01/02/2014 Match of the Day

Hello, there. What a truly remarkable season this one is

turning out tobe. And on Match Of The Day this week, the entertainment

continues unabated. Seven tremendous games for you, with goals all over

the place. The window may have shut, but keep your telly on. Alan Hansen

and Danny Murphy stayed put as the transfer deadline passed. We start

in the Potteries, where Stoke City, with just one point in six games to

their name, faced a Manchester United side whose midweek was lifted

considerably by a new arrival. Juan Mata having a medical today.

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Mata. I am thrilled, we are

delighted to have him. Here is the first touch for Juan Mata, really

orchestrating things already. The whole move started with his

crossfield ball. I am looking forward to playing more. He takes

the applause. Simon Brotherton was at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke, without a win in six, have been dragged into the relegation

fight. Arnautovic comes in to replace Steven Nzonzi, who is

suspended. And there is a home debut for new signing Peter Odemwingie.

Juan Mata, van Persie and Wayne Rooney start together for the first

time. Manchester United are going to be

forced to make an early change, with Rafael coming on. It looks as though

it might be Jonny Evans who is struggling. He clearly does not look

comfortable. This looks good for Patrice Evra.

Van Persie! It did look rather as though Marc Wilson had his arms

around the neck of van Persie. In it comes from Evra! And it is

wide from Wayne Rooney. First attempt on goal for Manchester

United, and it could so easily have been the first goal of the match.

Given away by Odemwingie to Juan Mata, of all people. Here is Rooney.

Outside him, Rafael. Inside the penalty area is Juan Mata.

Odemwingie got his wires crossed a bit, conceding the corner. He does

not look terribly impressed so far, it must be said. Just over the top

from van Persie. Shawcross up towards Jon Walters.

The referee was waiting to see if there was an advantage, which there

was not. They get the free kick. Charlie Adam! And it has taken a

deflection and gone in! Stoke City are ahead, we have got a game on our

hands. They have hardly threatened at all in this first half, but 37

minutes in, Stoke City are ahead. Goalkeeper de Gea was wrong-footed,

and there was nothing he could do about it. Now the volume is going

through the roof here in the Potteries.

That was a nasty clash involving Jon Walters and Phil Jones. The

Manchester United defender coming off worse, with a real bang on the

head. It is turning into a problematic afternoon for David

Moyes and Manchester United. Here is how it happened. Oh, it was a nasty

one, and it was a heavy fall. It has been a lengthy stoppage.

Forward by Carrick, Danny Welbeck was offside, van Persie!

Great start to the second half, less than two minutes in, and Robin van

Persie equalises. Here it is again. The pass was from Mata, the finish

from Robin van Persie. The rain is now sweeping across the stadium.

Peter Crouch, showed too much of it to Michael Carrick. Carrick has done

well in central defence since moving there.

Charlie Adam! What a goal! What a sensational goal from Charlie Adam!

Well, if there was an element of fortune about the first one, there

was nothing lucky about this one. Charlie Adam has blasted it into the

top corner. Charlie Adam, with support provided

by Pieters. Not a happy afternoon for David

Moyes thus far. 14 minutes to go plus any added

time. What a famous win this would be for the United old boy.

Assaidi! What a goal that would have been. Here we go again!

Oh, that was a great chance and could so easily have been turned in.

Manchester United have survived, and Mata tries to come away with it. He

wins a free kick. Manchester United looking at a third away defeat of

the season. That was a chance for Ashley Young.

But the header was misdirected way, way wide of the goal. Manchester

United have got to come up with something pretty sharpish here if

they are to avoid defeat. Hernandez, fouled by Ireland. Not a

great spot to give away a free kick. Rooney! Onto the post by the keeper!

United cannot turn it in. Over the top by Cleverley. So, so close to an

equaliser. Fantastic save by Begovic.

How much more time are we going to have to play, says Mark Hughes.

Well, that is it. Stoke City have beaten Manchester United in the

league for the first time since Boxing Day 1984.

We felt a bit aggrieved in the last couple of months in terms of luck

going against us, and things seeming to conspire against us. Today we had

a bit of fortune with the opening goal. But for the rest of the game,

we fully deserved the victory. We had a disappointment in midweek,

when we lost against Sunderland in difficult circumstances, going down

to ten men. I was worried that that might have an impact on us today.

But once the game started, I thought we were fantastic, in terms of our

determination and willingness to work hard for each other. I do not

think we could have been any more unlucky than we were. The first goal

was an incredible deflection. We were the better side. And the second

one was a world-class finish. But I thought we made numerous chances and

opportunities to score, we just did not take them. On a difficult day, I

thought we played quite well. As a midfielder, you want to try and get

as many goals as you can. I am on my way to a target which I try and

reach every season. We will argue he is just doing his job, because he is

an outstanding keeper. If he is called upon, he is able to make

those crucial saves. It came back out off the post, but the lads were

there to help him out. It typified the spirit in the group. The last

time Stoke beat Manchester United, a very young Mark Hughes was playing.

It was a terrific effort. They certainly did not play like a side

which has taken one point out of 18. Mark Hughes was right - tenacity,

perseverance, bodies on the line, playing for their manager. In the

last 15 minutes, they were unbelievably good. I always thought

they were in a false position, and after this, they can go from

strength to strength. Both managers referring to the fact that fortune

favoured Stoke today? Yes, I do not want to say they were lucky, but

certainly, they had a change of fortune. Some decisions have gone

against them dramatically in the last six matches. Today, the

conditions were horrific. The Manchester United players, sitting

in the dressing room, thinking, the conditions favour them. Such a

strong wind, difficult to play in. You can see how far this goes in the

wind. And then of course, Manchester United unlucky with the two

centre-backs going off. The opening goal for Stoke was a cruel

deflection. The second one, Arnautovic touches it to Charlie

Adam, but the finish is sublime. But I think they deserved it. They

certainly deserved something out of the game. They did. I worry for

Manchester United, they have been looking vulnerable, even in some of

the games they have won. With Rio Ferdinand and Vidic not fit, and

now, with Phil Jones and Evans injured, the next few games could be

tough. Last season we were saying, they were not playing well but

winning. This season, they have been getting beaten. That is a sea

change. That is their eighth defeat this season. Their worst ever in the

Premier League is nine. But does Mata offer them some hope?

Absolutely. When you look at the great players, they can go past

people and score. What Mata does, he is not that kind of player, he takes

the minimum of touches, moves it quickly, but he takes up positions

where you cannot pick him up, and then he plays it, and he rarely

gives it away. One touch, and again, this was how good Stoke were

defensively. The last 15 minutes he was in behind

them. A great ball from Rooney. Brilliant play. Same again. Two

touches, good cross, great defending by Stoke. One touch, into van

Persie, into the back of the net. He is a stunning player. You will never

understand why Mourinho sold him. Fourth-place ever more distant for

Manchester United? It is looking tough. They have a long way to catch

Liverpool now. Next to the Tyne-Wear derby. Newcastle last Yohan Cabaye

in the transfer window. They started the day in eighth place.

On days like these, form and history count for little. And that is a good

thing for Newcastle. Sunderland has the form right now. They could make

it three wins in succession against their great rivals for the first

time in 91 years. Over the years, only the great Jackie Milburn has

scored more derby goals than Shola Ameobi. The home-grown striker comes

in to try to add to his seven goals against Sunderland. Also in the

side, younger brother Sami. It is the first time they have started a

game together. Liam Bridcutt makes his debut for Sunderland. Adam

Johnson is Sunderland's main man. This is his 200th game in the

Premier League. Another derby day in the north-east. Irrespective of

league positions, this is always the one that matters more than any

other. Phil Bardsley, incredibly, is

Sunderland 's second top goal-scorer this season. Marcus Alonso has fired

over. It was a golden chance. He had to hit the target. He just got

underneath it. Phil Dowd has given a penalty! Spot

kick, Sunderland. Anita is aghast. They went in for it together. It was

a clumsy tackle from Vurnun Anita. Nowhere near the ball. He was right

across Bardsley. Sunderland, from the spot in the Premier League this

season, and their 100% record. Now it is Fabio Borini... He scored

against Manchester United in the League Cup. And he powers it in to

give Sunderland the advantage. The player who scored the late, late

winner against Newcastle at the end of October, has drawn first blood

for Sunderland at Saint James 's Park. There is something about

Newcastle that the Italian likes. Scored here last April. Now scores

against them for his third game in a row.

Johnson! 2-0 Sunderland! Is happening all over again for them at

Saint James 's Park. Adam Johnson, six goals in his last four Premier

League games. Lovely touch to Colback. He went for goal himself. A

touch of bad fortune there for Tim Krul.

Talk of an England recall for Adam Johnson after 18 months out.

That was one of the best passes of the match. A grimace on the face of

the boss. Newcastle United have not won in 72 league games, and went

behind at half-time. Notes being taken, words being

composed. I would not mind being a fly on the wall in the Newcastle

dressing room at half-time. When you look at midfield, you realise that

is the area where Newcastle are missing a main figure. They tried to

replace Yohan Cabaye but a move did not happen. Newcastle cannot do a

lot about it now that the window has closed.

He goes close once every week. That was a good try. A good strong hand

away. That was the chance. It was the man

they would have wanted the chance to fall too. Shola Ameobi came on to it

at just the right time. Gus Poyet used to do significant damage to

Newcastle United as a Chelsea player. Sir Bobby Robson called him

the scourge of Newcastle at one time.

That was wonderful from Adam Johnson. A player right on top of

his game right now. He jinked his way through a crowd of black and

white shirts. He nearly had enough bend on the shot to put it in.

Ameobi took that well. He was stopped by the goalkeeper. A lovely

bit of control from Shola Ameobi. But today it is not going for him.

It is not going for Newcastle. He could not do anything else. Good

awareness by the goalkeeper. Off the line. Fabio Borini. What a nightmare

he has proved for Newcastle every time he has faced them. Glum faces

everywhere you look amongst those adorned by black and white.

Jozy Altidore. It is the sign of a striker who has not got any

confidence in front of goal. Let's credit the goalkeeper. He will not

have a better chance than that in many a game. Colback! It is all over

now. Just like last season. Sunderland beating Newcastle 3-0.

Jack Colback's second goal of the season. His fourth senior goal for

Sunderland. This might be an even darker day for Newcastle than last

April's defeat. That sums it up. That is as glum as it gets. It is

Sunderland's derby day again. Emphatically so. Deja vu in terms of

the result. It is a sign of how things are going for Sunderland that

there are no histrionics, just a celebration of another huge three

points. Another devastating defeat for Newcastle United. And as last

April, a final score of 3-0. A long way to go yet. The most

important thing is to keep this going? Yes, sometimes you try to

prepare ahead but it is difficult. You cannot think how many games you

need to win. Stoke, Newcastle and Hull at home will be key.

need to win. Stoke, Newcastle and Hull at home will be Maybe it is

going to be tough. We sit in a position in the league for no reason

other than we have had a strong season. We have had some tremendous

results. But we have lost a good player. And we have got a player who

has got most of our goals on the bench. We have to find a game plan,

to find a way that works for us. It did not work for us today.

There will be questions about England again. Have you missed it?

Of course I have missed it. It is the best thing of all playing for

England. A few months ago I probably thought I had no chance but maybe I

will get a chance. It is not a bad time to do this? Yes, if there is

any time to do it, it is probably now.

Sunderland were worthy winners? Sunderland in dreamland. What a

change since Gus Poyet has come in. The massive improvement is without

the ball. Wes Brown and John O'Shea, their understanding is good. When

they have not got the ball, they have got men behind the ball. They

hold their position and retreat to the 18 yard line.

He has brought new life into the club? Confidence. That is the

difference. A lot of people wrote them off. They all want the ball,

they all go forward, they are playing with a spring in their step.

A special mention for the debutante. They were all very good. Adam

Johnson, he was good. The set plays, brilliant. The pass to Borini is

perfection. And then, like Danny says, he is running forward. You

head this great, gets in there. A bit unlucky. For his goal, we pick

up on the right side. He is right in at the back post. And he scores. In

the second half, this is absolutely phenomenal play. The touch, the

trickery, the end result. On his favoured left side. It hits the

post. A brilliant performance. One of the players that Paolo di

Canio banished during his stay there was Phil Bardsley. He has come back

and blossomed? He was always a decent player. The first seven games

he did not play, they had one point. He has come back and they have got

23 points. They have got an experienced back four. What he does

well here, he holds his position. He makes him go back. Great defending.

Again, what he does well here is he shows them down the line. Great

tenacity. In the second half when they came under a bit of pressure,

he has to talk in there. Then, he pounces. Great challenge. A little

mistake from John O'Shea there. Phil Bardsley is back in position. A

great tackle on Shola Ameobi on the edge of the box. The two of them,

this is absolutely fantastic. Adam Johnson, brilliant. The run is

brilliant. It is a penalty kick. He has been a revelation coming back.

Adam Johnson, is he good enough to play for England now? He keeps on

playing in the manner he is playing at the minute, he will have a

chance. I am not sure he will be in the starting line-up. Newcastle have

had a bad couple of weeks? They have. It is understandable. The

players in the dressing room looking around... You could sense their

flatness today. They have played well. They are in a good position.

You worry that the season may peter out. Loic Remy is banned for another

couple of games. It will be a tough end to the season.

Two teams in need of an upturn in form - Cardiff City, bottom of the

table, and Norwich City, who have won just one in eight games.

After a hectic transfer window, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer includes two of his

new signings. Fabiola and Jones are given their debuts -- Fabio and

Jones. Another recruit, Wilfried Zaha, is on the bench. Three changes

for the visitors, including Johan Elmander, preferred to Ricky van

Wolfswinkel. The Swede is yet to score in 18 Premier League

appearances this campaign. Good ball. Olsen gets in round the

back. Snodgrass! Within four and a quarter minutes, Norwich City are in

front. It was a simple goal for Snodgrass. Once Olsen had been

played through, he had enormous amounts of time to pick out his

target. No question of offside. Atrophic start for Norwich, looking

for their third away win of the campaign -- a terrific start.

Olsson, who was an integral part of the opening goal. He might well keep

this in play, and he does. And he manages to find Elmander. Here comes

Johnson. Over the bar. But the warning signs are evident here. And

the unrest among the Cardiff City supporters is clear.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already towards the edge of his technical area.

Craig Noone with a delicious ball. Jordon Mutch was within a whisker of

getting on the end of it. Fabulous ball by Noone, great vision. There

are positive signs, when Cardiff go forward, but negatives when they are

in defence. Martin, on towards Elmander... Into

the path of Johnson, over the bar! That could have gone anywhere after

the deflection. Indications that there are more goals for Norwich if

they can string a few passes together.

Given away. On towards Bellamy! 1-1! Craig Bellamy, his first Premier

League goal for Cardiff City. He brings the home side level. That is

more like it, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Zaha was involved.

Bellamy did not seem to have hit it cleanly enough, but John Ruddy could

only watch in desperation. And here comes Wilfried Zaha again.

Good ball. Jordon Mutch! Just beyond the post. It is a different Cardiff

City. It is a different stadium. Jones! What a turnaround! Two goals

in just over a minute, and a celebration we have not seen for a

very long time, from Kenwyne Jones! It is fabulous stuff. Zaha sets up

the first, Kenwyne Jones scores the second. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a

squad which he is happy with, and the two new boys both had a part to

play. The atmosphere has changed

dramatically inside five and a half minutes. He must be shell-shocked.

They were so good in the first half. Johnson, tipped onto the bar,

brilliant save by Marshall. This thrilling start to the second half

nearly had its third goal. That is a great save. Craig Noone, faced by

Olsson. In support is Fabio. No offside. In towards Kenwyne Jones,

headed away by Bennett. Brilliant tackle from Medel. Mutch!

Off the post! What a freakish goal that would have been! The flag

stayed down, it would have counted! It was brilliant work from Medel

followed by a complete miss it from Mutch.

Norwich City have got a corner. In pursuit of the equaliser.

Redmond! Good save. And off the line from the header from Hooper! I think

it was Craig Bellamy! My goodness, Cardiff are living

dangerously. Well, Redmond was within a whisker of putting Norwich

level. But for a fabulous stop, through a crowd of players, by

Marshall. That is excellent goalkeeping. And then, Bellamy off

the line. Snodgrass, fouled by Bellamy. Free

kick to Norwich. It is all hands to the pump for Cardiff City. Surely

this time! Fabulous save! Marshall, with another wonderful save.

Leroy Fer rides the tackle of Gunnarsson. Brings in Snodgrass.

Five in the penalty box. Over the bar! What an opportunity for

Bassong, the skipper! And he put it over the bar, as his side were

looking for the equaliser that their pressure has merited. Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer has his first Cardiff win as a Premier League boss.

The last ten, 15 minutes, where we have got a few players just hanging

in there, we had made three substitutions, and Norwich battered

us, really. But up until then, I thought we deserved the win. It was

tough. I saw the crowd turn in the first half, and I thought, that is

not the club I am from. I have not seen it directed at individuals,

which they did. Maybe that is part of modern football. The last ten

minutes, we are fighting. We had to hang in there. We probably needed

that second goal, and on the balance of play, I thought we might have got

it. But we have made two really poor mistakes at the start of the second

half, and that changes the whole atmosphere in the stadium. Their

goalkeeper had a good day. But if we make mistakes like we did, then we

have got to be scoring goals, and we are finding that tough at the

moment. A hugely important victory for Cardiff and Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer. Although they did not deserve it, he made a brilliant

decision in the first half, which is unusual for the manager. On 38

minutes, he brought on Wilfried Zaha, and he changed the game. He

gave them energy, he was direct and confident. He gets a good cross in.

And this continued early in the second half, Cardiff's best spell,

when they got the goals. Here, he gets his head up, a lovely pass for

Bellamy. And that was the equaliser. All of a sudden, he is running the

game with his pace, is energy and his decision-making. Again, he has

picked out the right player, Jordon Mutch. So, he lifted the players and

the fans all on his own. Here again, running into space, attacking

people, really difficult to defend against. I played against him last

season and could not get the ball off him, and I tried, believe me.

against. I played against him last season and And here, at the end,

even tackling back. He was the reason they got the win today. But I

do worry, is he enough, because Norwich certainly deserved something

from that game. Yes, Norwich piled on the pressure towards the end,

didn't they? They did, and I felt for them. I have seen them a few

times this season and they have played well without winning, which

is a worry for Chris Hughton. But they are making chances. Marshall,

for Cardiff, was superb. This is Bradley Johnson, and he tips it onto

the bar. And he just grew in confidence. This was a great save.

This was probably the best of the lot, from Redmond. And Bellamy,

fighting for the cause, which is what you need when you are down at

the bottom. Point-blank range, he has got to score. But overall,

Norwich should not be too disappointed because of the level of

their performance. If they keep playing like that, they will pick up

points. And this one, in the last minute, do not get me wrong, I was

never the best header of a ball, but he should be scoring. Even the

goalkeeper was shocked. Mixed emotions for them because they have

gone away from home and played so well. But they started slowly in the

second half and they paid for it. The Cardiff keeper was magnificent.

But that does not do anything for Norwich. It was such a big result

for them because if they had won today, it gives them a bit of

respite. We seem to have a multitude of these so-called six-point games.

It is amazing, I love it, it is brilliant. For Norwich, it is a

worry, because they have got to start converting their chances. I

think if they keep playing like that, they will be all right. The

most played fixture in English football. Everton conceded four at

Liverpool, while Aston Villa scored four for the first time this season

against West Brom. Jonathan Pearce watched this one.

Everton's transfer window signing Aiden McGeady makes his full debut,

as they try to overcome the loss of top scorer Romelu Lukaku. Also

trying to bounce back from that defeat against Liverpool. Grant

Holt, Villa's January loan signing, also makes his full debut. He will

partner Benteke, with Andreas Weimann in behind. Defensively, they

switch to a back three. Free kick conceded by the summer

signing from Birmingham. He is only 22, Bacuna. Out came the goalkeeper,

he did not really get there. McGeady goes for goal! And he nearly scored

within three minutes of his full league debut. He was purposeful as

he cut inside. The sort of player that on his day will really get

Goodison Park on its feet. A decent scoring record in winning three

titles at Celtic. Started well at Spartak Moscow. Now, back in the UK,

back in business, Aiden McGeady, the Irish international.

Aston Villa have not won back-to-back Premier League games

since May. From that angle he seemed to win it

fair and square. Everton failed to recover. Bacuna on the angle beat

Howard. The goalkeeper perhaps should have done better. A low, hard

drive. A fair tackle by Fabian Delph. Everton have been

disappointing so far. Bacuna gives Aston Villa the lead with their only

shot in the first half. Everton have made a half-time change. Steven

Pienaar is on. Ross Barkley is off. That is where Everton need to

pressure Aston Villa. High up the pitch. Leon Osman perhaps deserved

better. Everton's midfield is better balanced in the second half. Bacuna

jumped at him. There was not much in it. Leighton Baines played for it.

Steven Naismith is coming on. John Stones is going off. Naismith on for

Everton. Can he bring them back into the game? They will need to change

their formation. The ball hit Christian Benteke in the face.

Nearly an own goal. As close as Everton have come in the second

half. He knew nothing about it at all. So close to an own goal and an

equaliser. 17 minutes remaining. Naismith! 1-1! A well worked goal.

They deserve it. They have dominated the second half. Gareth Barry around

the corner. A sumptuous touch by Steven Pienaar.

the corner. A sumptuous touch by very neatly for his fifth goal of

the season. One apiece with a quarter of an hour left.

Free kick conceded by Clark. In the last ten or 15 minutes Everton are

beginning to get the breaks. Mirallas! Perfect strike. Everton

have come from behind to lead Aston Villa 2-1 with just over five

minutes left. They are leading, and deservedly so. That was a lovely

free kick. Trademark Mirallas strike. And you can see what it has

meant to the whole Everton camp. When they have players of that

ability who can do that, they can change the game in the blink of an

eye. Chance for Everton. Just scrambled

away. It is a corner kick. Naismith! Straight at the

goalkeeper. That would have settled it. A real opportunity.

So much of this victory is down to that man. Big managerial decisions

have come off. I think, without a doubt, it is the most satisfying win

of the season. We have had great highs already. Today we came on the

back of a disappointing result and you want to get it right

straightaway. You hit the post and then you concede a goal. All of a

sudden it becomes a real adversity moment. The way we reacted was

incredible. I felt we were excellent until the first goal. The second

goal, that was just a world-class free kick. You cannot do anything

about that. I'm not sure we deserved to lose the game. We keep having

points. We keep going as a team. Today was as satisfying as you get.

When you are involved in football you need to face adversity. You can

accept it or fight against it and make sure you come home successful.

Today we have done that. This is the perfect moment to face what's left

in the season. After a crushing derby defeat and

then being a goal behind at half-time, it was almost the first

time possibly that Roberto Martinez has been asked a question. He had

the answers? He had all the answers. The defeat was so significant on

Tuesday. One behind today. It could have gone wrong. I criticised his

tactics on Tuesday. Today he not only made bold substitutions, but

substitutions that worked. It is always good to see somebody on the

ropes coming back strong. He took Barclay off at half-time. After 17

minutes they were still behind and they brought Naismith on. It was an

absolute treat, the first goal. Naismith in a forward position.

Steven Pienaar comes in off the left. Naismith on to it quickly,

back of the net. The free kick, this is phenomenal. It has got pace, it

has got the right trajectory and the keeper is trying his best. We were

talking about goalkeepers moving too early. You would prefer that one

than going the other side, but great technique. To take it off Leighton

Baines was a confidence thing. That result has put Everton right back in

the chase for a fourth. Aston Villa, very much a counterattacking side.

Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Away from home they have

been really great. They played really well at Anfield. They will

stay out of trouble. Some sad news this evening. Former

Aston Villa striker Tony Hateley has died at the age of 72. He scored

almost 250 goals in a career spanning 16 years at eight league

clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea.

The Football League Show follows tonight.

Plenty of drama on offer tonight. Nine goals scored in injury time in

the football league. We have got a six-goal thriller at Loftus Road.

QPR against Burnley. And we will try to do our best to clear up a

confusing 24 hours at Elland Road. Join us after Match of the Day.

Otherwise, we are on the iPlayer all week.

Match of the Day Two moves to Monday night this week. Should be good.

Fulham were very busy on transfer deadline day.

Everton won the biggest disability programme in the world.

Fantastic! You are an apprentice disability

coach. What have you learned so far? I have learned so much. I came into

the job with no clue whatsoever. I am so confident now, I feel like

getting out there and doing it. What is your long-term ambition? To try

and get as much as I can out of this. I am on a 12 month

apprenticeship here. Then I want to get Oliver caters to go back into

coaching. I want to get an NVQ in sports

leadership. There will also be qualifications in English and maths.

And then learn as you earn. He is getting on-the-job training, lots of

hands-on experience. Let's swap with those in the middle.

We try to do as much as we can offer the pitch. There will be a number of

us out doing different things during the week. Just working hand-in-hand

with other people at the club, and trying to keep active, put something

back into the community. It is a good feeling to be a part of a team

that is doing something for people, and I think it is appreciated right

across the board. We are able to give them a bit of a start in life.

Does it tell help your football? Yes, it helps with the shooting.

What is it like having a professional down here? It is the

best thing in my life. When I was small, I used to look up to him.

Let's keep the players on the outside.

To think he was showing me the ropes when I first came down, and in no

time at all, he was pushing me to the front and making me get involved

as well. It is brilliant to come down and be a part of that. It was

enjoyable for the kids as well. The -- Fulham were busy on transfer

day. With good reason. 12 defeats in 15 league games had dragged them

down to second bottom ahead of a meeting with Southampton. Our man at

the Cottage was John Roeder. German international Lewis Holtby

makes his debut. Darren Bent leads the full attack. Rickie Lambert has

recovered from the hamstring problem that meant he missed the midweek

draw against Arsenal. Lambert and Rodriguez Bolt scored against Fulham

back in October. Away by Richardson. An anxious

moment for Steve Sidwell. He diverted the ball towards its own

goal. The goalkeeper could not hold it. Fulham have not kept a clean

sheet in their last eight matches in the Premier League. That is a corner

kick. Pushed away. Hang Galant has not

scored for more than a year for Fulham. He came mighty close.

Southampton have lost both of their Premier League matches that they

have played in the capital this season. They have lost on their last

three visits to London. Darren Bent! The goalkeeper made the

save. That is twice now that he has preserved the score.

Darren Bent again for Fulham. Boruc once more with the stop. Bent was on

the ball in a flash. Moments later, Bent again denied by Boruc. Fulham

coming to life. What a spectacular goal that would have been.

It just needed to be a fraction lower. Adam Lallana headed it in

firmly. Lallana! 63 minutes played at Craven Cottage.

Adam Lallana gets his eighth goal of the season. Lallana may have taken

this just a little bit too wide in the eyes of some. But he was able to

get the shot in. Into the bottom corner. Southampton make the

breakthrough. It is the 51st goal that Fulham have conceded in the

Premier League this season. Marussia Pochettino's side have not

won away from home since Boxing Day when they beat Cardiff.

2-0! Rickie Lambert! Jay Rodriguez leaving the ball and that allowed

Lambert every shot on goal. Southampton scored twice in quick

succession. They lead at Craven Cottage. It gets worse and worse for

Fulham. There was nobody near Rickie Lambert. Rickie Lambert scores

against Fulham for the second time this season. How can Fulham turn

this around, not only this afternoon, but also this season?

They are in a relegation dogfight, no doubt about it.

What a wonderful finish! That is absolutely brilliant from Jay

Rodriguez! There did not look to be too much on. It was a long ball

forward. Rodriguez was able to cut inside and place it superbly beyond

Maarten Stekelenburg. Jay Rodriguez, like Rickie Lambert,

scores against Fulham for the second time this season. Southampton's

three England internationals, all hoping to go to Brazil in the

summer, have all scored today. Are you thinking about the summer, and

Brazil? No, not yet. We are just enjoying playing our football at

Southampton under a world-class manager, who is getting the best out

of all of his players. We feel we have gained a good bit of momentum

now, and we want to kick on. If one goes, we will all be made up. If

more go in, then it is better. We are just concentrating on

Southampton at the moment. TRANSLATION: It was a first half in

which Fulham were defending deep, making it difficult for us to find

space. In the second half, once we scored that first goal, we were able

to have a lot more of the play. We were able to find a lot more spaces.

How would you assess the performance of your new signings? I thought they

were very positive. Obviously they do not come into an easy situation.

They knew that, they were aware of that. It is a lot of credit for them

to say, we still want to play for Fulham. You have to hope that they

will hit the ground running for you? You have to. We have got a week's

training coming up. It is a good sign for us, at least we have got

some new faces in, some positive people who can hopefully breathe a

bit of confidence into the boys. We will come to those signings. But it

was a fine win for Southampton. Three England international players,

all scoring. And they are playing with a freedom and energy which the

league table gives them the ability to do. They attack well, they defend

as a unit, and overall, a really positive season for Southampton,

even though they have had some Troubles. They could all go to

Brazil, couldn't they? They could. For me, Lallana is the standout

candidate. What about your former club, a bit of trouble? The biggest

problem for them is defensively, in my opinion. They have got spaces all

over the place. This is the first goal. It is a simple goal kick. You

can see four Fulham players against four attackers. When it is 0-0, that

is not right. The right-back is too high. Hangeland cannot get across,

great finish. Here, we have seven Fulham players in the attacking

half. As soon as they win it back, look at the space. This time they do

not concede, but you can see these Southampton players high up the

pitch. This time, Fulham have a better shape. But at the top of the

screen, you will see a three versus two at the back. Nobody is

communicating. The right-back does not know whether to stay with his

man or to come in. Lambert has an easy finish. And near the end of the

game, Fulham are pushing men forward, and what a pass this was

from Rickie Lambert. I would have been proud of that one. Rodriguez

has been one of the most improved players in the Premier League this

season. And Roy is sitting there thinking, this is not the team I

used to manage. The line for the first goal was shocking. If you look

at Fulham, 13 defeats in 16, so many goals conceded, the next four

matches, three of them are Manchester United, Liverpool and

Chelsea. It would be a compelling case for relegation. They have

responded by going heavily into the transfer window. Louis Holtby did

well today. They have got a Greek striker coming in. It is a

courageous thing that they have done, making a big investment to try

and stay up because of the money involved. It will be interesting to

see how they do. Going away to Trafford for their first game will

be tough for these lads. I don't like to say it but I cannot see a

way back for them now. Jose Mourinho suggested that West Ham played

football from the 19th century as they drew at Chelsea in midweek.

Back in the 21st century, they need to improve on a tally of two home

wins all season. Swansea started today just five points above them.

Steve Wilson saw this one. They are still in the bottom three,

but West Ham are only five points adrift of Swansea in 11th. Andy

Carroll is hoping that his game is getting something like as sharp as

his razor. West Ham's options are seriously improving, with several

players coming in in the window. Swansea have added David N'Gog to

their strikeforce this week. He is on the bench. Wilfried Bony starts

again, six goals in his last six games.

McCartney can chase this one. Jarvis getting forward, Andy Carroll,

Downing... Matt Taylor has also made a good run. Andy Carroll, down to

Nolan! And West Ham have broken the deadlock, and deservedly so.

They have had much the better of the game. It was a lovely ball by Noble,

into McCartney, on to the head of Andy Carroll. He might have gone for

goal himself but instead, he looks for his mate Kevin Nolan. And it is

a really good finish. Davies could not reach it. Jarvis!

And Stewart Downing at the back post could not get a touch. This was a

great ball into Jarvis. Davis could not quite reach it, and neither

could Stewart Downing at the back post. Jonjo Shelvey. Looking for

Wilfried Bony. Not a bad ball. Brilliant tackle. Fantastic tackle

by James Tomkins. What a tackle this is. Absolutely brilliant. The

submarine captain's costume has come out again. West Ham have got a

corner. Stewart Downing is going to take it. We are moving into added

time at the end of the half. There is only going to be a minimum of one

added minute, so West Ham need to get on with it. Carroll! Kevin

Nolan! 2-0! It is the old one-two again. Deservedly, West Ham have

doubled their lead. Downing's corner looked like it was too firmly hit,

but Carroll did brilliantly to direct it back towards Kevin Nolan.

Look how hard he had to work to reach that, and control it. Nolan

did not do badly, either. No one on the post for Swansea, or if there

was, they had deserted it. Jarvis gets there ahead of Tremmel,

and Nolan was hoping for a hat-trick. If there had been any

contact I think it would have been a penalty. I do not think he is

enjoying it very much. Hit by Shelvey, good block by Matt

Taylor. Deflection! That was mighty close from de Guzman. It was a big

deflection. That is a bit more like it, it has got Michael Laudrup at

least rubbing his hands. Andy Carroll and Chico Flores have

come together, and the Spaniard is down, holding his face. Now, it is a

red card for Andy Carroll! Well, it has been a really long,

hard road back from injury for Andy Carroll, and here he is sent off,

just when he was really beginning to look the part. There is not a lot in

that. I do not think there is an enormous amount. Does he really mean

to do that? Chico Flores is making the most of it, there is no question

about that. Well, Sam Allardyce is unimpressed by that decision.

The two goals to get us on the way, especially the first one, and

especially that partnership working again, which we have been waiting a

long time for, Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan, and of course, a clean

sheet by a ten man rearguard for 30 minutes or so, which did not allow

Swansea one shot on target. Today, it was disappointing. Nothing else

to say about that, really. The biggest wrong which could be done

against us would be if we do not win any appeal. The last thing we want

is to lose Andy Carroll for three games. This was a nothing incident,

as far as we are concerned. I think the decision was a bit harsh. I

think there was contact. But contact like you have a lot of times. I

think the lad should come out and make sure that Andy gets off with

it. Because at the end of the day, it does not look too good on his

part. A terrific few days for West Ham. Andy Carroll, at the centre of

everything. Swansea could not cope with Andy Carroll today. They play

to his strengths. In his own box, he is terrific as well. A great

presence. Spotting danger. A lovely turn on the chest, not a great

shot, but he was a pest all afternoon. This was the first goal.

A lovely, soft touch. Kevin Nolan does what he does best. He has had a

bit of stick recently with a sending performances. These two together,

they know each other's game so well. This is when Andy Carroll is

confident. This time, on the back stick, big and powerful. There is

Kevin Nolan again, doing what he does. For me, it is nice to see West

Ham firstly, playing with a strong team, and also for him, I am really

pleased. What do we think about this? I think it is harsh. I think

Chico Flores is all over him. He comes in with his arm but there is

minimal contact. Is it deliberate? I don't think it is, I think the FA

will rescind that card. There is previous between Chico Flores and

Sam. This was before. This is quite funny. Not enamoured at all. But I

agree with Danny, I think Andy Carroll was great today and I think

because West Ham were struggling, Sam brought him back a bit early and

he wasn't fit but after three or four matches, he is a handful. As

for Swansea, I mean, the second goal would sum them up. I have watched

how they play, you press them high up the pitch and they will try and

play their way out of defence. Ashley Williams does it, they get a

corner, it is in the back of the net. They are getting dragged into

things, but everyone is in trouble in the bottom half. There is a

concertina effect now. Swansea can play the best football and have the

best possession but they need to score goals. Today, they were

woeful. They need Michu back, don't they? He is close. He is very close

and he will make a difference. But I think they need to vary their play

and get it forward a bit quicker. Rather than playing and playing and

getting caught. West Ham scored their first header of the season,

the last team to do so. After a good start to the season,

four straight defeats without scoring a goal has seen Hull City

slip down the table. four straight defeats without

scoring Suffered their first defeat under Tim Sherwood in the middle of

the week, courtesy of that drubbing by Manchester City. But they have

won their last five away games. Steve Bruce did his January shopping

early in the window. Jelavic and Shane Long make their debuts.

Brazilian Paulinho has missed five games with a similar problem to Jan

Vertonghen, who returns. Roberto Soldado is up front alongside

Emanuel Adebayor. Hull City's 100th Premier League game, still looking

for their first-ever league against Tottenham - Jelavic so close to his

first goal in the amber and black of Hull City.

Tom Huddlestone putting in a perfect ball and Jelavic doesn't quite make

the contact he is looking for. His first ever goal in English football

came against Tottenham Hotspur. Great shot and a fine save by Steve

Harper. Adebayor with great balance. Fine save. Good chances at both ends

in the space of a minute. Fine save. Good chances at both ends

in Shane Long is through. Shane Long puts Hull City in front! 12 minutes

into his home Hull City debut and Steve Bruce leads the applause. That

is what he was bought for, to gobble up those kinds of opportunities.

Straight downfield from Harper, Shane Long went for the initial

header, Jelavic got involved, I am not sure if it came off Danny Rose,

but it certainly felt for Long and that is a very short finish for the

man who cost ?7 million from West Bromwich Albion. -- assured finish.

Only his fourth Premier League goal of the season, but he took it

really, really well. The Hull City owner, Assem Allam, not everybody's

favourite person in these parts but you cannot fault the fact that he

backed his manager big-time in the transfer window.

Shane Long fouled by Dawson. Hull City's free kick and Dawson and Jan

Vertonghen were far from convincing in their attempts to get it away.

Hugo Lloris never moved. One home debutant has scored today and for a

moment, many at the KC Stadium thought Jelavic would be doing

likewise. Soldado with the shot, and a great

recovery from Steve Harper. To be fair, Soldado didn't get hold of it,

really, but it was heading home and but for Harper, it might well have

brought an equaliser for the these visitors. Probably the best spell of

pressure for Spurs, but it is not saying much, it shows how much they

have struggled to impose themselves. Bentaleb is down, he seemed to lose

his footing as he skidded. It has dropped for Paulinho! And it is an

equaliser for Tottenham Hotspur. Paulinho, back in the team, sends

the Spurs fans into joyous mode for the first time this afternoon. Danny

Rose must be 40 yards out, surely this isn't a shot on goal and surely

it isn't a pass for Paulinho, but the power he found on the spin was

far too strong for Steve Harper to deal with. It is through the left

hand of the goalkeeper and out of absolutely nothing, Tottenham

Hotspur are level. Jelavic, back post. Hit the post.

Lovely ball from Long. Jelavic at full stretch. Jake Livermore, on

loan from Tottenham, is unable to play but I wonder who he is

supporting today. Lovely pass from Robert Koren. Hugo

Lloris had committed himself. Jelavic couldn't find the pace he

was looking for. He got the accuracy.

Bentaleb! Didn't miss by much. He is not in the team to score goals, but

he came very close to putting Spurs in front.

It is Jelavic with the chance. Hugo Lloris with the save. The chances

keep coming his way and he still can't put one of them away.

Confusion in the Tottenham rearguard and Hugo Lloris produces a smart

stop to keep us at 1-1 and keep out Nikita Jelavic.

We arguably had the better chances, but we have got off 23 points, we

seem to be honoured for a long time, so let's hope we can early January

behind us in February, it is not a bad start against a very, very good

Tottenham side. There was a period in the second-half when it was all

about us to take the game, but unfortunately we never took the

chances and were positive for me is that we ground it out in the end. If

we weren't going to win the game, we certainly weren't going to lose.

Shane Long, one of your transfer window signings, you must have been

delighted to see him get on the scoresheet.

When you pay a lot of money, you want your strikers to get off to a

good start. He gives us what we might have been lacking, a bit of

pace up front. Even at this early stage, do you sense an understanding

between you and Jelavic? Yes, it is exciting. He's a good

player, easy to play with and the first thing we think about when we

get the ball is finding each other. But it is still early stages.

While we are on the subject, a new strike partnership for Hull, what

did you make of them? It is early days but it looked quite

good. Long was terrific, scored a good goal and ran the line like we

know he does. Jelavic had a couple of chances he will be disappointed

to have missed but overall, positive signs. Hull played with positive

energy, they squeezed Tottenham in the first half, Steve Bruce will be

pleased with that. In the second half, Tottenham came back into it

and got back in the game but in the end, Hull had the better chances.

Tottenham were a bit like Everton, mauled in midweek, though one goal

down and come back and it was a good point. And they play Everton next

week, it will be a good game. I suppose Tim Sherwood is feeling

his way, new system, so many different players. I think it was

important to go there and get a result.

Thank you very much indeed. Before we go, let's have a look at the

Barclays Premier League table. The top four are yet to play, so there

is no change at the summit. Arsenal can regain leadership should they

beat Crystal Palace on Monday night. Everton are back up to fifth, one

point off the Champions League places. Defeat for Fulham sees them

slip to the foot of the table for the first time this season. Cardiff,

West Ham and Stoke hold one, with the Potters rising for places to 11.

The Sunday papers state Manchester City's rights to play in the

Champions League next season will be challenged by UEFA's financial fair

play test. Arsenal's new signing Kim Kallstrom

faces weeks on the sidelines after injuring his back playing beach

football. And this one says that Manchester

United are due to sign a new ?1 billion kit deal despite their

current woes. That is it from us on a day when

Stoke City beat Manchester United for the first time in 30 years. Adam

is the apple of the Potters' eyes. Goodbye.