roost their hopes of survival. With Gareth Bale

grabbing the player of the year awards, our alternative player --

table is about attacking players, the men who create and score the

Englishman. Demba Ba is still the most potent striking force for

Newcastle, despite leaving in January.

That is all from us this season. With so much subtle, we could not