13/01/2013 Match of the Day 2

Two big grudge matches, for a variety of reasons on Match of the

Day 2 this evening. And both will have an effect on the title race.

And we've gone for men on either side of the Manchester-Merseyside

divide, with Alan Hansen and Peter Schmeichel. Arsenal's match with

Manchester City to come, but we start with that game at Old

start with that game at Old Trafford.

Finally we can say the build up to this match has been dominated by...

Football. After all, it's mainly the football that helped create

this fearsome rivalry. Both North West giants continue to argue over

which is bigger, more succesful, Now both are laying claim to having

this season's best player. Football arguments that make this the match

the whole world wants to see. and Canal and football. More than a

century of history. A rival read that is a way of life. Manchester

United against Liverpool. United go to Madrid 1 on Saturday. For only

the third time this season Rio Ferdinand and Vidic start together.

Still no Wayne Rooney. Robin Van Persie does play. Luis Suarez

likely to shake off the stick from United fans. The biggest threat

from Liverpool is his combination Liverpool for the 5th consecutive

time at Old Trafford, something they have never done before.

Liverpool and effective defensive Manchester United. Robin Van Persie.

The scourge of Liverpool strikes again. The first real shot of the

game. A lovely driven ball in by Patrice Evra. And the Robin Van

Persie simply redirected that to squeeze it beyond Pepe Reina. It

has taken Manchester United 90 minutes' to create a chance. Van

Persie toolkit, of course he did. - You could see what he was trying to

do. He just finds that position so well. Young pick him out. Van

Persie will be disappointed with the finish. Jose Mourinho looking

rather like Paddington Bear. Danny Welbeck here for Manchester

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Joe Allen of the straight to Danny for his moment and then delivering

to Danny Welbeck. That looked as if it was heading towards the goal. He

certainly hit it well enough. Joe Allen just pushed across it a

little too much. That really was not far away. Manchester United

moved into the last minute of the first half. Rafael finds Van Persie.

Pepe Reina to the rescue for Liverpool. Some now Manchester

United failed to score. The clock is on the line from Marjah and

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shooting chance. But he rather Danny Welbeck. The hand edging

towards the pocket. And Skrtel is booked. He has found Danny Welbeck

very hard to handle. His pace has on Sir Elton throughout this game.

goals to nil! Patrice Evra is having none of those seasons for

Manchester United. -- one of those seasons. A great free-kick from Van

Persie. A powerful header from Patrice Evra. I wonder if that

header did not brush the back of Vidic's head on the way in. There

is in touch. For me that is a goal Sturridge with the follow-up and

Liverpool are back in the game. Daniel Sturridge on his Premier

League debut, having scored last weekend in his debut, scores again

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shops are coming thick and fast now from Liverpool. They barely

mustered anything approaching an effort in the first half but doing

much better in the second. That has got Sir Alex Ferguson off his seat.

The changes have worked well from Sturridge missed it. A big chance

for Daniel Sturridge. Suarez almost wriggled through. Raphael did

everything he could to keep it away from him. He is on side but over

netting. Free-kick awarded. Liverpool took it immediately.

Moving into for added minutes. Liverpool making it very

It doesn't matter when you play Liverpool, it's always an important

game. A well earned three points, because until Liverpool scored, we

were fantastic. They were inspired by their goal. The supporters had

something to cheer them on, and they made a real fist of it in the

last 25 minutes. They became a really intense, engrossing game --

it became. Credit to Liverpool for coming back like that. If we had

given ourselves five or 10 minutes after the second goal, we would not

have had the problem. In the first half we did not threaten enough, to

be honest. There were not too many chances either way. The chances

United had, we presented to them. But in the second half we were

better. Daniel's threat on the shoulder, penetrating and behind,

that was good for us. And he got a goal and it looked like he might

get another one or two. Are they arguing over the goal in there?

They needed to go to the pools panel! I think it is good for us.

He becomes the 19th player who has scored a goal. I think we will give

it a Vidic. A I thought it was Patrice Pascal. You'll have to sort

that out yourself. -- Patrice's goal. It may be didn't have the

blood and thunder of some old Manchester United and Liverpool

games that you might have played in, but both sides can take positive

samples Act - take positives from it. It is a big game. A lot of

people want to have this Liverpool and Manchester United game of blood

and thunder, but we say it is not an important game, but it is. You

sense how important it is at Old Trafford. To get the three points,

ending some spells we played really well -- and in some spells. We have

sorted out the defending as well. Vidic probably played his best game

so far. For me, the defending was the biggest positive. Positives for

Liverpool? It has to be Daniel Sturridge. Liverpool were nothing

short of abysmal in the first half. Macro soirees was poor. Mac --

Luis Suarez. They had a great chance to get the equaliser, but it

was an impressive debut for Sturridge. Peter touch on the

Manchester United defending which has been their Achilles heel at

times. Yes, said place, the ball into the box, they have been frail.

-- set plays. Vidic and Ferdinand, 34 and 31, one of the best

partnerships in Premier League history playing together again

today. They are not asking people to get into position, they are

demanding it. Hold the line, hold the line. Great ball from Steven

They swap positions in the last minute. Another great ball from

Steven Gerrard, but what is impressive is that they back off as

a unit. Another brilliant ball from Gerard and who heads it, not Rio,

but Vidic behind him. I said last night about Aston Villa that

experience is everything in that position, and that is what he is.

He is a leader, as Peter says. Probably his best game since he

came back. He is so influential, and if United 1 to win the title,

he has to keep playing. You cannot underestimate people shouting. What

was the difference? Manchester United were dominant in the first

half and Liverpool applied more of the pressure in the second.

player like Michael Carrick, who has had a fantastic season, and he

has started all but one game, and his passing is very good. We saw

that in the first half, and he was involved in the goal as well. We

see him get the ball, and he passes it up to Kagawa. The passing is

really good. This leads to the goal. Van Persie cannot miss a chance,

which is great for Manchester United. I don't know what happened

in the second half, but Michael's passes were chest height and to the

wrong players. Evra is forced to make a silly pass back. Liverpool

get a good chance than this. This is the goal that Manchester United

concede. Losing the ball in the midfield. You just don't do that.

Manchester United don't score the two goals, that mistakes will cost

to the point. Daniel Sturridge's were great allowed Luis Suarez to

drop a bit, so did that put added pressure? He is a talented player

who will worry any defender. I don't think he particularly changed

again. For some reason, the Manchester United midfield stop

moving. So Alex changed that. Liverpool did in the second half

was press on. Michael Carrick, in the first half, he was picking it

up and he was passing it and passing it, a great range of

passing. But then in the second half they got tighter, and it led

to mistakes. We build it as a van Persie against Luis Suarez, but it

turned out to be van Persie against Sturridge. The again, he was

sensational. Innovation, improvisation, that is fantastic.

Again, sensational lead. Good goal, a great run by Welbeck. Here is

Agger against than Percy. Watch where Skrtel is. Welbeck takes

Skrtel out of the equation, and Robin van Persie's movement takes

Agger out of the equation. A little bit of movement from than Percy,

exceptional. Time added on -- and Robin van Persie. Glenn Johnson

there, and he's in on goal. Absolutely fantastic again. He is

just a magnificent player. Daniel Sturridge, a lot of people say he

is not a team player and will not track back, but he has gone 40 or

50 yards here. I think that is great team play. But it was going

forward where he was a threat. He gambles here, it runs past Rafael

and scores the goal. A little bit of movement on the shoulder of the

last defender. He wants it quick. An acute angle, but he is unlucky.

Then a chance late on to equalise. If he had taken that, he would have

been an instant hero, but an impressive game. We have got to

hear, Peter. Let's use your expertise on the goalkeepers. Both

have come into criticism this season. At times. Yes, and I think

both are back at their best. A lot of people think that goalkeeping is

all about saving the ball. I don't believe that is all. One of the

most important things is what happens like here. Goalkeepers

using their feet, there are no options there, so kick it into

touch. But this is where play starts these days, by the

goalkeeper. Out to Daniel Agger, everything closed down. He gets the

ball back and he gives it back to Pepe Reina. He then passes it out

to the right full-back and they start the attack. But for me, this

is brilliant. This pass is just fantastic, up to Wisdom. But he has

to be careful. Sometimes it goes wrong. This could have been crucial

in the game. If Welbeck had been a bit sharper it could have cost them

the game. If you are encouraged to play like that, it might go wrong

occasionally. Let's look at the goal. De Gea didn't have much to do.

His view is blocked by Ferdinand. And that is blocked all the way in.

Where the ball actually goes, it goes past Ferdinand, through his

legs, and for me, that is a fantastic save. You hope that in a

situation like that but the defenders are a little more shop.

The layman, the person who wasn't an expert, people will say he just

pushed it out. That's exactly what you said! Yes, and Peter said I was

correct! There was a big difference between this and the one at

Newcastle. This is actually a great save. He is very, very unfortunate.

I think we were right. It was a mistake. What goes on in the office,

stays in the office. That three points for Manchester United laid

down the gauntlet for Manchester City. Could they respond at the

Arsenal away is not Manchester City's favourite fixture, they last

won there in 1975, once in a blue moon. 27 attempts, and no joy,

including last year's defeat. Arsenal have scored 40 goals so far

this term, more than at the same stage last season when Robin van

Persie led the line. 17 have come in the last five games with

Podolski getting three, and Walcott getting four. No wonder they want

him to stay. Simon Brotherton was man sent -- Manchester City title

charge was over, beaten 1-0, and Balotelli sent off. Eight points

with six to play seemed a bridge too far. But they are here today as

champions, looking for a first league win at Arsenal for 38 years.

Arsene Wenger is forced into making one change from the last league

game. Arteta suffered a calf strain and is replaced by Abou Diaby, who

has been out injured since the end of September. Manchester City made

changes. Yaya Toure is on Africa Cup of Nations duty. His place goes

to Javi Garcia while Nastasic is preferred to Lescott. Samir Nasri

Thomas Vermaelen. Just getting a touch. And a deflection carried it

behind for a corner. Manchester City, on the front foot inside the

first 10 minutes of the game. ball anywhere. Arsenal can breathe

Barry. Dzeko is there. Dizzied a penalty to Manchester City! -- easy

to a penalty to Manchester City. And it's a red card! A straight red.

Drama inside the first 10 minutes here. Arsenal down to 10 men

already. Mike Dean has already sent an Arsenal player off in a big game

this season. Jack Wilshere was given his marching orders at Old

Trafford, and Koscielny has been given a red card here for hauling

it Dzeko down to the ground. And he certainly did wrestle him to the

floor. Both arms around the Manchester City striker. Lauren

Koscielny's afternoon did not last long. And they have now been five

red cards in the last six Premier League meetings between the two

And aided by the luck of the bounce. Would you believe it? The inside of

the post, and still ball doesn't go in. Still fuming, still quietly

ground, and Mike Dean did well to wait, because he thought it was an

advantage to Manchester City, which didn't prove to be the case, which

is why he has blown up later than he might have. There was every

chance City might attack. Milner! What a goal! Cracking strike from

James Milner. City ahead against Arsenal's 10 men, and we are not

quite midway through the first half. Free-kick taken quickly. Arsenal

not quite on red alert when the kick was taken. Silva, quick

thinking from Tevez, quick finishing from James Milner. And

Manchester City have scored away at Arsenal in the league for the first

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Dzeko could not miss! Szczesny's saved landed on a plate, and Dzeko

gobbled it up. Manchester City's lead is doubled, and Arsenal's

afternoon goes from bad to worse. Less than 15 minutes to go to half-

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time, and Manchester City now lead Wilshere. He was in the right place

at the right time there with Manchester City threatening to

possession for the most part. -- Arsenal look for offside, it is not

seal the deal. An excellent save from Szczesny. He made sure he

could not take it home. Roberto Mancini expecting something better.

Gael Clichy diving in. It is going to be a free-kick. Let us take a

look again. It is a yellow card. Arsenal with a chance to test

is a red card for Vincent Kompany of Manchester City. Mike Dean of

was right on the spot. That is what the referee will have seen. That is

why he interpreted it in the way he Lescott was there, superb defending

make the clearance off the line. You get the feeling that Arsenal

are going to end up empty-handed in are going to end up empty-handed in

terms of points and goals. It is always difficult because

Arsenal is really a strong team. But today we started the game very

well. I was surprised by the decision to

send him off. I'm told it was punitive. You cannot do that, you

know. We lacked a bit of a authority in the game. And a bit of

initiative. It was different with 10 men but I believe we had a lack

of concentration. We did give a lot and I cannot fault the effort.

There are a strong team. It was important that we made sure we were

solid at the back and tried to keep the ball and create more chances,

which we did. The sending off towards the end was disappointing

for us and maybe give them more chances than I would have liked.

What about Vincent Kompany being sent off? He had his right foot in

front. Let's go straight to that red card. Well it was early in the

game and in a perfect world the penalty kick would have sufficed.

But in the letter of the law the referee has got to send him off. In

my opinion it was a joke to send off Vincent Kompany. I thought that

was the perfect challenge anti got a red card. If you watch this, and

a red card. If you watch this, and has shown the gets the wrong side.

When you see it from this angle he has pulled him down. You might have

thought he would even it up. The left is on the ground and that is

never a sending off. Earlier on this was against Norwich and it was

nothing. And this was a booking against Queen's Park Rangers. When

you're talking about consistency, I would not see why you could send of

Vincent Kompany. His heel is 100% on the ground. Jack Wilshere, he

thought he was going to get sent off. His touch was heavy. He looked

up and thought it was his red card. He got sent off for serious foul

play but there is the element in the law that says if the referee

thinks there was excessive force with one or both legs then that is

a red card. But where was the excessive force? Is he supposed to

get out of the way? He makes a legitimate challenge. What is he

meant to do? Foot fault is on the wrong track if that is the sending

off. In that interview Arsene Wenger talked about them lacking a

authority in that game. He is the only natural leader in that Arsenal

team. As soon as he got his red card, Arsenal just became a

schoolboy team. Defending like schoolboys. The get this free kick,

I'm not sure that they should have got that. But look at how they

defended that. Turning their backs to the play. Five players marking

one player who actually gets the ball. Six Arsenal players around

three Manchester City players. The ball goes out to Miller again. This

is almost a second goal. And then the centre halves, what are they

doing up their? Just have a look at this. It gives them another chance.

They get away with that. But that is one thing, Arsene Wenger needs

another leader. The leader of Manchester City comes over and calm

things down. And leading by playing this header, fantastic. Then he

gets sent off. Very unfair. They have appealed it and he has every

right to be disappointed. I felt sorry for Vincent Kompany. He is a

very good player, a strong player. But a clean player as well. It was

as if Manchester City went into the game thinking that Manchester

United had won and we need to show them we were on their tail. There

was a sense that nothing less than victory would suffice. It is a long

way back for them. There was a sense that they wanted it more than

Arsenal. Zabaleta up wins it hands down. They won a couple of

important challenges there. Gareth Barry comes in there. That was a

poor ball. But that could have been at its core. They fiddle about with

it here. Gael Clichy this time in quickly because basically they

wanted it more. That is where Arsenal were on the weak side.

Something interesting happened right at the end of the game. You

have to turn up the volume a little bit. This is the assistant referee,

John Brooks. A lot of discussion about the price that Manchester

City fans paid to what should the Emirates. Listen to what the

referee says to City players. Full marks to him. That is

wonderful. There were eight Premier League games yesterday and not many

first of our two round ups. January, the most depressing month. Cold,

post holiday blues, just a long relegation fight ahead. Still,

Harry was upbeat, plotting against his old club. On Wearside, two

pragmatic managers. Flair is not important in January, they needed a

win. As did a desperate Villa, taking on fellow strugglers

Southampton. And then there was Reading. In a right royal mess up

against the Baggies. January's dark clouds would lift for some, but not

all. Due to be taken on the run. Mileson

goal. And just may be a chance to salvage something from the game.

Jonas Olsson makes the challenge. Reading have got the penalty. And

Reading have a chance to draw level three minutes from time. Here we go.

What a comeback! 10 minutes ago this did not look on the cards at

all. Penalty kick from Le Fondre. I do not believe it. 2-0 down with

ten minutes to go. Three priceless points for Reading.

That has hit the post and could be a chance for Adebayor. That was a

looked as if he was going down before there was contact. Very

harsh on Aston Villa. Accusing two in Southampton's victory

against Aston Villa earlier this goals for Southampton. Poor old

first goal of the season us, and Seb Larsson has made it Sunderland

1 us, West Ham United 0 with a Jantschke Line and. Still might be

a chance for Adam Johnson. -- the Jaaskelainen. He smuggled the ball

into the back of the net. Adam Johnson, with a little flakes of

the outside of the left for at a us -- a little flick. Per West Brom

Johnson is quick enough. -- good from this. James Maclean gives us

looks to have -- looks to have We will have a goal of the month in

a moment after the rest of follow, yesterday with these are --

was either frustrating, satisfying, a relief, or surprisingly pleasant.

For Stoke City's, Jon Walters, the day of his 100 Premier League

appearance, it is one he will be desperate to put behind him.

the lead. A lovely chip to ball in. It is an own-goal, Jon Walters who

has planted the ball into his own that another own goal? Yes, it came

off Walters. His 100 appearance in the Premier League, and not the way

going to be a penalty. I don't think Shawcross made any contact,

and if the penalty has been given, it must be the push from Robert

Huth. Frank Lampard with a chance to become the second all-time top

Chelsea goal scorer in his own right. 193, the same number as

Kerry Dixon, but this will take him on to 194. Hammered home. Plenty of

penalty to Stoke. They might get one back. It is Jon Walters who has

been fouled, and John Terry who fouled come. -- him. This would

complete, isn't it? Just wrap this been inside the Swansea half, and

Anichebe is there. Off the line by Williams. Ashley Williams with the

clearance from the header, but I wonder if he would have been able

to make the clearance of it wasn't ball in the area, and he hit the

bar! That is what he is all about. The first sight of goal, and but

for the touch, it would have gone fancy a shot. He does! What a

strike! A Georgios Karagounis. He follows up his first goal in

English football last weekend in the FA Cup with his first Premier

grapeshot, 1-1. Franco Di Santo. -- a great shot. The piece of magic

that Wigan needed to Levelator up extraordinary clearance. That

looked a certain a winning goal for Fulham. Escapes -- picked up by

Johnson. Williamson's header. way, that is the closest we have

come to a goal this afternoon at There is one thing that deserves

another look, Craven Cottage, what a clearance from made a Figuerola.

A one of the best you will ever see. To clear it, the power, the swerve,

and to head it and get it clear, that is phenomenal. Incredible

control of the body. He knows exactly what he's doing. Great save.

A brilliant. Maybe we should look to introduce clearance of the month.

That would win it. Peerages. Once we have seen all 10 goals, Peter

to win it. -- Michu with a chance. It is Michu for Swansea. No doubt

about where the ball was going to Weimann. -- finished by Weimann.

What a beautiful goal from the substitute, Sean Maloney, with a

-- too wrapped. So mercurial talent at its absolute best -- Adel

are in front! Fernando Torres with He just does not miss. You know

when the ball leaves his boot, it's sensational. Manchester City, after

85 seconds, take the lead with an sensational. Cameron Jerome. With

going, how about that? How about that!? Theo Walcott has a hat-trick.

We watched the goals and maybe you think you should have chosen that,

but don't change your mind. It was difficult because there are some

great goals. One have you picked? IP to Theo Walcott. He is a great

goal. He has a long way to go, loads of defenders to beat. Then he

has the goalkeeper, closes down the angle, but he still scores. Grey to

individual goal. You could have picked Jon Walters to make him feel

better. Compassion. I'm sorry. time. That is nearly it on an

afternoon when Nemanja Vidic captained and nodded his side to

victory over Liverpool. But Manchester City kept up the chase a

monks the pack at Arsenal. -- are monks the pack at Arsenal. -- are

amongst the pack. The gap between the two Manchester clubs remains at

seven points with another seven big gap to Chelsea, who move into third

with a game in hand. None of the other teams in the top half

actually managed to win this weekend. QPR remain at the foot of

the table. Reading's stay second bottom despite their amazing

fightback to beat West Brom. Wigan have moved out of the relegation

zone, albeit only on goal difference at the expense of Aston

The last word on the weekend. Important for Manchester City.

After the FA Cup, an important afternoon for everyone, but

Manchester City were asked the big question today and came up with the

answer. Reading, at the weekend, two-0 down against West Brom,

getting pummelled and if they had lost, they were gone as. They came

back and scored three goals in the last eight minutes and it has given

them a bit of the impetus. Could that eight minutes change the

season? Absolutely. If they got beat four or five-0, no good news

whatsoever. But because they came back and one and got three valuable

points, he gives them a lifetime. Brian McDermott will tell them to

remember what they did. It is something to cling on to the.

something that the players remember, that they could do this, so they

are not as bad as the table shows you. A lot of the players had a

good season last year. Thank you to both of the this evening. Finally,

in a week when a fever -- FIFA selected a world 11th entirely of

players from the Spanish league, and Ness seat was named the best

player on the planet, he looks like we have lost the top dog status,