12/04/2014 Match of the Day

Hello. With just under a month to go now in the Premier League season,

nothing's been decided, and we have six games of great significance.

Robbie Fowler and Paul Ince are here to appraise

Robbie Fowler and Paul Ince are here ahead of all of today's games up and

down the country, ahead of all of today's games up and

Liverpool fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough on that

An appropriate silence ahead of the 25th anniversary itself on Tuesday.

To the action, and a meeting between the teams who were third and fourth

from bottom at kick-off. Fulham were five points behind Norwich and

safety, but looking to cut that to two, with the Canaries facing a

fearsome run-in and having sacked their manager this week. John Roder

was at Craven Cottage. Neal Adams takes charge of Norwich

for the first time. It is going to be a tense afternoon at Craven

Cottage, with five huge matches remaining for both of these sites.

Hugo Rodallega scored a late winner last weekend and he starts today in

the only change. Scott Parker is on the bench, having missed five games

with a knee injury. Manager Adams makes six changes in total, all of

them tactical. Michael Turner is playing for the first time since New

Year's Day. Norwich City, who have lost their last six away matches, up

against a full side who have taken only 13 points at Craven Cottage

this season. -- a Fulham side. That was David Stockdale in the Fulham

goal, and he saw it all the way. Six minutes played this afternoon, and

that means it is exactly 20 hours of Premier League football since Ricky

van Wolfswinkel scored in the Premier League, back on the opening

day of the season. And boy, do they need a goal from him to day? Fulham

have lost five of their last six here at Craven Cottage, conceding at

least two goals in all five of those matches. That was Fulham's best

chance of the match so far. It all stemmed from the long ball forward.

It was an awkward angle for Rodallega, but he struck it cleanly.

Fulham, given real hope of avoiding the drop by their victory at Aston

Villa last weekend. Felix Magath has called for the same sort of spirit

from his side this afternoon. Rodallega! He thumps the ground in

frustration, the Colombian striker. This was a terrific chance for

Fulham. Look how he hits the ground, really annoyed with himself.

The referee could not have been much closer to the action. Driven across,

and that is a wonderful save from Stockdale. What a reaction to keep

it at 0-0. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, so close to breaking his goal drought.

Olsson hit it hard, and all van Wolfswinkel dude was diverted

towards run, but that was an outstanding save. A tremendous spell

for Norwich City, but equally brilliant from David Stockdale. A

wonder. Full perhaps Johnson will feel he should have done better from

the rebound. That is it is the Norwich City fans who are making the

noise after that. Nathan Redmond, still going, such persistence. Here

goes again. Sidwell, caught in possession. Leroy Fer. That is a

free kick, Heitinga diving in. Snodgrass, off the bar! Norwich, so

close again to breaking the deadlock. Over the wall, and it

smashes against the crossbar. That is three terrific opportunities

Norwich have had. It is all rather quiet around Craven Cottage. You can

feel the tension, the apprehension, emanating from both sets of

supporters. That is going to be a yellow card for Steven Whittaker.

Norwich have brought everybody back to try and keep this free kick at

bay. Holtby takes it. Rodallega! Hugo Rodallega scores for the second

week in succession! What a huge goal that could be. Overwhelming relief

amongst the home supporters, as they get the first goal of the

afternoon. Richardson takes it. Rodallega! Good

job Norwich had a man on the line. Martin Olsson, that is a terrific

run. Snodgrass! Just wide. Brilliant defending, as Fulham players threw

themselves towards the ball. It was a wonderful ball over the top. How

close was Robert Snodgrass to getting an equaliser here?

What is he thinking now? How can he change things around?

That is a corner. It got a touch off the defender.

Fulham have everybody back inside their own penalty area. Headed wide

by Rodallega! The man who put Fulham in front now preserves their lead.

It was Michael Turner with the firm header from the corner.

Fulham fans celebrating, they are convinced that the great escape

might be on again for Fulham. Last few seconds. Rodallega. Can he

finished it? No, he can't. That would have sealed victory for

Fulham. The chance came to Ashkan Dejagah. But it does not matter. The

full-time whistle has been blown. Back-to-back victories for Fulham

and Felix Magath. Hugo Rodallega with the all-important van this

afternoon. Fulham are just two points behind Norwich, both with

four games remaining. And given the remaining games for Norwich, it is

Fulham who will be ending today far more optimistic.

We have two win every game. It is five finals for us. We have two win

everyone. Anything is possible. The 'keeper has made an unbelievable

save from van Wolfswinkel. We have had other good chances as well. That

is what it is about. That is the only area where we have fallen short

today. Obviously it is a big area because that is what wins games.

Everybody has been aware of Norwich's final four fixtures. Yes,

people have written us off already. They are tough games, we know that.

But we will do everything we can this week in training to get

ourselves right for the next game, which is Liverpool. We are in it

now, without a shadow of a doubt. We have to pick up points from these

four games, we're pretty certain about that. The minimum requirement

is what they have delivered today, in terms of their play, their

understanding, tactically I thought they were very good. And we have got

to start scoring goals, when we are making good chances like that.

So, a huge win for Fulham, and afterwards I spoke to their manager,

Felix Magath. It was a very dramatic game, and I am very happy about the

win. But today, we are satisfied -- we are not satisfied double in what

way were you not satisfied with the performance today? Because we are

not leading the game, we have to respect that Norwich was the better

team, and we were very lucky, we had a very good goalkeeper, who saved us

from defeat. I suppose at this stage of the season, the result is so much

more important than the performance, it gives you a lifetime? Yes, sure,

the result is all. We are happy about the result. Three points, it

was the most important thing. Do you think you will stay up? Yes! For

sure. I was ever convinced that we would stay in the league, and after

two wins, sure, I am convinced. Why do you think you have suddenly

managed to start to win games and not concede as many goals, what have

you changed? I think the players are now more confident than before, and

we are getting used to one another, and so, we stand up and we fight for

90 minutes, as today, and that is often enough. . It is such a big

friends, being five point ain't the team above you, to just two points?

It helps us a lot that we look at the table and we are now near to the

light and it helps us in the next few weeks. On paper, you have a

better final few games than the side you played today. Yes, but we have

to be careful with the games, it is always difficult to win, as we saw

today, and so we have four games left and we have to try and win the

next game at Tottenham. When you did and thank you very much for talking

to us, we wish you good luck for the rest of the season. Thank you, all

the best you. Felix Magath very honest and frank

about his team's performance, he wasn't entirely satisfied, but I

thought it would be happy with the result, that is the fundamental

thing. He has said it was not a great performance but where they

are, it was a must win game for them. They have got the win, which

is better than any performance. With the new manager in charge,

Fulham... Sorry, Norwich got off to a flying start and had lots of

chances but couldn't capitalise on it. They started very well, three

very good chances in the first half. Martin also on which this ball in

and he is very unlucky. It is as good a save as I have seen in the

Premier League. This save the game, reaction. It comes back out to

Bradley Johnson and he really should score. You see it from this angle.

Left foot, eight yards out, he should be doing better. And this

one, the goalkeeper is unsighted and a few inches lower... Neil Adams,

welcome to the Premier League, you see his frustration straightaway.

This is the full goal. -- the Fulham goal. Does he need to add there? I

don't think so, maybe bring the defenders up. There are eight

defenders there, 4 Fulham players attacking it. Steve Sidwell steal a

march on them, runs near post. Rodallega finds a little bit of

space because Michael Turner is caught ball watching and follows the

ball, so it was a great goal from a Fulham perspective, but defensive

wise, not great from Norwich. Considering Fulham's staggeringly

poor defensive record this season, they saw out the game remarkably

well after they scored the goal. Second half, I was waiting for the

onslaught from Norwich. This one, Steven Whittaker, a good little run.

Norwich just lacked a little bit of class and pile in the final third.

He could have got in there. But they have so many men behind the ball,

Norwich found it hard to break them down and when they win the ball,

they go on a counter attack. We highlighted Whitaker before, the

Fulham players are solid and compact, but they are all the little

bit too tight for me. Robert Snodgrass is quite clever, he does

make a run, but on the other side, Olsen makes a run, great touch.

Snodgrass looks favourite to score but look at the defending from

Hangeland. It is a fantastic tackle and that is why they didn't concede

a goal. Again, look how many Fulham players are in the box. Scott Parker

the first to close them. Nine players plus the goalkeeper in the

defensive third. So Norwich found it very difficult to break them down

and that is why they won the game. A lot of talk about Norwich, we have

talked about it for a long time, their run in. It is a tough one. And

Fulham, just two points behind them, you would say they have more

chance of getting points than Norwich. When you look at the

fixtures come at you fancy Fulham to get out of trouble, but at this

stage of the season, Liverpool are not going to want to go to Norwich,

they don't want to play teams fighting to stay in the league. All

of the games they have got, I think they are games that Norwich will

want to play, because there is no pressure, as Neil Adams said,

Norwich whatsoever. What do we think of the Chris Hughton dismissal?

Particularly the timing of it? Very unusual. The timing is not great but

if you look at Neil Adams' record in the youth teams... There is a big

difference between youth team football and the Premier League. I'm

not saying there isn't, but the timing was strange. I just think

five games to go, David McNally has said he fired him on as last two

performances which I don't understand. A new manager comes in,

the players have to get used to the new manager with he has worked with

them or not -- weather. It is seven away games they haven't won now. It

is one more note. Two teams who enjoyed big wins last weekend. West

Brom winning a Norwich took them out of danger but Spurs kept alive their

lingering hopes of making the top four.

It is not about me says Tim Sherwood, despite the rumours

circulating White Hart Lane about his future. Lund have scored! But

comes across, it is turned in. It is too hard and one, Harry Kane.

Christian Eriksen shoots. Harry Kane is into the penalty area. Through

the goalkeeper and in. Adebayor. Twisting and turning, and Gylfi

Sigurdsson. A handsome win, 5-1. Steve Bauer was at the hawthorns.

Despite that victory, the odds appeared to be long for Tim Sherwood

to be in charge next season. He is focused on the short term of the

five remaining matches and he named an unchanged team for the first time

in his period in charge, in which Daniel Sturridge has only scored

more goals in the Premier League than Emanuel Adebayor. West Brom are

without James Morrison but can recall Captain Chris Brunt after

five weeks out with a knee injury. West Brom get us under way in the

sunshine, the third worst home record in the Premier League against

the third best away one. The last time West Brom squad at

home, Amalfitano scored a stunning goal. He gets the crossing, beaten

away by Hugo lorries and backing by Vydra! -- Hugo Lloris. What a start,

within 30 seconds, for West Bromwich Albion. Vydra. Full credit to

Amalfitano, went past Danny Rose. Hugo Lloris got it away but straight

into the path of the Czech Republic international, who gleefully

accepted and drilled it into the bottom corner. The perfect start for

West Bromwich Albion, 27 seconds on the clock and Vydra has scored one

of the fastest goals of the season. The West Bromwich Albion tales are

up. -- tails. It might come to Chris Brunt! Would

you believe this? Inside four minutes, West Bromwich Albion are

two up. Chris Brunt after five weeks out with injury is back and back

with a goal. They can't quite believe this at the Hawthorns.

Christian Eriksen lost his footing and once again, Amalfitano involved.

The delivery, Spurs didn't deal with it, Chris Brunt was unmarked. 2-0.

His third goal of the season and already, Spurs are two down. What a

start. Even he couldn't have dreamt of this.

Mightily close from Harry Kane. Finally, Spurs a threat at the other

end. And Harry Kane, who scored his first Premier League goal against

Sunderland on Monday, saw the opening.

It just hit Harry Kane and went wide. He didn't know an awful lot

about it. It was a nice build-up than the left-hand side. It could

quite easily have ended up in the back of the net.

Rose. And the referee has given a penalty. It looked as though he had

pointed for a free kick there, but the referee has given Spurs penalty.

It is all happening in the first quarter an hour here. Emanuel

Adebayor has ten Premier League goals in his last 15 starts.

He is denied by Foster. Ben Foster guessed correctly. It wasn't the

greatest penalty, in all honesty, from Adebayor. A comfortable save

once he had guessed correctly. Disappointing effort from Adebayor.

He is smiling, but deep down, he will be absolutely fuming.

Encouraged to shoot. Look at the space for Amalfitano. Time to steady

himself. And that is a good save from Hugo Lloris. But once again,

but often marking left a lot to be desired.

Christian Eriksen has been so impressive in recent weeks, they

need him for some creativity at the moment.

Sessegnon could be in. Still Sessegnon! Three -0, West Bromwich

Albion, and we have only had just over half an hour. His fourth goal

for the club, already puts clear daylight between themselves and

Tottenham. And as soon as it came off the head of Eunice Kabul,

Ciriches was struggling, as he has throughout the game -- Younes

Kaboul. Deflected and an own goal. Spurs

have won back. The man who scored for West Brom against Spurs at White

Hart Lane earlier in the season gives the visitors their first

today. Taken away from Foster by the left leg of Olsson. Goodness knows

what this could finish up. Paulinho goes the goal. Beaten away

by Foster. Danny Rose! Terrific double save by Ben Foster. Just look

how quickly he is back on his feet and across goal to keep out Danny

Rose. He has seen his team take seven

points from the last 12, he has talked about new-found belief. It

has certainly been evident so far. Spurs have to find a way through.

West Brom have everybody back behind the ball.

Aaron Lennon on to his left. Good save. Look at the space for Lennon.

He dropped his shoulder and stepped inside. Foster very quickly down.

They better start to the second half for his team, I imagine a few choice

words were exchanged at half-time. Paulinho looking for Harry Kane! He

was mightily close to the all-important touch. Just watch how

close Harry Kane is on the stretch to this. That is how close.

I look at the watch, a long time to go yet. Just past the midway point

in the second half. Tottenham could really do with a

goal here. West Brom are working so hard to

defend what they have got. There is the header. And Harry Kane

has got one back for Tottenham. To reduce the deficit to one. His

second goal in two games, and he has set up the last 21 minutes at the

Hawthorns. Brilliant wing play from Lennon, free header for Harry Kane

and Steven Reid on the line couldn't keep it out. There will be six more

minutes of stoppage time. Berahino offers support. But he

cannot find him, and they have given it away. They will be hoping that

history does not repeat itself from the last home game when they

conceded a stoppage time equaliser, to make the score line 3-3.

Adebayor. Paulinho. So many bodies in the penalty area. Is this the

chance? Eriksen! Spurs have done it! Tim Sherwood's team have come from

three down to level eight at 3-3. For the second home game running,

Pepe Mel sees an injury time equaliser go in to make the score

line 3-3. Adebayor has been a peripheral figure throughout, but he

was involved. Eriksen took his time, kept his composure and

hammered it home. His 10th goal of the season. And it is a killer goal

for West Brom to concede. It is a big one for Tottenham. They looked

down and out at 3-0. Eventually, they have come back.

After the 3-0, it was such a one-sided affair, 20 shots to five,

or whatever it was. We missed the penalty. We were disappointed with

the third goal, we thought Chiriches was pulled back. But our defending

was horrendous. Did you perhaps defend too deep in the second half?

TRANSLATION: Yes, of course, it was not the intention but we seemed to

drop further and further back. I think the mind is very important,

and the players are worried about getting the points to keep us up.

What were you thinking at 3-0 up? Get in at half-time and Klingon! We

invited pressure in the second half. We were happy to come away with a

point. We are just trying to accumulate as many points as we can.

Where you finish up at the end of the season is where you belong.

There is no God-given right to finish in the top four. It was an

extraordinary start to the game, Tottenham's defending was

horrendous. It was not that good. It was poor. West Brom started really

quickly. They really came out of the traps. This is the first bit, the

ball comes in, great save. I think that was a foul. Eriksen needs to do

a lot more to support Danny Rose. If you watch Sessegnon, he just flies

into him. Another one here, ball into the box. And you can see

Naughton, he gets stuck underneath it. Great finish. This is when you

listen to Tim Sherwood and he talks about diabolical defending. This

happened time and time again in the first half. Again, you do not see

it, that is a blatant foul. Chiriches is quick, and there was no

way he was getting in front of him. Flamini, Premier League players now,

any little touch, they go down. -- for me. The first one, for me, it is

not a foul. What I am saying, if that is the other way round, and

someone is pulling you back, are you telling me it is not a foul? Who

would ever have thought that Robbie Fowler, the striker, would be

defending defenders? We have seen it every week, players go down. But as

you can see from that picture, he has called his shirt. Jerry? Is

quick, there was no way he was getting the other side of him. They

did not learn their lessons, did they? No, this gave Tottenham a

lifeline. If they had gone in at 3-0 at half-time, they could have won

it. Again, ball into the box. Great finish. If you see it from here,

Reid debts they are, but he does not get there quick enough. And here,

the lad turns his back. Last-minute, injury time, this was

last week, they did not do enough to stop the ball. They have conceded

four points, all because players have not been prepared to put their

bodies on the line. To a game with significance at both ends of the

table. If Everton could avoid defeat at Sunderland, they would move above

Arsenal. The Black Cats, meanwhile, started the day rock bottom,

following that demoralising defeat at Spurs. Guy Mowbray reports.

Sunderland in a battle, and Wes Brown is wearing the scars from it.

That came courtesy of a clash of heads with Harry Kane of Spurs on

Monday. Leon Osman cut his eye in a tangle with Bacary Sagna last

Sunday. But it is not so painful when you are winning. And the

managers are former team-mates from Spain.

Johnson, deflected off Sylvain Distin, corner to Sunderland. The

place is lifted. Ki takes the corner. It nearly

worked for him. I am not sure it was intended to lovely ball for

Deulofeu. Cattermole comes across. Deulofeu holds on and holds on, and

shoots, straight at Mannone. Should he have held on quite so long? What

a chance Everton had here on the break. Surely the ball had to be

played early to Naismith. Roberto Martinez said before the

match that he expects this to be one of the toughest games his team has

got left. He knows what it is like to be scrapping at the bottom.

Naismith, lovely turn! Dear me, he has been in much better form than

that recently. You would have put everything on Steven Naismith

scoring for the third game in a row there.

Chance for Borini! Locked on the line. John Stones got in the way. It

was going in from Fabio Borini. Lovely touch from Connor Wickham.

John Stones did what every good defender should do and kept on going

backwards. Jack Colback. Fabio Borini, lovely

shimmy. Big deflection on the shot. No real pace behind it, though.

Sunderland have found a bit of fire here. Corner from Johnson.

Tim Howard got gloves on it, Connor Wickham had a go. Now, it is Alonso,

and there is another deflection, and another corner to Sunderland.

Everton are under the cosh of it here.

Tim Howard got nothing on that one, it has gone straight behind. If

Sunderland's players can feed off the passion of their supporters,

they really have a chance of completing that miracle which Gus

Poyet has spoken about. Deulofeu! Right across the face.

Great pace from the Spaniard on loan from Barcelona.

I think there is frustration all around. Everton would really want to

win this. Sunderland Need to win it. Vito Mannone has got away with that.

He decided that he had to come out, but he never looked confident. 29

years ago on Thursday, Bill Kenwright will have watched Everton

draw 0-0 at Bayern Munich in the European Cup winners cup final. And

it has gone in! It has come off Wes Brown! It is the seventh own goal

which Sunderland have conceded this season. Deulofeu, inside and

outside, Alonso could not stop him. Everton do not care how it goes in.

What a big goal for them. Ki! Blocked by Howard. That was a

really good bit of defending from John Stones again.

Borini! That is the best yet. That is a really good effort.

His demeanour never changes, but I am sure he knows just how excited he

is making Everton fans. The spirit goes on and on, and so does

Everton's winning run. They have moved into the top four, as

Sunderland are left to rue their luck once again. Anchored to the

bottom of the Premier League. We are coming off the back of a

stylish win against Arsenal. In this league you have to quickly adapt to

what is around the corner. Today was a it was scrappy. -- today was a

real dogfight at times. It was scrappy. That is what makes this

group of players so special. It is very tight, there is practically

nothing between the teams, and then you go and lose the game with an own

goal, which hurts. It was that type of game, that one action would

define who was taking the three points. I have probably had more

time than I thought, and I was leaning back a bit and put it over

the bar. But in the end we have worked hard and got the result. That

is what we need. It is a great three points. It is the highest points

tally ever in the Premier League, and that, for a football club like

ours, with a history that we have, it feels real exciting. We have got

real competition for places, which always helps to focus on our

performances. Sunderland, valiant, but ultimately you suspect they

might be doomed. Everton, not at their free-flowing best, but in

Deulofeu, they have got a very good player. Very good player, young kid.

I watched him play in Turkey, in the under-20s, and his pace is

absolutely frightening. Thoroughly prepared to go either way. His feet

are so quick. He enticed is defenders to want to make the

tackle. He is electrifying. And this is one here. All day, he

had no protection, Alonso. When you have a kid like this, backs him into

the penalty box. A little fortunate with the goal but he caused them

problems all day. Not at any time did they say, he needs doubling up.

This is the goal. Sunderland are in a great position. I think the

goalkeeper tries to gamble. I don't think he needs to gamble. He comes

away from his near post, leaves that gap and when you are down there, it

is the seventh goal they have had this season, those things happen.

You have to feel sorry for Gus Poyet. These are the last five games

of the two teams. Everton with a 2-point advantage but probably the

top run run-in. Robert Leonteva, the Arsenal run-in looks easier, but the

way Everton are playing -- probably on paper. Everton are so confident.

They have not played very well but they have an ugly win and that is

the sign of a team that is informed, so I wouldn't be surprised if they

pip Arsenal for fourth. Still all to play for. With only Premier League

bound Leicester City having secured promotion relegation prior to

today, it was all to play for across the Football League. Manish

Volosozhar. Won promotion under reported world

record in the Football League. You can see whether Burnley got the

champagne cooking. QPR against Nottingham Forest, with plenty of

state. And late promotion contenders Bournemouth. Join me with Neil

Warnock after Match of the Day, otherwise we are on the BBC iPlayer

all week. And on Sunday, all of the action on

what will surely be a pivotal day on this season's title race.

Sunday is a day of opportunity. What a goal! A day when the permutations

narrow and things suddenly become clear. That is stunning. A day when

hope could turn to expectation. Absolutely brilliant! Sunday. A

defining day. You spend a few years at Liverpool,

they have a real chance. And in this game, if either side wins, they are

in a really strong position. Without a doubt and more so from

Liverpool's point of view, they need to win more than Manchester City. If

City can make a point, they will be more than happy, but what a great

game and it is great to see Liverpool up there. They have not

won it since 1990, Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job and we

can't wait for it, can we? It is exciting. you played for both clubs.

I think everybody knows where my allegiances lie! It is a fantastic

game, one we can't wait for. The south coast and the port City

meeting between Southampton, sailing along serenely in eighth, and the

Cardiff side in danger of being cast adrift. Safely anchored in the

commentary box, Simon Brotherton. Gaston Ramirez replaces the unlucky

Jay Rodriguez, who sustained that season-ending knee injury vastly.

Cardiff make four changes, among them is a recall for Peter

Whittingham, who has made just two substitute appearances totalling 35

minutes in the last two months. Kenwyne Jones misses the game with a

kidney problem. Just seven points from 16 matches on the road for

Cardiff South. Three defeats in the last four games, just a single point

the last month or so. Gaston Ramirez! The deflection takes

it onto the bar. That is the closest we have come to a so far. Deflected

onto the bar by the outstretched leg of Steven Caulker.

There is Jay Rodriguez watching the match, just a week after that

season-ending knee injury at Manchester City. Rehab has started

already, surgery will take place within the next couple of weeks.

Beautiful play. A little touch by Cala, who commits the foul.

Southampton with a free kick in an interesting position.

It is Rickie Lambert the Southampton and it is a good save by David

Marshall. -- for Southampton. All that has been missing for

Southampton so far is the end product.

Back with Southampton once again. Gaston Ramirez with the through

ball, Rickie Lambert onside, and David Marshall with the save. Ray

Lewington in his watching brief on behalf of England.

Luke Shaw away from Jordon Mutch. No handball against Steven Caulker,

who, I think, did his best to get his arms out of the way.

Let's have a look again here. Difficult to see but he looked as if

he was moving his arms away from where the ball might go.

Southampton clinically disposed Cardiff on Boxing Day in South

Wales, they were 3-0 up within half an hour. Jay Rodriguez scored two,

Rickie Lambert the other one. It was very comfortable. They are finding

it harder this time. Jordon Mutch still going. A rare

foray into enemy territory for Cardiff City Jordon Mutch's shot

beaten away. The longer it stays at 0-0, the more Cardiff might feel

they can sneak something. Southampton have add almost two

thirds of the play so far. But Cardiff are still in this game.

Cala tees it up and Cardiff are ahead! Cala's second goal for the

club. And against the run of play, and a match they desperately need to

win, Cardiff City are ahead. Without an away win since the back-end of

September, Cardiff City with the worst away record in the Premier

League, have a priceless lead. And it has come from one of their

central defenders. Cala's shot beyond the despairing dive. And

Cala, who scored his first goal in the defeat to Everton last month,

has another here, and how important it could be. You just started to

wonder, Southampton had so much of the play without really taking

advantage of it in the final third. Cardiff hung in there and now they

have got something to hang onto. Superb save by David Marshall.

Let's have a look at, as the ball is played forward. Very tight onside. A

good save by Marshall, he responded well.

Gallagher couldn't quite get it past the Cardiff City goalkeeper. You get

the feeling it is going to be attack against defence for the closing

minutes. Nathaniel Clyne, what I save! Great

stop by Marshall to preserve the clean sheet and the narrow lead.

Drilled in low and Marshall was down quickly.

What a shot in the arm this would be the Cardiff at a vital time of the

season. -- for Cardiff. Wilfried Zaha gets the better of

Jose Fonte. Still going. He could finish it off. Saved by Gazzaniga.

It really would have been game over if he had slipped that one

underneath the Southampton goalkeeper. Held off chose a fund

the first and second time. And the save by Gazzaniga.

It is now or never for Southampton. One must attack... No! It is all

over. And Cardiff are far from finished in their quest to stay in

the Premier League. An unlikely win, a precious win, and Cala, one of the

mid-season arrivals, is the man who scored the goal. Cardiff City have

won at Southampton for the first time in over 50 years.

You looked quite relaxed, I don't know how you are feeling inside. I

was quite relaxed, because, you know, sometimes we have had the same

against Everton, Spurs away, Liverpool at home, you stand there

and you are relaxed because you are proud of the boys. No matter what

would have happened in the last five minutes, you can stand up there and

be proud of everyone. How frustrating was that? TRANSLATION:

We are obviously disappointed. If you analyse the 95 minutes of the

game, we didn't deserve to lose today but it happens that we lost

and it is a big learning curve that we got from this game. We know we

can stay in this league but it is going to take performances and

results like today. Four more wins is going to be a tough ask, but we

are quietly confident we can do it. You could hear the fans towards the

end, when they heard the other results, they know we are right in

this fight and we won't give in until it is over. And unexpected

lifeline in many ways the card, only three points behind Norwich and I

think we may have mentioned they have got a tough run in! Everyone

keeps saying this but what they have got to do is try and get wins on the

table. The result today was magnificent for them, especially

with what happened in the full and Norwich game. And a good goal that

won the game. It was a bit of a punt free kick into the box, a good

header but the clearance has got to go further away. A bit of a faint

and it is a goal good enough to win any game. You can see the little bit

to take away the players, and Cardiff have a lot to thank this man

for, he pulled off a tremendous save from Sam Gallagher. A tremendous

ball from Schneiderlin. And this one again, the clearance is straight to

Nathaniel Clyne. Left foot, bottom corner and again, what a magnificent

saved by the Cardiff Player of the Series on. Has there been a better

keeper this season? If there has been, I have not seen one. I

remember the game at home, he was absolutely outstanding and when you

see the performances he has put in, that is what they are going to need.

If Cardiff are going to stay in the league, they needed a special goal

and the keeper to make saves. Straight after the game, Solksjaer

ran straight over to him and gave him a little cuddle, because he has

given him a chance. Exactly two months to the day from there,

something special will be getting underway and we have someone a bit

special to tell you about it. What really separates the great from the

good? special to tell you about it. What

really separates the great Style? Of course. Flair, obviously. Passion.

That's a given. Learn from your mistakes. Always think about what

you missed. Never be satisfied with what you have done. Whatever you do,

do it with your heart. I never thought about what I could get out

of football. I just wanted to play. Spain have won the World Cup!

Not long now, can't wait. And a world-class field, including Mo

Farah running his first-ever full marathon, will join thousands of

others in the annual London showpiece this Sunday. And another

great sporting event concludes later in the day, the final round of the

Masters is live from August on BBC Two. Next, two sides who were locked

together on 34 points each, before the match.

The seven clubs below Aston Villa in the Premiership have all sacked

their manager. Tony Pulis's Crystal Palace meanwhile have won six and

drawn one here at Selhurst Park. Paul Lambert has bemoaned injuries

recently but he is boosted today by the return of Gabby Agbonlahor,

Fabian Delph and Al Ahmadi. Both these clubs start the afternoon

on 34 points. Here comes the corner. I do not think Speroni would have

got that. I think it was Cameron Jerome who got that one away. And

Speroni was only too grateful. Joe Ledley was pulled down, free

kick to Crystal Palace. Now, is that a penalty? No, it is

not. Bolasie is appealing. They are all appealing. Just for a moment, I

thought Bolasie was going to get a penalty, but does he stumble over

his own foot? I do not think there was any contact from a Villa player.

Vlaar continues his run. He has got support from Agbonlahor. Not a bad

effort. Comfortable, though, for Speroni.

This is promising, it is Bolasie. Oh, what a good effort, and it could

still go in! Wonderful save in the first place by Guzan. Jerome thought

he had got the rebound in. Bolasie, not a noted goal-scorer, hits this

well. Jerome should really have scored. The best effort so far this

afternoon from Palace. There is a wonderful at the sphere inside the

ground. -- atmosphere. Bolasie is proving one or two people

wrong in this game. He has always been regarded as a provider, not a

finisher. He has had two good efforts in this second half.

Championship. He has won it back. He has found to Rome. Now, on the other

wing is Bolasie. Deflection, handball, Howard Webb says penalty!

And Westwood says, consult the assistant referee. It is not a

penalty! Well, here is the cross from the other side. No, it is not

handball, I think it has hit him in the chest. I think Howard Webb has

had the honesty to changes mind. -- to change his mind.

Palace come out with the ball, and this is Bolasie. He has had a very,

very good second half. A chance surely for Crystal Palace! It is

Puncheon, and he has done it again! Jason Puncheon, a hero for the

second week running! And the two wingers, Bolasie and Puncheon, have

combined to produce the goal that Palace have been chasing. These two

have both had varied careers, in the Premier League, and in the lower

divisions. But Bolasie has been a real threat this afternoon in the

second half. That has beaten Guzan, and Crystal

Palace are in the lead. And I have to say, it is deserved, on the play.

Lowton for Aston Villa! Suddenly, Crystal Palace can see the 37 point

mark just in front of them. Oh, and they are away again, Palace.

Parr is in the middle. And I say, that should have have been all over.

And it was Jenson Puncheon again. -- Jason Puncheon.

And all the Palace fans look anxiously at the big clock, as

Lowton gets the ball. This is Albrighton. It is aimed at Grant

Holt. Can he had it down for Weimann? Good save, sporadically, --

Speroni, that was vital. There was nothing much in the game.

And Speroni has made a great save towards the end. The game could have

gone either way. We might have been talking about a couple of penalty

shouts. What was your view? I think the linesman did brilliant for the

second one. It was not a penalty. The first one is debatable, we think

he has caught his standing foot. So that is a bit closer, but it is not

clear-cut. It is not an easy decision for Howard to make. You

cannot stop scoring all of a sudden wanted you have got to believe in

yourself. It has been great. One or two people are talking about you

being manager of the year. We will dust ourselves down and we will have

a look and see what is going on. But there are lots of people who earn

their money at this level. We get paid good money to do our job. I am

doing my job. He is doing it very well indeed. Crystal Palace have

conceded fewer goals than Liverpool this season, which is interesting.

Lunch and, once again, a player you know well? Yes, I had him when I was

manager at MK Dons. Fantastic ability. He was a bit of a nomad, he

went from club to club. That is where you have gone wrong, you

should have said he was reddish. I ended up selling him to Southampton.

-- rubbish. Technically, he is fantastic. That goal reminds me a

bit of Robbie Fowler. Yes, I think the finish was brilliant. What about

this one? I have watched Crystal Palace a few times this season, and

Speroni has been outstanding. And that is another one where he keeps

them in the game. Great piece of goalkeeping, for sure. You're mad,

Tom, he is at Crystal Palace, not playing regularly at the moment, but

what does he make of it all? -- your lad. It is this togetherness, the

spirit, everybody pulling in the same direction. There are no big

stars, no big-name players, everybody has got a job to do. At

the moment Thomas is not playing, obviously I would like him to be

playing more, but he understands it is about the team, it is not about

him. But the spirit is fantastic. And when you talk about the 12th

man, those fans, they are the best fans I have seen for a long time.

You have been arguing all day about this miss from Jaron. You thought it

was a sitter, and's no, I thought it was a sitter. He forgets that I

played with him. Being a manager has probably mellowed him out of it! If

I had missed this, he would have absolutely had a go at me. He has

got to score that, two yards out. We are talking about a Premier League

player here. I think it just bounces in front of him. He should have

taken it with his other foot. It is a long way out! Listen, he will be

disappointed, but it is not a sitter, that is for sure. Our final

game tonight is a midst table meeting between Stoke City and

Newcastle United, whose season has rather fizzled out of date. Two

clubs saved from the drama of scrapping for survival points. The

goals of Peter Odemwingie have played a huge role in Stoke's surge

up the table. He got the winner here against Hull a fortnight ago. Loic

Remy is still missing with a calf injury. Newcastle are turning to

Shola Ameobi to try to solve their goal drought . his last Premier

League strike came 16 months ago. Tim Krul was flat-footed. Newcastle

have survived. What an opportunity this was for Stoke to take the lead.

Peter Crouch got in between the defenders. Newcastle are playing the

three central defenders today. Begovic was close enough to prevent

a Gosling getting a clean shot at goal.

Alan Pardew has served his three-game stadium ban. This is the

second game of his four-game touchline ban.

The flag stays down for Cisse. How good a shout was this for Papiss

Cisse? The Stoke fans felt he took a dive, but Cameron was nowhere near

the ball. I think Newcastle will feel hard done-by. As always, it is

a blustery afternoon in the potteries. Arnautovic has Pieters to

his left. And the cross has gone in! Erik Pieters' first goal in the

Premier League, and I am not convinced he was going for goal. He

is almost embarrassed to celebrate. Arnautovic with the approach work,

and he picked out Pieters. I am pretty sure it was a, looking for

Peter Crouch. -- it was a cross. This looks promising for Stoke City.

Peter Crouch! He could not get over it.

Stoke City, reaching the magic 40 point mark one week ago, after a

fantastic month in March. Everything to his left. Looking for

Crouch. And this time, he does force save out of Tim Krul and again, the

very good opportunity to score for the former England international.

It dropped for Williamson. Suddenly, there is a threat from Newcastle

United. Mike Williamson, who has never scored in a Newcastle shirt,

almost found himself scoring the equaliser here.

Since they beat Stoke City on Boxing Day, Newcastle have lost ten out of

15 year league games. The first" Pardew out" banner is being

unveiled. Wrong side of the post from Stoke

point of view. A ball from Steven N'Zonzi and Charlie Adam desperately

surging up the pitch and hoping the past comes. But still the killer

second goal won't come. And the facemask is a consequence of an

incident in training this week, when he broke his nose in four places.

Sounds pretty painful. Anita is back post. Couldn't get

over it. What a chance. Vernon Anita started the move, Armstrong kept it

moving, Ameobi with a lovely cross and Stoke City nearly lost two

points. We are obviously in a good position

and then click on with these remaining games and I think next

year, given the benefit of the work we have done as a group this year, I

think we can look forward to another good season, I hope. Your chance to

tell us that you meant that. Yes. No, no! It was a cross and it went

in, lucky but sometimes you need it. Tim Krul, the goalkeeper on the

receiving end, did you have a few words with him? Are well out of the

game, my Dutch friend. I will have a chat with him. -- I will have to.

Replayed well today, a freak goal and I think we should have had a

penalty. We are not getting the breaks, missed chances, blocks on

the line and that is where we are at the moment and hopefully we can go

to the next game and get a win. I can't fault the character of the

players and the effort they put in. Stoke on restoring that fortress

Britannia this season. Especially with the fans, they are great fans

and Mark Hughes has done a great job. We were worried if they would

stay up when he took over and he has changed their style of play and it

is a tough place to go to. He has done a very good job. On the other

side of things, Saint Alan Pardew got his band, Newcastle have really

struggled. Well, to me, they are playing in holiday mode. -- since

Alan Pardew got his van. We saw banners again, another manager under

pressure. Before we leave you, let's have a

look at the Premier League table. The match of the weekend is still to

come, the league leaders Liverpool hosting Manchester City on Sunday

and Chelsea complete the triumvirate of title contenders in action.

Arsenal are out of the top four but have made it to the FA Cup final.

Sunderland are seven points from safety but it is congested above

them. Let's see what the papers have to say. The Sunday express is

linking Southampton pair Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw to Manchester

United. And reports that Vincent Kompany could miss the game with

Liverpool because of a knee injury suffered in training. The Mail on

Sunday lead on comments made by his club manager Manuel Pellegrini,

saying it would be very disappointing for football if

Chelsea won the title ahead of a more attack minded side.

Well, by beating the Canaries, Felix has put the cat among the pigeons.

Goodbye. This is the most priceless work

in the artist's collection It took him just five minutes

and 20 seconds to create.