03/05/2014 Match of the Day

Demba Ba scores! What a result for Jose Mourinho. Pass, move, pass a

move, brilliant. Manchester City title favourites once more. Hello.

Manchester City were the big winners after last weekend's slips and

slides in the Barclays Premier League title race. Could they move

to the top of the table with victory at Everton. That's one of seven

games on the way. And with four of the bottom five

also in action, the nerves are jangling. Alan Shearer and Danny

Murphy will be fearless and bold. We start at Goodison Park where all the

talk centred on whether Everton could do Liverpool a favour and take

points off Manchester City. A victory for the visitors would put

them top on goal difference with just two games to play. The

commentator was Guy Mowbray. Roberto Mancini could not do it.

Only a win today will keep them in control of the title race. The

Everton side, focused on their own mission of keeping their fate

champions League hopes alive, includes Phil Jagielka. Leon Osman

starts. There is one change, Gael Clichy plays. David Silva is back in

the squad and sits on the bench. Roberto Martinez, last May,

masterminded Wiggin 's FA Cup final win against Manchester City. In the

Premier League, his auctions are not so good. -- actions are not so good.

He seemed to lose control of what he was doing at the last second.

Roberto Martinez has been keen to point out that helping other teams

is not the way that Everton want to do things. What a goal! What a goal

from Ross Barkley! A stunning strike. It will be a gold cheered

and celebrated by all on Merseyside. A secondary cast of admiration as

supporters see it replayed on the screen. -- gasp. Looking on is the

England manager. I am sure he will have a lot of thinking to do about

Ross Barkley. Ross Barkley keeps on going before

going down with a challenge by Vincent Kompany. The first boos

around the stadium today. Ross Barkley was on his own.

1-1. Sergio Aguero! He is too good. A lovely move. He made the finished

look pretty simple. Binding the Argentinian was perfect, as was the

finish. -- finding. Sergio Aguero, the man who won the title two years

ago, has got Manchester City back in the mix again. There might be a

problem. He has his hand on his groin. A short and sharp appearance

for the Argentinian at Goodison Park but one full of impact. Absolutely

everything in the Premier League gives you drama. Twists and turns

just about every minute that passes. Did Edin Dzeko need the extra touch?

Everton one, Manchester City two. They are back at the top of the

table, as it stands. An appeal for offside. In comes the cross and

nobody is near Edin Dzeko. James Milner has done really well. Phil

Jagielka arrived too late. He timed The Jump, planted the header and

Manchester City lead. Six goals in his last nine games. Like a player

reborn under Manuel Pellegrini. The days of being shunned by Roberto

Mancini are over. He looked like he was going to be fourth choice

striker at the beginning of the season. He has scored 23 goals in

total. How important will this one be? Manchester City are starting the

second half on the front that. -- foot. What a save by Joe Hart!

What a save! The assistant referee initially gave a goal kick. That was

just fantastic. Samir Nasri still managed to work it

back to Gael Clichy. Edin Dzeko scores his second and

city 's third. They have sliced through Everton. They are flying.

Samir Nasri chose just the right time to soak coolly get that one in

two Edin Dzeko. Edin Dzeko started it. He was running to Samir Nasri,

who were celebrating as though he had scored it himself. The smiles

from the granite faced manager are getting wider. There we have a huge

minute at the top of the Barclays Premier league. A save from Joe Hart

which is out of the top drawer. At the other end, almost straightaway,

it could have been 2-2. Manchester City are leading by a two goal

cushion. Manchester City are appealing for

offside. The flag has stayed down and Everton are back in business. As

Leighton Baines got ready to cross, I was going to say, it might only

take it peach of a ball into the box and that is what was delivered. No

Manchester City pressure on that and Romelu Lukaku easily beat Joe Hart.

He will say he was in line. City still protest, strongly.

Let's take a look. I think he is bang in line as the cross comes in

from Leighton Baines. How many times have they been here? In bid, so

often in bad. They sing a note, they go through the mill. That is

Manchester City. That was a good stop by Tim Howard.

Pablo Zabaleta has come the closest in a long while to scoring for

Manchester City. He is moving closer to being a champion managing in his

first season. He went all the way and hit the side

netting. That was brilliant from Ross Barkley. A wonderful run of his

own and a wonderful save by Joe Hart again. Manchester City fans are

screaming for the full-time whistle. Manuel Pellegrini has his

arms outstretched. It is full-time. Manchester City are still masters of

their own Premier league title fate. But an effort they have put in at

Goodison Park! -- what an effort. They have Aston Villa and West Ham.

Win them both and they are champions of England game. It was a very tough

game. From the beginning, we thought we would have to play this game

thinking what they could do and not thinking, if Liverpool wins the

title if they win today. It is very difficult to separate the emotions.

You can never be happy and satisfied after losing a football game. In

terms of the last home game and being able to evaluate and be with

the crowd all day and celebrate what has been a phenomenal season is a

moment to be very proud. We have to play two games more, on

Wednesday and Sunday. It is very important now to start to prepare

for the game against Aston Villa on Wednesday. Does it help that you

have been here before? I do not think it will hinder us. We're in

the present and we have games to win. Villa will not be caring about

our past, they will be trying to win. It will be a tough game. Could

you see a scenario like Queens Park Rangers all over again? It could

happen. It is not very good. It does not matter if we win the title again

on goal difference. It would be amazing and it will be good for the

Premier League as well. Not to win in the last seconds of the game,

please, no. So, Manchester City asked top -- our top. It was a too

thick game, wasn't it? In many ways, they have jumped their biggest

fence. It was the biggest test out of the three games. They have jumped

every hurdle. They went a goal down and came back and Sergio Aguero was

injured. Yaya Toure went off with an injury as well. They dug in and they

fought hard and deserve their victory. Everton played three at the

back. It took awhile to adapt and come to terms with that. Once they

did, I thought they played it very well. They sussed it out and pulled

the three centre halves all over the place with their pace, with their

movement. Yaya Toure gets the ball here. He made the decision to close

him down. The space is what Sergio Aguero wanted. Howard should not be

beaten at the near post but that is what he was hoping would be done.

That is where I want to be. They had a decent line-up until then but it

was a very good finish. It was worked really well. Similar thing

with Phil Jagielka trying to play offside. I do not know why. His arm

was in the air. This was disappointing. You have the three

centre halves in the box and not one picked up Edin Dzeko. That was a

decent effort. Edge of the box and that was a brilliant header. What a

safe from Joe Hart. This could be the safer wins than the title. 90

seconds later, after that save, Man City are attacking down the other

end and kill off the game with another good move, but the Everton

three we see again, Dzeko is on his own. In the middle of the six yard

box, to score the third goal. It is a classic with three defenders, who

will pick him up? Someone else will do it because we have three of us.

It does not always work that way. Even though Everton got one back,

they finished comfortably in the end and Dzeko was brilliant today. Yours

is poor at the bottom, Shearer! You scored 15 goals in 20 games and you

are top of that. Rubbish! We're hearing Aguero has tweeted for

Manchester City fans that he left the field of play as a precaution.

You can see it just there, he did seem to be struggling with his

groin. He helps Manchester City, tactically? I think it did, it

brought an extra man in midfield when Everton were dominant. Perhaps

a World Cup perspective, Ross Barkley was superb, wasn't he? He

was better than that, Gary. In front of the England manager, his

performance was brilliant. That is just sheer class, ability. He does

not even have a look where Joe Hart is. He knows, he will get it on

target. I love that goal. Brilliant, sensational, pure ability. To run

with the ball, at base, the speed at the defenders, Garcia is chasing him

and cannot get with him and it is on a plate for Naismith. Brilliant,

very good. We presume he will go to Brazil. Will he start? I think he is

a bit unreliable, but he is a matchwinner. What about this for a

tackle? Wins the ball back, brilliant. It was a mature

performance from him. He is waiting for the two guys, he will flick it,

brilliant. I thought that was a wonderful performance. He could be a

major impact player in the World Cup. He has to go in the squad.

Seven points from three games have helped Sunderland climb out of the

bottom three on goal difference. Gus Poyet's side travel to Old Trafford

to face Manchester United team with a 100% record under caretaker

manager Ryan Giggs. a 100% record under caretaker

manager Jonathan Pearce saw this. My -- Ryan Giggs could be Manchester

United's special one, even if he is not the chosen one. Giggs resists

the temptation to play himself. He makes five changes. Hernandez for

Rooney, who has a groin strain, Fletcher replaces Cleverley and Nani

and Young start together here for the first time this season. Mata

returns. Van Persie is on the bench after six weeks out. Sunderland are

unchanged -- unchanged. Wickham has had five goals in three games, Brown

and O'Shea shore up the defence. Their first league win here since

1968 would take them almost to safety.

Sunderland have not won here in 23 visits. Carrick has made a run

forward. He squeezes the pass-through to him.

A dangerous ball, it came off John O'Shea. A more dangerous cross done

it first appeared. O'Shea, facing his own goal, sliced it wide.

365 goals, 60 trophies between them. Not bad. That has gone beyond

Alonso. Hernandez making the run. Nani in space.

It comes to Nani. Brown was allowed to make the challenge. When

eventually came back to Nani on the edge of the penalty area, he lifted

it over. Sir Alex Ferguson, has he had a part to play at the coronation

of the new manager? Edward Wood watching on, he will have had a

major role to play. The goalkeeper was in a relatively

difficult position. A chance taken there, United still on the

defensive. Larson, 1-0! Sunderland ahead at Old

Trafford. Now, Sunderland are leading, a

Sunderland side that has not won on this ground in the league since

night -- since May, 1968. Where were the Manchester United defenders?

Wickham did well, but he was allowed to draw the cross back to easily.

Larson was not checked as he made the run. United switched off and

they are behind. What a crucial moment that could be

for Gus Poyet. Old Trafford is no longer the feared fortress it was

under Sir Alex Ferguson. Mata with the hit. Manchester

United's best efforts of the half. Stretching save from Mannone made it

look easy. Manchester United look subdued. Old Trafford is quiet.

There are a significant number of empty seats at the start of the

second half, where fans have not returned from their half-time cup of

tea or sandwich. Evra with the cross, and away for a

corner kick because of the intervention of Wes Brown on

Hernandez. A man who won seven titles for Manchester United, defied

them there. It has gone away for a goal kick, it

seemed to strike the fingertips of Wes Brown.

It hit him on the elbow, he was facing the other way. What a

transformation under Gus Poyet in the last month. He suffered such a

hangover after getting to the Capital One Cup final. It put their

Premier League status in real jeopardy. There has been a

sturdiness about them and resolve in the last three or macro games. --

the last three or four games. A decent crossed, it hit the post

from Giaccherini. Sunderland could have finished it there. Manchester

United or Lazio as the back -- as the build-up develops. Look at the

space in there as he pulled off his marker. So unlucky, struck the post.

Jones with a cross in. Just flicked wide by Van Persie. Virtually his

first touch. Watch Van Persie's run their between the defenders. And I

for a chance, but the chance went wide.

One goal could change everything. Look at the number of Sunderland

players back there. Look at their discipline.

He has fashioned a chance, but it flies over. For the first time in

such a long time, Sunderland allowed United to create. It was flying, but

too high. He will want to be a part of the backroom staff in the future,

their most decorated player ever. There has been so much talk about

managers here this season. There needs to be talk about players who

have underachieved. Some of these Manchester United players need to

hold their hands up and admit it has not been a good season for them. The

chance for Hernandez. In years gone by, he would have accepted it with

glee. That is a bad miss. A plaintive cry of "United, United,

those quote, but it is not a convincing role. -- it is not a

convincing shout. The worrying thing for Manchester United, you could see

what Borini was going to do. He opened up his body and tried to curl

it. Twice they have hit the woodwork. Sunderland have been

Conservative, brilliantly organised, and they could have had three. The

Sunderland fans were celebrating, they thought Howard Webb had blown

the whistle. But he has now! What a win for Sunderland! Who would have

thought they would get a point at Manchester City, win at Chelsea and

at Manchester United, at Old Trafford, Manchester United nil,

Sunderland one. Hard for you to come here, how flat

do you feel? I feel flat, the players were a bit flat. I don't

know why. Credit to Sunderland. They are in good form. They probably

created the best chances, even though we had the majority of the

ball. We controlled the game, but lacked that bit of quality in the

final third. The last few weeks we have been in desperate need for

points and we have had tough games. Somehow we have come away with the

results aren't picked up ten out of 12 points in the last four, which is

terrific. Today was a solid performance. We defended well. We

were delighted to get on the scoresheet. You have seen the club

rebuild and rebuild. Is that the sort of job that needs to be done

now? No, I think the quality is there in the dressing room. We

showed it last week. Why we didn't show it this week, I don't know.

After the game, I spoke to the Sunderland boss, Gus Poyet. It is 46

years since Sunderland won a league game at Old Trafford. I think you

were in nappies at that particular stage! It must have been special

today? Yes, especially the right time and a moment we were desperate

for points. The way as well, to come here, maybe not start very well but

soon we scored, to try to play the way -- to try to play the game we

know, it is better for us. The boys have been outstanding. It has been

very hard. People realise how hard it was for us every day but we are

nearly there. One more win and we will be secure. Of course, we have a

chance tomorrow, depending on Chelsea. The idea is to concentrate

on what we do because we have been very good in the last few weeks. If

Chelsea get a result against Norwich, you are pretty much

guaranteed to stay up with the superior goal difference. You will

be cheering on your old team, no doubt? Yes, I don't have my Latin

Sunderland, my Chelsea shirt. -- in my flat in Sunderland, I don't have

my Chelsea shirt, but if I was in London I would put it on. We have

been down at the bottom for the whole season. It has been extremely

hard and we had to put in the incredible run of games in the last

two weeks. What do you put the change of form down to? Two things,

we can give something special that we could not find, the goals that

change games. You score so many, that is a particular player on fire

for a few games and they give you something different. Then the

belief, as soon as we drew against City and went to Chelsea, the

players started getting the momentum. The confidence that we

needed for so long and could not get. It has been incredible, I hope

we can finish the job. Not long to go. We wish you well. You have done

an amazing job. Congratulations. Thank you very much. The last time

Sunderland one out of trust said was a long time ago. It is nothing short

of miraculous, what he has done. They go to Manchester City and get a

draw, they win against Chelsea and against Manchester United. You

cannot praise Gus Poyet enough for what he has done. So many teams have

won for the first time at Old Trafford. It was pretty torrid

stuff. This has summed up the season for Manchester United. One mistake.

They do not win the header. Two mistakes. Fletcher goes down to

close Connor Wickham down. This ball should not be allowed to come into

the box. It is a very good finish. There were

mistakes all over the park. Look how easy it was to get the ball in! The

mistake is not finished. Michael Carrick was ball watching. Larson

drifted past him. It went into the back of the net. Too many mistakes.

I have to disagree with Ryan Giggs. There is major surgery required at

Manchester United. What is the difference in recent weeks with this

Sunderland side than what we have seen for most of the season? The

obvious one comes with confidence. This is only in the game. United

have the best spell. Adam Johnson does not panic. The young lad,

Connor Wickham, he has been a revelation for them in the last

month. This happened all game. This was one of the only occasions I

could find when Manchester United were 1-0 down. Still they did not

panic. Good technique and good courage. It did not get out this

time. There was so much time on the ball. At times, they looked like the

home team. They did not have the legs and the energy to close them

down. Good play by Sunderland. You can see acres. Manchester United

usually have good pace, energy. They get off to you when they are

losing. This was too easy. Even though goalkeeper, he was

brilliant. -- even though goalkeeper. Was John O'Shea

panicking? There was no one around them. It was 20, 30 yards before

anyone came to the ball. Sunderland were brilliant but United worth bad.

Van Gaal has a brilliant CD. What if he does not like Ryan Giggs or vice

versa? It might not work. What if he does not like Wayne Rooney or Juan

Mata. Sunderland's win at Old Trafford meant that anything other

than a victory for bottom of the table Cardiff at Newcastle would

send them down. The home side have lost their last six games...a run so

bad fans were threatening to walk out in protest 69 minutes into the

second half - 1969 being the last time the club won a trophy. Steve

Bower promised to stay the 90 minutes. Newcastle would not want to

imagine where they might be without the 13 league goals of Loic Remy. He

has missed 11 games this season. The French international plays his last

game at St James' Park, hoping to arrest their slide. This time last

season Wilfred Zaha was making the headlines in the championship. He is

recalled today to help a miracle. It is now or never for Cardiff.

Realistically they need back-to-back wins to give them a chance.

That was a big chance! Cardiff are going to have to take those. Fraizer

Campbell, who scored here in the FA Cup win in January was not able to

finish it. And from the point of view of Cardiff that was agonisingly

the wrong side of the post. It had already gone out of play for

a corner. His only Newcastle goal came against Sunderland. You would

have expected David Marshall to make the save, which he did. That was a

free header off the crossbar. Then away by Jordon Mutch. That was

brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by David Marshall. He was at full

stretch. That was a teasing delivery and

headed home by Shola Ameobi. He is back in the team and back with a

goal. 18 minutes gone and the task for Cardiff becomes even harder.

Shola Ameobi, who has only scored twice in 56 Premier League matches,

had this one setup beautifully for him. What a ball from Moussa

Sissoko! He could not miss. Cardiff Bay behind yet again. -- Cardiff go

behind yet again. That drive-by Moussa Sissoko

deflected onto the post. Twice Newcastle have hit the woodwork.

After Boxing Day, Newcastle were in the top six.

That was a brilliant save by Tim Krul. Fabulous skill from Wilfred

Zaha. Pace, power, very nearly the finish as well.

The cross could have deceived Tim Krul. He would love to have seen

that fly into the back of the net. 69 minutes have arrived. 69 being

the year chosen because it was the time of the last trophy won by

Newcastle. Supporters have been encouraged to leave the stadium in

support of the feelings towards owner and manager. You could

describe it as a mass walk-out but it certainly has some support. The

message is fairly clear. Here is Wilfred Zaha.

That was a brilliant block and Newcastle keep their clean sheet

intact. You just begin to wonder, it is not going to be Cardiff 's day.

How did that not going! Fabio colocheeni with the most desperate

of -- Carlo colocheeni with the most desperate of interceptions on the

line. The Newcastle skipper denied them right on the goal-line. These

are big moments. It looked as though Kenwyne Jones the substitute had

levelled it. Tim Krul kept them out again. This has been a tame effort

from Cardiff. They have been denied by Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini.

2-0 Newcastle. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows that is a killer goal for

Cardiff. It should finally sealed their fate. They have been

frustrated at one end. They concede that another. It looks as though it

will be tears for Cardiff. Deflected wide for a corner. Three

more minutes of time to add-on. Loic Remy again. Right in front of him

was the substitute, Steven Taylor. He capped it off with the third.

Again, late capitulation for Cardiff. The first header was from

Loic Remy. Newcastle three, Cardiff zero. It has ended Cardiff 's day in

the Premier League. -- day in the Premier League.

Another defeat for Cardiff, their 21st of the season, and ultimately

the most damaging one. The news comes through from Old Trafford but

Sunderland have got the three points and Cardiff City, after just one

year in the Premier League, are relegated. Look at the performance

and the chances we created today, we should have won. We had massive

chances. On the basis of all the performances earlier on, we deserved

to be where we are at the moment. Strange atmosphere in the ground at

times. You are winning and there was unrest among sections of the

Newcastle supporters. It is understandable. They want to see us

challenging at the top of the league. It is difficult with the

finance we have. In the summer we will have the chance hopefully to

bring in some quality players and try to get up to the fifth, sixth,

fourth if we can. I knew we would need a miracle but I thought the

boys played well. I am not sure how we lost 3-0. Is it your ambition,

your personal desire, to try to get Cardiff back into the Premier

League? Definitely. We have had four seasons prior to this summer we have

been top of the championship. Now we have gone down, taken a step back.

It is about showing character and bouncing straight back again. Eto'o

is is a terrible moment for all the players and management and fans as

well. -- it is a terrible moment. They have not been good enough for

large parts of the season. Liberty has conceded more headed goals than

Cardiff. Particularly last week when they conceded to set goals against

Sunderland. A free header. Unmarked, he should have scored. This is a

great falling but the ball should not have coming in the first place.

It is a free header. A great ball. They brought on Craig Bellamy and

then brought on Kenwyne Jones later on. They did get one or two chances

but they have to squawk those chances. This is an absolute

sitter. Good defending from Fabricio Coloccini. Once that had gone in,

they were shot to pieces. Look at Loic Remy! There was no one around

him. A little touch, thank you very much. I was on about headed goals.

Another set piece, look what happens. No marking at all. The free

header for Loic Remy. It is too easy for Newcastle. It was a victory that

Newcastle just really needed. I feel sorry for him. He has found it very

difficult. He took over from Malky Mackay, who was so popular. He has

done a good job. It does not take a knowledgeable football person to

know it was a bad decision. They were not in the relegation zone. The

fans did not want him to go and he did not want to go. I am not sure

what more he could have done. Will Alan Pardew keep his job? Newcastle

fans do not expect them to be in the top three but they want to have

belief and hope that they can go out and score goals, defend properly.

They want to know that they can buy decent players when they become

available. They do not want good players to be sold. It has been

frustrating for them and they are angry and rightly so. That is three

games, four still to come. So, Cardiff are down and Fulham's

goal difference meant if they did not get all three points from their

game at Stoke, they would join them in the Championship next season. It

was not going to be easy. Only the top five teams have taken more

points at home than Art Hughes' team this season.

Stoke are hoping for a first-ever top half Premier League finish. What

a week for a book to strike Fulham. Bent replaces Rodallega, Amorebieta

also suffering, though he makes the bench. The ifs, buts and maybes have

almost run out. Fulham need to win. Wasted by Assaidi. Fulham will have

to defend better than this. They are lucky that they got away with a poor

finish from Assaidi. A big chance this, in the early moments of the

game. Famously never relegated as a manager, and he has managed about

half the Bundesliga. Assaidi, you don't want to let him shoot from

there. A decent save from Stockdale. The rebound could have gone almost

anywhere. Hangeland was there to lash it away.

Ireland, oh, blocked by Burn. Is it going in? It is now. Odemwingie has

put the ball in the back of the Fulham net and that might be the

beginning of the end for Fulham today. Appropriately enough perhaps

for Fulham, who have defended poorly all season, it is another calamity

at the back. Arnautovic controlled it. How he got through Riise, pulled

back to Ireland, it hit a diving Heitinga and Burn of the bar.

Fulham are down and almost out. He has got to be seriously unhappy with

his side. A decent save by Stockdale. I doubt

Fulham have had a worst two or three minutes all season and they have had

some bad ones. Look at the defending, Arnautovic, standing and

watching. Fulham surely have to improve on their first-half

performance. Parker trying his luck but not really troubling Begovic.

Probably the first thing the Stoke keeper has really had to do.

Dejagah tried to do too much, and when he realised it he threw himself

to the ground. Never a penalty. Arnautovic. He doubles Stoke's lead.

There is no coming back from that. It is a great ball by Assaidi, who

has been brilliant all day. A super counterattacking goal.

Fulham are well and truly done for. He has to be delighted, this will be

a tense home league victory of the season 4/. They have one of the best

home records in the entire Premier League.

That will be a corner. It looks like they have still got a bit of fights

in them. Transferring some of that on to the pitch, from Gomez. Riise

with the Fulham corner. Appeal for hand ball, Bent hit it.

N'Zonzi taking far too long to give it.

Assaidi, offside? No, he is not. It is 3-0. He deserves a gold,

Assaidi, and Stoke have three. And Fulham have somehow found a way to

concede from their own corner. N'Zonzi could have released it here

and Arnautovic would have been away. Arnautovic did well to stay onside.

Did Assaidi? Yes, he did. Stoke three, Fulham nil. It could yet be

quite a few more before Fulham's misery ends.

They don't want to watch the rest of this, and you can't blame them. If

he could, he might take the view that walking out is not a bad idea

at this stage. They have been really poor today. They must not go with a

whimper, surely, Fulham? A chance for Richardson. They have

got one, Kieran Richardson. No reaction on the bench. Almost an

ironic celebration from the Fulham fans behind the goal.

Fulham have to show some kind of pride, surely.

Onside, Jonathan Walters being chased by Riise. Walters, four. So

easy. Jonathan Walters helps himself to a goal. Stoke four, Fulham one.

Fulham getting caught out, time and time again.

It is a good finish. Fulham had to big Stoke today, but as it is it was

one of Stoke's most comfortable victories of the season. Felix

Magath have never been relegated as a manager, but Fulham will not be in

the Premier League next campaign. It is finished at the Britannia Stadium

Stoke City four, Fulham one. I have never been relegated until

today. I am feeling very sad. I have to apologise. The club asked me to

come. I tried. It was better than before, but at the end it was not

enough. Today was difficult for us. A lot of people may suggest we did

not have much to play for and it was all about form today, but that was

not the case in the dressing room. It was about getting three points.

We have had 47 points, which has only ever been done by Stoke once in

the Premier League before, so we would love to be that if we can next

week. For some reason of all the days, today, a day when you need to

have passion, fight, belief that you can go out there and do it, it was

not there today. Why? I don't know. We never got going from the off.

Maybe it was confidence as well. Maybe it was the result last week

against Hull that knocked the stuffing out of us. At the end of

the day it is not just today, it has been the whole season. We have not

deserved to stay up. Honest words, another side relegated. One of your

former clubs, Danny. Disappointing to see that? Disappointing. I am

quick to blame players but today, it was the manager's fault. Steve

Sidwell said he did not know but I tell you why, he set up with a

4-5-1, and they have to play attacking football to win a game, to

stay up. He played Burn, who is a good player, six foot six, against

Assaidi and it gave Fulham problems all afternoon. I felt for him. He is

a talented boy and has had good games at centre half but Assaidi, he

played brilliantly and caused him problems all afternoon. He has been

asked to play a position he has never played before. I don't

understand that decision from the manager. It is not fair on the

player. He tried himself -- he tried his best and he terrorised him all

afternoon. The quality throughout the season has not been particularly

good. This is Assaidi again, finishing off his great performance

with a good goal. The quality all season has not been good. Today, the

manager got it wrong. They changed manager twice. Three times. Three

times. They have conceded 87, or 83 goals, I should say, that is

ridiculous. A huge amount. A word on Stoke. A tough act to follow, Tony

Pulis. He had done so well, a certain style of play, Mark Hughes

has done a number brilliant job. A brilliant job, he has equalled their

best ever points tally. Stoke at their most bosses ever in a Premier

League today, that tells you what he wants them to do. It certainly

does. We have a double bill of Match Of The Day this week.

A change of plans, Match Of The Day moves from Sunday, to Monday, to

take on Liverpool's day at Palace. moves from Sunday, to Monday, to

take on Liverpool's day at Match Of The Day 2 Extra is in its normal

place. Following us tonight, the Football League Show will have all

the action from the final day of the regular season. We have had an

incredible afternoon on the final day of the Football League season

and we will relive every key part as it unfolded including the tussle for

the last play-off place in the Championship. It was a squeaky time

for Birmingham, who together with Doncaster and Millwall are aiming to

avoid the drop. All the drama, including a late twist at the sharp

end to retain the Football League status. Join me after Match Of The

Day. Otherwise, we are on the iPlayer all week. Aston Villa

started nervously, three points above the drop zone but Paul

Lambert's cite new victory against Hull would guarantee safety

regardless of results elsewhere. At Villa Park was Simon Brotherton.

Gabriel Agbonlahor scored his first goal since New Year's Day since last

week and Hull's Captain Curtis Davies blaze at Villa Park for the

first time since leaving the club for Birmingham city three years ago.

Hull are all but safe and will be playing in the FA Cup final two

weeks today. The referee Mike Dean gets is under way. He was in the

West Midlands last week for West Brom's big win over West Ham United.

He is taking charge of a big game in this part of the world as well this

afternoon, with Aston Villa sliding down the Premier League table with

every week that passes. Increasingly anxious about their Premier League

future. Hull City, a couple of points better off 137, as opposed to

35. They should have enough already, although not mathematically 100%

safe will stop -- 100% safe. Here is Agbonlahor, the first attack of the

afternoon. Full of vigour, this is promising for Villa. Ashley

Westwood, oh, what a start! And unbelievable start for Aston Villa.

58 seconds the time of the goal. Just what the Villa Park crowd

needed. What a start to the game! It is his third goal of the season

and it could be priceless for Aston Villa. A week ago they were two

and it could be priceless for Aston with minutes to go and they've

fought back strongly to secure a draw. The referee brings the game

back, I think, for the initial challenge. He has decreed there was

no advantage. Tom Huddleston will like the look of this scenario. It

is within range for him. It is an equaliser. Whole level with a

beautifully worked free kick which under the Aston Villa defence. Hull

City draw level. The ball takes out the wall and in

it comes and deflects. An own goal of Jordan Barry brings Hull City

level. A superb save from Brad Guzan. It needed to be as well. H

and a strike from Tom Huddleston. That was heading straight for the

top corner. A very good save indeed. The deflection takes it for a corner

kick. Villa brightening up after an indifferent spell in the game. All

hands on deck for whole city. -- Hull City. Aston Villa lead for

the second time this afternoon. That was sheer persistence. Andreas

Weimann on target for the first time since January. Aston Villa finishing

the first half strongly. It is 3-1. Right on the stroke of

half-time. The second goal by him of the afternoon. Now Aston Villa have

a cushion. For the home, -- home crowd, the slender lead now feels

better. That was beautifully placed as Aston Villa look for the wind

that would guarantee Premier League survival. Aston Villa hosting Hull

for the first time since 2009. The save by Harper. A blistering

shot. Still so much till it forward to between now and the end of the

season with the trip to Wembley just a fortnight away.

They have been on edge for much of the season, but Villa fans. Not some

at this afternoon. For a last attack by the home team. Paul Lambert

needed a big performance by his team who were sliding towards the

relegation zone and he got it when he needed it. These are the three

points that will keep them in the Premier League next season. They had

a great enthusiasm for the game. They could tell they were coming

here to support the lads and they were fantastic for the whole game.

It was a massive fan base. You need to try to give them something. I

thought everyone played their part. Restarted horribly. Just when we got

into the game, just when there was a nervousness and edginess about them,

we have gifted them a couple of goals. We could not clear corner and

could not defend well enough for the third one. That summed up our

afternoon. It is not like we are not trying will be not playing the big

teams, but it did not come off. The most important thing was to secure a

win. There was a lot of pressure in this game. I have told them, if they

can come through that, they can come through most things. They are safe.

Steve Bruce said they were helped along the way. I think Hull City

might have had a few eyes on the Cup Final in a few weeks' time. You

would think they would be playing for places but they started off

terribly. They conceded a goal after one minute. A throw in down the

line. Villa get out far too easy. They are falling over each other,

bumping into each other. The ball comes into the edge of the box.

Westwood is totally free. It is a very good finish. Hull City never

got started. Baker has a big, long run on Davis. It was inevitable that

he was going to lose the ball. He got away. A header many times to get

rid of it. Crossing over, the defender and the ball back. It was a

great ball and a good header. We saw him pointing at Davis to pick the

manner but he did not. Steve Bruce is not happy and he will not put up

with any bad performances. Where did you think Aston Villa is? The owners

have a big decision. There are rumours about wanting to sell.

Either he has two invest otherwise the inevitable will happen. Master

they got away with it. They have got away with it this year. I agree.

They have a lack of quality. He will have to put his hand in his pocket

unless he wants to sell it. They have got some firepower and that is

what has kept them up. Arsenal are in the champions league and Hull

City will go through whether they win the Cup Final or not to the

Europa League next season. West Ham's last home game of the season

saw them take on a Spurs side aiming for a top five finish. The not so

happy Hammers have lost their last four games piling the pressure on

Sam Allardyce. John Motson was at Upton Park. No comfort zone for

Premier League managers this season, now only cold comfort for

Sam Allardyce. And for Spurs Tim Sherwood, who has two face constant

speculation about his job. West Ham have lost their last four. One

change, Matt Taylor comes in format jobbers. It is the 12th when by

Sherwood in ten games. -- win by Sherwood.

That was played on by Emmanuel Adebayor. That was an opportunity

for the top scorer. This was a sweeping move by Tottenham but the

finish, in the end, did not match the move. A storming start to this

London derby. He almost gave that away. West Ham have won it. Stewart

Downing has been knocked over on the edge of the penalty area by Younes

Kaboul. He is definitely the Tottenham player involved. It is

down to filter out now, he always takes his time over these decisions.

-- Phil Dowd. It is a red card. Here is the collision. Will the other

defender -- would the other defender have caught him? It is arguable. A

contentious moment in the London derby. Andy Carroll might fancy this

with his left foot. What a belter! What a great save!

That was a fierce drive by Andy Carroll. He passed the ball OK. I do

not think he can quite believe that with the French goalkeeper. Ten man

Tottenham are up against it. Off the line again. Andy Carroll has sped

away. And West Ham have taken the lead within a minute of Spurs having

gone down to ten men. And I think that went in off Harry Kane. Andy

Carroll is celebrating but it may well go down as a known golf by

Harry Kane, who was defending here in the Tottenham six yard box. And,

yes, it is definitely his head that diverts that. An own goal.

West Ham are moving far better than in recent matches. Nolan at the near

post. Two saves by Hugo Lloris. Good, sound goalkeeping, otherwise

Spurs were two down. Mark Noble was brought down by

Dawson. Michael Dawson is the offender. A yellow card. Andy

Carroll, for this position last time, brought the best out of Hugo

Lloris. It is the left footer. It is in. It is Stewart Downing and his

first goal for West Ham. The hammers are two up against ten man

Tottenham. Stewart Downing scored his first goal for the club. He

curled that with his left foot and it has gone through the wall. Poor

defending by Tottenham. 2-0. Sam Allardyce will enjoy his team talk

better than the ones he has had recently. This has got Upton Park

busing. -- buzzing. A right foot cross. The overhead kick was

brilliant. Kicked away will stop this was fine played by West Ham.

Downing with his right foot this time. Out by the goalkeeper. That

would have been one of the more spectacular goals at Upton Park this

season. Tim Sherwood will have to sit down with the Tottenham chairman

at the end of the season to determine the way forward. It was

important for Sam Allardyce to finish on a high load -- note as it

is the last home game of the season. You would not expect many

goalkeepers to get there as quickly as that. Some fine goalkeeping by

the Frenchman. They could not pick out Emmanuel

Adebayor. They were appealing for hands and the referee said no. What

a good save by Adrian! That efforts by Danny Rose is virtually their

best effort of the match. -- that effort. Sign up today we scored two

goals at the right time. It could have been a lot more had we not had

the goalkeeper. They are one of the top four teams in the country. A lot

of times we made them look average. We all knew that when everyone was

it we would get better. And we do. From the end of January, it has been

pretty good. We just need to see it off in front of the home fans,

against Aston Villa on the last game of the season. This one has to be

put behind us. We have to send the fans away happy for the summer.

There is a lot of optimism for next season.

An important win for West Ham. Spurs were poor generally. They were not

helped by going down to ten men. That was a correct decision by the

referee. It was very clumsy by Vincent Kompany. Younes Kaboul knows

if he touched him, he was going off. It was clumsy. The referee gets

it absolutely spot-on. A red card, no doubt about it. He has the red

card. That was a correct decision. That made it very difficult. This

does not help. It is embarrassing. Look at that big, brave, wall. It

might hurt me. I will just turn away. There are a lack of leaders in

the Tottenham side. Getting everyone on board. Where do you stand on Tim

Sherwood? He is a bit Marmite with the Tottenham fans. He is. He is

passionate and knows the club inside out. He has brought a lot of the

young players through. It has been unfair on him. Whoever

is the manager, he has two Bligh -- by the players, not the director of

football. Is mid-table acceptable to the fans? They had a terrible time

with injuries. He gets results, he has kept them in the Premiership.

Andy Carroll scored a goal, any chance he will go into the World

Cup? I think he can be a liability. I don't think he has done enough

this year. Swansea City secured another season

of top-flight football by beating Aston Villa last weekend. They faced

a Southampton team already guaranteed a top-eight finish.

Martin Fisher was at the Liberty Stadium.

A hip injury clears the way for a first start. Schneiderlin returns

for Southampton. Lambert dropped to the bench after picking up a knock

in training. Saints could see their best ever points tally in the

Premiership. Swansea in the white against

Southampton in the red. Swansea are safe after their recent rally. With

two games, Southampton know they will match their best ever

Premiership finish, at eighth. Shelvey will steal it. Bony with a

chance, a good save. De Guzman for Swansea. What an escape for Davis.

Excellent work from Shelvey. Bony sized up the opportunity. Felt

Hernandez had a more inviting sight of goal. De Guzman could not find

the rebound. Shelvey trying to shake off Cork. In

towards bony macro, a good header, not far wide -- Bony. A lovely

delivery from Shelvey. Bony with a flick of the head almost finds the

far corner of the goal. Garry Monk had talks with Hugh Jenkins this

week. Odds on to be confirmed Swansea

manager for next season. Space for Gallagher. A clumsy

challenge right on the edge of the area. First burst of pace from

Gallagher. Very close to being inside the area. The shot goes over

the bar, Lovren tried his luck, looking for the drop. I am not sure

Vaughan could have kept it out. Unknown and unwanted when he walked

through the doors 15 months ago. This year, Project Tino will be on

the wanted list. -- Pochettino. He did really well, but headed over

by Gallagher. He should be celebrating the opening goal of the

afternoon. Clyne breezed away from Davis, a perfect cross. From that

close, he should have been forcing a save. Hernandez.

Bony. He lifts it over the bar. With his reputation, after his form this

season, he fancied his chances to break the

season, he fancied his chances to power but lost accuracy.

Schneiderlin. Look at the space. But he didn't

know what to do with it. Finding Lallana and for the first time, Vorm

called into action. Firmly struck by Lallana. 2000 travelling Southampton

fans all of whom have been given a scarf and a Southampton player mask.

A lovely cross field ball, Hernandez now. Routledge. Pablo again. Can he

get the shot away? I don't think we can call that a shot. This game has

had 0-0 etched across it since about a minute into it. If ever there was

a game that had an end of season feel to it, this is that game.

Wanyama for Southampton. On my watch, 80 seconds of injury time to

go. Davies. Wanyama. A lovely ball. Half a chance, Williams got to it

first but it is in. A goal, to sum up the lack of quality throughout

the afternoon. What a soft, soft goal, coming with one minute of

injury time remaining. Lambert found himself with a chance. Williams got

to it first. Up it went. Swansea think it is dropping to safety but

it hit the post, and Lambert, and it went in. Many had given up on this

game a long time ago as a goalless draw. What a soft goal to decide a

very sterile game of football. TRANSLATION: We were lucky, we left

it quite late. I want to congratulate the players. As a

manager I am really proud of them. Disappointment at the end, a poor

goal. We have done that too many times and today it cost us. A lot of

these players might move on in summer and they might lose their

manager. What can you say? TRANSLATION: It is a good sign, it

means we have had a good season. There was nothing we can do to stop

this. In terms of your situation, will it be resolved this week?

I believe so. The chairman has stated it will be decided before the

end of the season. I imagine this week an announcement will be made.

And end of season feel to that game. The goal was scruffy.

Absolutely. It quite clearly doesn't cross the line. Last minute of the

game as well. I don't know why Williams didn't head it. That is

his. What about Garry Monk. Do you feel like he might be getting the

job? He has done really well, the players

seem to like him. Why not? Give him a go. Southampton, speculation. It

is a positive thing. They have a decision, with a couple of players,

they could kick on. I appreciate big clubs will come into their top

players. A big club comes in, Southampton can't offer the football

so they will lose players. Rickie Lambert, do you think he will go? I

think he deserves to go. He has been fit all season, he has scored goals,

he is an international. The small thing about penalties. He is quite

good at them. Absolutely. As you say, end of season, crucial. Let us

have a look at the Premiership table.

Manchester City are two wins away from the title. Liverpool can go

back to the top with victory against Crystal Palace on Monday.

City's win over Everton guaranteed Arsenal Champions League football

next season. Fulham's 13-year stay in the top

flight was ended today. Cardiff's one-year Premier League

foray went the same way. But Sunderland put some breathing

space between themselves and Norwich who play Chelsea tomorrow.

Let us see what the newspapers have two say. This sums up the end of the

table. The Daily Telegraph reckons

Liverpool need a miracle. The Independent says Roy Hodgson

could axe some of the United players do to their PM ship travels this

season. So, two wins, and the title will be

Manchester City's. A forgone conclusion? Not this season.

Goodbye.