07/05/2014 Match of the Day

What a result for Liverpool. Steven Gerrard, the captain, slipped. It

might be a 3-way race. Manchester City are still masters of their own

fate. Liverpool have the lead. On the way to moving three points

clear. That was beautiful. Crystal Palace have one back. It is 3-3.

Unless there is a huge change around in this unpredictable season,

Liverpool will know this is the night the title was lost. The

coronation of the 2014 Premier League champions is five days away.

After the events of the last ball weeks, the title is now Manchester

City's to lose. -- four. The clash with Aston Villa is another main

event of a huge night. Sunderland are seeking a point against West

Bromwich Albion to save them and relegates Norwich. We also have

action from yesterday's match between Manchester United and Hull.

And there is the save of the season. Only one place to start. At

Manchester City, to see if they could take a big step towards the

title with a win over Aston Villa. Steve Wilson, your commentator.

It should be a case of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts. Manchester

City make two changes. Sergio Aguero is injured, replaced by David Silva.

Gael Clichy makes wafer Aleksandar Kolarov. Gabby Agbonlahor has an

injury. Jordan Bowery starting for the first time since a defeat at

Bournemouth. Manchester City have lost three of the last 66 home

league games. A win and draw from the next two, and the title is back.

league games. A win and draw from Aston Villa are one of the teams who

have beaten Manchester City this season.

That was a good run Delph realised Milner was behind him

in the nick of time. Kolarov, it was his run that

troubles the Kolarov, it was his run that

after Dzeko got They were queueing up in the middle.

Yaya Toure, that was a tremendous save.

Yaya Toure, that was a tremendous to deny him.

That was a great ball. It could have City

That was a great ball. It could have on anywhere but ended up in the

blogs of the keeper. -- gloves. Another good ball in by Kolarov with

real pace. Good reactions by Guzan. It has been a difficult season for

Paul Lambert. Good possession from Aston Villa,

the longest spell of possession in the game, I would guess.

Jordan Bowery with the volley. They found room and a way to threaten

Manchester City. He was definitely onside. The ball found Jordan

Bowery, but he could not find the contact he was looking for. It was

not easy. The shouts of, come on, Manchester City, have a sense of

desperation about them. Blocked by Vlaar. Aston Villa were

convinced there should have been a flag, but it stayed down. When it

came to David Silva, a little drive. The fans thinking why can't they not

roll over and let us win? They have nothing to play for.

James Milner, it was wide. A great chance. That was their best chance

of the half. In the second minute of added time stop Samir Nasri, he

really had to score. That was a big chance missed for Manchester City.

But behind by Vlaar for a Manchester City corner, their first of the

second half. Vincent Kompany was onside. The

captain with an overhead kick, 12 yards out. He made some contact with

it, but not enough to divert the ball away from Guzan. I am sure he

would have made certain at half-time he did not betray his

would have made certain at half-time he is feeling any. He would have

done everything to transmit faith and confidence.

It is a free kick. Delph thought he had won that cleanly. The referee

had a good view of it. I am not sure there was much to be gained Aston

Villa by Delph making the challenge. Delph gets the first yellow card of

the game. That was well hit by Kolarov. It was

a great left foot. Guzan took no chances.

It adds to the drama the fact that it is pouring down.

Zabaleta. Edin Dzeko. 1-0. Dzeko is the man on the spot for Manchester

City. They stride towards the Premier League ground. In pouring,

miserable Manchester rain. Manchester City, jubilate shouldn't.

Edin Dzeko with the goal. Aston Villa are run -- undone. Zabaleta

has never stopped probing down that side.

The mood has changed. The anxiety has gone. For the first time, just a

hint of a sense of celebration. Zabaleta again in that position.

That was brilliantly done. 2-0. Edin Dzeko, again. From yet another

Zabaleta Cross, from yet another run from the right-hand side. Guzan stop

the first, he could not stop the second. Manchester City, they almost

have two hands on that trophy. Unfortunate, Guzan, a pinball

between his Unfortunate, Guzan, a pinball

the path of Edin Dzeko. Another close range finish to knock the

stuffing out of Aston Villa. close range finish to knock the

about maintaining composure now. Paul Lambert, shouting instructions

to Ashley Westwood. It came down off the bar and Weimann thought he had

scored. He has not. It was a great header back across goal.

3-0. Jovetic. Manchester City heading to the title. They just need

one more point to seal it. Stevan Jovetic, slamming

one more point to seal it. Stevan Then 99th league goal of the

season, the same tally as Liverpool. Crucially, over the course of the

season, Manchester City have conceded fewer. They go into the

final game of the season with 18 point lead. --

Yaya Toure, running through the heart of the defence. What a run and

what a goal, what a player, Manchester City four, Aston Villa

nil. That goal is richly deserved. Yaya Toure. Under stoppable --

Unstoppable. Power and pace and grace and a finish. It was a

fantastic goal. That is very nearly the championship. Manchester City

need one more point to seal the the championship. Manchester City

title, having finally blown away stubborn Aston Villa. The team was

patient and we played well in the first half. We had the position of

the ball. They did not have any chance to school. We created two or

three chances. Disappointing. If they look at the result in the

morning, they might think it is an easy city win. I don't

morning, they might think it is an What about Yaya Toure. The fourth

goal, which was the hundred so far, it was incredible. I was on the

bench. They cannot come even close to him. He is amazing. You are one

point away. Are you allowed yourself to think, we only need a point, or

are you going to go for the win? We are going for the win. We know what

happened two years ago when everyone thought we would win against Queens

Park Rangers. We are not thinking about anything apart from playing,

which is what we have done for the whole season. Maybe we can win the

title. The scoreline makes it look comfortable, but someone who has

been in this situation, can you understand the nerves that were in

the stadium? I could. The reason they won is

because of the experience. They did not get the goal they wanted in the

first half, but the manager would have said to them at half-time, keep

on doing what you are doing. You are creating chances. They did create

one or two chances in the first half, but it had to come. The

pressure they put on them was relentless. When you play against

games like Aston Villa, you move the ball slowly through the pitch

because you are not getting in behind them. You are struggling to

create any openings. City did not do that. They got down the sides and

created chances. So they were told to continue the way they were going?

Absolutely. The crowd got edgy, but the players didn't. Would-be

full-backs, with Zabaleta and Kolarov either side, it was just a

matter of time because they gave the other two they were playing against

a tough time. Kolarov against Lowton in the first half. This guy,

Zabaleta, he is an absolute machine in the way he just goes up and down.

And he picks passes out once he gets into that position. Look, he is in

behind and looking up. It is not just smashed across. That is another

chance created and it was working, so keep on doing it.

He was doing it time and time again. This guy will run up and down and

until he finds an end result, he will keep on doing it. He is

brilliant at doing it. He was relentless. He was. He is the

benchmark for the full-backs over the last few years. He does it

season after season, and again, another wonderful performance.

Liverpool struggled to open up Chelsea's defence, but the principle

still remains. You have to get out wide and drag the three centre

halves around and the full-backs. City did that brilliantly tonight.

Manchester City have scored as many goals as we have broadcast minutes

of analysis of Yaya Toure. This guy is also, well, he did not have one

of these better games tonight, but he did very well. A good effort and

a good save therefrom Guzan. -- there from Guzan. Once he gets into

the ox, they cannot touch him. -- the box. It was a beautiful pass for

it to be stuck into the back of the net. This is like watching a

20-year-old play against under 12. Even the referee can't keep up. Five

of them chasing him. Once he gets into that area, the quality of

finish is amazing. 20 goals in a season for a midfielder, only Frank

Lampard has done that and we know what a player he is. He is a top

quality player. Yaya Toure did an interview the other day and he said

he does not get the credit he deserves because he is African. We

have been eulogising over him! He stepped up in a night that would

have been tough for city. He scored a wonderful goal to cap off a

wonderful night. To score 20 goals as a midfielder is amazing. This

statistic might interest you dash days spent at the top of the

Premiership table. Only 11 days for city. Incredible, but you come to

the end of the season and that is when it counts. Manchester City have

been trailing and playing behind other sides. They have been playing

the evening kick-offs. Full credit to them they have been able to stay

with the pace that Liverpool and Chelsea have set. I've got it right

by saying Arsenal wouldn't win it, but I got it wrong about Liverpool.

Arsenal fans said I did not know what I was talking about and I want

an apology. We could be here along time! Let us go from the top to the

bottom: a win away from completing the

miracle escape. Even their manager wasn't sure they would achieve. With

visitors West Bromwich practically secure as well, this could be a

night of double celebration. Having secured ten points, it's the same 11

who have achieved those recent results.

Borini was urged to hit it and Foster turned it over.

Plenty of height for Larsson to try and pick out from the corner. That

was to affect ball in and I think it has just about cleared. -- a

terrific ball. Alonso there. Wickham made a first

towards him. Colback turns it in and Sunderland are getting ever so close

now! Gus Poyet had to wait just 12 minutes for the goal that has sent

the stadium into delirium and preparations can begin for another

season in the Premier League. Wickham may be surged towards

Alonso. Alonso ignored him and went for the direct all into the area.

Colback emerged to tap it yon. . To rid the run of results. Another

three points might have been accumulated. Gus Poyet can almost

sense it. It is a fabulous ground. It is

A fantastic goal from Borini! Sunderland will be a Premier

League club next season. Borini! Sunderland will be a Premier

the end of a slick move. A terrific finish, despite the advancing

Foster. The confidence and Jenny Wing feeling that a job has been

Foster. The confidence and Jenny done, that to express themselves, or

evident that done, that to express themselves, or

guaranteed to be in the Premier League. Wickham handled it.

The communication issue there between Larsson and Cattermole. West

Bromwich mount a counterattack. The bending shot that was just curling

towards that far post. It has been a pretty quiet ten minutes in the

second half. Their work is, I guess none, -- I guess Don. Here is

Dawson. A great ball across the face of the goal. Anichebe ends in the

back of the net, but the ball doesn't.

Mannone kept his ball there. Here is Dorrans. Now

Sessegnon. The pattern of this second half has

completely changed. Sunderland are happy to just slow

the game down. I can understand why they are doing it.

Here is Colback. He should have scored, and he knows it. So do the

crowd. That would have gifted the three points to Sunderland. Outer

door has really lacked for goals. Perhaps that shows in the way he

snatched at the opportunity. Right across the face of the goal,

the most unlikely of scorers, had he done so. He made his way up from

full-back, almost unnoticed, certainly by the West Brom players.

He had time to pick out the far corner. The technique was good, but

he dragged it. Good football from West Brom.

Mannone needed two goes at that. That was a good hit, but well held.

Morrison connected sweetly but Mannone, despite the fact it is

teeming with rain and the ball could have slipped from him, well held.

The Sunderland Player of the Season. The smiles on the faces now.

They know they will be back the Premier League football next season.

They know that in Gus Poyet they have a good manager to take them

into the new campaign. He and his team will be rightly hailed as

heroes, given the task after Paolo Ducati was removed from his duties

after a defeat at the Hawthorns -- di Canio. Sunderland staying up.

Mission seemingly impossible has become mission complete. Seven

points adrift on the 12th of April, and less than a month later, they

are safe. Jack Colback set them on the way to the three points they

needed after 12 minutes. Fabio Borini doubled the advantage 19

minutes later and from then on, they counted to the line. Gus Poyet said

they needed a miracle one month ago, well, miracles in football sometimes

happen. Sunderland are safe, West Brom, barring a 16 goal Winford

Norwich on Sunday, also. It has finished 2-0 -- win for Norwich.

When you came off the field against Everton, if somebody said he was

staying up with a game to spare, what would you have said? I would

say you have been drinking, heavily. Football. Miracles. The word I want

to use for this incredible escape is it was a miracle, something unique,

something special. The connection between the players in the last few

games, an incredible way, connection with the fans. It has been a tough

season, the start particularly. But the spirit, it has never been in

doubt and we have gone out there and played for each other, the fans and

the club. What are your feelings? I guess you felt you were safe before

tonight and yet, you did not want to lose this evening. TRANSLATION: In

the second half we were better, but Sunderland have beaten us in terms

of intensity. You have been a footballer long time, is this the

most special five weeks? It is the best five weeks I have ever had and

today is one of the best days of my life. Pepe Mel looked despondent and

said they did not play with intensity.

miracle to stay up. This is the miracle. The draw with Manchester

City and then four straight wins. If somebody predicted that, you would

have said they were crazy. From what looked like what would be an

horrendous season for Sunderland, they will probably finished well.

They have been to Wembley in a cup final and done the double over their

rivals. What has the panic been about?

final and done the double over their rivals. What has the panic That is

what is weird. It was a roller-coaster ride. Your former

club have been mid-table. Newcastle had a good start. But theirs will be

seen as less successful than Sunderland. Newcastle have a good

start and Sunderland a poor start and have picked up over the past

five weeks. It is one hell of a run. Before the five games, they lost the

previous five. You have Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United,

away, what Gus Poyet did to galvanise them, full credit to him.

Basically, there is one major issue to be resolved on the last day of

the season and that is who will be champions. Coverage begins at

12:15pm. On Sunday evening, you can see how it unfolded on Match Of The

Day at 10:30pm. And there is football on BBC tomorrow at 7pm as

England's within take on Ukraine. Sunday's Match Of The Day will

feature goal of the season. But why should the scorers get the glory

when there have been memorable stops. This is your chance to vote

for your save of the season. 12 of the very best.

And he is there a game, Guzan. He has been exceptional today. It was a

great ball into the box. What a save. The reaction says it

all as he puts his hands to his head and asks, how did that not go in?

They took the corner quickly. It was punched away by the Arsenal keeper.

What a save. He had to be on his toes to keep that out. That was

brilliantly struck and superbly saved by the Arsenal keeper.

The deflection off the wall. And it is geared. That is extraordinary.

How on earth did that not end up in the back of the net?

There is a chance and it was a great save from Adrian. Most of the ground

have thought he had scored. What a start to Premier League life of the

goalkeeper Oscar. What a save. He might have

his eyes shut at the point of impact but he was watching as it left

Oscar's boot. Good save. Terrific save amidst all

of that by Marshall to stop him. And that is an amazing save! That is

a world-class save from David Marshall. Look at the change of

direction from the goalkeeper. That is goalkeeping from the top drawer.

That is a magnificent save. What a stop by de Gea. One of the saves of

the season. Great teamwork. And a terrific save.

That is the first shot Speroni has hacked a save and did he not save it

well? -- E hat to save. He was caught. Fantastic save.

Raheem Sterling. Luis Suarez was on to it. It was a tremendous save.

Driven across and it was a wonderful save by Stockdale. It was

outstanding, a one-handed save. There are the 12. You can vote via

Let us show you the game from last night. Nothing to play for, but a

chance to in press and also a chance for the winning side to get ahead.

Eight changes from Saturday's defeat to Sunderland. A Premier League

debut for the goalkeeper. All

United fans shouted for a penalty. A risky challenge. That really should

have been appellant ee -- Abe penalty. -- a penalty.

That was a decent shot. Lawrence is very close to making a name for

himself. Both the debutants have had a chance. They are showing real

ambition. Corner in, corner out. The clash there means the referee has

stopped the game. Nobody pulling out of that. No blame attached to either

player. So, it is and all Trafford farewell for the Serbian defender.

This is his 299th game. It will be the last on home turf before he

did he pounce on to that chance? Good work there. Wilson was just on

to it. Perfect contact to drill the ball through his opponent. His first

United goal. Wilson! Two for the teenager! What

an impact. An 18-year-old who has got to in his first game for the

club. It is amazing. Fill a need try to get it just

right. A good goal therefrom Matt prior. --

Matt Fryer. Hull City are back in the game. Fryer managed to blast his

way through. He hit the target just beautifully. James Wilson is all

smiles, so is his interim manager Ryan Giggs.

It is just not happening for Fellaini. A substitution.

It is just not happening for comes on, wearing a red. -- wearing

red. He has become the worst player-manager since 1927. He is in

a scoring position with that handball.

Van Percy again. The follow-up is in. -- van Persie.

Was that accidental. I don't think so. He left it there quite a while.

It is in range. Will dig go for the good die glory? -- will Ryan Giggs

go for the goodbye glory? That was ruined for the headline writers. A

very good save. What a spoilsport! We know it has been tough this

season and over the years we have been sport with the success we have

had. But your support has always been there. I am sure in the coming

years we will renew more success. I would just like to say, keep

supporting us. You have seen a little glimpse of the future and

that is what this club is about. We never stand still. We give youth a

chance. We tried to break good for all. Sometimes we don't always win,

but keep supporting us and the good times will come back very soon.

Thank you! There will never be anyone as decorated as Ryan Giggs

for one particular club. He has been one of the greats. Did you think it

could be your last time? Not really. My concentration has not changed. I

will do my job on and off the pitch as best as I can. We will see what

happens after Sunday. My heart will always be in United. I had so many

great moments here. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. Did

you think it was in? I got coaxed into taking it. I can't remember the

last time I took a free kick 30 yards out. I was just pleased I

could reach. It did feel like a good for him. Especially as he took that

free kick. It did feel that way, with his speech at the end. If it is

the end, it is the end of a wonderful career. Most decorated

player United have ever produced. He was fantastic. He put the kids in

and that was really refreshing to see beyond guys doing well. You are

also slightly concerned. I know you were at dinner last night getting an

update on James Wilson to make sure he did not beat your records for the

youngest scorer of a Premiership Patrick. I found that he was 18, so

I was not worried because I was 17! I have spoken about teens before.

United have kept the ball for the sake of it. One thing I notice with

Ryan Giggs is that he looked immediately forward. He broke the

lines and also the youngsters drove the ball forward. He is no longer

the kid that scores the goals. He is in the Premier League. It should

give him confidence that he belongs on that stage. He has had a taste of

it now and he will want more. That feeling of scoring a call so young,

it is brilliant. Let us go to the other end of the pitch. You have

been voting on the website and on social media as well. This is how

the vote has gone. Is this fair? It is. My top three would have been

different though. I would go with that. That was a brilliant

one-handed save. Even though you thought most of them were straight

at them? Well, they do thought most of them were straight

around a bit. A great save by De Gea and a great night for Manchester

City and Sunderland. That is a fantastic role. Sunderland

City and Sunderland. That is a in the Premier League next season.

City and Sunderland. That is a Yaya Toure, what a run, what a

goal! Manchester City four, Aston Villa Neill. So here is the Barclays

Premier elite table. -- Barclays Premier League table.

Let's have a look at tomorrow morning's papers.

Thank you very much to Kevin and Allen. 37 down, one to go. It has

all come down to the final day again. Good night.

Amazing scenes. Blackburn have lost here, but they are champions.

Manchester United are champions! Chelsea are the champions again!

Manchester City win again! There will be more stories to tell before

the race is completely run.