13/12/2015 Match of the Day 2

Three games, the best of Saturday's action,

2Good 2Bad and a little quiz over the next 70 minutes,

all in the company of Alan Shearer and a warm welcome to Chris Ramsey.

They are on their longest unbeaten run in the top flight since 1985.

Simon Brotherton watched Newcastle attempt to end that record.

Unbeaten in the league since the opening day, and through as group

winners in the Europa League. Things are looking up the Spurs, while

bearer opponents are nothing if not predictable. Flashback Crystal

Palace -- thrashed at Crystal Palace one week, beating Liverpool the

next. They have won their last two league meetings here. Tom Carroll

makes his first start for Spurs three days after scoring his first

for the club against Monaco. Mousa Dembele misses the game through

illness and that is the only change to the side that drew with West Brom

last week. Not surprisingly, Newcastle are unchanged after their

2-0 home win over Liverpool which means Steve McLaren sticks with the

experience upfront of puppies seaside and de Young -- -- de Young.

-- Papiss Cisse. Todd unbeaten since the first day of

the season, two victories and eight draw since then -- top number. --

Tottenham. Steve McLaren says it is his most frustrating thing at the

moment the fact that he believes his team are capable of so much more as

Harry Kane sends that one goalwards and brings the first save of the

afternoon from Rob Elliott, the Newcastle goalkeeper. Tottenham

showing early attacking intent. Harry Kane, who scored six matches

in a row before the last two. Sissoko now. The Frenchman quickly

surrounded and it falls kindly for De Jong. De Jong trying to find an

opening. Well, he struck his own player when the ball seemed to be

ending up in the back of the net. First attack of the match from

Newcastle. See say and De Jong combining well initially until --

Cisse. That was until Cisse was knocked off his feet. Steve

McLaren's team have kept five clean sheets in the last ten. A tussle

between Walker through Dummett. Onto Cisse's head. A decent ball. Good

play by Wijnaldum. That was to initially get the better of Walker.

Cisse sending it wide. Pochettino, whose team have the joint best

defensive record in the league, along with Manchester United, having

conceded only 12 goals all season. Erik Lamela, trying to turn away

from Coloccini. Rose. Going for the return pass, Tom Carroll, a chance

to whip it into Erik Lamela and a good save by Elliott. Full stretch

to keep that one out. There it is once again. Good approach play on

the Tottenham left. Denied by the outstretched arm of the Newcastle

goalkeeper. He was very good at Bournemouth the other week when they

won 1-0. One of those long raking passes from Aldo Wirral. Harry Kane

gets there first. Lamela, surging through, and tipped over by the

Newcastle goalkeeper -- Aldo Wirral. Twice in quick succession, Tottenham

are close to taking the lead. And twice Erik Lamela denied by Rob

Elliott. Christian Eriksen with the delivery at the near post, and it is

in. Eric Dier. Finally an effort he could not keep out, and six minutes

before half-time Tottenham make the breakthrough. Eric Dier sending the

header right across the face of the goal. And having made two good saves

in quick succession, finally Rob Elliott is beaten. Eric Dier.

Half-time on the horizon, a couple of minutes away plus added time.

Christian Eriksen, looking to prise open the Newcastle defence again.

Away by Coloccini and then De Jong. This is Lamela.

Tom Carroll. Into Eriksen. You might fancy this. It ricochets off

Coloccini. Rose!, and at the far post Harry Kane was no more than a

few inches away from turning at home. As the ball flew across the

face of the goal. Toss in a second late in this first half --

Tottenham. This is Harry Kane. Time for the Newcastle players to get

back behind the ball. Tom Carroll. Harry Kane. Trying to slide it

through towards Christian Eriksen. Sissoko, up against Danny Rose. Away

from Danny Rose, away from Eric Dier. Cisse for Newcastle. That is

the closest they have come to scoring. Good play by Moussa

Sissoko. Through the heart of the midfield. Cisse is unmarked and

onside by dragging the shot wide. Some encouragement for Steve

McLaren's team early in the second half. Harry Kane losing out, but

Kyle Walker is there to pick up the pieces and keep it with Tottenham.

Back with Harry Kane, quick to shoot, good save. Harry Kane

unleashing a shot and bringing the save from Rob Elliott. Alexander

Mitrovic, one of the big-money summer signings from Anderlecht, is

coming on to replace Cisse. In two Christian Eriksen who brings

the save. First touch for Mitrovic, the substitute for Newcastle. Cannot

find a way past Kyle Walker, and getting a bit handy as the ball was

shifted off elsewhere. We will keep an eye on that. Here is Yam Matt.

Claiming handball against Danny Rose -- Janmaat. Let's have a look at

this one. Rose clearly handling it. He gets a yellow card. Jack Colback

of the player with the ball at his feet. Newcastle throwing bodies

forward to this one, and the header is over the line and finally in, and

Mitrovic got the final touch. He has only been in for a couple of

minutes, but the substitute with a final touch to poke it over the

line, and Newcastle are level. Coloccini with the header down. It

was a stooping header goalwards. Almost stopped on the line from

Mbemba and then stabbed home from Mitrovic. Mbemba with the low

header, and the defender could not get out from under his feet, and as

the Tongan made the challenge, Mitrovic was their first --

Vertonghen. And the gap between him coming on the field and scoring the

field -- and scoring the goal was one minute and 48 seconds. Have

Tottenham got that extra in the last 11 minutes to turn appointed to

three or will they come unstuck? It is Perez. Newcastle trying to find

an opening, and almost all the way through. The Tongan challenges and

stays down -- Vertonghen challenges and stays down in the aftermath. A

yellow card for Perez. That was an exciting piece of play from Perez as

he skipped clear of Alderweireld. Once, then twice seeing his run come

to a halt thanks to Vertonghen. More encouragement to Newcastle in the

closing stages of the match. On by Chadli, and the way by Mbemba. Perez

is offside. It has fallen for Sissoko. AO 's Perez sliding it

through. Sissoko taking on Vertonghen. And Mitrovic was almost

on the end of it. Very nearly winning golfer Newcastle, right on

the stroke of 90 minutes. Mitrovic, the substitute, who drew them level,

he was so close to getting on the end of that. They are having a good

afternoon out and in great voice, the Newcastle fans.

On by Mitrovic into Perez with the shot, and he has scored. Perez has

done it again at White Hart Lane. Deep into added time, and Newcastle

United are set to win at Tottenham in the league for the third year in

a row. 93 minutes on the watch, and Perez, from a tight angle. And both

substitutes score for Newcastle. As the ball slips underneath Hugo

Lloris. And Newcastle, in the second half, have turned this game on its

head. As a manager you try to change the

course of the game, and occasionally substitutions can make you look a

genius. Absolutely and it has nothing to do with my decision on

changing things, it is purely down to the players who have been on the

bench who have do, and they have do win points. They are on the bench,

be ready, win the game and that is what they did. We are disappointed

now because we don't think we deserved defeat, but that is

football and you need to compete for 95 minutes, and today was difficult.

Very frustrating. We wanted to take advantage of the position coming

into the game, and not the best of moods in the dressing room, because

it is a missed opportunity and we did not perform as well as we could

have. It is amazing. You have to live it to know what I'm talking

about. This feeling in the dressing room is amazing now. We are going to

try to have this feeling now. Really happy. We have two home games, and

we can give the support what they deserve. Football is funny. At

4:45pm you were a bit surly, since six o'clock, you have been dancing

down the corridor singing Christmas songs. I wonder why. Spurs did have

their chances, and Pochettino said he thought they did not deserve to

lose, and a Newcastle player who has not had many bits of criticism kept

them in it. He wouldn't be playing if it was not for the injury to Tim

Krul, but like two or three weeks ago at Bournemouth, he kept his team

in the game with some superb saves and it was exactly the same today,

particularly in the first half. It wasn't him, Spurs would have had the

game won at half-time. Decent effort from Lamela and he

goes flying to his left. Acrobatic and superb. Lamela again, flick on

from Harry Kane and this is probably the best, just extinct if --

instinctive. It is a superb save anti-budget over the bar and

Newcastle going, and if it wasn't him he would seen it over at

half-time. Newcastle were very different in the second half to how

they were in the first. What would have happened is that the manager

would have said, kicking long and that will enable us to play a bit

more -- keep it long. But it was constant in the first half. There

was no believe that they could play in the first half, and because they

kicked it long, they didn't have anyone there so Spurs collected the

ball and they came straight back at Newcastle and it was wave after

wave. Aimless? They are not picking anyone up. Look at the players

around the ball. They can play their way out, but they kick it long and

no worries there and Spurs, then once again and attack. Cisse could

run with this ball or pass it, but tries to get rid of it straightaway

with them is no need to. The ball over the top is easy for Hugo

Lloris. But in the second-half Steve McLaren must have said, believe in

yourselves. What happened then, Sissoko, who was outstanding, he got

belief and he went past players and he took three Spurs players out of

the game. 20 yard run, you are into the final third and you are having

at goal. Chalk and cheese from Newcastle.

Anita, that ball would have gone along in the first half but because

they believed in themselves and now they have confidence, the ball into

Cisse, turning and especially down the right, they caused them all

sorts of problems in the second half. Is this belief and confidence?

Yes because the players can play. What a ball. Mitrovic is now on the

pitch. Coloccini, confidence, would go long in the first half but what

about this for a pass into Perez? The run behind and they believe they

can get something out of the game. They are showing what they can do.

No excuses for poor performances now. The effort and application was

superb. Down the right, I thought Sissoko was driving at people,

whipping balls into the box. What about that cross? Mitrovic should

put it away. Because they were prepared to do it, they got the

reward, good header from Mitrovic, who is not happy and flicked it on

again and a brilliant effort from Perez. Lloris should save it but who

cares? Three points the Newcastle and thoroughly deserved because of

the way they adapted in the second half. Can you understand the

coaching instructions for the first half? Does it make sense? It does

because when you are in their predicament, they don't want to give

away early goals, goal on, stretch the plate and hopefully you can get

the ball into the forward with a bit of quality which they did in the

second half. So it's like safety first in the

first? Jess and when you are low in the league, anxiety creeps in and

the players play too early so the forwards cannot pick it up and it

keeps on coming back. Would you expect that to change for Aston

Villa at home next weekend? If you have confidence from two wins, maybe

to play how they did in the second half at home. With the great fans

Newcastle have got, they will expect to be on the front but can take the

game developed on a game they can win. We are going to get into Europe

now. What is up with you? I would rather you said that than continue

to sing Christmas songs. West Brom were the visitors

for a Liverpool side that have been Benteke takes his time before

shooting and scoring! What a performance from Liverpool! In from

Scott Dann! Crystal Palace have the lead! They have won at Anfield

again. Oh, Skrtel fired in an absolute beauty! That is a hug that

says, game won. Wijnaldum! 2-0, Newcastle. The second defeat under

Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool. COMMENTATOR: Once you have paid the

admission fee to Klopp Park, you can expect a thrilling white knuckle

ride but with how many more shrieks of delight than howls of despair? On

the subjects of ups and downs, a fresh injury to Daniel Sturridge is

offset by the return to full fitness of Captain Jordan Henderson, who

makes his first Premier League start since August. Four changes to the 11

that drew in the Europa League on Thursday, Skrtel, Moreno, Patino and

Benteke. West Brom are without the injured Stephane Houdet Sessegnon.

Craig Gardner deputises in the only change from the Spurs game last

weekend. The Baggies have won more points away from home this season

and boast the best defensive record in the division on their travels.

Lallana. Emre Can, aiming towards Benteke and QT no! He should have

scored and the reaction from him says it all. -- Coutinho. It just

sat up for him to crash it into the roof of the net. A poor defensive

header but he could not keep the shot down. Jurgen Klopp's first

seven Premier League games in charge exactly match West Brom's last seven

game record, three wins, two draws and two defeats.

Coutinho, up towards Lallana who won it and it is turned in by Henderson!

The run from midfield not tracked and it is Henderson's first goal of

the season, on his first start since the 17th of August. Liverpool in

front, inside 21 minutes. Great knock-down by Lallana. Henderson

thanked him for it. He would not have been favourite to have won this

but he did win it, and it is a super run from Henderson. Unseen,

untracked and then an unstoppable, to give Liverpool the lead.

The referee, unhappy with some of the antics in the area. Henderson is

particularly unhappy. Swinging into wards Mignolet, did not really get

anywhere near it and now he's out of position and the ball is in the net!

It was Dawson who took a swing at it and it ricocheted on the way

through. West Brom are level. Mignolet came to claim this at the

par posts and never really got close. And once he was out of

position, West Brom had a real opportunity and although it was not

the cleanest contact from Dawson, it find its way in. West Brom, who just

about held in there after Liverpool's really bright start,

after a set piece, have themselves the equaliser and Dawson has scored

it. Once you come for a cross, you really have to come and get it.

Mignolet did not. Jurgen Klopp is not too happy about something.

Rondon, away from Skrtel. The referee did not like the challenge

from Skrtel and has awarded West Brom the free kick. Not happy with

the intent from Skrtel, even if he did not connect with the ball. He

was flying through. I tell you what, that was an ugly looking challenge.

If he did connect, maybe Skrtel might have got a read. -- red card.

Good turn by Fletcher, upended by Emre Can.

Gardner's delivery and they have taken the lead! Olsson turns away in

jubilant mood and West Brom lead again at Anfield. They have won here

a couple of times during the last few years. And they lead again.

Well, the flag stayed down. That was the significant point. Olsson met it

with a side foot volley and at the Kop end, West Brom have scored

twice. CHEERING Oh, no, the flag has now gone up.

There has been dialogue. Well, how long was that after it had gone in

the net? Tony Pulis is staggered and I am, too. I can't remember a delay

as long as that before. -- before a goal was ruled out for offside but

offside it is. And it stays 1-1. Emre Can again. West Brom should win

this, and they do. In the end, it is a free kick because the challenge

just caught Gardner as he got to the loose ball. Milner penalised. That

was a hefty old crunch, wasn't it? It is a corner. Just a little dink

ball towards Gardner, taking a ricochet.

Mignolet has Darren Fletcher standing right in front of him, to

try to put him off as the inswinging ball comes in and goes into the back

of the net! This one will stand. Olsson again is celebrating. The

inswinging corner from Chris Brunt, just a little touch and it is in the

back of the Liverpool net. And West Brom, this time, take the lead and

there is going to be no late flag. Three or four players descend on it

and a little touch from Olsson, brushes off his forehead, into the

corner of the net. It is Liverpool 1-2 West Brom and there will be no

cancellation this time. Every time between Gardner and

Lovren and Lovren is spinning around with his hand in the air, in serious

bother, Lovren. He really is. Oh, he is signalling. He is in awful pain.

The referee had a good view of it and felt that it was not a foul. You

can see the lard on his knee. -- the blood. It looks as though Gardner

hits the ball and catches him on the follow-through with his studs, on

the knee. I don't think there's any malice from Gardner, I really don't.

So Divock Origi is the replacement for Dejan Lovren, which reflects the

position Liverpool find themselves in. Henderson. It seems a long time

ago that he gave Liverpool the lead. They have about 11 minutes but with

the added time for the injury, it is probably more like 17 or 18. A

chance to equalise for Lallana and they superstock from Boaz Myhill,

who came charging out at him and made himself impossible to beat. --

superstock from Boaz Myhill. Then picked him out, no question of

offside, full marks to the goalkeeper. Interestingly, in the

last four Premier League games, West Brom have only taken one less points

than Liverpool in the same time. Tony Pulis has done a terrific job

turning them around. They might have another opportunity with Rondon!

That was surely the moment that the three points could and maybe should

have been banked. He has not had a single opportunity in the match,

Rondon, until this moment and he drags it wide and how significant

might it prove to be, with so much added time looming at the end of the

90 minutes? We shall see. Origi wants it but is not going to get to

it. Well played by Gardner. Fletcher loses out. Moray no wins it back.

Jordon Ibe is still going. Good effort, whistling by the upright.

Oh, it was a good, clean hit from Jordon Ibe. Myhill looked as though

he was beaten. The added time board says eight minutes. Jurgen Klopp

almost turns his back on it. West Brom have certainly merited, at the

very least, a point. They are seemingly heading for all three.

Reidy, deflection! -- Origi. It changed the direction of the ball

and helped it into the net. Origi would have got the free kick because

he went down, there, but he decided to carry on going. It struck Gareth

McAuley and that change the direction of the ball and it ended

up in the back of the net. Jurgen Klopp wants three points, not just

one. Well, there is the whistle, at the

end of a quite dramatic game, full of talking points, full of incident,

full of entertainment will stop I have to say, by the way, that he was

reluctant to shake the hands of the West Brom staff at the end of the

game. Well, fascinating league, Jurgen Klopp is trying to assemble

his Liverpool players in a line, similar to the way Borussia Dortmund

used to conclude matches in front of the yellow wall at Signal Iduna

Park. Jurgen Klopp is never a man who just deals in uniformity.

The minimum we deserved was a point and we take it. It was a big

emotional moment for all of us. The atmosphere in the stadium was the

best since I've been here. You need moments like this and you need

moments like this at home, that everyone can enjoy. It is only a

point but everyone will talk about this game for the next five or six

days and that is important. That is what football is for. You scored but

you also had a goal cancelled. What did you think it happened after 30

or 40 seconds? Obviously, when I scored, I was looking at the

linesman and I did not see the flag so I celebrated, a bit too much,

maybe! I saw it on the replay and I was offside. I think the linesman

did not know if I touched it or if one of the Liverpool players had

scored an own goal which is why he was waiting. What disappoints me is

that the linesman did not put his flag up. They tell me it's offside.

I've not seen it yet but why doesn't the linesman put his flag up and

then everyone knows that Jonas Olsson is offside or might be

offside? However they have come to the decision afterwards, I don't

know. It will be interesting to see what they have to say. I have no

problem in football, if you lose a game, it's football, you have too

accepted but this game was not one to lose because the opponent played

only long balls, only set plays and if you get points like this, good.

But not here, any more. We have to stop this will stop if you want to

defend against us, no problem. But the only plan was long balls. That

is not allowed to run against us. As an observer, it seems like Jurgen

Klopp was not happy with West Brom. I've got no problems with him being

vocal on the sideline. I've been here all my life. I've got no

problems with that. This is such a great leader because teams like West

Brom actually get you, roll their sleeves up and have a right go and

that is why everybody loves this league.

Jurgen Klopp critical of West Brom going forward and their style, but

from a different point of view, you were impressed. Very impressed with

the way they defended and they work from each other and they ended up

with a point. -- worked for each other. They" League, people tracking

back, straight to the ball. Last-ditch tackles.

Three centre halves in the back four and Jonny Evans is a holding

midfielder. Can he perform that role? He grew into the role and he

showed he could go forward as well and create four people. We see him

here with lovely composure. We see him helping the back forasmuch as he

can. The whole back for our swarming -- the whole back four. No space

anyone to shoot. They even drop-in when the centre halves get dragged

out. Great position and then he blocks it again. They made sure that

service could not get to Benteke. They were happy to defend the

crosses but when the crosses came in, they dealt with it superbly.

They refocus quickly to make sure that they do not get caught napping.

Superb. Let's look at the tackle on day Waldron. Tony Pulis talked about

other tackles in the game -- Loughran -- Dejagah Loughran. I

thought he was very hard and committed and it was a fair

challenge. The ball is there to be won. He has been unfortunate that

his momentum takes him through, and even in a hard fair challenge

players get injured and that is the nature of football. It is a

committed challenge but I don't think there was any malice. If he

had not been that committed, given where he was on the pitch, you would

question why he maybe had not gone in quite as hard. There is no chance

he can pull out. He is anticipating that the other player came in as

hard as him, and unfortunately it was an injury but there was no bad

thoughts in that. Lovren could have been replaced like-for-like, but he

brought on Divock Origi. That gave them extra pace and width. It was a

brave move. When you have a packed defence, you need to draw them out

and Liverpool were playing long balls into Benteke but they needed

somebody who can -- could dribble or drag people out of position. We see

a couple of times he gets the ball and he is clever around the box and

that individual play is sometimes something that drags people out of

the box and creates chances. We see here that he attacks again and he

stays on his feet, which is nice to see and he gets his reward for it. A

lot of players go down in these situations. Do you accept, from a

defensive point of view, that if you throw your bodies at shot after

shot, eventually you might be up the wrong end of an unfortunate

deflection? Sometimes it happens when you have 20 or 30 shots against

you, but when you are playing like Tony said, a relatively small club

compared to Liverpool. They have an embarrassment of riches, and today

West Brom showed steel and showed a good tactical awareness of their

opponent, and I think they would have taken a point before the game.

Let's look at the goal that wasn't. We are told the assistant referee

wanted to check with the referee who have the final touch before they

decided whether it was offside. We have to say it is the correct

decision, but how they got to it, I'm not sure. There is no doubt they

offside, West Brom, but it doesn't matter who touches the ball, it is

offside, and this is the reason why. The law tells you that you do not

have to touch the ball, just try and touch the ball, then you offside. We

are about to see it. That is absolutely the case. There are four

players offside so it is all right him flagging now, but as soon as

there is intent from the West Brom player to touch the ball, he should

put his flag up immediately, irrespective of whether it is a West

Brom player or a Liverpool player. They got to the decision but I'm not

sure how, because the linesman should flag. When we look at the

celebrations at the end people will say on social media that they are

taking the make out of Liverpool for perceiving to be celebrating a point

but this is quite a Germanic thing, and they do it a lot in Germany and

we heard in the interview from Jurgen Klopp about the crowd being

the best as it has been for him and maybe they can use it as a launching

pad. I think it is clever what he is doing. A couple of weeks ago he had

a bit of a moan at the Liverpool fans for leaving early when they

went down to Crystal Palace and he wanted them to stay until the last

kick of the game. I think they did today and they kept going and that

is his way of saying thank you. If you create a connect between the

fans, player and manager which doesn't happen a lot in the modern

game, stuff what people say on social media. If you want to stamp

your style on the way you want to do things around the club that you

don't worry about what people say. And tonight's third game features

an Arsenal side trying to go top of the table at

struggling Aston Villa. Spirits are understandably low at

Villa Park. No home league wins and only six points from 15 games. You

do fear for Aston Villa and wonder whether next victory is coming from.

Relegation whispers grow louder although the ghosts of past Premier

League rivals provide comfort. Part of the table at Christmas, the

curses over. Remi Garde is still haunted by statistics. Never has a

side survived the Premier League trap door after such a poor start

and time might be on Villa's side, but history is not.

19 years ago, Remi Garde became one of Arsene Wenger's burst signings at

Arsenal and as they meet as managers are the first time, he can only

admire his mental's longevity as he focuses on his challenging

short-term target of survival. The first time since taking charge, the

Villa manager names an unchanged team, the one that drew at

Southampton last weekend. Micah Richards is still missing with a

knee injury, although Jack Grealish is back as a substitute, along with

Ciaran Clark, available again after suspension. Same for Arsenal

after their Champions League heroics in Athens. Olivier Giroud has 11

goals in his last 14, while if Petr Cech does not concede today, he will

equal the Premier League clean sheet record and go level with David

James. Arsenal, who have scored 22 goals in their last nine games.

Lescott. Got his first goal for the lead in the draw against

Southampton. Only two points from 12 under Remi Garde so far for Aston

Villa. Sinclair. He might fancy ago, and he does. Straightout Petr Cech,

on his weaker left foot -- straight at. Saw the gap but could not extend

the Arsenal goalkeeper. Flamini. A nicely weighted pass to

Theo Walcott. He shrugs off Alan Hutton. Kevin Friend had a really

good look at that and he has given it. Kevin Friend has given the

penalty. Well, there was communication

between Kevin Friend and his assistant on the far side.

Initially, he waved away the claims from Walcott. Did Hutton pull him

back? I think he did. Kevin Friend did not have a good view of this.

You can quite quit -- clearly see the two arms on Theo Walcott but the

referee then was not interested. When he goes to ground, that is when

the communication begins, and that is when Kevin Friend changes his

mind and points to the spot. Olivier Giroud, fresh from his successful

spot kick in the Champions League in the week has the opportunity to give

Arsenal believe. -- the lead. Left footed, calm as you like. Olivier

Giroud scores his 50th Arsenal goal and his 14 of this season, and they

have the early lead. Ramsey to Ozil. Picked up by Jordan Ibe. -- Ayew.

Chooses instead to go to his left. Perverted. -- further to.

A fair challenge by Aaron Ramsey. We got something of the ball. This is

where Arsenal could hurt Villa on the break. Walcott. What a ball.

Ozil is in, and he squares it to Aaron Ramsey. So simple and it is

2-0, Arsenal. A devastating counterattack finished by Aaron

Ramsey. He began it all with a tackle at the other end and he

scores in successive Premier League matches, three for the season for

him. Did he get the ball? There were not too many complaints from Villa,

but after that it was clinical from the visitors, quick, sharp, incisive

pass from Theo Walcott. Ozil could not believe the space he was in. He

was aware where Aaron Ramsey he wasn't going to miss. A long way

back already for Villa. Seven minutes from half-time, 2-0.

Just looking for a bit more urgency in their play. Sinclair. In from

Hutton. Rudy Gestede. That was half a chance.

It is the first cross he has really had to capitalise on all day.

Disappointed he did not get a better connection on that. Nine games

without a goal. Villa coming out -- crying out for

some creativity. That is a better pass and lifted in my heart.

Sinclair. That is the biggest chance of their afternoon, and Scott

Sinclair could not take it. -- lifted in by Alan Hutton. Good ball

from Ayew, lifted in by Hutton. Six yards out, totally unmarked, Scott

Sinclair could not get over the header.

I am sure he has asked for a little bit more urgency from his team.

Sanchez. Ayew. Sinclair was ahead of him.

Look at the space for Bacuna. Onto his right. Not too far away from

Leandro Bacuna, who has not scored a Premier League goal since March last

year. Villa really need one of these to go in. Veretout.

The Frenchman again. He wants to make room for the shot, and he did.

It was a decent drive from the Spaniard. Always just looking for

that half a yard, and Petr Cech probably have that covered. The last

Villa manager standing there to be Arsenal was 17 years ago today, John

Gregory's team, with a 3-2 victory courtesy of roles from Dion Dublin

and Julian Joachim. Gibbs. Koscielny. A curious one from the

French defender. Sinclair showed too much of it to Aaron Ramsey. Ozil is

onside and Ramsay wants it back. Trying to set up Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Not so sure it was going in after the deflection, but Brad Guzan made

sure. All came from the heavy touch from Scott Sinclair. Then

Oxlade-Chamberlain's shot had already hit Lescott. Two points from

12 in his four Premier League games in charge. This from a team who had

lost seven league games in a row. Traore, burst of pace, and the shot

as well. Into the side netting. Once the 19-year-old picked it up

there was only one thing in his mind. Petr Cech would not be

expecting to be beaten from the angle and he wasn't in the end.

It was a perfect week for us, we had energy on Wednesday night and we had

the resources to win today. In the first half, we were in complete

control. In the second half, the legs went a bit but we were mature

and did not make mistakes. Maybe we were lucky on one or two occasions

as well on crosses. But overall, it is fantastic to come here. We played

away in the Champions League and we go away again and win so it is

great. Now we have games that we need to win. They will be must win

games against our wrecked opponents. Today was not a direct opponent. We

tried to do our best. But the next one, the next few will be very

important and crucial for us. As an experienced player who's been at the

top end of the league, do you look around the dressing room and think

you've got enough to stay in the Premier League? Definitely, we have

to believe that. The day we don't, it's over. But as I say, still a lot

of points to fight for and we will keep doing that. Have you ever known

in all your time as season like this? Honestly, no. It's so

unpredictable. You just have to focus on yourself and try to play

well in each game because you know if you are consistent, you have a

chance. I'm certainly not the only one thinks like that. Maybe they

have a chance because they are top of the table this evening. Not for

the first time do not, a correct decision but we're not 100% sure how

they reached it. The correct decision once again but

it is fun trying to get there. What a first touch from Walcott, the

wrong side of Hutton. It's absolutely a penalty but the referee

does not seem to think so and 45 or seconds afterwards... Look, it's

clear, he pulled him back by the referee does not give the penalty

and the linesman does not but we were informed the reason why the

referee points to the spot is the linesman over there, yes, that

one... Halfway inside the other half. He tells the referee, shouts

in his ear that he has a better view than the referee so he said it was a

penalty. Giroud did not half stick it away. He said he had a clear line

of sight. He would do. If he did, surely the referee did? He should

not need five seconds to make up his mind but it was the correct

decision. As a fan, you normally watch the ball and what the player

on the ball is doing but I know the coaches look at slightly different

things. You were impressed with Arsenal's front three but

particularly Walcott without the ball. He played in the eyeliner of

the fullback and kept the back four pins, he and Campbell kept them

pinned without actually being involved in play which kept them

honest, and kept the backline deep in their own half which allowed

space for other people to run into. It also meant that they could keep

doing well in midfield. As you see, they are linked in there now.

Walcott is causing them a problem. Look at Alan Hutton, the way he is

looking round and does not know where he is. It's a bit of cat and

mouse. He's dropped in deep and as he receives it, it allows others to

make runs across and allows him to run inside. When you say it keeps

them honest, it keeps them deep, do you mean? Yes, it keeps them in a

place where they cannot push up and cannot make any decisions about

where to go. What generally happens is defenders like to push the

forwards back. If they are in their eyeliner, they cannot see them and

they have to stay where they are. And they can stay that fire because

they can trust the quality of the midfield? Arsenal are very good in

possession so there is rarely a turner that they don't have to track

back so often. In the space of one minute in the first half, we saw how

to defend properly a counterattack and then how not to. They defended

this superbly. Flamini does superb. As we can see, he ushers the ball

wide and slows down the play which allows the Arsenal players to get

behind the ball and allows them to get into good positions. He makes

sure the ball goes wide, away from the middle, they defend patiently.

As Aston Villa mount this attack now, they latch on and they can

effect the ball. When they win it, this is about the desire to run and

get forward. Aston Villa have four players behind the ball and Bishop

be comfortable. But especially looking at Veretout, you does not

close the gap between him and Lescott. Then the Arsenal players

show great discipline to stay onside and finish it comfortably. Having

said that, you mentioned the Villa players desire, look at Monreal

getting back when they lose the ball, and Campbell, how far he is

sprinting back, the hunger to get back in and help their team-mates

out, to get back into shape. That is the difference, one of the

differences, why Arsenal are at the top of the leak and Aston Villa at

the bottom because you have players who are prepared not only to do the

work going forward but the dirty work going backwards as well. They

were superb at it today, Arsenal. Speaking about workrate, you want to

see more from the Aston Villa front men? You do. When Tim Sherwood took

over, he realised he had to get Benteke scoring. Remi Garde has to

do something similar with Benteke's replacement, Rudy Gestede. I know he

has come from the Championship and he has come to a struggling team.

But he has do offer more, more movement. It is not just about

crosses into the box, he has to try to face up and give his team an

option. At the moment, he's not giving enough options to the

midfield. There's no movement from him, running in behind, no movement

to try to effect the game or the ball with Sinclair. I'm screaming at

him, here, "Demand the ball, demand the ball in behind, someone passing

it to you and show up". But he's hiding behind the midfield. He's not

giving the midfielders or the defenders enough options to hit him

with the ball. It is OK the ball going wide, that is fine but then

you can't just be a centre forward who attacks the ball from crosses.

When you are not scoring goals, you have to give something else, you

have to face up and running behind otherwise your manager and the team

are going to have problems. Remi Garde said after the match it

is not about the fixtures against Arsenal, it is the teams in and

around them. They have got Newcastle next week and Norwich coming up and

Sunderland as well. But by saying that, it is added pressure on those

fixtures, isn't it? I think so but as we know, the Premier League, you

can't predict who's going to win any of the games. You have to take every

game as you would do the top five or six teams. They've got to get in the

zone quickly. I did not see any real evidence to suggest they are going

to. And the Newcastle game next week, would you paint a picture of

Alan Shearer on Rudy Gestede's blocker in the away dressing room as

motivation? If that does not motivate in, what can? I will post

the picture to Remi Garde! Remi Garde was the 10th man to lead

Villa in the same period that Arene Wenger has been

manager of Arsenal. Use #motd2 and the answer's

at the end of the show. Here's some of Saturday's action

while you think about that. First anxious moment here for

Manchester United in the second minute of the game. Whipped into the

near post and Bournemouth have a corner. Dan Gosling, throwing

himself at that one, whipped in by Junior Stanislas. The ball just

bouncing behind Michael Carrick. Stanislas again to the far post! Oh,

what an extraordinary goal! Junior Stanislas has given Bournemouth a

stunning start, here. Just look at this. He gets it beyond David de

Gea. Well, a bad week. It did not take

long to get a bit for Louis van Gaal. McNair was there. Fellaini!

Good save, not once, but twice. Artur Boruc, dealing with the first

effort from close range from Fellaini. A good save by the Polish

keeper and then at full stretch for the second one.

Carrick, floating it in, tremendous ball and a good save again by Artur

Boruc, but racing in is Fellaini! He has the final say for Manchester

United. Marouane Fellaini, who scored against FC Bruges in the

Champions League qualifier at the start of the season, as his first

league goal against May. Artur Boruc made the initial save but Fellaini

had the final say. The first-ever league meeting

between these two clubs has not disappointed so far. All hands on

deck for Manchester United. It is in low and it is 2-1! Josh King,

beautifully worked, wonderfully executed. Bournemouth lead for the

second time today. Unmarked, on a plate, brilliant Bournemouth have

beaten Manchester United. Baines with the delivery. Kone.

Norwich able to clear through O'Neil but Everton come again. Stones, can

he keep it in? Olsson away, today given -- to Deulofeu. Poor defending

from Norwich and Lukaku could not miss! The goal machine adds another

to his impressive Everton tally. It is a wonderful ball in from

Deulofeu, who had so much time. Lukaku was clearly onside and from a

tight angle, guided it into the gaping net. Coleman. Finding

Cleverley all too easily and Lukaku is in again! He is human after all.

Deulofeu armour Coleman -- to common. Lukaku has taken up a great

position and ease their reggae but he's missed! Baines against the

angle of crossbar imposed. How on earth is it still just the one goal

that Everton lead by? Howard could not get to it and it cleared off the

line. No, it is in now! Norwich have equalised, a very scrappy goal, just

the start Alex Neil wanted to the second half and fall of their first

top dominance and fall of the woeful play that Norwich produced in the

first 45, it is all square. Jerome, clever ball for Russell

Martin who's in behind Mirallas. He has found a cross. Hoolahan and

Jerome! My word, what a miss by Cameron Jerome. That is worse than

the one Lukaku missed in the first half.

Troy Deeney, trying to hold off Billy Jones, successfully done.

Nicely clipped three by Almen Abdi to Nyom and it has been squeezed in!

Was it Coates or Ighalo? They go for the ball together. Who gets the

decisive touch? It is Ighalo's goal. Through two Ighalo. O'Shea is in his

way. Support from Almen Abdi, great work from Ighalo! Of the line! That

is stopped by Pantilimon! Jurado hits the post! The Hornets are

swarming all over Sunderland. Rodwell. Defoe.

Still Defoe! What is saved by Gomes. That was the one Sunderland, Defoe

was waiting for the right moment he got it. And many, many people in the

ground thought they had equalised. Van Aanholt, what a ball from Adam

Johnson, in towards Defoe! It is wide, it is just not falling for

Sunderland. It increasingly looks like being one of those days when no

matter how hard they try, it just will not go in. Three wins on the

spin for Watford, seventh in the Premier League after that game

yesterday. You are going to praise them without mentioning the front

two who have got all the praise this season.

They deserve it as well because they play 4-4- two and not many teams are

brave enough to do that. You can see them lined up, four across midfield

and they all know their jobs and they all worked as a team, work

together. It is not just kicking it long because they have got a bit of

pace up there. Nathan Ake gives them width on the left, he's got a very

good relationship with Jurado, a little ball down the line and a

brilliant ball in, attacking play, players who are prepared to put

their neck on the line, prepared to work every single game. They don't

kick it along very often. They can play. Jurado again, he knows his man

because he is coming on the outside of him, Nathan Ake. Away on the

attack again. They have a tremendous team spirit. They are very

refreshing and they are tough to beat because as I say, they all know

their jobs. They get back into shape. If one goes, they all go,

their mate backs them up and they snuff it out. They are referencing,

I've said it before. If it was not for Leicester's heroics this season,

lots more people would be talking about Watford. Are they referencing

in a old-fashioned way? I mean that to praise them not criticise them.

Everyone is in position and it's an old-fashioned 4-4- two with the

forwards working. It is simple advice everyone knows what they are

going to do, everyone is used to it and has been brought up on it at

some stage in their career. It easy to slot players in and out which is

the most important thing. I did all that without mentioning the front

two. But you've it now so you have failed.

More football on the BBC on Monday night.

Leicester can reclaim top spot in the Premier League if they beat

The BBC Sports Personality Of The Night Club on Radio

The BBC Sports Personality Of The Year contenders, Lizzie Armitstead,

Lucy Bronze, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah, Chris Froome, Tyson Fury,

Lewis Hamilton, Andy Murray, Adam Peaty, Greg Rutherford, Kevin

Sinfield, Max Whitlock. Who wins? You decide. Register online now to

vote on the night. Here's the rest of Saturday's action

starting at the Etihad. That needed Joe Hart's legs to make

the save. Routledge got the right side of otter Mendy. But Joe Hart

had read a situation was equal to it -- Joachim one. An inviting 12.

Wilfreid Bony. -- Otamendi. Against his former club, but the all of

their organisation in the first 20 minutes, Swansea switched off. --

for all of. Now Cork. Sigurdsson. It might still come to him. Joe Hart

denied him. He got the run of the ball him, guilty Sigurdsson. That

was intended for -- Ayew. Final minute of the 90. That is towards

Gomis. Away from Mangala. Bataclan be Gomis for Swansea, in the last

minute of the 90 -- Atef Embley Gomis. Beautifully timed run, and

what about the finish. Sheer power. Manchester City only have the four

added minutes to try and rescue this. Yah yah Toure. Deflected. It

is cruel. -- Yaya Toure Toure. Manchester City have hit back in

stoppage time, and it was off his own player, of dash off any Hannah

Cho. Arnautovic looks like he fancies it.

Can he break the deadlock? Arnautovic takes a flick of the wall

and he rattles the woodwork. Bojan hit it well but way too high. That

was a viciously dripping -- dipping free kick from Arnautovic. Zarate.

Antonio, is allowed to turn. Zarate again. Space is closing all the time

around him. Desperate to get the right foot shot away. That would

have been a fabulous goal. Still Zarate. Tomkins. In towards Andy

Carroll. Valencia. What a story would have been. Could not get

enough on the header, and Jack Butland keeps Stoke's clean sheet

intact. Ran right across the face of the penalty area, Zarate. Absolutely

rattled Butland's left-hand post. Valencia did get a touch on it, but

not enough. In it comes. Gives them a chance, and Butland steals it.

Kouyate, punched away. So, so close and the last action of the game.

Well, well. 90 minutes of blood sweat and tears very nearly decided

with the very last touch of the game, and even Slaven Bilic could

not get the final touch. Side Omar na. Finds Cedric. Davis in

the middle -- sado Marney. Driven infirmary. Headed in. Wilfred Zaha.

Bolasie. To buy -- Yohan Cabaye. Bolasie with a great turn of pace to

get away from Jose Fonte eight. -- Jose Fonte. Who made the running to

the middle? Yohan Cabaye. Well taken by Wycombe. -- Connor Wickham. Still

Connor Wickham cannot find his first goal for Crystal Palace. Lovely

piece of control from the striker. One touch to control it and one

touch to fire it to the Southampton goal. A touch my Graziano Pelle. And

the saved from Hennessy. -- ie Graziano Pelle, and the save from

Hennessy. That has won the match, surely. Southampton so close. Just

before the table and 2Good two Bad, do you have a sense of regret that

you are not still in charge of QPR? There are plenty that could be sat

here this season. Did it annoy you when your experience was brought

into question? That is the thing that annoys you most. You don't mind

being taken out of the pitch of not being good enough because that

happens to bigger and better people than me, but that is one thing you

want to take out of the picture. You have been in the game for 38 years.

Yes, 38 years and I am happy to be sacked or relieved as it may be on

my merits and ability at the time in any given situation, but not for

experience. Do you want to get back into management or coaching? Does it

depend on the opportunity? It depends on the opportunities. It's

difficult when you have been in it all of your life. You are itching to

get into it, and I've been at home in nearly a month. That is more than

enough. I have been watching Bargain Punt. -- Hunt. At least you mention

some BBC daytime shows. Here is the table with one match to be played.

Arsenal replaced Manchester City at the top although Leicester will

reclaim the lead if they win on Monday. Spurs missed the chance to

go forth and the Spurs equaliser lifts them tonight.

Back-to-back victories have taken Newcastle out

of the relegation zone and up to 15th, above champions Chelsea.

West Brom remain 13th, while bottom side Aston Villa

Rather than just buying Christmas trees, Manchester City went with two

people scarily dressed as them. A ball, corner flag, ball, a corner

flag, and he carried on like it was perfectly normal to do that.

Martial's look indicates who he thought was to blame for the first

Bournemouth goal. And after Rudy Gestede moth, he was lost deep in

thought, wondering whether Alan Shearer would hammer him on the

telly tonight. This is a grand total of 14 seconds without blinking.

Earlier, we asked you to name the ten managers to lead Aston Villa

in the same time Arsene Wenger has managed Arsenal.

Remi Garde is obviously one, here are the other nine.

My main ambition is to bring success to the team and to satisfy all the

people who love Arsenal. Henry. Magnificent. And Robin van

Persie makes it 4-0. Fabregas!. # "One More Time" - Daft Punk. Arsenal

finally have the points. Arteta shoots. Ozil is behind. Beautiful

fiftyish. -- finish. He has scored an absolute beauty. The master beats

the apprentice. Remi Garde is rock bottom.