26/12/2013 Match of the Day

Hello there. Compliments of the season to you. There is only so much

festive cheer you can take before a dollop of football is required, so

put your feet up and enjoy a Boxing Day belter in the company of Alan

Shearer and Robbie Savage. All 20 Premier League teams are in action,

so we had best get cracking. We start with two sides who began the

day in first and third. To stay on top, Liverpool would need a

monumental effort against a Manchester City team who have

destroyed pretty much everyone at the Etihad.

Today could be another pointer as to the reality of Liverpool's

aspirations as they face a side who have won eight out of eight at home

and scored 35 goals in the process. Only one recognised striker in the

Manchester is it align up, as Jacko drops to the bench. -- in the

Manchester City line-up, Cissokho, after seven weeks out,

starts a Premier League game for just the fifth time. Luis Suarez

looks to continue a record which now reads 36 goals in his last 18 games

for the club. David Silva has been given that

license today behind Negredo. Navas was a whisker away from giving

Manchester sit even lead inside five minutes. The first time delivery.

Negredo could not get there, but Navas did. Pellegrini's team have

been untouchable here this season. Only five goals conceded.

He was under sufficient pressure from Sakho. That was another warning

for Liverpool. He was just offside. Liverpool are

furious. The referee's assistant had a look. And that was totally onside!

Brendan Rodgers called it. The referee's assistant did not.

Coutinho. First blood, Liverpool. Philippe Coutinho's second goal of

the season. Suarez did not score this one, but he was certainly

involved in it. Sterling had the first opportunity. Coutinho took

over and rolled it into the back of the net. No clean sheet for

Manchester City on. -- again. He was fouled by Lucas. Manchester

is it free kick just outside the penalty area, the Brazilian on the

Argentinian. It was a clumsy one. Skirt all tried to get there. He

could not, and Kompany did. Manchester sit to our level. --

Manchester is it to our level. They were very close to each other, and

it was a great leap from Kompany to get ahead of Martin Skrtel. Vincent

Kompany scores for the second weekend running. All square again.

Coutinho, denied by Joe Hart. What a goal that would have been. It was

fabulous from Liverpool. Excellent refereeing from Lee Mason to let

play continued. The interchange between Suarez and sterling and the

effort from Coutinho. Martin Skrtel, back in the nick of

time. The first real sight of goal that Negredo has had. A desperate

and important block from the Slovakian.

Negredo! . Inside stoppage time at the end of the first half. Mignolet

could not keep it out. From one down, to lead two to one.

Mignolet got a hand to it, and he will be a little disappointed that

he could not deal with it. It will not worry the Spaniard. His eighth

Premier League goal for Manchester City. Inside stoppage time at the

end of the first half, they take the lead.

Joe Hart quite rightly did not take his foot off the ball. And then

Henderson stopped the shot from Suarez, and he was in an offside

position. Fabulous ball from Stirling. Great run from Henderson,

great goalkeeping. Suarez's shot was blocked by Henderson in an offside

position. Negredo went for the chip. He was

not going to beat Mignolet on that occasion. It shows the confidence in

the Manchester City. The heavy touch from Glen Johnson.

If he had been able to bring it under control he would have had a

free shot at goal. Very nearly a very good improvised

touch from Jordan Henderson. In ahead of Joleon Lescott, but did not

fall Joe Hart. -- he did not full him.

Would you believe that? He certainly can't. The best chance of the second

half, created by Luis Suarez. Suarez saw him, onside. Six yards out, he

has to be hitting the target and putting it away. Brendan Rodgers

could not believe that was not the equalising goal.

It went towards Suarez, who was appealing that he was pushed. It was

a rather theatrical appeal, in all honesty. He was having his shirt

held, but not enough force to go down the way he did. He might have

had more of a case if he had stayed on his feet. It is Manchester

City's day. It is yet another home Premier League victory for Manuel

Pellegrini, and this one is a significant one.

It was important when we were losing 1-0 to have the character and

personality to go for the match. We scored two goals and had another

chance in the first half to have the advantage. It was a very close game,

very difficult. We were outstanding. We conceded two Paul goals, but that

aside, the aggression in our game, the quality of our passing, the

confidence that we showed against a very, very good side, I was

delighted with. Obviously, you are disappointed to lose. A marvellous

game between two very good sides with little to choose between them.

Liverpool were very good. They caused City a number of problems all

afternoon and played their part in a fantastic game, particularly going

forward. I thought they were a threat on numerous occasions.

The threat of Suarez, and Stirling linking up with him. This was a

constant theme. Suarez timing his runs. That was a good tackle from

Kolarov. One-on-one, Suarez again short. This was a terrible decision.

Not even close. It should have been a goal. This time, Suarez comes

short for a reason, to do that, to create the space behind for Stirling

and Coutinho. These three caused them problems like this. Link up

play was brilliant. If this went in, we would be talking about it for the

next four or five weeks. It was a brilliant save from Joe Hart, who

was back to his best. This time, he goes long to create space for

Henderson in between the full-back and centre half, and another good

save from Joe Hart. I am afraid Stirling will be lying awake at

night thinking of this. He should have put it away. It was a brilliant

ball from Suarez. You take the weight off it and make sure it gets

down. He has to score. You mention the offside. Brendan Rodgers came

out in his press conference and had a rant at the officials. He said he

did not think it was right and was surprised by the fact that the

referee was from Greater Manchester. It has made all of the newspapers.

He can have a rant at the assistant referee forgiving the horrendous

offside decision, but other than that, I thought he got most of the

decisions right. Yes, he can moan that Lescott was pulling on Suarez

for the corner, but on every other corner, Martin Skrtel was doing the

same thing on Row. -- on Kompany. Who is going to stop them at the

Etihad? Nine wins out of nine. Their play was fantastic. So many

highlights. This break was so much pace.

The shot goes over the bar. Watch the one, two here. Silva takes three

players out of the game with a clever one touch past. Negredo with

a great run off Skrtel. Skrtel played well today. Great block.

Watch this again. Toure, bang! It's just unbelievable play. Liverpool's

back four retreat. The shot comes to nothing. This is the goal. Just

watch the pass from Toure, not much, but beautiful. Out wide to Navas.

Mignolet has had a Poweller there. -- howler there. What is he trying

to do? Stand tall, stand big and catch it. Why do we see goalkeepers

trying to do flash stuff. Stand tall and catch it. Good players know when

to play one or two touches. When you get near them the ball is gone and

it's too late. City are brilliant at that. Excellent game of football.

Next, it's the team who prior to the Boxing Day fixtures were sandwiched

between the two sides we've just seen. Arsenal were involved in a

London Derby at West Ham. Our man at Upton Park was Steve Wilson.

Morrison has a groin injury and is out. Arsenal are without the

suspended Wilshere. Today without the injured Rosicky.

Mertesacker. Arteta. Brilliant little turn from Ozil. Fooled Kevin

Nolan. Finds Ramsey. Ball into Walcott. He should have scored. He's

onside and he should have scored. Decided to take it first time. It's

debatable whether he needed to. Wonderfully created and wastefully

finished by Walcott. Giroud is onside here, and put it wide. He

missed a couple of chances late on against Chelsea. He missed another

here. Arsene Wenger is looking concerned. That never threatened to

go in. At times in this first half Arsenal have just threatened to be

very good indeed, but never quite managed it. Ozil finds Cazorla. Left

by Walcott. Ozil here, right across the face of goal. Giroud was there,

he didn't get a chance. Another chance has gone. Giroud seemed so

let it go. Straight back to Giroud. Cazorla to Ramsey.

Played in to Gibbs on the overlap, three had the middle. -- in the

middle. Any touch here, you think it has to be a goal. Again there just

isn't one from Giroud. Podolski must be sitting on the bench going -

please give me a chance like that. Diame striding on towards the edge

of the penalty area. Decent ball in. Away to Nolan. Carlton Cole puts

West Ham in front. 46 seconds into the second-half. Carlton Cole for

West Ham. Szczesny spilled it. Cole reacted. Watch a turn up. They've

had almost no opportunities at all in this game, West Ham. Nolan hits

it really well on his sidefoot. The keeper couldn't hold it. When it

came back to Carlton Cole, he certainly wasn't going to miss it.

West Ham, having been second best, are in front. If Arsenal can't find

their shooting boots now, then they are in trouble.

Great noise around the old bowling ground. Arteta, it's a free-kick.

Diame on Arteta. Could be a really good second-half this now. West Ham

will say Arteta was falling anyway. A free-kick has been given. Arteta

taking. Looking for Giroud. Got a head on it. Walcott attacks it.

Mertesacker. Deflected, big shout for handball. Mertesacker on his

knees absolutely screaming for handball. Phil Dowd said not. He has

his back turned, Tomkins it is. It looks like it would have been a

harsh penalty. Diame. Four in the middle, West Ham. Diame. Lovely

little cross on. Just wide. Only just wide from Joey O'Brien, of all

people. Almost 2-0 to West Ham. Mark Noble for West Ham, leading by

1-0. Rat, charging forward. Rat, great ball. Cole... Oh, just wide!

Fantastic West Ham break away. Just about level Carlton Cole, certainly

not flagged. The first half was flat in all honesty, the second has been

absolutely brilliant. Arteta. Cazorla again. A chance. Brilliant

save. Ozil denied by the legs of the goalkeeper, Adrian. When Adrian made

a save and it came out Ozil was denied by the keeper's legs. The

German international, who hasn't played since August when he last

featured in the Champions League play-off second leg, replaces Aaron

Ramsey. Arteta. Ozil helps along Cazorla. Found Walcott. Walcott. Oh,

straight through the keeper! Theo Walcott has equalised for Arsenal,

midway through the second-half. Well, if Szczesny made a mistake for

the West Ham goal it wasn't anything like this from Adrian. Arsenal,

looking for a bit of luck have got it. Adrian who recently has replace

Jaaskelainen in the West Ham side. That's a wicked ball in, and it's

in. Walcott with another. Arsenal in front. Two goals in little over two

minutes for Theo Walcott. It's a cracking ball in by Podolski, it

really is. Theo Walcott met it firm and true. He got it down, no

faulting the keeper here. West Ham one, Arsenal two. Theo Walcott, huge

goal for Arsene Wenger. Arsenal needed to get back to winning ways.

They are now in front. He's onside, Podolski. Good save by the keeper.

Give him some credit, he has picked his ball out of the net twice in the

space of a couple minutes. That is a good save to deny Podolski. Done

well since he came on, Podolski. Arteta. Walcott. Clipped in to

Giroud. He can layback to Podolski! Great finish. That's a fabulous

finish from Lucas Podolski. It's probably put this game out of West

Ham's reach. Arsenal's three goals have come in the space of just 11

minutes. This is a great finish. Credit Giroud, who, in front of goal

has not had the happiest day, he set up Podolski. That is a rattling good

goal. West Ham one, Arsenal three. It's been a torturous route for

Arsenal. We were lucky we didn't score the second goal. I'm proud and

happy with the response we have shown after that and we have played

in a very convincing way and scored three goals. I think we put a great

performance in today. A great shame after the great effort the players

put in today and the way that they've shown how they can play

against a top side in this country at the minute. Top of the league.

They had the opportunity to win the game, unfortunately they didn't

take. It The boss has been on my back, my first header. I should get

more of those. My dad will be pleased with that I'm sure. He tells

me he likes headed goals. Fantastically for me personally.

When you say first header, do you mean ever? I do. I'm not known for

my heading ability. I'm sure that will give me confidence to leap it

on the back stick. Dad had a long wait. I can't believe that is his

first header, quite a stat extraordinary really considering the

the amount of goals. Very impressed with him at the Etihad when he got

two goals. Threat then. A constant threat today. He should have had a

hat-trick really. This was his first chance in the first half. . Times

his run to perfection. He should score there. His decision-making for

me is brilliant now. He can go down the right there. That is a beautiful

ball in. Deserves to, for a forward to be on the end of it. When I say

his decision-making, whether he will hog the line or come inside and

support the forward, he went down the right before, he comes in on the

left. Albeit the goalkeeper makes a hash of it. This is his headed goal.

When is absolutely right. When you see the way he heads it in, it's a

very powerful header. He gets it well. Gets in between the full-back

and the centre half. He gambles. It's a fantastic header. He plays

his part in the third one as well. He looks up here. There. He looks at

Giroud, who is is poking where he wants it. He doesn't -- pointing

where he wants it. He doesn't disappoint him. Right at his feet.

Lovely finish. Arsenal showed great character coming back from a goal

down. , I don't know how many times we have said it this season, it's

obvious what their problem is, they can't stick it in the net enough?

They have to do it. They are in serious trouble. They got their goal

after half-time. They had three big, big chances. They didn't take them.

Lovely ball in to Jarvis. He should score. Decent effort. He should

score. Diame, out wide. Ball into O'Brien. This time doesn't hit the

target. Good position, poor header. Rat whip as great ball into Charlton

Cole, this is the biggest sitter of the lot. You can see what Sam

Allardyce thinks of that. West Ham are in serious trouble and will be

until they stick those chances away. Top of the league. They have gone

through a sticky patch, haven't they, it will restore the

confidence. It could have gone wrong? With Chelsea lot of

frustration in the crowd. Today made good sub Tuesdays won the game, top

of the league. Happy. . The day's early kick off was at Hull

where the visitors Manchester United were hoping to continue their

winning run. It was never going to be easy. The Tigers have only lost

one at home this season. At the KC Stadium was Guy Mowbray. Steve Bruce

has never beaten Manchester United as a manager. Drawn four, lost 14 is

the record. Is there a chance today? His Hull side have been strong at

home this season. . A stability about them too. Darren Fletcher will

have played in a few of those games. It's great to see him back today.

His first United start for almost 13 months. He is fit and hopefully

healthy again for the long run. Chester. Strong Manchester United

connection in the Hull side. Livermore. It will be a Hull City

corner. Huddlestone will take the corner for the Tigers. A name which

is still a bone of contention around here. Always been the nickname. That

is all Hull City fans want it to be. It's put into the roof of the net by

James Chester. What a start for Hull. One of those in the Hull camp

who started his career as a Manchester United junior. Now his

first Premier League goal has come against them. Alex Bruce with a

super leap. Another who was released by United as a teenager. He got up

to put the pressure on. No pressure at all on Chester. Came off a United

hand hit Evra on the way through. Straightaway it was from the corner

that Hull City scored. Hull may argue they should have had a

free-kick anyway. Chester, just one appearance for Manchester United as

a senior player. That is his fifth goal for the club and against

Manchester United of all teams. It has gone in. 2-0 to Hull City.

David Meyler has scored. 12.5 minutes into Boxing Day. It was a

great touch by the Irishman. Manchester United had several

opportunities to get it away. There were plenty of white shirts but they

could not get it away. In the end, it was a mishit shot by Meyler. How

did it go in? A touch of Evans, maybe. De Gea dived past it. But it

is David Meyler's goal, and Hull's second. The best possible beginning

to Boxing Day for Hull City and their management team. That was a

needless challenge. Frustration coming to the fore. Just a free

kick. No further punishment. Free kick to United and a yellow

card. That has got some of the Hull fans angry because they feel that

Rooney should have had a yellow card for his kick on Huddlestone a few

minutes ago. But I think that was a yellow card. His fourth yellow card

this season, which means he will have to be careful against Fulham in

a couple of days or he will miss the New Year's Day game at Liverpool.

Chris Smalling has very calmly planted that one in. Goals goal or

at the KC. It was a great leap from Chris

Smalling. He was Armin arm with Davies, and he got the highest. He

directed it beautifully. Steve Bruce had called for his team to make the

most out of Manchester United's late arrival at the KC, after their coach

was caught in traffic. It looks as though United are just starting now.

Welbeck was caught by Huddlestone. No yellow card for that. A chance

for Manchester United to draw level. Just wide.

Great save by McGregor. That was pending in from Cleverley. A

wonderful shot. A marvellous save. What a goal! That is a superb

strike. To bring up 150 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United

for Wayne Rooney. Got it back from Curtis Davies. One touch to control

it, and the second touch was a belter. On the volley past McGregor

into the net. He ends a run of four games without scoring, in some

style. Valencia missed it and then he

tumbled into Sagbo. The yellow card is out. They are asking the referee

why it is not a clear goal-scoring opportunity. A lot could have

happened from there. He was always in trouble when the ball was sailing

over his shoulder. There was a big deflection.

According to the statisticians, going into last weekend, he has had

the most shots without scoring in the Premier League this season.

Eventually, one will fly in for Tom Huddlestone. Off the post, with De

Gea stranded. So close. It is headed into his own net by

James Chester. The second time he has scored in that goal today. This

time it is for his old team, rather than his present. Figueroa was at

fault, too, missing the ball altogether. It meant that Young

could get the cross in unencumbered. With Wayne Rooney behind him,

Chester had to do something. Anything but that. Manchester United

have the lead at the KC Stadium, through one of their own.

De Gea got lucky, but he got lucky -- he got the ball in the end. He

resisted the chance to wrap his arm around Graham. When he tackled with

his feet, he took the ball. Have you ever seen David Moyes as animated as

this since taking the reins at Old Trafford. Used to see Ferguson

getting steamed up. More relaxed in the comfortable seats.

Valencia kicked the ball away. Anything here? He is going to his

pocket, is he? He is. It is a second yellow card for Antonio Valencia.

Manchester United are ending the game with ten. This is pointless.

What a story that would have been. He has already scored one for each

side. It was a great lock tackle from De Gea. He stood up, made

himself as big as possible. Manchester United management were

screaming for Michael Oliver to blow the whistle. Bruce has shanked it

wide. We have had it all going on. After a cracker of a game,

Manchester United win. I thought it would be a long road to

get back, but the players have done it. They played terrifically well to

get back in the game, made opportunities, and in the end we got

three points. We made too many mistakes at crucial times. We can

take a big pat on the back. We created umpteen opportunities but

made some poor mistakes against a team like this. You will get

punished. Another terrific game, but that resembled a Manchester United

team. Yes, it did. Hull were magnificent and deserved a point,

but the inspiration again was Wayne Rooney. The amount of times this

season he has pulled the strings, whether in defence, clearing stuff,

or in the middle of the park, tracking back, and in attack. Again,

he was the key. It did not start well, when he lost

Chester, who put it in the back of the net. Trust racial, and he kicked

out at Huddlestone. That could have been a yellow card. But he came back

with a fantastic free kick. And this here. Chest control. What a strike,

outside of the right foot. Again, picking up the ball in the middle of

the park. His desire to get into the box. He does not score the goal, but

ultimately he puts James Chester off, by being behind him. Great

desire. There is an argument to say at 3-2 up, having been booked, on

another day, some referee might book him for simulation. That would have

been a second yellow card. But he was magnificent, and where would

Manchester United be without him? Hull City have given the Premier

League a lot. Steve Bruce can be proud of his team, not only today,

but for the season. They have given the fans hope and I think they will

do well. Lots more to come. The next game featured two of the form sides.

Newcastle have won six of their last eight games, whilst Stoke are

unbeaten in four. At Saint James Park, Martin Fisher.

A return to the starting line-up for Hatem Ben Arfa. His penalty at

Palace on Saturday as a substitute was his first goal since mid-set

temblor. It is Sorensen's first Premier League outing for Stoke

since May. Assaidi! Brilliant goal! Assaidi,

who scored the winner against Chelsea three weeks ago, fires

stoked in front. He dropped his shoulder and curled it deliciously

beyond Tim Krul. Fabulous. There was a bit of afters between

Cabaye and the Irishman. The referee is on top of this and it is boiling

up. You can see the yellow card is out for Glenn Whelan, shown for that

challenge on Cabaye. If anything, Cabaye's challenge on him looked

worse. Six wins in their last eight games.

Cabaye stole it, and was caught late by Whelan. Whelan has a ready been

booked and the referee reaches for his card again, and Glenn Whelan is

sent off. He fouled Cabaye earlier in the first half and he knew when

the whistle went that he was heading off the pitch. We can tell you that

Mark Hughes has been sent off as well, for something he said to the

fourth official, or maybe kicking the ball away.

Is that a penalty? Yes, it is. Wilson holding back Remy, and Wilson

is sent off as well. A clear goal-scoring opportunity for Loic

Remy, and Wilson knew what he was doing. He got hold of the Frenchman.

Martin Atkinson has brandished two red cards in the space of two

minutes, and the whole game has been turned on its head.

Saved! Purley and by Sorenson. The veteran keeper keeps it at 1-0. --

brilliant by Sorenson. What a four minute spell. It might

get even more dramatic. Remy has scored! He missed the

penalty 60 seconds ago, but with the help of at least one, possibly two

deflections, he beat Sorensen. And it is all square.

It will be like a training exercise in this second half, attackers

against defenders. Gouffran has done it again. He

cannot stop scoring at Saint James 's Park. He hasn't scored in each of

his last five games. The question is, did the ball crossed the line?

Is that more rough justice for Stoke to complain about afterwards? They

still had more chances to deal with it and failed to do so. And Gouffran

scores his seventh of the season. That was a big call for the

experienced assistant referee. Remy cleverly won the corner of

Shawcross, who rather foolishly blasted the ball into the crowd.

Ben Arfa strikes the post. Fabulous work between the French duo. When

Ben Arfa was not closed down, he took aim and fired.

Sissoko. In by Remy. 3-1, Newcastle. Sissoko got the first touch, Remy,

take it is into double figures for the season. Newcastle closing in

strongly now on what will be their 200th Premier League win at St

James' Park. It's Remy. This might run for Ben Arfa. Away from the

defender, Ben Arfa, for number four, taking his time, and hitting the

bar! Remy denied. Well, it was all too easy.

Sissoko picks out Debuchy. Ameobi. Now Debuchy. Clever play. And goal

number four, Cabaye with it. His third in the last three games. Calm

play by Debuchy to pick him out. Cabaye just picks his spot. On his

return to Premier League duty, it has been a miserable experience for

Sorensen. Haidara'ses cross, all the way

across. Ben Arfa's turn. He has hit the post, he has hit the bar. What

will he do here? Ah... He's won a penalty. That's what he's done. Can

this day get any worse, wanders Eric Pieters. Ben Arfa lost his footing.

Afterwards, Pieters catches him and not the ball. It is a penalty. Remy,

on a hat-trick says I won't take it. . It's 5-1 Newcastle. The man who

scored the last-minute winner here against Stoke last season is back on

the Premier League scoresheet. Mark Hughes now is gagging for the final

whistle. The initial sending off was very, very harsh. Ridiculous in

fact. The second one, he will argue that is a correct decision denying a

goalscoring opportunity. We will argue against that. It's not easy to

have a strike force like that against nine men. They conducted it

well. It was a shame for Stoke. The two sending office obviously have

been the major factor in us oning with the scoreline -- us winning

with the scoreline. You were sent to the stands? Is There was a ball near

to me and I kicked it on the pitch. I like to think people could

understand my frustration even though it's the wrong thing to do.

We were totally dismayed by the referee's performance today. Was

easy in the end for Newcastle, your team, wasn't it? It wasn't easy for

the first half an hour or so, that is for sure. Mark Hughes upset with

the decisions that turned that particular game. Has he a point? I

think he has point in two or three of them, yeah. Probably agree with

him on the first one here. We don't know what he got booked for, the

tackle, kicking the ball away. Cabaye carries on there in the

tackle. It's not a yellow card for me, I don't think. Having said all

that, once you are on a yellow card, that is just silly. The the referee

is there. He is making him make a decision. He has given a foul away.

He has to give him a second yellow card then. This, I think, the

referee gets absolutely right. A lovely ball in. Wilson has hold of

Remy. Shawcross is not getting across there. It's a goalscoring

opportunity. Clear. He pulls him back. Once he gives him the penalty

he has to show him the red card. Unlucky all day. Nine times out of

ten that is given. That is a poor decision. To make matters worse they

went straight up the other end and they scored from a slight

deflection. Ben Arfa, to be fair, he was fantastic today. He showed great

pace there, but the ball is out of play. That should be blown. That

goal should not count. The assistant should be giving that, not so much

the referee. Freeze it at the point the ball is over the line. The

assistant should give that. Tough day for Stoke. A lot of decisions

went against them. You can see Mark Hughes there, he takes his coat off

in disgust when he has been sent to the stands. He it on in the

second-half It was that cold up there. Newcastle, they are flying at

the moment. It should be some game on Sunday against Arsenal. Will be a

big one, that is for sure. No team have lost fewer games than

Everton this season. They were also unbeaten at Goodison Park this

calender year. Given the fact they've beaten Sunderland at home on

their last six visits and scored 20 goals in the process, you might be

forgiven for thinking that the bottom of the table club were in for

a tough afternoon. Alistair Mann saw this one. Everton unbeaten at home,

Sunderland winless away. It would be a stunning result if the visitors

should defy the odds today. In the form they are in, just one defeat

all season, Martinez has found it largely unnecessary to change a

winning pack, one alteration as Barkley is rest the to the bench.

Leon Osman his able replacement. The visitors make four changes, more

significantly at the back when Roberge. Fletcher never looked as

though he would get to. It I was wondering Howe ward would deal with

it. It was a casual header, if anything, back to Tim Howard. Good

goal keeping by the American. Their away record isn't great. Three draws

is all they have managed. Good effort. Hard luck. Swinging a little

bit in the air as he hit it. Mannone's positioning made it a

simple save. The element of surprise could have caught out a goalkeeper

who wasn't concentrating early on. Everyone expected a comfortable

afternoon's work for Everton. He was ensuring there was no such

complacency among his players pre-match. Mistake, terrible. He has

been brought down. This could be a red card. This match might well have

transformed in the space of a couple of moments. There it is. That was

extraordinary. A little backpass between Tim Howard and Leon Osman,

it was too short and Ki was in. Howard brings him down. Goalscoring

opportunity. Red card. Everton, down to 10. The first job of the

goalkeeper will be to save a penalty. Does he jump over the top

of the leg. The moment mument of Howard's challenge certainly brings

him down. Does he get caught? Can Ki put Sunderland ahead at Goodison

Park? He does. Delight for the visiting supporters. In the blink of

an eye, all of a sudden the visitors are not only in front, but they are

up against 10 men. What a bonus for Sunderland. Is Martinez will have

witnessed in the early couple of moments that Everton played a poor

backpass and Howard had to get Everton out of a hole. The second

time that problem was administered, Howard gets sent off. Ki. On target.

Roberge has split it. Good save on the second one by Roberge. He may

have made an error with the first save. He more than returns with

reaction for the second. Out for a corner. Good pressure from the

hosts. Sunderland are hemmed in. Jagielka, good save. Really good

save by Mannone. Jagielka looked odds on to put that in. Martinez

remember is protecting an unbeaten home record in 2013. Barkley hits

the shot. Mannone makes the stop. Still asking questions, Everton,

didn't look as though Mannone ought to have been beaten. It bounced.

They are never easy. Takes a tumble, but nothing doing.

It would have been a brave referee to have given two penalties against

the home side. That is for sure. I don't think that was ever in

question. Here's Distin. We understand why defend remembers

coming forward for Everton. Here's Oviedo. Good hit! Super save. You

have to say that, bearing in behind she a left-footed player, I don't

think that Oviedo could have done much more with this right-footed

shot. Now Fletcher. A chance to seal the contest. He's missed. Golden

chance. That would have been game over. He dragged it horribly. There

have been times this afternoon when you count the number of Everton

shirts. They have managed to sustain so much pressure on Sunderland that

you forget that they have 10. That is a foul. Free-kick every tonne.

Foul by Roberge. Sunderland players protest. Roberge is penalised. He

scored a stunning winning goal at Swansea, from a free-kick. Can Ross

Barkley do it again? It's on target! Super save. Mannone, with another

terrific stop. Mannone is emerging as Sunderland's man of the match.

And, off the line! Jelavic's header. Was it Borini, the Liverpool man,

who got it away? I think it was. Poyet preparing to celebrate the

famous win. The Sunderland support verse been chanting the name of

Mannone. Everybody forward. Nobody back. Distin jumps, Jelavic misses.

Lukaku hawks it. Claims of handball, no way says the referee. Another

corner. There is time, just. There was a claim of handball. Well, did

strike the arm. Lukaku misses it. Robles nearly got to it. Jelavic

can't hook it goal-bound. Good tackle by McCarthy though. Not a

great backpass. Oviedo, Robles is not bothering. He knows time is up.

There is the whistle. Sunderland have won. What an extraordinary

match. Ki's penalty has won it. Everton nil, Sunderland one, Mannone

is the hero. You kept out Oviedo, Jagielka and Barkley, which was the

pick of the saves for you? I think the free-kick because from Barkley

was a good free-kick. Thankfully, I could tip it over. Having a man sent

off that's what probably affected the game a little bit. I couldn't

have been prouder of the performance. I'm sure the fans will

be disappointed with the scoreline. Everyone saw the incredible

performance we had in the second-half. You are looking in a

game that you go down to 10 men the normal thing is that the opposition

takes advantage and it becomes one-way traffic. It couldn't have

been further from that. I was delighted. We didn't win against

Norwich and everything was dark. Let's hope we can recover proper. I

don't think too many people saw that coming. A could you upon buster in

many ways. Sunderland came with a plan and goalkeeper. Everton were

magnificent as well, by the way. Mannone made a string of fantastic

saves. The gameplan seemed to work. In that first 20 minute what ises

they decided to do was sit deep, condense the space. Not allow

Everton's attacking threat to get in between the lines in that final

third. They did it exceptionally well. This was in the first 10

minutes. Not much space at all in between the lines where Everton's

attacking players like to get into that space and have an impact on the

game. They were forced back time after time. What you see when

Everton are flowing in the early stages, them two players getting in

between the lines on the half turn. It didn't happen. They were playing

in front of Sunderland. What Sunderland do, they grew in

confidence. They were chasing stuff down. Fletcher. Backpass from

Jagielka. Taking chances. It worked on this one, Osman, mistake. A

penalty. What will happen with Everton under Martinez they will be

asked to play like that and will make mistakes. Definite penalty. He

calfs his right foot. Howard has to be sent off. Great penalty. What a

performance from Sunderland. it gives them a glimmer of hope just

before the end of the year. It is an important win for them. I thought it

was a good game. Everton, down to ten men, more efforts on goal, more

corners, plenty of positives. Such is the madness surrounding Cardiff,

that the games sometimes seem to get in the way. Not long ago, there were

similar goings-on at Southampton. They met, watched by John Roder.

This is a site we did not expect, Malky Mackay in the home dugout.

Yoshida makes only his second Premier League appearance of the

season, coming into the Southampton defence. Campbell is the only man

forward for the home side. A fantastic early chance for Peter

Whittingham. Malky Mackay's side have just one win in their last

seven in the Premier League, victory against West Albion 12 days ago,

which resulted in the departure of Steve Clarke from the Baggies.

Rodriguez! Early and penetrative move from Southampton. It was all

about the timing of the pass over the top two Lallana, and his run

forward. Rodriguez in the centre circle, but the ball was not play to

him. It was two Lallana. Rodriguez was clearly behind him, and

Rodriguez gets his eighth goal of the season.

Rather quiet at the City of Cardiff stadium. You would expect it to be a

bit more raucous. Rodriguez! A second goal for Jay

Rodriguez. And Malky Mackay's side are being torn apart. Not once, but

twice. Rodriguez was definitely level. He notches up his ninth of

the season. What a start for the Saints. It has been a terrific form

and is so far from Pochettino's team. -- a terrific performance.

Not much has gone right for Cardiff so far.

It just gets better and better for Southampton. Chambers with the

lofted ball in, Rodriguez with the knock-down, and Lambert had just got

away. And you cannot give Ricky Lambert that much time and space. He

is going to score. And that is what he did. I wonder what the Cardiff

owner thinks of the opening half an hour of this game.

The ball came off Jose Fonte, and the scent trilled offender was

grateful that his goalkeeper was alert and alive to the possibility.

-- the central defender. There is a huge half-time team talk coming up

from Malky Mackay. Cardiff are badly missing my Dell just ahead of their

back four. So far the second half has not seen

the fluid foot wall we saw in the first period from Southampton. --

foot tall. It is a very crowded six yard area,

and Gazzaniga could only palm it high for another corner. It has been

better from Cardiff in the second period but it would be hard to be

worse. Rodriguez would have been in there

for his third of the match. It has been a miserable Boxing Day

for Malky Mackay and Cardiff City. Vincent Tan, the Cardiff owner, has

already left. Many Cardiff supporters are exiting the stadium

as well. What does the future hold for the Cardiff manager?

When you lose goals like that, there is no way back. We played against a

good team today. We cannot lose three goals like that. To what

extent was that the perfect day for Southampton?

TRANSLATION: The victory was fully deserved. He had a really great

performance. Overall we did well over the 90 minutes and deserved the

win. That was really good for us. We did not want to rest on 3-0, so it

was a good performance. Have events off the pitch been affecting events

on the pitch? I am not going to be using any excuses. My staff and

players prepare, work hard and professionally and the fans have

been fantastic. Do you expect to meet with Vincent Tan before the

game on Saturday? If that is the case, it has not been conveyed to

me. It goes on and on. It was all over in 27 minutes. A great result

for Southampton after a rocky spell, but Cardiff's problems keep going

on. It can't be hopeful. They should be enjoying this season. As much as

he says it will not affect performance on the pitch, it has to,

because the players are reading about negativity. It is obvious that

the owner does not want the manager, so the sooner the better, for me.

Malky Mackay has done a magnificent job at Cardiff. What does the owner

want? Does he think they should be challenging for the Premier League

gesture market does not work like that. He has done a magnificent job

for them over the past couple of seasons. Given time, he would

continue that, but it is not going to happen. If it continues, you will

see more results like that. As far as I'm concerned, he will on and

we'll get a good job, because of the job he has done at Cardiff. -- he

will move on. Could the Swans ruin Chelsea's

Christmas? Watching this, Simon Brotherton.

Ashley Cole starts in the Premier League for the first time since the

defeat at Newcastle on November the 2nd. Swansea City make six changes,

among them a return for Leon Brittan, who has recovered from a

broken toe. The keeper had to make sure. It was

well one back by Oscar. And John Terry's volley was drilled into the

floor. Chelsea have another corner. Off the line by Ashley Williams.

John Terry, so close to scoring. Mata, his second delivery. Ashley

Williams got it away. Michael Laudrup's team will head to

Birmingham after this in preparation for their match at the weekend

against Aston Villa, and away Day double-header for Christmas.

Hazard for Chelsea. Chelsea's top scorer this season now has nine. The

misplaced pass, and Hazard was on to it like a flash. One moment Swansea

City were attacking, and the next they are picking the ball out of

their net. Jamal got a touch but could not keep it out. -- Tremmel.

And Chelsea have the lead they deserve.

Just over the top from Vazquez. A rare sighting of goal for Swansea

City in this first half. Vazquez till looking for his first goal for

Swansea. -- still looking. Good save. Reacting well under

pressure, as Chelsea threatened a second goal. Samuel Eto'o was

onside. It was nearly the perfect start to

the second half, just 15 seconds after the restart. David Luiz with

the pass, Mata onside, Eto'o in the centre. He could not quite turn it

past the goalkeeper. Chelsea still have not put the game

to bed. Frank Lampard come off the bench,

almost making an impact. Not a classic game, but three points for

Chelsea. We had so many chances that you have

to score at least once and create a more comfortable situation. But I

have to say that today the biggest responsible for that one was their

goalkeeper, because he made some fantastic saves. The first half was

OK, apart from the goal. We kept them down to two chances. The only

disappointing thing was the first 20 seconds of the second half, when we

could have given them a second goal. But then I think we did well. We

stayed in the game until the last second. Stayed in the game but did

not get any points. Mourinho was decrying the fact that they cannot

score enough goals. But they are still just a couple of points off

the top. But that has cost them this season. It cost them against Stoke,

against Newcastle. Not today, but it does not take a genius to see where

he wants to improve the team. Five goals from his strikers is not

enough. Not easy to find top players in the window. But he will be

looking. Shortly, Crystal Palace at Aston Villa. First, let's find out

how Fulham fared at Norwich. They tend to do well there. They are

unbeaten in their last 12 meetings. The commentator, Dan O'Hagan.

It is the same Norwich team that drew at Sunderland. Goals in short

-- short supply. Elmander's only Norwich goals have come in the

league cup. Berbatov failed a fitness test.

Hooper from distance, deflected in. The first Norwich home goal in the

Premier League on Boxing Day ever. And hooper has it, via a big

deflection. From range, off the studs of Aaron Hughes, up and over

and in. Good to see Alan Curbishley after five years away from foot all.

Wide somehow. This their best moment of the match.

Scott Parker. Parker, twist, turns, was he caught? Yes, he was. There

was no Fulham advantage in play called back for this free-kick on

Scott Parker. He has take continue see pressurely. Fulham are now

level. This kick goes through the Norwich wall. I'm sure it will be

cause for debate among themselves. The wall parts and Fulham take the

dividends. Good attack for the home team. Redmond still. Redmond's

blast. It is a corner. Redmond's shot in the end comes off Sidwell.

Norwich players are arriving off the line. Fulham can bring the ball

clear. The corner met by fierce header from Fer.

It stay in play. Rita. That will be a corner for Fulham. To the

far-post. It's half away. Fulham appeal. The referee of course has

the help of technology. It doesn't stand. No goal the outcome. It

works. Proof in the Christmas pudding here. Rita's cross. Scott

Parker, makes the space. Parker! Absolutely wonderful. It's a belter,

a beauty on Boxing Day, Scott Parker for Fulham. What a goal. Has a

swing. Has a good fly. It rips its way beyond Ruddy. Fulham with maybe

a massive goal. That is something else. We have been working so hard

since I took over. We had a run of really difficult games. Which we

only won one against Aston Villa. All the others I thought we should

have got something out of the game. We didn't. That is why it was

important we did that today. Real good clear-cut chances. A lot of

balls into the box, good crosses into the box. There is always a

concern when you are perhaps not getting the result that you feel the

performance warranted. Villa are without Benteke, Westwood is banned,

Agbonlahor is back from suspension. A reshuffle sees Bannan move further

forward to support Cameron Jerome. Villa have won one of their last

five games here. Scoring goals have been a problem on this ground this

season. A wrestle there. Which way is the referee going with this? With

Aston Villa. A scrappy end to the first half. Albrighton with the

free-kick. Cleared out. Deflected. Away for a corner. Only seconds left

of the first half. The Moroccan had a go. Albrighton's corner. Kozak is

up there. Cleared off the line. With that, it's half-time. A first half

that has lacked quality and chances. How close were Villa there to

breaking the deadlock? It was headed over his own bar by Mariappa.

Albrighton. That is a great delivery. Kozak was waiting. Clips

it again. Here's Weimann. Straight at the goalkeeper. Villa's best

chance. When it came, Weimann didn't make the most of it. The game is

getting stretched now. Bannan. Good save, Guzan. Bannan swept it goal

wards first time. Really good stop. The woodwork came to Villa's aid

too. Albrighton. Lovely ball. Pulled back here to Weimann. What a chance.

What a chance! Lovely play. Great ball round the back. Weimann takes

up a great position, but should have hit the target. Skied it instead.

Punch. Bolasie will go after it. Can he keep it? He will. Spots the gap.

Chance for Bannan. Missed. Now Puncheon. Good save Guzan. Villa's

keeper comes up good once more. How have Palace not scored. Puncheon

denied by the Villa keeper Guzan. Looks like they could play all night

and we could still not see a goal. This is Lowton. He has hit them from

this range before. Lowton's ball in. Great header. Good save, Speroni.

Lowton's ball in. Delph. Bowery. Here is Gayle. It's

one-on-one this. Gayle! Oh, what a goal! Dwight Gayle settles it in

stoppage-time at Villa Park. What a sensational goal. It's pandemonium

in the corner. What a brilliant strike. It's what the game has

craved. It's a match that has lacked quality, but that has quality

stamped all over it. Wonderful goal from Dwight Gayle. Guzan could get

nowhere near it. That is a big, big goal for Tony Pulis and Crystal

Palace. It's a hard season. Nobody knows that better than me. We have

an easy game at Man City, when is it two-days time. From now? They are

averaging four-and-a-half, five goals a game. We know how difficult

it will be. I can't criticise the lads' effort. As long as they

maintain it, it will turn. We have played big clubs. I have never run

away from anything in my life. I'm certainly not running away from this

one. They are not happy at Aston Villa. The bottom three all won

today, all away from home. The price this morning with the bookies was

145-1. They won with a couple of great goals in those games, Fulham

and Palace. Gayle, good ball down-the-line. Cuts inside. What a

fantastic finish. Superb, wasn't it? He does it on the big stage. Scott

Parker, not renowned for his goals. Shifts it on to his right foots. Get

in. Wh a goal. Not bad. Not bad at all. The bottom-of-the-table is

getting very tight indeed. Our final game was at White Hart

Lane, where a Tottenham side, who've just appointed a new full-time boss,

faced a West Brom side who've yet to appoint a new full-time boss. Our

long time boss of the commentary box was John Motson. Tim share wood

walks out as head coach of Tottenham with an 18-month contract and a

passionate determine takes to take the team forward. It's a much

changed Albion side for his opposite number Keith Downing's second match

in charge. This is Morrison. Not a bad ball to Vydra. Vydra takes on

Dawson. Little one, two here. Vydra's in. Well, Lloris make as

despairing save. It was nearly 1-0 to West Brom. It's a busy period

this. Spurs are at home again on Sunday against Stoke. They may have

to go to Old Trafford. Lloris likes to come out and join in the play.

That has been given away between him and Danny Rose. There goes Vydra.

The flag has stayed down. This time the goalkeeper snatches it off the

toes of Vydra. Another warning for Spurs. Another good chance for West

Bromwich Albion goes begging. I have to say that whatever the possession

statistics tell you, they can be misleading, West Brom have had the

best chances of the much match. They have both fallen to Vydra. Walker.

Can he feed this in into to Eriksen, yes he can. Oh, the referee, Spurs

had the ball and were playing right to left, now the referee has taken

the play back to where the original tackle took place. It was a clumsy

challenge. Is it going to be a set play goal for Eriksen? It is!

Christian Eriksen, his first goal in the Premier League. Right into the

roof of the net. Look at that, it starts outside the

post and curls back in off the bar. Christian Eriksen. A breakthrough

for Spurs. The smile on the face of the new head coach. Oh, Eriksen,

only a couple minutes after scoring, pulls back Morrison, he will get a

yellow card. West Brom try to make a quick riposte.

Oh, Olsson. They have equalised! Olsson, within two minutes. Not too

sure about the Tottenham defending here. Albion have packed the box.

Two or three players swung and missed, Olsson didn't. He plotted

out that foot to steer it away from Lloris. It's Tottenham one, West

Bromwich Albion one. Two goals in two minutes at White Hart Lane.

After their victory at Southampton Spurs fan woos have been hoping for

a flamboyant performance this afternoon. This is Danny Rose. Oh,

they all remember his goal here against Arsenal. Danny Rose not

afraid to try himself here. Oh, that is a foul. Oh, dear me.

He's been booked already, hasn't he, Steven Reid. Got the ball first, in

all honesty, but then took Danny Rose. Reid is OK. He can carry on.

Walker, fires one. Oh, Ben Foster, back in England contention, has

turned that to one side. Saw it coming. It was a long way out. It

had power from Kyle Walker. Another good run by Danny Rose. He has won

the corner off Reid. Eriksen's going to take it. The flicked header. He's

just wide, Soldado. Nothing is going for him. If you are going to play

four, four two, one Orr both of your strikers has got to fire. -- one or

both of your strikers has got to fire. A little bit more guile. But

overall I think we will improve. A new voice. We are asking them to

play in a different manner. Hopefully, he will get better and

better at it. Good discipline, good organisation, fantastic big hearts,

as I knew they had. Real big characters in there. I thought, you

know, there was going to be a little bit of pressure near the end. We got

tired. Sat deeper. All in all, I thought there was some really good

performances out there. With 10 games to fit in we are about out of

time. Before we leave you let us look at the Barclays Premier League

table: Liverpool drop from first to fourth as Arsenal regain top spot.

Chelsea leapfrog Liverpool into third, Manchester United are up to

seventh. Crystal Palace are out of the relegation places for the first

time since September. Bottom three clubs all won. West Ham sink into

the danger zone. Another defeat for Cardiff leaves them precariously

poised. Arsenal are back on top then as Theo puts them ahead. From all of

us here, goodbye.