24/02/2013 Match of the Day 2

Teams in and the Premier League should be without a manager! I am

the best manager in England. There is not another one like me. John

Terry has denied reports that he has fallen out with Raphael Benitez.

I do not know how people can create these stories when nothing happened.

People deserve more credit than it wrong information. Why do you look

at me? I explained one I was angry. Have

you ever felt like throwing in the towel? Ever.

Two important games at the top and the bottom of the Premier League

today, with stories on and off the field to consider, watched by Pat

Nevin and Alan Shearer. And part one of a double bill of football on

the BBC, with League Cup final highlights immediately following us.

Let's raise the curtain, as we head Let's raise the curtain, as we head

straight to St James Park. Two teams who have improved in

recent weeks on level points. They had been posted by the arrival of

more talent from across the Channel. It was Southampton who won that

first meeting this season with the stylish win much to the delight of

Nigel Atkins. Since then he was deemed not good enough by the owner,

a feeling known all too well by eight Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

who got the same treatment in 2010. Alan Pardew described his exit from

St Mary's as harsh. Several of this spot where his acquisitions, not

least of which Ricky Lambert who was one goal away from securing his

this century for at Southampton. It is hardly surprising that he

made seven changes following their trip to the Ukraine. Paul Elliott

making his Premier leg debut. And four of the starting 11 hail from

across the Channel. Three more are on the bench. The visitors have not

played since their win against Manchester City two weeks ago. But

early possession. And what a start for Southampton. They settled

nicely into the rhythm and dominated the early possession.

Schneiderlin straight over to celebrate with the coaching staff.

Southampton enjoyed the early possession and suddenly

Schneiderlin turned and rivalled that shot. And Rob Elliott could

not keep it out. They have picked up where they left off against

That was just flicked around the post. A really good connection from

Sissoko. Mauricio Pochettino has been in charge since January. Cisse

is on site. And terrific opportunity. That worked well down

the right hand side. That was a deliberate pass into the area but

they did not quite get the connection. But Cisse was onside.

Chelsea gets another goal at St James's Park. Half an hour after

going behind, Alan Pardew's side are levels. One of their quartet of

French man who put them level. I am sure of the irony has not been lost

that it was a French man that gave skipper. Attempting to fashion

something. Southampton conceding a free-kick. Coloccini was well and

truly boxed in. And it is Cisse! At brilliant goal. An absolute stunner.

Cisse with one of the goals of the season. Out of nothing. He thought,

well, why not. It went into the roof of the net. And the goalkeeper

could not get close to it. Wonderful. Strictly speaking he was

in an offside position but can you imagine if that had been ruled out.

Surely one of his best. Newcastle have not conceded the opening goal

and then won a match this season. Saved by Elliott. His first save as

a Premier League goalkeeper and it kind of positions. And it is as

century of goals by the man signed by Alan Pardew for Southampton.

Delight for the visiting supporters, the visiting manager and most of

all the visiting number seven. 100 Southampton goals. Potential seen

by Alan Pardew when he was manager of Southampton. And how inevitable

it was that he would pop up with that 100 goal today of all days. He

has been doing that throughout his career. Swigging it beyond Elliott.

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got 101. I think he will feel that with his arm in an unnatural

position and that is a penalty. His arm is outstretched. And the Cross

is on its way. It is the way from his body. 3 - 2. Southampton have

had enjoyed the better of the 25 minutes or so that have gone in the

second half. But it is Newcastle who have the 5th goal of the

match.Cabaye dispatching the penalty. Southampton still

searching. Round about 20 minutes for them to find an equaliser.

The referee is says play on. And it is on to the bar. The first was

stopped by Elliott. And the rebound side in his half. But all the good

work has been undone. And it is an own goal. Fox was trying to put it

away. And that is the kind of lead that you feel Newcastle can take

home. A real bonus. And shrugs of the shoulders within the

Santon with the cross from the left-hand side. Southampton were

every bit as good as the other clubs we have played recently,

including Chelsea. That goes to show the strides we have made.

finished the first half in an unfortunate manner, because their

goal was a foul. How good was your goal today? Yes, it is good, it is

nice. It is a nice goal, thank you, God. This year has been sometimes

difficult for me to score goals, but today, I think I scored a very

nice goal. I am happy. What did it feel like after three minutes of

your Premier League debut today? Unfortunately, that is how football

goes. It is not the best start, but it was a great comeback from the

lads. It was French Day today, and it seemed to take the pressure off

everybody around the place. Yes, you know, it is like all football

clubs, unique contributions from everyone. All our start today have

done well today to create that atmosphere. It was nice for the

fans to lean on that. Alan Pardew said he has no doubt that

Southampton have the quality to remain in the Premier League - are

you confident that is the case? course, I have the confidence that

the team can stay in the Premiership, and we will work very

hard for that. The main memory will be that goal from Cisse. Yes, as

soon as he kicked it, you sensed it was in. It was almost like an Alan

Shearer moment. For him, it is a great lift, because he has played

so well for us. He gets all types of goals, just like Alan did. But

that was a really special one. has got a point. It was up there,

wasn't it? It was a fantastic strike. As good as any goal you

have scored. I'm not sure it was that good, but you get that feeling

that it is going into the back of the net. Overall, it was a huge

three points. Absolutely, whichever team won today was going to take

themselves away from the relegation zone. The winner today looks like

they have got out of it, and it was Newcastle, and deservedly so. They

will look to the game against Chelsea. Southampton started well.

They played in exactly the same way as they did against Manchester

United and Manchester City. They went in with a game plan to press a

very early, that is their new system, under the manager. And

within 30 seconds of the game starting, they did exactly what he

is telling them to do, press, press, press. Just look at the reaction,

Tiote has got five players closing him down. And they win the ball

back, and they have done that very well in recent weeks. And this was

the free kick, after two minutes. Look how many players they have got

in the box, showing their intentions. They are starting the

intentions. They are starting the game by saying, we're going to

attack Newcastle. This was after three minutes. Again, or bodies in

the box. Good ball in, good header down from Rickie Lambert. Steven

Taylor does not cover himself in glory. He gives Schneiderlin too

much space. But it was a good finish. It worked for Southampton

early on. Newcastle came back, and this is the first time we have been

able to say that this season. For the first time, they came back from

a losing position. Teams will look at Southampton and how they have

played. With that game plan, there are several ways you can play

against that. To be fair to Newcastle, they combated it well.

You have got to pass crisply, as they do, enabling the space. So

they have left three on three. A turn. And it is good play. But this

time, it does not work for them. But they are starting to work them

out. This time, it is a bit of a longer ball. But it is a good,

early ball, taking six or seven players out of play for Southampton.

It comes into Mladen Petric on the left-hand side. But three or four

minutes later, it is a different ball, but almost identical. It is

Cabaye into Gouffran. Once again, it takes players out of the game.

This term, they get the luck. The - - this time. Just look how much

ground he makes up here. It is an excellent ball, as I said. It is no

fluke, him being in the right place at the right time. And this is

another thing you have to do, counter-attack. Nine players for

Southampton in attack, so you have got to counter-attack, and

Newcastle did it very well. They have now got four on three. This

should have been another goal. That's how you play against teams

who are pressing you high. Newcastle did it very well.

helps when you have got somebody who can score a goal like this as

well. If the linesman calls this offside, he is still in that

referee's changing room. He would have been done so until Tuesday.

Was it technically offside? Technically, it is, according to

the laws, yes. It is a big, long ball. When he kicks it, he is three

or four yards offside. But you have got first phase, second phase, you

name it in this particular law. But no-one actually touches the ball.

Are you blaming the assistant referee for not spotting it?

should technically be offside, but if that linesmen gives offside

after that goes in, he would not get out of the ground alive. Do you

not think he is forgetting here's a linesman and looking at the goal?

He may have been thinking that one of the defenders got to touch. But

in actual fact, it is a tough one to call. It is the toughest one to

call. It is a stupid law, because not many people understand it -

first phase, second phase, it is ridiculous. If you had used the

technology, you could clear these things up. There is no way I am

having technology on this highlights show, we would be here

all month. Instead, let's have a look at these magnificent strikes.

We will start with Cisse, the technique, time to watch it in the

air, and the volley, it really was a sweet strike. This one was all

about technique and ability. Great strike. This one, it probably just

ages it for me, from Raphael. That much energy, that much power on it,

even though Berbatov's was probably the best one. Because it is the

hardest thing to do, coming down from the air. But Raphael would

just have it for me. Would you agree? The best technical goal, by

miles, is Berbatov's. That takes real skill. The other ones are

great hits, but they are just hits. I am going for Berbatov. Ever want

to mention Rickie Lambert before we move on. He has now scored 100

goals for Southampton, in 185 appearances, in three different

leagues. It is so nice to see him going through those leagues,

staying at the club. And it does not happen very often. He has

stayed with them through the leagues. But goalscorers are

goalscorers. Is good, strong and physical, with a good attitude,

which helps. Moving on to Manchester City against Chelsea.

Most people would concede these two are fighting it out for a silver

was more memorable, with a 0-0 scoreline. Both teams are desperate

for three points this time around, with Manchester United almost out

of reach at the top. Steve Wilson is your commentator.

There are around 5.5 miles between Manchester City and Manchester

United, about 20 minutes by car. There are also 15 points. That gap

will take three months of courage, determination, inspiration and luck

to close. It may take a miracle. City simply must win today against

a Chelsea side who are hard on their coat tails. City are without

Kompany andm Barry, injured. They have not won any of the last three

in the Premier League. They have not gone four without a win in the

Premier League under Mancini. Rafa Benitez is unbeaten as a manager in

his last 11 games against Manchester City. Torres and Terry

are both on the bench today. Last season, this fixture was pivotal to

Manchester City's push for the Yaya Toure, playing as an attacking

midfielder, in the Number Ten role, Luiz. Chelsea are not short on hike

in there. Good save by Cech. It should have been a goal in all

honesty. As the corner kick comes in, Nastasic did not quite get the

power he was looking for. Well, his Manchester City... Cech did

brilliantly. Another Manchester City chance goes begging. Look how

quickly Petr Cech reacted. He was out of the blocks so quickly. 12

remaining Premier League matches, and the suspicion is that they are

going to have to win pretty much all of them. They should be winning

this one. That was attacked by Jack Rodwell, arriving on the edge of

not look like he has cheered up at all after his trip to Carrow Road

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needed dealing with. He has been impressive in these 40 minutes. He

has had precious few opportunities to shine here. Just about four

minutes to go in the first half. David Silva with this corner kick...

And again, the header from Jack Rodwell Land's End a right place,

Did well to get anything on it at all, really. That would have been

some finish if a girl had pulled that off. -- Aguerro. And that is a

penalty, all day long. In behind Kolo Toure. Joe hard makes contact

with Demba Ba. And Frank Lampard can put Chelsea in front. He has

scored his last 10 penalties. He can edge that title to Old Trafford.

A brilliant save. Brilliant save by Joe Hart. Frank Lampard misses a

penalty about once in a blue moon. But Joe Hart saves. Chelsea might

argue that the Manchester City goalkeeper is lucky to be on the

pitch. Aguero for Manchester City. And a great block from Gary Cahill.

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scored from that little blade of Ramires here for Chelsea. He cannot

find a way around Kolo Toure. The penalty was a lead of four Siddique

and so was this. Ivanovic did brilliantly. -- a let off for City.

Yaya Toure! Brilliant. That is brilliant. Yaya Toure for

Manchester City. With a moment of sublime magic. He found room where

there was man. A finish that seemed impossible. And Manchester City

find themselves in front. He is a giant of a man and ad giant of of

gold. What a finish. -- of a goal. Manchester it city are in front,

where they are absolutely needs to be. Rafa Benitez trying to figure

out a way to get Chelsea back into second Manchester City goal. They

are still in the hunt. Still defending their title. Carlos Tevez

smashers home. And less than five minutes to go. Chelsea will not

recover from this. A great strike from Carlos Tevez. Hard and true.

What a relief for Manchester City. They did very well, I'm very happy.

I think we had a lot of chances in the first half but did not score.

It was important that Joe hard save that penalty. The standard will

always be high. Do you concede that joke might have been sent off?

is the first time in history of the Premier League if he was sent off.

I have never seen by a keeper sending off. I felt it could be at

least a yellow card. There were pushing, they had to score the goal

and then they got the second goal. That could be one of the best goals

I have seen all season. I do not think so. It was nice and very

important as well. Chelsea are a strong team. I think Joe hard made

a big difference today. We know that we have to attack more. I

think today we deserved it because the defenders were incredible and

the midfield worked hard. Are you confident of finishing in the top

four? We knew that it would be tough until the end so we have to

carry on. We have to carry on pushing.

We are surrounded by happy Manchester City fans. Chelsea were

second best in every department today. Manchester City deserved to

win, no doubt about it. Well we will start with that penalty.

Immediately, there is a man playing against a man he knows quite well.

It is a fantastic saves. But take a look at this. Three players outside

the box. Young a toric wants to get in there. That is that desire and

hunger and want to get in there and help the goalkeeper out. There was

just that bit more desire about Manchester City then Chelsea.

amazed because Frank would have taken hundreds of penalties in

training against Joe Hart. He would have known his favourite site. So I

think keep out of thought him to be honest. But it is a good save. But

I was surprised that he had gone that side. You get into that bluff,

double bluff thing and tie yourself in knots. There is a history of

penalties when it comes to Chelsea against Manchester City. And Frank

Lampard's was not the worst. probably will not sleep tonight.

But it could be a lot worse! It could be this worse! I do not

believe it. That has to be the worst penalty I have ever seen.

have worked together for perhaps a decade. And seven years ago there

was a programme when you did not show that! Every other programme,

you play that. The penalty in the game today? 100% penalty. He is

using his power and it is fantastic. It is as Stonewall penalty. He is

trying to get away. But he does not. I'm not saying it is not a penalty.

But it is very clever from Demba Ba. He never did Yates off a line. They

kicks out. Should he jumped out of the way? I am not saying that for a

second. He throws out his right leg and a lot of people do it. It is a

penalty kick. That is what you need to do sometimes. Every single

referee will give that as a penalty. There was another period of about

30 seconds to have a huge effect in the game. Mistakes by Chelsea. You

do not play the ball Lyle, you have got an easy ball in there. It is

about the time you make the pass. He makes it too early. And the

opportunity has gone. It is a simple little mistake. 30 seconds

later it here we are. Fantastic for Frank Lampard. But Yaya Toure has

got nowhere to go. You do not get yourself Square. There's no point

running towards a player because you're in the box. It is a simple

mistake to make. But it is a great finish. Not that Yaya Toure thought

it was a great finish himself. An interesting player that we have not

talked about for a while. He has been something of a misfit since he

moved, that is Jack Rodwell. thought he played well and I was

shocked that he was taken off. He was superb from start to finish. I

finally began to see his capabilities. That was a great

chance that should have been a goal. He is often the first forward

player. We often think of him sitting slightly deeper in place.

He has powered up a bit. He is against top players there. He

constantly gets in towards the area in this game. Getting in and

causing mayhem. If he keeps on doing that, eventually the goals

will start to come. This is classic. He wants to get in there. Head down.

He does not quite get there but I'm seeing enough from him. That was a

lot of money that they paid for him. In the fullness of time, he could

be very special. I think he moved 12 months too early. He could have

done with another 12 months at Everton playing regularly. They do

get paid millions but still common heads could have been down. The

pudding is a very professional performance today. 100% committed.

We had both teams committed from the start. But one wanted it more,

nothing more complicated than that. Well we're going to bring you the

late strikes and the red cards are now. A lot of stories. Another week

and another step towards another Premier League title for Manchester

United. And then some relief for Arsenal at last after a wall full

week. And Aston Villa swapped places once again in the relegation

merry-go-round. $:/STARTFEED. Park Rangers' first corner of the

game. Manchester United were saved by Rafael the Silva there. Giggs.

2-0. Ryan Giggs, the old maestro. Another five goals this season for

Only six minutes gone, and Cazorla really settles the nerves at the

Emirates. Not a good header by Jenkinson. Aston Villa can break

now, with Weimann. Oh, it is a goal. Andreas Weimann has equalised for

Aston Villa. It comes halfway through the second half, and

Arsenal have been caught out completely. Can Villa hang on? Here

comes Monreal, the full-back. And there it is. Cazorla coming in

again, and Arsenal may have got themselves off the hook, with 5.5

minutes to go. Wilshere played a delightful ball into Monreal. What

a blow for Aston Villa, who have a blow for Aston Villa, who have

defended so well. When you can out of a crisis, like we have had in

recent days, sometimes a draw is not bad. When you get weak points,

you can say thank you, and let's you can say thank you, and let's

get on with the rest. -- three points.

Headed goalwards, and in! Wigan have the league, with one of the

scruffiest goals you will see this weekend. But Wigan will not care.

The header came back a cross by Caldwell. Nothing wrong with that.

How important might that prove to be? What a lovely pass. Arouna Kone

with a chance to make it two. Brilliant finish! Last kick of the

first half, and Wigan lead 2-0 at the Madejski. If the first one was

a bit of a fluke, the second one was a classic counter-attack. And

what about this for a finish. Deft, delicate, deadly. Wigan are on

their way out of the bottom three. Figueroa has gone for the return...

It is 3-0. Maynor Figueroa, with his first Premier League goal of

the season. It is another delicious goal, but what about the defensive

work? It is shocking, with three players taken out by one pass.

Figueroa kept his nerve, and made Pogrebnyak. This challenge was all

to do with the frustration being felled by Reading at the moment.

And it is a red card. I cannot say that I am too surprised. The

afternoon has just got a whole lot worse for Reading. It was a huge

three points for Wigan. If you look back over the last few seasons,

they are just doing what they do. They are roughly where we would

expect them to be. She reliable it happens season after season. Their

experience will stand them in good stead. -- ALAN SHEARER: It happens

season after season. Who would be the key players for

you? Macca Fee and McArthur in midfield have been fantastic. But

you have to look to the manager once again. -- McCarthy. He had

players leaving, and he always Copes, he always brings in other

people who nobody has ever heard of. And he does it in such a nice,

friendly way, which makes him very likeable. Right, is a big night of

football on the BBC, with highlights of the League Cup Final

still to come, but not until we finish our flashback to yesterday.

It is one win in six for Everton, after another defeat, this time at

Norwich. And now, West Brom are breathing down their necks.

Berbatov's strike lifts Fulham to header comes in from Leon Osman, an

Everton take the lead. It is no surprise that it was created by

Leighton Baines' delivery. Chris Hughton will be bitterly

disappointed that a midfielder has so much space inside the penalty

area. Is this the moment for Norwich? It is! And it is Kamara

with his first goal in the Premier League. The man from Sierra Leone

comes up with a massive moment in Norwich's season. Three minutes of

added time for either side to find a winner. This is the game right

here. Martin with the ball in... Unbelievable! It is Grant Holt, to

win the game! A moment to transform Norwich City's season. Everton,

unable to deal with the high ball in. Holt was poaching, and Norwich

have won the game. David Moyes must be furious. Clearly unhappy. No

handshake from the Everton manager. He is making the point that time

had expired by the time the corner was taken. He played more than

three minutes, and it was three minutes, but I could not see any

reason for that. Nice touch chick from Lukaku. Four

in the penalty area. The referee has given a penalty to West

Bromwich Albion. As the defender jumps, it clearly strikes his left

hand, despite his best efforts to get it out of the way. Romelu

Lukaku has the chance to get his 11th Premier League goal of the

season. Which he calmly does. He sends me lay the wrong way. Lukaku

for West Bromwich Albion again. -- he sends mean you lay the wrong way.

-- Mignolet. You could see why Johnson appealed for that one.

Foster made an early decision, and a very effective one. Lukaku

breezes away from O'Shea. Two for Romelu Lukaku! Clear daylight now

for West Bromwich Albion. Great persistence from Romelu Lukaku. It

comes in from McClean. So Sydney on! 11 games with no goal comes to

amend for him, and his team are back in it. -- Sessegnon. McClean!

That was the chance, but he could not get over the ball. His manager

the player deliberately, I do not think so, anyway. Dear me, he is

reacting to the abuse from the crowd. It is more like a boxing

injury. I do not think we can apportion too much blame to Dimitar

Berbatov. Nzonzi is still properly wound up. I wonder if he has got

Ruiz mistaken for Berbatov. Was it a revenge attack? That was a nasty

one. He is lucky it was only yellow. That is another wicked cross.

Berbatov! That is wicked volley! Fulham have the lead that they

deserve. And Berbatov has got a scorcher. His 85th Premier League

goal comes in his 200th Premier League game. Is it handball? It is.

It is a penalty to Stoke. He was close to it, but it was blocked

with the arm. What a chance for Jonathan waters. He missed one

against Chelsea last month, when he had an absolute horror show. What

about this one? Saved by Schwarzer. That might just be a sign that it

is not going to be Stoke City's day met the arm of Robert Huth. Huth

went straight into him with arms raised. To the credit of Senderos,

he did not make much of it. That's all the action from yesterday. A

all the action from yesterday. A quick word on Lukaku. He is the

future of Chelsea Football Club. Letting him go would be as daft as

letting Frank Lampard go. And that will not happen, will it?. Just

time for tomorrow's headlines today. Newcastle's win against Southampton,

a foregone conclusion, the highlight being this strike from

Cisse. And it is all Hart for Manchester City, as they get back

to winning ways against Chelsea. Here's the table, with Manchester

City not surrendering the title yet, but they need to make up more than

a point per game against United, which is nigh-on impossible. At the

bottom, Wigan moved out of the bottom three this weekend, at the

expense of Villa. Southampton only expense of Villa. Southampton only

have a three-point cushion. In honour of Joe Hart today, the

alternative table centres around clean sheets. And it is Manchester

City on course to get the Golden Globe award for the third

successive season. -- Golden Glove. At the other end, no surprise to

see Reading and Wigan down there. Everton, surprisingly, just four

clean sheets despite being sixth in the table. That's all from us.

Today's big event took place at Wembley Stadium, where the first of

English football's three main trophies was contested. Highlights

of that match following Oh, brilliant goal! You cannot