16/12/2012 Match of the Day 2

Philosophy, principles, short or long play. We have the same

No single individual is bigger than Four managers with clear views on

football, and eight Match of the Day 2 with a clear objective of

delivering the highlights are the big clashes plus all the goals and

incidents from yesterday's clashes. John Hartson and Robbie Savage are

here to fill in the gaps as we head straight to White Hart Lane. These

two have much in common. Young managers, inform strikers and both

easy on the eye. When Spurs and Swansea are on song there are few

better sides in the Premier League. Both also have an Achilles heel.

Swansea left it too late last week and have scored just seven of their

26 in the second half. Spurs did all their good work to were early

last week. He will triumph between the slow starters and early

Premier League appearance,. Swansea have never won at Spurs. Tottenham

make one change after their first defeat in six games came at Everton.

Scott Parker is in the 18 for the first time this season. Gareth Bale

is still missing. Swansea make two changes from their win over

Middlesbrough. Williams is back from suspension. Ki Sung-Yeung

on the arm. Even if it did I possession. Jermain Defoe, must be.

Michu saved his team having made lapse in concentration. Look at his

commitment. His willingness to work after that block. Didn't really

make any meaty contact on it, Abedayor, but Chico was there to

block. Spurs restricted to half the moment, supreme confidence. A

was a whisker away. Driven in very powerfully by the Dutch Under 21

That header from Gallas was easier London air. -- this rape.

Unorthodox, official order. -- off game has finally woken up. Good

break by Swansea. Half a yard over foot. The game is getting better by

the minute. 85% of the action has been played inside the Swansea half

effort. That speaks volumes. Plays with a smile on his face, a very

personable chap, easy to speak to. Very confident. And he has lit up

Nathan Dyer came in. He should have done better with this. He glanced

it, but he needed to get more power from Abedayor. He went on and on

and on. Three against for momentarily. Tremmel made sure. --

Walker. Dear, oh dear! When he needed composure there was none to

wide. So Spurs should have been Defoe. One of those days so far for

Vertonghen puts it in. Spurs take the lead. Level with the last

defender according to the assistant referee. He swung a big boot at it.

Firm contact. His second at Spurs goal, his first in Premier League

football. And it could be so precious, because Swansea in recent

weeks have been breathing down the necks of the leading clubs after a

has been disappointing at times. Nine minutes to go. That deflected.

And a good job for Swansea that it did. Vertonghen might have had his

was a good tackle. 18 its efforts now for Spurs and just the one goal

to show for it. It has not been the best day. Scott Parker gets his

first taste of first-team football this season. He has not played

since he injured his Achilles. Walker and learn and it went for it.

-- Lennon. The referee I think has stopped it. Spark out. He went in

brave leap for it. No question of it being a penalty kick. Angered

the reaction it elsewhere. And that is a yellow card. Jake Livermore

has been cautioned. He had no place to be on the football field and he

may well here more of that. Against this is where play was stopped.

That is exactly where he blew his whistle. Here's Chico. Lennon to

seal it for Spurs. Cleared away by Ben Davis. That is the end of it.

Spurs were not at their best. But Spurs were not at their best. But

that old seals it. -- old. That was hard work for your team today.

had 23 shops and so much possession. We managed to keep on being patient

and persistent. Swansea defending extremely well. Defensively I think

we did well but attacking, just the last 10% we missed. I'm pleased

with the performance of my 18. It was a difficult away game. With

this season you have had it is hard to be critical but for me you did

not pass the ball as well as Swansea. I think that is correct.

We missed some passes. And with the runners that they have. Lennon and

Defoe as well, it gets difficult. In the end the goal came from a

long like we sauce, if you like. an unlikely source. We managed to

get it through a set piece. There was just a touch on the ball.

little touch but there was no time to think. I think it was a good

ball. I love scoring goals and they think I'm able to.

A lovely strike. Spurs on a roll. Spurs would be top of the leak if

games ended after 18 minutes. Here I have highlighted so much that

I have highlighted so much that they did write today. -- right.

That was a thumping tackle would put Spurs on the front foot. Three

of them going around the ball. Putting them on the front foot

again. Gallas closing them down. They're still probing, trying to

get the front foot. Eventually they win it back. They have done it all

afternoon. They were fantastic in that department. The White in

collectively and they were superb. What is it like when you're getting

pressed like that. The important thing is you have to go with

numbers. My mate has got to be behind me. There has to be the

trigger. The midfield will go, the winner will go. If you do that

against Swansea you'll get success. On subject of success, Jermaine

Defoe gets into all the right positions. But it was a strange day

for him. I am a big fan of his. But the one thing he did not have today

was his goalscoring builds. When Spurs get 23 attempts at goal he is

normally on the score sheet. Adebayor puts it in. Normally Defoe

finds that bottom corner. How many times have we seen that. That is a

bit of a tame shot from a player of his quality. This again, bad

control for a player of his quality. This was his best chance in the

game. You would bank on Jermaine Defoe scoring there. In this one,

you have to draw the defender out. Commit the defender. He played it

too wide and too soon. He was frustrated all afternoon. You could

see his frustration. He has had to our three different strike partners

this year. He might just be showing a bit of frustration. And what

about Swansea. What was missing for them going forward. Well they

failed to get this man who has played unbelievably well for

Swansea this year. We highlight him playing today and he was

outstanding again. Swansea did not get any goals today because they

did not get Michu in the right areas. He comes back. When he gets

it he should be playing it straight into the front man. Look at his

reaction. How well he gets back. That is unbelievable attitude from

Michu. He blocks the Spurs defender. And look at his bravery. I think

he's actually knocked out there cold. But not many strikers would

even go there. That is a bit of magic. He should have got it on

magic. He should have got it on target, really.

As soon as you see an incident like that, the referee seemed to have

spotted it straight away. It was a very quick attack. He'd look a

little later than he should have. It was brave from both players.

Townshend went on the attack. It caused a bit of a melee. Off we go

then to the Hawthorns for a game between two sides who seem to blow

between two sides who seem to blow hot or cold. Both teams are said to

be having impressive seasons. But defeat today would represent the

longest losing streak for West Brom since 20th December 10. Still the

Hammers are going well. West Ham have lost three of their last four.

But expect them to still have plenty of backbone.

It is easy to understand why her run of three straight defeats have

not doused the early season optimism for West Brom. There are

Ham. And just six substitutes named, three of whom have never played in

piece of defending. If fantastic header. The players wearing black

applaud the accuracy of the ball in. A couple of interested spectators.

Odemwingie has a good effort on stretch this game. That was not far

off target. It did not have the penetration to find the back of the

net. Jaaskelainen looked as though he might have been stranded just

pokes it over the bar. First chance of the match. The two centre-halves

at the core of it. Collins with a knock back, read with the Prague. -

- Winston Reid with the product, and he looks back with a belief

that he should have got it on target. That is as near as we have

Mulumbu two wins awards the advance it -- advancing -- Mulumbu went

towards the advancing player. A mazy run which ends with Shane Long

falling to the floor. Cole hit it towards the referee and suggested

that his legs were clipped. It looks a fairly innocuous incident,

but he felt he was up at - attended. It's not a great game when you are

realised he could not pass it back to the goalkeeper and scooped it

out for a corner. And in the second minute of the second half West Brom

impeded. One of the defenders came top of the bar. Morison had a prod

at it. The referee says it is a corner. Some genuine pressure being

goal-kick. Sliced off the side of the boot. He took a swing, and then

the post. A bit of a mess in the West Brom merrier but nothing messy

about this attempt. It was bending towards the corner and only just

went beyond it. Already in the early part of the second half the

Jaaskelainen reacted like a keeper who thought he was seeing it

swinging towards him. I think this was moving in the air because of

the reaction of Jaaskelainen. Just dipping in front of him. He dealt

was well dealt with again by a Reid. -- by Reid. Just in front of Longer

and out of half us -- harm's way. West Brom supporters can sense a

clear red for the corner. Plenty more promise about the work from

highest. The when the corner comes swinging in towards the goal, the

Jaaskelainen is drawn towards it. Claims of a penalty from the West

Brom supporters, but nothing from the players. A half claim of a push

and the handball from the on-target effort from Carlton Cole.

It could have crept into the corner, but he hurled himself to his left

and he got there. Just as well that Even though they had a considerable

amount of pressure with the set plays and corners and a lot of

territorial advantage, we have come off the field with Jaaskelainen

making only a couple of saves which shows how well we have defended. On

the other hand, we suffered a bit with the loss of players who were

injured in terms of creating a much. We had far too many players out

injured. We have got the one. And it is a really good result.

Statistically you have not scored for more than five hours, is the

reason? I don't look at statistics. I look at the players. I have

nothing to worry about in terms of goalscoring because we have proved

we can score. The bouts of the ball, the rub of the green, whatever you

want to call it, it's not going for us -- the bounce of the ball. We

had to stop the run of three defeats, and we defended as if we

really wanted to get the result, so for me, that's pleasing.

defenders enjoy clean sheets as much as the strikers enjoy the

goals? That is what I'm paid to do, stop the ball going in the net.

Just a thought about the form you have been in as a team, how much as

the number of absentees affected it? We have got a lot of injuries

but we can't use that as an excuse. We came input in a solid

performance with those injuries, we have to keep on with what we have

got. You cannot look at the injuries you have to look at the

Games in front of us. We are very happy and we deserve to be where we

are today. Even losing the three games, we are still there, so we

have done a great job. When losing games a bit of doubt creeps in and

you lose confidence, but I hope from today we can stop the bad

spell and build the confidence and start winning again. At the moment

we are struggling to get a win they will come if we keep churning out

performances and working as hard as we have. They will come. They can't

all be 3-2 or 4-3. It was definitely a day for the defences.

Swansea not doing that well going forward as much as in the other

games, but today for defences. teams coming off a defeat, and that

is what you get with people steadying the ship. The clean sheet

and main objective in this fixture. Was it a fair result? Probably.

West Brom will be a bit more disappointed not to take the three

points. I thought they did more to win the game to West Ham, but

fairness to West Ham, James Collins was immense. If you look at West

Brom they have won six at home which is only bettered by

Manchester United this season. Long should be tried to get across

Winston Reid. He is standing at the back stake, in a great position.

Brand is looking to cross it and he has to look a get across him. --

Chris Brunt is looking to cross it. We see Long and only Zoltan Gera

trying to get in the box. They don't throw enough men in the box

at times, and West Brom did that today. Peter Odemwingie had a shot.

A decent effort but it doesn't s the goalkeeper. You have got your

centre-forward running out wide, and you do not want him there, he

is the goalscorer. He gets a decent ball in the box but to look at West

Ham and they have seven defenders back and midfielders. Seven bodies,

plus the goalkeeper and only three West Brom players. They need to

throw more bodies in the box. Odemwingie, looking to take people

on. He was the bright spark for West Brom. A good ball across the

box and West Brom -- West Ham clear it. Odemwingie is looking to put

the ball into that shaded area but no West Brom play is looking to run

into it. In the end he does quite well. West Ham get lucky. Again,

Morrison gets up. Great header. He misses out the main two centre-

halves and Morrison, only small, but shows bravery. Overall, I

thought West Brom deserved it a little bit more after the game.

They were the team forcing the three points that you have to give

credit to West Ham who defended You are talking in millimetres,

because it was almost like you're complimenting West Ham as well.

There are no shrinking violets in Nat West Ham side. In a week where

we saw Samir Nasri dangle a fought out, -- a fork out, and Bradford

beating Arsenal. We see people putting their bodies on the line,

and that is what to expect of a Sam Defensively they were superb. Noble,

underrated all season. I'm surprised he has not had a chance

with an England squad. He was getting the ball, playing it simply.

Very, very underrated. Winston Reid gets the ball, who is there? Mark

Noble. Second balls. Look at James Collins here. He is anticipating

where the ball will land. He knows where the man is, drops off. Great

position, hence it away. Again, well set, covers the near post. Not

messing about, just smash it. Not a fancy Dan, get rid of it. Luca will

be favourite for the ball. -- you can cook will be favourite for the

ball. Watching get their head. -- watched him get their head in.

Watch the box. One, James Collins. Then it Nolan. All afternoon,

throwing themselves. O'Brien, another block. They were fantastic.

Again, James Collins, get out! Fantastic defensive play. They

deserve a point for it. When I was a West Ham, Harry Redknapp said

historically they had been a soft touch on the road, but they aren't

now. Over five hours without a goal for West Brom. We talk about it as

a team, and we. A West Brom, but I'm sure scoring goals at a

personal level, you crave it like a smoker craves nicotine. What is it

if your Odemwingie or Shane Long, surely it affection even in

training? You practise in training and hitting the back of the net as

much as you can. But you need a little bit of luck as well. You

need one to going off your heel. Especially when you are the record

transfer fee, like I was, there is more money and pressure and the

expectancy level than someone who came through the ranks. Notice how

we never mentions that. Swiftly moving on, let's look at the BBC

Match of the Day 3 will be online and on the red button tomorrow. In

honour of Aston Villa's kids, we'll be picking a Premier League Teenage

11. Tomorrow night, BBC Radio 5 Live has live commentary of Reading

v Arsenal. No clean sheets on Saturday in the

Premier League, and we begin our round up with two battles between

the north west and the north east, was a chance for the Manchester

poised to extend their lead at the top. Siddique faced Newcastle was

Sunderland went in search of their first win at Old Trafford since

1968. Liverpool were on a good run unsupervised the children of Aston

Villa, the youngest team seen in the Premier League this season.

Benteke! To give Aston Villa the lead. In off the post and into the

back of the net. Benteke on the move. Villa are 2-0 up at Anfield.

A freak header. That was as strong a shout from Liverpool. He clearly

got hold of his shirt there. will just be a consolation.

Lovely ball. Samir Nazri onside and it is tucked into the back of the

net by a Aguero. Manchester City have taken the lead. That is a

glorious bit of vision and execution it from Yaya Toure. It

has gone in. Garcia up with a header. Manchester City are 2-0 up.

While it was it not have blocked on the line? And into the back of the

net from Demba Ba. Newcastle have a foothold back in the game. And that

was a soft goal to concede. Cisse missed a great chance! Poked

in by Yaya Toure and that will probably settle the game. He has

United take the lead. From their Van Persie rarely misses. And a

fine finish. As smashing goal. Really well worked. Manchester

United have scored two in three minutes. Rooney stabs it in.

Sunderland were in shambolic defence. Manchester United now

surely heading for three points. In comes the corner kick. That

deflected on the throne. And Sunderland have a goal. It is

special for Fraser Campbell. special for Fraser Campbell.

Sunderland much improved in this second half. It is coming up to

Christmas and the season of goodwill. I was going to get the

footage out and play it. Before this season you were talking about

Aston Villa. It takes the big man to withdrawal of comment. A by

going to go back on what I said? What I will say is that they are

improving. They are a young team with some fantastic players. At

with some fantastic players. At this minute in time I have to give

them huge credit. They're doing exceptionally well. Benteke, great

strength. You like that partnership? Great awareness.

pairing they are doing really well. I was at the game yesterday and

Benteke is a beast. He is in the gym quite a lot. If you talk amuck

Liverpool defensively, the defenders have got to stand up.

Liverpool have got to be stronger. They cannot get bullied away from

the ball. He seems to get 10% better every time he takes to the

pitch. City, what about them. That opening 30 minutes yesterday, they

were in top gear. Terrific. The pass from Yang Yun Tory was one of

the best I have seen this season Aguero getting the goal. I think

they will lose Toure to the African nations. That will be a blow.

was another at Newcastle game where they did not necessarily have a

stinker. They always have a chance with Cisse and Ba. United have been

eight times out, how many times have they won the League?

To the rest of yesterday's action now, and one result that ended the

Premier League's most unwanted record.

At the start of the weekend just 11 points separated Wigan from Everton.

Everton hope to take advantage of Chelsea's oriental escapades. QPR

had a chance to end a prolonged stay at the foot of the table at

stay at the foot of the table at Fulham. Queens Park Rangers really

should be leading this match already. Tarabt, neatly controlled.

Just what Queens Park Rangers needed. Away he went and he got the

deflection. Is this the platform for a first victory of the season

for Queen's Park Rangers? What a load shifter it could beat if they

can take the three points from this one. Tarabt! Sheer brilliance. It

is so casual. Heat almost rolls it into the back of the net.

Time is running out for Fulham in this match. And they have got a

route back in. Petric with the goal. It is going to be a nervous finale

for the home ground. And that is it. It has taken 17 matches but at last

Queens Park Rangers have won. They have not had much to cheer about

this season but finally Harry Redknapp has his first win as Queen

Everton have the lead. The Stoke City captain put the ball into his

own net. And Kenwyne Jones has scored. Ending the long drought for

was not spotted. But Marouane Fellaini had to go for that.

He deserves to get whatever punishment is handed out to him. I

have seen it and it is a terrible thing to do. I would expect him to

the shoulder. -- Hoolahan with a nice drop. 1-0 Norwich. A brilliant

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 54 seconds

Sean Maloney. And we give our level. Pilkington. A great goal. Hoolahan

puts Norwich front again. Unbeaten since October. Of all the

performances yesterday, your mouth was watering at Tarabt. He is

fantastic. Other managers have not quite got the best out of him. This

is at a different level to anything else on the football pitch. Only in

certain players at that level can take the gold the way he did. It is

just so easy and comfortable. He is a special talent. And Harry

Redknapp is a fantastic manager. A lot of Spurs fans think he should

never have left. What does he do, you were in a rut at West Ham.

First day back in training, what will it be like? It will be relaxed.

He will have a bit of head tennis and perhaps go through some set

pieces where QPR come under a bed of pressure. But if anyone can get

QPR other trouble it will be Harry Redknapp.

Okay, here are tomorrow's headlines today. Despair for Swansea who left

their shooting boots in Wales, as Tottenham moved up to fourth with a

1-0 home win. And No West Is Best as the Hammers

take a point back to Upton Park after their trip to the Hawthorns.

Table time. Manchester United remain six points clear of

neighbours City, with Chelsea a neighbours City, with Chelsea a

further seven behind. Tottenham leapfrog Everton after winning

today, but West Brom couldn't do likewise. The Baggies stay sixth.

QPR move off the bottom, but are still five points from safety. The

Royals replace the Rangers at the foot of the table. They get their

chance to respond against Arsenal on Monday. This week's alternative

table is a League of Nations, goals scored by nationality. No surprise

to see England lead the way, and maybe Spain second. But Scotland

fighting off the challenge of a new wave of players from Belguim.

Although Benteke, Hazard, Kompany and the rest may well be worth an

early shout for Euro 2016. Argentina lead the battle of South

America. Aguero and Tevez accounting for 13 of the 17. And I

am sure the guys in the studio will agree with me, seeing Wales and

Northern Ireland above Brazil in any football league table - apart

from fouls - brings a tear to the eye. The Samba boys are level

bottom with Bulgaria, represented in this chart solely by Berbatov.

That's all on a big night of sport on the BBC, which saw Bradly