05/04/2014 Match of the Day

Hello. We're into the closing stages of an enthralling Barclays Premier

League season and tonight we welcome the man who could be lifting this

trophy in six weeks' time. Manchester City captain Vincent

Kompany joins us in the studio alongside Robbie Savage. And it's

only polite to start with your team, Vincent. Could City close the gap on

leaders Liverpool with victory over a Southampton side chasing their

best-ever Premier League finish? Simon Brotherton was at the Etihad

Stadium. Third in the table but with two

games in hand and with destiny in their own hands, Manchester City go

for what would be a 14th home win in 15 games against Southampton side

who have travelled north on the back of their biggest win in 13 years,

4-0 over Newcastle. Pellegrini makes one change. Aleksandar Kolarov plays

at left back, is that of Clichy. Sergio Aguero was back in training

and could be cut in contention for next week's trip to Liverpool.

Southampton's goalkeeper Boruc was injured in training yesterday, so

Gazzaniga starts for the first time since their 3-0 win on Boxing Day.

Schneiderlin replaces Ward-Prowse in midfield.

Not quite enough room to moving there. A nice turn by Lallana. City

can break with Yaya Toure. Manchester City have got a penalty

here, with two minutes exactly on the watch. Chris Foy took half a

second to think about it, before pointing to the spot. Fonte left his

leg out there, trailing, just touched Dzeko, who went to ground

and Chris Foy spot -- Chris Foy points to the spot.

Yaya Toure has the chance, will it be the perfect start? Yes, it will.

Cool, calm, casual. His 18th Premier League goal

opposite -- season. That was the first time that Gazzaniga had

touched the ball, picking it out of the back of the net. Pochettino's

team have failed the scoring two of their away games so far this season.

Lambert was nearly on the end of it. The first real threat coming

from Southampton. Rodriguez almost finding Rickie Lambert. Southampton

enjoying a decent spell of possession here and moving it around

well. He could not quite bring it under

control. A couple of times in the game already Southampton were almost

in. After that opening five minutes or so, there has been a lack of

assertiveness from Manchester City so far.

Rodriguez, straight to the ground. Has he fallen awkwardly? Was it a

kick on the knee? This will be worrying, of course, Rodriguez is

having a magnificent season and is very much in Roy Hodgson's plans for

the World Cup in Brazil. What has happened here? Is it an awkward

fall? That is what has caused it. There was no contact from Kompany.

Fingers will have to be crossed here for Jay Rodriguez. But it does not

look great. The England manager will be

concerned as well as -- at developments there. A standing

ovation for the Southampton player from everybody inside the ground.

They know what a season he has had and they know the summer that might

have lain before him. That was a sobering moment.

Manchester City have got a free kick here. It has been quite a first half

for Gazzaniga. He conceded the only penalty. When it comes from Nasri,

off the top of the bar from Dzeko. Manchester City, so close to a 2-0

lead here. A really powerful header from Dzeko at the far post.

Southampton have a penalty. Chris Foy points straight to the penalty

spot. Was this inside the penalty area? It was inside the penalty

area. Clearly about six inches inside the box. Rickie Lambert now

with a chance to equalise. Lambert against Hart, it is 1-1. His

12th goal of the season. Rickie Lambert, burying it from 12 yards.

Hart guessed right, he could not quite beat the pace of the kick and

it is Manchester City one, Southampton one. Can City finished

the first half with a flourish? Four minutes of added time. At the

end of this first half. Nasri, 2-1! Now the crowd are on

their feet. What a beautifully worked goal.

Samir Nasri reclaim is the lead for Manchester City.

There is a man who feels his team are not deserving to be in the

position they are in at the moment and is explaining to the fourth

official. Nasri, scorer of the second, trying

to create mischief in added time. It is into Dzeko, and it is three -

one. Two goals in added time, at the end of the first half, and suddenly

it is looking good for Manchester City. After a first half in which

Southampton had been the better team for long periods, here is the ball

coming in. Gazzaniga does not get to it.

It was slashed so far wide of the goal that it actually goes out for a

throw-in. Dzeko looking for his second goal of the match.

The angle was narrowing all the time. Ward-Prowse was running into a

decent position but Lambert was always going to shoot from there.

Yaya Toure, almost going through the entire Southampton defence and going

to ground in a fashion that Chris Foy feels he did not need to do. He

will get a yellow card for simulation.

A great chance, it is four. Jovetic, with his first touch of the ball

after coming off the bench, makes absolutely sure of the points. It is

the easiest goal that Jovetic will score all season.

I think maybe we were lucky to finish the first half 3-1, because

there was not a difference between the two teams. It was a very close

game. Southampton played well, they had a lot of possession. I repeat,

we scored goals and we improved in all senses and played with the ball

and played very well. In my opinion, it killed the game and it is not

possible after this action to win the game. It is there for everyone

to see, it is not two or three inches, it is blatant. The replay

was on the big screen and we could all see it. I am sure the linesman

saw it and the referee saw it. When it is -- when you come to places

like this you need a bit of luck, play well and take your chances. We

thought we were really hard done by today.

TRANSLATION: Up until that we were superior to

them, then the second half, overall in the first half we were organised

and we played really well in the 45 minutes. A word about your

team-mate, Jay Rodriguez. It looked really bad from the moment he went

down? We are devastated for him. He is an unbelievable lad and he has

proven this season what a player he is. Forget the decision for the

offside, forget the result, forget everything, we are disappointed for

our team-mate today. We all join in that. A real shame

for more -- for Rodriguez. We have no update on his injury but let's

hope it is not serious. As it looks. Vincent, when you are in a title

race, perhaps a flattering scoreline because Southampton gave you a test,

didn't they? Yes, they are good team, a really good team, so we

never expected it to be easy. But we had a lot of chances, so ultimately

it was probably what we expected from the game, but they are a really

good team. The second goal, the key one before half-time that gave City

the lead, it is clearly offside, isn't it? It is a ridiculous

decision. I can only think the linesman thought it came off the

defender because he is four yards offside, Silva. Southampton were

having the better of the game at that time. A good pass into Dzeko, a

great little flick, Silva, when he receives the ball there, how the

linesman can't see, I don't know. The Southampton defenders stop, Shaw

stops as well. If Sean had carried on and played to the whistle he

could possibly have tracked Nasri's run, but he stopped -- sure. It is

four yards offside, just when Southampton... The linesman needs to

be sure. It is unlucky for Southampton and it is a mistake by

the referee. Southampton do cause teams problems and they cause

Manchester City problems in the first half? I thought they played

very well. Lambert, Rodriguez, Lallana, they kept getting in

runners from deep. We knew before the game and as I said, the reason

we were more stretched than we would like us because they have good

possession. They have good runners off the ball. At couple of times

they did, but I thought we were more dangerous during the course of the

game. They played really well. They are very good team. That left side

centre half position attacking more often than the right-hand side, but

in the end City were the better team. Steyn to stay away from him on

the right-hand side. That is why. Dzeko penalty and Toure was given a

yellow card for diving. Worth a look at those. Fonte, a lazy left leg

from him and the penalty has caught Dzeko on the knee. Dzeko is entitled

to go down. He has gone down a bit late but definite contacts. Dzeko

makes the most of it and goes down, a definite penalty. If that was

Suarez, it would be on the back page of every paper, a dive. You are

smiling. You are bobbing to be honest, it is my team-mates so why

will defend my team-mate. It is as simple as that. In other

situations, another player, I would not have been happy, so for the

spirit of the game it is not good when it happens and sometimes it is

good to highlight it, it is good to highlight it because it is not good

for the game. There were a couple of occasions when they weren't playing

well. Moments of quality. . Kolarov, six assists from left back. What a

goal. Dzeko header. Great ball from Company out wide there. That ball,

into that area, great finish. It's a training ground move really. They do

it all the time. It's unbelievable when it comes off like this. It

shows we can be dangerous at any time. When it comes from our

wingers, our wide players, we are always more dangerous. Beautiful

goal. Pellegrini is expansive with his game. More enjoyable to play

with Pellegrini? Two different styles. We were a good defensive

team. Now we have added some sort of flare to our game. It's not so much

winning any more, it's about winning and doing it in the right way. Our

club is growing through the way we are playing as well. Tougher for the

defenders under Pellegrini? A lot more space to cover. When you play

against great strikers, yeah. We have handled it well. Two goals in

the last seven games conceded. We have improved. Long way to go yet.

It's all very exciting. Jose Mourinho claims Chelsea's title

challenge was over after defeat at Crystal Palace, but victory against

Stoke would put them back on top of the table. The Potters arrived at

Stamford Bridge on a run of three straight wins. Guy Mowbray was

watching this one. There have been four changes to the Chelsea side

today. Stoke City on a ground where they

last won in league football at the end of April 1974. 1-0 win with the

only goal of the game coming from a Chelsea favourite Alan Hudson.

Lampard, Ivanovic, Lampard, mis-kicks. Torres, to shoot. Wasn't

far wide. Schurrle with the knock inside. The

header went straight to Willian. Willian shot. Begovic wasn't sure if

that was bending in or not. He couldn't take the chance of leaving

it. Looked like it might have been deflected off Willian here. Yeah,

big one. Begovic with the paws around the post. Cahill. Missed by

Pieters. Lampard. No real fizz in the shot. You can see his

frustration. Stoke haven't got it away though. It's Azpilicueta with

the cross. It came for Torres. Begovic was there to pounce and

smother his efforts. Pieters dived in when he didn't need to. The throw

from Begovic, ill advised. Begovic made amends. It was another Pieters

error with age tempted chest back to the keeper. His team are getting

gifts, they are turning them down. Crouch. Sold Cameron a little short.

Schurrle. Torres with Cameron lung coming in. Torres down. He didn't

claim much. Azpilicueta, he will try and curl it - not enough. Just asked

the question now, Fernando Torres, but it is knee to knee. Cameron

making a genuine attempt going to the ball. Torres knee going against

his, perhaps, just as much. The ball through to Willian. Salah on the

right. Bed lum in the box. That's Salah! Scores again. Chelsea

have had to to be patient and work their way through to that opening.

Finally, lashed home by Salah. That justified his place in the team. All

on his own to get himself set. He didn't have spank it. Begovic got a

leg to it, not enough to keep it out. Salah did really well. Chelsea

1, Stoke City 0. Chelsea fans have found their voice. Ivanovic, 2-0.

Oh, no, the flag is up. That has been noticed by everybody inside the

ground, to general you are mum you ares -- -- mummurs of disapproval.

Crouch let Adam take over. Here's Cahill. Salah.

Schurrle is down, after getting the worst of a 50/50 challenge with

Charlie Adam. I think Adam won the ball. Then his boot goes through

onto that of Schurrle. Was that a naughty one? It was a painful one.

Here's Torres. The ball went back to Salah, who is

taken out. It will be a Chelsea penalty. Andy Wilkinson coming in.

The only argument with Stoke players are with their own full-back. They

are the only arguments they can have. Wrong decision. Didn't need to

go in like that. Salah down, Chelsea with a chance to take this game

further away from Stoke. Frank Lampard from the penalty spot.

Interesting that it's Lampard, not Hazard. He has his effort saved, but

he is there for the follow-up. I wonder how his heart was beating in

the half or second or so before hitting the ball first time and

second time. Too close to Begovic. He made a good save because it was

coming at him quickly. He is unlucky, of all the places for the

ball to rebound back to. Lampard scores in the end. Chelsea have

their second. It looks as though, at least temporarily, they are going

back to the top of the tree. Chelsea 2, Stoke City 0. Willian missed the

ball. He looks down accusingly at the pitch. Which looks pretty

perfect. A chance here. The he couldn't control it. What a chance

that was. Look at the room he has. It's the right ball for him. He

couldn't get it down, kill it and finish it. It sounds easy when you

put it like that. A wry smile on the face of Mark Hughes, what does he

do, throw everything in now? Chelsea can break here. The might be four on

four if they can move it quickly enough. Salah, Willian. Matic round

the outside here. Willian, down the middle. What a glorious goal.

Wonderfully well taken by Willian. It's the first one he has netted at

Stamford Bridge. Following goals and wins at Southampton and Norwich.

This one has absolutely made sure of the win today. Stoke were slow to

get back. Willian, he just shifted the ball so neatly. Clever run from

Matic. Shawcross not close enough to stop the shot from Willian. Begovic

was never going to stop it. So precisely was it struck. Chelsea 3,

Stoke City 0. It will be a free-kick. He is

lifting his shirt up to point to the referee exactly where the studs made

contact. Adams not happy with that bit of grassing. It was high. Around

the rib cage. The words go on. All that is left for Chelsea is to keep

another clean sheet. It would be eight at home in a row. They haven't

conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge since 9th January when Hernandez

scored in a 3-0 win against Manchester United. Ivanovic turns

the ball away. Pieters is far from happy about the

challenge on him. Look at the way that that right boot was dangling.

He is over the top of the ball, straight into the shin of Pieters.

He whacks him on the head for good measure. Clearly still angered from

the high boot on his chest. Which is a little bit in the search of the

confidence. After that, after 10-15 minutes, the first half was very

good. We finished the first half winning 1-0, it could be obviously

more. We need players playing to their maximum when you come to

places like Stamford Bridge. Today we had too many not quite at the

level they needed to be to cause Chelsea enough problems. Another

smile milestone in your career, 250 club career goals for West Ham and

Chelsea combined? I had forgotten about that. I hadn't scored for a

while. I knew I was close. A nice round figure, a big figure, I

wouldn't have dreamed getting near that when I started off playing

professional football. It's nice. You said the title was impossible.

You are back to the top this week? Again same story, matches in hand. I

don't know if after our last match against Cardiff, I don't know if

City have to play another match before that. I don't know. Maybe

they have one more match to play after that. I think things were done

in a way where... Also the teams from the bottom of the league. You

know, you look to Sunderland and you look to Fulham, Cardiff, Swansea,

the teams that are there and not all of them have the same number of

matches. In the league with these expression I think it's quite a

difficult thing to accept. All play 38 in the end. Willian came in there

for Chelsea. He was pretty much their star man, wasn't he? He will

be pleased to know I'm informed that Scolari was in the stand? There was

no Oscar or Hazard. He went with Salah, will Yann and Schurrle.

Willian was exceptional. He worked hard, won the ball back in good

areas. Trying to put Torres through there. His industry and workrate

today was fantastic. I know, when he played against Man City you were

impressed with him. Mostly you look at him and you see a gifted player.

The work he puts in for his team. He causes a lots of trouble, not just

because of his skills, he was working so hard for his team. You

know, I will always have respect for players that can combine the two

like he does. You can see the way he moves his feet. This was a warning

shot for stroke. Decent save. Look how quick his feet are here. The way

he shifts the ball onto his right, one touch, great finish. Delightful

finish that one? Very, very good player. I agree. One or two strong

challenges in that game that could, on Noro caution, perhaps, have seen

the colour red? Yeah, I mean, personally I think it depends. It

depends. If the intention is to injure someone, then of course. The

in this case, for me, it's a hard challenge, it's not a malicious one.

I think you can never forget why people watch the Premier League it

is because challenges can be hard. That is high. On another day it

might be a yellow card. Honest challenge. Strong challenge. The

worse challenge of the lot. Over the ball, though? It's an honest

challenge. I would say a yellow card. Look at the Rodriguez

incident, sometimes it's not the challenges who cause the worst

industries. -- injuries. We hope it's not too bad for him. It's a

contact sport, we must accept that sometimes. I thought you might say

that. Strong defender. You can see the graphic there:

A huge game at Liverpool. We are fully preparing for that game.

Different styles, but the same philosophy, trying to score goals,

so I presume an entertaining game for everyone. It will be

open-ended, both of you score so many goals it will be hard to see

that one... We have seen one or two big games this season, there has

been a fear of losing but we don't expect that next week. It is hard to

predict because there is so much at stake with this game. The reality is

room -- we remember the game at the Etihad and for me the strongest team

we have played this season, but then again it is a great, great challenge

for us. Playing against Suarez in particular has been breathtaking at

times this season. It must be tough. Any special plans? And Sturridge,

Gerrard, they have a great squad and they have not had bad luck but we

need to be wary of their players. Have Liverpool surprised you this

season, that they are so close to it considering they finished well down?

No, not at all because reminding our strongest part of the season when we

won the lead was when we had no competitions to play in and

Liverpool, they have been exempted and they have been constant. It

makes them very dangerous. All the players are fit and quality players.

Jose Mourinho plays it down and writes his side off but we know he

does not mean that. They are still in there, aren't they, Chelsea? They

have a decent run in. Very much. If I was in Chelsea's position I would

still believe in it so I cannot believe the Chelsea players don't

think they can still do is, especially having to go to Anfield.

But that is good, it is a good league. It will be up to the wire, I

think. A big game, next week. It is huge but City have to go to Everton.

Chelsea go to Crystal Palace, losing, if City go to Liverpool and

when they could go to Everton and limbs. To the wire, so we suspect,

and hope, if neutral. At the other end of the table it is two wins in

12 league will Solskjaer since joining Cardiff, who began the day

three points from safety. Crystal Palace boosted their chances by

Bruce -- beating Chelsea. John Roder was at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Wilfried Zaha joint aged ten, today he is aiming to beat the club where

he made his name. Joe Ledley, born in Cardiff, was with the Bluebirds

from the age of nine. He likes Saha is up against his old club for the

first time. Palace are unchanged as they look to open up a significant

gap over the bottom three. Plenty at stake for both managers this

afternoon. That will go out for the first

corner of the afternoon. Delaney and Dunne have both come forward for

Crystal Palace, to try to get on the end of the first corner of the

match. Not the best of shots from the South

African international. Look at the space that the Palace midfielder has

full stop nobody at all had picked him out. Tony Pulis has never been

relegated in his managerial career. A win here will go a long way to

preserving that record for another season.

In towards Campbell, just pushed away to safety by Speroni. The final

touch may have come off Crystal Palace defender, before Speroni had

to make the stock. Cardiff asked for their fans to be loud, vocal and

passion at this afternoon and that is exactly what they are doing. --

passionate. The defender missed it and Campbell,

as he was slipping, got attached to the ball. A nice touch on from

Caulker. No harm in the end for Crystal Palace.

Jason Puncheon. Palace in front. That could be a crucial goal to

determine the destiny of both of these clubs, come the end of the

season. Jason Puncheon gets his fourth goal of the season.

A huge blow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Daehli, goes down in the area. Phil Dowd had a good view of that and

immediately said, no penalty. Cardiff are outraged. Daehli here,

trying to get the shot in under the challenge of Dicko Gori. You can see

the referee's position. -- the challenge of Dicko Gori.

Trying to find a way past. Cardiff get the decisions.

Noone looks to take this corner quickly.

Speroni does not quite get there. Crystal Palace able to scramble it

away. Unfortunately for Cardiff, they

can't guide it towards goal. Jerome, pulled back by Medel. There

will be a caution for the Chilean. A little talk back there. Jason

Puncheon stands behind him. His goal the difference between these two

sides so far. A second for Crystal Palace would surely decide this much

in their favour. Ledley, and the Foerder -- the former Cardiff man

turns it in from close range and out of respect for his home city club,

list club where he started his career, he does not celebrate.

Marshall with the initial save to deny Chamakh, but Ledley could not

miss from there and when the goal was confirmed nothing in the way of

celebration. Class act from Joe Ledley. Crystal Palace look certain

to be relegated before the arrival of Tony Pulis, this win will give

them a massive amount of breathing space above the bottom three, if

they can hold onto the advantage that they have. Time running out for

Cardiff. The final touch was offered Palace defender. It was Delaney who

flicked it behind for a corner. Bellamy to take.

The header is just wide. Half a chance for Campbell.

Puncheon, that is a brilliant goal from Jason Puncheon. It has sealed

victory for Crystal Palace and if the signal for Cardiff fans to get

up out of their seats and leave. He got Palace on their way with the

first-half goal. Cardiff City have been well and

truly beaten in a match that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer labelled as, must

win. We played really well against Chelsea last week but could we

follow it up? We didn't want this to be after the Lord Mayor's show. We

did pretty well, then dropped and Cardiff got is a little bit and put

pressure on us but the second half we played fantastic. Even the people

who came on, we are all in this together and it is a fantastic three

points. To get a clean sheep is a fantastic job. When I came into the

football club with they were shipping goals and we had to make

sure we sorted it out first to keep us in games. We have worked very

hard on the system and the shape of the team. They have picked it up

very well. I ran out of ideas, how to break them down. We lacked some

belief towards the end. But that is part of football. It has been a

tough season but we will start again next week and see if we can produce

a miracle that we need. It is starting to look like miracles now.

We talk about six pointers but this was almost more. With that kind of

result Crystal Palace have pretty much safe and Cardiff, pretty much

down. Cardiff went to West Brom, Palace beat Chelsea 1-0 at home so

who wanted it more today? You are thinking Cardiff at home, on the

front foot, let's win this game, but they were shocking will stop let's

not if -- forget, Palace have only scored six goals on the road all

season. They scored three today. Cardiff in a relegation battle, one

of them should go tighter. Puncheon, so much space. He has got to throw

himself in front of it, try to stop the shot, Mutch as well. Look at

Jones, he has dropped so deep there, weighing everybody onside. A free

header the six yard line, Ledley follows in. Ledley makes the run,

Taylor has to block him off. It is a feeble effort to stop him. Caulker

tries to react. Turner thinks he is offside, Jones is playing him on. I

have to stick up for the defenders here in the sense that you have the

whole team that has to defend the set piece. The striker comes in,

maybe not ice used to defend us to do that. As soon as he drops he

plays everyone onside and it becomes very difficult. Well played by

Crystal Palace. This is the third goal, 88th minute. The players are

thinking, get me off the pitch. A poor effort to stop the ball. What

is Alan Shearer doing at Cardiff? You are turning into Alan Hansen

because that was a special goal and you did not give Puncheon any credit

whatsoever. Palace after last week took it and they performed

brilliantly. Euless has done an unbelievable job. They are well

organised, well drilled. A team that does not concede goals has a chance

to win games. Someone like Tony Pulis with the job he has done at

Crystal Palace, it does not generally happen, the title of

Manager of the Year, but the job he has done, he must be a contender? It

is phenomenal. You would have said, who is going down? Crystal Palace

would be number one. Now they look as difficult as any team to play

against. For the long-term it is good because next year is going to

be difficult if they stay in the Premier League but the way they play

at the moment, they look like a stable Premier League. Three games

down, four more still to come. Bottom of the table Fulham have had

as many managers as away victories this season. They travelled to take

on an Aston Villa side, who knew a win would all but secured their

place in the Premier League next season. John Motson was at Villa

Park. Grant Holt makes only his second start. He is in place of

Benteke, whose snapped Achilles tendon will keep him out for several

months. What makes things worse for Villa today is that bails-macro has

a calf strain. Then it comes in at left back. There is a recall upfront

for 19-year-old Woodrow, with a new Greek striker, Mitroglou, still not

fit. Fulham have got a poor record away to Aston Villa. They have not

won win the league at Villa Park for 41 years.

It was Bacuna who looked like he would go through the lot. Here comes

the second. He has beaten him too. Good save. Stockdale gets a lot of

credit low down. All of a sudden, Fulham are away and through. A real

slip there. Woodrow was through, on his own. Guzan, not for the first

time this season, comes to Aston Villa's rescue. Woodrow, time to

line the shot up. Guzan, an expert when it comes to saving those, I

must say. That's on the chest of Holt. It was

nicely done. He's got Bacuna in here. Weimann is waiting. Bacuna has

hit the post. That's the nearest Villa have come. Set up by Holt.

Given space by Fulham. Really, they should have closed him down quicker.

It was a good effort too, it had power in it. Well played Stockdale.

He has Riether down his right side. It has gone beyond him. Richardson.

Oh, Richardson. Fulham have taken the lead, Kieran Richardson... 61

minutes. The Fulham fans still have belief. That move, across the pitch,

had Villa retreating and never getting near the ball. Fulham moved

it across, once, twice, then Richardson hit it with his left

foot. What a screamer by Kieran Richardson. The goalkeeper, as good

as Guzan, gets nowhere near it. Aston Villa 0, Fulham 1. It's a long

way to go yet though. Is Well Villa have snatched the

corner here. They very badly need a lift at the moment. Vlaar and Baker.

Holt is there too. Is oh, that was Holt. It's gone in!

Grant Holt has equalised and scored his first goal for Aston Villa,

after exactly 70 minutes. Nathan Baker and Vlaar were taking away the

attention of the Fulham defenders, not so easy now for Felix. Grant

Holt on-loan from Wigan. I don't think Weimann got a touch. It goes

past Richardson on the line. That's 1-1 at Villa Park. How long did the

Fulham lead last? 9 minutes. This is Dejagah for Fulham. He has Rodallega

on the go here. Holtby. saviour. Oh, it's close. It's the

nearest I've seen this season to the goal-line technology being so mighty

close. Good save, Stockdale! Oh,

beautifully saved by Stockdale. Westwood, given away. Holtby.

And it's in! Rodallega. They've gone back in front, Fulham, it's

Rodallega, with his first Premier League goal of the season. Oh, what

drama here at the Villa Park. Fulham are in front for the second time. An

extraordinary state of affairs. It's a flicked header, across the

goalkeeper, that beats Guzan. Rodallega's flick. Oh... In the

corner. Aston Villa are behind again at home. Look at the joy there on

the Fulham faces. Can they yet survive relegation? I'm very proud

of my team today because it was great victory. It was very important

for us and very important for us that we were in front, got the

equaliser, then we come back and score the victory. And, that's very,

very important victory for us. I don't think there was too much in

it. We had chances ourselves. Fulham had chances. Really open game. Great

strike. We get back into the game. Chances to go and make it 2-1 up. I

mean, we can't defend like that and expect to come away with it. If you

live to be 100 you may not strike too many better than that one. It

set the tone for what proved to be a big day for you? Yeah. It's good

scoring a goal, that way as well. The main thing is we got the three

points today. I thought we deserved it. We have a big game next week

against Norwich. Hopefully, we can win that game. I think it was

significant for the rest of the Premier League, for all the people

they didn't count on us. Now, they know we are back. Yeah, a vital win.

Fulham have used 38 players in the Premier League this season. Which is

a record actually since the Premier League inceptions. They have found

11 that work. Yeah. A huge win for them? The goal from Richardson was

outstanding. They have conceded 74 goals already in the Premier League

this season. Ridiculous amount. They have to score two or three goals a

game. This is a life line? It's a great strike from Richardson. What a

strike. Outside his left foot, into the top corner. The second goal was

a great ball in from Holtby. Yeah. I mean, if you are being difficult you

can always say - maybe the defence drops a bit too early. It's a short

cross, a great flick on. Credit to exactly... Rodallega. Credit to

Fulham. This is goal-line technology. This is one millimetre

this ball must be not crossing the line. It's on the line. Great

clearing, look at that. I love goal-line technology. I think

technology should be more part of football. We should be able to look

at the game against Southampton and say it's an offside not a goal. We

need to use the technology. Three appeals Perseid, where do you stop?

It's possibility. It's habit. Give the players rules, we will get used

to it. Aston Villa perspective, they are missing Benteke, they will be

missing for Belgium in the World Cup, huge blow for yourself as well?

He has been prolific for us. He was one of the star players of the

campaign. Without him we wouldn't have qualified as comfortable as we

have done for the World Cup. You know, we are thinking of him right

now and hoping that he will get back to full fitness very soon. I know he

will come visit us, he is still there. A real shame for him. West

Brom began the day three points above the drop zone and three points

behind a Norwich side who've kept five clean sheets in their last six

home games. Martin Fisher was at Carrow Road.

five clean sheets in their last six home games. Martin Unbeaten in six

games here, Norwich restore Gary Hooper to their starting line-up,

without a goal since Boxing Day, he did score in their win at West Brom

in December. Albion have their captain Olsson back from suspension.

It's the same team that started last week against Cardiff. James Morrison

keeps his place. One win in 10 games for Pepe Mel. He hoped their win at

Swansea would provide a flat form for a confident surge away from the

danger zone, not so. Nice turn. Here is the Frenchman. Sidenetting. A

real blast from Amalfitano. West Bromwich Albion have sold all of

their allocation for this game. Over 2,500 are here. The club provided

free coach travel for 2,000 of those supporters. Ridgewell galloping

forward now for West Brom. Nudged in the back by Snodgrass, not so

according to Mark Clattenburg. Good vision to pick out Snodgrass. It

will come for Elmander. He should have done so much better than that.

He has only scored once in the Premier League since arriving

on-loan for the season from Galatasaray. For a man of his

pedigree, he really should be testing Foster there. Best chance of

the game so far by some distance. Good challenge by Sessegnon. That's

a good pass too to pick out Morrison. Mulumbu. Amalfitano.

Amalfitano getting the shot in. A beautiful goal. His second strike in

a week, and didn't he take it well? It's the first goal from open play

Norwich have conceded here since Danny Welbeck scored here in late

December. How significant does the slip by Martin Olsson. Dorrans

started it, Morrison moved it on. Mulumbu found Amalfitano. Here is

the slip. There is the shot. Ruddy is beat. There's the slip from

Olsson. Over committed himself. It's through the legs of Bassong. Ruddy

had no chance. Amalfitano only came back a week ago, against Cardiff,

scored a beauty in that one. That is a cracker too. Can they use that to

get all three points, that is the question. Norwich have only lost

four times at home this season. That's fewer than Manchester United

and Spurs in front of their supporters. Hoolahan.

Albion, again, closing down so well. Now, looking to spring the counter

with Vydra. Good block by Ruddy. Really threatening counter-attack

from West Brom. Ruddy prevents for Norwich from going two behind. Three

players running forward here. Dorrans is not required, Sessegnon

back to Vydra, hitting the target. Nice height for Ruddy. It need

saving. Norwich can ill afford to go two behind here.

Elmander! What a save, Ben Foster. That's the first real save the

Albion keeper has been forced to make. It's one out of the top

drawer. The front two of Norwich linking superbibly. The flick on

from Hooper. Elmander's header was going into the corner. Foster

produces an excellent stop. Norwich City have struggled for goals this

season. Only Crystal Palace have scored fewer than their tally of 26.

Snodgrass. Clipped by Mulumbu. Mulumbu, full of remorse, and also

concerned by how much damage Snodgrass has done to his head here

in the fall. Just fell on top of him, didn't he. Snodgrass will take,

Bassong, Elmander trying to get in round the back of West Brom. That is

Bassong. It might drop for Yobo. Now Hooper, against the bar! It was Gary

Hooper, fed bio by Yobo. They are getting closer Norwich, better from

the home side. Hoolahan, Snodgrass, quickly closed down by Morrison. A

free-kick has been given. You can see what Morrison thinks of that

decision. Trying to steal it off Snodgrass. There is the contact.

West Brom absorbing quite a bit of pressure at the start of this

second-half. Snodgrass looks like he will go for goal here.

He has done. He's hit the bar as well. Almost exactly the same spot

where Hooper hit it less than a minute ago. Foster might have got a

touch to this. I think he has. Was it dropping in? Certainly needed the

touch from Ben Foster. It's a good stop.

They have had a bit of luck in the second half but overall you could

argue that Pepe Mel's team don't deserve all three points. Well

organised and resilient throughout. Two minutes of the four added time.

Ruddy saves. Morrison threw for Berahino, the two did not see eye

for eye a week ago, almost fashioning the crucial second goal.

His team have not been at their best today, with a very difficult last

four claims of the season to come. The first 50 minutes, strong,

compact, solid, because Norwich had a different team, this strong team,

but today West Brom were very good. We did not show enough quality

today. We considered the poor girl early enough in the game to give

them a lift. They dropped deep behind the ball and allowed us to

have a fair passage and periods of possession and if that is the case

you have to use it better. I thought at times we were too loose with our

passing. If you are going to walk the ball into the final third to

create chances, you have to be better on the ball than what we were

today. It is important with today's winter drag a few more teams into

the relegation battle. It will be tight but hopefully we will stay up.

I think we are on the up. We have seven points from the last four

games, so we are in good shape and looking forward to the last six

games. The supporters today were not happy. Can you understand their

anxiety and reaction to some of the misplaced passages -- passes during

the passages of play? I can understand their right variety and

frustration. We have to accept criticisms and I am going to accept

criticisms I have on a day like today. Criticism is one thing,

throwing things at managers is another. West Brom have turned

things around, they -- the game was vital to both teams. When they are

looking for Sudbury to step up to the plane, Amalfitano, 18 games

without a goal, last week he scored a fantastic goal against Cardiff, a

great finish. I think he means that. Today, he comes up with a

winner. That is a good tackle, Norwich fans might complain but he

gets himself in a good position and gets the winner. He fires the pocket

between the defenders and the midfield, it is quality. You need

those players to step up in those moments and it can mean a lot to the

season of West Brom, the way they will finish it. Especially when you

fight for your life. We can look at the bottom five as it stands at

present. There is a bit of a gap there.

You can see the importance of the win for Fulham. Norwich have to go

to Fulham next week, a crucial game for both teams and especially

Norwich. Norwich's last four games, Liverpool United -- Liverpool,

United, Chelsea, Arsenal, they have to get something up Fulham. You have

experienced matches where you play against teams fighting for their

lives, you have to deal with in the title race, games mean so much.

There are no easy games any more. You look at the fixtures and we go,

we have to go to Liverpool, but the reality is playing Norwich, Fulham

or Crystal Palace, for example, it is not a given. It is not a gift.

All those games have to be played. There will be a lot of surprises

from here at the end of the season. It is not fair to ask you which

three teams will go down. Do you think Fulham perhaps? Sunderland,

Cardiff and Norwich, I really do, Norwich will go. We shall see, they

have a tough close to the season. A big game next week. Goal of the

month is back on Match Of The Day 2 and it is not a bad one.

Beauties, but I know my winner. It is also a big day in terms of the

top four. Everton take on Arsenal, Liverpool travel to West Ham. Match

Of The Day 2 Extra will preview it all. Following us, it is Manish. You

might want to stick around for tonight's offering, as we find out

whether Championship leaders Leicester could secure their return

to Match Of The Day. Our feature game sees Harry Redknapp's

competitive game at Bournemouth. Clem has been to Nottingham Forest,

who have plenty to play for before Stuart Pearce takes charge in the

summer. Join us if you can after Match Of The Day. Otherwise we are

on the iPlayer all week. We have plenty more sport this weekend on

the BBC. Great Britain's tennis Davis Cup quarterfinal against

Italy. We have a belief Challenge Cup action, Huddersfield take on St

Helens. And don't forget, the Boat Race BBC One from 4:30pm. Manchester

United's draw with Bayern Munich brought a smile to David Moyes' Boat

Race. The hosts were seeking a first top-flight double over United since

1931. At St James' Park was Steve Bower.

Alan Pardew makes three changes, a recall for Dan Gosling, who starts a

Premier League game for the second time for Newcastle against the

manager who gave him his first top-flight opportunity at Everton.

No Rooney, Van Persie Welbeck, Van Persie Orwell back for Manchester

United, so the scoring responsibility falls on Hernandez,

who starts a league game for the fifth time all season as David Moyes

makes eight changes from the midweek Champions League quarterfinal.

It was towards Hernandez, good defending by Williamson. No wonder

there is a thumbs up for the delivery from the Mexican.

Williamson in the right place at the right time.

Appeals for hands, and it has been given. Definitely hit his arm. Alan

Pardew's second game back, and allowed in the stadium. Two more

games where he has to sit up above. He is reunited with Kevin Friend,

the referee who dismissed him for the headbutt on Hull's David Meyler.

Fellaini was late, a free kick to Newcastle. Elliott to take it. It is

aimed towards Williamson. Cisse. Turned over by Lindegaard.

The closest we have come to breaking the deadlock so far.

Gosling with the foul on Fellaini. Gosling, a little frustrated at the

way Kevin Friend has interpreted that.

He appeared to put his arm across Gosling.

Kevin Friend says that is a man just United free kick. Dan Gosling the

offender. Mata did well with the challenge from Tiote and Gosling

came in and did not get the ball, he got the man. There is a four man

wall. Mata and Januzaj other contenders, it is Mata and it is 1-0

Manchester United! He follows up his first goal for the club last weekend

at Aston Villa with a free kick at St James' Park.

That is inch perfect. A beautiful execution.

Williamson goes to ground. A real chance for Hernandez. He could not

take it and that is a let off for Newcastle. Less than two minutes

before half-time, with the opportunity to double Manchester

United's advantage, credit to Kagawa. Hernandez opened his body.

You thought there was only one result. That was the high foot that

Newcastle on Williamson were pointing to. Unbeaten in 14 games

when they have scored first. Ice-cool, 2-0. A fabulous finish

from Mata. Two for the Spaniard, two for Manchester United inside the

first five minutes of the second half. It was untidy from

Newcastle's point of view there. A bad touch from Coloccini, latched

upon by Kagawa. Real composure, in the end a simple

finish to roll it into the back of the net. His team have lost five of

their last seven league games here. 3-0 Manchester United! Hernandez

with the third. Newcastle caught flat-footed. Hernandez with his

ninth of the season. His fourth in the Premier League. Kagawa at the

heart of it. Cisse, beaten away by Lindegaard.

Twice, the Dane has been asked the question of the Manchester United

goal today and twice he has had the answer.

Cisse, a tremendous save by Lindegaard. He keeps his clean sheet

in tax. That was a fantastic point-blank save to deny Papiss

Cisse. But UCAS -- to deny Papiss Cisse a Newcastle consolation. Those

supporters enjoyed watching Manchester United away from home

this season. This will be their 10th away win on the road, the best away

record in the Premier League. Januzaj! A wonderful goal. It rounds

off a clinical Manchester United performance.

Mata has scored as well, he provided this one with an audacious touch

which was calmly rolled hole by Januzaj. It is the perfect tonic for

Manchester United ahead of that huge Champions League challenge up and

coming for David Moyes and his team. Despite the difficulties and you

have had the away form has been amazing hasn't it? Yes, we have

tried to turn it into good format old Trafford but away from home we

played well today and picked up another three points. We have to...

It is a pleasure to play. A quality player, we connect very well. We

tried to move and pass and today, we really enjoyed it on the pitch. The

fans voiced their anger at the end the lot left early. You must share

their huge frustration? We are desperate to get another three

points, Erwin, a goal and unfortunately it is not happening at

the moment. Desperately poor at the moment, 11 goals in the last three

games that Newcastle have conceded. Let's look at Manchester United,

much more positive. Mata playing well and scoring goals? He was

brilliant. We stored -- we thought he started at the number ten

position, he was all over the place. 85 touches, the most on the pitch.

He was a different class, his free kick absolutely brilliant. This set

him off and in that role today he was unplayable. Yes, it makes sense

because you want your best players to be on the ball as much as you can

and when they are on the ball they make things happen. You can see

clearly today, I did know if it is confidence, but he looks like a

world-class player. The biggest problem David Moyes has is if they

are all fit, Van Persie, Rooney, Mata, they can't play in the same

team. One has to be left out. Despite all their problems this

season, away from home they have been okayed, Vincent. I am sure you

are sympathetic that they have struggled so much, this season? Yes,

look, you build your season usually on your home form, I think and then

away, you can clearly see that if they had comparable home form as

they did away, they would have been in the top four comfortably but

ultimately I think it is a transition period for them and I am

not surprised, obviously for us it is good because at the moment it

leads -- leaves a bit of space at the top.

Elbows flying around from Fellaini? I think this is a yellow card. What

would you describe that as? A forearm, trying to hold him off.

Someone might say it's a forearm smash. I think that is a yellow

card. The one against Manchester City, I think was a definite red.

That, is an elbow. That should have been off. Today was a yellow. I

don't know why you are looking a the me for! He's my Belgian team-mate. I

said before, I stick by my team-mates. We will let you off that

one. Hull were level on points with

Swansea going into today's meeting at the KC Stadium, with both sides

knowing defeat could see them dragged back into the relegation

dogfight. Commentary by Alistair Mann.

knowing defeat could see them dragged back into the With neither

of the pair eligible for next week's FA Cup semi-final, Jelavic and Shane

Long can focus their efforts on league points. Their addition in the

January transfer window has been pivotal in the clubs route towards

safety. Two changes, include Boyd after his three-match ban. Swansea

are unchanged. Garry Monk wants the Dutch loanee to sign permanently. He

believes he should be given a first international call-up. A fixture

which has been played in all four divisions of the football league and

seems likely to be a Premier League dual for another year at least. Boyd

brings in Figueroa. A good ball in. A terrific start to

deny Long. Vorm, right in front of Shane Long. An excellent stop.

Really good ball in. Figueroa, delivering what he felt was the

assist for the opening goal. The Michel Vorm with a terrific stop.

They are one away from staying up. Livermore, on towards Long. A good

ball. Well taken by Long, now Boyd. Who hits it low. You felt that

Michel Vorm always should save it. Indeed he did. Again, an effort on

target from Hull. Again, Michel Vorm with the save.

Away by Shelvey, De Guzman. Here is Routledge. Goalkeeper is off his

line. He made up his mind to chip. It was the right decision. Routledge

didn't get underneath it. It was an easy gather for Steve Harper. The

Steve Bruce with a great deal more managerial experience than his

opposite number. That a bizarre moment. Flores almost picked up

Shane Long. A piggyback. Is it the left boot of Figueroa or the right

boot of Jelavic, that's what he has to decide. It's Jelavic. Michel Vorm

applauds the wall in front of him. Suggesting that they had done their

job and made it almost impossible for Jelavic getting it up-and-down.

Here's Rosenior. Good cross in from Rosenior. Boyd! The cross from the

right hand side and turned into the net by Boyd. It was simplicity

itself, wasn't it? The marking of Swansea City has to be questioned.

Once it went into the area, George Boyd stole in and headed it beyond

the reach of Michel Vorm. He was just more courageous than Rangel. In

the 39th minute, George Boyd puts Hull City in front and celebrates

his return after a three-match ban, with a goal.

Bony, Shelvey. Harper gathers it. Shelvey, with the shot on target.

Harper with the stop, just a momentarily loss of possession. It

was only momentarily. He will believe that the amount of

possession they have had that Swansea ought to be on level terms.

Possession has not led to golden opportunities so far for Swansea.

Meyler, Figueroa. Shelvey with the interception, on towards Routledge.

Holds off Figueroa. Still with Routledge. Tee it is into the path

of Dyer! Oh, it was the best chance Swansea have had. That is the

reaction of a man who knows it. This was a clear opportunity, Routledge

saw Dyer arriving. I suppose, you could call that a scuff more than

anything. He has a trip to Wembley to look forward to as the Chairman

of Hull City. First things first though...

Hernandez, wriggled his way out of trouble then, not for the first time

afternoon, a Swansea player dragging his shot horribly wide. He made the

shooting position himself, then the technique was sadly lacking. A huge

win in the context of where we are in the season against a fella team

who is in and around us. You know, we have done enough to win the game.

I think we have showed a side of us which we will all along a resilience

amongst them and a determination to get something. They have done it

again today. I don't think we did enough today. First half very poor.

Too many sloppy balls. Too many touches on the ball. We didn't get a

of mo. In we allowed them. It was a pretty poor game, to be honest with

you. I don't think there was much in it between the two teams. I expected

better from our side. You have a week to prepare for one of the

biggest games of the club's history? A fantastic time to be at the club.

We can go there full of confidence and enjoy, it as I say. Hopefully,

our Premiership status is secured. Week for George Boyd and Hull up to

12th in the table, semi-final and a vital win? Yeah. The player said it,

it's a great season for them. Look at this. Old school cross, backing

off into the striker. Gives him a chance of a beautiful leap. It was a

good goal. Steve Bruce has done a terrific job. Coming up is never

easy, especially that first season? 36 points that is safe in the

Premier League. Security there. FA Cup semi-final. He has done a

remarkable job. They are almost there. I think it's enough. We are

just about out of time. Robbie, thank you very much. Vincent great

to see you. Good luck for the rest of the season. Thank you. Thank you

for coming in. Now a look at the Premier League table:

Chelsea have moved one point clear at the top, but they've played a

game more than Liverpool. Manchester City have two games in hand on the

leaders, and are just two points shy of the summit.Manchester United have

risen above Tottenham into sixth. Sunderland are now propping up the

pile, though they've still got eight games to play and travel to

Tottenham on Monday. Cardiff have slumped to 19th, but Fulham lifted

themselves off the bottom with that vital win at Villa. Norwich replace

West Brom just above the drop zone after losing to the Baggies. May I

welcome Leicester City to the Premiership. In the Sunday Express

talks of PSG trying to land Eden Hazard.

The Mail on Sunday: The Sunday Times, will try to lure Luis Suarez

to Manchester City. So that's it, Manchester City remain

favourites, but they've got company. Goodbye.