10/02/2013 Match of the Day 2

Hello. All the elements there for libraries of good games today in

the Barclays Premier League. Highlights on the way as well as

the big moments from yesterday and the amazing January goal of the

month. We begin at Old Trafford and a chance for the home team to all

but see to that title. It is now 62 points from 25 games,

a club record for United as they marched on towards another Premier

League title. Just as they were last season when Everton came to

Old Trafford and stopped the stump. But United don't need remind us to

worry about. The visitors just lost three matches all season and with a

few less than dead world draws so far, the top team would need to be

in rock solid top form. At a Old anniversary week of the Munich air

disaster, it is a day of remembrance. Fabrice 6th 1968. A

meeting with Real Madrid in a few days' time. -- 6th February, 1968.

No Ferdinand. Everton include three Manchester United at Old Boys. It

is Tim Howard's 250th in the Manchester United win would help

them to declare that title. They will be given a real test by

have been a Manchester United goal! It is onside and he was online. He

would have put everything on van Persie finishing at off. And he has

gone two games without a goal, which just about run prisons

drought since his move from Arsenal was Bob once he went without goal

in three games. -- which just about represents a drought. Ryan Giggs

has scored in every single Premier League season! That is his first of

his campaign! It is Valencia you got in front of the Leighton Baines.

And he finishes the job coolly. There are amongst his favourite

opponents, Everton. And with 13 minutes played, it is 1-0 to

Manchester United. No reason yet to leave that seemed to come to the

touchline and Barker out an to do. It hit cleanly enough. Not

quite the rocket in needed to be. Not enough to get Everton on to

stuck at the feet of the building. -- stopped by Vidic. Stopped by

whatever means necessary so far, just like that from Lambert. --

back to get the ball or wear for You might safely assume he will be

is an Everton free kick. A good Everton. And he has to take the

be more confident about himself these days. Might not have been the

best decision, that one. And given away by Cleverley. And then given

the sort of game for Johnny Heitinga to come back into. An

important touch, that. Not been his And Pienaar has lost its Rafael. --

through County's cause is trying! - - and he scores this time! They are

in a commanding position now, right on the stroke of half-time. How

well did he do when this run?! -- did he time? Is deemed to go a long

way around, with Tim Howard. If -- it seemed to growth. And it is

internet Raya Heitinga, who couldn't do anything about that. --

and it is going in by way off Heitinga. Must do better in the

final heard of the up -- in the final third of their up to get back

into this. -- if there are to get back into this bolster up -- if men

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 54 seconds

their out? -- how did this stage to its. -- must have got a touch to

it. That would have gone off the end of the bar but the Tim Howard's

athleticism. -- but for. And the fans stand up for the Busby Babes.

That is the John Buchan here. -- goal. Everton were caught out here.

-- maize or Howard going across the goal. -- mace salt. -- maize or. --

they saw. They knew Jose would be here somewhere today. Near

Edinburgh Grenada's which rocked cruise control or stock -- united

in need to switch off the cruise United. What a weekend may have had.

12 weekends to go, 12 points clear. This, almost impossible to envisage

them throwing this one away. It is becoming a procession to the

If a good weekend for us. result from Southampton... Bit was

a gift for us. I may have changed from the De Mai was originally

going to use. What was lacking in your performance today? We gave Man

United an early start but the first 15 minutes they played really well

but we did not. Did not come out of the blocks fast as I would have

liked us to have done. But the second goal was a poor goal to give

away. Go don't know why it was a high or Square at the back. -- I

don't know why. Co Ryan Giggs yet Every single Premier League, he has

scored? Yes. His energy for a lad of his age is amazing. A lot of de

Gaulle will be virtually declaring that title race over. How do you

keep yourselves out of any complaisant mindset? Well, the

manager of Brisley has the sense to keep their mind on the important

things. -- the manager obviously. We will be OK.

On that note, I am legally obliged to throw you that last season and a

man sat in that very seed and declared the title Manchester

United's and we know what happened after that was stopped but surely

no way back for City Chris Kiwomya nobody has ever turned of points

and will games before. -- no way By it has never been done - 12 in

12 games. And you're talking about a team that knows what they're

doing. And they look hungry, they look focused. Sometimes it can be

there when the fixtures for because ceramics talks about their

motivation today and even put forward players he was going to

rest. It was the result between Manchester City and Southampton and

it showed. They played like those three points was a bridge has lost

up a he was making sure they got the points they needed. -- the

points were sewn pressures. -- were At a perfect position for them to

be in there. Make them go through the middle. Two centre halves. In

the correct position. And they did that all day. Taking Evans away

from the space. Vidic defended another goal like this

fantastically and I think that was the key. And here, as he makes his

run, he thinks he is in control because he has first contact but

Evans gets back and he is in This is fantastic centre-half play.

You have got to be four side. If the ball goes into that position,

Charley Evans will be there -- ball. Here is a few kids on Wayne Rooney

just working hard for the side. Stopping the chance. He is tracking

back, he had a bit of a thing, a running battle with Phil Neville, I

don't know what was going on, but he chased him back every single

time and put challenges in, did it with a better feeling. That just

shows the motivation, you really want to win it, but Kelly feels

about it. They are supposed to be best mates. They played four years

together, but that is the FA Cup this side, tracking back -- the

ethic of the side. John Evans was outstanding, he is becoming a great

centre-half -- Jonny Evans. have been there, you know, it is

this philosophy of getting the respect and you deserve to wear the

respect and you deserve to wear the jersey. Is Evans the best example

of that? I think he is, because early on in his career, he was

kicking and shouting, as you do when you are young boy, but now he

is getting it down and learning from the best players and the best

manager in the world. And it shows in the number of games he is

playing, he has become very good. You two were so excited about

United's performance that Jason invented a word -- "trackling". It

is tracking and tackling. Let's have a word for Everton. Sometimes

today, they shot themselves in the today, they shot themselves in the

foot with the way they defended. There is a big area where you do

want your centre-forward that you are marking to be. You have to look

where the ball is and the centre- half spot to close to the ball.

They should be another 10 or 15 yards back. There is no pressure on

the ball for van Persie. As long as he can bend his run and the ball

comes, he is in on goal. Everton will be disappointed, if they

dropped 10 yards, they stop that from a rising. It is a great finish

but they have gifted him a chance of a one-on-one with holding such a

high line. You are taught as a young centre-half that she cannot

try and squeeze and play offside when there is no pressure on the

4th -- you. You can only do it when you are closing down, so make sure

your centre-forward is in front of you. You have got to have your

centre-forward in your life line. -- I line. Let's have a look at the

remaining 12 fixtures. This is You could pick out a few fixtures

there, but look at that run, QPR, Norwich, West Ham and Reading, it

comes at a lovely time when they will have one eye on the champions

League. City's run comparatively, games away, and games at Aston

Villa, scrapping for their lives, they have got to play at the Etihad

as well. He will have got the Champions League coming up, big

games, I think that is where Alex Ferguson wants to do. Last season

had Manchester United and they are making sure everyone knows they are

here to stay. 1998 was when they last gave it the way, to Arsenal. -

- gave it away. The United fans may be thinking it is more like 1999, a

special year. Every year, they honour the Busby Babes and it is

always a time for people to tell stories about those players. Duncan

Edwards comes up a lot, one of the great change that people weren't

able to see him play football until his 30s -- great shames. I was

unfortunate enough to see enough of Duncan Edwards but I was told he

was great, as a footballer he was a great player. Bobby Charlton said

that at the end of training, Matt Busby would say that for the last

half an hour, you can practise what you are bad at. And Duncan Edwards

used to go home! For the rest of the team would stay.

It to Villa Park for the Early It to Villa Park for the Early

Day's kick-off, a battle of the claret and blue with the home side

looking to get out of the Red Four stop the Bill are in deep trouble,

or start winning orders grand old club will go down -- Villa.

No wins at the last eight, 25 goals conceded and into the bottom three.

It was showing on Big Sam, they Hammers were on a slump of their

own before a win and a clean sheet last weekend. But for one team in

claret and blue, today remains a must-win game. Watching was Simon

Brotherton. SIMON BROTHERTON: Defeat for QPR,

Reading and Wigan mean it has been a decent weekend for Aston Villa so

far but largely meaningless unless they can take the points against a

West Ham side that have not travelled well this season. Villa

have lost their last four at home, West Ham they lost four away. Gaby

Agbonlahor misses the match with illness, Jordan Bowery gets his

first start. Macon Baker comes in at left-back. Worse than make a

couple of -- West Ham make a couple of changes to the team last weekend.

Joe Cole is recalled to the starting line-up and Emanuel

Pogatetz starts her his first game word! How did Weimann miss that?

What an extraordinary miss. Villa should be winning less than two

minutes in. And Aston Villa, no matter what happens for the

remaining 88 minutes of the match, will not get a better chance than

that. It was spilled by your ski Jaaskelainen and it was wide by

his debut for Austria, he is one of the few back row team players this

season to emerge with any credit. - Clark, a little diversion off the

of endeavour but not a lot of end product so far in this match. It is

going to be Scratby and keenly fought for the rest of the match,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 54 seconds

the finish flashing wide. How close? Pretty close. But it stays

Ciaran Clark having quite a tussle with Andy Carroll, but I think he

had his arms completely around the West Ham striker. I think Clarke

went to put his arms around him and Andy Carroll made sure they stayed

one particularly for Aston Villa, that you have to say. Can they take

advantage for defeats -- of defeat for QPR, West Ham and Reading. Andy

Carroll! Off the line by Darren Bent. That is the first time he has

touched the ball since coming off the bench. What a vital touch as

the field of play, standing alongside Guzan in the goal,

denying West Ham the lead with that penalty? Yes it is. Mark Noble

doesn't like it. But Villa have a chance to break the deadlock. No

doubt in Mark Clattenburg's mind. Benteke into a N'Zogbia and then he

went under the challenge from Mark Noble. West Ham are unhappy with

the decision. He didn't get the ball, the leg went out and Charles

N'Zogbia went straight over it. Christian Benteke is caught from

the spot against Newcastle in their goal for Aston Villa. And Villa's

top scorer does it again. From the and a crisp, clean finish. It has

set a so beautifully for the final 16 minutes, because West Ham,

surely, are going to throw everything to try and get back in

goals for Aston Villa. And what a relief all round Villa Park for the

faithful. Two polls in four Let, second service. And a half minutes.

-- goals in 4 and a half minutes. Jaaskelainen didn't get near it and

Aston Villa have a great chance to win at home for only the third time

about for quite a while. Yet they believe again. Three points today

would lift Aston Villa out of the No. Less than feeling that Dawkins

was looking for a penalty. -- West net off Ashley Westwood. And it is

going to be a nervy finish for Aston Villa. Suddenly, West Ham are

back in it. Villa have been here before, two goal Leeds have

evaporated more than once this season. Ashley Westwood's header

agonisingly out of reach for Brad Guzan. That has to go down as an

will win the game! -- survive this attack! And what a vital one. Just

as the clock struck 49 minutes in the second of, Nolan must have

thought he was about to equalise. - - the second half. And Guzan is

there again! A massive win over Aston Villa, only their third at

home all season, and a win that carries them out of the relegation

What did you think when it went for a couple of minutes to the 90 to go.

Sure you thought, we're not going to have this happen to us again?

surely? I am delighted they saw it through because they deserve the

credit that has gone their way. If you picked up at least two more

wins like that, you have started to believe you teams above back into

the mix. If we bin keeps such brio form again we would have won. -- if

we had kept such brilliant form. They managed is making a win on a

penalty and a free kick and that is the frustration. -- they managed to

sneak in. When we found a great shot going on target we found a

goalkeeper in fantastic form today. Still a long way to going this

season, but from the point of view of you, the table looks better? For

four don't really want to look at the table. I want to just look at

the games. -- I don't really want If we stopped trying to predict how

Aston Villa are going to turn up on a Sunday! -- we have stopped! But

today was a good track clean for a start. A lot of things they did

well. You never know what we did see from the law was lots of energy

and work. Lots of passion. And that is what the fans want. They want to

see blood, sweat and tears for their sheet. And that is what we

saw today. The movement off the ball today was completely different

from Villa compared to what you You don't normally see players

brave enough to take the ball into their positions. You have other

players not actually involved that once the ball as well. Their body

language is good and their energy is good. And that is what the Villa

fans want to see. Where have got to be decent, Colin, to beat Liverpool

away and what we have seen them doing is what they should not be

doing. When you have lots of young players on the side you don't know

how to be consistent because they have not been consistent before.

But seniors tour. The key thing was energy, body-language, wanting to

get the ball and win the game, and being brave on the ball. It is not

all about tackles and fighting. Sometimes you have to take the ball

under pressure. To be fair, you are under the pressure of this season

against the likes of the love. Is it possible to pick a person out

and say, he was the best today? Will, you look at Clark, you look

at Guzan. Greg think they really stood up to date and they took on

West Ham and did what they do well. -- I think. Gough is about getting

into the right space and it was solely marking your man. -- this is

about. He is not content to let the ball goat. He wants to close down

as well. -- le ball -- let the ball go. He should be getting some

physical contact from a big centre- forward and he knew it through the

whole games. You can see his mouth wide open, you can see you shout

He had an outstanding game, though, and a massive save right when you

needed it. That is what you want - a keeper making those big saves in

those big moments. The former West Ham point of view, whether they

play home moral way, they do get a man up. They don't go out with a

whimper. -- home or away. They still get numbers forward and at

the end of the game they got numbers board. They really have a

go. By really gambling towards the end of the game, they get some

shots. And you have Darren Bent, Benteke clearing the way. If the

ball comes out, get it back, but it backing the box! That is going to

happen all through the games. Here may have just recycled it again.

They have to get the ball back into the box and it is not about the

first contact for them, it is about the second. Nolan puts his head in

where it hurts us well. A confident Cole would have taken this first

time. But more West Ham players there than Villa players in a

Villa's box. Maybe that is where they struggled. They just didn't

work today. Riggott players in the box and it did not work for them. -

- they got players. This is a percentage game and if you put the

ball in the box enough times... It just did not going for them. Much

more action still to come tonight after a quick look ahead.

The Champions League returns this week on Radio 5 Live. Commentary of

Celtic against Juventus. Live text commentary also available on the

BBC sports website and both through The next three nights in a row. And

top athletics next week on the box. But a softer football clubs at --

that it is after Football Focus. Weekend highlights at five past 11

on BBC One from Liverpool versus Now rewind of yesterday's action

with a repeat of the opening day of the season, apart from the

Back in August, Newcastle Business 2 and a half and one well Swansea

thrashed QPR. -- Newcastle won 2-1. It wasn't as close this time around

Southampton are Redhead! -- are ahead. It is true-0! A real mistake

by England's number one and goal from David Mitchell stock did not

get his technique right. Davis was back to that in a moment. But

Silva... Zabaleta...! And they have got one back! A bit messy and

untidy, the finish, but they got there. Lacks the pace to get away.

It is in anyway! It is an own goal! Gareth Barry, well, he has had a

wretched of Dunoon. That should have been anywhere but there! -- a

hard when they haven't got the ball at the moment, which is the

majority of the time at the moment. -- the visitors having to work. 2-0

to Swansea. They have made two changes. Bobby Zamora has been

introduced at half-time. Can Queens Park Rangers can't rub anything

here? A perfect start of a second Queens Park Rangers will be kicking

themselves. Lots of space here a Pablo Hernandez. -- for Pablo

Hernandez. A great finish and that could be Queens Park Rangerss'

killer goal! 5 perhaps an early test. It has got to be bail and it

has to be 1-0 for Tottenham. Tottenham's man of the moment

scores again. Gareth Bale! The position for the first quarter of

the game is exactly split down the middle 50-50. What a strike! 1-1!

Four no wonder he didn't go their place inside that top four.

And it is 2-1. Gareth Bale does it Of think we've got to talk about

Southampton, haven't we? -- I think. In terms of the new man coming in,

the fans have been great, saying, this is the way it is, and getting

on with it. Ensuring consistency as well. It has got to be about more

than the big day? I think the manager has had a bit of an effect

on the players. There have been a little bit more consistent. But

when you are playing against the big clubs, the Manchester Citys - I

am not going to say they are easy to play against it you want to be

seen to be playing well against the big clubs, so I personally would

have to play the big clubs. Nobody expects anything of you so if you

beat them it is fantastic. So the 2-2 against Wigan is almost more

impressive in a way and to compete with the teams around you? Yes. As

a player, you go out and you are more relaxed even though it is not

easy to play the big teams. Consistent. If there are more

consistent than the manager is doing his job. What about me

players? I like Puncheon. Once he is facing you, he is very dangerous

and not the only can you score goals, he can pick up passes as

well. And Lambert as the world. is a handful. He will occupy a two

centre halves. No matter who he is playing against. Only gives them

the chance and space to make their move. AAA little unsung hero on

that team - Steven Davis. -- a little unsung heroes. Another

chance to remind yourselves of life just Chris Hughton saw his team

hammered at Fulham. Opportunity for him to show how the Careys have

tightened things up. In August, Arsenal and Sunderland could not be

separated in a tense affair, while Roberto di Matteo's Chelsea roared

into eight 2-0 lead against Wigan and held on for the wind, something

Rafael Benitez's team have not been Fernando Torres to Ramires and

Chelsea have scored. Exactly halfway through the first half and

he slides it back for Eden Hazard. And if it goes. And Chelsea could

caught out. -- he is. Shaun Maloney goal nearer the record. 198 there

in Chelsea colours for Frank is in her and it is Marco Mariann -

time. Smashed wide five Bradley Johnson.

Carl Jenkinson was the player who that. It is a goal worthy of some

of the Ford bought they have played his second yellow card and

Sunderland are well and truly back struck and that was well struck by

Cameron Jerome! -- went down. One touch to control and one-touch to

this match. Adrian Mariappa. Can Reading snatched it right at

area, appealing for a penalty. Perhaps more in hope than

I am only joking, Jason. Very right to feel aggrieved, but rather than

sticking on that subject that has talked about last night, what the

Hon was saying about when Southampton play Manchester City,

you have we can coming up at home, Everton away and Villa at home.

Those are the games, those of the Those are the games, those of the

bonuses that the games, nobody expects anything, but these are the

games we need to get something and you can impact on your rivals. So

within the dressing room, you know and when those games come up, those

are the ones we need to perform. They are harder to get yourself up

for. Here we go, 11 gems from January and only one winner picked

about the shot and dough should. That is quite brilliant. Quite

brilliant. -- it does shoot. Like a does. What a strike. His first

pick of the bunch. Pick of the it is his first goal of the season.

Azpilicueta. He crosses it in, it runs all the way to Jason Puncheon!

It is an equaliser for Southampton. Jordan Henderson. That is one he

mountain for County -- Tony Pulis's side. Lovely first-time pass to

Jonathan De Guzman. What a goal. Swansea City have just gone through

the Stoke defence like a knife through butter. That has to be one

shot, a great goal. Christian Benteke a opens the scoring with a

Lukas Podolski. He has absolutely rifled that into the corner of the

this is where he is dangerous. Brilliant, brilliant goal by Gareth

Bale. What a goal that is. That is what you pick? That was close to

what you pick? That was close to goal of the season. The air is no

vital wrong, but there is wrong. left you in the gallery and you

said you have to agree. So what is the problem? We didn't. We didn't

agree. So how did you decide? toss-up Dion Dublin's coin.

double-sided coin. What are you going for? I was stuck on a two,

Benteke and Gareth Bale. You were stuck on? Leighton Baines. That was

the only one, the free kick. chose, I won the toss, I went with

Gareth Bale. Gareth Bale? I had Gareth Bale. Gareth Bale? I had

that third. To receive the ball like he does in his own far -- his

own half, he has a lot to do. The defending his poor, but Gareth Bale

has run 60 yards and scored the goal of the month. It would have

been better if someone had tackled him. Jason Puncheon's was the best,

him. Jason Puncheon's was the best, Jonathan De Guzman was second.

Benteke's was bred. They were all great. In their time after a quick

summing up of the weekend that was in the Premier League. Today, one

hand on title number 20 for Man United. A 2-0 win over Everton at

Goodison, and smiles all round. And Villa snap the slump. An epic

second half, a 2-1 win and all three points against West Ham.

three points against West Ham. And a happy Paul Lambert.

The only statistic that matters, a dozen points between Manchester

United and Manchester City and only 36 left to play for. Everton are

six points adrift of the Champions League places, with London well in

the driving seat a head of Merseyside. Aston Villa climb out

of the relegation zone at Reading's of the relegation zone at Reading's

expense. QPR lose further ground and are seven points from safety.

West Ham's fate in 11. An alternative table, all of the talk

of financial fair play. We have added up what every club has spent

in the August and January transfer window combined in permanent

signings and for every million, we have deducted a point. That. West

Bromwich Albion topped -- that puts. They only spend �4 million on Ben

Foster. And refused to reimburse Peter Odemwingie's petrol receipts.

You would certainly describe the top six as level-headed clubs.

Manchester City ahead of Manchester United in this magical money table

and Swansea a Champions League material. Chelsea may be further

the Champions League but after �87 million, they are bottom of on a

whopping minus 38 points. QPR are the only team to be in a relegation

zone in both the normal table and in Lala land.

With all of the talk of the green stuff, we leave you with a reminder

that money has always, to some extent, been at the centre of

Manchester United is a legend, it is undoubtedly the greatest

football club in the world. A five- year deal, BSkyB will show live

games on Sunday and Monday. yes! Alan Shearer! �50,000 per week

may seem a staggering amount of money, but Manchester United are