29/12/2013 Match of the Day 2

Welcome to MOTD2. Seven of the top nine were in action today. Who would

finish 2013 top of the pile? Who would be in the top four? For the

next 80 minutes, this is the only show in town.

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up. Come closer. You will not leave your

eyes. Something you have never seen before. The most amazing show on

earth! Do you want to be wildly

entertained? Do you want to come and play? Fasten your seat belts. It is

going to be a B right. -- a bumpy ride.

Kevin Kilbane and Alan Shearer have also joined us. But first, we start

at Stamford Bridge, with Steve Wilson your commentator for Chelsea

versus Liverpool. No such thing as an insignificant

match between Chelsea and Liverpool. But this feels big by any standards

especially for Liverpool who were at Christmas but might be out of the

top four by New Year. A little bit of a smile along with the handshake

between Swarez and Ivanovic. David Luiz is in midfield. Mooreenyo had

previously been dismisses that dismissive of that. Daniel Agar

captains the side from left-back. And John Terry, one of the club of

Mac great captains. Here is Luis Suarez. Liverpool have won three of

their last five on this ground. A foul by Samuel Eto'o. That hurt. The

studs write down his leg. That could have easily been a yellow card some

would argue it could have been more. Liverpool has gored! Three minutes

played, Martin Skrtel. Chelsea punished from the free kick.

Delivered by Coutinho. Martin Skrtel strokes Liverpool in front. In the

back of the net it goes. Skrtel could hardly miss. Second goal of

the season for Martin Skrtel. Johnson has lost it. Danger here.

What a super start to the game. Chelsea almost equalising

straightaway. Glen Johnson with the clearance. Mignolet with the save.

No foul, Martin Skrtel. Chelsea throw. Great application from the

home side. Liverpool clear it away downfield. That was a little bit

clumsy. Jose Mourinho in no doubt as to what the decision should have

been. Frank Lampard, great save from Mignolet. Tremendous save. Looked

like it was heading for the top corner from Lampard. Beautifully

done. O here for Chelsea. Eden Hazard! Great finish. A tremendous

goal for Chelsea. And it is one each. Chelsea's top scorer this

season and in many ways there top man. A tremendous finish. There was

no hesitation. No second thought, no doubt. Chelsea's response to falling

behind had been exemplary and now gets its reward from Eden Hazard.

Ten goals this season. Liverpool throw in. That is a good ball into

Henderson. Joe Allen is onside. John Terry appreciated this.

That still found a way through and it is in. Zabaleta scores for

Chelsea. A very affordable goal, but Chelsea are in front. Mignolet will

be disappointed. He could only push it into the corner of the net.

Samuel Eto'o scores. Henderson and Luis Suarez in the middle. Good save

from Petr Cech. The flag is up on this nearside. It is a goal kick to

Chelsea. Here is glen Johnson. Blocked by Ashley Cole and a free

kick to Liverpool. Another chance for Coutinho to deliver. It has come

back off the crossbar! Hitting the woodwork for Liverpool. Eden Hazard

is through. Samuel Eto'o on goal! Saved by Mignolet. Had the chance

there to put this game practically beyond them all. He is offside, but

it is not given. A free kick. Liverpool to carry a threat from set

pieces. John Terry appeared to jump on top of Luis Suarez. A few

Liverpool players appealing. John Terry arrives and deposits him onto

the floor. Glen Johnson now. And Petr Cech with the save. It is the

corner. Glen Johnson has a very handy left foot. Petr Cech had to

treat this with respect. Perhaps a chance for a Liverpool counter

attack. Luis Suarez thought he was tripped. What was Samuel Eto'o

thinking of their? That is unwise from Samuel Eto'o. Could easily have

conceded a penalty. Totally needlessly. Torres, saved by

Mignolet. Great acceleration. Change of pace from Fernando Torres. Hoping

for his first ever goal against Liverpool. Without getting into

another debate on before reuse, there was a challenge from the free

kick which you scored from and then Samuel Eto'o with what seemed to be

a strange decision and the end to trip Luis Suarez.

The one in the first minute was a really poor challenge. It could have

been a red card. To not even get a yellow card is surprising. The studs

went right down his leg. The second, he is being clever and blocking Luis

Suarez. Howard Webb in a good position to see it so he made the

call but it could easily have been given as a foul. Some decisions

Brendan Rodgers did not believe went their way. What I think, my

experience in football helps me to see things with another perspective.

When I was Brendan's H I also only looked to one side. -- his age. The

situation with Samuel Eto'o and Luis Suarez, that is a yellow card. So I

think if somebody has to complain, it is us. But this referee is one of

the best in the country this not in Europe or the world. He did his job

the best he could and if someone has to complain, it is us. But we will

not because we won. Nothing is one at the midway point. We have shown

that we are capable and if we can get a bit of luck and stay clear of

injury, we will begin a shout. Your goal scoring record is excellent

this season. It is might object to two score and I know people are

telling me I have to score more. I work hard in the training. Mourn

seemed to suggest that TV pundits have a problem when it comes to

Chelsea-Liverpool games. Remember lots of people in TV but not is a

Chelsea man. You know. Thompson Liverpool. A Hansen Liverpool,

Redknapp Liverpool. Neville, Manchester United. He is not going

to be Liverpool It is not. We don't have one, that, in case of doubt, is

not doubt but don't have one. We don't have one. When I retire on

75-year-old I go to be a pundit and to defend Chelsea on television.

It is interesting he thinks all pundits look 75-year-old, but let us

sort this, any Liverpool connections No I tipped Chelsea for the title.

Massive blue. He said he hated Chelsea in the office. He didn't.

Before you complain, he didn't. I am joking. Go through the issues. I

think Howard Webb had a bad day, think he has four big decisions to

make and he didn't get any right. This is in the first minute. That is

high. Dangerous, he is five yards away, he gets a good view, that is

right down his knee, he doesn't get any card, should be a red card. This

is a penalty, I think. Hazard has the ball. He gets there before

Lucas, who trips him. Lucas doesn't touch the ball at all. Look. Legs

get caught up. That should be a penalty.

I really do. This is the last ten minutes or so.

Eto'o again, who shouldn't have been on the pitch, steps in front of him,

anywhere else on the pitch, I think that is a free-kick. This is the

last couple of minutes. He is out of control there, Oscar,

he goes in with two feet off the ground. Howard Webb sees it. And

that is high, it is dangerous, he is out of control, two-footed. Not only

does he go high it is a scissor challenge as well. So that should be

a red card. I think Howard Webb today has had a poor game. Is Lucas

a bit lucky? He raised his hands. As soon as you raise your hands, of

course, that could be deemed a red card, so there was a lot for Howard

Webb to contemplate today. Despite having Liverpool connections Chelsea

should have had two men sent off. But they should have had a penalty

as well. They probably looked as fluent as they have done all season

at times. Particularly in midfield, I thought. I thought they were

creative, Oscar, Willian and Hazard, never spent too much time away from

each other. They are always in connection with each other, and new

their game today. Into Oscar there, he has the chance to play Willian

down, who makes a accident run. Into Hazard, back to Willian and their

movement, all game, I thought was excellent. He had the chance to play

it in but he chose Luiz. The play between them is brilliant. They they

know where they are going to run. Get a bit of luck, that is an

incredible finish. This time the three are defending. Doing their

turn at the back. It comes into Oscar, a touch into Hazard, and the

two of them behind him are not content to sit there, they want to

get up, help, support, and they are running off a ball, he doesn't need

them this time. Little dummy return, go, cuts inside. Should actually hit

the target, so I was impress with those three did. We have had huge

debate about who should be Chelsea Number Ten, Oscar, Willian, all

three did that and sometimes they drifted out wide. They were fluid,

the three of them. I saw them play against West Ham. Interchanging of

position, no real Number Ten that stays in that role. The three are

working off the line, coming inside. The movement they have got, playing

in supports of Eto'o or Torres or Dembele is outstanding. They gave

them width. And they did a shift defensively. Speaking of

defensively. Cahill and Terry were brilliant. We saw the threat Suarez

is. There they are together. Cahill nips in front. Quicker than Suarez

to the ball. They were most of the time. This is brilliant from Terry.

He wants to play him signed. He won't let him go down the inside. He

will push him in there. If he needs help from Cahill. As it happens he

doesn't. He handles it it himself. Suarez comes deep. Coming back to

Allen. What about this for a challenge? That is is as good as a

goal at the other end. It is a brilliant tackle. If he doesn't make

that Joe Allen sticks that in the back of the net. The one time Suarez

got away from him he brought him down. That is the one decision

Howard Webb did got right. They were very tight. Nothing between them and

considering we saw Suarez two or three days ago, put in a brilliant

performance at the Etihad, he wasn't a threat today. Let me show you

this. At half-time some of the players started swapping shirts.

First there was Sakho and Eto'o, and then you will see in the pack

ground, Oscar and Coutinho did the same thing, so Brendan Rodgers was

asked, in his press conference about Sakho and Eto'o.

One, I didn't know that and two, thanks for telling me, I don't like

that. Is it something you are going to raise with him? I will do. Well

done. There was a lot of laughter and joking about it, but he

obviously wasn't that impressed they were swapping shirt, do you have a

row problem with it? Yes I don't like to see the opposition swapping

shirts at half-time. It should be done after the game. Didn't swap too

many shirts. I wouldn't want to swap that shirt either. We will get the

violins out for you. Poor Kevin. Manchester City went top of the pile

with their win over Crystal Palace yesterday. We will show you that

later on. So, could Arsenal regain first place with the win at

whatever today's results back at start if you offered either team to

be where they would be at the turn of year you would have had an

instant deal. The aim is to end 2013 with a winning flourish. There is

one change to the Newcastle team that thumped nine man Stoke on

Boxing Day with Ben Arfa making way for Tiote who is back from a one

match ban. Arsenal are mixing it up more.

Wilshire is back from his own two game suspension.

Exactly one year ago today it finished Arsenal 7, Newcastle 3. It

is not too much to ask for similar levels ofment today.

-- of excitement today. Wilshere. Tackled by: . --

Coloccini. Will I shish was offside. -- yiz

enough for Krul. It has been Arsenal from the start

of the game. Coloccini.

Yab, good run that, on side too. Shame about the control from. He

needed two touches. One to control it, one to put it near goal. I don't

think he got any touch. Arsenal for the first dozen minutes had almost

all of the ball it barely left the Newcastle half. It has turned round

since then. Broke into Rosicky. Sagna there to

help him on the touchline. Wilshire. Rosicky.

Straight at Krul. Rosicky's 2 hundredth Arsenal

appearance. He would have made many than that but for several injury lay

offs during his career. Ross si -- Rosicky.

Another one for Krul to have to save, but a relatively comfortable

one for the Newcastle keeper. Arsenal are being restricted to

pot-shots from range. Right on the very edge of the box.

It is not even a free-kick, let alone a penalty.

Lee Probert is indicating he saw it clearly enough.

Frank Lampard indicated he -- Flamini thought he had taken a dive.

I don't think he did. He has two on him. Newcastle with a strong case

for getting a free-kick on the penalty area. It wasn't in the box,

but it looked like a foul. Straight to Anita. A stumble from Wilshere. A

chance for Cabaye. It is going to come back to Sissoko. It is saved by

Szczesny. The first real moment of the first

half that kicken -- quickens the heart. It comes on the stroke of

half-time. Searing shot from Sissoko that needed to be saved.

Newcastle's corner will be about the last action of the half. Away will

take it. It is -- Cabaye will take it. It is off the line. It might

have been off the bar. That is half-time at St James' Park.

It is off the cross bar. Over the head of swhierl who was the sentry

of the most. Came off Wilshere in a way.

-- Wilshere. Cazorla. Coloccini. Anita. Thought he was fouled.

On with the game. Sagna. Cazorla. He gaulzing already, think

but he was just pushed in the end by Tiote. It is going to be a free-kick

for Arsenal. No further punishment for Tiote. Caught, soft, but caught.

Koscielny got the only goal last season. Did anybody else touch it?

Giroud is claiming it. It was Walcott. It caught Newcastle cold.

Some of the players have gone to Walcott. Others to Giroud. Faintest

of touches from the French striker. Enough to beat Krul.

There it S off his head. It is Giroud's goal. And he has ended a

run of seven games with that one. Salute up and away to the Arsenal

fans in the sky. Here is Rosicky.

Sagna and that wasn't sure whether to try to keep it in or just settle

for what happened. Arsenal throw in. Cazorla. Now, Wilshere. Lovely ball

in, Walcott with a poke of the toe, another chance now. Off the line. It

is Giroud. It away from goal. -- it is away from goal.

We can use Hawk-Eye here, we need to see whether this little chip from

Theo Walcott crossed the line. It didn't. It was headed up on the bar

and away. This will tell us for sure.

I think we know. Thanks for that Hawk-Eye, you have

done your job. Flamini. Very nearly a very lucky

goal. Good closing by the Newcastle

striker. Szczesny, anywhere but there.

He has got himself set. He is intending to put it out to the right

and he miskicks. Straight against the number 14, straight against his

head, and Szczesny's heart is beating at its normal rate again.

Arsenal are not in control of their lead. Arsene Wenger cannot afford to

sit easily. Per Mertesacker. Straight to Tiote.

Out to a super pass. Cross isn't bad. Per Mertesacker away. Ameobi

came into challenge with Sagna struggling. Look at Szczesny. Opted

to stay at home but it was a second thought. Sagna thought he was fouled

by Ameobi. Debuchy. Tiote. Squirted awkwardly behind.

Was there a call from the keeper? Tim Krul is coming for it. The mini

does not know where it is. -- Fleming E. Next to two of the

Premier League's entertainers, who met at Goodison.

Jenkinson gave him they hurry up. Jack Wilshire has lost it. Here

comes the charge of the black and white brigade again. That is the

wrong choice. That is glorious work. Shola Ameobi. And Newcastle corner.

This really is the last chance. Tim Krul will charge forward from his

goal again. He will jump for it and Szczesny will get it away. That will

do it, I think. Arsenal should hold on now, with seconds remaining.

Arsenal go back to the top of the Barclays Premier League. They

withstood a late Newcastle barrage soundly. We played against a good

side. We controlled the game and then we missed a second goal. From

then on in the last 20 minutes it was moored difficult. We opted for

defending well. We did that with great spirit. And three great points

for us overall. It was a tight game. I thought we were as good as

them. We did not deserve to get eaten. But there was a mistake in

the set play which I thought we should have defended better. We have

come out with confidence renewed. If someone had told you you would be

top but New Year, how would you have react to it? At the start I thought

we were in with a chance but after we lost the first game we start to

doubt it. We kept going and had a fantastic run where we did not drop

any points. The away form this season has been brilliant. We

surprised many people and we want to go from there. The team is ready for

a fight. Let's keep fighting and keep trying to develop. There are a

couple of quotes there. First, that it was a tactical

battle. And Arsene Wenger saying they have surprised a lot of people.

I was more impressed with Arsenal today because they were prepared to

board up their sleeves and do the ugly part of the game. By that I

mean there was no space at all for Newcastle, you have got the back

five in front of them. Jack Wilshire is trying to get in there to help

out. The ball goes out. Into Tiote. Not letting him play. Look at his

reaction there when he loses it. Back in protected in the back four.

And the problem has gone. Newcastle cannot score from there. The long

ball is picked up by every single person. They do not win the first

one or the second, the third one comes back in. Jack Wilshire,

no-nonsense. Newcastle cannot score from the halfway line. Again this is

a good line. That is offside. Again straight through to the goalkeeper.

When you play like that you give yourself a chance. I'm not quite

sure what Koshellney is doing. It is a good header from Olivier Giroud.

And just in the last minute, looking for the goalkeeper to take the

pressure off, the defenders come and punch you. That is why I was

impressed with Arsenal today. They did the dirty stuff very well. And

that last bit is important because they have had problems this season

with set pieces. The same happened with Manchester City. We know that

Arsenal can go and play beautiful foot tall. But the point is winning

when you're back is against the wall. When you are struggling to get

the team coordination going. So for me that was a more positive sign.

Next, Goodison Park. In this remarkable season two of the

brightest lights have been Everton and Southampton. Trying not to call

them overachievers. They are playing grateful for. Southampton had a

comprehensive win on Boxing Day. They have an unbeaten home record

which ended surprisingly on Boxing Day. But Everton and still end the

year in the top four. There is a lot more positive than negative to

reflect upon. Gareth Barry and Tim Howard are suspended. Leighton

Baines makes his return from a broken toe, just over a month since

he last played. Mauricio Pochettino has freshened up his pack with three

alterations. Coleman went with the early ball.

That forces the first save of the game from Alvin Davis. There is a

feeling that this should be a genuine match. Both sides liking to

move the ball around on the deck. Still with Coleman. A good half full

run. That is absolutely stunning! Goal number five. His last one at

Swansea was special. The best ?60,000 that any Premier League team

have ever paid to acquire the services of Seamus Coleman. And he

has grown into this right back position after the departure of

field level. -- Phil Neville. That is stunning and delightfully

celebrated. No wonder he is smiling. Sometimes going Long is not such a

bad way to go. The referee has a question to answer. His shirt is

pulled. Hard to tell if it was just outside or right on the line. Not

too many chances so far. Offside, Lambert. Not sure why nobody made

the tackle while he was onside. Lallana is in. He should have put it

on target. There was nothing especially intricate about this.

Lallana ought to have put it on target and what Southampton level.

Mauricio Pochettino, his English is not the best but he has confidence

in English talent. Eight out of the 11 today are English. Off target. A

couple of presentable openings for Southampton in the last minute.

Southampton have had a lot of possession but chances at the end of

it have been few and far between. A terrific burst of energy but Lallana

could not get a connection. It is a good tackle. Here is Lukaku. Turned

away from trouble. Just pushed a little too wide. Doing enough there

to distract Berkeley's concentration. Berkeley puts it

right. Ramirez. Still going. Headed away by Coleman. And it deflect

wide. Rodriguez has his hands to his head because that was on target.

That little deflection from McCarthy takes it beyond the post.

Southampton have it within them to equalise. Gaston Ramirez, hits it

and scores it. And he is going to get a yellow card for the

celebration but he is unconcerned. It must have swerved in the air.

Robles appeared to have it covered. Ramirez gets his first Premier

League goal of the season. Real Ramirez gets his first Premier

disappointment for Ramirez gets his first Premier

response is a substitution from Everton. Kevin

response is a substitution from His first sight of the

response is a substitution from Martinez's side are eyeing a top

response is a substitution from Now that would

response is a substitution from be, he says. You know the phrase.

response is a substitution from reactions haven't deserted him.

Excellent goalkeeping. They were reactions haven't deserted him.

everything but score. He was concerned about the

everything but score. He was reserves to ground out the wind. I

thought we had to reserves to ground out the wind. I

worked for each other, on the ball we were clinical, and

worked for each other, on the ball opportunities, and then, once

worked for each other, on the ball receive that equaliser, I thought

the receive that equaliser, I thought

part of this team. I do receive that equaliser, I thought

team-mate, and I do my best until now. I want

team-mate, and I do my best until top manager, top play evers and

team-mate, and I do my best until there with everyone now. Both teams

team-mate, and I do my best until way that the team

team-mate, and I do my best until is progressing

team-mate, and I do my best until were able to produce two

team-mate, and I do my best until goals and look like a team

team-mate, and I do my best until thing. They got that without several

of their main stains. thing. They got that without several

Because the full backs thing. They got that without several

particular, for you, as they have thing. They got that without several

centrally. There wasn't room for manoeuvre with

centrally. There wasn't room for full back. The best on the pitch was

centrally. There wasn't room for throughout the game, he was a

willing throughout the game, he was a

it was excellent one-two touch passing and Coleman,

it was excellent one-two touch played it out to the far side to

Leighton bane, we played it out to the far side to

forward. He is up against Luke Shaw, played it out to the far side to

he does have, a wonderful break out from the back, but,

he does have, a wonderful break out year, the best right back, he has

been an outstanding backs and what they have done, does

it surprise you that Southampton backs and what they have done, does

creativity. They allow the rest of the team to

creativity. They allow the rest of player. Let us look at the other two

goals. player. Let us look at the other two

viewing He struck it well enough. It was a

viewing He struck it well enough. It he should be saving that. It was

disappointing, he should be saving that. It was

him and McCarthy and Coleman. You could have forgiven

him and McCarthy and Coleman. You wants them to progress and have

him and McCarthy and Coleman. You Everton for me this season. The

him and McCarthy and Coleman. You they got their

him and McCarthy and Coleman. You game, we know

him and McCarthy and Coleman. You Maurecio Pochettino said after the

game, they should have Maurecio Pochettino said after the

crated created more chance, Everton are

crated created more chance, Everton their first 11 out, they can

probably beat their first 11 out, they can

game as they have over this period, their first 11 out, they can

Football League Show follows us tonight

Football League Show follows us season. The last of those though,

for Spurs. Paulinho returns after suspension.

Stoke suspension.

Fryers. Fryers with the challenge. Stoke fans

Fryers. Fryers with the challenge. free-kick. There is no protest from

Walters. Suddenly free-kick. There is no protest from

charge of Tottenham. 3-2 victory at free-kick. There is no protest from

Chiriches. A bit of room opening up ahead

Chiriches. A bit of room opening up with the run. Lennon, Adebayor and

enjoying a new lease with the run. Lennon, Adebayor and

Doesn't get a solid enough touch on with the run. Lennon, Adebayor and

Tottenham. Some good pass, it is a wonderful

Tottenham. Some good pass, it is a can keep it: Back to Soldado. Just

away from the Stoke can keep it: Back to Soldado. Just

Soldado with the header. And can keep it: Back to Soldado. Just

just the wrong side of building, and building.

Lennon using his pace here, just cleared away

Lennon using his pace here, just Soldado with the touch and Paulinho

couldn't get one. Soldado.

couldn't get one. Ryan Shawcross handling the ball.

It's a clear Ryan Shawcross handling the ball.

punishment for Shawcross would be the fact that his side

And away comes Dembele for Tottenham. It

And away comes Dembele for comfortable for Sorensen

week coming up for Tim Sherwood and Tottenham,

week coming up for Tim Sherwood and Dembele. If he can get away from

N'Zonzi. Dembele shot. That is brilliant.

Dembele doubles Tottenham's advantage with his second goal of

the season. And it was a wonderful individual

goal. It is his first Premier League goal of the season. A little run

away from N'Zonzi, and then again, to create the touch of space that he

needed. The shot back across Sorensen and is

there any way back for Stoke from this now? Cameron.

Here is Adebayor. Soldado. Here is Lennon. 3-0 Tottenham.

It all stemmed from Eriksen picking up the ball for Tottenham, half a

dozen or so passes later Spurs score again. It looked to go a little

wrong here, when Adebayor got the touch, but it fell kindly to Lennon

and how about that for a stylish finish? H?11 -- Lennon's first goal

of the season. Tottenham's third of the aftersnoon. There is surely no

way back for Stoke. The new manager heading for seven points out of nine

in his first Premier League game in charge. Stoke get back in numbers.

And inexplicable pass their from the visitors. 20 attempts from

Tottenham, they have scored from three of them. That counts as an

attempt for Stoke. Not sure it can't as a safe because he had not much to

do. -- it counts. They played well today from start to

finish. It helps when you get a bit of breathing space. We know what

Stoke or all about. They can get back in the game and really turn it

on at the end. But we did not allow them to do that. I feel a bit

aggrieved early in the game we had a good claim for a penalty.

We found a difficult today. Credit to Spurs, they are a good side and

worked hard. At times we struggled to cope with their power and pace.

We are obviously missing a few key players. But we still need to do a

little better than we did on the day. Seven points out of nine in

your first three Premier League matches. It could not go much

better. It is good but there are tougher tests ahead.

The pundit are giving Spurs some stick this season especially for the

lack of goals but not today. I think Tottenham were outstanding

throughout. Paulinho was creative in everything he did. But for me the

most telling thing was getting Adebayor back. Salgado looked so

much more comfortable having that strike partner to play alongside. He

looked so much better. You can see Adebayor picking the ball up deep,

running at players. The ball was looking when it was going through.

And the pair of them worked in unison and it looks so good seeing

him as the player that we know that he can be. His movement was so much

get. -- better. And Adebayor, the ability he has had been frozen out

for such a long time. He does not stand still. They both get in across

that six yard box. This was a key factor all throughout this game

today. Dembele breaking from midfield here. They are both there.

This is what he is doing well. Getting into the box and scoring

goals. I wonder what his previous manager is thinking now. Even when

Dembele scored, Adebayor had a couple of different options. He is

the one that is dropping the. And then running and working hard. When

you get him doing that, Adebayor is as good as anyone. He took the chat

show and won the penalty. -- the touch. It was a really good penalty.

You can see what it means for Salgado working alongside Adebayor.

And how different his touch to when they were away at Manchester. They

were really coming deep to get the ball. If they did come deep it was

always to turn and run. You said you wondered what Andre Villas-Boas

would be thinking. He should be thinking, why did I treat him like

that? Well you would be thinking at the body are -- Adebayor had to do

better. But it is not good for a manager to do that. The chairman

must be thinking hang on, how much are we paying this guy?

We start our look at some of yesterday's games with sides

scraping around at the bottom. There are those who still advocate a

mid-winter break in the Premier League. But just imagine Christmas

without the drama, entertainment and over-indulgence of Premier League

football! It was a quiet first 45 on Humberside yesterday, then Hull

decided to feast on goals. Huddleston's corner. Right away

across. L Maddy puts Hull City in front. It was on target when he hit

it. A dangerous all and it is 2-nil. You cannot see full coming back from

this. A lovely ball in from Sakho. Only the fourth time this season

that Hull City have scored more than one goal in a game. It is three

-nil, Hull City! The first goal of the season for him. The Honduran

going for gold. And he is their! -- there. Huddlestone! He has waited

since April 2011 to scored that goal. Right in the corner. The

haircut has started already. The crowd want Huddlestone to shoot. And

he has done. Goodness gracious! No one really expected Huddlestone to

go for goal here. The goalkeeper certainly did not. I am surprised

that more Fulham fans have not gone home already because this has been

an embarrassing showing. Queueing up in the middle. It is Graham! Koren

on hand and onside. Fulham have collapsed in this house. They have

been shocking. Another six goals in East London,

but in true Christmas spirit, they were shared in the lunchtime

kick-off. Carlton Cole finding Joe Cole. And

found again by Nolan! It is a dream start for West Ham. Just what they

needed as the pressure begins to build at the wrong end of the

Premier League table. America is onside. A real chance. Nicholas

Anoka scores his first goal for West Brom -ish Albion. Brandt with the

corner. Nicholas Anelka again. Two goals in five minutes for the

veteran. He has turned this game on its head. Now Joe Cole. This time

Ben Foster is at fault and West Ham have a lifeline. Maiga with his

first goal in a year. Maiga again! And goal is scored. It is Kevin

Nolan! In the space two minutes West Ham have breathed new life into

their season. And that is what it means when you are at the wrong end

of the table. Real tension amongst the home supporters now. Berahino!

Malky MacKay sacked over Christmas, dramatic finale in Cardiff.

The deflection carries it through. And what a start for Cardiff City.

They have been all over Sunderland since the first whistle.

Jordon Mutch, surrounded but still going. 2-nil. Fraizier Campbell

against his former club. The Sunderland defenders standing

looking at each other. They will be staying rock bottom of the Premier

League tonight if they continue like this. Fletcher! Sunder are back in

it. -- Sunderland. That changes the complexion and there might just be

help for Sunderland here. They have got to come up with something good

or they will lose the match. It is in! I do not believe it! Ten seconds

remaining in added time. And Sunderland snatch a point. It is a

deflection that carries it beyond David Marshall. What an

extraordinary finish for the match. Fulham have conceded 41 goals now,

nine more than any other side. That is the problem. It is trying to stop

conceding goals. If they are not scoring, and conceding at the rate

they are, there is a lot of danger for Fulham. And West Ham are also

conceding a lot of goals. Well for the first time they got three at the

weekend. But injury is costing them. They have no centre-backs. They'll

playing full-backs across the back four. And here are the other goals

from yesterday. Silva.

Clichy. Nasri's ball in.

Headed away to Navas. Dzeko, 1-0. Patience pays off. What

a good pass that is from Navas. Just took his time to assess the

situation, saw where Dzeko was, finds him, finds the net.

Hernandez looking for Welbeck. He has momentarily got away. They are

through. The ricochet favoured them. Manchester United have scored. A

huge slice of luck, but Danny Welbeck makes the most of it. There

is the luck. And from then on he did exactly what

you would expect him to. Round the keeper, back of the net.

Really unfortunate, Norwich City. Now a bit of space for vie man. Try

to touch it into Agbonlahor. Real opportunity for Aston Villa. And the

captain has taken it. And the whole team collectively run

towards the bench, to show their togetherness. It is Agbonlahor's

only second goal in 16 Premier League games, and it a huge one for

Paul Lambert and Aston Villa. Swansea begins to turn the screw but

they can't find the equaliser. God run from Davis.

Now Shelvey. Hernandez is on side. It is Lamah.

Lamah with his first Premier League goal to level it up, and it had been

coming. And Aston Villa have been pegged

back, and despite the efforts of Brad guezen he couldn't keep it out.

It was a simple header for Lamah. Let's us look at the Premier League

wins for Chelsea and Everton put them into the top four, at the other

end of the take, Sunderland, West Ham and Fulham prop up the rest. Let

us finish with two good, two good, two bad.

And first with the goals of the weekend, from Eden Hazard.

And Tom Huddlestone and Alan has offered to buy that bit of hair.

Tough guy keeper of the weekend, without any shadow of a doubt was

Joe Hart who went on to produce the saves of the weekend as well. St

James' Park grew problematic this lunchtime. Arsene Wenger doesn't

know where he is going. Oh, that way!

And Ben Arfa had a slight problem with the stairs.

Although Remy had that smile wiped off his face, just a couple of hours

later, during the game. Ouch!

Jon Walters took add van -- advantage of the a quick run into

the crowd to grab a coffee. Initials on the manager's coat are

one thing, but on a snood? Gus, what are you do something and the festive

football just proved to much for one Norwich fan at Carrow Road.

Back to sleep. It has been cracking 12 months of the Premier League, we

thank you for watching its, with us, football used to be all about

Saturdays but not any more, here on match of day two we look to think

the greatest drama and excitement comes on the seventh day, especially

this past year. Thanks to Kevin and Alan, see you in