21/09/2013 Match of the Day

Hello there. Following the midweek European action we may only have six

games, but after a relatively mild start the Premier League season I

think it is fair to say it came alive today.

Here with us tonight, a man who scored 162 Premier League goals. A

warm welcome to Robbie Fowler. And Alan Hansen is here to put the case

for the defence. To the action and we start with one of the two

remaining unbeaten sides in the season's top flight. Everton

travelled to London to face West Ham team who had not hit the net in 284

minutes. The commentator at Upton Park was John Roder.

With West Ham and Everton tight at the back goals might be at a

premium. Each had kept three clean sheets in

four league matches so far. They had only scored once since the opening

weekend. Rat makes his first league start, having come on at Southampton

last weekend, where Jaaskelainen was outstanding. Lukaku has to wait for

his Everton debut. The loan striker was ineligible to play against his

parent club Chelsea last weekend. He is on the bench this afternoon as

Roberto Martinez names an unchanged team.

A brilliant save from Jaaskelainen. Naismith could not get on the end of

the rebound. Super stuff here from Jaaskelainen. Mirallas cutting

infield and Naismith was unfortunate he was unable to get on the end of

the ball. Roy Hodgson here this afternoon, plenty of English players

for him to cast his eye over in this match.

It gets a deflection and in. West Ham in front. It has just gone half

an hour at Upton Park and Morrison gets his second goal of the season.

West Ham break their goal drought. The run of Matt Jarvis setting up

Morrison. Howard goes one way and can only watch as the ball goes the

other. Morrison will be claiming it. West Ham one, Everton nil.

Last season Everton came from behind here at Upton Park to win by two

goals to one. A foul by Barkley on Morrison.

Barkley is going to get a caution for that challenge as well.

Tactically it looks as though Mirallas has moved across to the

right-hand side for Everton now, having played the left for the

visitors in the first period. Too many defenders were there.

Almost an instant impact from Lukaku. You do wonder whether

Roberto Martinez was thinking of starting Lukaku this afternoon, but

he saw no reason to change a winning side.

It was just too high for Mirallas. What a spell of pressure from

Everton there! Leighton Baines with the final ball across the six yard

area and Kevin Mirallas couldn't quite make contact with it.

It is a free kick. Lee Mason is reaching for his pocket as well. It

is a caution for the Welsh international. A desperate lunge

from Collins. Jaaskelainen has organised his wall. Baines strikes

it, oh, that is fantastic! What a free kick from Leighton Baines! He

got seven goals last season for Everton. He is off the mark this

campaign. Absolutely superb. Everton are back on level terms. 1-1,

Leighton Baines with a smashing goal.

There was a little tug there on Kevin Mirallas and Lee Mason was

trying to play an advantage. Mark Noble will be cautioned for pulling.

Mirallas steaming away. Almost deflected in by O'Brien. It

might just have been hitting the post but Jaaskelainen was taking no

chances. A penalty kick, Kevin Nolan down in

the area. Quarter of an hour remaining and West Ham have the

opportunity to restore their lead. Lee Mason, right on the edge of the

penalty area with an excellent view of proceedings. That is a spot kick.

Mark Noble, he got four goals last season for West Ham. Three were

penalties. West Ham are back in front. The Hammers' longest serving

player puts them 2-1 ahead. That is their first shot on target in the

whole of this second half. This could be trouble for West Ham,

Mark Noble has already been booked and it is a second yellow card. Mark

Noble is sent off, just a couple of minutes after giving West Ham the

lead. Barkley's run forward, the challenge from Noble, it is a second

caution and he is off. West Ham are now a man down and look at the

position of this free kick. It is just a little bit closer to goal.

Can Baines produce a repeat performance?

Astonishing, a wonderful display of how to take a free kick from

Leighton Baines, not once, but twice. Off the post from Baines and

Everton are back level for a second time. Double punishment for West

Ham. Baines has levelled. You would not have predicted this after the

opening 25 minutes here at Upton Park this afternoon. Everton will

remain unbeaten if it stays this way.

Lukaku! What a moment for him! His Everton debut and he has put them

3-2 in front. I am not too sure that Romelu Lukaku knows too much about

it though. This looks to be a concern for Everton. Look at

Lukaku's movement here. As he gets to the ball, I think he has been

knocked clean out by the collision from the West Ham defender as

O'Brien comes in. You have got to get in there where it hurts, is the

old adage. Romelu Lukaku looks very groggy indeed. You have just scored

on your debut, keep going! Not long for big Sam's side to find a way

back. They have rarely threatened Everton's goal. Two attempts on

target. The flag stays down. That might just

about be that as far as Everton are concerned.

To be able to concede two points and be disappointed, because I don't

think they created enough, and to score three with individual quality

is very pleasing. As always I suppose in hindsight it

is always easy to look at the situation on my laptop and say that

Mark Noble played the ball first but at the end of the day the referee

didn't see that, unfortunately for us. It turns against us not only

does Mark Noble get sent off, but Baines puts the free kick right in

the top corner where the keeper can do nothing about it.

I said, who scored? He said, you. I said, thank you, God. We won, that

is the most important thing. The first free kick, you hit it one

side, the second, the other. Tell us what was going through your mind

with those free kicks? For the first one my mind was made

up by the keeper's starting position. I thought he was quite

central so I decided to mix it up and go that side and that gets me

the second one, keeps him more honest. He had to cover that side,

take an extra moment to that side. It is a great feeling to get that,

especially to get us back into the position we were in the game and I

think while I said before the game, I have been out of his fantasy

football team so I was not doing enough, so I said I would score a

couple and I was true to my word. Fabulous free kicks. Which one of

you Liverpool players do I come to about this Everton comeback? It was

a great game and both sides played a part?

Great goals, sensational free kicks. West Ham played their half. The

second half, as far as football was concerned, was great.

The turning point and contentious issue was the second yellow card.

Sam said what he thought on his laptop, what did you think on the

television? I think he is due a new laptop. He

did not touch the ball. He pulled him back and the rule is, if you do

that, you will get a yellow card. Right or wrong in people's eyes. But

this one, Sam. Would love to know where he got his laptop from. It is

a blatant foul. If he is watching that now, he will

not have any complaints. The referee has no option.

It is a red card. This is the Ross Barkley challenge.

He got a booking for it. It does not look great from that

angle. He could have been sent off for that. I've been sent off for

that. This year I think the referees are more lenient.

We must look at those free kicks again. Absolutely spectacular.

Leighton Baines was talking about Jussi Jaaskelainen. Nobody is saving

that. Phenomenal. We were watching it today. The

keeper could have got a bit closer to the first one, but no keeper in

the world would have saved that. It is a great string to his bow to

have that, in the England race with Ashley Cole? He is desperately

unlucky that Ashley Cole has been so consistent.

Leighton Baines is a good player, he is a fabulous defender. Lukaku made

a massive difference? We watched him play for West Brom. Terrorising

defenders. He comes on, this is was his second touch in the game. From

then on it was a different game. He is big, strong, quick. It is so

potent. Ross Barkley, on the right-hand side, fantastic pass, but

a poor touch. The weighted pass to Leighton Baines. Held up, brilliant

pass into his feet. We could have been in the net. Again here, he is

strong and ball retention is good. This is a pass that resulted further

free kick for the second goal. Then of course, the icing on the cake is

the third goal. He picks it up, plays it. He goes in the box and is

so brave here. It is a fantastic header under real pressure. It was

debatable when Mark Noble got sent off, change the game. I think his

introduction in the second half. One shot on target, in the second half

and it definitely changed it for him. Two sides who have found goals

hard to come by. The fact Newcastle and Hull City are so high, found a

few today. Having beaten Aston Villa and Fulham in the last two games,

Newcastle are in search of three Premier League victories in a row

for the first time in 18 months. Allen Pardew names an unchanged team

from the win at Aston Villa. Stephen Quinn starts on the right of

midfield. So much talk about Newcastle not bringing in many new

names in the summer. But they did bring in several signings last

January. His first goal for Newcastle. His

first start for the club at St James 's Park. He made certain the

goalkeeper wasn't getting close to that. It was a perfect assist, that

was all part of the plan, the transfer policy, bring one man in

and that might the enough. Newcastle haven't dealt with the

clearance. The flag is raised in the end. Newcastle, they are punished

for being too comfortable on the ball. That is not what Allen Pardew

wants to see from his central defenders, even if his team is in

front. They have beaten Norwich at the KC Stadium by a goal two-nil.

Brady. Brilliant save. Somehow, he was denied a second bite of the

cherry as well. That has been Hull City's chance of the game. Brady is

in. Third goal of the season for Robbie Brady. Brady was sure he had

scored beforehand. Robbie Brady has been the best player on the pitch

for Hull City so far. Great change of feet, change of direction. Super

save by the goalkeeper but he did not switch off and was in position.

The game has changed. They have a new hero. The goalkeeper

on the ground to his right for the first shot.

This is a good position the Hull. They have not had many attacking set

pieces in this game. Brady's delivery. Robbie Brady scored the

first goal. He swung in the first kick.

Hull City find them back on level terms. Different reactions to the

managers. That is what it means to Steve Bruce. Danny Graham was

offside. He checked his run. If that had ended up in the back of the net,

Hull City would have had grounds for complaint.

Passing has been good today from Hull City.

That is magnificent. It is a first ever Premier League goal for Sone

Aluko. Having twice been behind in this match, Hull City now lead at

Saint James 's Park. He just hung back and then bang! We have seen a

few good volleys in the Premier League this season and this is right

up there. Boyd's cross, but so much work to do. Having lost on his last

visit as an manager here to St James's Park, is Steve Bruce going

to be on the winning side? There will be five minutes added on the

stoppages at the end of the game. That has given renewed hope for the

Newcastle fans. Can they get the equaliser at home? Loic Remy, his

chance of a hat-trick goes begging. He probably just rushed it slightly.

He has had a highlighted performance for us today, and a bright spot in a

disappointing day. I am very happy because I am here to score goals, to

do the job. But it is difficult, when you score and then you concede

a goal. You have to be confident. We started so well and got an early

goal, which is always good for a home team. But we dropped down a

gear after that and it is difficult to recover when you have dropped

down a gear. Third gear in this division is not good enough.

Comeback from two goals down. Other teams will realise we are a team

that can compete. We have the confidence to show we can do well in

this league. We're not the whipping boys a lot of people thought we

would be. After the game I caught up with Steve Bruce. Thanks the joining

us. Terrific results, you must be delighted. I have been delighted the

way we have played all season. We had a horrible 30 minutes against

Chelsea, but other than that they have performed the way they have

done today. They have played some good football and created some good

chances today. Thankfully we did take enough of them to win the game.

We thoroughly deserved it. You more than doubled your total of goals in

one game, that must be especially satisfying? That will always be that

difficulty for a club like ours. If we think somebody is going to score

20 goals in the Premier League, we are hoping we can find one. One

thing we have to do is be a bit more clinical when we do create the

chances. Thankfully today, even though we have missed it few good

opportunities, we had enough about us to take our chances. Newcastle

was the club you supported when you were younger. You have been

Sunderland manager. Is it a special place for you to go to? I am a

Geordie at the end of the day. Of course I have always enjoyed coming

back. But I got beaten by five last time. But my family are here and

thankfully we have come away and won the game. So it is very satisfying.

You have calmed down a little bit, but are you aware of the fact you

were dancing around the touchline? Stop! You haven't got that on? Do me

a favour. Audition for Strictly Come Dancing. Sometimes I look at myself

and think, is that really me? Great winning goal. He had some chances

against Manchester City in particular, but it was our day. I

was delighted, he can light up the Premier League this year. His sister

scored for England as well. A good family day for them. A great family

day for them, fantastic. A terrific game. Hull were terrific, on the

back of a couple of decent results, you have Hull at home, you are not

sure to win the game but you are confident because you are playing

well. You will be disappointed, the way they lost three goals. It was a

mixture of poor defending and some way they lost three goals. It was a

great play from Hull. The first one with Debuchy at the back, the

dangerous Brady and it comes, a good first touch, the second one is good

play. It worked on the training ground. Look who takes Debuchy away

from the ball, close to the ball, leaving the space. The attacker

comes round the angle and exploits the space. You still have to put the

ball into that zone, but it is a great ball and a great headed goal.

This was a decent goal. It was a good team goal. Ben Arfa

just doesn't follow. To be fair to Aluko, he still has a lot to do but

what a finish. That is as good a goal as you will see. You can expect

any player to hit it with his laces and hit it as hard as he can but he

has the presence to place it into the corner.

This was his sister scoring for England.

This is normally your range, Gary! A great day for the family.

We are going to show Steve Bruce in a minute, he referred to the 30

minutes against Chelsea at the start of the season where you think they

are straight down and will be beaten five or six, but they held it

together and they have come back remarkably well.

He deserves to celebrate in whatever manner he wishes.

It is one of the worst celebrations you will ever see! He knows it

himself! Oh, my God! Looking at the Newcastle

perspective, they would have been encouraged massively by the

performance of Remy, he did what he did for QPR, scoring goals. Do you

like him? I do. I am surprised no-one came in

for him. Newcastle was one of the clubs but this was a fantastic goal.

I don't know how he did it, to be honest. He is a danger. He will

score goals. This bounces in, six yards out, still has a lot to do,

puts it to the corner but he finishes brilliant. Instinctively he

puts it into the far corner away from the keeper. Again, we see this

one, he comes up to them, what a touch, swivels quickly. Pure

instinct, unfortunately the wrong side of the post but he did

everything right. It is not a bad miss, just unlucky.

The first touch of the day, absolutely sensational, to touch and

swivel at the same time. Just in one movement.

Hull City fans may be interested to know that next week's Football Focus

is live from the KC Stadium. Join Dan and the team.

Eni Aluko and England's women opt back in action on Thursday, buoyed

by the 6-0 win against Belarus. They take on Turkey.

We are one third of the way through our games and we have four to come.

Our next stop is Anfield, where the other unbeaten Barclays Premier

League team this season face Southampton, who were the last team

to beat them in the league in six months ago. Liverpool were top

following their game at Swansea, where a former Red took centre

stage. It is Swansea against Liverpool, the team of this season

so far. Jonjo Shelvey is in! Shoots.

Sturridge makes it 1-1. Shelby has given it straightaway to another

Liverpool player. It is in! He has scored on his Liverpool debut. Jonjo

Shelvey with the header, it is there. Shelvey has done it again.

What a night he has had. I think it will probably remembered as

Shelvey's night. The commentator at Anfield was Guy

Mowbray. A new Red who keenly wants the first

goal, Aspas is back in the Liverpool side today, in for the injured

Coutinho. Rickie Lambert could do with one or two. Three games without

one is a drought by his standards. Maybe he will get one here.

Henderson, straight at Boruc. Suddenly it all opened up for

Liverpool, down the Southampton left hand side. Aspas and Sturridge

together, the shot from Henderson was too near Boruc.

It will be a Liverpool free kick. Fonte deliberately in his way.

It is over the wall and a brilliant save by Boruc. Absolutely

magnificent! The middle of the goal, yes, but it was travelling quickly.

He almost got it right, Gerrard. Boruc managed to shift his weight

just in time to beat it away. I hope he is not doing that for Poland

against England next month. Nothing for Brendan Rodgers to celebrate

just yet. He will want to goal before the half-time break. His team

has not scored after the break this season.

The problem was caused here by Kolo Toure going for the header and not

really connecting properly. He made it impossible for Gerrard, who could

not react quickly enough. Lovren took a risk by going like

that, Sturridge is asking. The majority of the crowded screaming.

He backed into him. It was a little touch on the ball but it was a

rather desperate off? Oh, is there a touch on the ball? I am not sure.

Inside the box, the Croatian defender got lucky, I think.

It was a bit of one, a bit of the other, the idea was right, Chip

Boruc and find the other corner of the goal. Positive, bright play from

Victor Moses. In fact, it is a very good save. He will wish he was

playing again, Jamie Carragher learning quickly.

A good save by Mignolet, but it was his decision that led to him having

to make it. Not great control. Lallana is all over him. Then his

hesitancy led to Agger making a mistake as well. Did he redeem

himself with the save? Well, just about. It is a risky game Liverpool

are playing there. They have gifted Southampton a throw. This is messy.

Southampton corner. There will be questions asked if they take the

lead from this. From a position of safety and no danger at all on the

halfway line, suddenly Southampton have got a corner and Liverpool are

under pressure. Real pressure, it is in! Southampton have taken the lead!

You could just see that happening. Lovren is celebrating. His first

Southampton goal. Gerrard could only touch it into the roof of the net.

Lovren was desperate to run away and celebrate with the Saints fans, who

are in great voice now. Liverpool nil, Southampton one. Here they come

again with Osvaldo. He goes for goal, that is a good save from

Mignolet. It might turn out to be a really important save.

Moses, falling, just outside the area. A free kick.

Gerrard's strike, saved again by Boruc. He is taking some beating.

That in its own way is as good a safe as the one from the Gerrard

first-half free kick. Brendan Rodgers is glowering. Not glowing,

glowering! A great save, and a good stop from

Mignolet and a third. Superb running from Luke Shaw. It looked as though

he had lost it but he kept on and gambled. Two good stops from

Mignolet, then he had to react to get the ball from Davis. Southampton

are looking to kill this game off. It is a very, very good clearance

from Fonte. Clyne, for the first time in the match, got himself in a

bit of a muddle. There are a few angry shouts from the Liverpool

crowd as this game has gone on. It is not working today, somehow. That

touch is awful, that might be the game gone for Liverpool. Liverpool

do need him back quickly after all. TRANSLATION: We are very pleased

with the victory. The effort we put in has been amazing. We are up

against the best team in the league so we are pleased.

Very good, that was the first point. -- we weren't very good. We were

very subdued and technically we weren't great at all, so we have

given away a poor goal. Today was an off day, which has been very rare

and we will just recover and get ready for Wednesday.

You celebrated like a striker down on your knees.

I don't know what to do, I don't score many goals, but I think I did

well and it was normal. A great result for Liverpool, given

the start of the season they have had but a fine display from

Southampton. We can all say Liverpool were

disappointing but you have to give Southampton a lot of credit. Every

player worked their socks off. There were no excellent individual

performances but it were a very professional, workmanlike team

performance and you have to say they deserved the result.

They had a plan for playing against Liverpool, because Liverpool play in

a style, they pass it around and are patient.

I think so. Brendan likes to play from the back and do all this sort

of stuff. We are going to see it now. They did not start well, this

was the first few minutes. The keeper gets the ball and he ends up

kicking it out of play. Every time Mignolet gets the ball, you have

them closing down, putting pressure on them, it must have been probably

five or six times in the game and I have never seen a keeper get his

feet muddled up so many times in the game. Sometimes as a defender you

just need to clear and get it out of the area and stop the other team

getting chances, but Southampton I think were fantastic, especially in

the final third, putting pressure on. There were a lot of errors,

Daniel Agger gave it away, there was Lallana getting a chance there,

again, a great save. That one came from a Liverpool throw-in in the

Southampton half. Again, the free headers, Daniel Agger just gets

caught. He doesn't even know where the ball is, he doesn't know where

the man is. It is a great goal, but you know what, Southampton deserved

it and I don't think anyone can have complaints. This, typical of

Liverpool. Toure gets the ball, four centre halves playing, maybe the

lack of fullbacks, the fullbacks should give the keeper an option. He

doesn't get it. He almost falls over and he was typical of Liverpool's

performance, all down to Southampton's pressure. Mignolet,

three saves. Fantastic, what I will say, we have just highlighted Toure

and Mignolet there, they were probably Liverpool's best two

players as well. Southampton came to Anfield and

pressed Liverpool up the pitch. When you play defensive, you get caught

and you don't try it again until next week. It was goalless when

Liverpool had a penalty appeal. Daniel Sturridge went over, it could

have changed things? First impressions, it was a penalty.

My laptop was definitely working. I have seen it again. He obviously

tried to get the ball but doesn't. Daniel Sturridge, maybe he is trying

to be too honest and staying on his feet to get a shot off.

But for me it was a penalty. What do you say? I thought it was a penalty.

Most people agree with you. But it is tight. But most of them were

Everton and Manchester United supporters. He was a big loss today.

That was noticeable. But Luis Suarez does come back, he has served his

band and that is a plus point for Liverpool. Liverpool and Luis Suarez

are back in action soon. All the goals from the football league which

saw six local derbies. The main game in the championship also features a

derby. There was an amazing game at Peterborough to meet a striker all

the locals are talking about. The only two sides yet to taste victory

in the Premier League met at the Hawthorns. West prompted at least

get their first goal well Sunderland and Arsenal were amid the

controversy. Stephane Sessegnon is one of three changes for West

Bromwich. The Sunderland boss makes board changes, including a return

for John O'Shea. Morrison in front of Gardner. The goalkeeper is in a

bit of trouble. In the end he gets into his area and he can pounce on

it. Nicolas Anelka was getting on top of him.

The rebound was into the path of Stephane Sessegnon. It had to be. He

did not know whether to celebrate. I think the Sunderland supporters knew

it. I suspect deep down, the West Brom supporters knew it as well. It

had to fall in his path and he could not miss. Paolo di Canio was

critical of the man he sold and he has popped up with the opening goal.

Adam Johnson just drives it by the post. This shot just taking a make

beyond the post. The West Brom supporters chanting, " Thank you

Paolo di Canio". Out for a corner. A couple of

Sunderland bodies hurled themselves at it and helped it over the

crossbar. Jozy Altidore looking for his first

Premier League goal for Sunderland. He believes he was denied it by an

arm. All three changes made by Paolo di Canio and 20 minutes to go. He

may be preparing for his first Manchester derby as manager tomorrow

but his next opponent is West Bromwich and soon after they travel

to Sunderland. Fletcher! Over the bar. Fletcher has

stayed down and has signalled he needs treatment. Must have been the

way he landed after connecting so sweetly. It is the way he goes down.

I am sure his shoulder has popped out. It goes from bad to worse. When

you are down, you are sometimes out of luck. Paolo di Canio is

reflecting that maybe the Gods are against him. Paolo di Canio cannot

make any changes. He has got none left. West Bromwich have relative

control of this game, and are now up against ten men. And not because of

a red card. That was great goalkeeping. Liam

Ridgewell scores. Morgan Amalfitano crafted the ball in. Oh dear! We

have all been there. It gets better, I promise. It might not do for him,

in the short-term. There is a third goal there if West Brom want it.

They need to keep possession and move Sunderland around. That's

marvellous performance and a comprehensive display for West

Bromwich Albion. Their first victory of the season confirmed. Morgan

Amalfitano just puts the seal on a quite emphatic afternoon for West

Bromwich Albion. Plenty to reflect upon with plenty of positives. Paolo

di Canio has to drive his side of the park, the dry spell has has

finished at the hawthorns. When you have to wait this long for

your first win, it has been frustrating. Performances at home

have not been good. But after a slow start, we looked a bit nervous and

anxious. We grew into the game and the goal came at a very good time

for us. We build on that. Today we the goal came at a very good time

got the breaks. We deserved to win. We are not a very strong group. The

lads realise this. They don't have a lot of communication with each

other. Before the game, I wanted to score. Not just for me, but for the

team. Now we need a win and we needed the points. Unfortunately, a

striker in my box was not marking players. This is what makes me

angry. You made a point of going over to the fans? They were furious.

I don't want to see their faces when they are very angry. I am even more

furious than them. I have to be clear for everybody, I am never

going to change. He probably won't. That result, and excellent day for

West Bromwich. A player coming back to haunt his previous club? Stephane

Sessegnon is a good player. He is always on the move. Today he was a

handful. Little bit of a swivel, turn will stop this is his goal. His

movement is there, he never stops. He gets it, turns, plays out wide.

He has that desire to get back into the box. A good save from the keeper

and it falls to the man Sunderland probably did not want it to. A round

of applause from both sets of fans and he can be happy with his work.

You have Stephane Sessegnon and Nicolas Anelka who are not bad.

Paolo di Canio is unusual, he talks about himself in the third person.

Today they were poor. He has gone to face the wrath of the fans, he is

incredibly stupid or incredibly brave, one of the two. He is good

value. But his team are in trouble. He has a lot of new players in there

and he is talking about them communicating. Tough games coming

up. Not great. Last week they were unlucky. We say he is incredibly

stupid or incredibly brave, but we want to see that. Action from

Stamford Ridge and Carrow Road, but now a reminder of what is coming on

Sunday. This weekend we have a little extra. We are on Sunday at

12:15pm on BBC One, five live and the BBC Sport website. Join Mark

Chapman this Sunday. In case you have not got the hang of it yet, you

can watch Match of the Day on the BBC I player from midnight on

Monday. Bradley Wiggins is back on the bike on Wednesday. Despite

Chelsea's worst start to the season, a win against fall would see them go

back to the league's summit. The cottages have not won at Stamford

Ridge since 1979. John Terry Captains Chelsea for the

450th time. One of four changes. The Chelsea boss backs Oscar as the

chosen one in the Number ten role. No injured Dimitar Berbatov or Bryan

Ruiz for Fulham, but Darren Bent is fit enough to return after a

hamstring injury on the ground where he scored and won with Aston Villa

last season. A useful cross., Samuel Eto'o was on

the end of it Great movement from Eto'o, got in front of the

goalkeeper. A real chance for Darren Bent,

denied by Cech. A golden opportunity for Darren Bent. Beautifully

weighted ball by Pisani. Sometimes they can have too much time and it

was scuffed effort from Darren Bent. Mata and David Luiz watching on,

left out. Both fully fit. There was only one thing on his mind

and not a great deal of options for him, the shot at the near post. Jose

Mourinho needding a lift, Martin Jol could do with one as well. Just two

wins in his 12 league games, going back to last season. Arguably the

most promising moment of the first half for Chelsea. Cole started it.

Then Ivanovic assumed responsibility. He criticised the

maturity of his players in the week, there will be some talking at

half-time today. Eto'o, Stockdale, and in from Oscar.

That is the break Chelsea needed. Six minutes into the second half,

the Brazilian's second Premier League goal of the season is a most

welcome one to break the deadlock. It was initially Hazard involved in

the build-up. Schurrle's cross should not have caused the problem

it did. And when he parried the second time it was straight into the

path of Oscar. He gratefully accepted that. Chelsea one, Fulham

nil. Oscar, who was praised before the game by his manager, receives

the applause of one of his team-mates is not involved today and

there is a sense of relief around Stamford Bridge after that goal.

That was half a chance and his reaction tells you that he agrees.

They were more concerned about the Fulham skipper here, nobody picked

up Sidwell and if he kept that down and on target, Chelsea might have

been in trouble. Ramires went down. There was contact

there but not conclusive enough. Yet another Chelsea corner. Torres

was the only option initially. He had seen Ramires and Amorebieta

stood his ground. The 11th corner of the game for Chelsea. A fantastic

stop from Stockdale to deny Torres. Really good connection with that and

David Stockdale was equal to it. Hooked in this time by John Obi

Mikel. Who, at the 185th attempt, scores his first ever Premier League

goal. That has cheered the owner up. Now he can sit back and relax. That

is a collector's item from John Obi Mikel. Won in the air by Terry and

is a collector's item from John Obi the Nigerian international hooks it

home inside the six yard box and you can sense the relief all around

Stamford Bridge after a difficult week.

I was not happy with the situation but I was calm. I am experienced and

I trust in our work and I know that sooner or later you have to win. But

the same way I was not depressed with the two defeats is the same way

I am not jumping because tonight we are top of the league. Just be calm,

keep working, keep trying to improve players individually and

collectively and the good time will arrive.

We defended well, we could keep the ball spells but the second half they

stepped up a gear and we didn't and that was the story of the day.

We know how disappointed the fans have been with our performances and

the manager has been very disappointed with us as well, the

way we have played the last game against Basel. So coming into this

game we knew it was about winning, about playing well and winning.

Mata did not feature. Do you see him having a future of being part of the

new style? Yes, I see. He has to adapt, transform a few

things in his game, but he is a talented player and I think talented

players are the ones you want. He is not in the picture at the

present but Chelsea are top of the league. It is noticeable they have

not found that true centre forward today.

Yes, I think with Eto'o, I know he was a big surprise when they signed

him, with Lukaku going on loan as well, I don't know, he will score

goals, Eto'o, but I don't think he will get enough for me. Torres, he

has been struggling for a few years now. Eto'o's movement is very good.

Whether he is off the pace of Premier League at the minute, that

remains to be seen but his movement is excellent. There were a couple of

times... A world-class player.

He has been playing in Russia for the last couple of years, so he will

take his time. That little chance in the first minute, that one where he

gets the shot away, his movement again, he gets in front of the

defender again, whether it is a bad ball, it is just above his head.

That was the end of Eto'o, that is all he did all game. Torres did not

do much better, to be fair. He looked as though he would play a 1-2

with Ramires. Ramires thinks Schurrle is behind him. His movement

is not bad. He gets in front of the defender, played it to Ramires,

Ramires has to stop is run so he does. The fluency is not there yet.

Again, he gets to the near post and to be fair to Torres he gets a good

header on it but it is a first-class save and really we expect a bit more

from the two of them. That is all Eto'o and Torres gave us.

Everything was about the result. They had a bad game in the Champions

League, nothing about the performance today, it was all about

the result. Fulham were resilient for some time.

Mourinho will do it his way. I don't necessarily agree with Lukaku and

Mata but he is not interested in what I think because he will stand

and fall by what he thinks. He has been so successful there, you can't

argue. You could say the strikers don't

score that many goals because you think perhaps Chelsea lack... Most

of the time they are incredibly narrow, they are all there, but even

if you watch it might disturb you because you have another five

players in line. There is no way you get through a

defence playing like that. That might be a problem but Mourinho has

a phenomenal track record. They have got multitalented players there at

Chelsea. They have still got a great chance of winning the title.

OK, he will sit back to watch the game tomorrow.

And enjoy himself. They have Mikel now.

And enjoy himself. A prolific goal-scorer.

I doubt it. Our final game was the day's early kick-off, Norwich and

I doubt it. Our final game was the Aston Villa shared the feet of not

having led a game at half-time. Both have been ahead when it counts.

Let's see who came out on top at Carrow Road with Steve Wilson.

Van Wolfswinkel has not scored since his debut. Gary Hooper is fit after

a shin injury. On the bench and raring to go. Nobody is going to

take Benteke's place in the Aston Villa side. 20 league and cup goals

in 2013 make him the top flight's top scorer this calendar year. Paul

Lambert is the only Norwich manager to have enjoyed a victory over Villa

in 20 years. His switch to Villa from Norwich caused plenty of

acrimony on both sides. Norwich unbeaten at Carrow Road since Villa

came here in May. counted because he was offside. The

first chance for Weimann definitely would have counted and very nearly

did. Back off the face of the post. A big shout for hand ball, penalty,

Ciaran Clark, hand ball. Norwich penalty. Well, it has clearly hit

him on the arm. Snodgrass steps up and it is saved! Guzan had a

comfortable save. The shot is deflected by a lunging

Bassong for an Aston Villa corner. A terrific block by Sebastien Bassong.

Was it Bassong or Turner who got the flick? I am not sure. The block was

a great one. It might have been Turner. Benteke has gone down for

Aston Villa and stayed there. Benteke's physique would suggest it

would take something to put him down. I think he slipped, actually.

You would not say Aston Villa are one-man team but you would certainly

say they are less of a threat without that particular man. Benteke

ran back on and then immediately pulled up. Norwich will play on here

but Benteke is down. Aston Villa are going to have to take him off.

Norwich are going to play on. The shot is just wide from Van

Wolfswinkel. He met it really well. He is onside. Denied. Aston Villa

have the lead. Lisboa Kozak has his first goal in Premier League

football. Agbonlahor did well to pick him out. He found him, and he

found the corner. It is a corner, but it could have

been more. Nice interchange between Snodgrass and Martin. Nobody really

took up a position for a pull-back from Martin. Great ball from Martin

to Snodgrass. Great save by Brad Guzan. If he had not made contact

with that, Michael Turner could not have missed. What a pass this was.

There is a little bit of something going on between Anthony Pilkington

and Bacuna. Delph on the counter. Good recovery

by the defender. You have to give Bennett some credit here. Kozak

could have put the game out of the reach of Norwich here.

Leroy for... Corner! They were all setting it up for each other. It was

a double deflection in the end, but Norwich have not had the brakes

inside the penalty area today. Garrido in a good position. Great

ball in, and Brad Guzan is there again! So close, Hooper. He has

really been exceptional today, the Villa goalkeeper. It was a lovely

ball into the box to find Garrido. And fingertip stuff from Brad Guzan.

Still they cannot get past the goalkeeper. Delighted with the team

because we had a lot of niggles, a lot of the lads were not fully fit.

So, credit to them. Fair play to Villa, they have come and had to

defend very well at times, and that defend very well at times, and that

they did. But it is a bad feeling at the moment, because it is a game

that we certainly should have got something from. Saving a penalty

early in the game is a nice platform to work on. Yes, you never want to

face a penalty, especially early on in the game, but I was able to make

the save. That save where he has tipped it over the bar is

world-class. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership. He

is also an absolutely top guy. Terrific goalkeeper, excellent. Not

many goals in that game, a superb result for Aston Villa, but it was

very interesting, tactically... Yes, if you look at the strengths and

weaknesses of Villa, the weakness would be, no clean sheet in 26

matches, but the strength is, they are excellent on the break. The goal

was a shocking one to concede from Norwich's perspective. They are on

the attack here, it is a poor cross, Brad Guzan picks it up, and when he

throws it, he has got all of the time in the world. Look at that

space, that is an embarrassment. Norwich have still got seven against

three, but the centre-backs get it the wrong way round. Turner should

be forward, round. Turner should be forward, Bassong should be back. And

then, Bassong has got to be the covering man. They get it totally

wrong. Space between the two of them. Easy ball in, 'keeper makes a

good save, Agbonlahor comes in, and it is in the back of the net. And

Norwich now look as though they are in masses of trouble. I do not like

this, Bassong coming around the back, he pulls up, but the ball is

still in play. He has got to wait until the ball has gone dead.

Troubling times for Norwich and their manager. I will be honest with

you, I would fear for anyone in the Premier League, but they have spent

a lot of and they do not look great. Before we leave you, let's take a

look at the Barclays Premier League table. Chelsea are the new leaders,

ahead on goal difference from Liverpool. Sunderland are the only

side without a victory. Let's have a look at the Sunday newspapers. David

Moyes insists that Sir Alex Ferguson is not interfering with his work.

And this picture of Paolo di Canio gesturing to Sunderland supporters.

So, Everton are now the only unbeaten team in the Premier League.

Hardly surprising, when you can bend it like Baines. Good night.