19/04/2014 Match of the Day

Hello, just when you thought this Barclays Premier League season

couldn't throw up any more twists and turns, we have another week full

of excitement and surprises. Six games coming up and here's to more

of the same. In the studio, two men who have seen

pretty much everything a Premier League season can offer, but this

time round even they're getting excited, honest! We start with

bottom club Sunderland's trip to Chelsea. Gus Poyet did his former

club a favour on Wednesday night, but it could have been so much

better. Promising this for City with Aguero. Lovely. Manchester City

lead, inside two minutes. Great ball in. Tap-in for Connor Wickham. Going

for goal. Finds the goal. What a strike from Connor Wickham. Nasri.

He can't keep it out. That could be a huge moment at the top and the

bottom. Your commentator at Stamford Bridge is Simon Brotherton. Hletico

Madrid and Liverpool loom large on the horizon. Chelsea's focus has to

be on the here of the now. Bottom-of-the-table Sunderland

knocked them out of the Capital One Cup this season. A similar result

could prove to be a knockout blow to Chelsea's title aspirations. Petr

Cech is ruled out through illness. Misses a Premier League game for the

first time this season. Schwarzer replaces them. Eto'o returns to lead

the attack. Sunderland came within two minutes of an unexpected win at

Manchester City during the week. No surprise that Gus Poyet has kept

with the same starting 11. Chelsea haven't conceded a goal at home

since the middle of January. The best record at home in the Premier

League, up against the team who are at the bottom at the moment,

Sunderland, without a win in at the bottom at the moment,

ahead of this one. This is a fixture the Chelsea have enjoyed in the

Premier League era, averaging three goals a game at home to Sunderland

in the 12 matches they have played in this stadium. Here is Eto'o. He

was away from O'Shea. Good play from Eto'o. Which almost set up a

shooting opportunity. Willian, squinting into the late

afternoon sun light. Oh, Chelsea are ahead! Samuel Eto'o is there. In the

12th minute. Chelsea have the early breakthrough they were looking for.

Eto'o, back in the team, back among the goals. Here it is again. As the

bam comes over, it wasn't great defending in trying to keep hold of

Eto'o. Samuel Eto'o has his 12th goal of the season. It came in the

12th minute of the game. A reminder, victory today and Chelsea will be

top of the Premier League tonight, with Liverpool not playing until

tomorrow. Of course, it just adds to Liverpool's pressure if Chelsea get

all three points here. Gus Poyet finds his team in a hole already.

Johnson looking for the forward run of Marcos Alonso. A corner, the

first of the game for Sunderland. O'Shea had a couple of chances at

the Etihad against Manchester City during the week. A first test coming

up for Schwarzer. Borini being ushered away by Azpilicueta. Alonso

the shot. Saved by Schwarzer. It's an equalising goal! Sunderland are

level. Connor Wickham has done it again! Schwarzer making the initial

save, but Connor Wickham the first to pounce. Here it is again. Look at

that space there for Alonso. That's a close call as to whether he was

off or on. I think Wickham was onside when the ball was played

forward. Wickham got there first ahead of John Terry to stab the ball

by Schwarzer. Having thrown a spanner in Manchester City's hopes

during the week, are they going to do the same to Chelsea today?

Ramires up against Colback. Look at the space for Oscar. The run halted.

Alonso able to get it away. Johnson will be penalised for that one. That

was on Cesar Azpilicueta. Mike Dean hasn't shown a card for that. High

boot. Seems rather odd. Willian with the free-kick. Foul. John Terry's

goal will not count. It was given against Matic. A massive trilogy of

games coming up, Liverpool match between those two Champions League

semi-finals. They cannot take their eye off this game for one second.

Larsson, timed it well. Third corner of this first half for

Chelsea. They have won the last six matches against Sunderland. They are

being held so far. Remember, four wins to end the season, Chelsea will

be champions. Saved by Mannone. And off the bar. Chelsea a whisker away

from restoring their lead. So, so close. As the ball came in, Ivanovic

with the header, flicked up into the air by Mannone. Sunderland trying to

keep it tight to the break. Mannone is there again to stop the ball

getting to Samuel Eto'o. Only half cleared by John O'Shea. Matic. Now

Azpilicueta. Chelsea looking to turn the screw. Doesn't quite fall for

Salah. Claiming for handball. They will not get anything from the

officials. Mike Deans with a long way away. Was it a handball from

Marcos Alonso? It was put onto his arm by Borini. There is no way the

referee could have any possible way of seeing that. Mannone has been a

busy boy in this first half. He makes the double save which stopped

the ball falling to Eto'o on the follow-up. Salah has a fair old turn

of pace on him, hasn't he? In towards Willian. Ramires, knocked

out of the way by Larsson, at the vital moment. Just ASRAAM ram -- as

Ramires thought he was going to get a goal. Kept at bay. Larsson nudging

him out of the way. Ramires. Chelsea looking to finish the first half

with a flourish here. It's Oscar out wide to Ivanovic. Blocked by Alonso.

Larsson on the ground. Took a bang as the ball was being played

forward. Well, you can see what Larsson is suggesting has happened

there. Just watch that from Ramires. Ramires needs to be careful theres

it was only a few weeks ago hi was sent off at Villa Park. He is lucky

no-one saw that. Drilling that one in.

Azpilicueta is underneath this. Ivanovic, turning clear of John

O'Shea. It could open now for Willian. Eto'o on the Harringified.

Salah on the near side to his right. Willian still going. Here is Eto'o.

Teeing it up wide of the goal. He can't quite believe it himself. What

a break this was from one end of the field to the other. Willian took his

time, considering his options, he had two, three, if you include him

backing himself. Samuel Eto'o not quite able to hone in on the goal,

to add to that one he put away in the first half. This is going to be

some final 25 minutes or so. Willian. Chelsea urged forward by

the Stamford Bridge crowd. Ba, Willian, he has given half the

Sunderland defence the slip. Demba Ba with a chance there. Got his

wires crossed in front of goal. Willian suddenly skipping free of

the Sunderland backline. There is space there for Demba Ba. Wasn't

able to line up the shot. There is an anxiety in the air around

Stamford Bridge. Attention filled final 10 minutes.

Altidore, trying to take advantage of the slip. Have Sunderland got a

penalty? They have. Is Chelsea's title challenge about to come

unravelled. 10 minutes to go exactly. Has Cesar Azpilicueta got

himself in all sort of trouble there. Altidore, big. Was it a foul?

He caught that left leg of Altidore. Here's the view of Mike Dean, the

referee. Has a little look across to his assistant and gives the

decision. Now Borini, back at his old club, with a chance to put

Sunderland ahead. And he has! What a turnup. What a blow potentially to

Chelsea's hopes of lifting the Premier League title. Drama at

Stamford Bridge. Who would have thought it? Chelsea, who have never,

EVER been beaten at home in the league, under Jose Mourinho, in both

of his spells in charge, are behind here to the bottom club in the

Premier League. As Borini scores againsts his former team. As we

speak, the title initiative is firmly being handed towards

Liverpool. Are Sunderland going to be key players in this title race.

Chelsea's back room staff getting highly agitated. Jose Mourinho

having to step in as peacemaker. Who would have thought that? And, Rui

Faria being removed forcibly from the touchline, as tempers fray. Now,

what have Chelsea got left in the lock-up? Here is Schurrle. Schurrle,

firing in the shot. Oh, what a save there by Mannone! What a stupendous

final few minutes we will have to this game. Mannone making sure with

that flying save. Stamford Bridge emptying rapidly. A look at the

watch from Mike Dean. Sunderland are almost over the line. It's a

sensational win for Sunderland. What a bitter blow for Chelsea's title

hopes. They have handed the initiative to Liverpool here. The

final score, Chelsea 1, Sunderland 2. Before the match, not many people

saw this result coming today? I said we needed a miracle, things changed

for us. I think it's the way that the players keep believing. We have

been in a bad spell. We have in the position where we couldn't win

games, playing well, deserving to win. Something you need something

special and unique. We have done it in four or five days. It's not

finished. We are still there. We have a big fight. We have a

possibility. It's up to us. We need to stop thinking about what we've

done and start thinking about the next game. At Manchester when we

were 2-1 up and to go home with the three points here is even better. We

got good four points that nobody expected us to win any points. That

is a great confidence for us to take us to the next game. Congratulations

to my players because they gave everything. They tried everything.

They left everything they had on the pitch from the first minute to the

last-minute. Secondly, congratulations to Sunderland. They

won. They won three important points for them. Doesn't matter how and

why, they won. Congratulations to them. Third, congratulations to Mike

Dean, his performance was fantastic. I think really amazing performance.

Congratulations to him. Finally, congratulations to Mike Riley the

way he organised things this season. Referees are doing really well

according to the objectives. So congratulations also to Mike Riley I

have nothing more to say. He has lost his unbeaten record at

Stamford Bridge, 77 and out in Premier League football. Churlish

perhaps that the end, it was hard to know where the sarcasm started and

ended? It must be Mike Riley that they got beaten at Stoke and Villa

also. I am a huge fan of his, not because Chelsea are the best team

but because I believe he is the best manager, but there is a way to lose

football and that was not the right way to say anything after the game

like that. I thought that was wrong. A significant result in the

title race? We have seen the last two Sunderland matches, there are no

bankers. You could say three points, but it doesn't work like that. For

Liverpool going to Norwich tomorrow, the same sort of thing. Sunderland,

a magnificent result against Manchester City. They come today on

a high, they get the team sheet checking, right away you are

thinking Schwarzer, a good goalkeeper, a great track record but

hasn't played a lot, getting a bit old and the tooth. The first time he

has to answer the question he spills it. They score. Chelsea, the last

twice they have been beaten, Palace away, Sunderland today, against

blanket defence, men behind the ball. You have to give credit, the

two centre backs were magnificent, organised. They created one or two

chances. Chelsea haven't got natural width and struggle against blanket

defence. As I say, Sunderland, four points out of six cannot believe it

and if they win the game in hand they are out of the bottom three.

What a season. Unbelievable. Quite a few dates for Sunderland. They

forced Chelsea into making mistakes. Chelsea have the best defensive

record in the league. You would not have thought but today, so many

mistakes, starting with the goalkeeper. A corner here, Chelsea

always leave two up so everyman is taken there. I think Gus Poyet out

thinks Chelsea here. He has looked at that and thought they leave two

up, I will put one on the edge of the box. Not one person picks him

up. Either Eto'o or Salah decides it is too late, he comes now, it is too

late, he should have come five seconds earlier and they have a free

shot at goal and Schwarzer should parry that away and it is a very

good finish. This time, Borini runs through the middle, John Terry is

trying to play offside, I don't know why. They get away with it and don't

learn their lesson. Good play from Sunderland. No one around

Azpilicueta here. All the time, in the work -- all the time to take it

clear it, messes around on the ball, Johnson should do better, get his

shot away. A long ball up, three of them going for the ball, Matic,

Ramires, no one, slipped from Azpilicueta Rogaine, Altidore is

onto it. I don't know what the debate is because that is the

penalty. It really is a stonewall penalty. No one appeals from the

Chelsea players. They do not go to the referee. Altidore is in front of

him. It is a desperate challenge to try and get back to rectify his

mistake. Just watch here. This is the angle that shows it. Altidore

there, he puts his foot down, Azpilicueta impedes him and takes

him down. No debate, that is the penalty. He tries to put his foot

down, Azpilicueta dives in, does not get the ball and he impedes on -- he

impedes Altidore added to the penalty. Could a Liverpool player

have just won the title full of the pool? And given the Sunderland a

decent chance of staying up. It is an amazing thing when you have a

great defence, how many mistakes they make. The opening goal,

Schwarzer spills it, but the standard defending, you have a man

in the middle of the six yard area, a man in the penalty spot, a man on

the edge of the box, basics. Lack of concentration probably. We asked you

to have your say on whether you thought it was a penalty or not. 67%

thought, yes, and 33% of Chelsea fans thought perhaps it wasn't. Keep

voting, if it changes drastically we might tell you at the end of the

show. I suspect it won't. There were a couple of controversial moments. I

thought the referee had a decent game. Adam Johnson goes in a foot

high, he was booked. It could have been read. Could have been. The foot

is high. It is dangerous. It is a maybe. As far as Ramires is

concerned, this is like 30 seconds before, the best piece of defensive

play all day. Larson loses Ramires and then all of a sudden he tracks

back, he sprints because it is a certain goal. He averts it,

brilliant defending. 30 seconds later, he has a little nip at

Ramires here, just coming up. Just there, right in front of Mike Dean.

Then, he is off, a straight red card. The referee is three yards

away. You cannot believe he has not seen it. Larson goes to the referee.

I can't understand why Mike Dean did not see it and send him off. This is

the assistant Chelsea manager Rui Faria, he loses it completely. There

might be some sort of enquiry into that. They always the Ramires. Are

you counting your Liverpool chickens? You cannot count anything

until you get the medal in your hand. That has always been the way.

Brendan Rodgers, before the start of the match tomorrow at Norwich, will

be emphasising to his players, you have won nothing yet. You can

imagine the Liverpool players watching that game this afternoon

and thinking, what a chance we have got. To the day's early game and the

London derby between Tottenham and Fulham. Back to the day's early game

and the London derby between Tottenham and Fulham. Back-to-back

wins for the Cottagers, and they travel to Spurs side who have gone

behind in each of their last eight games.

Tim Sherwood has been reflecting they might have sold out in the

summer, occasionally pleasing but not the real deal. Perhaps only

Eriksen has really looked the part. Maybe Fulham have found a winning

formula, with back-to-back victories. Rodallega scored two in

two, giving hope to a side who many people considered to be all but

relegated only a fortnight ago. A little bit short for Paoli know,

to be honest. Riise's their rents turns into a pass for Rodallega, who

is onside and fluffs the finish. He was onside, Rodallega. Just a

clearance really from Riise, but he is inside his own half, the

Colombian, and he charged away. He mishit the volley badly in the end.

Two points behind Norwich at start of play, Fulham. But with a much

easier run-in. Parker, caught by Eriksson but play on. Parker back on

his feet quickly. It almost came to Rodallega, it did. It would have

counted, Lloris has made a big safe here. Advantage played when Parker

was fouled, then Parker was very quickly back to his feet and it fell

beautifully for Rodallega and Lloris here, with his left arm, has made a

very important save. He managed practically half the goods in the

Bundesliga, Felix Magath. And track Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Bayern Munich,

Wolfsburg and Schalke. I am not sure -- he is not short of experience.

He has lost it, Paulinho can feed Kane here, he should have done.

Heitinga away, Eriksson ahead of... Up to London. Somehow it has not

gone in. Stockdale got something on it, there might have been some post

as well, but it stayed out. Lennon, with a volley on his right foot,

looked like he was about to put Tottenham in front. A touch from the

keeper onto the post. It is just a passage in the game in which

Tottenham have looked stronger, after Fulham had matched them for

the first 30 minutes or so. I fouled by Dejagah. Tottenham have

a free kick. In a good position from which to provide something for those

in the middle. It is Eriksson, with real pace and info Paulinho.

Tottenham take the lead. It is Paulinho, who just had to touch it

home from almost on the line. The delivery is brilliant. They let

Paulinho go, and all he had to do was make contact. From a matter of

inches, Paulinho puts Tottenham in front. Strangely, it is his first

goal at White Hart Lane. The seventh of the season. The previous six were

all away from home. Sidwell riding the Paulinho

challenge, still going. Sidwell, he has equalised for Fulham! Well, with

a little bit of luck and skill and a lot of determination, Steve Sidwell

ran through the wall and Spurs were only in front for about 90 seconds.

Steve Sidwell makes it one each. What a crucial equaliser for Fulham,

coming so soon after they fell behind. It is a very composed finish

from Sidwell. He allows himself a chuckle.

It is flicked on by Kane. Two and a half minutes into the second half.

Harry Kane makes it three goals in three games. Aaron Lennon provided

the cross. He scored last weekend at West

Bromwich Albion and scores here again today. Suddenly, they have it

all to do again. Having played pretty well in the first half.

Dejagah, for Fulham, looking for Riise. Rodallega in the middle. What

a good safe by Lloris. Fantastic header from Rodallega and he enjoyed

the save all much as much as the French man, by the look of it. He

could not have met it better, Rodallega. A wonderful save by

Lloris. Lovely reaction from the Colombian.

Heitinga made contact, a free kick. A yellow card here for Heitinga. The

ball had long gone. I wonder if he'd is working out if he can squeeze it

in, Eriksson. Oh, it is in! Kabul, 3-1 Tottenham. That could be at for

Fulham even though there is half an hour to go. The quality delivery

from Christian Eriksen, the first goal was Paulinho's touch, the third

Kabul. Kabul stuck out a knee and it hit

the roof of the Fulham net and it is a big ask now for relegation

threatened Fulham to get back into this game. Kabul's first goal of the

season just might have settled the outcome of this game.

They are claiming hand ball. A penalty. Eriksson, a route back into

this for Fulham. You can't argue with the decision. He has just moved

his right arm in the direction of the ball and Lee Probert points to

the spot. Potentially a huge moment. He has already beaten Lloris

once in this game. Can he do it again? No, he can't. He

went straight down the middle and the French man read it and saved it.

It is pretty much straight down the middle and if the goalkeeper guessed

right, he was always likely to save it and Lloris did. Fulham deep in

still. Spurs three, Fulham one. Whenever you get a set piece, you

know that Christian Eriksen is going to make something happen? Yes, but

it is not something which just happens. He is out on the training

field every day, and I have to call time. He wants to improve himself

all the time. And he is not just a training ground player, as you can

see. We have to win all of our home games, and if we get six points, it

could be enough. Maybe we will have a chance to get another point at

Stoke. You seem very confident that Fulham can do it? Yes, I am

confident, and I am sure that we will stay up, because there are some

reasons why we were not as good as Tottenham today, but next week I

think we will get better. Normally, to be a Premier League striker, you

need to things, a big transfer fee and a foreign passport, and you have

not got either of them? No, I am a local lad and I have great pride in

wearing the shirt. I knew that when I had a chance, I had to take it. We

know that Sandro has got involved today, saying, to make it clear, I

am not injured, what are your feelings? He is entitled to do

whatever he wants to do. He is white, he is not injured. He is not

selected, he is not good enough to play in my team at the moment. When

I think he is good enough, he will play. I do not care about

reputation, I like him as a kid, and he has got qualities, but at the

moment I am picking other people ahead of him. Sandro responded to

that with another Tweet later on. But he is being honest. He made the

right decision, he left him out and they won the game, nothing more

should be said. Sandro should be proving to the manager that he

deserves to be in the team. Fulham have conceded 77 goals this season,

which is a lot. So, it is hardly surprising that you might be about

to have a look at their frailties in that area. Other than Cardiff, it is

20 more than anyone else, and it was the same old story for two quality

balls in, it has to be said, from Eriksen. But look at Paulinho, where

is the marking?! He is two yards out, thank you very much, tap-in. It

is incredible. Hangeland is not marking anyone. There you go. Once

again, Rodallega has not got a clue where Kaboul is. Again, it is sloppy

marking. And it is so, so easy. Other than that, they would give

themselves a chance at winning games. Alan is the fish, they have

got to defend better. But despite that tendency to leak goals, you

have seen some signs of hope? I thought in the dark days, when they

were leaking goals, but in open play, they were chronic. They have

beaten Norwich and Aston Villa, and today, I thought they had moments in

the game where they played decent stuff. If you can eradicate the

defensive frailties, then they might have a chance. Five or six weeks

ago, I thought they were goners, but now, I am not social. They have got

this system with the two holding and the four getting forward, and they

caused Tottenham a lot of problems. Four men getting forward.

Eventually, they get to the byline, a good ball into the box, and decent

defensive play. Once again, bodies forward, the 'keeper comes out,

Lloris, and makes a great save. That could have gone in. This is the

goal, gets forward, gets a break of the ball, and they get back into the

game. Some great play. Back in two Rodallega and at this stage, they

were causing Tottenham all kinds of problems. And this was in the second

half, great save from the 'keeper. So, there is room for optimism at

sea like they say, if they win their home games at sea that is the

dilemma, who is going to go down? I do not know. They have got an

opportunity. Next to Cardiff, where the Bluebirds have been given a

glimmer of hope after last week's victory at Southampton. They took on

Stoke City, who are chasing their first ever top half finish in

Premier League history. John Roder is your commentator.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has named the same team which played Southampton

last week. Odemwingie has four goals since moving from Cardiff in

January, a move which saw Kenwyne Jones going the other way. Stephen

Ireland will be hoping to celebrate his new contract. Three wins, two

draws and nine defeats in the Premier League so far for Cardiff

City under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. That is a lovely ball through. First

chance of the afternoon, Jordon Mutch with the shot. The ball was

sleeping in perfectly beyond Shawcross. Cardiff have started

brightly. Campbell! It is a corner. Two Stoke

defenders threw themselves in the way of that shot, and it has gone

for a corner. Caulker gets his head to it. Stoke were able to clear.

Ireland, he is all on his own, Stephen Ireland. Odemwingie racing

forward to join him. Peter Odemwingie! Washed away by Marshall,

only as far as Peter Crouch. -- pushed away. Peter Odemwingie,

unable to score on his return to his old club. A terrific stop from David

Marshall. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has asked for patience from the Cardiff

City fans this morning. Campbell went to ground easily - oh,

no, it is a free kick. He was caught by Wilson. Whittingham! Just off the

outside of the post. Odemwingie eventually realises he

cannot do it all himself. Driven in by Muniesa. This gets a deflection

off the head of Caulker, and it is a corner to Stoke. We are in stoppage

time at the end of the first half. Back in by Shawcross. Odemwingie

goes down. Oh, Howard Webb points to the penalty spot! And the Cardiff

supporters feel that Peter Odemwingie went to ground to easily

here. You can see Howard Webb's position, it is a perfect one, and

he judges that that is a penalty kick. That will be a decision which

will be much debated. Arnautovic, 25 today. Can he put Stoke ahead on his

birthday? Yes, he can. Cardiff have had a lot of the play in this first

half, but it is the visitors who are in front.

It is a huge blow to Cardiff's hopes of staying up. Cardiff you sense

just need a good beginning to this second-half to re-establish the

belief which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been asking for.

Approaching four minutes gone in the second half. Whittingham delivers.

Kim is onside. Looking to take on Muniesa. Campbell goes down! Howard

Webb points to the spot. It is a penalty this time to Cardiff City!

It was Nzonzi with the Challenger and Frazier Campbell. Howard Webb

had a good long think about this before eventually giving the home

side the chance to level. And Cardiff are back on level terms.

Now, there is renewed optimism! Whittingham gets his third goal of

the season, and Cardiff's hopes of the great escape are very much

alive. Campbell... He gets a free kick

following the challenge from Wilson. And there are one or two words being

directed towards Frazier Campbell from Steven Nzonzi. And Nzonzi is

cautioned. The initial challenge was from Wilson.

Whittingham takes the free kick. It was missed completely by Campbell.

The Cardiff City fans are now in full voice, right behind Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer's side. Lovely play from Whittingham.

Caulker with the shot! It is surely in! Unbelievable! But it has been

disallowed! And Cardiff's jubilation is quickly cancelled out.

Cala was offside, it took a touch off the goalkeeper. The momentum of

the match is very much with Cardiff, but it could swing the other way.

Whittingham, I'm towards Campbell. Back towards Frazier Campbell, who

goes down! And this time, Howard Webb is unmoved.

Can his side get all three points? They really need them.

Walters, trying to position himself for a shot. Odemwingie. Marshall

makes the save at his near post. You can sense the tension around the

ground amongst the home supporters. Into the last 30 Assaidi! Marshall

with the block. And that could be a huge save in the context of

Cardiff's season. A minimum of four minutes additional time. Walters!

Off the bar! Stoke, so close to a winner. It is just a fraction too

high. We felt the penalty against us was a little bit soft. We felt that

Campbell was looking for it, very minimal contact, if any. I suppose

Cardiff would say it was similar in regard to our penalty, but I would

dispute that. All of the players were incensed, but we kept cool and

we tried to do the right things, not over elaborating. These boys, they

have a never say die attitude, a great attitude to come back into the

game in the second half. We really got momentum after we got the goal.

Towards the end, they could have nicked it as well, so it is a good

point. Helps you should have got all three points, when Assaidi was

through at the end? Yes, Marshall is a fantastic 'keeper. When I was

here, I knew how much he hoped the team, and today he has shown that

again. He is probably one of the best in the country. I do not think

anybody would argue with that. The two penalties, what did you think?

The game was a stinker, I cannot believe it is on third. I thought it

should have been on last! But the penalties, you are right, I think

Howard Webb got both of them spot on. The first one, Kim on

Odemwingie, when you see it from behind, when we slow it down, you

can just see the left foot making contact, and to me, that is a

stonewall penalty kick. The second one, Mark Hughes did not think was a

penalty, but I am going to disagree with him. Campbell comes across,

Nzonzi puts a leg out, again, Howard Webb in a decent position, and...

The reseller, actually. Yes, but I think two great decisions. -- very

similar. I think Marshall could become the most analysed goalkeeper

in Premier League history, but he has been remarkable. All season

long, he has made crucial saves at crucial times. This is the first one

against West Brom, when they are 1-0 down. A fantastic save. And then,

two - one down against Norwich, another great save. Phenomenal save,

this is probably the best of the lot. And today, Assaidi comes in and

he reads it perfectly. It is a fantastic save. And again, the point

could be crucial for Cardiff. He has had a magnificent season. I do not

think we have ever had a goalkeeper in the team of the year, from a team

which has been relegated. I have stopped predicting if Cardiff are

going to go down, but he has had a phenomenal season. It's a choice of

two for the goalkeeper of the season. Big game next week.

Sunderland v Cardiff. I'm not predicting who will go down at all.

Even when I retire. We won't ask you then! Three games down, three still

to come, but first a reminder there's a pretty tasty trio lined up

for you on Sunday. COMMENTATOR: xha a shot. What a

goal! What a day. What a strike! Maybe, just maybe...

Wonderful goal. Drama like nowhere else.

We have two shows coming up over the next three days. Tonight our feature

in the Championship is between two dark horses for the play-offs.

Watford and Ipswich. We've the best of title favourites Leicester

against another play-off contender QPR and we'll see whether Burnley

could join the Foxes in the Premier League next season. See you after

Match of the Day, otherwise we're on the iPlayer. Before we do it all

again on Easter Monday. And also this Bank Holiday weekend, join Sue

Barker to celebrate 50 years of memorable sporting moments on BBC,

that's Easter Sunday at 8.00pm. On Monday, the Women's Football Show is

back on BBC Three at 7.00pm. Back to the action and two sides struggling

for form. Swansea travelled to Newcastle with just one win in their

last 9, as for Magpies, goals have been so hard to come by, that

Sunderland have scored more than them at St James' Park in 2014.

Alistair Mann saw this one. Only one change for Newcastle today.

The onus remains on Bony to provide the spark. His last three games all

came in away matches. There are plenty of sides, Swansea included,

who would love to be in Newcastle's position. They have been safe for a

long time in the top side of the table since November. There is

enough attention on the hosts as there is on the visitors. Swansea

get the first attack of the afternoon. The shot off Coloccini.

That shot canoned off Coloccini and straight into Chris Foy. He went

straight to the floor. He has been refereeing a long time. I suspect

that is the first time he has hit the deck like that. Routledge down

the left. Hernandez, inside. He momentarily got the better of

Coloccini. The pass to de-Guzman. Bony. Very close. Well defended by

Williamson. He did enough to put Bony off. He has had to deal with

stories of training ground bustups, which he was emphatically saying was

just one of those things and was very quickly dealt with. Ameobi.

Still with it, and scores! 2 23rd minute. After four games without a

goal, at last Newcastle supporters have one to celebrate. Newcastle

haven't really mounted an attack so far, but Ameobi holds off a couple

of challenges. His first Premier League goal for over a year.

Newcastle lead. Here comes the substitution of the referee. Chris

Foy coming off. Antony Taylor coming. I wonder how much seconds

are added on for a change of officials. His side have dominated.

They have been in charge. Five corners. Inside the Newcastle half

almost the entirely match. Newcastle's first attempt on target

goes into the back of their net. Rangel, trying to get beyond

Dummett. It's a corner. Stoppage-time at the end of the

first half. Newcastle ahead through Ameobi's goal. Not ahead any longer.

Bony, at the near-post. At last, Swansea have a goal for all their

possession. It's his fourth goal in a row away from home. In terms of

the amount of possession and territory that Swansea have had, you

have to say that being on level terms is not unkind. From their

sixth corner of the half, Bony levels the count. Newcastle have

lost six of the last eight home games. Swansea haven't won any of

their last 11 away games. Perhaps we should predict a draw today. Hit by

Gosling. Turned round by Vorm. Out of precious little really, a lofted

high ball. The marking perhaps a little awry. More than half an hour

to go here and a game to be won. Foul by Tiote on Hernandez. The

referee has given it the other way. Newcastle free-kick. Vorm was

confident his angles were right. This was drifting beyond the post.

Much more even second-half this one. Swansea dominated possession in the

first. Newcastle have certainly grown into the second-half a lot

better. Into the path of Bony. Krul came out quickly. Got his legs on to

it. Krul was out bravely. I think he will be quite satisfied with the

point, Garry Monk. Boy, referee felt there was backing in. It breaks for

Emnes. Coloccini in front of Emnes. Still with Emnes. He is trying to

find a way through. Penalty! Swansea get a penalty in stoppage-time.

Garry Monk, well he might scarcely look. Tiote is appalled, but Anthony

Taylor has pointed to the spot. Emnes trying to weave his way

through. Tiote, went for the ball. I'm not sure he got it, you know.

No, I think that is a penalty. I think that's the right decision.

Wilfred Bony. How vital will this penalty be. Swansea are three points

closer to safety. Perhaps they have reached the safety target. Wilfred

Bony in stoppage-time, at the end of the first half, made it 1-0. In

stoppage-time at the end of the 90, he make it is 2-1. He will know that

that penalty may well ensure that Swansea remain among the elite teams

of the Premier League. Newcastle 1, Swansea City 2. I felt we played A

lot better today. A killer blow the last goal. A free-kick for us. There

is no way we should have allowed that to happen, three or four errors

in that goal. How pleased were you for the fans you were at the right

end of St James' Park. They had a great view of your penalty? It's

good. They support us. They keep working for us and push us and give

us motivation. It's all we need. We are making errors and getting punish

#d for -- punished for it. We can't afford to do that on-the-run we are

on. We need to work hard this week and make sure the next three games

we get ourselves a win. A finaleful I spoke to the happy Swansea boss.

Gary, you described this as "crunch time" you left it late. It was a

late, late bite? It was. It was kind of... We started well. First 20

minutes. Then they got the goal, obviously. We got sloppy on our

passing. Second-half we Wembley Stadium out there. I said if we

upped our intensity, you would have a chance in the game you don't care

how late it comes, as long as it comes. Wins have been hard to come

by of late. How much of a relief were those three points? Massive

relief. A case of, we have played pretty well, to be honest with you,

in games we, had and come away with nothing. We played better than we

did today and come away with nothing. It was pleasing. Which ever

way... The time of the season it is, it's whatever it takes to get the

job done. Wilfred Bony has scored a lot of goals this season for you.

How important has he been? Mass i for us. With Michu and injury

problems that he has had. Bo ony stepped up to the plate. He gave us

a lot as well, apart from goals, big presence, good footballer and he can

help when he doesn't score he assists and gets us up the pitch.

Great. Can't speak highly enough of him. You came in mid season,

following Laudrup's footsteps, not easy coming into things. How have

you found it? I have enjoyed it. I knew it would be difficult. Coming

into this and everyone would talk about the experience for myself and

stuff like that. This is a club that I've been at for 10 years. Whenever

they ask me to do something, I always do it for them. The privilege

position they asked me and felt that about myself. I'm trying to go out

there every day in training and put the views across to the boys. They

have been great with me, the clubs, staff and the fans. You were given a

late penalty, justified penalty. Have you asked after the wellbeing

of Chris Foy who took one in the face early on Yes... I think he

needs to toughen up a little bit, to be honest. He took it full-blown in

the face. It was a comical moment. I'm sure he is OK. I think he will

have an ice pack on his nose and will be OK for the next match. Wish

you well. I'm not sure why it amuses us when a referee gets hurt in

anyway, shape or form. Would I be wrong to suggest that Bony was the

difference between the two sides? He was. I like him. As a centre

forward, have centre halfs playing against you coming off the pitch

have to know they have been in the game. With this fella they know. It

he was too clever for Williamson. Too quick. A split second ahead of

Williamson. Williamson is not with him. He leaves him. Half a second

away. Rises above him. Wants it more than him. More determined. He gets

his header. He is direct, big, strong. He scores all sorts of

goals. Look at his movement there. Williamson, again, doesn't know

where he is, he is standing behind him. Split second. He is big and

strong. He is exactly that there. Not frightened to have a pop from

distance.le again, his movement. Should do better here. Decent save

from Tim Krul. This is a pressure penalty. He stick it is away with

ease. Confident. That is a huge penalty to keep, to confirm

Swansea's - Not quite safe. Not far off. I think they will be OK. I said

to you last week I thought they were playing all right. They went to

Anfield, played well there, got beatened. 5 minutes against Chelsea,

got beaten by odd goal. Playing with 10-men. If you knock-on the door you

will get the breaks. They got the break today. Newcastle, five

straight defeats, the worse ever in the Premier League history? The fans

have had nothing to shout about since the beginning of the year. Out

of the FA Cup. Can't score goals or defend. Tough time for them. The end

of the season can't come quick enough. A bad combination that.

Can't score goals and can't defend. Terrible combination. Recipe for

disaster. Back-to-back wins in match provided air optimism for Aston

Villa fans. But since then four straight defeats have seen Paul

Lambert's side plummet. This week the club suspended two members of

the backroom staff and issued a statement calling for unity,

starting with today's visit of Southampton. Steve Bower was at

Villa Park. He looks to end an uncomfortable week for the club on a

much-needed high. They haven't picked up a single point since they

beat Chelsea. They make three changes today. Southampton make four

changes. They are led by Lallana after his nomination for Player of

the Year. And Luke Shaw following his inclusion for the candidates of

the Young Player of the Year Award. Powerful run from Luke Shaw. A good

cross to Lambert. Couldn't really generate enough power with the

header. It was a storming run from Luke Shaw. He just wasn't catching

him. Lambert wasn't picked up. He will be disappointed with that.

Pochettino has had 15 months in charge. Positive months at

Southampton. Second managerial job. Trying to equal their highest ever

Premier League position of eighth. Lambert is waiting at the centre.

There is another chance. Another let off for Aston Villa. It was

deflected along the way. That could easily have been the opening goal.

You have to say, Villa have started this game like a team who have lost

four in a row. Agbonlahor has stayed onside.

Agbonlahor for Aston Villa. Oh, it was a horrible, heavy touch, that

allowed Fonte to come across and make the interception. That one

there. Phil Neville, Steve round and David Moyes, a full coaching

compliment from Manchester United and the Hull manager Steve Bruce

watching on. Poll have to come to Villa Park. Manchester United's

final game of the season is at Saint Mary is that St Mary's against

Southampton. A desperate clearance from Nathan

Baker. Well work to gain from Southampton. No real surprise Luke

Shaw was involved. -- well worked again from Southampton.

Davis, denied by Guzan. Well, Villa were very nearly punished for the

lack of defensive communication there. They are thankful for their

goalkeeper, for keeping his clean sheet in tax. Baker, what was he

thinking? First experience in the Aston Villa dugout, and nervy, edgy

one at the moment. That could have gone anywhere. The

brightest moment of the first half from Villa's point of view.

Unfortunately for Southampton it did not go towards the goal, but wide

instead. Not a good kick from Boruc. Straight

to Delph. Ella Mahdi, still Ella Mahdi. -- El Ahmadi. A tame effort

in the end. Not a good kick out from Boruc. He could not test the

Southampton goalkeeper on his left foot. His team have the third worst

home league record in the division. Ten defeats, a new club record, an

unwanted one. Quickly worked by Davis. Sure down the left-hand

side. Lallana is waiting and he couldn't make the contact he wanted.

What a chance. The pass from Shaw was just behind Lallana, otherwise

any kind of contact and Southampton were in front. They have got ten

goals this season, Adam Lallana, and that could easily have been number

11. It had to be a much improved second half, and it has been. Still

no breakthrough. A decent try. All Brighton was

quickest to it. It was on his weaker left foot and Boruc perhaps made a

bit more of it in the end -- al Brighton was quickest to it.

This is a long period of possession for Southampton.

There was an appeal for hands. Let's have a close look at this. Islam it

is out, definitely hits it. Aston Villa have at least arrested the

slide after four successive defeats. A touch of positivity at

the end of the difficult week. That was a massive point after everything

that has been happening. I am proud of the players.

TRANSLATION: Disappointed, because we do

everything well. We did not actually score, which is important in

football. After the events and everything that has happened, that

performance, if you are talking about commitment to a football club

that was evident. There was a clear penalty incident towards the end of

the game. What was your view of that?

TRANSLATION: It was difficult to see from my

point of view but I saw from my point of view it was quite clear and

the fact was the linesman was quite close to that action. He did not see

it as well. They all played well and enjoyed the game but could not

muster up the single goal between them. A bright spark, Luke Shaw, not

for the first time. I thought he was the standout player today. His

ability, he wasn't really tense did defensively here but going forward I

thought he was brilliant -- he was not really tested.

defensively here but going forward I thought he was brilliant -- His

enthusiasm and desire to get up there and his pace helps him get up

there. A great ball in to Rickie Lambert. He should score.

Ward-Prowse on the ball. Look at his hunger to get up there. Reading the

game. A good ball in once again. I love this one here, because he is

thinking half a second before anyone else. Already he is on his way and

before the defender realises, it is too late. He can't catch him, he is

away. A decent ball to Lallana, who should put that in. It is his

thinking and presence. He is ahead of the game. A lovely 1-2. He loves

it, he loves getting up there and whipping balls in. No doubt about

it, a star of the future. He is a great player and will get even

better. Is he going to go to the World Cup? Maybe. That is the next

thing. You have Baines and Cole and Shaw, he will go with two out of the

three. I felt Ashley Cole should be going, only because of experience.

It might be a big ask if Baines was to be injured to put Shaw in, a lack

of experience, but Ashley Cole -- but Ashley Cole has hardly played

this season. He hasn't had a starting three months. A big ask. He

will have played some sort of football. A couple of friendlies,

experience are missing. Going forward, brilliant, it won't be

about going forward. We will not say that. Nothing to do with going

forward against Italy and Uruguay, it will all be going that way. Aston

Villa, stop the rot? They have stopped the rot, I think they will

be OK, Aston Villa. He cut across me when I was in full flow! Finally to

West Ham and Crystal Palace. I will ignore them! Two teams who at the

start of the season would be tucked away at the bottom of the running

order. Alys reached the golden 40 point target on Wednesday and dented

the Champions League hopes in the process.

the Champions League COMMENTATOR:

30 points from 21 games. In opportunity, beaten away by Howard.

Puncheon, 1-0 Crystal Palace. It was a free header, it is 2-0, Dann. A

header by Naismith! A good effort, 3-1. It has come through to

Mirallas, it has. A huge night for Crystal Palace, they will be playing

Premier League football again next season.

John Motson was our man at Upton Park.

Kevin Nolan is back after missing the midweek defeat by Arsenal. The

Hammers arguably need just a point to be sure of a third consecutive

year in the top division. George McCartney stands in for sickness fit

Demel at right back. Puncheon's goals in the last four games have

sensed the Eagles soaring to 40 points and that means Crystal Palace

have retained their Premier League status for the first time in five

attempts. The victory at Everton cost them the services is Chamakh,

but Dikgacoi returns. Loud applause in the memory of West Ham striker

Dylan, a 20-year-old Australian who died yesterday following a

three-year fight against testicular cancer. He made his senior debut in

a League Cup tie against Wigan two years ago and was on the bench with

the first team earlier this season. Members of the family have accepted

West Ham's offer to retire the number 38 shirt, so Dylan is only

the second West Ham player after Bobby Moore to receive that honour.

The Hammers have got one or two players in the right place,

surrounding water. Puncheon in the six yard box. It was very close.

Dikgacoi, who was only passed fit when the team arrived at the ground

today, nearly makes a big impression here. It is a decent enough header,

but there are people in the way. This is Bolasie. There is Dann. A

corner. As the ball comes across, Armero jumps with him and it is a

caller to Crystal Palace. Puncheon will take this one. -- it is a

corner to Crystal Palace. A diving clearance by Nolan. They say hand

ball, Palace. Nolan threw himself at it. Where it hit him was a decision

from Martin Atkins and to make. Tony Pulis, who has been placed by many

in the category of Manager of the Year. Alys have done really well

since he took over -- Palace. It is a good change of direction by Diame.

A good save, Speroni. I reckon he turned back over. Diame really gets

behind this. Downing goes again. Jarvis is coming

in from the far side, as he did at Arsenal. He will retrieve this.

Nolan is waiting. Carroll was shoved, surely? Not given. Well, I

suppose you would say with Martin Atkins being such -- with Martin

Atkins and being in such a good position, that was a tame appeal.

Stewart Downing, right across fields to James Tomkins, really spreading

the play here, West Ham. He has helped over that side and Carroll is

the target again. Comes past Mariappa. Tries to get into Nolan.

Oh, there is Diame. A good save, Speroni. I have seen Diame score

from there before. This is a cross by Downing, Carroll, saved by the

Crystal Palace goalkeeper, Speroni. Firmly headed, a brilliant save by

Speroni. He really has had an outstanding season. He could almost

poke this in the near post, but Speroni was there again. What a good

crossfield pass that was, until Ward caught up with Jarvis and send him

down. Could be a counter attack here. Jerome has gone from right to

left, Puncheon is outside. Goes down, Jason Puncheon, but the

referee is not in the mood to give half-hearted penalty shouts today.

The game swinging from end end here. This is Downing again. Carroll in

the middle. It is going to come to Andy Carroll.

A good stop by Delaney, falling in front of him. Well, there has been

so many attempts on goal here that you feel one must come, sooner or

later. That is Dikgacoi, looking for Jerome. This is Cameron Jerome,

Bolasie is trying to get into the centre. Down goes Jerome, yes,

penalty. This time Martin Atkins and says yes. It is a penalty to Crystal

Palace. Just inside the line. Jedinak is going to take it. Adrian

is the goalkeeper. Jedinak scores, a good penalty. Really struck well. 59

minutes, the Palace captain has put them ahead. Is it going to be five

wins in a row now? No goalkeeper could have stopped that and Tony

Pulis's side have the edge in this London derby.

And this is Bolasie. Crystal Palace with another strong attack five

forward. And Puncheon could not quite make it. Three on the far

post. But it has come back to Dikgacoi. Puncheon lets it go!

Puncheon again! Well, how have they failed to score?! Surely Crystal

Palace must feel that should be 2-0. There must have been four or five

attempts on goal, all in that same attack. But somehow or other, nobody

could put it away. Only one Tony Pulis, is the loud

chant from the Palace following here. I would have taken this when I

walked through the door. The lads were fabulous again today. The

biggest thing is the turnover, playing at Everton on Wednesday

night and not getting home until half past two in the morning, and

then getting a performance like that today. I think we really deserved

it. There was some booing at the full-time whistle, do you feel some

unrest from the home fans? No more than usual, no more than when I was

at Blackburn, Newcastle or Bolton. If you do not win, fans do not like

it, especially at home. Times were tough at the start, but I always had

faith that we would be able to turn it around. It does surprise you a

little bit at this level when you are able to put five consecutive

wins together. That is something I think this football club should be

very proud of. It has been a strange year, it has been testing it has

been a difficult 48 hours, because we have lost one of our very good

friends, Dylan. It has been a hard couple of days, but it is one which

we are determined to put right next week at West Brom. Our condolences

and thoughts go to Dylan's family at this obviously very difficult time.

As for the football, five wins on the bounce, it is a remarkable run

for Palace. They go from strength to strength. Tony Pulis has had the

accolades, and quite rightly so. It is a phenomenal record. His great

strength has always been defensive organisation. Anybody can put lots

of players behind the ball, but there is a certain way of doing it.

Every person that plays for Palace, under Tony Pulis, knows exactly what

they are doing. And it shows in the results. This is dream time for

them. Not if Liverpool win the title! Let's be serious. As for West

Ham, they have been up and down, struggling again at the moment. Big

Sam under fire, supposedly. He was under fire at the beginning of the

season, when they were on a terrible run, and I urged them to stick with

him, and he has got them out of trouble. West Ham fans say to you,

he does not play our way, but what is West Ham's way, the one which has

been successful for the last four years? I think at the start of the

season, the objective was Premier League survival, and they have got

that. He does the job, keeps them up. They clearly played a West Ham

way. Gentlemen, thank you very much indeed. Before we leave you, let's

take a look at the Barclays Premier League table. Liverpool can extend

their lead at the top to five points if they beat Norwich on Sunday.

Chelsea of course visit Anfield next weekend. That famous win for

Sunderland has given the Black Cats renewed hope of a great escape.

Cardiff with their point today moved above Fulham but are still deep in

trouble. Next weekend is a must win match for both team. Let's have a

look at the morning papers. Well, that is it from us, on the day

a Liverpool player might just have won the title for Liverpool, without

playing for Liverpool. It has been that kind of season. Goodbye.