23/11/2013 Match of the Day

One of the joys of international breaks during a season is that it

makes us look forward even more to our dollop of premier league

football. And let me tell you, it doesn't disappoint. Seven smashing

games for you. Great games, all to be enjoyed in

the company of Alan Hansen and debutant, Kevin Kilburn. We start

with the day's early kick-off, a pulsate in Merseyside derby. Everton

and Liverpool went into the game in fine form. The commentator was Steve

Wilson. -- a pulsating. As eagerly anticipated as ever, the

local edge to the Merseyside derby has never dulled. The national

importance has been owned and revived. Sixth against second with

the whole Premier League across this one. Everton make one change. Ross

Barkley comes in, having featured as a substitute in England's Wembley

friendlies. He is making his first appearance in the Derby and this

will not be friendly. Joe Allen has played only 34 minutes Premier

League football this season but he starts today, as does John Flanagan,

whose only previous outing was in defeat at Arsenal. Sturridge is

fully fit. Luis Suarez is starting, 16 hours and 15 minutes after he

left the pitch for Uruguay. In the end, Flanagan decided to

settle for a corner. Gerard to take. Coutinho! It's in! Inside five

minutes! The Brazilian strikes. The stadium is silent. Everton is

behind. Liverpool strike first in the Derby. And Everton will reflect

on some pretty indifferent defending from the corner. Clipped in by

Steven Gerrard. No one picked up Coutinho. And McCarthy is actually

standing at the back of his net. If he was on the line, you might have

kept it out but he is in the net. And Liverpool lead.

The free kick goes Everton's way. Actually, that might have been for

an earlier offence by Coutinho. His first taste of this fixture, Roberto

Martinez. And it is not the start he was looking for. And a chance at the

back post. It is one each! Mirallas obsidian. What a start for this

Merseyside derby. -- pops it in. Two set pieces, two examples of poor

defending, two goals. Leighton Baines, into the box. Ricocheted

into the path of Mirallas, who puts it into the net. And Liverpool's

lead lasted barely three minutes. This game has taken off early. Joy

unbridled. Lukaku is in on goal. He did not do

enough. Belgian against Belgian. That was a great chance for Lukaku.

Pienaar, a great ball through to Lukaku. Many lay was off his line.

-- Mignolet. Liverpool, free kick. In a happy

position indeed. That's from Barry, treading on Luis Suarez's free kick

-- left foot. Seven games for Liverpool this season. Eight goals.

Luis Suarez, nine goals. Luis Suarez, and Liverpool regained their

lead. And we're still only in the 19th minute of the game. Luis

Suarez, it curled in beautifully. Right into the corner. That is a

majestic free kick. That is just about perfection. And Luis Suarez

has put Liverpool back in front. Everton did not deserve to be

behind. That was brilliant and it needed a

smart save from Mignolet. It is not often a player put in as good a 20

minutes as Ross Barkley has done in the last 20 minutes. Luis Suarez is

hopping. Ian Rush, 25 goals in Merseyside derbies for Liverpool.

The last thing Suarez needed was that challenge, or any, struggling

with his right knee. Mirallas to come out. That is very high from

Mirallas. Everton do not look happy. I'm not sure what Phil Dowd has

said. Luis Suarez, in full view of Phil Dowd, taken out by Kevin

Mirallas. And it is going to be a yellow card. Probably the least he

could have expected. Steven Gerrard jumped with his elbow

raised. Everton players are very, very unhappy about that. Steven

Gerrard, clearly jumped with an elbow. In the direction of the

Everton man. Look at this. He did not make contact with the elbow.

That is probably what saved him. The second half has not found any

good save from Mignolet. A big opportunity for Everton. Denied by

Simon Mignolet. It has fallen to Joe Allen! What an

opportunity that was. They may not get a better chance than that. He

could have touched it in to Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan will say that

he should have done but he certainly should not have missed the target.

Chances do not come clearer than that.

Lukaku! Mignolet comes, and that is not the first vital save that

Mignolet has made. The could and should have been more

than three goals in this game. -- they could. Lukaku is denied again.

Great passing. Of the highest quality from Ross Barkley.

A foul by Lucas. I would suggest that this is pretty close to the

spot from where Luis Suarez scored in the first half. It is going to be

Lukaku. Deflected and saved by Mignolet. Many lay, trying to reach

it but he cannot. -- Mignolet. It is anyone's. Lukaku! 2-2. Everton

level. Lukaku scorers. And the stadium explodes. When he comes back

in, it falls to Lukaku and he is not going to miss that. Game on. 2-2. 18

minutes ago. -- to go. This stand is shaking, I swear. What annoys. --

what a noise. And it just might be that Everton go on and win this

game. Steven Gerrard with the corner. They

could break here. Lukaku gives it away. What a rotten

bass. He cannot believe it. -- rotten bass. Steven Gerrard, blocked

again. Luis Suarez! Great save. Tremendous

staff by Tim Howard. It was the Uruguayan against the American. It

looked every inch like a goal. This is helter-skelter staff.

Denied buying Mignolet, who has been the busier keeper. -- denied by.

It is an Everton corner. Another saved by Mignolet, another with his

left foot. Lukaku scorers! And only once since

the Second World War have Everton come from behind to win a Merseyside

derby. He beats the keeper once, and then again. With a smashing header.

And Everton are seven minutes away from winning this game. Look at the

delight. They are not there yet. Martin Skrtel...

He apologises, Distin. The yellow card is shown to Sylvain Distin. The

sixth yellow of the game. And it is in from Sturridge! It is the re-3,

Daniel Sturridge. -- it is the re-3. Gerard's free kick, smashed in with

pace. Sturridge in the corner of the net. Tim Howard, he does not see it.

What a game of football. here are Daniel Sturridge and

Suarez. Suarez hits it. Tim Howard is furious with his defenders. He

hated really firm and true, Luis Suarez. It was headed in -- he hit

it really firm and true. The shot is blocked and Phil Dowd

says that is that, what an end to an extraordinary Merseyside derby. To

get ahead in the scoreline, to get to 3-2, we were so close to the

final whistle, it is disappointing to get the final reward that I felt

we deserved. It is a difficult team to play at home, one of our rivals

and we are disappointed not to have won the game, but we did not deserve

to lose the game and we ended up getting a point. You can understand

why Liverpool would ask for a red card. I don't think it is a red card

incident, he is trying to win the ball but he closes his eyes and

looks away. In my eyes, it was probably the right thing to do. I

thought Mirallas was lucky to be on the field, it was a poor, poor

challenge. I would be interested to know if Luis Suarez had made the

challenge what the outcome would have been. Three goals made by

Belgian players, but three goals conceded by goalkeeper is not very

nice but you have to accept that. It was a great game, he's a great

competitor and I love to play against those kinds of players. What

a superb game of football, as entertaining as it gets. Without a

shadow of a doubt, the best Merseyside derby I have ever seen.

It could easily have been 6-6, two good side is not interested at all

in defence, it was a great game to watch. A couple of controversial

moments, let's get those out of the way. As usual. I have to agree with

Brendan Rodgers, Mirallas is very lucky to be on the pitch. From that

angle, it is bad, but from this angle, Kevin... Phil Dowd had a very

good game but that incident there, I think Mirallas is very lucky. It was

a bad challenge. And then the Steven Gerrard challenge on Barra here. --

on Barry. He is leading with the elbow but he doesn't make any

contact. At the worst, it is a yellow card. Nothing at all in that,

Gareth Barry gets up, it is an honest challenge. There were moments

in that game when it was extraordinarily open. When it gets

to 2-2, you feel both sides will play for a draw but not today. It is

amazing. This is 2-2, Liverpool have a corner and we pick up Lukaku

there. He runs past seven or eight reds. Suarez goes back but Lukaku

keeps going. Suarez says he has had enough, it is for against two, a

poor pass and Steven Gerrard, supposed to be in a holding position

is wide right and Suarez has gone up field. There are enough bodies back

there but when it comes back to him, it is a phenomenal ball into the

box. You would have thought Suarez, he would bury this. It is a great

cross. And then in the 91st minute, you would think, just play for a

point. Great save by Howard. And the last kick of the ball in the 94th

minute, there are so many defenders but Everton thread their way

through, McCarthy gets it and it could have gone into the back of the

net. It is the best 3-3 you will ever see. The goalkeepers conceded

six between them but they were outstanding. Howerd was great but

Mignolet, who has had a fantastic season so far, was unbelievable.

This was the best save of the day. Lukaku clean through, he gets a

great hand on that. He had to be inch perfect. This time, he kept on

singing with his feet, a great save there. -- saving with his feet. At

the near post. A good break by Everton, they are good on the

counter attack. Mignolet comes out again, saves with his left foot. And

Lukaku, who had been pretty quiet on the day, a good save. But the one

coming up, a great first touch by Lukaku, Mignolet is out quick and

another fantastic save. It could have been anything. Kevin, you are

keeping a close eye on Ross Barkley, whose development continues very

well indeed, very promising. There were a few making their derby debut

today but Ross Barkley settled so well into the game. He was relaxed

on the ball, taking it in tight areas. Picking the ball up on the

edge of his own box, beating players. He plays a wonderful ball

into Lukaku. He started in this manner and continued through the

whole game. The way he manipulates the ball, Roberto Martinez says he

is a special player who England should treasure. This is a big year

for him and a big year for England in the World Cup and he has to be a

player who comes into contention with his performance. Throughout the

game, he was picking up the ball and running and beating players. A

wonderful touch into Pienaar and to cap it off, takes the ball on the

half term and slides a wonderful ball through to Lukaku. You can see

that sometimes he has got to learn when to release it and when to run,

that is the big thing but that will come. I honestly think he's getting

better and better. At the start of the season, I watched him against

Chelsea and I thought he was giving it away too much but he has

improved, left foot, right foot, strong. It is nice to see an English

player take people on. Wonderful game. The next game was first

against third in the Premier League. If Doctor Who were to travel back in

time to see Southampton's blast away win against Arsenal he would have to

set the space and time coordinates to 1987 and Highbury. Even Alan

Hansen was still playing. Southampton, though, took a run of

eight league games unbeaten to the Emirates.

Southampton have taken the lead. Liverpool beaten for the first time

this season. They have equalised! Manchester

United will be devastated. Adam Leventhal causing real problems

-- Adam macro-team. Southampton fans will be walking on air. Watching for

us will be John Monson. Mertesacker was one of 15 players on

international duty this week and after scoring the winner against

England, he takes his place in a side that includes Jack Wilshire and

Theo Walcott on the bench after a hernia repair. Adam Lallana showed

up well in his first international is and leads a team which includes

England colleagues Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert. Hooiveld comes in.

Artur borage gets it off the line. Very close for Jack Wilshire and

Arsenal. -- Artur Boruc. It is a nice effort. Inside of the post but

the right side of the line for Boruc.

There is Ramsay. After the post! What a season he is happening. --

off the post. He made it all possible with the run from midfield,

Aaron Ramsey. That was so delicate. Aaron Ramsey was telling Martin

Keown on Football Focus how confident he is feeling these days

and that was an example of it. Boruc against Giroud taking a

chance. And Giroud is going to score. And the goalkeeper has had

another nightmare. Artur Boruc, who a couple of weeks ago was beaten by

his opposing goalkeeper at Stoke, has now conceded a goal but

Pocchetino could never have seen coming. A real dilly-dally by the

Polish goalkeeper. And Olivier Giroud gets his ninth of the season

in the 22nd minute. How many times did he have a chance to get this

way, Boruc? In the end, it was an early Christmas present for Giroud.

There was an earlier foul, the ball had gone when Lallana was impeded.

Lallana! Turned over by Szczesny. From the new England international.

Bad mistake by Arsenal, saved by the goalkeeper. Incidentally, that goal

that Boruc gave away was only the sixth that Southampton have conceded

this season. Lambert offside. Rickie Lambert was

flagged offside but it was Rodriguez who plays the ball out, then touches

the return on. Southampton started with more possession, Arsenal then

had a very good spell, so it has been a first half of ebb and flow

here at the Emirates. Southampton made, prior to today, their best

ever start to a top-flight season. Schneiderlin and Lallana! A chance

for Southampton. And after the week he has had, you would not have

backed against Lallana in that position. Arsenal left too much

space. Well, you couldn't blame Boruc

there, it wasn't a very good backpass by Nathaniel Clyne.

A good bit of play by Mesut Ozil. The shot finishing up in the arms of

Boruc. And here is the return of Theo Walcott, out with and abdominal

problem for several weeks, he has had a hernia operation. He will

replace Santi Cazorla. Well, he really does give Arsenal an

extra edge and an extra option, doesn't he? They may do without him

and without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, those players have been missing. But

Walcott here from a difficult angle, not far away.

Mertesacker thought he was impeded. Penalty! Penalty to Arsenal and the

big German plays a part again. Jose Fonte looks crestfallen. Mertesacker

was having his shirt pulled, you would have to say. With Mikel Arteta

off the pitch, it falls to Giroud. And he puts it away! Giroud... His

second goal of the game said the goalkeeper at the wrong way, and

that really ties the game up. -- sent the goalkeeper.

Could you believe what you are seeing in the 22nd minute from

Boruc? It happens, you know. Players are quick to close you down and

maybe he was a bit too confident but Giroud did very well. I don't know

why, but I stayed on my feet. I was a bit lucky and I took the ball and

scored, it is nice. TRANSLATION: It is not necessary to analyse what

happened, we also it is clear what happened. We want to support our

keeper, these things can happen and we have to work in the future so it

doesn't happen again. You had Theo Walcott back today and Mertesacker.

But it is underestimated how you are still top of the league and have

coped with all of these injuries and you still have Podolski Alex

Oxlade-Chamberlain to come back. Yes, of course. I give quality to

the -- credit to the quality of the players who have played and will no

comeback. And it will make is even stronger. A little earlier I spoke

to Jack Wilshire. The team is going well at the top of the league. Can

you take it all the way, is there a confidence there? We know it's only

a good start, we have to continue it. We showed great character this

season when the games have been touch. Especially after the first

game of the season when we were disappointed, we didn't play well,

it was at home. People expected us to crumble a bit. We picked

ourselves up and we were on a great run from there. It was a shame your

shot didn't go in? It. It was the only thing I could do. Aaron's was a

different class. It was a great piece of skill. He has done it a

number of times this season. Hopefully, he can keep it going. Is

the fitness now with the ankle. We hear a lot about your ankles and you

need protection. What is the issue, is it something that concerns you? I

read in the paper this week I was injured. I don't know where that

came from. It's complete nonsense. Someone has obviously made that up.

I played half an hour against Germany. I came back, trained all

week and played today. I'm all right at the moment. You never know what

can happen in any game. It's good to get 90 minutes under my belt. I

can't remember when I last did that. England play a different style to

this Arsenal side. How difficult is to adapt into that? It is different.

Arsenal we like to play through the lines and bring everyone into play.

Like Chile did against us. I think we do try and do that as well

internationally. It is tough, we don't play together every week. When

we come together it's only for a short amount of time. You know, it

is difficult. I think we are trying to get that way of playing into our

game and hopefully before the World Cup we have a couple more friendlies

and can improve on that. It's going well for Arsenal this season. All

the best, thank you for talking to us. Thanks, Gary. Cheers. Great

place to start the two pieces of skill from Wilshere and Ramsey. Jack

looked stronger and fitter today. Good he got 90 minutes in. Arsenal

weren't fantastic by their standards. The two bits of skill

coming up are sensational. On his weaker side. That is phenomenonal

playing. Two British players, isn't it, that have come through various

clubs here. There is so much talk there is no talent. This is

wonderful technique. He is so unlucky Ramsey, he has had an

outstanding season. Has had the season of his life. If that was from

a Brazilian or Spaniard you are drooling over it. Brilliant. We will

not go over how he can win the title. You have said it 1,000 times.

Ask, Kevin. You need luck to win a title you need a goalkeeper - have

you ever seen anything quite like the Boruc howler? Goalkeepers all

think they can play. When I used to play with Bruce I could tell when he

was going to dribble. He would take it on his weaker side to bring it

back onto his strong side. Boruc did the same today. He is left-footed.

We will see with the first clip we show. He is left-footed and explain

it through. The first one, no pressure on the ball what so ever.

We see Giroud here. He ain't chasing back to press him. Watch this. He

drops the shoulder there. He comes on the right hand side. Takes it on

his right. There is nobody there. Drops the shoulder again. Take it is

on his left. Terrible. Then you are thinking. He has to play percentages

every single time. Lambert, he goes after Szczesny. He gets rid of it

quick, as you should do. It comes back to the goalkeeper here. The

Giroud this time decides, I will take a chance. I will press him. He

goes on his right foot, brings it to his left, goes to his right and

brings it back to his left. For goodness sake. He has 10 chances to

clear it. Just kick it. But, no, I will be clever. I think I can play.

This time? No! No. This time! This time! No, no. I mean... You go to a

place like Arsenal, it's a gift. It's crazy. We understand how

keepers have to play. Szczesny takes one touch and clears the danger or

looks to play. Southampton shouldn't be too disheartened they have had a

terrific season. No. These next few games will be the test of their

season. Arsenal today they have Chelsea and Manchester City in the

next few weeks. They have had a good start to the season. Best start in

the top-flight of history. They have a long way to go.

Our next game was the day's late kick-off, a London Derby between

West Ham and Chelsea. This was the 100th meeting of the clubs in all

competitions and it was watched at Upton Park by Jonathan Pearce. West

Ham's exciting prospect Morrison has become an internet sensation and is

tipped by some to force his way into England's World Cup squad. You have

to show the level of consistency that has become the hallmark of

Frank Lampard's career. He returns to his old club having scored four

goals in the last five seasons against them. Joey O'Brien returns.

Ashley Cole is only fit enough for the Chelsea bench.

West Ham have four home points from their five games here. Both records

need drastic improvement. It's not really away. That was risky

by Nolan. He was aiming at his goalkeeper. Was irritated by the

fact that Tomkins headed it away and didn't let it go the through to

Jaaskelainen, I don't think it would have made it. I think the young

defender did the right thing. West Ham defending very deep. Demel!

Oh, took a chance. Jaaskelainen has conceded a penalty. Oh, West Ham

United have shot themselves in the foot. No card given. What a mistake

by Demel am they got away with one. Oscar took the tumble. Anywhere, but

there. As he comes out, well his slithering legs made contact on

Oscar. I think the referee got it right. Mourinho is asking the fourth

official why no card? Lampard against his old team. Scores against

them again. That's ended his worst Premier League scoring drought in a

decade. Going back to August. His first goal in 11 Premier League

games. Chelsea are ahead. Bludgeoned in. No doubt, another successful

penalty by Lampard. This time it came from one nil down to win it

3-1. Lovely ball. Oscar. Chelsea 2-0 up. Beautifully struck. It was a

goal scored with effortless ease. Right from the back, Chelsea were

allowed to play out. Collins got sucked into the ball. Hazard spung

away from him. Look at the time that Oscar had on it. Ran into space,

travelled with the ball, into more space, and finished past

Jaaskelainen. There are very few teams that could come back from a

2-0 deficit against Chelsea. West Ham making a double change. Joe

Cole is being withdrawn. The crowd don't like the fact that Joe Cole

has gone off. Diame has come on with Maiga. Good ball in. One-two played

back to him. A fine save. It was arcing in the air. It was definitely

going in. There are un ees stir I think so amongst the West Ham fans,

groans and moans and boos at half-time. Oscar, beautifully done.

Collins rescued West Ham. Really beginning to function as a flowing

football team. Oscar has had a terrific game. Eto'o denied by the

big centre half. Lampard's corner! It was Cahill's header, off the line

by Noble. Too strong in there for the defenders, Noble well

positioned. People have been quick to criticise Chelsea this season.

They highlighted the fortunate escape against West Brom to claw

back a point. They have only lost one game in all competitions. Good

exchange of passes here by Chelsea. They are on the edge of the box

already. Eto'o, further back is Oscar! Would have been a brilliant

third. So fluent and create. A poor finish. West Ham United have not yet

had a shot on target. They are not winning home games. They won't

unless they can create more. Away as far as Downing.

Demel is doing well. A side step away from Lampard. Demel's cross.

Wide! Maiga had a real chance to bring West Ham back into it, after

Demel's hard work. Power, finesse, balance, oh, an appalling finishing

at the end of it all. Dear, oh, dear. Here comes Lampard, cruise the

Upton Park turf, as he did as a Hamer. Never been greatly welcomed

back by the fans in the same way as they always create Joe Cole's

return. Good switch of play Byram ram. In towards Hazard, hit it first

time. Back to Lampard. He has two, Chelsea have three. They have the

three points. The highest scorer in Chelsea history. Again, gets goals

at Upton Park, his old club. He hit it so succinctly. Over the years, he

has been a genuine Premier League legend. Lamp with his second. It's

been a very, very good Chelsea display. West Ham nil, Chelsea

three. A Thorpely deserved victory for Chelsea. West Ham looking for a

consolation. -- thoroughly. In it goes, saved by Cech. That is

the first effort West Ham have had on target in the game, in the third

minute of stoppage-time. The last touch of the game is the closest

they have come, not close enough. Lampard outstanding with two.

Chelsea dominant right from the start. A superb away performance.

They won it it deservedly. They won it well. West Ham United nil,

Chelsea three. From the first minute they looked very solid, very

compact, big stability in our game. I don't have numbers, but for sure

we had, especially in the first half, very good, easy, solid ball

possession. We were always a threat when we could play behind the

pressure. I think in normal conditions we should score the goal

before. If you make the mistakes against Chelsea we made together,

you can only expect to lose as we lost today. That is the ultimate

scenario when you play a team who is as good as Chelsea. We showed we

were at the races tonight. Once we went a goal ahead our football was

scored. We could have scored a few more goals. We showed the attitude

we have to show. We want to win the league this year. It will be tough.

If we play with the same desire we did today we have the talent to do

so. Two big est games we faced since we have been back at the Premier

League. We have to have the nerve and bottle to make sure we win both

upcoming matches, if not win one and draw one. That bore resemblance to

the sort of performances we saw consistently under Mourinho on his

previous spell at Chelsea, more like it? Right from the first whistle

they were right at it. The key to the win today was the three

midfielders. There was Lampard, Hazard and Oscar. Oscar was

outstanding throughout this game. We see Oscar circled. He puts a really

good ball into Lampard. Finds the target, couldn't get the power to

beat Jaaskelainen. A wonderful ball played in by Hazard. Lampard making

the box with that run. We see the three of them, lovely ball played

into Hazard from Lampard, straight into Oscar. A wonderful finish from

Oscar. This was throughout the game. This was a break, end to end stuff

here from Chelsea. The ball to Hazard. All heavily involved,

Ramires, into Eto'o, Azpilicueta was a good overlap. Pulled back, who is

arriving, Oscar. His 109th game since the Olympics for Oscar. He

showed no signs of tiring. Incredible energy from him today. We

see here, the ball played out wide. Two of them, Oscar and Hazard making

the box. Hazard on the end of it. Falls out to Lampard. Brilliant

finish. Again, just to cap it all off, Lampard, 35 years old, 95th

minute of the game, gives the ball away, but he tracks back, he wins

the ball back with a wonderful challenge. Outstanding performance

by those three. West Ham, least said the better. Can't score goals. Only

two teams scored less goals than them. They have cracking games

coming up they have to get points at. Certainly have.

This week's Match of the Day 2 sees both Manchester clubs in action with

United travelling to Cardiff and City entertaining Tottenham.

At home, they are lethal. Spurs are in front. It is the

Bluebirds in front. Van Persie! And Everton lead.

Before that, Peter Schmeichel will be among Mark Chapman's guests on

Match of the Day 2 extra. One month after parting company with

a 50-something balding manager with the distinctive accent who started

his playing career at Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace and appointed

a 50-something balding manager with a distinctive accent who started his

career at Bristol Rovers. Tony Phyllis was in the stands watching

his new team attempt to win their first game for three months. -- Tony

Pulis. It was not going to be easy. Tony Pulis finally put pen to paper

on a two and a half year deal this lunchtime but it is just a watch for

the Palace boss today. The Scottish International has only conceded once

in four games since signing in the summer. The white gale replaces

Jurong Thomas for Palace. -- and white gale. He is their top scorer.

Their last goal came nearly six hours ago.

Bolasie didn't see him. Wasteful with the opportunity. Palace playing

neat football. Bolasie, with his head down. He had one thought on his

mind. Maybe the centre would have been the better option. Most of Hull

City's games this season have been tight affairs. 31-1 victories.

Boyd's shot. Brodie, able to claim it easily. One of the most difficult

things he has had to do so for. That sums up the poor of a that we have

been served so far. -- pure fear. In 21 years of management, Tony

Peerless has never been relegated. But he will have a job on his hands

keeping Palace in the premier league. -- Tony Pulis. Sagbo! A real

chance. Great save by Spero me. -- is Speroni. Sagbo is denied by

Speroni. Excitement of both ends. Boyd does ever so well to get away

from two tenacious midfielders. And Sagbo could not quite get the ball

from underneath his feet. By the time he had done, Speroni was there.

And at the other end, Bolasie keeping out Dwight Gayle. Good work

by Elmohamady. A real chance for Bolasie. How long

does he want? ! Eventually, the chance is gone. And Bolasie has

followed through with his challenge. Livermore is down on his

backside. The very least Palace should have done was get a shot on

target but instead, Yannick Bolasie is sent off. Did he slipped here as

he went in to make the challenge? It is a soft red. On the letter of the

law, maybe if it is one that brings a red card. It is a nasty one and it

could have caused Livermore serious damage.

Will the referee's red card steer them towards another home victory

today? Brilliant from to roam! A real

chance at a goal! Barry Bannan! Crystal Palace take the lead. Ten

minutes after being reduced to ten men. Barry Bannan's first goal for

two years. Fabulous work by Cameron to Rome. -- Jerome. Twisting and

turning, the vision to pick out Barry Bannan. And Crystal Palace are

in front. On their way to their first win since the end of must

delete words -- since the end of August.

It will be a corner. So important that Palestine on to the extra two

points. Spur Ronnie cannot get to it. Years of the line. -- Speroni.

Back against the post. Heroic defending by Palace. They got some

luck. Rosenior hitting the post. That would have been his first goal

for four years. But Palace do enough to come away with three mass points.

I'm delighted with the players because of their effort and

commitment. They showed great spirit and a little bit of quality when

they needed to. We did not do enough to score or create a goal. At this

level, you have to create something. We know it is difficult but today,

it was not our day. You have a new manager now, Tony Pulis. Did he have

a word with the players? He did not come in. He let Keith do the job. He

has worked with us all week so think the new gaffer, I'm sure we will

speak to him on Monday. We have a great shot of him responding to the

last-minute drama. He was heading them off the line himself, him and

the chairman. I'd got the message to go three at the back during the last

couple of minutes. My thought he might have run down himself. A good

win for him. Massively important result for Crystal Palace. A fillip

for Tony Pulis before he takes over. Keith Millen will take full credit

for the result. The clean sheet in the last few games, it was very much

a Tony Pulis like performance. Crystal Palace defended very deep,

allowing hulk of possession. -- allowing hulk position. They took a

goal well and I'd think it was always going to be one go either

way. Was a substitution that may have been the moment.

way. Was a substitution that may have been Early on, Chamakh was

playing up front on his own. Paul McShane was dominating. It was a

great challenge. The was a clash of heads, with Paul McShane going in

against him. And Chamakh went off. Cameron Jerome came on, and of

course Tony Pulis will know him only too well. There has been some

history between the two. He made a real difference. He was physical, he

was a powerful target man. And he brought other players into the game.

This incident, he made his own chance. It was great power, and it

led to the goal. It was a good ball played into him. And he beat Figaro.

He pulled it back to Barry Bannan. It was a smash and grab. Excellent

win, nonetheless. It is a massive job, he has got, Tony Pulis, to turn

this around. But that is the thing. He has come in today, and they are

in so much trouble right now. People are questioning Tony Pulis for

taking the job, but he must see something in the squad that he can

work with, to get them out of trouble. It is a wonderful start for

them. Watching them so for, they do not like -- they do not look like

they have enough quality to get in that position. Newcastle United took

on Norwich City. The last time the Canaries were at St James's Park was

in 1988. Even Alan Hansen was still playing. Guy Mowbray was the

commentator. He was unbeatable at Spurs a

fortnight ago with a Premier League high of 14 saves. No wonder that Tim

Krul described the game as the highlight of his career. One of

Norwich's leading lights has been Leroy Fer, a scorer against West Ham

last game. He sets -- he sits opposite Tim Krul next summer in

Orange. And it's in the net! What a soft

goal for Norwich City to concede. What an easy goal for Loic Remy to

score. Norwich were hit for seven by Manchester City in their last away

game. And it looks as though no lessons have been learned. That is

as easy as it gets. The run from Gouffran took the defenders away.

The other defenders were just standing there. Chris Hughton comes

across as such it placid character, unruffled most of the time. He is

livid. His team has lost their last three away games, conceding 15

goals. Well controlled by Redmond, but the

shot was not. Newcastle, caught out by a simple ball down the middle,

onside. Nathan Redmond, he was quick. He put his foot through it

with too much power. His 50th Premier League game as Norwich City

manager. So far, he has won 13 and drawn 30, and lost 20. Tiote court

Redmond, using his arm to protect himself as much as anything. --

caught. Tim Krul had to react. Leroy Fer goes in and it is cleared. But

with some difficulty by Newcastle United. He almost created a chance

for Norwich, Redmond. Since Newcastle took the lead, the best

chances have fallen to the visitors. Williams has found Loic Remy.

Crossing like a winger. And Loic Remy finished like a defender. He is

a full-back... He was accidentally caught. The thing with Loic Remy, in

January he turned down Newcastle to move to QPR.

Canon Sissoko finish? Not this time. He has not for a long time.

Ameobi, cutting across the ball. It is still 1-0 to Newcastle.

Agonisingly wide. Newcastle in a mess.

There is only one way he can score. Tim Krul was beaten.

Signs that Norwich are far from beaten.

Ameobi is having a great game. That is a clever ball.

Ameobi attacks it! But he could not hold it. And Gouffran is there to

score. That was great to watch how it all developed. It started with

the spin from Shola Ameobi, then from Loic Remy. But there is still

an awful lot to happen. Look at Ameobi as he gets into the box, he

tells Gouffran to stand first. It is a good header, John Ruddy should

have done better but Gouffran was in the right place. That is what Ameobi

has done all game, every ball in the air, he has attacked it and won it.

Chris Hughton, his priority now is to make sure it doesn't become 3-0

and game over. Newcastle looking for three and

Ameobi is kept out by John Ruddy. If anybody on the field deserves to

score the next goal, it is Shola Ameobi.

It was definitely on to have a go at goal. In between the two beautifully

and he sliced it. Conversations between two men who have both been

in charge of Newcastle United. Colin Calderwood had a spell as caretaker

for a time. Climbed higher, but not quite high

enough. He had to jump early to attack this ball.

If the scoreline stays the same, Norwich 's next game at home is a

must win game. The cheers are getting louder from the Norwich

fans, with another corner going to them.

Headed towards goal and into the goal. Norwich might be back in

this. A thumping effort from Leroy Fer, perfectly directed. There is

still hope for them in this game and a corner finally tells for the

Canaries. Superb stuff from the Dutch man, to score with a header

from there when you are up against the defender of Coloccini 's stature

takes some doing. Cisse is offside. It doesn't matter

that he finishes. How close was it? Very, very close. He was onside.

What a chance to wrap it up. Norwich had a really good second

half, but I felt we were in control of the game, really. We had chances

second half to seal the game, and took too long on the passes, didn't

make the right decisions, but it is the third win on the trot for us and

a big win, because this was important as the Chelsea or Spurs

game, make no mistake. Players have responsibilities, staying close to

your man, particularly that early in the game. It gives Newcastle the

lift that they want at home, and it allows them to have a bit of

ascendancy from that moment. So, yes, disappointed with the goals

that we conceded in the first half period. We had to do something about

it second-half and we did, but in the end, not enough. Not quite

enough and Newcastle march up the table. It is a strange game,

Newcastle were under pressure and three straight wins, they are

cruising. Norwich were struggling away from home, the last defeat by

Wayne was a humiliation at Manchester City and the big thing

here is they do not want to lose a goal early -- the last defeat away

from home was a humiliation. But they conceded early. Johnson wasn't

close enough to Loic Remy who is in brilliant form. He loses his man,

Johnson is in no man's land, Loic Remy is in and two minutes into the

match, you are one down. And here, Ameobi with a header, John Ruddy

spills it and there is very little chance of getting back after

individual mistakes. And if you don't eradicate them and start

picking up points away from home, you will be in massive trouble. Loic

Remy has made a difference. Massive. No defenders reacted there and

Gouffran reacted and that was game over. Two more games to go but

first, let's hear what is on offer on the Football League Show. Thank

you, Gary. A fair few talking points on the show tonight. The featured

match is between two promotion chasers, Nottingham Forest and

Burnley, and highlights of Wigan against Brighton, and as Movember is

reaching its climax, Clem has been dented the Den has a number of

Millwall players try to raise money. So join us after the Match of the

Day or we will be on the BBC iPlayer all week. There is live Rugby union

on Sunday afternoon when the all Blacks take on Ireland in Dublin.

Now, after their victory over Manchester City, Sunderland were

hoping to build on that fine performance against Stoke side

looking for their first league win in nine games.

Charlie Adam's controversial injury time penalty rescued a point of the

Stoke at Swansea last time out, extending their run without a win to

eight matches. He starts today for his 100th Premier League appearance.

Glenn Whelan is also back. Sunderland kept their first clean

sheet in the morale boosting win over Manchester City, helped by the

timely return of Wes Brown, who starts a Premier League match for

just the second time in 20 on Munster in an unchanged Sunderland

line-up. -- in 21 months. Full marks to Begovic but Steven

Fletcher knows that was a golden chance. Beautifully found by

Johnson. Played onside by Ryan Shawcross. Begovic stood up as long

as possible and got the all-important touch.

It was almost a calamity for Stoke, cleared in the end by Shawcross. It

is a good job Ryan Shawcross was in the correct position to get that

clear. He did say when he took the job that the change in style would

be revolution rather than revolution. The changing fortunes

certainly won't happen overnight. Support from Charlie Adam!

Breakthrough for Stoke inside half an hour. Mark Hughes's team in

front, his sixth goal for the club, just the 11th Stoke outscored all

season. Fantastically timed run by N'Zonzi, who kept his composure,

looked up and what a cool finish by Charlie Adam. He calmly stroked it

into the bottom corner. Both teams have had half chances but it is

Stoke city who go in front. A little more encouraging from

Sunderland point of view. Wes went flying in there. Charlie Adam is

down. Now, Stoke are unhappy with the challenge. It is a red card for

Wes Brown. Gus Poyet cannot believe it. And Wes Brown on just his second

Premier League start in 21 months has it ended by Kevin Friend, who

sends him off. Look at the emotion from the Sunderland manager, he

cannot believe the referee's decision. It is the first red card

this referee has shown all season. He gets the ball first and then

catches Charlie Adam on the follow-through. Brown. Ball first.

The interpretation of Kevin friend will be interesting -- Kevin friend.

Wes Brown clearly won the ball and you have to say that Sunderland and

Gus Poyet's frustration is understandable.

Stoke will feel some anxiety and nerves at only 1-0.

A decent strike from Adam Johnson, a man who has only scored once in his

last 27 Premier League matches. He is due a goal. He has calmed down a

touch, at least the coat is back on, that came off in all of the

furore. Begovic had to improvise. He didn't

catch Fletcher, according to the referee. The Sunderland striker is

still grounded. Sunderland and Gus Poyet are furious. Begovic out, and

he got the ball first. Kevin Friend got that one right.

Mark Hughes looking to close this one out and reach his 100th victory

as a Premier League manager. The first Welshman ever to do that if he

can get the three points today. Just a fraction away, John Walters,

from making it 2-0. Any kind of contact and surely Stoke would have

doubled their advantage. Fabulous delivery from Charlie Adam.

Sunderland have been beaten in ten of their last 12 away games in the

Premier League. N'Zonzi has made the run. Here he

is! 2-0, Stoke. Stephen N'Zonzi -- Steven Nzonzi settles the nerves

around the Britannia Stadium, it has been a long time coming, but they

finally get the second. Crouch was the provider, saw the gap,

beautifully weighted pass and a very calm and clinical finish from

N'Zonzi. Put on a plate for him by Peter Crouch and dispatched much to

the relief of the majority of this stadium. Stoke might be able to add

one more. And it should have been 3-0. Again,

Crouch the provider and he should have hit the target at least.

Two footed tackle? No. Not in control of his body? No. Contact?

No. The referee took four seconds, the linesman hasn't put his flag up,

the fourth official hasn't talked. Please explain it. At the time, I

thought it was reckless and his foot was high and he did catch Charlie,

in fairness, so you have to be careful in those circumstances but

obviously, it is one of those that is the interpretation and if you are

reckless and out of control, there is a danger you might get sent off

in this day and age. He caught me, but I spoke to the referee and he

said it was the force after the tackle. That is why he got sent off.

I would never try and get him sent off and at the time, I didn't think

it was a red card but sometimes in the game, that happens. From every

angle, it was a decision that was... I don't know. I would like, for the

first time, last week, somebody apologised, to Steve Clarke. So

either we will have an apology for the first time or you don't make me

appeal and you just take the red card away and we move forward. We

have a mistake from the referee, players accept mistakes, everybody

accepts the mistake and we move forward. He has calmed down a

fraction. We better have a look at it, because... Speaking I totally

agree with Gus Poyet, I can't see where it is a sending-off. It is not

high, it is not late, it is not over the top. There is a degree of

aggression in the follow-through, but what is the criteria? I think it

is an absolute joke. He gets 100% of the ball. Kevin friend takes his

time, wait three or four seconds before he gives him the red card,

Charlie Adam is jumping away from the challenge, so I cannot

understand that and Gus Poyet was rightly infuriated. The code comes

off. If you are sliding in, you have to slide with a degree of aggression

and I suppose that is why he has been sent off but there is no

contact. He gets all of the ball, it is a really good tackle and it is a

well timed tackle. It slowed down Sunderland's momentum. Stoke were

leaving anyway so we will never know whether it affected the result. The

final game is Fulham against Swansea and the last time Fulham when this

picture at home was in 1997 and Alan Hansen had long since retired. --

this fixture. Our next match is Fulham taking on

Swansea City. The big decision for Andre Marriner

who gave that late penalty to Chelsea in the last round of Premier

League games here, running into the box. The referee I think has got

that one right. Michael Laudrup is having to balance the domestic and

European footballing diary this season.

Looks for Darren Bent. Tremendous ball. Oh, it was a good chance.

Lovely flighty pass from Scott Parker. Darren Bent got on the end

of it, but he couldn't quite squeeze it into the bottom corner of the

net. There is Rene Meulensteen who was highly thought of by the players

during his time at Manchester United. Making an impact quickly at

Fulham as well on the training field. The header falls to Darren

Bent. Oh, he smacks the post. Fulham so close to taking the lead. My

goodness me, Darren Bent really caught this one. He waited for it to

drop. The ball ricochetting away. Martin Jol coming under increase

pressure. It will be his neck on the line if his results don't improve in

the next few matches. Dyer with a chance. Good save by Stekelenburg.

Maarten Stekelenburg was solid when required. As Swansea broke, Dyer

with a clear shooting chance. The right leg of the Dutch goalkeeper

saving the day. Swansea sensing they might be able to get something here

in this phase of the game. Oz foul. It's an awkward one. It's

gone in! Such a difficult ball to deal with.

It skids across the penalty box. It hits Aaron Hughes. They are

celebrating with Wilfried Bony. It's not his goal. Unfortunately for

Aaron Hughes and Fulham, it's an own-goal that puts them behind at

home. De-Guzman disowe cressed. Darren

Bent is up there as well. It's Darren Bent. He tries to find

Berbatov. Suddenly it was Fulham swarming forward. Parker finding a

way through. Encouragement for the home fans as they try something

different from the corner. Parker. Oh, he scored. Superb strike from

Scott Parker. Its his first goal for Fulham. What a time to get it.

Bringing them right back into the game now. They have the best part of

half an hour still to go. It's game on, once again, as Fulham draw

level. Swansea, with a defender on the

post, he still couldn't get there. Parker leads from the front for

Fulham. There's quite a buzz around the Cottage here, following that

goal from Scott Parker. He looks a little bit happier now, doesn't he,

Martin Jol, as he tries to keep out the cold of this chill afternoon.

Swansea trying to respond quickly having conceded the equaliser. He

has found Bony. Good save by Stekelenburg. Well, the back flip

from Lemar found Bony. A full length save from Maarten Stekelenburg. One

goal a piece in the second-half. It's Swansea, in terms of the

attacking play, who have been creating far more since the break.

Jonjo Shelvey, Shelvey! It's a blockbuster. Swansea lead, for the

second time today. Jonjo Shelvey's second goal of the season. What a

belter it is as well. He digs it out rising drive, high into the net.

Past the dive of Maarten Stekelenburg. Swansea now have every

chance of claiming their third away win of the season. It's back to the

drawing board for the Dutch duo and Fulham. How does it leave you

feeling after an afternoon like that? Terrible. I think the first

half I think Bent could have scored a hat-trick. We should have been up,

we didn't. We wanted to surprise them. If it won't come off, it could

turn against you. With the own-goal we scored we didn't react quick

enough. So important for us to get a result today. We got it. We got a

very good result am we won the game. I think a part of that we played

very well, especially in the second-half, even in the last 15 to

20 minutes of the first half. I think it was well-deserved. Has

Rene's arrival given you more time to turn it around? A bit more time,

I don't know. It's always, if you are in the bottom Fife or six, even

in the bottom half you always get pressure. Any manager in any team.

-- five. They are struggling, can't score? Two big London Derbies, it's

important to get something out of that West Ham and Tottenham games

coming up. He is under serious pressure. It's up to Rene

Meulensteen to try and help him out. Swansea are a solid side? Played

really well as Michael Laudrup said. They were under pressure, they found

it hard being in Europe, brilliant win. Big win for Swansea.

Absolutely. Certainly was. We are about out of time. Let's look at the

table: : League leaders Arsenal extend their advantage to four

points, with Chelsea moving alongside second-placed Liverpool.

Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs all have the opportunity to

claim fourth spot on Sunday. Sunderland return to the foot of the

table as a consequence of their defeat and a first win since August

for Crystal Palace. Fulham complete the bottom three, while Stoke climb

three places to 14th. Now a look at the back pages: The Sunday Telegraph

centre on Brendan Rodgers anger with Mirallas's challenge on Suarez.

Wayne Rooney rejects the claim by Sir Alex Fergusson that he was unfit

last season saying that statistic prove yore wise. -- otherwise.

A day of red shirts, red cards and faces. . Goodbye.