20/01/2013 Match of the Day 2

ED LEIGH: Torres put Chelsea ahead told! It is Chelsea's victory!

A soulful, northern start to the programme. I am joined by two

Scotsman, Alan Hansen and Pat Nevin. The game at White Hart Lane was

only given the go-ahead one hour before kick-off, and that is where

we're heading first. Manchester United are looking unstoppable. Not

even close to their best, but they have amassed more points at this

stage of the season than ever before. A 13th Premier League

triumph for Alex Ferguson is looking on the cards, although they

can be beaten. In September, it was Gareth Bale who was unstoppable.

Tottenham got their first league victory at Old Trafford in 23 years.

It has been 12 years since they beat United at White Hart Lane, but

you sense that spurs will be confident of burying another

statistic. So, can spurs do their first league double over Manchester

United since 1990, or will that centre circle, the pitch at White

Hart Lane was passed fit for play, just over an hour before kick-off.

Scott Parker starts for the first time this campaign, with Sandro

having undergone knee surgery in games. United make one change from

their victory against Liverpool last weekend. Ashley Young is

injured, and Phil Jones comes in. Wayne Rooney is among the

I got the impression that Manchester United were very keen to

play the game. That's a lovely ball. Spurs will want to get learn an

isolated against Patrice Evra. Brilliant crossfield ball. That was

very close. Did not make it count anyway. Manchester United trying to

middle... Comes back to the far post, van Persie! 1-0! The old Top

Guns cause against Spurs at White Hart Lane. -- scores. Spurs were

perplexed. Van Persie with the finish. 25 minutes gone. The goal

perhaps slightly against the run of play. He is a scoring machine. 11

in his last 11, 51 in his last 59. 132 in 163, and so it goes on. Most

crucially, it is the first of the afternoon. Manchester United have

won all 14 league games this season to date when Robin van Persie has

scored. If they can get the ball out to Aaron Lennon... But again,

he was isolated, Tottenham were a bit slow in getting it wide. Defoe

on half term... And De Gea was perhaps a little bit late getting

down? He did well in the end, but I don't think he expected it to come

claiming offside against Aaron Lennon. But the flag has stayed

down... Gareth Bale! Saved by the legs of De Gea. That's the closest

Tottenham have come. Manchester United have stopped Gareth Bale

down the flanks, but from a central position, he got the shot away. It

Hugo Lloris with the save. Welbeck had a chance to pull it back,

blocked by the goalkeeper. The ground staff have done a fantastic

job here today to get the game moment, the goals are not coming

for Jermaine Defoe. Just one in his last seven games. More than 200 in

his career now, for the England international striker. 132 of those

done by Carrick. Half chance for Danny Welbeck. Good first time ball

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with a goal for Tottenham. Dempsey! Saved brilliantly by a De Gea. A-

game, he stuck out a big boot and got away. Again, it was

unconventional. But it was the referee. Tom Cleverley,

dwelling on the ball, and Tottenham have it back. Great atmosphere at

Aaron Lennon appeared to be checked off the ball. Very strong second-

for Kagawa. He drew the challenge, and Manchester United feel that

should have been a penalty. If you go by first reactions, I did not

think it was a penalty. I'm not sure from that angle, though. I

thought initially it was the challenge from Caulker which pushed

the ball out. But it wasn't. I think that should have been a

have been handball. It hit Rio as he was turning away. Lovely save by

was with him. Manchester United challenge by Rio Ferdinand. He

saved his side there. Quick recovery. Just the slightest

hesitation by Defoe, as he looked Valencia. Dembele follows up.

Manchester United are on the back foot, with five minutes to go.

Gareth Bale, deflected! I think that's Rio Ferdinand again. I think

for the second time in this second half, Rio Ferdinand has saved

post... They have equalised!, er, Dempsey! For the first time in the

game, Manchester United switched off on their right-hand side, and

they paid the penalty. Spurs will say they richly deserved it. They

have worked so hard in this second half to get back into the game, and

finally, they have levelled it up. The goalkeeper came, but Dempsey

was on hand to turn it in. The goalkeeper was under great pressure,

it has to be said. His defenders did not greatly protect him from

the challenge by Caulker, and Dempsey put it in. He has equalised

with virtually the last kick of the Describe how you felt when that

equalising goal went in? Big relief, most of us felt. We search -- we

deserved to win, in my opinion. We had big chances. We had a couple of

very good opportunities. So, very happy to get the result in this way.

Obviously it is just a draw, but a deserved draw. How important was

the decision of that did not go your way? No way was Wayne going to

give that. Disappointing. You remember these things, because they

are important games. That was an important game today. Before the

game, we would have taken a point. We knew it was a tough game. The

way the team has been playing this year, as the game went on, probably

a bit disappointed. We have a lot of belief in ourselves. We knew the

crosses were causing problems. Any time you get four points against

United, you have done well. The draw about right, Alan? Yeah,

about right. It was a funny game to watch. All the way through the game,

you look and you see Ferdinand and Vidic and Carrick being excellent.

But Van Persie gets the goal. But in reality, if you look at the

chances, Tottenham were the better side. They deserved the draw, but

there was a big moment with the Rooney penalty kick. If he gets a

penalty kick, the game is over. and games in the office. You go

first, Ireland. And then we will try and keep Alex Ferguson out of

the building. You and I think it was as clear-cut as it is going to

reactions. What Rooney's left leg. From the referee's position, he

kicks the opponent. He is running. Yes, I know, but that is not the

referee can see. The referee is behind, and all he can see is this

left leg coming and kicking off. Rooney goes straight to the

assistant referee, and Alex Ferguson has a dig at the assistant

referee. It was snowing. Maybe the referee could not see caulker in

the snow in the white top, committing to the challenge,

missing the ball and grubbing up Wayne Rooney. -- tripping up Wayne

Rooney. From the referee's position, it looks like he kicked him. From

the other angle, the assistant referee should probably give a

You are not getting a Christmas card from Sir Alex! I know what you

are both about to say. Let's talk about United. There was a great

stat this week - 22 games in, more points than they ever had in the

top flight ever. Yet still, week-in, week-out, talk in people's offices

is, this player is a weak link, that player is a weak link. Well,

the goalkeeper is freer with the ball in the box. They say you

should play to your strengths. From a Tottenham perspective, they will

And that was a great save. And an even better one from don't see. But

when you go to the corner kicks, you need Bell playing into the area

where Defoe is. Manchester United deal with it really well all

afternoon. Not a problem for the Manchester United defence. You can

see where they should be exploiting the frailty. The minute you see

that, you think, put them under pressure. This was feeble. It is a

big decision draw Alex Ferguson. Does he stick with that goalkeeper?

It is the one position you don't want to be chopping and changing,

but he definitely has a weakness. The two Superstars were lining up

against each other. How did they fared? Two absolute Superstars. Van

Persie is the hit man. He was absolutely lethal today. So he goes

and celebrates, and it is up to Gareth Bale to try and break

It does not matter who it is, it could be Kagawa or Carrick or Jones,

it does not matter, they just push him out of the way of danger.

Eventually in the first half, he thinks, I have had enough of this,

and stars going to the other side. But then there is an imbalance in

And it works an absolute treat. As a world-class player, people say

you can't stop him. Well, maybe one guy can't stop him, but a group

working together can stop him. A volunteer is on message as well. --

There was no doubt for me that Tottenham were the better side.

Structurally and organisationally, Manchester United were fantastic.

No, we are going to move on. It takes a real man to say if I was

wrong on the penalty. From the referee's position... Of he was

wrong on the penalty. We are off now to West London. Stamford Bridge

was also a blank did in bad weather, but both teams went into this one

red hot. There was a time in Premier League are history when

Chelsea just could not beat Arsenal. No matter how hard they tried. Then

Didier Drogba arrived and the tables began to turn. Didier Drogba

has turned the match around single- handed! And last season's match at

the Bridge was a classic. Arsenal back on top. Robin Van Persie, a

hat-trick! Until September, this season at the Emirates. So today,

flown the nest. Time for someone else to dominate. Good that Mandy

Fernando Torres, a scorer in September, but he has not scored in

six charity appearances. He was elected today ahead of Demba Ba,

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who has had two goals against score, and maybe should have hit

the target. He was onside. Cech was helpless. That was the sort of

chance that Arsenal away to Chelsea have to take. Notes are already

being taken. He has to have broad shoulders and be a tough Kuqi to

take the sort of stick he has been getting from Chelsea fans. Must be

marvellous Mata goal. Arsenal could have taken the lead. Chelsea have.

Arsene Wenger is angry that the free kick has not been given for

Ramires in the middle of the pitch. Chelsea will not care about that.

Juan Mata have a run of six games without a goal. That is why Wenger

is angry. You can see why. Both went in strongly. Coquelin was trod

on by Ramires. Juan Mata has scored 14 goals this season. Two of those

have come against Arsenal. Chelsea have the lead on this and every day

in west London. -- on this at snowy Roman is at home. Been to the club

Szczesny could not take the chance. Wojciech Szczesny? Yellow card, I

think. Yellow card, it is. For a moment, it looked as though Martin

Atkinson was going back into his dogged again. The problems are

enough for Arsenal as it is. We know if that Frank Lampard does not

lead to many penalty chances go begging. No mistake at all. Six

goals in his last nine games. A goal in each of the last five

weekends. Chelsea 2, Arsenal 0. Leaving the club or not, LA Galaxy

or wherever he may go, he is not going to go quietly. Another game,

another goal for Frank Lampard, Chelsea in control of this London

derby. For does this tell us why Szczesny was not sent off? It was

not an obvious goalscoring opportunity. But it seemed

goalscorers will conjure something up between them. Oh, dear. Chelsea

have had a very good afternoon. For Fernando Torres, it has been

business as usual over recent weeks. I get the feeling Arsenal's players

are not in their manager's good books. Freezing day like this, and

look how early they have been sent back out. Looks a little busier

right from the start of the second half. Cole thinks he got the ball

squarely and cleanly. But the angle of the challenge is taken into

Mertesacker is not the player you would select for that chance to

noise of unrest from the Chelsea fans. That's two wake-up calls for

Chelsea now. On Wednesday night, of course, there were 2-0 up against

could not get a hold of it. He needed to really thrust out those

neck muscles and plant it in towards the goal. Ivanovic is

making it that little bit harder. Walcott goes past Cole, and again.

If don't you digging out the ball. Great appreciation of Ashley Cole's

part in that from the crowd. Walcott! That's a brilliant finish.

Arsenal far from finished in this game! He does like it when he gets

to run through the middle. Is bang in line. He was a scorer in

Arsenal's 5-3 victory here last season. At one stage, the scoreline

challenge when the goal went in. Torres gets to his feet, and he has

got the pace to outstrip Vermaelen! Unfortunately he has not got the

touch to finish the job. He used to have, every time. He puts the

burners on - great to see... And then that. What does that mean?

Squeeze, press, do anything, just make sure you hold on to the points.

If ever Fernando Torres needed a ball on a plate, it was then. 10

minutes to go, and it will be Torres or off, Ba on. There are

applause for the shift that Torres has put in. Demba Ba is onside.

Szczesny has come a long way out, and Ba has beaten him! That could

be huge from Vermaelen. There is chuntering in the Chelsea ranks,

but it would have been gnashing of Cahill just preserved all three

points? Sagna has gone to the near post. It has come out to Santi

Cazorla. Bertrand made sure he roof of the net! That was the

chance. Petr Cech was the coolest cat in the ground. He knew where it

cat in the ground. He knew where it was going. And we know where the

points are going now. It is good at the end for the fans. In the first

half we were on top of them, controlling the game. In the second

half they were pushing and pushing, we played counter-attack. We could

not finish the game with the chances we had. I felt it was a

free kick on Coquelin for the first goal, and I am not convinced at all

that it was a penalty for the second one. It seems that Chelsea

thought it could have been another red card. But for you, not even a

penalty? You can understand that, but I do not think it was a penalty.

Do you think Ramires just went down too easy? I have been told by

people watching on television that it was not a penalty. If you

analyse the penalty, the foul on the 'keeper, then maybe it is a red

card. I think we deserved to win against a very good team. We did

really well. Credit to our players doubled you came out for the second

half very early, was that deliberate? No, we came out when

the bell went, and Chelsea did not do that. We made some changes at

half-time, and I believe we came out with a different attitude, and

much more initiative. We knew we had to improve our performance at

home, because the last four or five games here at Stamford Bridge, we

did not do enough. It was a victory for us, so I think today was really

important, because of that. As is often the case with these big

games, decisions to discuss, both centering around Chelsea's goals.

Thankfully you two agree. That's highly unusual! Let's have a look

highly unusual! Let's have a look at them. Asked nor were very

unlucky with the two decisions. referee was in a great position,

but that is a foul. And this one, we completely agree with, he has

just fallen over, no more than that. I don't think he has dived, his

foot has just given way. Dubious. But having said that, Arsenal were

so bad in the first half, it was totally unacceptable, it was a

disgrace. It was a baffling first half. You get the team sheet and

you assume certain things, but it was unpredictable. They played so

poorly against Manchester City last weekend, that you were expecting

them to come out on fire, especially when you look at the

Chelsea line-up. You would expect them to get into their faces, but

it was the opposite. Time and time again, Chelsea were hustling and

harrying, and Chelsea were always on the attack. They've regain

possession so easily. This time, it goes wide to Cazorla, but

eventually, they take it off him again. The worrying thing was that

when Chelsea were attacking, they were doing so in numbers. Diaby was

complaining about something. He has a look around, but he was hustled

by Ramires, and it ends up with the penalty kick. I think these two

clips will sum it up. I don't think this was a penalty kick, but this

was the way Chelsea passed. You can see the three players in the

picture. So then, Arsenal go back to Mertesacker. Watch Vermaelen

here, he is saying, help us out. On the other hand, when Chelsea have

got the ball, they are free to turn and move on to the attack. Arsenal

were so bad that when they started playing, there was too much to do.

If you were and are has not have come looking at the first half,

such a huge game, it means so much to the Arsenal fans, and our

producer, an Arsenal fan, wants to know why Arsenal would need a

rocket at half-time. A friend of mine said to me at half-time, are

we allowed to tackle? From the start of the first half, it was an

absolute mess. Just as Alan was saying, they did not get close. But

he had every right to be furious in that first half. Every time the

past is made, look how much space they have got around them. Jack

Wilshere goes, I am going to chase down, but nobody comes with him. He

is saying, excuse me, is anybody going to give us a bit of a hand

here? Same again here. Again, Jack Wilshere saying, why is nobody

helping? There is no effort. Again, he is shouting at them, boys, is

anybody going to have half an effort? That's five times in the

same move. And this went on for the entire first half. It was a mess.

Theo Walcott, he is quick, we know that. But here, he does not go with

Azpilicueta. He leaves his mate, thank you owner, two on one. -- his

mate, Cazorla. In the second half, they get close, and will have a

sudden they have got some space up front. And when you do that, that's

when you get space. Had they done that in the first half, there is

every chance that Arsenal could have won that game. Having said

that, Chelsea were very good in the first half. When you're struggling,

you have got to do more as a team, individually and collectively.

all think we know better than the managers, win, 99% of the time, the

manager is probably right, but you were screaming for Chelsea to

change it up in the second half. But it does not come with Rafa

Benitez that often go for 70 minutes. You two her seen lots of

Liverpool. This comes up to Thomas. He actually work hard, but it was

not happening for him. It was not sticking. That was actually a poor

touch. But we see a shadow of the ghost of Fernando there for a

moment. Followed by another bad touch. At this point Chelsea fans

are getting miffed, because this is powder-puff stuff. By the time

Demba Ba comes on, Arsenal might have equalised. What a difference

he made. And he cost �7.5 million. It doesn't matter if you cost 7.5

million or 50 million. If you are the better player, on the better

form, every fan once you on that pitch. It allows everybody to push

up behind him, and that was not happening with Fernando. He has to

be stronger. He is new, he is hungry, you have got to consider

starting him, haven't you? Well, he has scored a lot of goals.

attributes are that he holds it up better than to was, he is stronger

than Therese, and he is better than to was, and he has scored more

goals. -- better than Torres. Match of the day three is available on

new manager taking charge for the first time, and we have got

commentary on Five Live Sport. It is also the second leg of the

is also the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals. So, a

busy week of football. You can keep up-to-date with it all on the BBC

Sport cage and. It is free to download. It is well worth getting.

Let us catch up on what happened on Saturday. Football fans do not get

enough credit, so let's put at right. In Arctic conditions, they

made some epic journeys yesterday - Norwich to Liverpool, Staffordshire

down to South Wales. But it is tough if you see your side blown

away. Special mention to the 1,000 Reading fans, who follow a team

with the worst away record in the country. For them at least, the

journey was well worthwhile up to important goal! How they have

touch of the game since coming off the bench, has scored his first

goal in the Premier League away Reading into the lead! They have

overturned Newcastle's slender advantage. Reading, the team with

the worst away record in England, could well be heading for a

valuable three points with 13 Jordan Henderson. Liverpool needed

something special to break the deadlock, and he has just provided

it. A lovely dummy from Sturridge. Suarez is on side. 2-0, Liverpool!

He scores against Norwich again. We are talking about them again. Goal

number 20 of the season for Luis Suarez. And Liverpool doubled their

lead. Greta 0, Liverpool! Go -- 3-0, Liverpool. Of Daniel Sturridge's

first experience at Anfield is marked with Drury. Giggs miles from

Daniel Sturridge. -- big smiles from Daniel Sturridge. 4-0! Steven

Gerrard is in on the act. That puts into bed once and for all, and

Liverpool 5, Norwich 0. A day to remember for Liverpool, one

lovely finish by the Swansea full- back. It has brought the Swansea

crowd to their feet. Davies has broken the deadlock, and it is his

first goal of the season. Begovic was over a long way. Jonathan De

Guzman spotted that, and he has curled it majestically into the top

goal! That has to be one of the team goals of the season. A slide

rule finish has handed Swansea City three points. Two goals to the

Dutchman, and Swansea Chris Addy -- Swansea City's crowd are ecstatic.

Good effort, headed in by Michael Owen, who was unmarked. And Stoke

City have a consolation. It is his first goal in Stoke City colours. I

am sure he would have preferred it were in different circumstances to

You wanted to talk about back heels and tackles. Let's have a look.

used to be called very unfashionable. Now they are

everywhere. Back heels are very useful. They created a huge amount

capable of doing it, but you have to have a good understanding

between each other. You have to have a great awareness of what is

around you. This was the best goal of the weekend. Need Little back

heel, the only way you are going to develop some space. In the dark

days, they used to say it was only for fancy dancing. It is probably

safe to say that Alan Hansen has never used their backheel in his

life. I used to drag it back to myself on many an occasion. That,

to me, the referee sees it and does not do anything. That is a yellow

card. This was the tackle from last week that I said was the perfect

tackle. And then Wayne Rooney tackled Caulker, and should have

been sent off. Four games unaccounted for, and all

of them important. It is around this time you can get

to cut adrift at the end of the Barclays Premier League. Whether

you are chasing a title-winning machine, dropping like a stone

already fighting for survival. City, Fulham, Villa, Wigan, Sunderland,

West Ham and QPR were all try to keep calm yesterday, but there was

a real tension in the cold January air, and tension makes for great

football entertainment. Great goal! A Christian Benteke

opens the scoring with a brilliant strike. That is a stunner from the

big Belgian. Great work from Agbonlahor! Super finish, too.

Aston Villa, two. A goal that they made look so easy to score. Picked

the spot, put the ball in it. Albion back in it. And it is in!

Albion have turned it round. Back from 2-0 down to 2-2. Peter

Odemwingie scores. Perfectly placed to score the equaliser. Odemwingie

has put the ball into the net quite brilliantly. He could have scored

has made a sensational start for Queen's Park Rangers! 13 1/2

minutes into his debut, Remy shows why they paid all that money for

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head of Kevin Nolan. Will London West Ham! It is 1-1. Joe Cole, back

with his first club, opens his account the second time round. 68

minutes gone. West Ham 1, Queens penalty for charging with the arm

from the wall. Gardner levelled the scores with the ease, sending out a

Al Habsi the wrong way. Fletcher scores on the rebound! This game

has turned around in three minutes. Fletcher has done it again. Loves

playing against Wigan. Has he put The first goal in English football

for the man on loan from Manchester 95 seconds, that didn't take long!

Manchester City 1, Fulham 0. His David Silva in again? He is!

Beautiful goal. That should set lid. Despite a pretty uninspiring game

for Manchester City, David Silva doubles the lead.

Of all those games, QPR have a particular stat connected with

their defence. It roughly 8 1/2 hours of football, two goals

conceded. There were the three goals lost against Liverpool where

they were dreadful. In their last three matches, five point is

absolutely fantastic. It gives them impetus to go forward. They could

still beat the drop. Man City at home next week. Last chance, Pat.

Do you want to flip flop on the Rooney and say it was a penalty?

The referee can't give it from that position. Rooney kicked him.

Iraq tomorrow's headlines today. Dempsey makes peace with the Spurs

fans. Everything all-white eventually for Tottenham, as they

grab a lake draw against the league leaders.

Arsenal set adrift as Chelsea's first half blizzard was enough for

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a 2-1 win for the European An eventful weekend of Premier

League football, but there was definitely something missing. The