08/03/2014 Match of the Day

Hello, we're interrupting England's inevitable and relentless march to

World Cup glory for another day of Premier League drama. 10 rounds of

games to go, 10 teams in action and the title or relegation at stake in

every game. Two men familiar with the sharp end

of a Premier League season are here in the studio, Danny Murphy and

Robbie Fowler are across all the talking points. We start with a

London derby which is always highly-charged. League leaders

Chelsea played host to a Spurs side for whom Champions League

qualification was still a realistic possibility. Apparently, though,

it's been a while since they won at Stamford Bridge. Steve Wilson was

the commentator. Chelsea have the chance to go seven-points clear at

the top. Yes, they will have played more games than their three title

rivals. Yes, they could still be caughtment would the rest rather

have the points or the games, absolutely, yes. Mourinho lost

Fernando Torres in the warmup to what looked like a groin injury.

Samuel Eto'o is his last-minute replacement. Chelsea haven't lost

here to Spurs since a Gary Lineker goal in 1990 and have lost only of

their last 56 meetings with Tottenham on any ground. Interesting

team selection from Tim Sherwood who makes four changes.

Kaboul's second game since November. Sigurdarson's first since January.

Michael Oliver is the referee. It's Tottenham who will get the game

underway from left to right in the first 45 minutes.

Given away by Dawson to Schurrle. John Terry, with the header. Played

through to Eto'o. He's offside. It was tight. The flag was up very

quickly. He's hurt, Samuel Eto'o, in the first 30 seconds of the game.

The flag from Andy Garrett was almost instand townious here. He is

almost level. He gets there ahead of Lloris. If that flag had stayed

down, Lloris might well have received a red card. Mourinho

already has half a Ied soo of notes. Samuel Eto'o is saying to Hugo

Lloris, be careful. More excitement in the first minute than you

sometimes get in the first half. Here's John Terry.

Nice touch into Samuel Eto'o. Hazard in a great position. Well found,

Eden Hazard, skipping around Lloris, and missing the target. You would

put have your house on Hazard here. 14 goals this season. It should have

been 15. Great weight on the pass from Eto'o. At that point, you think

he has to score. It's not a sitter. A player of his quality would expect

to put that into the net, not the sidenetting. Almost half way through

the first half. Dawson. That's a good ball. Well controlled too by

Vertonghen. Driven back in. What a good save by Cech. Down to his right

hand side to deny Sandro. Petr Cech has not been overworked. He had to

go get down quickly there. A good strike.

Lovely ball. Schurrle didn't have the touch. He is really having one

today, Schurrle. Not got any kind of contact on it. Schurrle scored for

Chelsea at Chelsea, in the big win against Manchester City. Vertonghen

slip. That has come through to Eto'o. One-on-one with the keeper.

Scores! Horrible moment for Vertonghen. He slipped and then set

up Eto'o. The old man, Samuel Eto'o, strokes Chelsea in front. He will be

33 on Monday, honest! Well, Jan Vertonghen, a slip, then trying to

make amends, set up Eto'o. Samuel Eto'o simply wasn't going to miss.

The old man has still got it. If you give him a chance like that, you can

bet on Samuel Eto'o to take it. Chelsea, the league leaders, are in

front. A good bit of humour in Eto'o's

celebration after the Mourinho comments about his age. Defeat for

Spurs would leave them six-points behind Liverpool and Arsenal.

John Terry, that is a good ball. Here is Eden Hazard. Samuel Eto'o,

in the middle. Well found, Eto'o, Kaboul with the challenge. Penalty

kick. It's all going wrong for Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge

again. It's a red card for Kaboul. Straight red. This game has emloaded

for Spurs in the space of just a few short minutes. Falling behind on 56

minutes, they concede a penalty in the 59th minute. Hazard scores,

Chelsea two, Tottenham Hotspur nil. A long 2 year sequence without

success at Stamford Bridge looks set to continue. Chelsea, surely, are

extending their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League. It was

pretty central. Lloris had gone. It's two. It's 15 for the season for

Chelsea's little Belgian. . He feeds Oscar. Lloris did well. A

split second there, Oscar looked favourite to reach that. Good goal

keeping from Lloris, advanced really quickly off his line.

And Oscar is wasteful. For a player who strikes a ball so cleanly, Oscar

has missed by a distance here. Oscar, Hazard. Hazard back in to

Oscar. Looking for Demba Ba. Sandro's mistake, handball was it,

it doesn't matter, Ba scores, 3-0. Demba Ba, with the goal. A slip from

Sandro. It might have been a handball in there, Demba Ba stuck it

into the back of the net anyway. There definitely was a handball in

there. In a way, Tottenham might be grateful that wasn't given because

Sandro would have found himself sent off. As it is, it's just a goal

rather than a penalty and a red card. Demba Ba will be glad. It's

only his fourth of the season and only his ninth for Chelsea. It's

3-0. Michael Oliver, for a long time now,

I think was trying to - here we are, it might be another one here for

Demba Ba. Demba Ba, into the back of an unguarded net. Tottenham Hotspur

conceded again. Demba Ba can't believe his luck. He has scored more

goals in the last three minutes than he has scored in the last four

months. Chelsea have four. What is Kyle

Walker doing there with the header? Completely sold his goalkeeper

short. 76 seconds between Demba Ba's two

goals. Hugo Lloris is entitled to be unhappy. The Samule is 33 on Monday,

honest, and played really well? Yeah. It's the best way to celebrate

his birthday. He is celebration on the pitch is brilliant. Great idea

to make fun of a story. So important for us that goal. He played really

well. The movement, the way he assisted, the way he hold the ball,

very happy. Perhaps you could see why he gave a penalty. The red card

looked extremely harsh? Is Yeah, I couldn't see. I have looked at it

again. I can't see why he gave a penalty. When you play here, it's a

tough decision. Referee's have a real tough job. You can't hide

behind that. That would be two. That is a sending off. That's the game

over. We still conceded another two goals after that. Demba Ba,

congratulations a good day for you and good win? Very good win, an

important win for the rest of the season, yeah. Personally, not bad as

well. I think this is possibly a wake-up call for everyone. You know,

we keep harping on about the top four. We want to finish in the top

four, realistically, you know, let's be honest. Lack of characters. Too

enema of them too nice to each other. Need to show a bit more gut,

you know, and not want to be someone's mate all the time. You

know, can't always be me having a pop at them. Need to drag it out of

each other. I don't want to count out Liverpool and Arsenal,

obviously, would you Raith rather be nine points ahead having played

three games more or nine points behind having three games in hand

The team that has the games in hand can be leader. I would prefer to

have three matches in hand and if I win the three matches I lead because

in this moment I have nine-points more than them, but if they win, I'm

second. So I prefer to be in their position. If they win, they are on

top of the league. I'm not sure I believe you. It's very convincing?

It's true. It's logic. If they win, they are top of the league. They

have control of their destiny. We don't have control of our destiny

fchl we win the next nine matches maybe, I'm not Champion. OK. If they

win the 12 matches, they are champions. Thank you. It's up to

them. Logical. Thank you. He has got a point. He has got nine-points of a

lead. I think you would take that realistically, wouldn't you? O oh,

yes, all day long. Whatever he says. Almost the star of the show was a

man who wasn't meant to start, Samuel Eto'o. It was funny. We were

talking about he is the self-proclaimed "special one" today

he was the "lucky one" Fernando Torres pulls his groin in the

warmup. Fizz Yeo giving him... He took it to them. He was sharp, he

was busy. The keeper might have gone there. Again, good ball through.

Hazard should really do better. He should score a goal. This one. The

ball falls to him. Really I'm waiting for him to pass it. He takes

another touch. Good defending by Kaboul, forced him out wide. Gets

the shot away. This unwith, here we see Kaboul doing his shoe. I don't

think that is relevant to the goal, to be fair. Vertonghen does a little

slip. I can't see why he has done that. He put the ball back into the

the danger area. Samuel Eto'o can have credit. He read what happened.

The celebration is brilliant. 35-year-old. We have seen him, on

side early doors. He timed his run brilliantly. Is it a penalty? I

think it's harsh. I can understand why the referee has given it. He has

a good position. He gives - Ball going away from goal. Is it a

goalscoring opportunity, I don't know, harsh? It's a funny one. The

referee, he gave the penalty, he feels he has to send him off. I

don't necessarily if that is the case. I agree. I think I can see why

the penalty has been given. It's not a sending off. That kills the game.

If it's a goalscoring chance and he gives the penalty he has to send the

man off. Not every time someone takes a touch in the box is it a

goalscoring chance. Or a bad touch. Yeah. Chelsea have conceded four

goals in the last 13 games. Why are they so strong in that department?

Mourinho has a group of players that work for him. That is the simple

thing. Tottenham have good possession in

the game, in the first half especially. They are all at it, the

next one is in there behind, four players around Lennon, spotting

danger. Matic helps out, there is no space for Tottenham to go.

Sigurdsson tries to get in the gaps, which is where you find space.

Matic gets the ball, this was happening time and time again.

Ivanovic has the header, Tottenham are high up the pitch with good

possession and as Lennon comes in on his right foot trying to get shot

away, there are eight players within 20 yards of the ball. People talk

about big egos, but the attitude and were set -- on the work ethic was

fantastic. That is why they have had so many positive results, even when

their performances have not matched. We see the mirrors getting beaten,

Lampard is next, Schurrle is coming over, Ramires that a game, he was

one of the best players on the pitch and the constant pressure means

Tottenham make mistakes. All Tottenham's possession, they did not

trouble Cech. What did we make of Tim Sherwood's comments? He was

critical of his player. He criticised their characters, said

they did not have enough guts on the side, people were too nice to each

other. It is unusual. We never hear Mourinho say anything like that. It

is rare that a manager comes out and has a go at his players. I think he

is maybe frustrated. There were many times in the game when Tottenham

frustrated Chelsea. 4-0 looks around, but that is what made him

angry. The sending-off changed the game. He said it had no relevance to

the game, for me, it did. Is it wise? He is new to the job, for long

periods they did OK, there were two big errors that changed the game but

it shows he cares and he is realistic. He knows the squad needs

improvement. To the lower reaches of the table and a crucial game between

the bottom two. Cardiff and Fulham have mustered five managers between

them this season, but their latest two have scored European Cup final

winners. Steve Bower was in South Wales.

The countdown and well -- the countdown has well and truly begun

in the countdown fight. Three points would offer encouragement that it

was possible to go the distance. Lead Solskjaer has lost six of his

eight games in charge so far. He three changes Kenwyne Jones returns

to the attack, Mutch and Noone are recalled. Felix Magath double

surprise by handing a full debut to Mitroglou and a 19-year-old debutant

in the form of Academy graduate Corley would row. Holtby and Riise

return. -- would row. There is a psychological lift,

potentially, a lot of football to be played before they can get to that

target. It is a full free kick. -- it is a Fulham free kick.

He could not pull the cross back enough and he is understandably

frustrated, the Iranians. He could not get enough purchase on it.

Kenwyne Jones, dropping a little deeper, trying to pick out Campbell.

They need to get bodies in the box. Campbell has gone for goal.

Stekelenburg was able to deal with it. The first time the goalkeeper

has been troubled in the game so far. Neatly done by Caulker.

Mutch was looking for Kenwyne Jones. He wasn't able to really generate

the power or the direction with the header.

Noone has picked out Mutch. Jones has made the run towards the back

post. Here he is, Jones! Stekelenburg denies it. The clearest

opportunity of the first half and the Dutch international goalkeeper

was equal to it. A first-time effort from Jones. He managed to get two

hands to it. It has come through to Noone, a

chance, and in, Caulker! In stoppage time, at the end of the first half,

it is the Cardiff skipper in the right place at the right time for

what could be a golden goal for Cardiff.

Caulker couldn't miss. His third goal for the club. They will hope it

is a season changing one. It is a very different atmosphere around the

stadium now. Cardiff one, Fulham Neil-macro. -- Fulham Neil-macro.

Holtby, an excellent save from Marshall, to deny Lewis Holtby.

Quickly down to his left hand side, didn't have a clear view of this

either, Marshall. He got both hands to it. The Fulham glasses are

already on full Felix Magath, can he see a victory through them?

Floated in towards Kenwyne Jones, what a golden chance for Kenwyne

Jones. But on a plate by Noone and that wasn't the connection he was

looking for, or hoping for. The goal was open, wide of the target. Will

Cardiff look back on that in minutes to come?

Put behind by Fabio. It is a good spell this, for Fulham. Their third

corner of the game. All hands to the Cardiff pump now. Karagounis with

the corner. Heitinga with the header and finished by Lewis Holtby and

Fulham are level! The on loan Spurs midfielder with his first goal for

the club has levelled it up. A good response from Fulham in the

second half and they have been rewarded with the equaliser through

Lewis Holtby. Cardiff one, Fulham won. -- Fulham one. The 50th Premier

League goal that Cardiff have conceded in this Premier League

season. Denied by the legs Oster

Kellenberger. Almost caught Fulham out. -- denied by the legs of

Stekelenburg. Cardiff are back in front! It is

Caulker again, but steps the captain once more. He has scored four goals

this season, three have come against Fulham and that is one that

Stekelenburg will not want to see again.

Caulker, just in front of Campbell, and the home team have their noses

in front once more. Two for Caulker, two for Cardiff, 2-1.

Good work from Mutch. Lovely skills from him. The referee plays on. --

lovely skills from Kim. That is a good ball in, and it is

in! 3-1, Cardiff. Oh, what a huge goal that could be. The release of

relief from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they have a two goal cushion. It was

Noone's cross that caused the problem.

Riether knew nothing about this and just look at the reaction. That is

how much it means on this crucial day. Fulham have now conceded 65

goals this season. He is back to make sure that is only

a corner, not a goal, from Mitroglou. A momentary breakdown in

communication. Marshall must have seen that late.

Decent reactions are going, to keep out the Greek international. An

instinctive effort, turned away by David Marshall. If you are on the

bottom of the league, you have to fight and maybe we have not players

that are used to it. They come from situations where they never had a

relegation fight, so they are not used it, so they are not fighting

enough. It is a scramble, dog eat dog. Does this send Fulham out of it

now? It is hard to say. It will have dented their confidence. We knew the

win or lose of this game would be either really buzzing or struggling,

so it is going to be tough for them but they have some great players

there and you can never say never in this league. Mitroglou, how do you

assess his performance? Everybody has to get used to a new league and

the English league is the best league in the world, so the Greek

league isn't on that level, so we have to be patient and give him

time. Does this squad feel like it can still get out of trouble? We

have got a lot of spirit. You saw that today, when they equalised we

had fighting spirit and we can stay up. After the game, I spoke to a

very happy Cardiff manager. There are games that you have to win, then

there are games that you have to win, and this was one of them. Yes,

we could not consider losing this one. It is one of them, both teams

new would be adrift if you lose. What pleased you most about the

performance today? You know, the response after they scored, that was

the biggest thing for me. We spoke about the game, in these games if

you are in after 60 minutes with a shout to win the game, that is what

we wanted and we were. They responded really well and it is very

pleasing. There is fighting this team. You have lots of experience of

playing in the Premier League, but always at the

playing in the Premier League, but always other end of the table. How

has this differed? It is a new experience for you. It is a new

experience but it is the same as, you look not too far ahead. We have

regrouped after the big defeat against Hull City and we have looked

like a team again and that is pleasing me the most as well. You

came in under slightly unusual circumstances, a manager was fired

that was pretty popular amongst supporters. There has been lots of

complaints. As that made life more awkward? You know when you come in

and normally you have a preseason, you can prepare the way you are

playing football and do it in the middle of a fight for survival, that

has been a big challenge. The fans always support the team anyway and

they have been fantastic. Under these circumstances with fighting

relegation, you can't really impose everything that you wanted at the

moment. It is just about survival, isn't it? One layer at a time, when

you paint your house maybe you didn't paint your house, but it is a

ladder at a time and that is what we have got to do. We have to come into

training, we have changed a few things but we have not radically

changed the philosophy because we had a great group of players, good

foundation that you have to build on.

You have a number of games coming up against sides who are fighting

relegation. That must give you some real hope Definitely. We have looked

at the games. Nine games to go, if you get another four wins, I think

that will be it. That is the big thing. We have had a bad, bad run. A

really bad spell. We are still in with a shout. If it had been six,

eight points adrift now that would be a worry. We are in with a shout,

one more win in the next couple of games will be important. Do you

believe you will do it? Yeah, definitely. I believe in the lads. I

trust in the players. You can see the character of them. When you work

with them every single day, you do believe. Well done, thank you for

talking to us. No incentives were required today. Pleasure. Well done.

Cheers. It was a US m win of six points, you can throw whatever

cliche you want at that game. A vital win and vital three points for

Cardiff. There wasn't that much between the teams actually. It

wasn't a great game. There wasn't lots of quality. There was a stand

out performer. He was the difference between the teams, that was

Cardiff's Craig Noone. He has been a bright spark for them. Today he was

sensational. At times like this, when you are at the bottom of the

league, you need players to be brave. Nicking the ball back early

in the game. That set the tone. Demanding the ball. Beating players.

Direct, positive. Trying to make things happen. That's not easy when

you are playing under pressure. The Cardiff fans haven't been happy with

what they are seeing. He is running and committing players. Not the best

shot at the end of it. Getting the crowd going. He sees the space. He

doesn't run in and condense it. He waits for it to come out. Great

quality. Good decision to hit the ball hard across the box. It gives

them the lead. The second-half he carried on where he left off. Here,

really slowly you can see him look up, before he crosses it and sees

Kenwyne Jones in the space at the back post. That is the header I

would finish with. He should score them and put them put the game to

bed. His -- put the game to bed. His quality and end product was there

for all to see. That is an absolutely wonderful cross. Yes,

they get luck with the finish, but his performance was the difference.

If he carries on playing like that, he gives them a chance. Yeah.

Fulham, your old club, they are in desperate straits. He has thrown in

a couple of new players, new striker. He seemed to struggle, as

you would expect? He inherited the players. He didn't sign them. He put

them up front with Woodrow. Neither of these players have played in the

Premier League before. A weak shot there. A bit rusty. He got better as

the game went on. Here we see Woodrow laying off the ball. They

didn't have a connection. Understandable, they haven't played

together. A knock down to Woodrow would have been better choice. He

showed quality in his movement. Here he pulls away and finds the space.

Good block from Kenwyne Jones. You could see the striking quality in

him. This is not particularly a good finish. He is in there. Every chance

fell to him. Strength, chest the ball down. Looking to get the shot

away. Showed good qualities. He looked ring rusty. Maybe it's too

late. This is his best chance. Not long left. Why sign him now if he is

not ready. We want Fulham to make a game of it, but it will be tough for

him coming into the Premier League. I wouldn't blame any of the players,

I would blame the manager. That was a US m win game from Fulham. He is

playing two players up front who have never played in the Premier

have never played in thePremier Premier League. To see the players,

get them in there. He has been On the training pitch with emthis. The

Fulham players better get their spikes sharpened. They will be doing

running on Monday. Given up on them I hate so say, I have. You have a

proven goalscorer in Darren Bent sitting on the bench. OK. Manish

follows us as usual this evening with all the goals and talking

points from the Football League. Or it's available all week on the

iPlayer. You can follow all the Football League action and news from

your region on Late Kick Off on BBC One at 11.20pm on Monday evening.

your region on Late Kick Off on BBC One at 11.20pm No Match of the Day 2

this week, but there is a big game in the Six Nations rugby. England v

Wales live from Twickenham, coverage starts at 2.30pm on BBC One.

Not often in recent memory has a Manchester United game in March

seemingly meant more to their opponents than to them, but that was

arguably the case in the lunchtime game. The Reds kicked off 12-points

adrift of a Champions League place, while West Brom were just a point

above the drop zone. Albion fans had much loftier ambitions after a

famous victory at Old Trafford back in the autumn.

COMMENTATOR: He's in here. And scores! It's in. The equaliser.

. It's a great goal. Berahino. Fellaini. He's offside. This is West

Bromwich Albion victory at Old Trafford for the first time since

1978. Guy Mowbray was our man at the Hawthorns. A start for Victor

Anichebe one of four changes. All three of his Albion goals to date

have come as a substitute. Lots of talk about Robin van Persie's form

and future. He remains United's most potent goal threat with 14 for the

season. Before we start, a tribute to Stand Rickaby. He played 205

times for the West Brom side of the early 1950s and was the last link to

what was said to be their Team of the Century. Pepe Mel will want to

see intensity from the off. Too high for Rooney, it has come to Fellaini.

Won't come down to his boots quickly enough. Anichebe. Steps on the

power. Trying to burst away from Smalling. Jones is covering too.

Anichebe, nearly bundled between them. In comes Brunt. The ball has

just run out of play. That's what Victor Anichebe, at his best, can

bring for West Bromwich Albion. Credit to Chris Smalling he here. I

thought he would be left behind. He got back at the Albion striker

really well and did the job really well too. Rooney. Evra, still

forward. Manchester United corner. First spell of United pressure,

Albion's defenders having to go about their duties. Rooney in,

Fellaini. Headed towards his own-goal by Brunt. Cleared off the

line by Mulumbu. Rooney. I think it was going wide off the

head of Chris Brunt. Maybe not, curling back in all the time. Good

job Mulumbu was there. Mata, side steps the annoying

plastic bag that has been blowing around the central circle for a good

1 a a 5 minutes now. Rafael. I think Foster got his hands on that.

Ridgewell, he gets his head on it. Brunt puts his foot through it. Did

Ben Foster misjudge the first cross? He's stranded there. That's a good

save. Rafael did the right thing. It's tipped onto the play er.

Manchester United just looking as though they are ready to step up a

gear or two now. Couldn't properly avoid the

challenge. Kept his balance there. Couldn't there.

Van Persie, to get the curl. The finishing touch is applied by Phil

Jones. Albion expecting the shot. It was kind of a hybrid from van

Persie. A shot that invited others to come and do what they wanted with

it. Jones did that. Just what his manager wanted. All he had to do was

divert it. The power was already applied. Phil Jones scores his first

goal in the Premier League this season. Only his second EVER! It is

West Bromwich Albion 0, Manchester United 1.

Jones, to shoot! Not shoot very far wide at all. There might have been

mention recently of Albion's players not understanding their manager all

the time. They are certainly playing for him.

Fellaini, lovely ball. Mata, can he find van Persie, who is flying

forward here? Foster, had to be sure. Did he tap it against his

hand? Was he outside the area? That's the van Persie claim. The

assistant referee is unmoved. He is just outside the box. It aes poor

attempt to control it with his foot. Definitely off the left arm.

Van Persie, a little too eager to win the ball. It's going to be a

yellow card for Robin van Persie. Amalfitano has been wriggling around

some what. Van Persie does make some contact with the ball. He had to go

significantly through his opponent to get there.

Lovely ball, beautifully weighted for van Persie. He has gone in on

Steven Reid. You can hear what the Albion fans are desperate for. John

Moss is giving himself time to think. Van Persie, in the book.

I think the message from the ref is, no more. That is his final warning.

Albion feel that is a foul too far. Reid is there first. It's not a

clatering. Reid has waited, knowing that the challenge is coming. He

actually gets to the ball first. He does acknowledge that he was

stretching. You can see the explanation. I was going for the

ball. I got the ball. He feels he was in control of himself.

Fellaini's chance. Ridgewell, saw the ball sailing over his head at

first, but got himself up to make the block.

Fellaini, McAuley's header, it's van Persie. Rafael goes for the

spectacular - it was anything but. West Brom fans responding to what

they feel is rough justice. They have cranked up the volume.

Manchester United are responding as well. No surprise to see Robin van

Persie up with a Manchester United substitution. Before he goes he has

just offered another bit of an apology to the referee, who is

pointing him to the touchline. You are not sent off, Robin, you are

being taken off. Van Persie will be replaced by Danny Welbeck.

Rafael, time to get himself ready. Rooney! 2-0, United. It's another

cross that has done for West Bromwich Albion. A goal that, in the

end, looked as easy as you like. Wayne Rooney makes it seven goals in

his last seven games against West Bromwich Albion. Doesn't score many

ease goals than that throughout the course of the season. Look at him

drifting in all alone. They all the all let him run. Rafael picks him

out perfectly. No missing that one. Rooney takes his total for the

season to 13 goals. West Bromwich Albion, nil, Manchester United two.

Welbeck finishers brilliantly. What a wonderful team goal. The passing,

the moving, it was all marvellous. The finish matched up, as well. You

might say it is more like Manchester United. They are getting closer with

every pastels to the one through to Welbeck was wonderful but he still

had an awful lot to do from there. He is into double figures for the

campaign. Problems for the West Brom

hierarchy. It was more like it, we were more creative and created more

opportunities and we played well today as well. It is never the

easiest place to come, over the years and we lost earlier in the

season so it was good to get a good result today. For us, it was bad

luck. The second yellow for Van Persie is very important in the

match. Do you think that was a yellow card offence, that second

tackle? Yes, I think so, but it is the referee. I think the tackle was

a foul, we are going soft. Rafael was in space, out wide and you have

to put yourself in the box, it was a great cross and all I had to do was

finish it off. The fans talk about you being under pressure already. Do

you feel that? No, only my problem is work tomorrow and I prepare the

team and I hope for good work this week for the next match.

Fourth-place, is it still a goal? Hopefully it will become available

but it looks difficult at the moment. You never know in football.

We will keep going and come the last game of the season we have a

chance, then hopefully we will take it but it will be tough but all we

can do is keep trying to win games and pick up points. Lots to do on

that front, but that was more like it from United, particularly in the

second half. They were much better today, fairly comfortable. West Brom

have been struggling, Pepe Mal has not got a win yet but to go there

and win 3-0 was a good all-round performance from Manchester United.

Lots of positives, but it is great to have you here and get the

striker's assessment of someone like Robin Van Persie because he doesn't

seem entirely happy with his world? With Van Persie, by all means we're

not having a go because we think he is a bad player, the standard has

been set for himself and today, he looked out of sorts. There was a bad

touch there. Here, or right he is tracking back, a little bit of

credit, but it is a foul. His delivery is superb. Jones can't miss

the header really. The frustration sets in. He wants a foul, it is not

a foul. This one, a blatant yellow card, the tackle from behind. Just

pure frustration all-round from him. The referee has given it there. This

one, a good little turn, a heavy touch and slow motion, we see he has

got the ball but don't give the referee the chance to give you a

booking, especially when you have already been yellow carded. This

one, the other week he was talking about players running into space.

Wayne Rooney has run into the space there, but he has not looked up and

Wayne Rooney has stood there and we see a shake of the head and that

tells me he is not happy at the minute. There is lots of talent in

the United forward line. It is a question of how they fit them all

in. It is, you ask how the three will play together. We see this

goal, from Welbeck, Mata, Rooney were all involved. The three of them

can play together and I am not having a go at Welbeck but Van

Persie is a better player, so that tells me they can. Mata was

involved, a good ball by Rooney, straight through, and a great finish

but when Welbeck came on the game changed and Manchester United looked

a bit better, crisper, fresher. I think he has problems, I think. What

do you think is the best system for David Moyes to play with those

particular players because that is where their class is, isn't it? In

games like today against West Brom or lesser teams where they have

possession, you can mix up positions and it doesn't matter too much

because they are clever players. It is the big players -- it is in the

big games that I worry. None of them want to play wide. Mourinho did not

keep Mata and if you play Rooney wide, he is more disciplined and

loses attacking flair. It is a problem. I said it would be an

issue. Why is Robin Van Persie so frustrated? What is going on? He is

in the team, enjoy it, try to get back to the form he was in once --

the form he was in last season. West Brom are in a precarious position.

They are out of the bottom three on goal difference. It is not really

working for any of them. goal difference. It is not really

working for You want to see a new manager getting results and it

hasn't happened for Pepe Mal. We see the statistics there, they are not

lying, but the season under Steve Clark, they had a few good results

and a few bad results but they don't look any better now than they were

under him. Our next game sees Crystal Palace were still far from

safety dislike Tony Pulis's managerial heroics, host Southampton

side luxuriating in table. Simon Brotherton was at Selhurst Park.

After missing much of the season recovering from injury, Murray makes

his second start of the season after scoring at Swansea. Chamakh is out

with a hamstring injury. Lambert has happy memories of Selhurst Park, he

scored both goals for Southampton last time they were here a couple of

years ago when both sides were in the Championship. The man in charge

today as Howard Webb, who will be England's representative at the

World Cup finals this summer. Jedinak, making his 100th league

appearance for Crystal Palace today. Murray trying to get the shot in.

Just overrun by Shaw. He now has the chance to break away. Jedinak goes

after him. Rhodri Gross, closed down quickly by

Delaney. A promising situation for Crystal Palace almost turned into a

troublesome one at the other end of the field in a matter of seconds.

They always play good football, Pochettino's side, but they have won

four off the last 17 matches in the league.

Palace players are piling into the penalty area and it is going to be a

corner. Is this going to turn into a good late spell for the home side?

The crowd are doing their bit here. Southampton's defenders are queueing

up to head it away. This could be a great chance. It is

Rhodri grows! And Southampton have the lead. A sucker punch for Crystal

Palace there -- it is Rhodri grows. All he had to do was guide it into

the empty net. Speroni had to win that jewel. He did not and he was

able to guide the ball home. Having been attacking at one end of the

field, Crystal Palace suddenly hit for a knockout blow at the other end

and Jay Rodriguez with his 13th goal of the season gives Southampton the

lead here with 37 minutes played. Southampton are just getting the

upper hand here. Lovely play by Luke Shaw.

Completely' a chance for Southampton but it is headed away by Dann. Davis

had yards and yards of space on the edge of the penalty area. It could

easily have been 2-0. Rickie Lambert, oh, so lucky for

Crystal Palace that they are not two down. Well, Lambert scored twice the

last time he was at Selhurst Park and he nearly had one there. Ledley

goes to ground and Fonte will have his name taken by Howard Webb. Well,

that was those call there for Crystal Palace. 2-0 down would have

been a long way back before half-time for a team who have only

scored 19 all season. Wanyama, just getting his head on

that. Southampton's lead not guaranteed at the break yet.

Boruc makes the save and Bolasie was denied, almost on the stroke of

half-time. At last, Southampton's goalkeeper was forced to make a

save. Hit firmly by Bolasie. Boruc, download, able to grab it at the

second attempt. -- down low. That has Speroni scrambling and it is

behind for a corner. The defending was done by Joel Ward.

A good save, Speroni, and that is the last action of the first half.

It was a slow burner but it got better towards the break and an

important saved by Speroni at the end of the first half.

Good play by Bolasie, he was fouled by Lovren. There will certainly be a

card. Crystal Palace fans screaming for red, but it is yellow. Bolasie,

making a gallop for the goal and he kept on going here until Lovren

chopped him down. What can Crystal Palace do here?

Jedinak, the captain, looks like he fancies this, Puncheon nearby as

well. Everybody behind the ball for Southampton. It is Jedinak for

Palace, and it is not close. Frustration for the Crystal Palace

captain. He has had a big week, skippering Australia. Southampton

have won ten matches this season, all but one has seen them keep a

clean sheet at the other end and it is following that pattern so far.

Speroni, right behind it. Luke Shaw, looking for his first goal for

Southampton. Fairly comfortable for the goalkeeper. Tony Bloom -- Tony

Pulis's team will draw a blank. It was difficult, we got 20 crosses in

the box and six or seven corners but they defended well. They are good

side, they have more quality than we have got but you can't fault the

players. They were very good they kept going and they kept at it and

it was a very tight game. TRANSLATION:

We were brave, outgoing, industrious. The team played very

well. We played in the same style we always played, outgoing. In front we

were facing tough opposition, a tough team that is in need of

points. They were aggressive and tough, but we did well in the end to

get a good result. We got lucky, the tough, but we did well in the end to

get a good result. We got ball landed in my path and I took it and

it was 50-50 and it bounced towards myself and I put it in so I was

pleased. it was 50-50 and it bounced towards

myself and I put We had a couple of good chances in the first half, it

was dog eat dog times. They play in a particular way, they put it in

dangerous areas and we showed character and resilience to hold in

their and I thought we fully deserved the point, especially on

our first-half display. A lot of dog eat dog comments tonight! It is

getting towards that stage of the season. That fellow doesn't play in

a particular style, does he? It has got to the stage where he has surely

played himself not only into the England squad but possibly the

starting line-up. It is just where he plays. I think so. Everything

Southampton did well was through him. It looks like there's nothing

on, but he drives 60 yards and he pulls into the final third. For me,

he's brilliant. He should be playing for me.

He finds the space, and he should do better with the cross. Southampton

should maybe have scored. Good players around him, and he confined

space. Left footed, puts in a great cross -- he can find space. Great

effort, deserved a goal. He showed a different side of his game where he

showed a different side of his game when he's not just passing and

create space, he can run the players as well. Controlling the game, and

he finds some space. Gary, you said before, will he be on the plane?

England need players like this. We go on about English players about

them not being very good on the ball, but he proved he is. Players

around him, and he gets ten yards of space. He is Spanish. Well, he could

be. A lot of it was in the first half. Tony Pulis went in at

half-time and said to stop Southampton we need to stop the Lana

-- Adam Alana. Where should Roy Hodgson play him? His best position

is a free role. The place you will get in the team is on the left, or

maybe the right where he will have to be more disciplined. In the

central areas you are looking at taking Steven Gerrard's position,

and he won't do that. But he is a certainty to me.

Goal in the game, and it went to Jay Rodriguez. An unusual goal in many

aspects. -- only one goal. Here's another possible to the plane and

has had a great season. He heads the ball out from the

corner and he does not admire it, he is chasing his own clearance. A bad

header from Jason Puncheon. This is commitment at its best. He wants to

win the ball and score a goal. Everything he's done this season has

got better and better, and the confidence of being in the England

squad, the keeper should do better. I think so. A bad error by Jason

Puncheon, but with the ball travelling 30 yard you want the

goalkeeper to be on his toes. Come out and clear the ball. It ends up

being a 50/50 challenge, and the keeper, being the last man, he

should be stronger. Tony Pulis will be having words. Palace fans up in

arms about a possible sending-off. My gut instinct was it was a

sending-off. Bolasie on a great run, and he is in on goal. What you

don't quite see and we have had the luxury of seeing it is the angle of

the ball after. Instinctively, I thought it was a sending-off. I

disagree and he rides through the challenges. Those against him, just

before he touches the final ball, he was stretching. -- what goes against

him. I don't know if he would have got to the ball before the fallback.

-- the fallback. Two teams who needed points to

ensure Premier league football next season. Norwich City against Stoke

City watched by Jonathan Pierce. It is Duncan's day, as the team get

behind Duncan Forbes. He spent 33 years at Norwich and now he fights

Alzheimer's disease. Today's fundraising will help the family pay

for medical care. Former team-mates and former managers of Duncan Forbes

take the field at Carrow Road. He would have loved their home

defensive record because they have not conceded here in 2014. Van

Wolfswinkel returns from the knee defeat -- injury that kept him out

of the defeat against Aston Villa. Stoke beat Norwich at home unable to

secure safety and another victory here would take them to within seven

points of safety again. Straight at the goalkeeper. Could

not get it off the ground, Peter Crouch. That was a big chance. How

Duncan Forbes would have relished playing against him. That is the

sort of tackling it would have loved. It breaks to Arnautovic.

Walters. Mark Hughes will be concerned that the chances have, and

it -- they have not put them away. Hoolahan. Played back to the

fallback -- Well, today's game at the Amex, featured two clubs with

the that's the best we've seen from

Norwich so far. Johnson, cut out by the fallback. Redmond. He beats one,

then two. Brings in Martin. Another chance comes and goes, and this time

it is for the home side. England do possess young men with pace and here

is another one on the conveyor belt. Van Wolfswinkel dropping deep to

bring others into play. Martin on this occasion. Snodgrass. Hoolahan.

Going inside, Martin on the outside. Snodgrass. -- Snodgrass going

inside. A good save to keep the score 0-0. Reacting quickly to get

the shot away early. That's why it's a good save because the goalkeeper

had to react. Bassong. Hoolahan. A corner, but had he got the

crossing, Norwich and three at the far post and Stoke City had four

people. Van Wolfswinkel! He has had the luck

of the dammed this season. Did well to get away from his marker but it

goes wide. Only one clean sheet in 12 games in

the league for Stoke. The shot almost slipped through the

hands of Begovic. The most ghastly moment. Perilously close. -- almost

a ghastly moment. Snodgrass is found.

Johnson is in there. Martin is in there. Yobo, up from the back.

It is in! Johnson. How precious might that prove? Well, today's game

at the Amex, featured and he put his head right through

it. A lovely header. Question marks about the defending. Shawcross took

off too late. Johnson got the Liz Bonnin. Johnson gets the girl.

Norwich lead. Dog -- Johnson gets the goal. What to do next? Redmond.

Cutting in from the left-hand side great effort. -- great effort from

the left-hand side. Snodgrass close-down. Crowded out. Stoke can

break here. Arnautovic. -- Snodgrass closed down.

The goalkeeper is looking into strong sunshine and he drifted away.

In towards Walters. Olson was there. Bassong has tumbled into Guidetti

and given away a penalty. He was late getting there and bundled into

the young Swedish player and gave away a penalty. And Jon Walters

steps up to put Stoke level. It is the first home guard at

Norwich have conceded in a 455 minutes of football. He hit it with

confidence. And that was something that was missing from the dreadful

run of misses from the spot -- home goal. It was a confident strike.

Another very important goal from Jon Walters.

Stoke fans are singing Delilah. Walters protests his innocence to

the referee but he's in trouble here, I think. Tettey has gone down

holding his face and Walters is off. Jon Walters knew that something had

happened, and something he had done was wrong because he turned to the

referee in and and pleaded innocence. He followed through with

a challenge, but that is a sending-off or not? The foot did

come up. Courting late. Watch Jon Walters after this. Watch him go

towards the referee. -- caught him late. I think he knows he's in

trouble. You could not see him -- this second-half coming. Olsson.

This needs a quality cross. Well played. Johnson, that wasn't. That

is a big late opportunity that has gone away. Really well served and he

got it all wrong. We have shot ourselves in the foot

because it's a bad goal to concede. From the referee's point of view, a

very soft penalty. Some of those would be given and some wouldn't,

but unfortunately for us on this occasion the referee has given it. I

thought it was very soft. But we should not have allowed ourselves to

be in that position in the first place. At this moment it feels like

two points lost. We have the character and determination in the

group and once again that has come to the floor and helped us get a

really important point. It has probably hindered Norwich because

points at home are vital, and we know that ourselves. It is a good

day for us, I would suggest. In some ways it satisfies both with honours

even because Norwich go above the drop zone, Stoke are six points

above it. One or two decisions could have influenced things in a

different way, certainly the penalty.

Chris is unhappy with a penalty, but it is a penalty for me. The referee

is in a good spot. Bassong does not need to tackle him. There is no

danger for me. It is more clumsy than anything. For me, it was a

penalty. He gives the referee the opportunity. When you give the

referee an opportunity, to be fair to Jonathan Walters, it's a good

penalty. He goes from there, hero to zero. It is a naughty one. The

referee is in a good position, but let's give the referee some credit

as we tend to hammer them. It is a bit clumsy and late. When you slow

these things down and they look nasty, but it is a sending-off and

he will be disappointed because Stoke had momentum at that point.

We think Stoke will be fine, and Norwich have a crush on, but a tough

run-in. The result is better for Stoke today. Their last four games,

they need the points on the board -- Norwich have a cushion. Gentlemen,

thank you very much. Let's have a look at the table.

Let's see what the morning papers have to say. The mail on Sunday says

that David Moyes is planning to offer Tom Cleverley a new five-year

deal. While the daily Star reports Manchester City are eyeing up moves

for Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley. Chelsea seven points clear thanks

largely to Chelsea. Goodbye. -- thanks largely to a Chelsea

pensioner.