01/01/2014 Match of the Day

. Good evening and a Happy New Year - we start 2014 with a bang - all 20

Barclays Premier league clubs on the way in the next 90 minutes. We might

need some Fergie time to pack it all in.

After Jose Mourinho moaned about too many Liverpool pundits on television

we've got two former Manchester City men in the studio - Didi Hamann and

Robbie Fowler. We start at the Emirates. Leaders Arsenal faced

Cardiff knowing the team top on New Year's Day has won the League for

the last four years. Watching the game with Cardiff owner Vincent Tan

was a Gunnar - Ole Gunnar, the man expected to replace Malky Mackay.

Steve Wilson is your commentator. Like white smoke over the chimneys

of the Vatican, the appearance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer surely

indicates a new manager for Cardiff is imminent. Arsenal bring back

Monreal, Arteta and Podolski, whose last start was in August.

McNaughton starts for the second time this season.

Cardiff can't afford to give the ball away 15, 20 yards outside the

penalty area. A difficult one to control and not a great angle. Well

they were statistically the best side of 2013, but it won them

nothing. Nothing given and Medel brings it to

safety. Wilshere was convinced he was fouled by Medel. They both

seemed to make contact with man rather than ball and Wilshere might

be entitled to be unhappy. The referee says play on. But no

help, he will have to do it on his own. He brings a save from Szczesny.

He was on his own, Jordan Mutch. But he still tested Szczesny.

Walcott hits the side netting. Well he, puffs his cheek out in

frustration, because he has had a couple of decent opportunity,

Walcott, and he has not taken it. Tan and Ollie? Will it be another

fine mess? We will have to wait and see!

Podolski couldn't find Cazorla who was waiting. They looked certain to

score here. If it wasn't going to be Walcott, it looked like it would be

Podolski and if not Podolski, then Cazorla. But in the end it was none

of them. That came off a hand - Monreal. A

big shout. The cross hit Monreal on the hand. The hand was raised. It

may deflect up on to his arm, I am not sure you can give a penalty for

that. Good decision. It has gone all the way through and

Cardiff get a free kick. It went through a forest of legs and another

chance goes astray. It was a bit of a mantra in the first half of the

season, what will Arsenal do if Giroud gets injured? Well here we

are. Outside of the post there. Hit it really well, Jack Wilshere. Here

is a double Arsenal change, Podolski is coming off and Bendtner replaces

him and Rosicky is coming on for Flamini.

It needs a good ball - got one and Mertesacker wastes the chance of the

game. They don't come much freer than that. They don't come much more

central than that. And David Marshall has still bearly had a save

to -- barely had a save to make. Declan John puts it behind for

another Arsenal corner. Mertesacker, oh, he has missed another one! Well,

two in the space of a couple of minutes. Inviting for Mertesacker

and missed by Mertesacker. Glancing the outside of the post.

A great header from Sagna, a brilliant save and it is in at last

and it is bepter in with a -- Bendtner with a huge goal for

Arsenal. Two minutes to play. And Bendtner, often maligned, turns

match winner. Injured in the process. But Arsenal have won it

now. And Bendtner is the man who has scored. A great header at the back

post from Sagna. Got in front of his man. It is a good save by Marshall,

but Bendtner hammers gleefully home. Three crucial points have surely

been secured. And Bendtner goes out having surely won the game.

Walcott in on goal - 2-0! That is cruel to Cardiff. So stubborn for so

long, Cardiff City. But undone not once but twice at the death. And

Walcott clips home to put the icing on Arsenal's cake.

In the first half it took us a while to get in our stride. In the second

half we did all right, but we couldn't take our chances. And they

defended very well. We knew we would be good enough to set up and soak

the pressure. Not many teams can do that. But we had the belief and we

nearly pulled ate off. Lucky, we got a break, we have a big game on

Saturday against Tottenham. But we have got a rest in the league and we

can sit back and evaluate the season so far, how far we have come and

then go again. Given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was watching, do you feel

this was your last match? If I was a gambling man I would probably say

yes. That was fair enough. It is the old cliche, if you're going to win

things, sometimes you have to win badly and Arsenal got the points.

Yes and they picked up a lot of points by not playing at their best.

Today was another day. They had to be patient. But this year they have

got a tenacity and belief in the team to keep going and their

defensive record is the best in the league. They only need to score one

to win. People said with no Giroud they would struggle, but the goals

came from two forwards. Yes and Bendtner came in and had a huge

impact. He hammers the ball home and gets injured. Giroud, I don't think,

is too far from coming back. Podolski has been out for a while.

Wenger said he lacked sharpness. But this is an area they will need to

look at in January. They may need another player. Do you think Arsenal

can't win it? No, I think they can. Because they have not been at their

best and to go to Newcastle and grind out a 1-0 win was great and

the return of Walcott is a massive plus. And it is also another option

to play him up front. It only took him two or three minutes to score

and I think they are title contenders. Your former club, one of

them, Cardiff, they have it looks like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Is he the

right appointment for Cardiff and it is the right job for Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer? Well I will be surprised if he is not the manager. His record

in Norway has been great. Two leagues one cup and why not?

Everyone will behind him. Vincent tan will give him money to buy more

players. We all have seen what happened with Malky Mackay and he

will want to prove to people he can stand by his managers and he will

every wacking -- backing from the chairman. Seven wins from eight have

moved Manchester City into second. Today they travelled to take on

Swansea who have picked I p just points -- picked up just two points

from the last few games. Manchester City are great at home, but have net

to win successive away games. It is a cold, grey and wet new year's day

lunchtime. Rangel and Routledge come in for Swansea.

Five changes for the visitors. Silva is suspended.

Bony, a little bit of room to attack, Kompany. Bony with a shot.

Looking for his 11th goal of the season.

Negredo making a run through the middle. Zabaleta on the overlap.

Manchester City corner. Nasri across to take. Swansea have brought

everybody back into their own penalty area to try and keep out

this corner kick from Nasri. It might drop nicely here. Power driver

in by Danny Fearnehough. With the first Premier League goal of the new

year. Everybody back here for Swansea. They are all in a line.

Although three of them converge on Fernandinho, you can see him there,

he is in so much room. The low shot, Tremmel wasn't going to get there.

Manchester City lead at the Liberty. First blood to Pell. -- Pellegrini.

Almost fell there for Manchester City and Negredo. Swansea will now

come forward. Touch from Bony. Jonathan De Guzman. Hart just got

there with a one-handed save. Terrific football from Swansea,

straight lieu the middle, Hart denies the Swansea leveller. --

through the middle, Hart denies the Swansea leveller. Dzeko's touch

clearly taking a deflection there. Manchester City looking for their

first Premier League victory here at the Liberty, it was 0-0 when the

sides met in May. Swansea won here the previous season.

Swansea ending this first half strongly. Shelvey, Bony! The two

best chances for Swansea this half have both fallen to Bony. The look

on Joe Hart's face tells you all you need to know about the relief that

that shot went wide. Swansea so close to an equaliser.

In towards Bony! 1-1. He came so close a few moments ago. But now,

Wilfred Bony has brought Swansea City back on level terms in

stoppage-time at the end of the first period. Is Bony offside, let's

have a look? May very well be. It is his 11th goal of the season. Nothing

Joe Hart can do about that. Swansea City, have you to say, deservedly on

the balance of play are back on terms.

Toure, away from Canas. Toure, goal number 12 of the season for Yaya

Toure. Manchester City are back in front. When Toure picked it up

there, you can see how many Swansea players were in front of him. The

shot might have got a touch on the way. Past Tremmel. It's fired in,

comes off Williams. Trem can't get to it. There is the touch. It was a

decisive touch as well from Ashley Williams. Manchester City restore

their lead. Swansea 1, Manchester City 2.

Toure is up ahead of him. Dzeko on the other side. Kolarov might not

need any of them. He doesn't. It's his third goal of the season.

Kolarov, having picked up the ball inside his own half, has put

Manchester City 3-1 ahead. Toure making the middle run. Dzeko was to

his right. Kolarov decided to go for glory himself. Deflection on the way

through as well. The slightest of touches there, off Canas. Harry --

Manuel Pellegrini's team look set for three points.

BPy, will place it himself. Hart with the save. Lamah let's it go out

for a corner. The power of the shot here from Bony. Hart knocked

backwards by the force of the shot. Hart has missed it completely. As

did Ashley Williams. What a chance for Swansea to pull a goal black.

Hart with a clear shout of "keeper" doesn't get it. Ashley Williams, an

empty goal there to aim for, and he put it wide.

It really is teeming down here at the Liberty. Bony's shot.

Brilliantly placed. At this late stage in the match, it is surely no

more than a consolation second goal for Swansea. What a strike it was

though from Wilfrid Bony who just benefitted there as the ball fell

kindly from the challenge. Swansea get a second goal. It's surely too

late to affect the result. We started scoring the first goal and I

think that the offside goal that they scored, the last of the first

half, gave them a lot of (inaudible) for the second-half. It was very

close the second-half until Yaya Toure scores his second goal. We had

more possession. We were more confident in what we are doing. You

must be happy with your own personal goalscoring form? Looking like I'm a

striker. It's fantastic. I'm lucky sometimes I'm in the right place.

Hard work for a couple of seasons, the team make my game ease, the

backers were fantastic. Today all the team deserve it. When you play

world-class players even if you feel in the moment you are on top of the

game you always know in just a second or in a few minutes they can

just turn the game around. That was what happened today. I think in part

because, as I said, in a couple of the goals we could and should have

done better. Eight wins out of nine for Manchester City, plus they are

starting to sort their form out away from home. You looked at Toure, 10

Premier League goals, an extraordinary record for a

midfielder. You are not convinced about his total input towards the

side? No. I think at times, especially away from home he can be

a liability. He likes to go forward. Here is Fernandinho. Time and time

again in the first half, this is... This is Shelvey running off Bony, De

Guzman, Shelvey going, running off the back of him. A few chances from

20 yards out. He get in behind them. This is what the defend don't want,

players running at them. Good chance for De Guzman, good save by Hart.

The less defensive responsibilities he has, the better he is. We can see

what he is capable of. He read the game well, broke things down, passed

it easy. He had a lot of stick since he came to the club, Garcia, this is

a miss-hit. City looked in control after Garcia came on. Just thinking

in weeks to come they place Barcelona, I'm not sure if he can

play with Fernandinho and Yaya Toure. You get taken apart in the

middle of the park. He doesn't want to defend. First time I heard you

say that Torres is a liability. What a liability he is. Good play kers

adapt to who they play against. Maybe a little bit disrespectful to

Swansea. Swansea are not one of the top sides, against Barcelona and the

Champions League it will be different. The centre midfielders

will be more disciplined. They lost four games away from home. They made

individual times, at times they give him too much space and give the

opposing team too much time on the ball. Don't protect the back four

enough. Game for Swansea though, Bony no doubt the bonus there. 2013

ended without a Chelsea striker scoring away from home in the league

all year. Today, Jose's Mourinho's men travelled to face a Southampton

side with just one win in eight. Simon Brotherton was at St Mary's

Stadium. Schneiderlin returns after suspension for Southampton. There is

a first league start of the season with Ramires and Lambert is left on

the bench. Ramires is back after a one match ban, Fernando Torres leads

the attack. He is the last Chelsea striker to score away from the home

in the League. It came over a year ago now. At Sunderland in December

of 2012. Atrocious conditions at St Mary's on the South Coast where it

has been raining non--stop throughout the day, it's extremely

windy as well. Torres, still going, first chance! In the third minute of

the game, Torres quickly on to it, away from two. The deflection

carrying it wide of the goal. Chelsea's only defeat in the last

eight matches with Southampton came last season here, 10 months ago.

They were beaten 2-1. Torres is wide. Torres, still going.

Great play by Torres. Rising all the time. Torres is looking likely here.

Southampton will try and breach their backline here. Could be a

chance. Ashley Cole stepped in there just as Rodriguez was looking to

pull the trigger. Played on by Azpilicueta, Ashley Cole stepping

in. Green space in front of here. It

could be a chance. It's Lallana. Great block by Azpilicueta. He took

that in the guts. He stays on the ground. The danger should be cleared

by Mata. Teed up by Lallana. Stretching to keep it out

Azpilicueta. Mitt Roy Hodgson who will be watching, Adam Lallana,

Southampton's captain. Ramires, powerful surging run, great skill.

Over the top by Davis. Lovely close control. Bringing the save from the

Southampton goalkeeper. Chambers for Southampton. Trying to

get away from the clutches of Schurrle, which he does. A dangerous

one. Cahill scoops it away behind for a corner. Lovren shoots. It was

blocked by Azpilicueta. Cech coming out to smother and make the block.

Lovren with the initial effort, then Fonte. Cech made the save. Double

substitution for Chelsea. Mata coming off, and Schurrle Schurrle,

the other player. -- Schurrle, the other player. Mata, not happy with

that decision to take him off at all. Still mumbling and grumbling

about the substitution. Lovely ball in. Great chance. Oscar, down he

goes. Oscar is being booked for simulation. Chelsea thought they

might have had a penalty kick. Martin Atkinson was quick to blow

there. The decision goes against Chelsea for diving in the penalty

area. Oscar looked as if he was caught by the goalkeeper there. He

knew the challenge was coming in. The referee with a clear view there,

adjudging that Oscar was going down before the contact. Willian. Oscar

to his left. Ramires. Torres, in the centre. Oh, it's hit the post.

Torres is there. Chelsea ahead. Instant reflexes of Fernando Torres.

A Chelsea striker scores away from home in the league for the first

time in 13 months. The ball ricochetting off the foot of the

post. Fernando Torres, with his third league goal of the season,

first to react. Chelsea make the breakthrough. A little deflection

there changing the flight of the ball initially. Joy for Chelsea as

they have the lead after an hour. Lambert was in there. Ricky Lambert,

not long on the field. Willian goes for goal and finds it -

what a strike. 2-0 Chelsea, a tremendous finish from Willian. Good

play by Oscar. Willian, the side-step and then the sharp finish,

beyond the dive of Davis and Willian has his second goal for the club and

Chelsea's second of the afternoon. Chelsea starting to look ominously

good as the season wears on. It is 3-0 and there will be no

coming back from this. Oscar, who created the second goal, has now

scored the third and Southampton are heading for their sixth defeat in

the last nine in the league. For Chelsea, it is onwards and upwards.

Oscar is onside as the ball is played forward. A cool finish. He

has got a good drenching, Jose Mourinho, but he won't mind that

now. We managed to defend well in some difficult situations that we

had in the box, I saw my people fighting and sliding and giving body

to the bullets and to the ball and defending with everything we had.

When we had the ball we were always dangerous. Since the first minute.

December and Janice the time of the season where you can be close to the

top, or you can go too far away. So we know that we didn't perform in

those months and we were out of the way for the league. But this season

it has been different. Any complaints? TRANSLATION: In the

first half we were doing well until we conceded the goal. It was unlucky

the manner which we conceded that and then Chelsea were superior and

we had to risk more to get in the game. Today, we were unlucky,

because we created good chances, but nothing materialised. The game is a

clear penalty, because I'm 50 metres away. But watching on TV, I

understand clearly for me it is a good decision by the ref. He should

have just carried on and knocked it in the net. We leavest will leave

that, because -- we will leave that one, because Jose Mourinho agrees.

No striker had scored away last season for Chelsea. Torres had signs

of life. Yes We see him early on anticipating the ball. He toe-pokes

it across the face of goal. As soon as the ball is won, he is on his

bike, gets away from love Rennes and -- love Rennes and he goes past the

defenders and here he has taken a shot, probably too early. But his

all round game has been superb and when you're confident, you're in the

right position at the right time. That is a good reaction. There is a

real strength in-depth about Chelsea. The subs made a difference.

Yes, all season we have been talking of Mata not playing, or being in the

bad books. But he has had a chance today and the two lads who sl come

on -- have come on, Oscar and Willian have changed the game. It

shows you Chelsea's depth. They came on and looked good. This goal was

brilliant, a little touch and a move to the right and a right foot into

the corner. When they came on, it was a totally different game.

Chelsea sometimes, everything is going forward, they are great going

forward, but I think the defenders deserve credit, the tackles and the

blocks were magnificent. Sixth against seventh is not what

Manchester United and Spurs would have expected, but four straight

league wins for the champions and an improvement since Tim Sherwood was

appointed. Both come into the new year in good shape. In good form too

is Wayne Rooney, he hasn't trained since the last game.

Kyle Walker returns after a one-match ban.

There is an omen in this fixture for Manchester United, the last time

they won six in a row, the run was ended right there by Spurs on their

last visit here in September of 2012.

Lloris just managed to keep that out. Only just. Got his hands to it.

Got his backside to it and it has gone behind. I was going to say it

is lively, but there is only one team lively at the bhoement and that

-- moment and that is David Moyes' team in red.

A good save from De Gea. The pass of the match that and a very good stop.

This was a very good Spurs move. Lennon will feel he should have done

better. Welcome to the game, Tottenham!

Adebayor's header and 1-0 Spurs! Emmanuel Adebayor makes it four

goals in his last five games. A simple shift to the left boot from

Eriksen and Emmanuel Adebayor was in front of Smalling. He just had to

get the jump timed right. Superb accuracy with the header and Spurs

take on the balance of play what is a shock lead at Old Trafford. The

former Manchester City man, who has scored twice before here when an

Arsenal player. Soldado misses. Just a little more

contact and it could have been 2-0 Tottenham. It is a difficult one,

but it comes off the knee in the end.

Rose went down as though clattered by Welbeck. Manchester United press

on with Valencia. Welbeck, tripped was he? A strong shout. Howard Webb

waves away the claim and Lennon puts the ball out. That was not

conclusive. There is a touch. But it would only take a little touch to

send him off balance and sprawling. It is 2-0 to Spurs! Eriksen stoops

to head in his second Premier League goal. He netted against West Brom on

Boxing Day, this one seems to be a much bigger goal. You knew there was

trouble for Manchester United as soon as it was a three on three race

from half way. But Lennon scrambled the ball into the box and no one

there was as alive as Eriksen was. Spurs could be really in business

here. Manchester 0, Tottenham 2. Welbeck is in and just the one goal

in it again immediately. Just what Spurs didn't want. Only one goal

separating the teams once more. Well-timed from Welbeck, in between

Dawson and the sleeping g defender. The noise is cranked up.

Manchester United will not just be knocking on the door now, they will

be hammering at it. He had options there. He could have

seen Walker or Kay. Unbeaten in the Premier League as a boss. OK, it is

only game four. Young thinks he has been taken out. Howard Webb is

giving nothing. Rooney is chasing him. Every shout gets more

desperate, more stronger and much more intense.

He is taken out surely? No! No free kick and there is going to be a

yellow card for Januzaj who, does collect them, that is his fifth of

the season. The keeper is committed and you can see why Manchester

United were screaming for it. After that, Januzaj down, but you can

hardly blame him for going down. Rooney! Lloris with the stretch and

the save. Is that the left glove that has just made sure of a Spurs'

win. Lloris is down again to save. It is a red siege taking place.

Off the post! Lennon in the right place. It is Spurs' new year's day

in Manchester. It was a stone wall penalty kick and a sending off for

the keeper. That happens anywhere else in the pitch. I find it

unbelievable that the referee doesn't give a penalty and a sending

off. Was it just one, you had a few shouts. Yes, but the one where the

keeper come out is the strongest. There is one on Welbeck and then he

books him for diving. I found it incredible. But the decision not to

give the penalty, I mean the people who employ the referees are going to

have to look at that and see they get that right. The boys have done

well to grind it out. I thought we could have played better in

possession and been sharper. But in the end, I always maintained there

is different ways to win a match and you have to show heart and dig in at

places like this and the boys were fantastic. He seems to have made a

difference with the way Tottenham are playing. Ten points out of a

possible 12. He has got a bit of belief back there. He seems to have

done it by bringing back some who were out in the cold. Emmanuel

Adebayor Beginning of last year Hull were

beginning away at Blackpool. Liverpool free-kick.

Coutinho to deliver the free-kick. In towards Suarez. Offside flag is

up though. He's not back on the goalscoring trail just yet. It's a

tight one, but a correct one. Thumping header, six yards out.

Suarez, love turn. First yellow card of the day goes to the manager's

son. He has to be careful for the remaining 69 minutes. Coutinho again

to deliver. This time he went for goal. Comfortable more McGregor. The

Hull City owner watching on. Forward from Agger. Fantastic header from

Suarez. Sterling is in here for Liverpool. Raheem Sterling, denied

by McGregor. Clearest chance of the game so far. Sterling was denied my

the Hull goalkeeper. Liverpool play on. Meyler with a strong challenge

on Suarez. A Liverpool corner. Suarez certainly felt that

challenge. It was the follow-through that caught the Uruguayan. Congested

penalty area. Towards Agger. Touched in. Daniel Agger to break the

deadlock, nine minutes before half-time, with his first Premier

League goal since April. He had a good run at this. Good powerful

header. Liverpool are 1-0 up through their

captain of the day, Daniel Agger. Suarez goes down under the challenge

of Bruce. Again, the referee says play on. Henderson! He doesn't need

anyone to tell him that that should have been 2-0 Liverpool. Bruce is a

relieved man for that challenge on Suarez. The referee allowed

Liverpool to continue with the advantage. Henderson had all the

time to steady himself and double Liverpool's lead. His target was

always the top four this season. No team that has been top of the league

at Christmas have finished out of the top four for 15 years. Coutinho,

what a wonderful touch from the Brazilian. Coutinho! Another big

chance that goes begging for Liverpool. Great vision from

Henderson. Fabulous technique from Coutinho. Sterling. Suarez, caught

by Chester. Liverpool free-kick. Two games without a goal. In the current

climate for Luis Suarez it's a long time. And he's broken it. What a

quality strike from Luis Suarez. Less than five minutes into the

second-half, he drills home his 20th goal of this season. Absolutely top

drawer. Inch-perfect. Had a long, hard look at it. What about that for

execution? No chance what so ever for Allan McGregor. Perfect start to

the second-half for Liverpool. Liverpool 2, Hull 0. One Number 7

being watched by another pretty good one as well. He would have been

happy with that strike. It's still Coutinho. We will see a fabulous

solo goal here. Denied by McGregor with The last kick of the game. What

a run from the Brazilian. The only disappointment for him was that he

couldn't finish it off. Today at an Anfield we made it a really good

place that we weren't at our most fluent today, but our determination

and resilience and our defending and some of our aggression and our

attacking play was outstanding. I'm pleased. A difficult afternoon for

us. The disappointing for me for all the possessions and the chances they

had Liverpool we failed today with two set-pieces. The second one is a

wonder goal from, I will agree, the best player on the planet at the

moment. Everybody talks about Suarez, you hear people say

Liverpool is a one man team. When he was out of the team for a large

part, 10 games, we only lost one game. Obviously, when he has been

out or Daniel Sturridge has been out we have always coped. Today was a

great team performance. What we are building here is based around that.

There it is. Luis Suarez, 20 goals this season. Two consecutive

seasons. Last person to do that was a certain Robbie Fowler. Good player

him. Way back in the 70s, something like that. Interesting that graphic.

Sturridge was die Nattic as well. Not too many people have been

scoring goals for Liverpool. Obviously, this one. It's a great

layoff by Suarez. Sterling should do a lot better. This one, you circle

Henderson. Like Lennon he runs off the other midfielder, great run. He

has done that before. Great layoff. He should do better. He should

finish. This chance again. Great touch. Plenty of the goal to aim for

you. This one, arguably, I mean was the moment of the game. Bounces past

three players. Look he gets that position. We see that time and time

where players get into that position. That would have been... I

think Liverpool, this fella, he has had three attempts at goal, scored

two. I mean admittedly one was offside, rightly so. What a

free-kick that was. Liverpool cannot be over-reliant on him. He is really

the only one scoring the goals. Liverpool win the league? I don't

think from here. They need a couple of points in the two games against

City and Chelsea. I don't think they will make five or six points up from

here. You said Arsenal was an ugly win. I think that was a ugly win for

Liverpool. A season before Liverpool wouldn't have won that game. Plenty

still to come, five more games on the way.

Before that, just a reminder there's no Match of the Day this weekend,

but Football Focus and Final Score will have all the latest on the 3rd

round of the FA Cup. but Football Focus and Final Score

will have all Two sides who started the day in the bottom three next.

Fulham faced West Ham with the worst defensive record in the league. The

Hammers picked up just two points in December fewer than any other side.

John Motson was at Craven Cottage. Dimitar Berbatov returns after

missing three games with a groin injury, Rene Meulensteen hopes his

craft and the flair of Taarabt and the experience of Scott Parker will

wipe away the memory of that 6-0 defeat at Hull. West Ham hope to

have Everton's Johnny Heitinga on board soon. They go three at the

back. Downing on the bench, ahead of schedule after injury. Fulham have

strengthened their management team with the arrival of Alan Curbishley

as technical director and a new assistant head coach. On his way

back is Clint Dempsey. Richardson, looking for Berbatov. The arms are

up on the West Ham defence. This is a better balanced Fulham side by the

look of it than the one that was at Hull. West Ham United have taken the

lead after six minutes. Fulham looked a bit statuesque there, I

must say. The Hammers go in front. Three Fulham players around him.

No-one gets a challenge in here. Diame puts West Ham in front.

Fulham's difficulties, for the moment, are compounded. Fulham are

finding it hard to get forward. They are constantly having to go the

other way. Taylor. Diame. Maiga is in a great position. Nolan! Should

have been 2-0. Flag stayed down. Kevin Nolan will rue that

opportunity. His kind of chance. Fulham outnumbered on the right hand

side. He stopped it with his feet. It is a squally day down here in

West London. McCartney gets a head to it. Fulham still have it with

Scott Parker. Berbatov is waiting for a cross. Still Parker. Corner.

The corner will give Fulham some hope and Amorebieta has come

forward. Off the line. Have you to credit Maiga, he was the man on the

post, Amorebieta had the header. It has beaten the goalkeeper. Can

Fulham make this spell pay? A corner. All sorts of pushing

inside that penalty area. I wonder what Mark Clattenburg makes of that.

Senderos comes up, it's the equaliser, it Steve Sidwell.

Senderos took away the first defender. Sidwell got up, above his

man, Fulham have drawn level. It's Fulham 1, West Ham United 1, at

Craven Cottage. Suddenly, Kieran Richardson is

through on the far side. The ball hasn't gone out. Duff back in to

Berbatov. This is Taarabt. Oh, he hit the post! Taarabt has hit the

post within seconds of Fulham scoring. Could so easily have been

2-1. Taarabt has hit the post. Goodness me. West Ham have suddenly

fallen apart. Oh, now then, something's happened

off the bashlgs involving Kevin Nolan. Oh, it's a red card. Kevin

Nolan at the worst possible time for his club gets a red card. Sam

Allardyce must wonder what happens next. He certainly pushes his man

over, a little kick I think. But it was bad enough for Mark Clattenburg

to show the red card. Riise, but saved by Jaaskelainen.

Good football from Richardson. He went past O'Brien all too easily

then. Taarabt - oh, how did it miss? How

did it miss? West Ham were guilty of leaving him too much space in the

first place. The post and the keeper got to it and then he shot right

across the goal. Oh, a penalty is it? No, has he

given it just outside? Rat is the defender involved. Chatburg has

decide -- Mark Clattenburg has decided the challenge was outside

the area. Oh, I would say that was a penalty, however narrow margins.

Berbatov! The flag stays down and Fulham are in front and Berbatov on

his return. Scott Parker get credit too. Parker helped it on to the far

side and Berbatov tucked it away. Well, West Ham's defenders were

nowhere. It is Fulham 2, West Ham 1, and they deserve it. We need to be

aware we need to win our home games. It was one we needed to win. Our

captain has been irresponsible and it is a great cost not just for this

game, but to get himself suspended again for something where you

wouldn't expect somebody as experienced as he is and he has l

everyone down. That is two in a month, I don't know what is going on

with Kevin at the moment. But he is clearly not, it is clearly not

something he can allow to happen to himself and I won't allow to happen.

When you're down at the bottom, playing another team down there, it

is a massive thing. It was a big three points. A hard-fought game. We

showed a lot of character. Came from a goal down and it was very

pleasing. A terrific win for Fulham. But that key moment, a moment of

madness. Sam was exasperated with Nolan. What was he thinking. I don't

know. But Sam has every right to be mad. It is stupid. At a time when

West Ham probably need him, they need a captain and an experienced

player and now he will be missing for four games, and it comes after

this one. This was a horrendous tackle that deserved red. He should

have learned from that. It is a terrible tackle. It doesn't help Sam

Allardyce, it puts him under pressure as well. As for Fulham, the

manager seems to be bringing out the best in Berbatov. That is always

important. Yes, there was uncertainty whether he was going to

be here in the second half of the season. But Berbatov can make the

difference and he gets a bit of luck here. Parker is trying to finish and

he is at the back post in the right place. To come back after that 6-0

drubbing is a massive result. They have given themselves a chance. I

think they will be there or thereabouts in May, I am not sure

away from home they have enough to get results. But if the home form

holds up. Well that pulls them out of bottom three. Two matches

featuring clubs from the north-east and west Midlands, is a ston Villa

play Sunderland and first West Brom versus Newcastle. West Brom glad to

see the back of 2013. Club and FA investigations of anegotiation Ca

are under way. -- Anelka are under wa Muchlt make one change with -

Newcastle make one change with Ameobi coming in for Anita.

Sessegnon couldn't find a touch to finish. Anelka had a hand and a

crucial touch here. Sissoko. Gouffran is arriving and Foster is

brave and has to be. Jones was the meat in the sandwich. Foster comes.

Who needs enemies with friends like that? Whack! You can see the cut

above the eye for Billy Jones. It is almost a boxing injury.

Cabaye!. He should have done better. It is Newcastle's best chance by a

long way. Their last home win was over two months ago over Crystal

Palace. In goes Anelka! The headlines again were there for him

to take. The man of the moment. But he fires over the top. Three draws

in three in charge so far for the care taker, Keith Downing.

Remy with a great effort. Four way from home in the league so far this

campaign. He is in devilish form and that was not too far over the top.

Debuchy goes in two feet here off the deck. What colour the card?

Debuchy, red card.S j You kpt do that. You can't do that. Debuchy

with an awful tackle. Only one outcome and that is the one it has

got. Cabaye hurt from the tackle by

Amalfitano. He does catch the ankle of Cabaye.

Berahino and across goal and oh, Liam Ridgewell can't find the finish

and maybe win the match. An incisive move, but right place, wrong man. A

big chance. Not taken. Krul caught him and a penalty given.

Vydra brought down by Krul. Is there a card for him? They have played

against nine men on Boxing Day against Stoke. But a penalty with

five to play. Here is a young man with confidence. Berahino! From the

and Academy, from the spot, Berahino clinical and decisive and a name to

take a note of and underline many times. He is the real deal. This

celebration is OK. Well the ten men are undone. It will be Albion's

first win for Keith Downing. I always believe in myself and I'm so

happy and thank God the ball went in. The sending off changed the

game. Matthew has made a decision where he has taken off with both

feet. You can't do that. They're still interviewing people and as

soon as they decide they will tell me. The Sunderland supporters

believe that where there is life there is hope. Four changes for

Sunderland, including Stephen Fletcher, whose goals, Gus Poyet

believes can keep his side safe. Jack Colback is included too. The

return of Vlaar is timely for Villa, with Clarke suspended. The sight of

Benteke is equally positive, although he has not netted in 12

hours of Premier League action. A victory for Sunderland could take

them out of the drop zone for the first time since August and within

three points of today's visitors. On to the run of Fletcher and well

judged to get out of the way. Fletcher angles it just wide and

Lowton just gets out of the way, but Sunderland have started well here.

Cattermole has let that go beyond him and what an opening and what a

gift and Agbonlahor - well he just cannot believe his luck and neither

can Villa. Sunderland's reluctance just to hoof it anywhere, well, it's

cost them and their skipper is the man who is guilty. Lost the ball and

Agbonlahor took his time and what a very, very simple gol for Villa. And

what a calamity for Sunderland who had been the better side and the

side likeliest to open the scoring. He can probably scarcely believe his

side are trailing. An opportunity for Colback. Just seemed to slip

away from him and Vlaar was able to get in the way of it. Another good

opportunity squandered. The element of surprise almost

caught out everyone in the stadium. Mannone included. That is why, a

deflection takes it the other way and that makes it an even better

save. Turned in by Giaccherini, but it is

offside, it won't count. The flag danceles out the potential --

cancels out the equaliser. It stays at 1-0. And the luck is not with the

Black Cats. Off the line by Bardsley. Then

Benteke mishits it and Sunderland escape and they will hack it away.

Well the Sunderland skipper may well have saved his side here, because a

second goal would have given Villa the points.

A good hit and another fabulous save. Mannone hasn't had much to do,

but what he has had to do he has done with efficiency and dexterity.

Time is almost up for Gus Poyet's team.

Giaccherini got under it. It was decent up until the final decision

really. Giaccherini skies it and Villa with their gift of a goal are

heading for the points it seeps. It is difficult to take, football is

unpredictable, when you start well the game and you have half the

chances, you need to take them. Because then you don't know what is

going to happen and today the mistake was against us. And after

that, too many people in a Hurry, too many nerves. It wasn't to be.

1-0, you know it was one that edge of maybe they can score, but this is

a big win for us. It came after a run that could have damaged

confidence? Yes, but we have been out with big players and the lads

have got on with it and kept on going. But we are a club where we

need our big players. We were not organised enough. Players were

making too many individual decisions. Not a team. Not a team

and that disappointed me. I was saying, that it is a moment that...

I accept responsibilities, but I'm getting a bit fed up. He sounds a

bit fed up. We start with the Aston Villa, Gus Poyet not happy with the

Giaccherini decision,allowed goal. What was your take? The ball is

heading down near Giaccherini. Level, I don't think, if there is a

doubt in the linesman's mind he shouldn't put the flag up. There has

to be a doubt in his mind whether they are offside. It should have

been an equaliser. Direct rival for the relegation. Big win for Villa.

West Brom, massive for them. So long since they won a game. Influenced by

the red card? Yeah, it was actually. I don't think he has any complaints.

I know he has not hurt the player. The intent is certainly there. The

only really surprising thing about this is that he is surprised he got

sent off. Ridiculous challenge. The referee is two yards away. Sees

everything. You see his reaction when the red card. It's like he's

really shocked. That is the surprising thing about that for me.

Indeed. Our final two games now. Crystal Palace against Norwich is on

the way, but before that could a Stoke side that has conceded eight

in their last two games avenge the 4-0 defeat they suffered against

Everton just four weeks ago. Martin Fisher was at the Brittania Stadium.

The Britannia Stadium at its blustery best, Stoke are delighted

to be back and relieved to have back Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson after

their red cards at Newcastle on Boxing Day. John Stones makes his

debut for every tonne in place of Distin. That is one of five changes

as Howard, Barry, Mirallas and Pienaar all return. -- Everton.

Mirallas, swapping flanks, on to his right foot. Good effort against the

bar. Sorensen was beaten. It was Mirallas, firmly struck by the

Belgian. Sorensen couldn't get a finger tip to it. The bar comes to

his and Stoke's rescue. Here is Pieters, the Dutch international,

finding Crouch. Adam. Nzonzi with the shot. Cameron's cross. It has

reached Assaidi. The wrong side of the post, from a Stoke point of

view. It struck the head there of the defender. Everton have picked up

four wins on their travels this season. I their only defeat to

Manchester City way back in October. Baines. Was he caught by N'Zonzi?

Yes, according to the referee. Baines forcing the issue here. He

caught the left foot of the left back of Everton. It's Mirallas.

Against the post this time. He has hit the bar and the post. On both

occasions Sorensen was completely beaten. Everton can come again.

McCarthy, Coleman. Coleman's cross for Lukaku! Two really good chances

for Everton, in injury-time, at the end of this first half. Sorensen a

spectator. Lukaku couldn't force home the rebound.

Adam has it. Bearing down on the Everton penalty area. Goes down. The

referee well placed, didn't see anything amiss. Crouch doesn't get

there. It comes out as far as Assaidi. Stoke City take the lead.

Four minutes since the second-half, it's another strike from the more

rockon on-loan from Liverpool, Assaidi. A goal against the run of

play. Everton had by far the better chances in the first half. The

header away by Stones fell invitingly for Assaidi. Stoke City

take the lead. Coleman. Now it's Barry. This is

Baines. The cut back for Mirallas. Fabulous block. So, so important.

Pieters it was in the way. Osman, takes charge of proceedings. Baines,

Barry. Osman. Shawcross. He has done well to find Naismith. A vital

block. There is another one. Up goes Jelavic. Some of the defending by

Stoke City in the second-half has been terrific. Naismith's header

cleared by Pieters, Pieters in the way again from the half-volley. Four

minutes of added time to come. Longer than most people at the

Britannia expected. Certainly a lot longer than the majority of them

wanted. Ball forward for Osman. Was he caught? He was caught. That is a

penalty. A yellow card for Pennant. That is a foolish challenge by

Pennant. Osman gets back to his feet. What about this second

challenge coming in from Pennant no. Where near the ball again. Clumsy

challenge. It's a penalty, all day long. Baines from 12 yards. Scores.

Everton have got a point. On the balance of play, you would have to

say they deserve it. Baines send ng Butland the wrong way. Everton have

extended their unbeat run away from home to six games. For us to show

that character and never die attitude, I thought we got the

reward at the end even though we feel that probably we should have

found a way to score that earlier goal. Four or five weeks ago I think

it was we were being beaten 4-0 by Everton. We more than matched them.

I was pleased with the performance of the guys. Disappointed we

couldn't see the game out. The half way stage in the season, what is

your assessment? Everything is up for grabs at the moment. Lot of

football to be played. We are thinking, from our point of view, if

we can can go on a good run and keep our form high and stay in contention

with the other sides hopefully we will be there or there abouts come

the end of the season. Sell shurs Park is sold-out and soaking, the

referee has given the green light after two pitch inspections. Two

changes for Crystal Palace. Chamakh returns and Dikgocoi also returns

after injury. Recall for Scotland international Whittaker at

full-back. All the Crystal Palace play remembers wearing black

armbands to commemorate the passing of the former Crystal Palace owner

and Chairman who took Crystal Palace into the top-flight and into the

Premier League under Coppell. It was the sort of ball that a centre

forward thrives on. Cameron Jerome couldn't find an accurate finish.

Whittaker. This time Gary Hooper is there. Hooper has gone around

Gabbidon. Johnson, good effort. In! Norwich City lead, a priceless goal

for the Canaries. Gabbidon caught in possession, off the post and in from

Bradley Johnson. That could be a huge goal in Norwich City's season.

That has brought new year cheer after a miserable Christmas for the

Canaries. How does that change the dynamics of this game? That goal

came against the run of play. How will Crystal Palace now respond? The

statistic... There is a mixup there between Hoolahan and Chamakh. Did

Chamakh stretch out an arm there? Mike Dean will just book Chamakh and

show a yellow card to Hoolahan as well. Hoolahan came in strongly.

Chamakh gets up, oh, that should have been a red card by the letter

of the law. That is why Hoolahan reacted. That should have been a

sending off for Chamakh. He is extremely lucky. Here come Palace,

once more. Corner kick. Tony Pulis's side look to hit back before

half-time. It was a difficult ball in there. Norwich struggled to clear

their lines. Headed down by Jerome, off the line! Cleared away by a

combination of Olsson, the Swedish international, and Whittaker. Jerome

headed into the ground, through the legs of Ruddy and away and behind by

Whittaker. All the action has come in this period before the break.

This time a diving header. Penalty. Mike Dean has pointed straight to

the penalty spot. Let us look at that again. What happened there?

Leroy Fer fer has been shown a yellow card. The Dutch

international, he pushed over the Crystal Palace captain. Jason

Puncheon, the loan player from Southampton. Left foot. Scores! His

first Premier League goal for Crystal Palace. Coolness

personified. All square at Selhurst Park once more. Here come Norwich at

the start of the second-half. Neat turn by Hoolahan. Redmond is round

the back here. Still Redmond. Excellent save by Speroni. Nathan

Redmond has made an instant impact at the start of this second period.

Good ball in. Whittaker intercepted it. A complete air kick by Michael

Turner who might have injured himself there. The ball didn't

bounce at all. Completely miss kicked by Michael Turner. Corner

comes in. Ruddy. Jerome. Another opportunity goes begging from

Cameron Jerome. Once more, the former Stoke City centre forward

should have hit the target. Ruddy was flapping at it. It was butter

fingers. That's a sending off there for Leroy Fer. It will be his second

yellow card. The Dutch international will see no more ever this match.

Leroy Fer is sent off for a second yellow card by Mike Dean. It's two

feet on the Crystal Palace captain. His miserable afternoon is complete.

By the time we got the goal I think it was likely to be us that created

something. Of course you want to go in at half-time with that lead still

intact. Unfortunately, we didn't. It gives Palace the lift they want. The

second-half became a very hectic and frantic half in these conditions.

The next couple of weeks will be big weeks for us. We try and add to the

squad and bring a little bit more in if we possibly can. The next two,

three weeks could determine, you know, hour second-half of the

season. Do you feel Chamakh should have been shown a red card? Almost

certainly. By the letter of the law he has pushed Hoolahan in the face

and, certainly as far as I can remember, that is a sending off

offence. Credit to Wesley Hoolahan didn't make a meal of it. He wasn't

trying to get the lad sent off. It is a sending off offence. The lad

should have gone. Do we concur? Yes. Yes. Let us have another look at it.

He has got away with this, hasn't he? Yeah. I don't know what the

referee... The letter of the law, if you raise your hands it's a red

card. Blatant red card. I don't know how that cannot be given. He books

him, he must have seen it. Once he sees it, he must send him off.

Indeed. Stoke, only lost once at home under Mark Hughes this season.

It remains a difficult place to play. That is helped by asidy who is

scoring great goals for fun at the moment? Three and five. He's been

very good since... He is obviously on-loan from Liverpool, but since he

has been there he has been a handful, he has scored goals am he

has been exciting for them. Certainly has. We have run out of

time, nonstop this evening. Let us look at the Barclays Premier League

table: . Arsenal begin the new year top for the first time since 2008.

Manchester City and Chelsea remain close behind. Liverpool reclaim

fourth place from Everton, while Tottenham leapfrog Manchester United

after victory at Old Trafford. Crystal Palace replace Fulham in the

relegation zone, with West Ham and Sunderland completing the bottom

three. Wins for West Brom and Aston Villa see them climb towards

midtable. The papers. David Moyes complaint that United were the

victims of a scandalous defence against Spurs. Sun leads with the

same Tory. And the criticism of Kevin Nolan. Arsenal picked up more

points than any other side in 2013, if they do that again this year they

might just win the title. They've made a decent start. Goodbye.