26/10/2013 Match of the Day

Hello, it is fair to say that this season has been a little slow to

ignite, but that has changed after last week's brilliant games. We have

another stunning collection, breathtaking goals, top players,

controversial incidents. After his heartbreaking defeat at

the hands of Mount Kilimanjaro, we hope Robbie Savage can stay for the

entirety of the programme! Alan Hansen has always preferred attitude

to altitude. We begin at Old Trafford, the champions began with

just 11 points from eight games, their worst start in 24 years. Alex

Ferguson was in charge then. Stoke have not beaten Manchester United

for 20 years, Alex Ferguson was in charge then.

Mark Hughes was in the Manchester United team that struggled in 1989.

He says they might be vulnerable at the moment, with the caveat that

they can get a result when they need one. They got one on Wednesday

without Robin van Persie, that he returns to face the team he has

scored against the last six times a has led them. Shinji Kagawa and Tom

Cleverley start. Mark Hughes has pledged to be positive, there is a

recall for Peter Crouch, supported by Jon Walters, Stephen Ireland and

Marco on out of edge. Wilson Palacios start in the league for the

first time in a year and a half. It did fly. Manchester United

stopped full of attacking intent. It is in, a comedy of errors from

Manchester United! It has been forced over the line, it is Peter

Crouch who celebrates. I think it was an own goal. It is horrible for

David Moyes, it is a shameful David De Gea, who had pulled off a

wonderful slave. Manchester United up against it at home game. How

could Erik Pieters wander through so easily? Jonny Evans plays it against

Peter Crouch. It is no wonder Peter Crouch was claiming it. He has never

scored in the Premier League at Old Trafford, but he has now.

It was in front of Jonny Evans, he could put a boot at the ball and

send it over the bar. Jon Walters did the right thing, it is though --

it was so close to being 2-0. David De Gea did well to keep Stoke

City out before they scored with their first goal, this is an even

better save. That is top stuff. Stoke City have already done better

than last season, Manchester United had equalised by now. It was not

struck totally crisply by Marco on out of edge. He stayed in front of

Chris Smalling. It was quite deliberate.

A brilliant save, that was going in. Both goalkeepers are at it. Wayne

Rooney allowed space, it was dipping under the bar.

It is put in by Robin van Persie! A goal for the Dutchman against Stoke

City, there always is. Relief for David Moyes and right around Old

Trafford. Nani gets it right. Perfectly weighted for Wayne Rooney.

It is a little like the Stoke City goal, Asmir Begovic did William

Blake, but he could only pop it back out to Robin van Persie. He was not

going to miss that opportunity. Seven games in a row in which he has

scored against Stoke City, with half-time looming. What a turnaround

that could signify. It is a Stoke City free kick. Phil

Jones too eager. It is in! Marko Arnautovic scores! What a low-key

celebration for a man who has just scored a cracker at Old Trafford to

give Stoke City the lead again. Turnaround? Only back in Stoke

City's favour. David De Gea got a glove to read, but not enough. There

was enough power on it. His first Premier League goal. Too much for

the Manchester United goalkeeper and for some Stoke City fans to take,

there is great joy in the away end. Manchester United were level for

less than two minutes. This must be very strange for him.

Ryan Shawcross blocked the shot. You get the feeling if any players are

going to get Manchester United back into this, it will be Wayne Rooney

or Robin van Persie. David Moyes shuffling from foot to foot, a

frustrated manager. Javier Hernandez has made an impact

straightaway, Ryan Shawcross has taken issue with the foul, and Asmir

Begovic. They claim the foot was raised high. He is high. He has hung

a leg. Marc Wilson has bundled him over.

Manchester United attempting to get level again. It will be a corner.

Manchester United ahead on corners, 10-1. It is in from Wayne Rooney!

That is a brilliant header. Steered to perfection. He is not resting, he

wants another. That is wonderful from Wayne Rooney. He has got

Stephen Ireland with him, he did himself half a yard and has so much

to do. A magnificent headed goal. That is his sixth goal of the

season, it is for the Premier League.

What an afternoon this could be for David Moyes at the end of it all.

Javier Hernandez, so often the most super of substitutes, all alone in

the box to head home and put Manchester United in front for the

first time in the game. Nobody with the Mexican. All of the work that

Stoke City had put in, the position, the platform, it has been smashed to

pieces in two or three minutes. There was talk before the game of

Manchester United being ready to give somebody a battering. This

could be significant as well. The old resilience and will to win, they

come from behind mentality, this still here. A few minutes ago, he

stood on the verge of his 100th victory as her nearly manager, feel

-- here of all places, but it is not one until the end.

After a game in midweek, it was great they showed the energy. Were

you worried it would not come? Yes, at 2-1 down, we had a few

opportunities, it sometimes goes that way, but we deserved it in the

end, we kept at it, we kept pressing to try and score. We are desperately

disappointed to not get anything out of the game. Our performance was

fantastic, the goals we have scored. We are disappointed, one was

from a set play, and the winner was a good ball in and it was

dispatched, but he should not have been on the pitch. Thankfully we

scored the third one and won this game. A wonderful cross by Patrice.

They get it to me. Might this be the catalyst for a few more comfortable

afternoons? Maybe it will be like this for a while. If it is, I will

happily take these type of victories no matter how they come. Wasn't a

flowing performance. It was the kind of performance we have seen in the

past, not at their best, they have come back to win? I think it was

probably the biggest game of David Moyes' career. The if he gets beaten

or draws today the league is effectively over. Because they

played so badly for 75 minutes, Stoke was excellent for 75 minutes

it was a massive victory for them. Defensively all over the place.

Lightweight. The super front up front kept them in the game and

eventually won the game. Stoke will be disappointed. They are talking

about the tackle. Another day it might have been red. They could have

been three up before United scored. First 20 minutes, Arnautovic picks

the ball up here. He goes past three quite easily. No cover. Evra is late

going back. Great first save. They don't react quickly enough, it's in

the back of the net. Smalling say to Jones, pick up Crouch. He doesn't

get over quick enough. Doesn't prevent the cross going in. Crouch

comes in, probably should have scored. You pick up Evra here. He is

with Crouch. He gets between Evans and evil rat. That's a great a

terrific save. Stoke will be disappointed. They put so much into

the game. # It has been well documented the

lack of creativity by United. Rooney didn't want it there. If you are

going to pass it to him you have to ping it to him. Leaves Wayne well

short. They are on the attack. This one here, it leads to the goal. That

is really poor. The tackle is poor by Cleverley. He struggled all

afternoon. His passing was off. This was a kid that two or three years

ago we thought was going to be one of the best in the Premier League,

but this afternoon he just had a bad day. Picks up here. Lots of space.

Tries to play into Nani, poor again. Nani got booed off by the United

supporters, he was lightweight every time it got played up to him.

Lightweight there, on the deck. Stoke on the attack. Kagawa, he

couldn't get over there quickly enough. Ducks out of that one. Stoke

on the attack again. The three of them were involved here, Nani,

initially, not strong enough there. Shrugged off it again. Cleverley and

Kagawa in the middle of the park. When it's picked up here, the two of

them, ease. No-one gets there quick enough. Again, Stoke on the attack.

It was so easy. After... 75 minutes you are thinking, there ain't anyway

back for United. Unless you have two world-class strikers? Unless you

have the best two in the Premier League. Rooney is having a

phenomenonal time at the minute. Question marks last year about his

fitness and commitment. Last four or five games, unbelievable good. Van

Persie picks it up here we will track him, how many yards does he

make to get into this box? It's a great save by Begovic. He is right

in that spot, middle of the goals where the great strikers are. No

danger they're is going to go in. The header here. He make it is look

easily. It's brilliant. One out, one in. Tla is absolutely fantastic.

People talk about the top four, they will finish in the top four because

they have the best two strikers in the league. Can you see them

competing for the title the way they are looking? I don't think they will

finish in the top four I think Suarez and Sturridge are the best to

at the minute in the Premier League. I think the fear factor is gone. I'm

a massive Liverpool fan you would rather play against Suarez... As a

pair. Rather than Rooney and van Persie. We will see that now.

Our next game is at Anfield where Liverpool were hoping to continue

their promising start to the season by beating West Brom.

The Baggies though have won the previous three Barclays Premier

League meetings between the clubs. Steve Wilson saw this one. Steven

Gerrard makes his 450th league appearance, yet another landmark.

Henderson and he may be particularly keen to impress after both were the

subject of comments in Sir Alex Fergusson's book, which will not be

a bestseller on Merseyside. Anelka comes into the Albion team. Albion

unbeaten in five, including their win at Old Trafford. They haven't

won there and here in the same season since 1922.

Mulumbu, found back Yacob. Plenty forward here. That is a slip, not a

trip. Found Sturridge. Sturridge back into

Suarez. West Bromwich Albion in incensed. McAuley in particular.

Played back in to Luis Suarez, was there a shirt pull here. There

appeared to be a shirt pull on him and likewise on Suarez. One was the

subject of a huge appeal, the other wasn't.

Suarez, great control. Brilliant skill by Suarez. A fantastic goal!

That's a special goal from Luis Suarez, even by his standards, that

is a real peach. Didn't seem to be a lot on here. He took on three. He

beat three. Liverpool lead. Away from Yacob. Knocked it one side

of Olsson, skipped the other and drove it beyond Myhill. Luis Suarez

one, West Brom nil. Unbeaten in five games coming into this someone Steve

Clarke and West Bromwich Albion. They will do well to keep that run

going. Suarez with the header and it's two.

Liverpool are 2-0 up. They have only played 17 minutes and he has scored

twice already. A little element of luck about the way this came to

Suarez, there is nothing lucky about the header.

Liverpool double their lead. Sakho did well to get there. It just

happened to end up being a perfect cross for Luis Suarez to divert the

power into the top corner. Absolute box of snakes Luis Suarez is.

Lucas being urged to shoot, Mulumbu in the way. Gerrard, Henderson. They

are almost queueing up here, Liverpool. Lucas was being urged to

shoot by the Liverpool fans. Gerrard fed Henderson. He did shoot, he

wasn't far away. That's a great ball from Mulumbu.

Anelka is in there. Skrtel has to put it behind for a corner.

Liverpool having very nearly made it three at one end, they were nearly

caught out at the other. Lovely ball. Inch-perfect for Anelka who

couldn't quite find the finish. It's a corner. Morrison to take it.

Skrtel fell on top of Gareth McAuley there. I'm not surprised that the

defender is barking at Jonathan Moss if that is not a penalty, what is.

You would have to say that Gareth McAuley here has a real case.

Here's Daniel Sturridge. It's a free-kick against Yacob. He is

reaching for his pocket here. I think that's not really for that

foul. There we are, there is Jonathan Moss make it clear it's an

accumulation of offences by Yacob that brought him the first yellow of

the game. Good pace on that. Hat-trick, Suarez. Luis Suarez with

his first Anfield hat-trick. His fourth for the club, his first on

home turf. Liverpool three, West Bromwich Albion nil, Liverpool,

surely now, are out of sight. Great delivery. Suarez just had to get a

touch. Myhill was practically stationary. 3-0. Three for Suarez,

who has doubled his tally for the season already this afternoon.

Liverpool, at the moment, heading for their biggest win of the season,

West Brom their biggest defeat. Skrtel's clearance has turned into a

great ball for Daniel Sturridge. Running ATOLson here. He goes for

goal, and hits the bar. Nearly lifted the goal out of the ground.

-- at Olsso fwh. -- Olsson. No penalty there. The linesman is

saying penalty. It's a penalty to West Bromwich Albion. He raised his

flag. I don't think the referee was in any mind to give this. It must be

for the sliding challenge for Lucas. Whether Sakho may have got a slight

touch as well. It is a penalty to West Bromwich Albion. James Morrison

to take this. Mignolet saved a penalty on his Liverpool debut, you

will remember, against Stoke. Morrison scored in a shoot-out in

the League Cup against Arsenal. Morrison against Mignolet, and

scores. Liverpool three, West Bromwich Albion one. That penalty

decision has changed the entire complexion and mood inside Anfield.

McAuley's head, Henderson. Mulumbu. It comes to Daniel Sturridge.

Sturridge, Gerrard ahead of him. Still going. A lovely chip. Oh, I

say, what a goal! That was worth the wait from Daniel Sturridge. If at

first you don't succeed, try, try again. Sturridge has certainly done

that. He's just drifted in his tenth goal of the season. It's a beauty.

What about that? Absolutely inch-perfect.

What a goal. He's had to look on whilst Suarez has taken the

plaudits. He might just have scored the goal of the game.

Suarez is there. So unlucky. Brilliant save by Myhill to touch it

onto the bar. He scored three. Now, he's hit the bar as well.

And Morrison. Mignolet denies Morrison. I have to hand it to West

Bromwich Albion, it has been refreshing to see a side who knows

they are going to lose the game still trying to I a tack. Luis

Suarez is coming off. In the five games that Suarez and Sturridge have

played together this season, Daniel Sturridge has scored four, and Luis

Suarez has scored six. Three of them today. Standing ovation, well

deserved. It was an outstanding team performance, the boys at the top end

of the field get a lot of the credit of course because the hardest thing

in football is to score. Their goals were brilliant. In the dressing room

at half-time the boys were adamant it was a penalty. 2-1 at half-time

would make a big difference. We missed a good chance on half-time.

There wasn't enough purchase on the ball to get it over the line.

Liverpool played better than us, the front two are a real handful. Were

you bothered by what Alex Fergusson wrote about you? It doesn't bother

me too much. I have a lot of respect for Sir Alex Fergusson. I have a lot

of respect for him. I will take what he said on board hopefully it

doesn't cause us problems in the future. Henderson was outstanding

today. Athletically he was good, pressed the ball and getting better

all the time and Steven is a top, top, top player. I think he made his

point. Here is your chance to make your point.

This was before the game, Steve Clarke says, I will destroy your

team single-handedly! That is the Luis Suarez of old, we do not want

to see that. A great not make, he knows where the goal is. He never

looks at the target. He fires it into the bottom corner. This is the

header, he plays the ball wide, he continues his run. I have not seen a

better header. 38 miles an hour, I cannot kick it out hard. Ridiculous.

He has got everything. Easy passing. A quick free kick. He is always

switched on, looking to do a positive thing. A fantastic header.

And an overhead kick to finish it off, he was magnificent. He is a

wonderfully talented player. Brendan Rogers and the Liverpool board today

well -- did well to keep him. He has shown on the pitch what he can do.

He is the best player in the Premier League. I think the other

partnership is better. The amount of times they passed to each other, as

a combination. Wayne Rooney is the best player in the Premier League,

but as a pair, I would take those two. I do not think you can say

after ten games. But as a central defender, I would rather play

against Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. I was going to ask how

many titles they had one! Jordan Henderson, maligned by Sir Alex

Ferguson, he questioned his posture. It did not seem to affect his

performance. I echo Brendan Rogers's comments, he does the dirty

things well. He knows there are better players around him. He did

city Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez. Running around. Look at the

aggression, winning the ball back. He has got a place in this team. He

plays the ball, he follows it. This is the confidence, he looks the

other way. He would not tried that a year ago. The range of passing, he

has come on leaps and bounds. He knows what he will be before he gets

the ball. He did not get his hips and knees right! 50 yards in six

seconds. Nothing wrong with his running style bear. He is a

fantastic player. He can be a key player for Liverpool. I thought his

interview was very good. He said the right things. Respectful. He has got

a hand in the goal. This is Daniel Sturridge, look at that for a goal.

I thought you were talking about partnerships, not individually!

Whatever you say, some wonderful goals. It can be a cruel place, the

Premier League, ask Ian Holloway. One minute you are chirpy, the next,

you have fallen on your sword. Crystal Palace played Arsenal.

Without a point since the end of August, and now a visit from

Arsenal, there is a fair chance things might get worse for Crystal

Palace before they start to get better. Marouane Chamakh lines up

against his former club for the first time since his move across

London. It is one of six changes made by Keith Millen. Arsenal have

Santi Cazorla back in the starting line-up, and Mathieu Flamini

returns. Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are on the bench.

Bacary Sagna's cross. Arsenal beaten in the Champions League bridal want

at home. It ended a 12 match unbeaten run. It has been an

excellent start to the season. A free kick for the foul by Aaron

Ramsey on Marouane Chamakh. Damien Delaney was only a yard away

from getting on the end of it. They are getting closer. Ian Holloway

leaving on Wednesday, he said they needed an impetus of energy. Crystal

Palace working so hard here. Flashing across the face of goal,

Kagisho Dikgacoi almost paid for that. It looked so promising. Santi

Cazorla right in on goal, and look at how close Olivier Giroud was.

Crystal Palace closing down the avenues more often than not.

Julian Speroni coming to the rescue for Crystal Palace. It has been a

long time since Crystal Palace enjoyed success over Arsenal at

home, 34 years. Right on the edge of the penalty

area. Arsenal getting a free kick right on the edge of the box, it was

right on the line. Damien Delaney is a bit lucky there. Arsenal have

scored three times as many goals as Crystal Palace in the Premier League

so far this season. Arsenal have a penalty. Inside the

first minute of the second half. Now, the chance to take the lead.

Serge Gnabry, the substitute, fouled by Adlene Guedioura.

It is 1-0 to Arsenal, the perfect start to the second half for

Arsenal. Mikel Arteta scores from the spot. Julian Speroni went the

right way, it could not get his hands to the ball. Mikel Arteta

making sure his kick was confidently dispatched. Steve Parish was not

even in his seat for the start of the second half, he missed the goal.

How will Crystal Palace respond? That deflection merely carried it

home. Crystal Palace very close to conceding for the second time in the

first five minutes of the second half. Arsenal had age and is run on

the road, unbeaten in 13 competitive matches.

The crowd howling about that challenge on Marouane Chamakh. The

referee reaches for his pocket. It is a straight red card for Mikel

Arteta. Here it is again, Mikel Arteta blocked off the path of

Marouane Chamakh. There was nobody else anywhere nearby in a yellow

shirt. He was the last defender, and Marouane Chamakh went hurtling

forward. Arsenal will play the rest of this match, 25 minutes, with ten

men. Per Mertesacker takes over as captain. They are still looking for

the equalising goal, they have not threatened for quite a while.

He rattled the bar with that one. Crystal Palace so close to an

equalising goal. Wojciech Szczesny needed to be at his best to preserve

Arsenal's lead. What a save! Wojciech Szczesny had to be on his

toes to keep that one out. It was brilliantly struck by Mile Jedinak.

Superbly saved. Keith Millen must be wondering what his side have to do

to beat Arsenal's Polish international goalkeeper.

Olivier Giroud completes the victory for Arsenal. Three minutes to go,

2-0, they lead. Crystal Palace caught out right at the end of the

match. Keith Millen's team had been so close to an equaliser on at least

two occasions. But here, Olivier Giroud has surely comes's sealed the

points for Arsenal. He had the pace to get away from Damien Delaney and

he guided the header past Julian Speroni. Arsenal heading to three

more points. Despite the sending-off of Mikel Arteta in the second half.

The organisation was terrific, and we grew into the game and created

some half chances. At half-time, we said we needed to start sharp and

play off the front and try to get them on the back foot, that we gave

away a soft penalty. It is a soft goal to concede. We were mature,

resilient, well organised. Honestly, we were unlucky to go down to ten

men. We needed to be patient. I was very proud to lead them out today,

and even prouder with their effort and performance. It was not for me,

it was for themselves. It was for the fans.

Arsenal's emphatic start continues. It took them a while to wear Crystal

Palace down. Yes, 118 passes in the first ten minutes, against 17 of

Crystal Palace. They could not get through them. They were set in and

saying, come and break us down. Eventually, they will break you

down. It happened from a reckless challenge in the end. Crystal

Palace, so many men back. A poor pass, and they were well set. Five

or ten minutes before half-time, that is a definite penalty. It is in

the box. They got away with that one, but they did not learn their

lesson, because Adlene Guedioura, it is an idiotic challenge. What on

earth is he thinking of their? It has cost his team. It is not good.

It is poor play, they had worked so hard. A good penalty. Once you get

behind, it is more difficult. This Arsenal side, you have found a flaw.

It is great, watching them, they will throw you will applaud you.

Sometimes both! The sending-off, it has been well documented about them

without the ball. In 2010, if you have a set play, you make provisions

for the counterattack. But this is a shambles. Steven Pienaar, he comes

through, the Arsenal defence get caught. The opening game of the

season, this year, have they learned their lesson? Not a chance. This is

against Aston Villa. The two men here are the back men. You have got

to have one in the centre circle and one just in front of him. It is

unbelievably bad. You do not see it very often. You hardly ever see it

unless Arsenal are playing. It happens again today. This is from an

Arsenal corner kick. It is a shambles. A total shambles. Mikel

Arteta is the back man, he gets sent off. At 1-0 up, it is crazy, you

have got to have a Mander. Where Mikel Arteta is, somebody on the

right-hand side, who will not get sucked into play.

He heads it there. He goes forward. He looks back there and looks back

again, another look back. Decides, I'm in 40 yards of space here.

Arteta comes across and, you know... As I say, if you are 4-0 down and

chasing, that is different. These are the next 10 games Arsenal play:

tough one against Southampton. I think that because they are not

their best without the ball they cannot possibly win the title. Can't

see it. OK. This is Liverpool's next 10 matches, make your point? The top

two sides the next 10 matches we will decide how good they are. The

next 10 matches for Liverpool are equally as hard. People are saying

it's the most open season, I don't see it that way, I think the winners

will come from the games tomorrow, Chelsea and Manchester City. Look at

Crystal Palace, Ian Holloway said a lot of new signings that he didn't

think they worked. You picked one out in particular. Chamakh. Palace

fans phoned in to say they did OK. He jumped here far too early. When

you have no possession of the ball and it's hard for you you want the

centre forward to hold the ball up and bring people into play. Today he

was lightweight. I thought he was poor, time and time again the ball

was nicked off him. It was not good enough. Again, giving the ball away.

He had two shots on target in 10 hours of Premier League football. He

is playing against his old club. He has come from Arsenal. I expect him

to be better than that. Set an example to the rest of your team.

This is at Stoke. Watch this for a challenge. That is pathetic. I

think, listen, here. Instead of going down, go round the keeper and

put the ball in the back of an empty net. I might be harsh... You are

being a little harsh. I expect more from him. I think you are spot on.

You would never have thought two fans would have phoned you and said

he was brilliant. I will move on quickly.

Today is the 150th birthday of the Football Association.

Their inaugaral meetings in 1863 drew up the laws of the game.

The sticking point was hacking or kicking an opponent on the leg,

which Blackheath FC wanted to keep. Sadly, for Robbie Savage's career,

they lost the argument. A century and a half on, the most

played fixture in English football, Aston Villa versus Everton, was

staged for the 197th time in commemoration.

It was observed at Villa Park by Steve Bower. It has been billed as

the battle of the Belgians. Benteke has 17 Premier League goals in his

last 21 games and starts for Aston Villa for the first time in over a

month after a hip injury. The Lukaku has helped his team with 15 Premier

League goals in this year. Pienaar is the visitor's only change.

Is he caught there? It looked like it. Penalty. Coleman on Benteke,

less than seven-minutes gone. I don't think the referee had any

other option. It was the sheer pace and power of Christian Benteke.

Christian Benteke, who has taken five penalties for Villa, scored

four of them. Can't score that one. Denied by Tim Howard.

Benteke, for the second time in his Villa career, sees a penalty saved.

It was a nice height for Howard who guessed correctly. # Seven of the

last nine meetings between these two clubs have been drawn.

Benteke has stayed onside. It's Christian Benteke. He is denied by

Howard again. Twice Benteke has had the opportunity to give Villa the

lead. Twice Tim Howard has denied. It most inside Villa Park would have

backed Benteke all the way here. Howard kept him out.

It has been an open first half. Agbonlahor, again no flag. It's

Weimann. Again, Tim Howard to Everton's rescue. Weimann couldn't

follow it up. That is way off target from the Bulgarian.

Did anyone touch this? It doesn't look as though they did. It was a

sweeper's-like tackle from the Everton goalkeeper that was all the

important one before Tonev's wild effort. The English manager will be

part of the celebrations in London tonight.

It's towards Lukaku. What a stop from Guzan. Both respected Belgians

denied by the American goalkeepers. Fabulous save from the Villa

goalkeeper. Relentless pace to this game. I'm sure he is wondering now

how it's still nil, nil too. Barkley, deflected! Off the

crossbar. Great vision from Ross Barkley and the fortune almost

favoured Everton. Coleman with the throw. Lukaku, posing a problem

again. He might make something of this. Powering his way through.

Denied by Guzan. Villa couldn't stop him there. It was left to their

goalkeeper to deny Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku went flying in. Taylor was

right on-the-spot there. It's a yellow card for James McCarthy. He

was always committed. He didn't get the ball, he certainly got the man.

A good run from Osman, into Lukaku. 1-0 to Everton, five in five for

Everton. For Romelu Lukaku. It is Everton's Belgian that breaks the

deadlock. He's at it again. Lovely vision from Leon Osman here. He had

too much space, Lukaku. He punished Villa for it. Guzan beaten down to

his right hand side. Lukaku's 16th Premier League goal of 2013. It's a

difficult one for him to take. Look at the space here for Barry.

Then Osman! 2-0, Everton. Leon Osman with his first of the season. To

double Everton's advantage. Beautifully worked. Look at the time

and space Barry had. He had the awareness to see Osman who calmly

rolled that into the bottom corner. His first Premier League goal since

March. It's one that makes the task extremely difficult now for Aston

Villa. Today was a great game you need to give credit to both sides

they were attacking minded in the first half. We have Tim Howard to

thank to keep us in the game in a manner and then second-half I

thought we controlled the game and we deserved to win. You seem like

you have hit the ground running, to use that expression. You settled in

quickly, what do you put that down to? My team-mates first of all the

manager and the technical staff. Since day one, when I arrived, they

tried to work on every aspect of my game. Negative and positively. From

day one I knew where they wanted to go with me. I'm enjoying that

experience and try to give my best on the pitch. You know, help the

team win. We should have been 3 up with the penalty. Big moments in

games. That is the way football is. We can't be too harsh on the lads

more times than not they have scored. The stats keep going well,

how far can this go? Is this perhaps even beyond their expectations? No,

I think what you get is the hard work from a very committed group of

players, a group of players that we have a nice blend in terms of

players with real experience and know how and youngsters who want

direction and desperate to bring the talent into the team. We fulfill our

potential by all means and it's good to develop while you are winning

games. That is very, very important for us to carry on and pushing each

other to fulfill our potential. Another fine win for Everton. But

for two goal keeping performances that game could be anything,

couldn't it? Every game Barry has started Everton has won, I don't

think that is a coincidence? No. Today, he was magnificent. His

passing range, the switch of play here. Almost 60 yards he hits this

ball. Fantastic pass. You don't really... Barry and passing doesn't

really go together am he keeps it simple and links play. He is doing

well. In front of Benteke, you need someone to be here all the time,

Delph has made the run. He sees the danger. He clears it very, very

well. He did it all afternoon. Tim Howard was the real hero. Barry's

effort goes unnoticed. He gets the ball. He passed it simple all

afternoon. Again here. The dirty work, sending Agbonlahor wide. As a

midfield player you help the four backs so well. He knows the centre

forward has got tight. He wins the ball, plays it, easy pass. He is out

of his defensive role. Looks up. Waits for the run of Osman and picks

him out with a perfectly weighted pass. Barry was magnificent. His

midfield partner might be lucky not to get a red card? I thought it was

a red card. He got punished with a yellow. 0-0 at the time, big point

of the game. He is right there. Has to be a red card. Has to be a red

card. The ref saw it, he gave a yellow. The it could have been a

different story for Aston Villa. As ever, the Football League Show

follows us tonight. Here's Manish with the details. No

prizes for guessing our feature game in the Championship as the top two

met at Turf Moore. At the other end we have a best of a South Yorkshire

Derby involving two struggling sides, Barnsley and Sheffield

Wednesday. Join me and Leroy at 11.40pm, if you are watching the

Sunday morning repeat, we are on the iPlayer all week.

Manish will be back on Wednesday evening with highlights of all eight

mid-week Capital One Cup ties, BBC One 11.05pm.

Before that, Match of the Day 2 Extra is back with all the weekend's

talking points. BBC One and Radio 5 Live at 12.15pm

on Sunday lunchtime ahead of a bumper edition of the show itself.

What an excellent start to the season Southampton have had, their

best in fact in the top flight for 30 years.

They hosted a Fulham side who'd been struggling until a spectacular

display at Crystal Palace on Monday. This is one of the rarer London

Premier League derbies and the managers desperately need a win.

That is a brilliant shot into the back of the net. What a goal for

Fulham. Against the run of play. You will not see a better strike than

that in the Premier League this season. It is another phenomenal

goal, where are these shots coming from? It is a long way back for

Crystal Palace now. It is a goal for Fulham and they are threatening to

run riot. Under a lot of pressure. Colin McNamara was back on duty at

Saint Mary 's. Southampton have only conceded three

times in the Premier League, but even their stern defence could not

have done much to stop a wonderful volley. Adam Lallana got a

last-minute goal at Old Trafford last weekend and it was one of the

highlights of the season so far. It is 78 years since Paul's only league

win at Southampton. What a chance for Sunderland. Saved on the line.

This is what Southampton bid to Manchester United last weekend,

constant pressure in the opponent's final third. But it is carelessness

from the visitors. Martin Jol said Alex Ferguson had offered him the

chance to become number two at Old Trafford.

Rickie Lambert got a shot away in the end, that's how he was able to

get a shot down from his chest I am not so sure. Roma are top of the

league who have got a better defensive record than Southampton

this season. That is the first corner of the

game. And it is put in by Rickie Lambert! Whenever Rickie Lambert has

scored this season he has ended up on the winning team for both club

and country. Back in the starting XI today he was not marked and deadly

at the back post. Have a look at Scott Parker in the build-up to the

goal. When he speaks to Dimitar Berbatov. He points to Rickie

Lambert and says, he is your man. Then Dimitar Berbatov is ball

watching and Fulham is punished. The first corner of the game and

Southampton make it count. Jay Rodriguez, no power on the shot.

What a goal this would have been. If that had had a fraction more power,

it may well have been two goals in two minutes.

That was a really good shot and it has come back off the post. Once

again the Fulham defenders did not get close enough to him. They will

be disappointed they are not more than one in front.

That was Rickie Lambert again and once again there was no marker. That

is a corner, but Fulham have got to sort this out. Once again Rickie

Lambert peels off to the back post. That could have been worse for

Fulham. The Southampton attacking players

are also comfortable in possession. Jay Rodriguez gets his third.

Southampton this evening are irresistible to watch. This is a

very well worked goal. Adam Lallana is allowed to turn. Look at the

quality of that ball to Rickie Lambert. Fulham are in big trouble

now. Southhampton's wonderful start to the season looks like it is

continuing. Seven out of their eight goals have come in the second half

of Premier League games. Dimitar Berbatov himself would have

been proud of that pass. Is there a bit afters there? Is that a punch?

Jay Rodriguez' shot was almost a very special indeed. If it were not

for the close attention of the defender, he might well have got

that on target. TRANSLATION: More than anything today it is about how

we won. We want to keep on improving and learning and working hard to

continue this good run. In the second half we played well, but they

are a very strong team and have got one of the best defences in Europe.

But it is still disappointing. The only positive thing is we came away

in the second half with no scores. We have got the belief in the cab.

There is no limit to what we can do. We will be working hard to get the

three points for the next game. So stylish has been some of their

football, we think they may be worthy of a grass! I do not

understand it myself, but I am sure it means something. We focused on

them at Anfield and at Old Trafford and they were defensively great, but

they played really well today. They were stylish, they moved the ball

beautifully. You mentioned their attitude at the top of the

programme. Rickie Lambert against Dimitar Berbatov, his attitude was

great. That was a great header and a good save by the keeper. All day

long he wanted to be involved. He set up the goal. Whereas opposed to

Dimitar Berbatov, he has just had a bad day at the office. He is not

renowned for chasing about, but today his attitude was off. This is

another good save by the keeper. Berbatov goes into the corner and

slips and get up and falls over and Southampton are back in possession.

That would sum up his performance. He is not happy at all. In the

second half he is surrounded and he loses it. But this is the best,

Scott Parker says, you pick Rickie Lambert up here and do not leave him

at any stage. But unfortunately he does not understand English. Which

man was dead? It is a bit early in the season to

wheel out the relegation cliches, so let's not suggest there were more

than three point at stake between Norwich city and Cardiff City. But

it was an important game nevertheless. Martin Fisher was at

Carrow Road. Gary Cooper makes a start. If he can produce his form

from north of the border, it would decrease the pressure that is

beginning to build. Craig Bellamy and Malachy Mackay completes a trio

of Canary old boys. Next week for Cardiff it is a little

matter of a Welsh derby against Swansea. What a brilliant save John

Ruddy has just made. That was a miraculous save by John Ruddy.

It is another non-rich corner. Turner had no need to make a move

for that. That is a fine save by David Marshall. The first tricky

save he has had to make today. That was heading home.

Chris Hughton has said he has been encouraged by Norwich's latest

performances. Now they need something tangible to show for those

performances. Cardiff just sat back and allowed

Houston to drive on them. His goal at the moment is leading a

charmed life. As Hooper got involved, it was straight to the

goalkeeper again. The second half has not really got

going yet. The left foot of Snodgrass again. Gary Hooper has had

his opportunities today. That was one yard over the crossbar.

Pilkington could not get his foot right. Gary Hooper does so well to

get onto his feet quickly. It is two months since Cardiff kept

there are other clean sheet. They are 15 minutes away from one here.

Marshall was happy enough to push that one behind to get another

corner. Cardiff just have to grin and bear it and hang on for a few

more minutes. A point-blank save from Marshall. What an afternoon at

Carrow Road for missed opportunities.

Norwich have a player down. It is his Achilles. That is a painful one.

Surely that will not be able to stand? Cardiff are going bonkers.

This is ridiculous. We have got a fight breaking out here because of

what he did. But the referee is not going to give this. This is what

happened. As the throw was taken, that is an attempted backpass to the

goalkeeper, but he put it in the back of the net. Cardiff thought

they were stung again. Mike Jones is the calmest man on the pitch. The

referee did not whistle. Of play, so it was fairly controversial at the

end of the game. We are concentrating on the game we should

have won in the normal manager. There was no ill will or ill

feeling, immediately it happened, everybody was shocked. Did you mean

to pass it to the goalkeeper? No, I was heading for the goal because I

wanted to win the game, but the referee did not blow his whistle.

Did you think you scored the goal? I thought so, yes. What do you make of

Cardiff's reaction? They were mad because they'd did not see it. I

wanted to win the game, but we did not. Norwich missed loads of

chances, but they did not get it in the back of the net in the end. He

sticks it in the back of the net deliberately. Mike Jones intervenes.

The referee sees what has happened. What he says is initially he has not

given the signal for the throw to be taken. That is not quite right. He

found a way out of a tricky situation. Let's take a look at the

table. Arsenal remain top. Luis Suarez is not always the model

pupil, but today he was the head boy. Goodbye.