26/08/2012 Match of the Day 2

Liverpool! What a mistake, Well, well, well. Echoes of last

season. Perfect opening day. And we have 37 more weekends like it

before this trophy goes anywhere. And we will not missable on Match

of the Day 2, same place, same time every Sunday. Highlights of all the

action and all the best moments from yesterday. Mick McCarthy and

Alan Shearer are here to welcome you with their trademark smiles as

we had to Anfield. -- we had to Anfield. Liverpool

need to get going. Never mind that the debacle at West on, they have

lost 10 of their last 15 matches. - - West Brom. They could do with a

morale-boosting home win against the champions. The new boss would

love to do it his way but a 'A's points that mean everything.

Manchester City got all three points last week, something of a

speciality for Roberto Mancini's man. They have won all of their

last three competitive figures -- fixtures by the same 3-2 scoreline.

Great going forward but not so good at the back. Something else for

them to worry about as they attempt a first league win at Anfield since

a first league win at Anfield since 2003.

Better home form is a must if Liverpool are to challenge for a

top four place this season. Brendan Rodgers has stated he wants to make

Anfield a fortress but his first home league game in charge could

hardly be tougher with the champions in town. He has made a

big call with his selection, giving a Premier League start to Raheem

Sterling, who plays with Stewart Downing dropped and Andy Carroll on

Roberto Mancini makes five changes today. Mario Balotelli, James

today. Mario Balotelli, James Milner, Nigel de Jong, Kolo Toure

referee gets underway, returning to Anfield for the first time since

taking charge of a 6-1 FA Cup win Lucas, in the Liverpool Milfield,

not moving all that really. -- showed what he could do there. He

had been waiting on that far side. When the ball came to them, he

wiped that cross in. Rooney tried to get in in front. -- really tried

to get in in front. But he could not bring it home. Liverpool have

gone in? Not quite. What a lovely escape for Liverpool. Mighty close

to putting Manchester City ahead, Carlos Tevez, from the acute test

of angles. -- most acute of angles. The referee thought not. Balotelli

is going it alone. He doesn't come close to scoring. The crowd is

complain because they felt that Luis Suarez was being held by

Vincent Kompany. -- the crowd is discussion with Roberto --

Balotelli. So nearly turned into his own net by company. Vincent

Kompany put Manchester City ahead here after 31 minutes and he nearly

put his team behind after 33 this front of Joe Hart. 1-0 Liverpool!

Martin Skrtel. A powerful header to bring the house down. Liverpool had

really started to pick it up in the last 10 minutes or so. And it has

culminated in this sector. And what a header. Powerful, venomous, and

unstoppable from Martin Skrtel. 33 minutes in, and Brendan Rodgers'

team are ahead. An eruption of joy this angle how close that was. I do

not think it was that close to the golden opportunity for 2-0.

Suarez making a run through the centre but he could not get enough

count anyway even if Balotelli had not hit the post. The flag went up

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equaliser. Yaya Toure. And we are all square at 1-1. Yaya Toure found

the net last season in the 3-0 home win over Liverpool for Manchester

City. He took his chance there and the ball fell so invitingly for him.

And Toure, with a great chance that he was not about to miss. 1-1 and

Rodwell, and it has been given. The reverie was in a good position to

see. -- a shout. -- the referee. Suarez! What a ball! Fantastic free

kick. 2-1 Liverpool. Jack Rodwell, penalised for handball, and why did

-- and, boy, did Suarez making! -- make him pay! This goal from Luis

Suarez restorers Liverpool's lead. Here is Joe Hart's view. He could

not quite get there. Luis Suarez celebrates his first goal of the

season. When you're a Liverpool's manager, you really are in the hot

seat. Enjoying it today. Johnson nearly goes all the way! Handball,

nothing given. Kolarov, the player. Liverpool feel that he handled the

ball as they went into the penalty area. There is a suggestion that he

fouled Johnson. And there is one careful! It is going to be suited

to. What a terrible mistake by Martin Skrtel. -- it is going to be

2-2. Manchester City, gifted a route back into the game. He was

the hero at one end during the first half with a wonderful goal

but he will not want to see this one again. And all all defensive

mistake. A symbol finish for Carlos Tevez. Suddenly, Manchester City

are right back in the game. 10 minutes ago. And it is to do to. --

2-2. If Andy Carroll is coming on, he will not have long to make a

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in their mouths for a moment there. Liverpool, are they going to get

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there. It is a way by Rodwell. The Rodwell denying a Liverpool goal

their cue to leave for the exit. What might have been for Brendan

Rodgers and his team. An excellent performance from Liverpool. They

were so close to beating the champions. Real frustration in the

end. A mistake by Maarten Skrtel ultimately gave Manchester City at

We played very well. It was a terrific performance, which is

important. We are obviously disappointed at having gone ahead

twice we could not have closed the game out. No complaints overall.

Sometimes the best team does not always win. Roberto, it was a great

game to watch. How was it for you? Also for me. Both teams played well.

I think that a draw is the correct result in the end. We did not

deserve to lose. The first 15 minutes we played very well and had

a lot of chances. It was very hard. It was an unbelievable game. It was

one of the most difficult games I have played in here in England.

Your first home League match as Liverpool manager. It is some

stadium when the crowd like what they see? Yes, I thought they were

brilliant today. It was a wonderful atmosphere. They created an

incredible a ringer for the players to play in. Hopefully we will have

many more days like that but getting the three points. A really

enjoyable way to spend Sunday afternoon. His Joe Allen the poster

boy? He had a very good game. As did most of the Liverpool guys. We

saw little glimpses of it last weekend without getting the right

result. Glen Johnson could kick it long, but chooses do play his way

out of trouble. There is no panic. They are all comfortable on the

ball. It comes into Caly. How many times have we seen any team on pit

long? They are not panicking. They believe that playing that way they

will create chances. It worked for him at Swansea. Reina had the

chance to kick it long. He played it short. You have to have Midfield

players who were willing to do that, take the ball under pressure, the

comparable under pressure. Again, no panic. They are comfortable.

They are playing football in their own half. Last 10 minutes, that is

when you kick the ball long. But no, he takes the gamble to kick it back.

That has cost them dearly. Brendan Rogers will take the blame for that.

He will say it is his system. Would he say the same in the dressing

room? He will have to do. He has got to be consistent, whatever he

says to the press. He will be encouraging them to play. He will

take the blame for encouraging them to play. It affects Skrtel, the

fact that he is right foot. It made it difficult. Brendan had Williams

at Swansea who did that brilliantly. A right-footed player playing on

the left side. It is finding the right balance. With 10 minutes

remaining and you're winning, he asked to go long. There is no doubt

that Tevez was cute enough. you're going to work for BBC Sport

this year, you have to hate zonal marking. Give me a little bit about

it. Why do you hate it? Do those who play at a concede more goals

than anybody else? I have been brought up with man-to-man marking.

We have conceded bowls doing that, as has those who play zonal marking.

-- goals. Manchester City today, I do not know if it is zonal marking

or not. These three are marking. But Kolarov has no physical contact.

The three guys who were defenders are very good in the air but none

of them attacks it. Skrtel get the run. Kolarov should be marking him.

He is the only man who is man- marking in the box but he is

nowhere near him. It was a great header. Can you pick holes in the

second Liverpool goal? I thought Joe Hart had got it wrong. He had

not climbed the wall up properly. There is no problem with it. You

have got to say, a great ability. Fantastic free kick. You had one

guy outside the post. That was Rodwell. You have just got to say,

Hans up, a great ability. When they jump, that is all you can do. If

they stood still, they may have got their head to it. It is a great

free-kick. He will Paul -- City will probably be happy with a point.

They do not do very well at Anfield. Liverpool fans will be happy to

note that this is the youngest line-up since 2003 to start a match

for Liverpool. Four players over 25. Is it the youngest who caught the

eye? For me it was. I thought it was Raheem Sterling. He does have a

bright future. To put him into a game of that size today, 17, in

front of the Kop. He did not let anybody down. Timmy, this was a

great ball. Borini should have scored. He is strong. All right, he

loses the ball. But what his attitude. -- watch. He get the ball

back. He did it all afternoon. Get the ball and getting behind Kolo

He tracked back. He has worked so hard in the game. It would have

been easy for him to allow him to go on. It shows he is learning the

It is infectious. If you get a young lad like that in the team, he

get encouragement. It is infectious. Five changes from the first game to

the second game. Is that the modern game or disruptive? It is a bit of

both. As a player, if you start well, you want to play in the next

game. Arguably the fixture of the weekend when it comes to

controversy, Culture Clash and mockery. The Britannia is the

loudest Stadium in the Premier League and FA at the one Arsenal

come to town. Artists bursars artisans. -- against. If Stoke want

any more motivation, they have not won in their last seven league

games. What about Arsenal? Another season has started with another

captain leading, closely followed by an influential midfielder. Where

will the goals come from? So far, they have not been answered. The

Gunners insist potty macro title challengers. We will know more

about them after a thorough Vito Mannone plays in place of

Wojciech Szczesny, injured. Jermaine Pennant plays against his

old club because Matthew Etherington is injured. Cameron

makes his debut. They have concerned -- confirmed the signing

of Edu from Rangers. Olivier Giroud makes his full debut, with Theo

Walcott dropping to the bench and Podolski moving wide. Last season

they were virtually out of the title race by the end of August.

Defeat here today would be deeply unsettling. A raucous atmosphere,

as there is for every home game against Arsenal here at the

Long's flag. He is off. Good decision. Interesting comments by

Tony Pulis today. He says Stoke City must never take their ire of

the ball because this league is relentless. -- take their eye off

up by Wilkinson. He put his head in the way. He is a brave defender. I

just wonder if the referee might have felt that welcomes and stop

the ball with his arm? Podolski hit had to stop his compatriot. You saw

the strength of Lucas Podolski. Turned, went for goal. Arteta can

hit the ball. So can Podolski. He sent it wide. Stoke fans may have

been cheering with delight but Arsenal are controlling things at

been asked not's best striker so far. Podolski looks like he is

working up a good relationship with Well dealt with by the goalkeeper.

The best we have seen from Stoke so far. Gervinho has gone to the

Arsenal left. The pass was sold short. He knew he was going to get

a whack. Nothing sinister. A wide. Arsenal have not got their

Well dealt with. It is Sandy Cassar changed? His team has so far are

not inspiring Stoke City. Pennant claims a penalty and a goal kick is

given. Pennant digs in deep, running with them. I think that is

challenge by Wilkinson. He has always been a committed defender.

He does not allowed to challenge us. It is a caution double offence. --

pull out of challenges. By that was a dangerous position. Art attack,

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that. It was in space. Olivier Giroud had a good chance in the

opening game against Sunderland. of opportunity to come. I think

that Olivier Giroud's initial touch was poor. The anguish is there,

not get the shot away. He did not react quickly enough, he could have

between the two clubs, Stoke have the goalkeeper. Stoke City's best

chance. It was an easy save, in the end. There is a gap in front of

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turn into space. There were two goalkeeper! That would have been

outstanding! He is exasperated, because in the middle he had Aaron

Ramsey. That would have launched his career in English football. He

went for that option instead of squaring it. He was not far away,

let's be honest. It would have been a spectacular end to the game, but

he is moaning because look at the run through the middle by Aaron

Ramsey. Had Olivier Giroud squared Ramsey. Had Olivier Giroud squared

it, Arsenal would have won the game. It was a difficult game today. We

do not think that we did as well going forward as we are capable of.

We have to improve that. The dynamics of the team, they work so

hard. They put their bodies in the way, Andy Williamson, stopping that

effort going on target. -- Wilkinson. I believe it was a point

at Stoke City, and that is normally a good performance. I have regrets

today because I think there was more in the game from us. We had a

solid performance. We did well with the problems they gave us.

Defensively, we were very sorry, but technically a right. We lack

some sharpness. -- technically all right. We saw the anger on your

face later on when Olivier Giroud chose to shoot. I believe he did

not see him. He was just at the start. He decided to shoot. You're

right, that was a good moment to win the game. You have been linked

with Michael Owen for the last several weeks. I am doing my

business when I do my business and you will get to know about it later,

sweetie! Lovely stuff. Negatives and plus points from both side. The

problem with Arsenal, until they score goals in the Premier League,

the initials are D P hang around like a bad spell. -- Robin van

Persie. Unfortunately, Olivier Giroud will be compared with van

Persie. It is unfair to judge anyone after one game because you

only had 10 or 15 minutes last week. He will get better. He has scored

goals for Montpellier. He had an incredible chance in the last 10

minutes last week which each could have scored. -- which he should

have scored. -- which he should have scored. There are things he

could do better at. I think his movement here is not quite there.

He does not go to the far right. It is a poor ball. He does not ask a

question of either defender. It is a poor ball. He might have had a

better option if he had gone to the near post. I don't know why he

tries to do a bicycle kick here. It is a difficult trick to do. I think

he would have been better planting his right foot and volleying it.

This one, his job is to hold it up for the three guys coming in, Diaby,

Arteta and Chamberlain, but he gets away with it. His touch is not

great. Robert half and Shawcross, he will not play against that week

in, week out. It was a tough afternoon. This is what Arsene

Wenger was on about. Ramsay is making a great run. I'm not sure

whether DEC Simone not. If he plays into that space there, that little

space. That little space! E can see what Arteta thinks of that decision.

-- you can see. If it goes in, everyone is going away with joy. I

everyone is going away with joy. I am not a great liberator but I

think I know what Arsene Wenger is saying. He will get better.

Crosswords, one way or another. If you had not watched that game, and

he looked at the statistics you could be forgiven for thinking, how

did Arsenal lose? But there are things you cannot measure. We're

all in agreement, Stoke City deserved a point. They did. Our son

City has said that a point against Stoch is a good point. I don't know

how many good chances they had, but it is a good point. There is only

one statistic accounts, the result. And discipline for Stoke City,

there was just one yellow card. There was only one real miss moment.

I think the defence had the better of the game today. There was not a

lot of forward play from the beside. I thought Mertesacker was excellent,

Vermaelen. Shawcross. A little look at Arsenal, for everything that

maybe wasn't right today, is that not their best performance? I can't

remember them playing that well at the Britannia for a while. If you

asked anyone that goes to Stoke, it is a tough place. Because of

awayday play, they close you down and they ask questions of year. I

think defensively, Arsenal were very good. -- questions of you.

Before we go through yesterday's Before we go through yesterday's

goals, let's look at some of the other grandstand moments. It is

other grandstand moments. It is Diamond League at Latics in Zurich

on Thursday. Usain Bolt, and your hand like all in action. -- your

Back to the goals, we start a round-up of Saturday with the

round-up of Saturday with the Premier League's big four. OK, so

we're just seven days into the new season but the table does not live.

The mighty Fulham, Swansea, West Brom and Chelsea are the table

toppers, getting off to perfect starts. We begin with the Cottagers

against Manchester United. An option to play it to Dembele. It

is brilliantly finished! Fulham have the lead, Damien Duff does to

get in front of all the Manchester United defenders to score the

simplest of goals. Van Persie! That is what the money

is for. That is what you get with Robin van Persie. One chance, one

Manchester United have the league, Putin by a Tecau laugh. -- have the

lead. -- put in by Kagawa. Britain by Raphael. He is having a storming

game. Giving Manchester United a 2- 0 lead. He will have a lot to do in

the bar. What a mix up, a terrible mix-up! Fulham have got a way back.

Fulham fish the ball out of the be stopped and the referee obliges.

-- Rooney is hurt. Dear me. That is one hell of a graze. They're not

going to carry on. That is superficial damage, I hope, rather

kick. It has to be. The defenders won a lazy fit at him. -- the

brilliant! Chelsea are publicly saying they cannot challenge for

the title against the Manchester clubs but do not believe a word of

goal in the Premier League. Put it down to a mistake by a you see you

yester line in. -- Jaaskelainen. stadium in recognition of Ledley

King, forced to retire over the summer. Assou-Ekotto! Is in!

Vicious deflection on its way through. It needed something like

that. Spurs' lead. Morris and! Albion level. Tottenham could not

clear their lines. James Morrison strokes it home. It is all square

Guy Mowbray must have grown up in a tough Council estate because he

called the hole in Rooney's leg a slight graze. I am assuming he

cannot train at all? Possibly. They can stated. Can he trained when he

has got stitches? He cannot swim, he cannot run. That will extend his

rehabilitation period. A at on an extra couple of weeks? I think so.

Of course. What is the most might have stitches you have got? I got a

big scar on my right knee when I had my cruise-ship ligament. Eight

inner head wound. The clash of heads. I did the usual. I carried

on. Everybody said before a ball was kicked it was a two-horse race.

The trophy stays in Manchester. Do we have to rethink already? Three

games only for Chelsea but it is style all the way. I think so. But

I would expect them to win those games. I think they have had a

great start. A would still go with the two Manchester clubs. Before we

move on, we should say a proper hello to the man who has joined the

BBC team for this season. On less majesty United come knocking. He

will drop of Taoiseach like a hot Had he begun to give up hope?

you know me at all? Have you ever seen me throughout my career? Any

idea what I am about? No yellow cards today? No, I asked all the

lads to knock seven shells out of everybody. What the hell were they

If we want on television, I would do him! Have a good Saturday night.

For a change. My missus will see an eyes smiling kipper instead of that

poker face. What is it like preparing for this rather than for

football? De you have rituals? quite the same. I was not set in

the ladder Archer watching the match and chilling. I was a bit

more agitated. -- leather armchair. She married me with a moustache.

She obviously loved me with it! have always wondered where Mark

Lawrence and's moustache went. do not nowhere my mind but I am

glad it did! -- I do not nowhere mind went. How do you get a job as

a manager? Is it just about keeping your face in? People meet me in the

street and ask me if I have anything lined up. He cannot line

anything all. It is impossible. -- UCATT line anything up. You have to

wait until somebody gets sacked. How IDG field last Saturday when

his kick off? Mixed feelings. But then I saw some of the bad results

and I thought I was glad. I look at Mark Hughes and Chris Hughton, and

I thought, that will beat off. I still miss it. I remember when Sir

Alex Ferguson said it was good to be his last year and he tried a

couple of weeks at home for a -- and his wives sent him back. Have

you had a similar experience? garden is done, the garage is tidy.

All the jobs are done. Do the rest of yesterday's games. A cluster of

is fair to say that a few teams were desperate for a win going into

the second week of matches. Norwich and QPR were beaten on opening day,

they let continue to frustrate, Southampton and Wigan both went

down bravely but went down on the last. Villa fans could be forgiven

for praying for rain with the rampant Toffee is in town. -- with

rampant Everton in town. Pienaar! Brilliant. Steven Pienaar with an

absolute beauty. The lay-off by mistake by Shay Given. You have to

feel for the goalkeeper. Fellaini celebrates his second bowl of the

week. -- his second goal. Jelavic! Terrific play by Everton. When they

are in this mood, there are you side to complete them. -- there are

could not prevent Villa from at least scoring their first goal of

ground and Mark Clattenburg is at the centre of controversy at --

once more. Great save. The rebound turned in by Bobby Zamora. Bobby

Zamora is inside the penalty area when the penalty kick is taken.

Technically that penalty kick should have been retaken. No wonder

is last season's top scorer, Di Santo. Kelvin Davis could do

jubilant. Does he foul macro en? -- Doherty foul him? And eyes

We heard booing at White Hart Lane. We heard booing at Villa Park. To

the will mack for the alarm bells? Icy Villa having a real hard season.

And wonder where the goals are going to come from. -- I wonder.

Darren Bent needs people to create for him. He has a lot of reserves

from a couple of years ago in that team. There is no service to Darren

Bent. You need guys to create. Michael Owen, possibly? Do not get

panicky, let him deal with it. Get some results. What a start for

Everton. Two Games in. Viably, genuine contenders for the

Champions League spot? Yes. They were brilliant against Manchester

United. Normally they are slow starters. Two great result. They

are in a group of five teams. side of Merseyside should have the

highest expectations? Everton, I think. And I think probably they

should. Brendan has taken over. Give him a chance. Let's look at

tomorrow's headlines today. Red mist for Martin helps Roberto of

Boyd a bleak day on Merseyside. And Arsenal draw blanks again, this

An alternative pay bill for you tonight -- table. Average shots on

target per game. Ominous signs for Each you enjoyed that, Alan? Do you