28/04/2013 Match of the Day 2

be one. Van Persie gets the goal. Not the new champions of England,

just the old champions restored to what they think is their rightful

place. What a three points for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. Oh, what

a goal. Football at its absolute best. Michu, and you know the rest.

It's going to take a miracle to keep them up now. Realistically, there is

no way back now for Queens Park Rangers. Three very different

reasons to watch our games tonight, with Sir Les Ferdinand and Michael

Owen filling the gaps. We begin with the champions at the Emirates. It is

only ever one thing, to take to the field at the Emirates as the

champion, at what cost Arsenal? The Gunners had scored 67 goals at this

stage last season. Right now, they had 65, only to less but if Arsenal

don't make the Champions League this year, we all know where many will

point the finger of blame. Robin Van Persie has made the difference for

Manchester United this season. on a Manchester United and their

talisman, but a massive game for Arsenal, all watched by Steve

guard of honour is the correct thing to do. The reception for Robin Percy

may not big but it is as inevitable as it is hostile. Wenger's pre-match

plea for a classy response from home fans has fallen on some deaf ears.

Arsenal can't expect favours from United. The rivalry has too much

history for that. A win would put them in pole position for the

Champions League. A defeat, and they are suddenly the outsiders. Giroud

is did -- suspended for Arsenal. Podolski comes in. Giggs replaces

Monreal at left back. They have matched United over the last ten

games. Eight wins and a draw. United almost -- also make two changes.

Nani and Ferdinand coming. They could set a new Premier League

points record this season but only if they win all their remaining

scores. One minute, 44 seconds, Arsenal one, Manchester United nil.

Theo Walcott. It all started when Van Persie gave it to Kieran Gibbs.

It could not have been a better onside. The freeze on that run from

Walcott would suggest he was onside. But the goal stands and Arsenal are

in front dash -- would suggest he The Arsenal Spaniard nearly one out

there. It is a really good strike by little spell of possession, just to

give themselves a bit of a toehold days, but his early contributions to

this game has not been vintage Van chance for Manchester United. It

would have been a fantastic goal if Jones had put it in. He was right at

is a foul. Van Persie is going to get a yellow card. This is going to

go down well. Van Persie on Mertesacker. Arsenal fans were

calling for a read. Van Persie gets any contacts. That is Jonny Evans on

Theo Walcott. There will be another one here. Well, they are squaring up

now, Walcott and Evra, Patrice Evra pushing Walcott away. This fixture

has a long, inglorious history. -- history of red cards, red mists,

pizza throwing, you name it, it has all happened. Jonny Evans was like a

but he should have given it to Theo Walcott. If he had, it would have

been a tap in. Arsenal have pummelled United at the start of

Robin Van Persie, from point-blank range. Szczesny saved it with his

face. If you are a goalkeeper, you are paid to sacrifice your looks if

need be and I think Szczesny did that here. Point-blank range from

Sagna on Van Persie. An error compounded. The backpass never had

the legs and Sagna, trying to make take the penalty kick? A chorus of

disapproval. Please, he begs, not him. They have done this a thousand

Van Persie. It is -- a decisive penalty, from Van Persie, 1-1. Has

Van Persie inflicted serious damage on Arsenal's champions league

hopes? Really, Sagna must take the outside of his right boot. He

thought he had seen a route to goal, Rosicky. It did not curl

Arsenal have been warned. The first half belonged to Arsenal in all but

the scoreline, Manchester United are looking the more composed slide in

the second half. -- the more fans thought so. Arsene Wenger

thought so. Rio Ferdinand took a chance. He might just have got

look for the winning goal, which would make so much difference.

Arsene Wenger, as animated as I have from Rooney. It was like Griffin

Park yesterday, Doncaster against Brentford. United nearly won it on

In the second half, we had some situations where we could have

scored. In the end, that result was OK for us. Just offside, Theo

Walcott... Yes, apparently, I have not seen it. The referee apologised,

he said he got it wrong. It is not his fault, it is the linesman, it

is his job, he was 15 yards from it. But we had four fantastic chances

with headers. We did enough to win the game, I think. It looked like

we were the team that was going to win? I thought we started off

really well, we started off at a really high tempo. We looked really

dangerous going forward. In the second half, they used all of their

experience, soaked up the pressure. Overall, I think a draw was a fair

result. We take the positive, that we keep our unbeaten run going.

They came at us in the first 15-20 minutes, but once we'd got to grips

with the game, we got on the ball, and we got it out wide and created

some chances. Are you glad that van Persie's first game back here has

been got over? I was not really worried. He will never be greeted

with enthusiasm by our fans. It is a great spirit, to see players

coming back. Everybody is different. It was not a surprise. I hope

Manchester United bill play like that until the end of the season.

They have a responsibility to do that, let's see. It was very

competitive, and both teams gave everything. That's the bottom line,

it is that fixture, Manchester United-Arsenal, which we all look

forward to. Big credit to Manchester United for not going on

holiday. We always know this is one of the biggest rivalries in the

Premier League. Today did not disappoint. Arsenal showed real

steel, and Manchester United had to hold the ball for a while. It was

an exciting game to watch. United's most cards in a single game this,

and one position in particular today was under pressure. I thought

so. I thought the full-backs were the weak links in many ways today.

The role of the full back over the years has changed. Look back at

Arsenal 20 years ago, Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon, they were a

solid back for, there to defend. Nowadays, their role has changed.

They are used as an attacking weapon. Over the last decade, we

have brought in the City midfielder. Unfortunately, we are seeing a lot

more mistakes and a lot more goals scored because of these full-backs.

Here, plenty of space between the centre half and Patrice Evra here,

but his body position was but his body position was

completely wrong. Yes, it was offside, but it was very marginal.

He has not got the decision, and Walcott has come and scored. And

then on the other side, you have got Sagna that has made one bad

mistake, tries to atone for his error and makes a rash challenge.

Definite penalty. He got booked for that. This is later on in the game,

he could have got sent off. He was lucky to stay on the pitch. This

probably summed up the afternoon for him. Again, on the other side,

for Manchester United, you have got Rafael, who has had a good, solid

season, but there, his touch lets him down. Not so much his fault

here, but wrong side, ends up having to Paul Rosicky back. He

gets booked. Again, he missed kicks this one. And another bad touch,

and eventually, Sir Alex brings him off and brings Andersen on. So, it

was not the greatest of days for the full backs today, and probably

the two full-backs caused the two goals. You wanted to add a caveat

to that, in terms of the penalty decision, because you think maybe

Mertesacker could have done better? Definitely. Yes, it was a bad pass

back from Sagna, but Mertesacker just backs away from van Persie.

Suddenly, he has got to race back. He leaves Sagna to deal with it,

and he has to make a last-ditch tackle. Alan Hansen will be

watching, he will like this a bit more. Your star man...? Yes,

Koscielny, I thought he was brilliant today. Straightaway, he

says to van Persie, welcome home. Then he gave one to Wayne Rooney.

He was on the front foot wall of the time. Making tackles. Just did

not give van Persie a kick all game. I thought he was brilliant,

Arsenal's star man today. For me, that was a fine performance.

Persie went into the run dressing room before the game. Old habits

die hard! - get this was his first touch, and Arsenal went up the

other end and scored from that. He learns his lesson, this time, he

crosses a great ball for Phil Jones, who should have scored. I do not

know whether it is frustration, but that was not like him, lunging in.

Here, again, could he have headed it down? But he is always capable

of putting in a great ball, like that one, or scoring a great goal.

Under pressure was on him from the Arsenal fans. And he stuck that

away well. He did not celebrate, showing a bit of respect. That is

Robin van Persie, who has not won the PFA Player of the Year. It was

Gareth Bale, we're just hearing. I want to have a little... Did he win

the young Player of the Year as well? He has won both. I am sure it

was muted applause for the second one. Nobody likes that, when one

person wins both. Do people just go, no sympathy, rich, loads of money,

should not have said he wanted to play for Manchester United. He

looked genuinely hurt today when he was heckled. Yes, he gave some good

service to Arsenal. It is the nature of football nowadays, you go

back to a club, and you get booed. I do not think he was expecting it

I do not think he was expecting it as harshly as he got it today.

were talking about this earlier, and we have got a complete contrast,

because you have never had it... Yes, I have been fortunate. They

gave me a great fan to a state reception after I left and went

back to Newcastle. The same at Tottenham. Obviously, a lot depends

on what team you go to. I went from Liverpool to Real Madrid, and to

Manchester United. Obviously, new suckles struggling Newcastle, but I

did not get so much stick from the Liverpool fans then, but obviously,

playing for Manchester United, arch rivals. I listened to Sir Alex

Ferguson as well, about the greater ovations they give players at Old

Trafford, but it is easy, nobody is going higher than Manchester United.

A lot of other teams, you could be going to arch rivals, he sees it as

a jump up, which is probably why, now he becomes a threat. It is like

when you play for the Yankees in baseball. What about this next crop

he has brought through? This is what Sir Alex Ferguson does. How do

you rate this one, looking forward? I think there are signs of some

great young players coming through. I think these two will be there for

a long, long time. 15 years ago, you had Ryan Giggs, David Beckham,

the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes. And you have got a new crop now.

You have got Cleverley, Smalling, Rafael, you could put De Gea into

that group as well. But these two I see them being there for the long

run. The others have all got tremendous potential. But Welbeck

and Jones in particular, I think they can have an outstanding career.

Jones has played in many positions, which I think shows how good he is.

Playing away in the burn about against Real Madrid, and Sir Alex

Ferguson played him in midfield, which shows how much he thinks of

him. I have watched him all season, and he shows great conviction in

many situations, but I wish he would show the same conviction when

going for goal. He is not an out and out goalscorer. He is not come

up but he has been stuck out on the wing. I always feel a natural

goalscorer finds himself in the box, no matter what. The manager has to

pull him back. I want to see him getting into better decisions.

players are slow burners. When I first joined the club, I was not

sure about him, but he went to Sunderland, and he came back a

different man. Our second game this Sunday was not the happiest of

occasions, it was always going to provide at least one sobering had

line. This morning, it was mathematically possible for

freezing of QPR to stay up this season, that we are talking major

last chance saloon, but in reality, this one is the fight to avoid the

wooden spoon. It is pride, not relegation, at stake. The losers

will go today. A draw will see them both dropped. That's because Wigan

and Villa meet on the last day. So it is win or bust. Reading name the

same team that lost their eighth game in nine last weekend. But when

a surprisingly selected ahead of Adam le Fondre once again. --

fitness test. Five games without a win for Queens Park Rangers. Nine

challenge of Jem Karacan. Quick feet, definite contact. Granero

takes it for QPR. Just clipped the top of the bar. The goalkeeper was

flying across his line, I do not think he got a touch. When he was

appointed five months ago, QPR were bottom, six points adrift. They

were beaten -- unbeaten in their first four games, but they failed

to kick on from that, and now, relegation is just around the

corner. Thoughts will be turning towards how to get out of the

Championship. McCarthy has come a long way, but it is not going to go

in! McCarthy's blushes spared here. It was a lovely dink over the top

from M'bia, and Reading were caught all at sea. Tabac four was all over

the place. Bothroyd could not quite execute properly. The last time he

scored a goal for QPR, it turned into the winning goal at

Southampton eight weeks ago. They have not won away toxins. QPR's own

the chairman, Tony Fernandes, has signed over 20 players in his two

years, but his spell has seen his team losing 40 out of 73 league

the ball bounce and. -- not even. eventually, Bosingwa was on hand to

clear off the line. It will probably take something as scrappy

as that to bring us a goal today. Not sure what we have done to

deserve this, but the assistant referee has indicated that we have

another minute at the end of this first half. Good shot, punched away.

Not the most effective stop I have seen this season. A better touch

from Remy there and it was two against two. Bothroyd, that's a

lovely ball. Traore, can he provide quality? It reaches Taarabt, but it

was a hapless effort by Taarabt. Of all the people Harry Redknapp would

like this one-42 in and around the penalty area, I am pretty sure it

would be the Moroccan, but with his left foot today, he has looked

cheaply. This looks good, Pogrebnyak. The best move of the

game by a mile from Reading. Lovely the Russian can't find the net. A

lovely flowing move from Reading. It looked as though Robson-Kanu had

taken too long to feed Gunter. He has done well to provide quality

from there. He finds Pogrebnyak but he could not get any power. There is

the Reading owner, sitting to the is what he has been brought on to

do, get on the end of crosses like this. He made it, but could not

just under four minutes on the clock a really good climb from Morrison.

smiles in the Reading. They were waving goodbye to the Championship

and heading for the promised land. QPR's stay lasted one extra year,

but not much more to cheer about for but reclaim dip in the nick of time

as Mackie arrived. The whistle goes. It draws a veil over dreadfully

disappointing Premier League campaign is the both of these sides.

Harry Redknapp manages to raise a smile. But it is Bournemouth and

Doncaster for QPR and Reading next season as they play out a pretty

style -- sterile goalless draw. Fernandez and his opposite number

now have to consider how many millions they have to pump in to

ensure these two clubs can raise decent Championship promotion

challenges next season. I wonder how many of these players in both teams

will survive until next season. The final score at the Madejski, amongst

one or two rooms, it has to be said, Reading nil, QPR Mill, both

completely. Ourselves and Reading have to prepare for next year.

talked about it in the dressing room, bottling the feeling, because

it is not nice. We have to look forward with positivity so when we

come back at the end of June for pre-season, we give ourselves an

opportunity to keep pushing forward with the Championship campaign.

challenge that excites you? I am looking forward to it, if we can

chop things about a bit and pick one or two up without breaking the bank

in the summer. We have to look carefully. We are going into the

Championship and have to look for players that can get us out of that

league. We haven't clicked as a team on the pitch and ultimately that

sealed our fate. People will think we will not pay in the Championship,

we are too good, perhaps if they had played better we would not be going

into the Championship. I Stoke as an example, they steadied the ship and

five years on brought in the big players. We seem to jump four or

five places in the space of one night and let good players go and

good characters, which is important. I don't think they got a fair crack

of the whip. We have eight or nine chip players who won the

Championship last season and what we got is an impetus, a good football

club. The structure, the mindset needs to be positive moving forward.

We all want to be in the Premier League. I think the people on the

outside looking in can see how good the team spirit is. If we can bring

in a few players to add to the squad, we have every chance of going

up next year. With Nigel coming in, I am sure the supporters can see the

progress on the pitch. I am really looking at what happened over the

last couple of games and how to improve our football so we give

ourselves a good chance of winning games Two different stories in terms

of the expectations placing these two teams on the pitch. Let's

remember, it is about the fans and similarities throughout. They have

fans outside the local area. They probably have fans all around the

world but predominantly, local fans supporting local teams and they will

be in bits tonight? They certainly will be. Two sides I played for and

they are relegated tonight. There was hope as far as Reading were

concerned. When they came in last year I think their supporters

thought with hope they could stay in the division. With Green Park

Rangers, there was the hope they could. They put the funds in to try

to stay in the division. Countless new players coming in, a lot of big

wages -- wages. You did not really like it from the start, Michael?

certainly didn't really like it from the midway point, the transfer

window just did not look good to me. If you are a top player, are you

wanting to go to the team that are bottom of the league and adrift of

many teams? It seemed from the outside there was a lot of players

queueing up to go there. Some of them just turning up. It did not

look like a happy camper. It did not look like players were there for the

right reasons or wanting to go there for the right seasons. -- reasons.

It is hard for a football club. The owner is trying to buy good players

and having to pay a premium because no one wants to go there but I was

surprised the ease of players going there. Was today a microcosm of the

for a challenge, the referee gives a free kick. He is not happy about the

decision. He is a senior player, turning his back on the play. He is

not interested. They take a quick free kick and he is back into it. He

does well in the end because he gets on the line and clears the danger,

but that is averted if he is alert and the rest of his team-mates are

alert. Unfortunately, these are the points people pick up on. Look at

him, he's not even bothered. Fans want to see a team give 100% more

than anything. What people want to see as you giving effort. I don't

care how much effort -- money you earn, people want to see your

effort. People came to see it team perform, give their all, and you see

him coming off the pitch at the end of the game and they have got

relegated and he is smiling, going down the tunnel. The people watching

those pictures tonight, they are not going to be happy with him. The

early part of the season, he had a spat with Harry saying he could not

be on the bench and Harry said he would not play for the club game.

Harry brought him back in, that is how he repaid him. The fans have

paid money to see him, that is the minimum you expect. With Reading, it

is interesting to see how many fans stayed behind. You talk about the

expectation at QPR but it was hope with Reading. Two different mindsets

with the fans, so to speak. You have one set of fans applauding their

team off and the others I would suggest probably did not stick

around to see their team. You have to have a lot of hope for Reading,

bouncing back up. They have kept their team in shape. Not on big

wages and everything else. You would like to think they are in a good

position to bounce straight back up. In January, manager of the month,

everything was going right. As Nigel Atkinson, what they have got is

players who have played in the Championship and equipped better

than QPR for the Championship. They have a good team spirit. You heard

Clint Hill saying players have coming earning big money but not

producing the stuff, so that is going to cause a rift in your.

Reading have a solid basis to come back up. Michael, a fire sale at

QPR? They have to offload these wages. It is hard to know which way

they will go, they could try to blast their way back into the

premiership and keep the majority, or yes, cut their cloth and spend

accordingly. Ultimately both teams down and fans down in them mouth

tonight. Our third game, Chelsea are halfway towards a Europa League

Final but the job of finishing top four has not been completed. Swansea

were the visitors to Stamford is hard -- it is easy to forget the

damage inflicted last Sunday. Today, they faced a Swansea side who they

failed to beat in their last three attempts. Watching this, Simon

Brotherton. Chelsea may have a place within the Europa League Final

within their grasp but it is a return to the top that they crave.

They are in the top four at the start of play on goal difference

alone. Rafa Benitez continues to reshuffle his resources to cope with

the conveyor belt of games. Cahill makes a timely return after an

absence with a knee injury. Oscar, Mata and Ba comment. Terri starts a

league game for only the fourth time since Benitez took over. Swansea's

form has tailed off since their league cup success at the end of

February, with one win in half a dozen matches since then. Routledge

and Ki Sung-Yueng start in place of a lot to play for four Chelsea

between now and the end of the settle for a corner. It is the first

of the match for either side. Nearly 20 minutes in and Ramires, on the

ground for Chelsea. It looks as if it is the right side. Looking at the

strapping on his leg, it seems as if there was already a bit of the

problem before the match started. The crowd is cheering as Lampard

momentarily down to ten. No word on whether they are about to make a

by Cole. Michu was so close to Frank Lampard in the not too distant

future. It will go down well with the crowd. That is not a replay, it

is the same scenario again and remember is, unfortunately, is done

for the day. Chelsea will hope that it is not him done for the season.

They are going to have to make a change. Some of the crowd are on

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 43 seconds

their feet at the prospect of that actually play for Chelsea for a

while. He has had an excellent first season in the Premier League,

with the Capital One Cup in the cabinet in South Wales. East! Deny

aid by Vorm. -- denied. East saw some space in front of him, and

galloped into it. He forced a decent save from the Swansea

goalkeeper. Corner kick... Just over the top from Gary Cahill!

Chelsea threatening twice within a matter of moments, with five

half, with a bit of added time to come. Oscar! 1-0 Chelsea! Lampard's

pass, Oscar with the finish. Two minutes before the break, Chelsea

are ahead. It is all about collecting points in the push for

the top four, and Chelsea have their noses in front against the

capital one cup winners. Oscar with the goal, his 11th of the season.

Beautiful play from Hazard, and Williams just about manages to get

it behind. Chelsea appear to be and Chelsea have a penalty! It is a

chance for 2-0. Leon Britton surely will get booked for whacking the

ball into the stand. He cannot get away from that yellow card. This

was untidy, Britton was the player penalised. Now, Frank Lampard with

the chance to get a little bit closer to the club record here at

Chelsea. He is on 200. It is 201! Frank Lampard is on 201 goals for

Chelsea. He just needs one more for a share of the club record. There

is a very special guest here at Stamford Bridge today, now being

given a standing ovation by the home crowd. Bobby Tambling, the

club's record goalscorer, receiving the applause of the fans at half-

time. I wonder what was said in Swansea's dressing room at half-

time. Ki Sung-Yeung did really well there. Rangel could not quite

reduce the deficit. But Swansea were threatening to get a foothold

in the match. It was just deflected is dead in Hazzard. -- Eden Hazard.

Looking for Demba Ba, good save. Chelsea breaking away after the

misplaced pass, and Demba Ba forcing the 100 save. -- the one

queuing up here. So close from Mata. Very nearly a goal for the birthday

about it in the second half. Demba Ba, on to Mata, looking for

Lampard! Watching on is Bobby Tambling, his records still intact,

but very much under threat from something special right at the end

something special right at the end of the match. He could not quite

bend it into that far corner. We played good football, very good

combinations. We could not score more goals. Swansea like to play

football, but we had enough chances to get a third goal. In the end, to

win the game, to get three points, was the most important thing.

Playing away against a top side like Chelsea, if everybody is not

100%, you do not have a chance. We have to accept our defeat today and

just go on. When that first one went in, I thought, it was written

today that you were going to get a hatful of chances in the second

half, and equal that record, with him in the stand. Yes, it would

have been nice. There were a couple of chances in the second half, to

be fair. But the fairy-tale is not always as you expect it. Hopefully

it will come another time for me personally. He got a fantastic

reception from the crowd at half- time - have you had a chance to

speak to him? Yes, and spoke to him just there, and he was emotional,

and rightly so. There is a real link with the fans here, and with

the ex-players, particularly people like Bobby Tambling, who come back

at work behind the scenes at the club. It is what the club is all

about.. That was beautiful at half- time, with Bobby Tambling there.

And Frank Lampard will be getting the you reception in 30 years' time.

He certainly will. He came on as a substitute, when Ramires went off

with a hamstring. But as soon as he came on, he got into the game. This

is what he does, gets the ball, is what he does, gets the ball,

bursting through. He has got nothing else on his mind but to

shoot. This is what he does all the time, peeling off people. He has

made a living out of running from deep, he has got a great strike on

him. He takes penalties, he takes them well, but he's caused an awful

lot of goals from open play as well. He is a fantastic goalscorer. -- he

scores an awful lot. He just looks evergreen. And he has not played as

many games this season as in the past. But every time the ball goes

forward, he looks to get into the box. He was just really unfortunate

here that he could not get the header on that one. I thought he

was fantastic when he came on. Clever as well, clever enough to

marry a girl from my neck of the woods, which you cannot go wrong

woods, which you cannot go wrong with. I have heard that!David Luiz,

it is interesting, the different positions that he plays. But it

seems that in Rafa Benitez, he has found someone who suits him.

found someone who suits him. liked him in that position today.

It gave him the licence to more roared forward. -- to get forward.

The two central defenders were always close to each other. They

looked like they were synchronised, they both knew what they were doing.

Whereas when Luiz plays in central defence, he wants to bomb forward.

But here, he just drops back into the back four to cover. He looks

comfortable in that position, Michael. He does. A lot was said

when he first came to the Premier League. It would seem that Rafa

Benitez has found the key to him, he looks much more comfortable

playing in this position. He can pass the ball, he is a big strong

lad. He is developing into a player who is right at the top of his game.

This is what he wants to do, he wants to get forward at every

opportunity. It is a little bit like Frank Lampard. I think he can

supply the goals that probably they will be missing after Frank Lampard.

They were so angry after that penalty. You might expect them to

show a bit of weariness after Europe, but they did not show that.

No, Chelsea have been in the top four for many years. Sometimes,

there was no chance of them looking like they were in trouble today.

Three games today, and it was raining goals and red cards in the

Premier League yesterday. But first of all, before we look at those,

let's have a look at what's coming Now, to yesterday, and three games

involving hope teens that needed points to ease their passage to

Swept in again towards Danny Agger. He is onside! And Liverpool are in

front. It was a simple ball lofted in, Newcastle pushed out, Agger was

all alone. Soft goal to concede for Newcastle. Lovely touch from

Sturridge... Coutinho... Sturridge is through, and he tees up Jordan

Henderson! Clinical, from Liverpool. The former Sunderland player scores

at St James' Park, to double Liverpool's advantage. Another

inch-perfect pass, unselfish. Sturridge put it on a plate for

Jordan Henderson. Ben Arfa, brushed aside by Coutinho. That's a

fabulous pass. And Sturridge has finished it! And he might just have

found Henderson, and this surely will be four. Sturridge, onside...

They are romping away with it. Henderson timed his run to

perfection from Gerrard's ball, and he returned the favour from the

first half, returning it to provide a simple tap-in for storage. -- for

better for Liverpool. It is a first ever Premier League goal for Fabio

Borini. Just as they did in 2008 here, Liverpool have scored five at

St James' Park. Good strength from Coutinho. He was brought down by

Debuchy, who was booked in the first half. And this day is going

to get worse for Newcastle. It is a second yellow and a red for the

French international. Could it get worse? Henderson's free kick... It

does! Altar server to Liverpool. -- 6-0 to Liverpool! Peter Crouch with

the header on. Charlie Adam! His biggest contribution yet in a Stoke

shirt. Jerome played a major part in holding off the challenge and

allowing Charlie Adam to come through. Adams swept it in. Bassong,

charged down by Adam. Jerome, looking for Adam. Must be for

Stoke... A crucial intervention horrendous. Gareth Bale has scored

some beauties, this season. He has just scored his luckiest one of the

great leap from Boyce. His three goals in the last campaign came in

the final four games and he is at it in off the left boot of McManaman.

But this is one heck of a way to bring up your first goal in the

Premier League. Where did that come from? The 89th minute. They need a

late, late comeback now, do Tottenham Hotspur. It is an

exploration mark -- -- it is in! Bale played a part. 2-2. Who did it

come off? It is Boyce, I think, who yesterday on Match Of The Day so we

will concentrate on the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the

Year. I have one of each here to celebrate the fact that Gareth Bale

has won them both. Michael, you were Player of the Year, you were Young

Player of the Year. Only Andy Gray and Cristiano Ronaldo have won them

both the season. Is it thoroughly deserved? I have him at close

quarters and he has been fantastic. Some of the stuff he has done on the

football pitch has been breathtaking. Not just the goals,

his all-round play. Michael, did you vote for him? I voted for Bale and

Benteke as young player. I think it was a three horse race, Van Persie,

Suarez Bale. I plumped for Bale and has scored more goals outside the

box than any other player in the Premier League. There is another tap

in. He was humble in his speech, one of the biggest things that can

happen to you. A trivia question for you, the fifth man to win the award

twice. Can you name the other four that have won the PFA Player of the

Year award twice? Look at those mouths open? Alan Shearer.He is

confident. Deary Henri. -- Henry. Andy Gray? Who has won both awards

in the same year? Ronaldo, twice. And the last one? You must be able

to get a spark from somewhere for the answer? Dennis Bergkamp.

Marcuse. The penny drops. Three more games from yesterday, six teams

printing season tickets for another been given. West Bromwich Albion are

in front. The corner kick was driven on by Graham Dorrans and from then

on he is not offside, had a couple of stabs at it, that is over the

line and for me, as Fox clears that the ball has already crossed the

keeper, 2-0. They allowed him too much space. Fortune turned and

threaded it through the middle and Lukaku underlines his credentials

Ramires macro stick something into him? The referee has to deal with

this. Long was chasing Ramirez and suddenly went to ground and it is a

red card. Fortune reacted and both West Bromwich Albion. He timed his

run really well and stuck it through the referee is pulling a cart. It is

another one. He has gone in with the studs showing. Southampton are down

it. A brilliant team goal. Pienaar is the goalscorer but the way in

which it was manufactured can only be admired. The movement, the

passing, the ideas, the imagination, have got on the end of that. His

seemed easier to score, didn't it? A terrific ball in from Baines. You

expect it from him. Fellaini, how he deflection fell so kindly for

Aguero, who ended up scuffing the to put Manchester City ahead. Neat,

tidy, intricate passing and Sergio finding himself in the perfect

is. Yaya Toure, game, set and match Manchester City. Eight minutes to go

and Manchester City concede as West Ham score a consolation goal. Not

yesterday but after Bale winning the Young Player of the Year and Player

of the Year, that we can reveal the PFA team of the year as voted for by

anybody. And everybody thought he would be out of there but Ferguson

has persevered and he has worked hard himself and been rewarded this

season. Mignolet must have been close to getting into that?

thought so at Begovic at Stoke, he has been our best player, top-class.

The back four, you could put Vidic in. I voted for three of them, I did

not vote for Rio. He has had a fantastic season. I think the others

nicked themselves, really. Hazard and Mata in there, the other four

are obvious. Four Manchester City last year, just one this time.

one I am surprised about is Cazorla. He has had a great season

at Arsenal and he is the best midfield player I have seen this

year. Thank you for your company. Nearly done, but Manchester United

fans will enjoy tonight's closing montage and it is coming after a

Emirates but the niceties ended there. A typically entire -- fiery

encounter with honours finishing even. Chelsea are the biggest London

Champions League chasing winners this weekend. But to macro -- 2- nil

win puts them in the driving seat. Reading and QPR officially

champions, Manchester United means they cannot match Chelsea's record

Premier League tally of 95 points, as if they care. The Blues reclaim

third as Arsenal and Tottenham drop points in the race for the champions

league places. Relegation for QPR and Reading. They will be back

fighting it out in the Championship back fighting it out in the

Championship next season. Aston Villa can move five points clear of

the Latics with victory against Sunderland on Monday. The

alternative table tonight, topically omits every club's top striker so if

the goals of the top striker did not count, Arsenal Arsenal, would be one

point ahead of Chelsea. Les is loving this! If only Giroud and

Lampard had managed a few more, what a season it could be. Liverpool are

in a position with -- without Suarez. Norwich are in ninth, quite

a jump. Their top scorers Snodgrass and Holt on five apiece. A quick

look at the bottom, a lot of teams much of a muchness. Villa's place in

the bottom three goes to show how much they have needed Benteke, where

as Wigan might be better off if they had somebody like him. To finish

tonight and in order to pay tribute as always to the Premier League

champions, we took the Manchester United Foundation Youth Choir to Old

Trafford for a very special sing along. As with City last year, we

tipped the Match Of The Day 2 hat to Manchester United. Good night.

news is coming through that Manchester United have lost it.

kick on and take the challenge is because we are good at that.

# Don't criticise, all your bullets ricochet. You shoot me down but I

get up. #. There is Van Persie. That is what

the money is for. # Nothing to lose, fire away, fire

away, ricochet, you take your aim, fire away, fire away. You shoot me

down but I will fall, I entertain you all, you shoot me down but I

will fall. I entertain you all #. It is a long time since his form had

to be defended by his manager. can't get there, Robin Van Persie.

# So hard, as bullet-proof glass. You shoot me down but I will fall, I

entertain you all. You shoot me down but I will fall, I entertain you

wall #.. Hernandez completes Manchester