26/04/2014 Match of the Day

It's less than a year since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as Manchester

United manager after 27 years and 13 Premier League titles. Today, a man

who's served the club for 27 years and won 13 Premier League titles

took his place in the Old Trafford dug-out.

Hello. Following the dismissal of David Moyes this week it was Ryan

Giggs in charge of the champions for the visit of Norwich. That's one of

six games on the way. Our chosen ones are Alan Hansen and

Robbie Savage. We start at Old Trafford where

Manchester United were beaten six times in the league under David

Moyes. More than the previous three years combined.

There have been creaking cracks in United's Theatre of dreams. Today

may be the day the walls come tumbling down. United beaten at home

again, city do good. United faced a Norwich side with big

problems of their own. The Canaries are just two points above the bottom

three and arrived in Manchester with the worst away record in the

division. Your commentator, Steve Bower.

After the chosen and departed one, it falls onto the most decorated one

to calm the waters. Step forward, Ryan Giggs, the manager for the very

first time. The old defensive guard of Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra return.

Norwich make one change to the team that lost to Liverpool. There is a

start for the club signing, Ricky van Wolfswinkel, whose only goal for

the club came on the opening day of the season. The customary Ryan Giggs

song echoes around the stadium. How will his players respond? Olsson

with the header clear. It felt too well back. Ruddy had to be alert on

his near post. Had time to assess the situation, well back. The save

you would expect ready to make and he did. Rooney takes charge. Has

picked out Valencia. This is promising for Manchester United.

Cleverley completely miskicked. Has not been the swashbuckling

Manchester United team some of the fans were dreaming of all stop

beaten away by Rudy and then cleared by Whittaker. Neil Adams, the more

experienced man in the dugout today. Valencia has looked a threat. Almost

went all through. Well back was fouled, penalty. Whittaker which the

challenge. I Manchester United penalty. He was just caught from

behind and down went Danny Welbeck. Rooney scores the first goal under

Ryan Giggs. He sends Ruddy the wrong way. Pinpoint into the bottom corner

from the penalty spot. Manchester United, having had their first

half-time words from Ryan Giggs, I am sure will be changing the pace

and tempo of their game. Rooney went for goal himself. Special strike

from Wayne Rooney. Three minutes into the second half. His and

Manchester United's second. Look where he picked it up. Wasn't too

much on, he wasn't closed down. He had a look and that was really

guided in off the post. No chance for John Ruddy. They might have had

a slow start to the first half but have had the perfect one to the

second. Much more speed to Manchester United's play. Read

bounded to Danny Welbeck. The night by John Ruddy. The second Wayne

Rooney goal has changed the atmosphere. Vidic with the

opportunity to make it 3-0. He will be disappointed with that. Hasn't

scored a Premier League goal in what will be his final Manchester United

season. Rooney tried to do it again. Denied by Ruddy. Picked up by

Valencia. Drilled in by Jones. Mata, on as a substitute makes it

3-0. His fourth goal for the club. It all began with Rooney's effort

beaten away by the goalkeeper. When it came back again, Mata was in the

space and alive to the situation. Surely now Ryan Giggs is off to a

winning start in charge of Manchester United.

Rooney has one the battle with Martin who was trying to see that

out of play. Clipped in by Rooney and matter tried to apply a touch.

Mata would have been disappointed not to be in the starting line-up,

but has made an impact since he came on. Here they come again. At the

back post was Valencia. Headed in by Mata. It is turning into the day

Ryan Giggs hoped it would do. Mata, claiming the touch as it went past

Ruddy. Two for the Spaniard, two for Rooney. This is just the tonic this

team and club needed at the end of this week. Now Ryan Giggs has the

perfect script. Snodgrass trying to get away from Vidic. Olson, in the

last minute of the 90. It was deflected!

Could be time for a fifth. Hen and there's! Almost everyone inside the

stadium expected him to make it 5-0. Beautifully weighted pass from Mata.

The Mexican could not find the target. Was that the hardest part

today, telling team-mates they would not be playing?

Yes, I did not get much sleep last night because of that. They all

could have been considered, with the training performances they have put

in. It was tough. I wasn't worried about the starting 11, it was the

players I had to leave out. The second half was fantastic. Mata was

fantastic when he came on. It was hard to lead a player like that out

will stop he reacted in a way I expect it as a professional. He is

perfect to take over for us. We have another three games left. Hopefully

we can do well and then it is down to the board to choose who they want

to take over. I am sure Ryan will be right up there as a top contender.

We were disciplined and organised and quiet and them down. We knew the

first 15 to 20 minute with the key. We went in at half-time with a solid

performance. It was a soft penalty, not so sure there was a lot of

contact. When they got the second goal, we were always up about it.

What has it felt like today? I felt ten feet tall when I walked out of

the tunnel. The fans have been fantastic. I am glad we can reward

them because it has been frustrating. A new start now under

Ryan. We have three more to go. He is Ryan now, not Gaffer? We did ask

him, but he said to call him Ryan. Let's see if he will get the job on

a permanent basis. Not a bad start? Emphatic in the end, the first 40

minutes I will Norwich were comfortable. Manchester United

played Rooney up top, well but just off him. They were chipping them up

and it was too long. Once they played with five or six coming

forward, it was shorter and Manchester United were much better.

Ferdinand, back to front, too long. What is Rooney going to do with

that? This time, Cleverley, same thing. Easy to defend against. At

this stage in proceedings, you were wondering where the spark was going

to come from. But whether Ryan Giggs changed it or whether the players

changed it, they got it into Rooney with a short pass, which is

dangerous. They got the penalty which changed the game. But Norwich

fell apart in the second half will stop Rooney was making chance after

chance, picking it up. That is half decent and the goal came from a

similar position. Short pass, Rooney went wide. He did really well, comes

in with a great finish. It wasn't the perfect start for Ryan Giggs but

it was a very good start. 4-0 Isambard! I'm sure he would have

liked it better. You get a nothing ball into the box from Jones. They

make five mistakes. From the referee's position, I don't think he

had any alternative but to give a penalty. Robbie will tell you

contact was minimal. I thought it might have been a touch on his

ankle. You are thinking, what is the penalty for? It looked like he

stubbed his foot into the ground. He grabs onto his arm. There is the

stub on the floor. Has he gone too easily. The next angle we will see.

Whittaker pulls his arm. Only thing the referee has got wrong is not

sending Whittaker off. A definite penalty. Manchester United don't

sack managers. A long time since they did. Did they land it well

enough? With social media it's difficult to keep things quiet.

Manchester United you would have thought would have done it better.

That's, it's another store oy. David Moyes himself. -- story. The hardest

thing to do is break up a successful team. Manchester United need to be

broken up. David Moyes had to spend a forrure. He sdbt didn't do it, he

bought Fellaini who wasn't successful. It's David Moyes' job to

get the best out of his players. He didn't do that. It wasn't

necessarily the defeats, it was the manner of defeats against Liverpool,

Manchester City and Everton that cost him the job. Right decision for

you? United seventh in the league. The telling stat is the midfield.

Even creativity. This season, the flee players who played the most in

the midfield. No assists and no threw balls from your three key

midfielders. It's staggering. That tells me a few things. The wingers

are not running behind. Centre forwards not going behind. And, are

they good enough? That isn't their biggest problem. The biggest problem

is the back four. It's about picking the guy you want to give the money.

They didn't want to give to David Moyes. Will they want to give it to

Ryan Giggs. I read one or two reports it's not about money. Who

are you going to pick the players from, thin air? You have to pick the

players. A lot of talk is Louis van Gaal? If Ryan Giggs wins the next

three matches 4-0 there will be a tidal wave of sentiment in his

favour from everywhere. You are talking about inside Old Trafford,

outside Old Trafford. The best thing to do, if they don't want Ryan

Giggs, want someone of experience? Get beaten next week. I think he

will get it. It's difficult. Would you go with more experience? I would

go with Louis van Gaal, Giggs after him. Get scores. Get that mentality.

What is Louis van Gaal doesn't want, Giggs, Scholes or Butt. Louis van

Gaal has the experience from around the world. Louis van Gaal for me.

Manchester United, Giggs will be the new manager. Prediction. Absolutely.

What do you think? S Should Ryan Giggs get the Man Utd job? Go to the

BBC Sport website to cast your vote or tweet either #YES or #NO to

@bbcmotd. We'll give the result at the end of the programme. Fulham's

6-0 defeat at Hull in December was their worst in Premier League

history. The two sides met again today at Craven Cottage with the

home side two points from safety with just three games to play. Simon

Brotherton was watching. S last season Dave individual Stockdale

went on-loan to Hull and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.

Today he will try to keep them out as Fulham go for the win they need.

You may remember that Hull put six past today's opponents in December.

Tom Huddlestone was among the goalscorers for the first time in

two-and-a-half years and able to get his haircut, finally. Only

Sunderland have earned fewer points at home than Fulham this season.

Fulham have won two of the last three here at Craven Cottage. If

they could win the last two against Hull and Crystal Palace, they would

have a decent chance of staying in the Premier League next season.

Decent play this from Fulham. Amorebieta, four inside the penalty

area. Rodallega is one of them. First chance of the game. Unable to

get on the end of it. Real promise for Fulham though. He scored the

winning goal in two of the last three matches for Fulham. He had the

opportunity to give them the lead there. A positive start for mag

Felix's side. Long to be beaten. Still managed to get his shot in.

Despite the best efforts of Heitinga and Hangeland. He is the Tony Pulis

of German football. Never relegated. He doesn't intend to start now. He

will win the header again. Meyler trying to get clear of Hangeland.

Shane Long for Hull. Was he pushed over there, no. The referee says no

to a penalty. Was he nudged out of the way by Amorebieta? That was the

question. The referee said, no. Fulham, looking to be quick out of

the blocks with the words of their manager ringing in their ears.

Rodallega for Fulham. That was Chester, sliding in. Dejagah reaches

outside him. He might have a chance himself. He scores! Ashkan Dejagah

Fulham. 10 minutes into the second-half. Just what Fulham

needed. Dejagah scored the winner here last month at home to

Newcastle. He got an important goal here now. Created space, saw the

opening. My word did he drive it home into that top corner. Fulham,

in a match they have to win, are ahead. Dejagah, his sexth goal of

the season. Good enough to bring everybody in the stadium up off

their seats, including the manager. Now they believe a little bit more.

Here come Fulham again. It's behind, off Bruce. Suddenly, have they

momentum swinging their way? Fulham's corner. The goalscorer will

try and turn provider here. Headed away at the near-post. Richardson

now. Amorebieta! It's two. What a start to the second-half here for

Fulham. What a time for Fernando Amorebieta to score his first goal

for the club. A one goal lead is doubled. From that header there. Two

goals in quick succession. Suddenly it turned the game Fulham's way. We

are staying up is now the cry that echoes around Craven Cottage. Of

course, if Hull could get a goal before too long it would change the

complexion and change the mood. Add to the anxieties of the home crowd.

Shane Long, off the bar. Yell Jelavic are there. Hull are back

into the game, with 15 minutes to go. That changes the complexion of

the afternoon a bit. Nikica Jelavic with his first goal since February.

Fulham are stunned by that. Suddenly, the ball sailing towards

the goal, off the boot of Riether. Having made the first save, he was

unable to keep out the rebound and the effort from Jelavic. Felix

Magath has seen it before. That goal will change the mood inside the

stadium. Difficult little spell here for Fulham. Huddlestone, block made

by Heitinga. Fulham defend. It's off the top of the bar from Aluko.

Fulham are scrambling to clear. Dave individual Stockdale, like everyone

else in the stadium, could merely watch that one. It was a lucky

escape. Still time of course for Hull to salvage something from the

match. Aluko going down. It's Rodallega.

Dejagah, racing into the penalty area. Dejagah! Great save by Harper.

Now it's with Darren Bent. He shoots! Wide. A goal there and

Fulham would have felt home and dry. Rodallega, skipping clear of the

defence. Dejagah, denied by the save from Harper. Darren Bent, unable to

find that bottom corner. He knows his team aren't there yet in terms

of this game. A decent advantage that they have got. We are heading

almost into the last five minutes of the 90 here. Ako, Boyd. Jelavic and

Long wait in the centre. Sagbo is up there as well. -- Aluko. Boyd did

well. It's away by Richardson, who falls awkwardly. Elmohamady. Oh, to

the post! Off the he palm of Stockdale. Brilliant save by the

Fulham goalkeeper. Hull City almost back level at 2-2 there. You sense

that there might be another twist or turn left in this game. Here's

Sagbo. Aluko, Boyd outside him. Jelavic and Long in the centre. In

towards Shane Long, with a header. Oh and Shane Long has equalised for

Hull City. And Fulham's players are utterly deflated. What a big goal

that could be. Not just for Hull in this game, but in terms of Fulham's

season as a whole. It was completely unmarked. He snuck in behind

Amorebieta. Shane Long guides that header home. Like a dagger into the

heart of Fulham's survival chances. They had victory almost in their

hands, Fulham today. They could see the finishing line in sight. They

could not hang on. It needs to be a big final push for them. A great

comeback for Hull in this one. If Hull get a point, that could be the

point that ultimately ensures they stay up as well. Was there a

handball there? A few shouts. Nothing from Lee Mason.

Interestingly, no real appeals from any of the players either. That has

to go down as a lucky escape for Hull. We are disappointed because we

are 2-0 leading and so it seems, yeah, we can take the three points,

but unfortunately we make almost own-goal and so maybe take only one

point. 37 points, with our goal difference is probably 38. We will

watch the game tomorrow. Hope it's a draw. I think we have are

mathmatically safe barring all sorts of silly things happening. To be in

this position is wonderful. We have a Cup final to look forward. It's

never easy to keep everyone focussed. They showed today what

they are made of. We have lost two points am we have to win the next

two games. Still believing? Yeah. We can. You never know what you will

get with Fulham, do you? Not from one game to the next, one minute to

the next The first half was a non event. Fulham's Achilles heel comes

back. 2-0 up. They should have held on. It would have been three points.

Amorebieta, the full-back, would sum up the day. He had a mixed day. He

went from being excellent to terrible. Three or four times. The

first one to Rodallega, a great ball in. Left back position. Whips it in.

Great ball, should have scored. Then, he gets the wrong side of

Shane Long. That is a penalty kick. He is red card all day long. You

have to learn to take a throw-in, like Robbie. Then... He scores a

goal here. A great goal, to make it 2-0, but the equaliser from Shane

Long, for some reason, he had a running battle with Jelavic there.

Right in the first half. Then, at the equaliser he is obsessed with

Jelavic. Watch. Circle him there. Hoe light him there. He is pushing

Jelavic instead of tracking the runner. Misjudges the flight of the

ball. It's in the back of the net. Two valuable points that are lost.

Or a point gain You would go, if they are 2-0 up they should have

hung on. The manager made a change at

half-time that worked? Yes, Djagah has been very good. Why wasn't he on

from the start. He runs a long way and gets on the end of a great ball.

It is a great save. This time against Curtis Davies. If the ball

had been better Rodallega might have been in. This is definitely the

parts of the day. Fantastic pass from back to front. It is a Steven

Gerrard hit. Cuts across it and inch perfect to Rodallega. An overlapping

fullback. Uses the fullback, cuts inside and buries it in the top

corner. The question I would ask, why was he not on from the start? We

saw a penalty youth taught Hull should have had, but later on wasn't

it Curtis Davies handball? Yes, the question was, was it inside the box?

I think it is a definite handball. To get them safe, I think they are

saved at 37 points. You have Long and Jelavic, nine goals between

them, I think they have done it. Even at 2-0 down, they kept

fighting. A run of just one point from five

games has dragged Aston Villa back into the relegation battle. Paul

Lambert's side were in action at Swansea who started the day just a

point above their opponents. Conor McNamara was at the Liberty Stadium.

Agbonlahor scored against Swansea in December which was part of a run of

three goals but has not found the net since that run. Two managers

also effectively fighting to keep their job the both teams, you can

see they are still getting used to this pounding rain. Routledge has

scored against Villa in the last two seasons. 1-0 to Swansea. Five goals

in his last seven league games now. He took this with such confidence.

Great pass from Jonjo Shelvey. Might be questionable as to whether he was

onside, but what about that finish? Williams started in the driving rain

for Swansea. You would think with a slippery pitch and all of the rain

he would have slid a bit further. Picked up by Westwood. Albrighton.

It's sat up so nicely for him. Albrighton looking for his first

goal of the season. Paul Lambert, still looking for his first away win

since New Year's Day. That was a better cross fag in Lahore. Crucial

goal for Aston Villa. -- for Agbonlahor. It is the second time

this season he has scored against Swansea. I think it took a little

deflection under way in. Aston Villa are back in the game. Garry Monk,

very much like Ryan Giggs at Manchester United. Started the

season on the playing staff and finishing it in the manager's

dugout. Poor clearance. Jonjo Shelvey! Ace back Nakhila finish.

Out of the very top drawer. -- a spectacular finish. Swansea City are

back in front. Absolutely perfect into the top corner. His sixth goal

of the season. He didn't even look at the target, he just knew

instinctively what he wanted to do. And that is the reaction on the

bench. You don't see a goal like that every day. Well played by

Wilfred Bony. Using his strength to great effect. Look at him,

surrounded, but still got his shot through. Has been at Swansea for ten

years, Garry Monk. Knows all about the club. He said once they are

mathematically safe, he can sit down with the chairman and talk about his

future. Jonjo Shelvey went the goal. It is parried out by the goalkeeper

for a corner. This is about half the distance out Jonjo Shelvey was when

he scored the first goal. It was one the goalkeeper could not take any

chances with. A chance for Routledge in the penalty area. That could have

settled the game. Nope composure at the end of it. It will be a nervous

end to the season for Paul Lambert. Two obvious targets in the censure.

Williams and Bony. -- centre. Second opportunity for Jonjo Shelvey to

cross. No one was marking at the far post. That could be that! It is a

crucial goal in Swansea's did to be safe in the Premier League for next

season. There is nobody marking at the back post as Jonjo Shelvey's

cross picks out Hernandez. For Aston Villa, that defending is not good

enough. Can Aston Villa comeback? 3-1 behind, that is how much it

means to Garry Monk. Villa playing with for upfront. Albrighton is

effect to be the right-hand edge of it. Robinson couldn't get there.

Albrighton. To hide. On a day when Aston Villa have not had too many

chances, he needed to have at least hit the target from there. Paul

Lambert knows how costly this defeat is. Tired legs trying to get back.

Baker will be in trouble. He has taken him down, it is a yellow card.

He was never going to keep up with him. Swansea took it quickly. Guzan

saved. Swansea finishing the game with a flourish. Going to be in big

trouble. Penalty. Nathan Baker who was booked and moment ago, the

yellow card shown to Westwood. Baker, straight in on his back. The

referee gives a penalty to Swansea. Wilfred Bony scored a late penalty

last week against Newcastle and he has done it again. Surely now,

Swansea will be involved in the Premier League next season? It is

the goals from this man, Wilfred Bony, that really have secured their

safety in the end. What is your take on Jonjo

Shelvey's goal? Yes, I think he had been watching me in training a few

times and that is where he got it from! No, it was his instinct. He

has that ability, he tries it in training. He got back from his

Liverpool days. That was a great finish. Fantastic goal. I just

thought I would just hit it and thought it was over. Luckily it went

into the top corner. I thought we played well in the opening period.

Brad, who has been excellent for me, probably knew he should have not

thrown it out, but that what happens. What about relegation. We

need to win next week. What is your role next season? I will go and

speak to the chairman and see what he wants to do with the future of

the club. I guess we will go from there. He has done well. Superb

place the Swansea. What a goal from Jonjo Shelvey? Sensational. I think

Rooney's is better. Guzan, nobody wants the ball. Nobody is looking.

Guzan should not have thrown out. He panicked. What a first touch from

Jonjo Shelvey on his chest. Guzan as well, does not react quickly enough

to get back on his line. I don't know what he is doing there, Guzan.

Yes, he has been brilliant all season. What a goal. Villa have been

shocking in defence as Alan is going to show you. It was a great goal.

You were not impressed with Aston Villa at all? The opening goal, you

have been struggling defensively, you go away from home, you want to

keep it tight. No pressure on the ball and always the fullback on the

opposite side to wear the ball is goes behind the centre back and then

you are in trouble. Ruby Ridge, time and space. -- right allege. Bertrand

gets behind Baker. The space is created. I think he is slightly

offside but because Bertrand is behind Baker, the assistant, it is

marginal, it is tight. I think he is just offside but sometimes it goes

against you. It you are pushing up that far, you have got to put Russia

on the ball. One point in six, Villa? 41 points last year, they are

We've reached the half-way point of the show.

Worse this year. West Brom have won fewer games than

any other Barclays Premier League side this season but started the day

three points clear of danger. Opponents West Ham knew victory

would guarantee them top-flight football next season. Steve Wilson

was at The Hawthorns. The loss of Gareth McAuley might

leave Sam Allardyce licking his lips. Pepe Mel wearing a black

armband in memory of her friends, the former Barcelona coach who died

yesterday. Olsson with the touch. Mulumbu keeps

his head. Doran should clear. West Brom, in the eighth minute of this

game, will already be feeling fortunate that they are not behind.

The early signs for West Brom are really quite worrying. Here's

Sessegnon with Berahino ahead of him. Still Sessegnon. He has done

well. Brunt at the back post. It's in. Against the run of play. But

into the back of the net, Berahino gives West Bromwich Albion the lead.

He has been on the fringes of it for the last six weeks or so. He was at

the heart of it here. What a great run from Sessegnon. Brunt had all

kinds of space. Had that not gone in the back of the net then

Amalfitano's decision-making would have been questioned. It's a long

way to go. It would be a crucial victory if that goal from Berahino

proves to be a winner. Nice from Diame. Good crossing position.

Carroll, tremendous save by Foster. The back across goal. Wide from

Kevin Nolan. Pretty much a textbook header by Carroll. It still didn't

beat Foster. Sessegnon, Dorrans. Berahino, can find Brunt. Sessegnon,

in the o box. Oh, whipped right in front of Reid. He couldn't reach it.

A flying header from Billy Jones, not far wide. Could have doubled

their lead here, West Brom. The first cross was inviting. Sessegnon

couldn't reach it. Great effort from Amalfitano to keep it in. Great

header. It came off the top of his head, I think. Dawson's head. Diame,

trying to find Jarvis. Foster has decided to come. I'm not sure how

much of that ball he got. It's a corner. Which is cleared by Olsson.

Here is Downing. Wouldn't sit down for him. Good ball into Djamel. Good

save. Heroics at the moment by Foster. Noble hasn't got on to that.

They can break here with Sessegnon. -- Demel. Here's Dorrans still. Talk

about end to end stuff. Fantastic break on here. Look at Graham

Dorrans. He is running himself into the ground to get there. As he

collected it from Sessegnon, and drove, he couldn't quite get the

contact, the pace, power or direction he was looking for. That

is not very complimentary on any level. , is it? Noble has pulled up

for West Ham. West Brom will play on. Morrison. Helped onto Sessegnon

by Berahino. Amalfitano finds Jones. Sessegnon, room to turn, if he wants

to. Pulls it back. Not the worst idea in the world either. Jones,

with the shot! Smartly saved at his near-post by Adrian. Billy Jones

doesn't score too many. Only hit the target once for West Brom. Nolan.

McCartney. Stewart Downing has swapped to the

left side for the first time. He lost possession. They can break can

Sessegnon. Picking up pace, Mulumbu right, Berahino left. Berahino, he

got it all wrong. Still might be on for Sessegnon. Nice little turn.

Berahino, to have another go. Good save by Adrian. Now, Sessegnon, over

the bar. They have missed the opportunity. Oh, Berahino here, he

got it horribly wrong the first time. Sessegnon gave him a second

bite of the cherry. This time, Adrian was in the way. Then

Sessegnon, finally, had a go himself and put it over the top. Billy

Jones, really now looking for a second. Graham Dorrans, ricocheted

off Nolan, but kindly for Amalfitano. His cross. It's

Berahino, it's Sessegnon. It's Graham Dorrans, onto his left, back

on to his right. Can't find a way through. Diame did brilliantly.

Morrison, Sessegnon, Mulumbu. He will hit it. Not very well. Oh,

Berahino! Just hit him. Not a great shot. A bit of a bobbler from

Mulumbu. You can't blame Berahino for that. Had no time to react. Just

hit him. Swung in from Collins towards Carroll. Got something on

it. Kevin Nolan is there. Billy Jones with him. West Ham corner.

Jarvis with the corner. Carroll with the header, off the bar. Probably

should have scored. It's a free header. Such a brilliant header of

the ball, Andy Carroll. He is not marked. He will be disapoined that

he has only hit the bar with this. Big let off for West Bromwich

Albion, big chance for Andy Carroll. James Morrison. This might go

behind. Anichebe trying to make sure it doesn't. He has done well. Well

done, Anichebe. He's got a free-kick. Is it a throw-in. West

Brom's way anyway. Three minutes were shown. Three minutes have been

played. The next whistle might be the last. Graham Dorrans, James

Morrison... And West Bromwich Albion have won at home for Pepe Mel, at

last! They are not safe yet, but they are a whole lot safer than they

were at 3.00pm. West Bromwich Albion have won.

TRANSLATION: Cardiff we through 3-3, Cardiff 3-3, drew one each with

Liverpool, Chelsea, I think we deserved that victory. It came

today. I'm happy for the fans. It shows how good a group we are today.

We stayed as a unit and fought through to the end. We make made

sure we had the three points. That is massive. I can understand fans

disapproval. We haven't won for four games. Everybody in the Barclays

Premier League shows disappointment towards the manager when it's not

going well. It's not going well for us. I accept the criticism coming my

way. It's my responsibility to get it right. After the game I spoke to

the West Brom goalkeeper, Ben Foster. Ben, after the last couple

of home games I imagine it was getting nervy towards the latter

stages? Yeah. It was, to be honest with you. When that final whistle

went it was a huge relief. You know what you get from West Ham, aerial

balls. When you play a team like that at any given moment you can get

a cross into the box, they can Nica scruffy goal. Huge relief. A big win

for us. Hugely satisfying for yourself to get a clean sheet. Up to

36 points now. Not far from safety? No. You know, within touching

distance really. It was a pretty much a must win game. The clean

sheet is a bonus. The three points is all that matters. Within touching

distance. Three games left to go. Going into those final one or two

games of the season you don't want the results to go your way to stay

up. It's a big favour for us today. Took a while to find your feet under

the new manager. What has Pepe Mel given to you? He likes us to play

attacking. It was a contrast in styles. You know what you get from

West Ham, like I said. Huge amount of aerial balls. When we got the

ball down and counter-attacked really well, we probably could have

scored three or four more. Their goalie made a lot of saves. We

missed the target a few times. That is what he wants us to do. Get the

ball down and play. I think we showed that today. Ing towards after

the season, of course, Ben hoping to be part of England's World Cup

squad. You retired once now, you are back in the thick of things. Excited

about that prospect? Yeah. A huge carrot to aim for really. Just

hoping that we stay in the league is the main thing, to be honest with

you. Then keep fit and healthy. Then we will see what is what. The main

thing is to keep West Brom in the league. Thank you very much, Ben.

Impressed by the fact you kept your gloves on throughout the entirety of

the interview? Sells brand. Thank you. Was never going to drop that

microphone. It wasn't the prettiest game. It was an important result for

West Brom? It was. With 36 points now they would be safe with a good

goal difference. Berahino got the goal. Shocking defending. Not a

pretty goal. They all count the same. Foster kept them in the game

with crucial saves. Sessegnon and Mulumbu played well. The goal from

Berahino, he kept running. Sessegnon picks the ball up, drives it in. He

has to come out there to the ball. What on earth he is doing, I do not

know! Berahino taps it in on the line. Terrible defending. He got the

goal. They certainly learnt their lessons from their previous two home

games, didn't they? Take the ball into the corner. Berahino was guilty

of that in the 3-3 draw at home to Cardiff. This in the last-minute.

What he is doing there, I do not know. The game after that they drew

to Spurs, 3-3, last-minute goal from Spurs. They have learnt their

lesson. This is against Cardiff. This comes in the last-minute. 3-3.

If they won them two games they would have been safe by now. The

pressure would have been off. What the manager says to them, if you are

1-0 up in the last-minute. Take the ball into the corner. Points to

Morrison. Get into that corn. Do not lose the ball. He has done that.

Here, Anichebe, right at the end of the game. Great strength, great

power. Look at the crowd's reaction. I have never seen the crowd so

excited about someone keeping the ball in the corner. As you can see.

Wins the throw-in for his team. See the game out. Watch this. It's like

a goal. They are going beserk. Yes, we can keep it in! As for Sam, no

laughing there. It has gone pear shaped? Topsy-turvy season for them.

The start of the season the priority was keeping in the league. He has

done that. Will do that. When they were in big trouble they won four,

he was Manager of the Month. Losing the last four matches. A results

based industry. When they were in trouble the owners backed him to the

hilt. Will they back him at the end of the season? We will wait and see.

I don't know if they will back them. They are talking about the style of

football. Would they like to play the way the game should be played in

the Championship or play that style of football in the Premier League?

What do you think the supporters will say? I think they will take the

Premier League every time. I' not a West Ham supporter. OK. There's a

bumper Match of the Day 2 coming up with hugely significant games at

both ends of the table. COMMENTATOR: Another splendid goal.

What a glorious goal A brilliant goal from Jason Puncheon. A really

good finish. Going for goal. Finds the goal. They are ahead. Match of

the Day 2 Extra will provide the pre-match pre-amble, 12.15pm BBC

One. The Football League show follows us on BBC One or the

iplayer. Coming up tonight all the drama with plenty riding on our

feature game as Wigan look to get a play-off place against Blackpool.

Clem has been to QPR as they took on Millwall aiming to pull away from

the bottom three. Join me if you can after Match of the Day. We are on

the iPlayer all week. With Arsenal not in action until Monday, Everton

had the chance to climb back into the top four if they could beat a

Southampton side three points short of equalling their best ever Premier

League return. Jonathan Pearce was at St Mary's Stadium. 18-year-old

Sam Gallagher gets his second start for Southampton. Lambert drops

deeper. Cork replaces the injured Schneiderlin. Everton have eight

players sidelined. They have only won once in 12 visits

to Southampton. Two teams who relish possession football. Fonte, played

back to him. To his centre-back partner, Lovren. Cork, around the

corner.le Here is Lambert, bright start by Southampton. Gallagher is

in the middle. It's an own-goal! What a start for Southampton. It's

gone in off the hapless Alcaraz. Southampton lead after one minute.

He is played a patched up defence, Roberto Martinez. Watch here, the

power of Gallagher. Brushes into Alcaraz, unnerved. Never recovered,

had to stretch. He beat his own-goal keeper. A lively start by

Southampton. They had Everton on the back foot, straightaway. Alcaraz,

the flashing header past his own-goal keeper. They cannot afford

to slip up here. Southampton the more mobile team. More creative

team. Gallacher, no free kick given. Plays

it back and Davis arrives, and that was a big chance, he knows it. It

goes wide. Alcaraz was ducking in load, the foot was not raised

necessarily that high, vision from Rickie Lambert but not the execution

required from Stephen Davis. Three in the box, Everton with

plenty back. Rickie Lambert, and it has gone in off of Seamus Coleman,

another own goal, a dangerous ball in and the Everton defence all at

sea, nobody attacked the ball, and it hit Seamus Coleman, and the

Everton dreams of a Champions League place are diminishing by the minute.

The centre halves were woeful, Alcaraz and John Stones, no great

lift off, horrible misjudgement, Southampton two, Everton zero, and

Everton have scored them both. They have matured as a Premier League

team this season, Southampton. A very long afternoon lies ahead for

Everton and their supporters. They must have had to get up at the crack

of dawn to get here. The game last season was on a Monday night during

the big freeze, with horrible travelling conditions. Another free

header in the box. This time, Dejan Lovren. And it perhaps should have

been three. Ross Barkley. Deulofeu, with a

lovely cross. Lukaku could not get over it. Great work by Deulofeu on

the right. Lukaku could not quite climb enough. That is offside.

Naismith sneaking in towards Deulofeu. That was very tight.

Lambert. Huge spaces for the Southampton midfielder steam-rolled

into. -- midfielders to maraud into. He has caught him late. The

last time Everton conceded three on their travels in the league was at

Liverpool, and Rickie Lambert comes close for Southampton, clipping the

outside of the woodwork. Playing well in front of the watching

England head coach. There is a better shape about Everton in this

second half. That is better from Everton. Russell

Osman, risky challenge, I think he's going to book Osman for a dive. It

is not every time when a player goes down in the box that it is not a

penalty, is it a dive, Russell Osman drew Lavelle, there was contact, the

ball was going away from Russell Osman, that is -- from Leon Osman.

Aiden McGeady. Round the outside. Decent ball in. McCarthy leaps, and

anywhere but there. The first effort on target, and if he headed that in

any other part of the goal, it would have gone in. They have come so far

this season in the quest for the Grail of Champions League football.

Was McCarthy pulled back? Nothing given. Boos from the Everton fans.

They think that Dejan Lovren wrestled McCarthy to the ground. He

pulled him back there, it would seem. Nathaniel Clyne. Setting it

up, the shot by James Ward-Prowse, saved. No denying that Southampton

were worthy winners, 2-0, and that is a huge dent in Everton's

Champions League ambitions. All the players did an amazing job, beating

Everton 2-0, a team fighting to get into the Champions League, a great

achievement. The entire team put in an amazing performance. The second

half was much improved, should you have had a penalty? That would have

been psychologically what we needed. It was a massive blow. We need to

get an early goal or a decision going in our favour to react the

performance, and that was a key moment. I thought everyone today was

on their game, but Adam Lallana was a major influence. All of you could

be in when players, yourself, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana. It was a good

game for him to come and watch. We managed to get the better of it

today. And full credit to the boys. We enjoyed it.

Southampton have equalled their best points tally in a 30 year game

Premier League season. They have been very good again. That could be

the end of Everton's Champions League hopes. They chose today to

have their worst performance of the season. Southampton looked like the

team going for Champions League football. From the kick-off, Ross

Barkley giving the ball away. These players have been fantastic all

season. But here, lethargic, Gareth Barry, indecisive, no options,

Southampton on the front foot, and deserving of the win. Again, getting

caught in possession. Seamus Coleman with a pass to nobody. He should be

up and down the wing, but he's giving the ball away. They have

added a bit of impetus, to be fair. It was one of those days. If that

was Manchester United last week, they would have tackled him there.

Then the centre forward playing in the right back position, running the

ball out of play. It is over now. They had one of these days against

Crystal Palace, and have the come up short in the quest for the Champions

League? You have to give credit to Southampton as well. They have been

magnificent. And in a perfect world, it would be great if they could keep

hold of their star players. Couple penalty shouts for Everton, Roberto

Martin is thought that this one was. There is contact, it is a definite

penalty. He gets booked for diving, ridiculous decision. A second one as

well, pulling on the shirt, that is also a penalty. We see people

getting away with this. He's pulling his shirt. You have got to be

definitive, is it a penalty or not? One minute you're telling me it is a

penalty and the next minute, not. The law needs clarification. If you

pull the shirt, it is a penalty. Stoke City welcomed Spurs to the

Brittannia Stadium looking to extend a run of four straight home wins.

The visitors have conceded 12 times in their last four away games

failing to score in three of them. Guy Mowbray was watching. Bright and

breezy at the Britannia Stadium, matching the football Stoke City

this season. Peter Crouch may have his Spurs and England days behind

him, although some say that Roy Hodgson could do worse than taking

to Brazil this summer. At the other end of the career skill, Harry Caine

has started the last three league games for Spurs and is guard --

scored in everyone. If that goes on, there could be caused to get Kane on

the plane! Peter Odemwingie, winning and overrunning.

The first bit of spice in the game. Glenn Whelan, studs showing but he

was nicely in control of himself. A little cuff on Ryan Shawcross, here.

He takes the right elbow of added by all. -- Emmanuel Adebayor. Was it a

mere struggle or something more sinister? Mark Hughes has done a

tremendous job at Stoke City, on the brink of their best ever Premier

League performance. After all the good work that Tony Pulis did before

him, it is some achievement. Stephen Ireland, going for gold, good

effort. Hugo Lloris was not sure. He went flying to his left, Stephen

Ireland looking for his first goal since scoring in the 3-2 victory

over Chelsea here in December. Emmanuel Adebayor is onside. Goes

past Glenn Whelan, and Danny Rose. That is Stoke City zero, Tottenham

Hotspur, one. Neatly nodded in by the left back. Some great approach

play by Emmanuel Adebayor. The slip from Geoff Cameron did not help

Stoke's calls. That was a free header for Danny Rose. His first

Premier -- Premier League goal this season. His first in the league

since he scored on his debut with a blockbuster in the North London

derby. That was a little bit more routine. And it has given Spurs the

lead. Christian Eriksen blocked by Ryan Shawcross. That will be a

yellow card. Shawcross, the Stoke City skipper who gave away a penalty

for handball at White Hart Lane in December in a comfortable 3-1

victory for Spurs, the first win for Tim Sherwood as permanent Spurs

manager. Stoke City have lost -- have lost only one of their last 14

home games in the Premier League. That will just upset Stoke City and

their manager even more. He got a yellow card in the first half, Ryan

Shawcross. Andrei Marinette is going to his pocket -- Andre Marriner.

Stoke City one goal down and one man down, the fourth red card of his

career. It is late, he does catch Danny Rose heavily, Danny Rose

tumbled, he was already in midair, worthy of a and yellow card. -- a

second yellow card. Relentless doing from the Stoke City supporters for

the referee. It was the same referee who sent off Kieran Gibbs wrongly

for Arsenal at Chelsea last month, but he got the right man this time.

Danny Rose cannot get involved, but he has done. He has been suckered

into that by Geoff Cameron. As if it was not hot enough in the middle out

there. Danny Rose, the building of the piece as far Stoke City are

concerned, and only a yellow card. Listen to this. I wonder if Tim

Sherwood is thinking of substituting his left back. Mark Hughes is saying

that should be a red card, he has pushed my player in the chest, he

has raised his hands. If he played for Stoke, you would send them off,

that is the chance that you hear quite a lot around here. Geoff

Cameron knew who it was and wanted the reaction that he got. The crowd

has played its part, too. Mark Hughes is incensed. Danny Rose is

going off. He will applaud the Spurs fans. That might just defuse the

atmosphere, because it is poisonous inside the Britannia Stadium right

now. Tim Sherwood had to make that change. Danny Rose has been told by

his manager to get round the tunnel and get out of there. -- down the

tunnel. Good save from Hugo Lloris, weak effort from Marco Arnautovic.

He just played the ball into the hands of Hugo Lloris. And that gets

more of a reaction from the Stoke manager. You can hear the Stoke

crowd singing 1-0 to the referee. Paulinho, in on goal. Good save by

Asmir Begovic. Keeping Stoke alive, just. Tim Sherwood is asking, when

is it over? And it is over. As soon as this has cleared downfield that

will be it. What is your take on it all? Without

seeing it again, seeing it first-hand like the referee has

done, I thought it was two yellow cards. What can you do? Two yellow

cards will make a red card. Mark set them up brilliantly when they went

down to 10-men. We didn't play well in possession. We let them have the

initiative. It's about three points on the board and digging in. A clean

sheet is good for us. The goalkeeper has deserved that clean sheet over

the last few weeks. I think Andrew Marrer in (inaudible) has maybe lost

confidence. I think a number of occasions where he was, in my view,

you would dispute, I felt he was sometimes some of the decisions he

made. You can't do that. You have to be sure that what you have given is

the correct decision. I just felt today's performance was not the

required standard. Mark Hughes had his say. Unhappy with some of the

decisions. Presumably including the Shawcross dismissal with two

yellows? The first yellow is in no doubt what so ever Leaves his body

there. A definite yellow card. Certainty. Leaves his leg out. No

question about it. Second one. Shawcross has got his eye on the

ball. Danny Rose has too. You can see why the referee gives the yellow

card. Two yellows make a red, obviously! There, he has his eye on

the ball. Shawcross is unlucky there. You can see why the referee

has given a yellow card. I think, you know, his foot is high. He

caught Danny Rose. Normally, you would get a yellow card. Another

controversial moment involving Shawcross. This time he was on the

receiving end. Should Adebayor have received a yellow card? They

tangled. He elbowed him. The match might have been different. Big day

for Danny Rose, wasn't it? Good management? Absolutely. The whole

thing was volatile. He did well. We are about out of time. Thank you

very much indeed. We asked you if you thought Ryan Giggs should be the

next permanent manager of Manchester United. Well, lots of you have had

your view. 2% of you think he should. They agree with Alan Hanson.

We will see what tran spires. Let's have a look at the Barclays Premier

League table: Everton's defeat means Arsenal need two more wins to

guarantee Champions League qualification for a 17th consecutive

season. A top-six finish remains possible for Manchester United, that

would almost certainly result in Europa League qualification.

Fulham's failure to win means Norwich remain just above the bottom

three. However, the Canaries will drop into the relegation zone if

there's a winner in the game between Sunderland and Cardiff.

Let's see what the Sunday papers say:

There you go. Ryan Giggs said he wanted to put the smile back on the

faces of United fans, as pretty good start. Goodbye. -- a pretty good

start. Goodbye. BBC Radio 5 live

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