26/12/2015 Match of the Day

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

What a goal. Oh, what a goal.

STUDIO: It's that most wonderful time of the year.

Yes, the Boxing Day Barclays Premier League programme.

Ten games for Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy to digest,

a couple of stuffings and the odd cracker(!)

That's it, all my Christmas puns out in one go.

We start at Saint Mary 's, Southampton have picked up only one

point from the last five, they faced the Arsenal, second in the league.

COMMENTATOR: With Graziano Pelle are injured, Shane Long leads the line

for Southampton, he has not scored here since July, the third

qualifying round game in the Europa League against Vitesse Arnhem.

Olivier Giroud cannot stop scoring, 15 to the season, six in his last

four games, Arsene Wenger picks an unchanged side for the fourth game

running. Both sides wearing black armbands

because English football has lost one of the great post-war figures in

English football history and in Arsenal post-war history, Don Howe.

Southampton on the front foot here, Ryan Bertrand, carefully into the

box. Driven back in! Cuco Martina! What a strike! Brilliant strike.

Perhaps a hint of offside... As the ball was played forward, into the

path of Steven Davis, the head from Per Mertesacker did not do the job

but nobly was expecting that, that is a wonder strike! Outside of the

right boot, curling right into the corner of the net. It might be of

the other foot, but that is like Roberto,! -- off. Per Mertesacker is

in trouble, the decision has gone his way. Free kick to Arsenal. Shane

Long put the ball in the back of the net but the whistle had long gone,

if you will excuse the pun(!) -- Roberto Carlos. How much of a foul

was that, he did not do much wrong. Who is fouling him...? Is it really

a foul by Shane Long on Per Mertesacker? It is a cute little

finish. His side have created the better chances, the only goal of the

game so far did not come from a chance, it was not a chance or a

half chance. Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud ahead of

him, Aaron Ramsey, Justin behind for a moment, off the chest of Jose

Fonte, it is a corner, this is better from the Arsenal. -- just in

behind for a moment. Certainly committing bodies forward. Corner

from Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, side netting, not often he will find

himself in that much space, a free header for him, but he has missed

the target. Laurent Koscielny keeps it from Saudi Manet, scooped

forward, onto the head of Victor Wanyama, over the top of Mathieu

Flamini, Novell, Saudi Manet... Per Mertesacker trying to get back,

Shane Long! Seems to be getting away from him all of the time. Lifted by

Saadi M -- Sadio Mane. Not quite deft enough to put it over

the goalkeeper and it went well over the bar in the end. A wonderful

month for the Arsenal, starting with victory over Sunderland... Sadio

Mane has been taken out, that is a case of fighting fire with fire,

trying to man up in the second half against Southampton. Free kick,

whipped in... The flag is up, the flag is up, Van Dijk turns away to

celebrate but it is not going to count, the flag was up on the near

side. Van Dijk thought that he had his third goal in English football.

You could say there is two or three Southampton players onside, but you

could not make the argument that Van Dijk may not have been one of them.

It has not been a happy hunting ground for Arsene Wenger, beating

here last season, 2-0, New Year's Day.

Given away carelessly. Davis, down the middle, long, nicely onto Sadio

Mane, Shane Long wants the return, Sadio Mane looks up, gives in it,

2-0! If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Shane Long on the

scoresheet, Southampton two, Arsenal zero. Lovely touch from Shane Long,

into Sadio Mane, they are protesting... Arsenal protesting

that Shane Long took out the defender. That is a brilliant touch

from Shane Long to Sadio Mane, but then... Arsenal felt that was a

deliberate trip, by Shane Long, an Laurent Koscielny. -- on. Lovely

interchange between Shane Long and Sadio Mane. The Arsenal, an picked,

unravelled, undone, two down. -- unpicked. Arsene Wenger says,

unbelievable. A touch from the defender? Yes,

there was. It is a corner. Just brushed off Laurent Koscielny. Held

in dangerously, it is three! 3-0, they will not come back from that!

Jose Fonte heading in the third, may look at offside on the first,

perhaps a foul on the second, they have to look at themselves on the

third, it is they are beaten by a corner. That will not be acceptable

to Arsene Wenger. -- because they are beaten by a corner. It is a good

corner but it is just a corner, lofted in and headed home by Jose

Fonte. Chambers... Alex at the age and

blue, back to Chambers. -- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Nacho Monreal,

into a good position, and it has rolled agonisingly... Almost along

the line, Mesut Ozil could not put it away, neither could Olivier

Giroud. 5-1, the biggest defeat in any competition this season for

Arsenal. That was against Bayern Munich. That was in Munich. Shane

Long off the post! With the pace to get away from Per Mertesacker.

Shane Long... Onside... Shane Long... Makes it four! The icing on

the cake for Southampton and Shane Long, the misery is complete for the

Arsenal, Southampton four, Arsenal zero. This is so easy.

The second half was perfect, the team, what we like to see, the

belief that they were playing with, and in each other. The gold... It

was a tough night for Arsenal. We created a lot of problems at them.

Amazing result. -- the goals. We created many chances, but we were

unlucky, because some of the goals, they were up for discussion,

especially the second, the third was not a corner! After the score looks

big but on the other side, you have got to say, they won too many 50/50

challenges to win the game tonight. I have got to talk about the strike

by Cuco Martina, what an absolutely brilliant strike... He has deserved

his chance, the gaffer gave him a chance, he has taken it well. No

easy feat Handling Theo Walcott. STUDIO: Saints alive! What an

incredible performance. One point in five games, not scored in three home

games, playing with confidence, well-organised, well disciplined,

and clinical in attack. This is worth watching again and again and

again, taking it on, you are thinking, he is a full-back, making

his first start... The more that you see it, it gets

better and better, everything about that strike, perfect, and from here,

incredible, when I first saw it go in was thinking of blaming Petr

Cech, but that would be a little bit harsh! Superb strike, what a strike.

Would not be Christmas if there was not some kind of appraisal of the

title hopes of the Arsenal and some disdain from yourself! There will

never have a better chance at winning the title than this season,

six points better off this year than they were last season, and everyone

else has gone backwards. But... Cannot afford too many days like

this. A performance like this is all-too-familiar, when it really

matters, yes, that is a foul, Arsene Wenger has a point, but Southampton

were better in every department. Peko, sharper, that is two yards

out, Petr Cech had a poor day. I know there is a whip on the ball.

Defender is not going in, no leaders, space in front of the back

four, wide open, Shane Long cause them problems all afternoon, Petr

Cech should do better. Southampton, I thought, were brilliant. The

Arsenal are capable of a performance like this, this is what has cost

them over the years. They need to eradicate performances like that and

they will have a tremendous chance. Are they a side equipped to win the

title? I think they are not, they are missing their three best

players, sooner or later you will get found out, the back four was

completely unpredicted sometimes, missing the two in front was a big

thing. -- unprotected. You have got to put it right quickly.

It was six games without a win for Manchester United

and their under-fire manager, Louis Van Gaal.

Stoke were today's opposition, they've beaten United just once

Alistair Mann was at the Britannia Stadium.

The every move of Louis van Gaal is under intense scrutiny, his decision

to leave out the captain, Wayne Rooney, shows that whatever the

circumstances, the Manchester United asked does not lack the courage of

his convictions. Geoff Cameron is fit again, so Mark Hughes has named

the same 11 that dismantled Manchester City inside 15 minutes at

the start of the month, orchestrated by Xherdan Shaqiri, in tandem with

Arnautovic and Bojan. The absence of Wayne Rooney means Anthony Martial

can lead the line, Ander Herrera comes into the side, the only change

to the 11 that lost at home against Norwich City last weekend. Winless

in six matches, Manchester United have not been winless in seven for

some 26 years. COMMENTATOR: Mark Hughes spoke about

the United way in his press conference, the demand for

entertainment. Cameron. Dink it on towards Johnson. Memphis has made a

mess of that. Johnson squares it. And, Stoke open the scoring. And

Stoke are in front. Just when Manchester United didn't need it.

Committed by Memphis. You can legislate for so many things as a

Manchester United manager, but not an error of this magnitude from

Memphis. Trying to just ease it back to his goalkeeper, got it all wrong,

and Johnson picked up Bojan Krkic and he couldn't miss. Manchester

United trail. Stoke, who have conceded very few goals in their

last 10 matches lead 1-0. Memphis pumped out of it by Johnson.

Shaqiri. Beyond Memphis. Inside Smalling. Good ball as well. Whelan.

Went the other way. Arnautovic. Handball is the decision. Ashley

Young is perplexed and even more so by the yellow card. Deliberate

handball feels Kevin Friend. Well, it was a handball, wasn't it? Looks

like a much better position for the right-footed Bojan. Shaqiri looks

menacing. Straight into the wall. Arnautovic, on the rebound. Oh,

brilliant! Fantastic strike from Arnautovic. And it's going from bad

to worse for Manchester United. Of well, they blew Manchester City away

within a quarter of an hour, the neighbours from across the city,

they are two down in 25 minutes. Louis van Gaal's notes are becoming

more and more copious. What a strike from Arnautovic. Whipping away from

David de Gea, who could not get close to it. He scored a couple

against Manchester City. He's now scored against United. He is Stoke's

top-scorer, with six Premier League goals. Lovely through ball,

Arnautovic is onside, and misses. What an opportunity to bank the

three-points before half-time. Through on goal. Arnautovic misses.

Big moment. Can United utilise it? Well, it was the big decision

pre-match to leave him out. Now with his side two down, the decision is

reversed and Wayne Rooney is on at half-time. Arnautovic, challenge

there in front of Afellay. Mata, Fellaini, Herrera, Rooney. It's a

good ball, Fellaini, good save, Butland. First real clear-cut chance

for Manchester United. A superb reaction from Butland. Fellaini

probably believes he ought to have scored and not given the keeper a

sniff of saving this. Rooney, with a terrific assist, Fellaini's shot.

Well, maybe he didn't do too much wrong. It's all credit to the

goalkeeper. Excellent save. They have been the better side in this

second-half, Manchester United. But the mere presence of Wayne Rooney on

the field has definitely made a significant difference. Here's

Bojan. He hasn't been involved much. Arnautovic almost gets to it. Young,

on the stretch, almost guided it beyond his own-goal keeper. This is

the opportunity. Lovely ball from Bojan. Onside Arnautovic. Young did

well. Here's Johnson. It's a clever ball. Bojan, tiptoes through.

Waiting to pounce on the far-post. Good save from de Gea to take it out

of the way of any advancing Stoke player. Bojan knew any clip it would

be a penalty. Here's Diouf. Smalling's challenge. Ha is good

from Martial. Better from him. Deflection. Great save by Butland.

Second time he's been magnificent when he's needed to be. England

goalkeeper trying to put pressure on Joe Hart and twice today he has

shown his worth. Mata. Chance now for Wayne Rooney.

Keeps it alive. Mata. And Butland is there again. A hat-trick of saves. I

suppose, this one the least spectacular of them in

stoppage-time. A roar of delight from the Stoke

City supporters. Louis van Gaal may have been defiant in his press

conference earlier this week, but rather than extinguish the fire of

the footballing scribes, this performance has surely only stoked

them up further. Stoke City 2, Manchester United 0 We have lost the

game in the first 45 minutes. Because we don't - we didn't dare to

play football. Our football. And, that is what I have analysed, also

at half-time much I say, we have to play football and we have nothing

more to lose in the second-half. And, you have seen the difference,

but that's not enough. You have to start the first minute. Didn't dare

is the suggestion that they are finding it difficult to express

themselves. Is that the circumstances of the results that

have happened? Yeah. I think so. The circumstances now play a bigger role

and will be in the next match also. I'm also part of the four losses and

I have to cope with that. I have to administer that. More important is

that my players shall manage that. They have to perform and they feel

the pressure at the moment that they have to play in the match. We wanted

to get on the front foot. There is only so much confidence on the

football field. You have to train as much as you can from the opposition

and I think we did that with the purpose to our play in the first

half. We were able to get goaled a good times. If you are having a

little bit of a stumble in your form and in your league performances then

the opposition can take advantage of that. I think that's what happened

to United today. Have you had, if you like, support, a vote of

confidence, so to speak, from those above you? I have received that all

the time. But, we have lost today, so there's a new situation. But I

feel the support of my players and I feel the support of my Board. Of

course, the fans shall be disappointed, but that's logical

after four defeats. He says he still has the support of his players. Did

it look like that to you, Alan? Not on today's evidence, Gary, no. He

decided to take on the media this week and he picked a team that he

thought would go out and fight and scrap for him. And that is the best

they could do today. That was pretty embarrassing. We talk about fighting

and scrapping and tracking back and mistakes. Anyone can make a mistake.

This is a mistake from Memphis. Poor header. Doesn't get the connection

at all. They are 1-0 down, tracking back, I don't think there is enough

effort here from Deay much he gives up far, far too easy. That was also

a lot of his team-mates. I think he can do better here. I think he can

close the shot down. If he wants to get hit with the ball and prepared

to, he will do. Watch him. He runs to the left from Arnautovic,

fantastic strike. But I think he could do more to close him down. Be

prepared to get hurt. In contrast, I mentioned Arnautovic and workrate

for United players. Watch this guy. Watch this guy get back and work for

his team-mates and help his leftback out. That is absolutely superb.

Watch the dedication and commitment from him here. Tracking the

full-back, Ashley Young, to get in. There he has not given up. He wants

to fight, scrap and work for his team-mates. I didn't see any United

player particularly in the first half do this. Put a shift in for his

team. Then when you do that, Gary, you actually, you get the rewards at

the end of it by putting in a tremendous effort and tremendous

goal like that. So, no, on today's evidence, the players are not

willing because they put in a pretty pathetic performance in that first

half. Better second-half when Rooney came on. He left his captain out as

well. That is a big statement that is. On the flip side, let us not

take too much away from Stoke. Magnificent, weren't they? Mark

Hughes like assetled team. I played under him. He likes a settled team.

He is playing a 4-3-3, the three up top are match winners. Bojan,

Arnautovic on the left and Shaqiri on the right. If he keeps those

three fit and tight behind him and fighting for the team they could

finish in the top eight. First time Manchester United have lost four

games in a row in the same season since 1961. Is it time for a change

at the top? He eluded to it in his interviews after the game. It

wouldn't surprise me it if he was to walk away, Gary. He said it was a

different situation now, the fans are on to him. His players without

doubt are not performing for him at all. It wouldn't surprise me if he

actually walked away. I don't think he will walk. I think he will stay

for the time being. My worry for United, I look at the squad, whoever

comes in, they have got a squad lacking leaders and a squad lacking

space and athletism. Do you think perhaps there will be a temptation

because of the likes of Jose Mourinho available, Pep being

available. Is there the temptation this is the moment we can get

someone else of that stature? That is the temptation. Mourinho you are

quaranteed trophies, statistics tell you that in the first year or two.

Pep the same. There will be many meetings going on in the hierarchy.

He has a United legend sat beside him. Under Davis moist. They could

do worse than give it to Giggs, in my opinion. OK.

Manchester City have been consistently inconsistent in recent

weeks with three defeats in their last five.

Sunderland were the visitors to the Etihad Stadium.

Three straight defeats had left them second from bottom.

Yaya Toure scored an incredible goal at Arsenal last Monday night, it

didn't get his side anything. The fact he is wearing the captain's

armband tells you that Vincent Kompany isn't back in the Manchester

City team am he is on the bench. The search to find his best team to

field, Sam Allardyce made six changes to Sunderland, including in

goal, with ex-city man, Costel Pantilimon has given way to Vito

Mannone. Fletcher is already putting himself

about. Little bit too strongly on Otamendi there. He is bothering

Mangala and all over Otamendi. He is used to that lone striker role.

Sterling is set through once more. Blocked. Anthony Taylor says

free-kick Sunderland. I think that should be a penalty. M'Vila. Aware

from Toure. Got that wrong in his efforts to bring some width over on

that right hand side to Sunderland's play. Sterling, got the better of

him. I think Kolarov put on someone el's boots on today. In to De

Bruyne. What a cross. Headed in by Raheem Sterling. You will struggle

to see a better cross in this packed Christmas Premier League period. De

Bruyne followed, De Bruyne looked and fired. Even though Raheem

Sterling isn't the sort of player you associate with headed goals,

he's not the right build for it, I think anybody would want that one -

on a plate. Manchester City 1, Sunderland 0. Silva. Toure. Toure

winds one up. It's another cracker for the Yaya Toure collection. Not

quite as spectacular as the one he scored at the Emirates on Monday

night, but hit almost as firmly. Deadly accurate. You would already

feel, with less than 17 minutes played, that the points are just

about in the ball for Manchester City. Manchester City 2, Sunderland

0. Manuel Pellegrini looks as calm and unruffled as ever by events on

and off the field. Nothing seems to get to the engineer. Van Aanholt.

Borini. That was very neatly done. He will continue his run wide -

well, up to a point. Good ball from Borini. Fletcher left it. What a

chance that was. Danny Graham couldn't take it. Sunderland opened

Manchester City right up there. Clever from Fletcher to get out of

the way. He was offside. Graham certainly wasn't. Chances to start

games few and far between for Danny Graham these days. He is stick on

the one goal for Sunderland in what is now 38 appearances for the club.

Bony. M'Vila penalised. Happy to delicate this time and give it to De

Bruyne. Another cracking ball in. It's another Manchester City goal.

Wilfried Bony is the beneficiary this time.

As for the delivery from Kevin De Bruyne, two out of two that have

been absolutely top-class. That's just needs guiding.

Good save by Vito Mannone. Needed a strong hand. This was superb, Kevin

De Bruyne has run the show. He is putting on an awesome show.

David Silva, to Kevin De Bruyne. Wilfried Bony will not get to it but

it is back with Kevin De Bruyne. He has one for himself. All out attack,

pass and move, Kevin De Bruyne has been making them, now he scores one.

In a cruel twist of fate for Sunderland, the assist comes from

one of their own players, it ends the run of four games without a goal

as Coates can only turn it back into the path of Kevin De Bruyne. 4-0,

Manchester City. Johnson... Graham, out to Jones. Sunderland corner,

deflected from Aleksandar Kolarov. Nice reception from Adam Johnson,

Manchester City players have not forgotten the part he played in an

FA Cup final and a title win. -- nice reception for Adam Johnson from

the Manchester City players. Lee Cattermole, it goes through, Fabio

Borini denied but not the second time, slots it back Joe Hart, who is

absolutely crestfallen that he has not kept a clean sheet, again. --

slots it passed. It has changed the mood in the way end temporarily, a

little like Chelsea last weekend, good save by Joe Hart in the first

base, Fabio Borini kept his wits about him. Manchester City four,

Sunderland one. Fabio Borini still believes, well, it is Christmas!

Nicolas Otamendi, who has played plenty of games in quick succession

with hardly a let up, making way for the returning captain, Vincent

Kompany, back for Manchester City, just about certain, injury allowing,

to start Tuesday's game at Leicester City, what a game that is.

Has he been caught? Yes, penalty, Manchester City. Again, great

combination work between Sterling and Silva(!) after a conversation

between Wilfried Bony and Kevin De Bruyne, it is Wilfried Bony, trying

to get his second of the day... Well... A penny for the thoughts of

Kevin De Bruyne, he had the ball up first! Wilfried Bony, pointing to

his chest and said, me! Not very clever, maybe monitoring Manchester

City's skipper for the next few minutes, seems to have overstretched

a few minutes ago shortly after coming into the action, this might

be it... Caught in an awkward position, had to really stretch to

achieve the ball, and there was a nasty slip and stretch. -- retrieve.

A new straightaway. Martin Demichelis is going to come on the

Manchester City, and for Vincent, rueful look to the heavens. He is

going off. Not another lengthy lay-off, surely, what a blow the

Manchester City. -- a new -- he knew about it straightaway. Kevin De

Bruyne... Into the challenge. Now you see me, now you don't, Raheem

Sterling to Kevin De Bruyne again... Wilfried Bony...? He has blazed

another one high over the top act oriel -- he has blazed another one

high over the top! . Wilfried Bony could not get his feet sorted out

quick enough. Manchester City excellent again this afternoon.

Performance was good, we played a complete game, we played well for

the full 90 minutes, it is a shame to concede the one goal, obviously

it was a bad shot and he was there. The rest of the time, we played very

well. In possession we kept the ball OK, it is what we do when we are out

of possession, we do not defend as a team correctly, we do not do the

job, and while our position is not going to be determined by what we do

against Manchester City, you want to see a bit more fight and a bit more

steel and determination in the team than we saw today. The return of

Vincent Kompany did not last very long, was that the calf problem?

Yes, we will see tomorrow, right now it is impossible to know. But we

must try to find different solution, because he is the captain, he is a

player that we need, as soon as we can. Today, I wanted him to play the

90 minutes, just because we have two place a mini games. -- today, I did

not want him to play the full 90 minutes just because we have so many

games to play but we could not have expected him to get injured already.

STUDIO: A statement released by Vincent Kompany, news going to

battle on, that is a massive blow. Huge, six games without a clean

sheet, he was in the team the last time they kept a clean sheet, that

is a huge blow, without a shadow of a doubt, without him they are not

the same team at the back. Pretty comfortable victory today, one man

stood out for you, Kevin De Bruyne, not for the first time. This man

would have stood out for anybody today, absolutely superb.

Is much better than I thought he was, he can play as a ten, on the

right, on the left, a great athlete, is set play, always on the money. He

must take pride in them, practice a lot, he really seems to play a bad

pass when he is in the pressurised situation of the final third, he

never panics, this one ends up being offside, but still, the right

decision, and what I always like about him, unlike some players, he

has fantastic skill, that he likes running without the ball, as well.

Such a good athlete. Look at this for confidence... LAUGHTER

Nobly like that happening to them. He got his reward is, because

ultimately, you are judged on goal-scoring, in your attacking

play, little pocket, hard to pick up, follows his own past, calm

finish, really intelligent footballer. Ten goals, ten assists

already this season, the only slight concern would be eight of those

goals and nine of those assists have come at home. We need to see a list

of more from him away from home when it is a little more difficult to

play. Nobody is consistent, title chances?

They are still my favourite, because of the attacking power they have,

Wilfried Bony was brought back in and scored, Raheem Sterling came

back and scored... Defensively I worry about them without Vincent

Kompany. Does not look great for Sunderland. They are a soft touch,

30s of golden seed already this season. 16 in away games. -- their

last five away games. -- 37 goals conceded already this season. If Sam

Allardyce does not go out and make a big signing, then they are done.

Leicester were bottom of the league at Christmas,

Claudio Ranieri's side were in action at Liverpool whose

early momentum under Jurgen Klopp has stalled in recent weeks.

Your commentator at Anfield was Steve Bower.

COMMENTATOR: Simon Mignolet is fit enough to returning goal, only the

eighth start for Divock Origi. Return from suspension of offender

Robert Huth. The wind has been blowing Leicester

City's way since August, and it is a blustery day on Merseyside. Space

for Filip Kiss team you... Towards the bottom corner... Always in his

mind. -- Philippe Coutinho. Given away... Adam Lallana is on to this.

Scampering back. He went alone. Adam Lallana, he has scored only one goal

in 27 Premier League matches. Jurgen Klopp has 12 points from 27 in the

Premier League, Brendan Rodgers at 12 points from 24, when he was

relieved of his duties. Daniel Klein going forward. Emre Can arriving,

decent try. -- Nathaniel Clyne. Just two second ever Premier League goal,

it would have been. Henderson looking for the pace of

Divock Origi again. He has done really well, Divock Origi... Touch

on the way through as well, kept out at the near post by Kasper

Schmeichel, got there first, the Belgian striker. That may have

clipped off Robert Huth. Leicester City alive to the

situation, Marc Albrighton to his left, he has seen him...

Good block from Henderson... Riyad Mahrez, still going... Good save

from Simon Mignolet. Must have seen that late, the Liverpool goalkeeper.

After soaking up the pressure, Leicester City with half a chance

here. Sitting that little bit deeper. Can

Liverpool break them down? Cross from Henderson... Christian

Benteke... That is the kind of service written Ben Turk is looking

for. Keep playing down the expectation, Leicester City's best

Premier League finish eighth, in the 1999/2000 season. It would have to

be a spectacular fall from grace not to better that. Written Ben Teck! --

Christian Benteke! With the breakthrough! Fifth Premier League

goal for Liverpool. Breaks the resistance of Leicester City. They

have been patient, and they have been rewarded, Liverpool, Roberto

Firmino able to get it across and that is a smart finish, the

substitute on, and on with the goal. Historical match today for

Liverpool, this is therefore set -- this is their 4000th fixture in the

top flight in England. Looks set to be a winning one. Kasper Schmeichel

has managed to pick out Dyer. Showing too much of it to Nathaniel

Clyne. Terrific reflexes from Simon Mignolet. He has not had too much to

do today. Twice now he has been alive to the situation. Riyad Mahrez

has inspired Leicester City this season, along with Jamie Vardy, but,

from the bench, they can only look up.

Fernando Ulloa... Marc Albrighton... Header away. Time ticking away, from

the point of view of Leicester City. He got a touch. In came King. He did

enough. No wonder they are congratulating the German. Good

block. This will be the last action. Long from Fuchs. Flick from

Albrighton. Cleared by Henderson. Is there time for the throw? Mike e

coming forward here, the goalkeeper. In from Fuchs. Defended by

Henderson. Liverpool need to get this away. Fuchs, again. Brilliant

blocking. Of Schmeichel's out of his goal. Surely Liverpool have to

settle it here. There's no goalkeeper. It's Benteke. He can't

miss, can he? Oh, he can. Still no final whistle. Well, if Leicester

score now that will be extraordinary. Albrighton. King! Can

you imagine if that had gone in? What Liverpool would have felt. But

it is a welcome return to winning Wembley Stadiums for Jurgen Klopp

and Liverpool. They have become the first team all season to stop

Leicester scoring. Only the second to beat them under Claudio Ranieri.

Well done. How significant a win is that for you? Very, very good. I

don't have enough words for how important it was for us. Because

after four games with no result, which we could really enjoy, so it

was very important today to show that we learnt under the last games.

Your second defeat. Did you deserve something from that today, do you

think? I don't know if we deserve. We start to play so late. Maybe on

the second-half, in the last 30 minutes. Liverpool pushed from the

beginning and for this reason they deserve to win. But we conceded to

them just the one chance and they scored a goal. I think I tried to

help the team. I know my job. My job is to score. That's what I did this

afternoon. I'm happy. Crazy end. Two or three chances to settle it and

make it more straight-forward? Yeah. I have to kill the game. The spirit

now is not so good, but that is good. That is good because they

always want to try to win, not always this is possible. Now we have

to clean our mind and think for the next match. Excellent result for

Liverpool. Benteke coming on to score the winning goal. You are not

convinced about his teen usual at Liverpool so far? He said himself,

he has to score goals. For him to do that Liverpool are still searching

how to get the best out of him, when to cross, when not to cross. He was

subbed today. Yes, he had one or two injuries. If you do that, put balls

in, that is when you'll get the best out of him. Also, the players are

learning to play to them. That should be passed there. If it's

there now, he's offside. If it had gone a second or two earlier he is

in with a chance on goal. The players have to understand what he's

good at. If you get balls into the box. I think he is a threat. Doesn't

have to be on to his head all the time much he finds space there. It's

a very, very good finish. In the end that is the winning goal. This is

offside. The linesman doesn't give it for some reason. Why doesn't he

shoot there? An open goal, roll it interest it in from 23-24-yards.

That is a sitter thechl didn't need it. They have to get the best out of

him yet. They are not sure when to put the ball in or not. Like you at

Arsenal, it would wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't look at

Danny's cubsary Leicester title. It wasn't the team we have seen for

most of the season? It had to happen. They had been playing with

confidence, intensity and zip about their play. They had to have a day

off. They were flat. No reason for it. The one player who bang at it

was Kante. People talk about keeping hold of Mahrez and Vardy in January.

They have to keep hold of him. They were brilliant today. Still top. Top

two meet on Tuesday. I bet you didn't think you would say that at

the beginning of the season. A lot of things I didn't think I would be

saying at the start of the season, to be perfectly honest. It's all

good fun. Guus Hiddink led out Chelsea

for the first time since taking over In-form Watford arrived

at Stamford Bridge on a run Diego Costa is one of those who

attracted the displeasure of the Chelsea fans of late. He scored

three Premier League goals this season. This time last year he had

13. Watford's Ighalo is their top scorer with 12 and leads the way in

the country with 28 league goals in this calendar year. The two managers

know each other well. Watford's Quique Flores was player at Valencia

when Guus Hiddink was coach there. Watford's last win was in May 1966,

in the Graham Taylor era, they won 5-1. Costa is making a run straight

into the penalty area here. And there he is. Pedro's on the ball.

Look at where Costa goes. Just headed it over the bar from Pedro's

cross. When Chelsea ran out today they got a good reception from the

fans. Very different I felt from what it was most of last Saturday

afternoon. No flag this time. Three Chelsea players make their way into

the centre. Perhaps that ball could have been delivered a tiny bit

better. Costa was breaking. Three were waiting. He couldn't get the

ball to any of them. Oh, Terry and Cahill together. And, Diego Costa

has scored for Chelsea! He points as if to prove a few people wrong. The

corner swung in by Willian. Costa swung the left foot when the ball

came down. And, from that position, inside the six-yard box, he gave

Gomes no chance. Chelsea 1, Watford 0, after 32 minutes. Free-kick

Watford. Use of the arms by Cahill. It's the right footer from Jurado. A

corner has been given. Chelsea are complaining. It did seem to me to

flick off a Chelsea head. Gives Watford new hope. Watson will take

the corner. Oh, penalty. Maybe Ivanovic. And, Watford suddenly see

a passport back into this match, Hiddink curses his fortune. Because,

as Watson takes this corner, watch for - ot, it is's Matic, in fact.

That is handball. It's Matic who handles it. Troy Deeney, who has

been pretty reliable from the spot this season, will take the penalty

for Watford. Oh, he just rolls it in, Deeney. The captain scores for

Watford. It's 1-1 at the Bridge. Chelsea are under threat again.

Deeney just placed that with so much confidence, and he scores what, for

him, is his sixth of the season. Chelsea 1, Watford 1. This is

Jurado. He's got help here. It's come to

Capoue. Good save. Capoue tried again. Important stop that, surely,

by the Chelsea goalkeeper. It was Etienne Capoue who nearly scored his

first goal for Watford. Jurado. Ighalo! It's in. Watford are in

front. Would you believe it? Look at the celebrations there in the

corner. Ighalo has done it again. Goal number 13 of the season. Goal

number 29 of the year. There was a deflection, I have to say, there.

That may have made the difference. I think it's off Cahill. It's Chelsea

1, Watford 2. What a season Flores and his team really turning the form

book upside down in the Premier League. A bit of pace here from

Jurado. Ivanovic has caught him up. He's found Oscar. This is Willian.

Costa's in the middle here. Costa! Turns, and scores! There's no flag.

Diego Costa has made it 2-2. His second of the match. Well, it was

Ivanovic who won it down on this touchline initially, then Willian

plays a ball that just offsets the Watford back four. I think he was

just onside, Costa. Good finish. Two defenders either side of him

couldn't get there. Gomes came out. It's now Chelsea and Diego Costa 2,

Watford 2 and where does this game go from here? Good moment. Forward

by Mikel. Costa of course is on a hat-trick as Hazard brings the ball

- oh, penalty is it? Yes, it is. It's Chelsea's turn for a penalty.

Behrami on Hazard, with 11 minutes to go at the Bridge. Eden Hazard

coming inside here. He's in the box. Oh, look at that, Behrami's taken

him. It's got to be a penalty. He scored to the goalkeeper's left last

week, Oscar, to the right as we look. Can he put Chelsea in front

here? Oh, he's missed it! It's a poor penalty from Oscar. And Chelsea

throwaway a chance of going 3-2 up. Watford fans don't mind too much.

Well, last week he took it clinically. This week, he's all over

the place. Slipped as he took it, actually. A bit of a game this. Well

played by Deeney. This is Ighalo. And he's got help inside. And it's

Deeney, again. Now, Watford's turn to appeal for another penalty.

Watson. Of and Chelsea break away. Costa. Watson. Marriner playing two

or three advantages and keeping the flow of the play. He is going to get

his card out here. I believe Costa will miss the game against

Manchester United in two-days' time for sliding in like that. He was on

four yellows before today. And he looks bitterly disappointed now. At

the end it's a fair result am you have to have respect for our

opponent which is in a winning streak. Winning mood, several weeks.

They have dangerous strikers. In the end, I think we could have made a

little bit more. We had some chances in the first half already. It was a

pity that Oscar slipped away on the 3-2 for the penalty. That was

Chelsea of old. They came out and tried to get the fans behind them in

both halves. We dealt with it quite well we got luck towards the end

with their penalty miss. We had chances and so scored two goals away

from home. That is a positive result for us. For us it was very, very

important point. Very important to be competitive against every team.

It was very tough to play against Chelsea. But I am really happy with

the players. You see everybody running, fighting, that is a good

spirit. I think our game was good. We just had bad luck in those two

goals. Everybody running, everybody fighting. New manager, but no win. I

suppose the positives, return to form of Diego Costa and a couple of

goals to boot? Really positive. Looked a different player, for

whatever reason. He looked sharper, fitter, hungry hechl put himself

about. More importantly, he was in the box or trying to be in the box.

This is where weigh want to see him. Between the sticks, trying to score.

Good ball in, a header. Recently we haven't seen him in central areas

enough. He has desire again to get in the right place. He was a threat,

again. Where do you want your striker? On a corner, three our four

yards from goal. Strong, quick, instinctive finish. No lack of

confidence there. That is Diego Costa we were raving about last

season hechl is pointing, put it in the box, I will get on the end of

it. Doesn't quite get there from the brilliant ball from Pedro. He got

his second goal with a another superb run. Brilliant pass from

Willian. Confident finish from a striker who we know has that

ability. The linkup in the right areas is more dangerous. It wouldn't

be an afternoon - This is mad. This is so silly. Silly in the fact he

could have had a red instead of a yellow. Now, he was lucky to get a

yellow heaven will miss the United game now. You mentioned he spent a

lot more time in the box today. The imhes werive thing about him today,

he hasn't been running in behind and asking questions of defenders.

Running in behind them. With his second goal he was prepared to do

that. I would say, I saw in the post-match quotes from Hiddink, he

was begrudging in his praise, almost saying things like - he might even

leave in the window am he didn't say that. It was interfered with him he

is emotional, temperament? Maybe they have somebody lined up in

January that we don't know about, Gary. I don't know. Do you know? No.

OK. As for Watford, five games unbeaten, Ighalo, Deeney scoring

again. Happy Christmas? Superb. Seventh in the league. Refreshing

the way they took the game to Chelsea. I thought they were

brilliant, again. Certainly a point was more than deserved. Got what

they deserved. Well coached. So well-organised. Even when they were

under pressure, they dug in. They looked like they had a good shape

and balance and never gave in, tremendous. We mention the front

two. There is more to Watford the way they work. Difficult to beat.

Good team. Spurs were looking to consolidate

their top four position against a Norwich side who beat

Manchester United last time out. Your commentator at White Hart Lane

was Jonathan Pearce. COMMENTATOR: Harry Kane is one shy

of the Tottenham record of Teddy Sheringham, 25 league goals in a

calendar year. He meets the man who gave him his first start, in a loan

spell at Carrow Road, Norwich City and Alex Neil. Gary O'Neil is unfit,

so he is out. Wes Hoolahan goes to the bench. Norwich City have not won

in the capital in the Premier League since triumphing here 44 months ago.

There is good pace about Norwich City when they pick up the ball.

Redmond. Switching it to Brady... Forcing a good save out of bigger

lorries -- Hugo Lloris. First start of the campaign for the Belgian

international. Jerome... He has done Jan Vertonghen. He needed his

national team-mate. Brady takes it short and get it

back. Better angle on the cross, goes for goal in the end. Chose to

punch. Thought about coming, did not,

Jerome has headed over a very good chance, Norwich City should be

ahead. Was too powerful therefore hold of a riled -- he was too

powerful in the air for Toby Alderweireld. That has gone all of

the way across. Chance out of nothing for Tottenham Hotspur. The

pass was intended for Harry Kane, but went all of the way through.

Alert goalkeeping, and then white. Dele Alli, looking for Harry Kane in

behind, goalkeeper comes out, penalty given. The patient build-up

for Tottenham Hotspur pays off, touched around the goalkeeper.

Definite penalty. Harry Kane looks for the 26th league goal in a

calendar year to level Teddy Sheringham's Tottenham Hotspur

record... He has scored! Tottenham Hotspur lead. 1-0, Tottenham, in the

26 minute, Harry Kane levels the club record. 100 games for Spurs,

chalked up last week, that is his 48th goal! That is Tottenham

Hotspur's 100 goal in all competitions against Norwich City.

Toby Alderweireld, looking for Dele Alli... Headed away, it is a corner

for Tottenham Hotspur. Christian Eriksen with it... Free header,

terrific goalkeeping! And again! To deny Dele Alli. Both he and Toby

Alderweireld, foiled by very good goalkeeping. Brilliant save.

Reaction stuff, and then the recovery save as well.

Dele Alli's flick... Three onto... Dele Alli has Harry Kane out there,

plays him in... He has had to go wide, Sebastien Bassong ahead of

him, he meets it with a fantastic shot! Tottenham Hotspur, 2-0! Teddy

Sheringham's record has been beaten! 27 goals in Premier League football

for Harry Kane in 2015! A Tottenham Hotspur record!

There was no danger, Sebastien Bassong standing him up but he got

the extra half yard with a touch wide, that gave him the angle for

the shop. Harry Kane has two. -- angle for the shot.

Good football, Dele Alli... Erik Lamela, back to him, this would be a

beautiful goal! Away by Sebastien Bassong from Erik Lamela. That move

deserved a goal, beautiful football by Tottenham in the build-up. Declan

Rudd makes the save, good one, and then the block from Christian

Eriksen by Sebastien Bassong. Showed too much of it there, Tettey.

Mousa Dembele pulls out of the challenge, wisely, he is on a yellow

card. What an effort that was, saved by the goalkeeper! Look at the

execution of the shot, in slow motion, he has done it before for

Tottenham Hotspur... Expect the unexpected from Erik Lamela!

Releases Tom Carroll, what a lovely goal to wrap it up! White Hart Lane

singing carols(!) Tom Carroll makes it three, lovely effort. 11 minutes

to go, and Norwich City are beaten. Picked it out, looked up, cracked it

from distance. Jerome has pulled away from his

marker... Second chance... Saved by Hugo Lloris, first time, and

brilliantly, the second time, almost caught... Has been caught as Jerome

came in, in active for long periods, decent first save, brave goalkeeping

in the second, there is no reason why Hugo Lloris should not be

competing for the top two players, let alone a top four position.

I think we must feel proud for the players. Read the first 15 minutes,

I think it was difficult for us. After that, we managed the game. We

have done fine. I understand the penalty am at the first goal,

nothing in it though, we had a couple of good opportunities, they

did two, when we conceded, they grew in confidence. We found it tough.

Some people have been saying, Tottenham Hotspur can finish in the

top four? Why shouldn't they be going on to challenge the title? The

side is doing well at the minute, but some would say that we can do

better than that. At the moment, the top four is the aim. Take everything

as it comes, and hopefully we can push on. STUDIO:

Top four, great keeper, Dele Alli, playing with the maturity of a

veteran, looking good for Tottenham! I was very impressed with them,

particularly when they got the first goal, the way they kicked on, I like

the look of Dele Alli, I like the way he links up with Harry Kane.

It looks like they have a great understanding of the game together.

Without a doubt, that is a penalty, the goalkeeper makes a hash of it,

but the vision to get in that position in the first place. Step

over, left foot, right foot, showboating, great skill, full of

confidence, and rightly so, after the start he has had in his Spurs

career. When you have a player who is prepared to run at defenders like

he is, doesn't half help a centre forward, because she draw out

players, creating space for you as a centre forward. Harry Kane will

benefit for that. Starts the move deep in his own half, picks the

past, this is all about the finish from Harry Kane, just a superb

finish from a top-class centre forward. The real deal? No doubt,

people are talking about making half a yard for yourself, that is what

they mean, shifting it, no backlit, too quick for the goalkeeper, when

the goalkeeper is down, too late, does not have time to set himself.

Run at the defender, give and go, and it was a brilliant performance

from him. Big future. As for Norwich City, step backwards after such a

good result? It was, they cause problems to begin

with, after the great win at Manchester United but they need to

do that for longer periods in the game, because they came up against a

good site today, and they looked fragile. Big game on Monday, massive

game. Just another 48-hours

to wait until your next hit Final Final Score will keep

you up-to-date with all of Monday's BBC Two from 4.30pm and Match

of the Day features action from nine Premier League games,

10.30pm, BBC One. coming up it's Swansea

versus West Brom, but first

Newcastle against Everton where Romelu Lukaku was aiming

to become only the fourth player in Premier League history to score

in eight consecutive games. COMMENTATOR: Groin injury for Papiss

Cisse opens the door for Alexander Mitrovic to make his first Newcastle

start for five weeks, the Serbian has blown hot and cold so far, coach

Steve McClaren describes this as a big opportunity to make a mark.

Roberto Martinez has opted to change the wide men for the first time

since October, so Gerard elevator and Arouna Kone are dropped to the

bench for Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas. -- Gerard

Deulofeu. The first touch here was gorgeous, Rob Elliot, who has been

in good nick of late, made an important save. Cissokho, Vurnon

Anita... And again... Alexander Mitrovic towards the back post. Here

he is... In the shoulder of Seamus Coleman, could not control the

header, at last, in the 25th minute, some semblance of a threat for the

home side. Romelu Lukaku, onside, bearing down, another fine save from

Rob Elliot. Forces the save. Lovely weight on the pass from Aaron

Lennon, clearly onside. Can you work it through to Romelu

Lukaku, and he can, and can he get away from... He can, but Rob Elliot

denies Everton. Third save with his legs, this was fabulous, centre

forward play by Romelu Lukaku. In from Gareth Barry, Romelu Lukaku,

Rob Elliot there again for the shot from Aaron Lennon. Doing echoing

around the stadium, because Newcastle fans felt Romelu Lukaku

handle it. Lennon played on, bringing another fine stop out of

the Newcastle goalkeeper. -- handled. Not far wide! Bringing it

down very well. Long kick from Rob Elliot. Miss judged by Gareth Barry

and AUT Peres was on to it in a flash, pretty clear that this game

is going to be settled by a very narrow margin. -- Ayoze Perez. Back

post, Alexander Mitrovic, taken up his position at back post, but he

has missed it again, so much to admire about Alexander Mitrovic's

movement, but is finishing at the moment is right, when chances

present themselves, you have got to put them away.

Sissoko... Jack Colback... Into the box. The comeback from... What a

save! Ayoze Perez! For the first time this afternoon, Tim Howard

forced into action and when he was needed he produces a very good save.

Besic is in the way. Leading the counterattack. Kevin Mirallas back

post. Good work from Vurnon Anita, Everton's corner. Newcastle have

brought back every bree, Leighton Baines's delivery, the goalkeeper

could not get to it, but was required to make a terrific save,

from the header, how many saves is Rob Elliot going to produce today?

Chanting around the stadium now, in recognition of the former Newcastle

goalkeeper, who suffered a cardiac arrest one week ago. Pavel Srnicek.

90 seconds of added time to be played. Gerard Deulofeu, he has

found Romelu Lukaku, Osman to his right, this is to win it... What a

challenge! Lukaku denied right at the death.

Newcastle hearts in mouths here. A cross with a key, key challenge. So

this is it. 20 seconds of the three minutes of added time are left.

Deulofeu shots, punched away. Back by Cleverley. It's in. Everton have

won it with the last touch of the game. Tom Cleverley first ever goal

for Everton. It brings Everton victory. What a horrific finish for

Newcastle United. In particular, for their goalkeeper, Rob Elliot, who's

been magnificent throughout. Could have caught it. Went for the punch.

Cleverley, how he punishes him. Could not have placed it any better.

And what a bitter ter blow for Newcastle who don't have time to

respond. Newcastle's relegation concerns go on. We had the complete

performance, defended well, stopped Newcastle's threat and created a

huge amount of good goalscoring opportunities. Elliot in goal was

magnificent in that respect. To get it in the last kick of the game it

feels even emotionally a better Long wait for win. Your first Everton

goal what a way to score it. Definitely. In the last couple of

weeks I've felt it coming. Today thankfully it has gone in. A lot of

hard work went into that moment. Hopefully we can kick on and get

wins now. They are down. Not sat on the bench, they are under the bench.

They gave so much, not just for themselves, for each other and for

the 50,000 who support them every week. I said I see a team in there.

We had that 100% effort. Which we have had performance week after week

we will win games and get lucky sometimes. We didn't have it today.

COMMENTATOR: Routledge and Jefferson Montero will give the Swans

whicheded today and will hope to revive plenty for Ayew. Gomez is is

on the bench. Lambert replacing the suspended Rondon. With McClean also

banned. Ned. Ned. Yacob returns. Hits the post. Off the goalkeeper.

Scrabbled in. Park Ji-Sung with the final touch. Swansea City are in

front. It was slightly fortunate. West Brom concede in the opening

nine minutes. The run here by Rangel beautifully executed just as Myhill

was trying to grab that loose ball. Beaten it to it by Park Ji-Sung. The

south Korean's first goal of the season. Plenty of festive cheer to

the home fans here at the Liberty. West Brom unfortunate. Swansea

making the most of it. A lot of shaking of the head from Tony Pulis.

Morrison. Tries to find Gardner. He got past Ashley Williams who fouls

the West Brom man. Just outside the penalty area. Free-kick to the

Baggies in a very promising position. Look at that line of four

West Brom players in the middle of the wall. They will presumably try

and break and create a gap. Gardner leaves it for brunt. Comes off Leon

Britton. Could have gone anywhere. Still plenty of speculation over who

might be inhabiting the Swansea technical area on a permanent basis.

The Chairman making no reference whatsoever to the managerial

situation in his programme notes today. Taylor. Turned away from

Dawson. West Brom throw. It comes off Neil Taylor. Dawson with the

long throw. Is half away by Williams. Drops here for Fletcher.

Out for a corner. West Bromwich Albion feeling they should have had

a decision in their favour here. As the ball comes across the challenge

from Rangel, does he take out Chris Brunt? It is certainly what the

Baggies players felt. In towards Myhill. It just couldn't be met with

a final telling connection there from Dawson. Look at Dawson here,

how he gets away from his marker. He needed to poke that into the net.

West Brom's best chance. This is Brunt. Gardner and Morrison

in the middle. Morrison. Brunt. Arriving late, Les Lambert. Header

too lose to Fabianski. Fabianski doesn't have to move too far to make

the save. Evans. McManaman. Going through into the penalty area. Down

in the penalty area. Tony Pulis is appealing for a spot-kick. Most of

the West Bromwich Albion bench is up for a spot-kick. In the end, Rangel

in there with McManaman. Both players could be in a lot of trouble

here. What action is the referee going to take here? Was he diving in

an attempt to win a penalty? Swansea certainly felt so. Coming forward at

pace here. Leon Brittan with the final challenge. West Brom were

convinced they should have been awarded a penalty, but they didn't

get with one. He looks at his watch. Could this be the victory that turns

Swansea City's season around? It's the first under caretaker-manager,

Alan Curtice. Their first victory here since the end of August. Only

their fourth in the Premier League this season. Swansea 1, West Brom 0.

I think we can pass the ball a lot better. I think the two previous

games we have passed it better. Lots more possession. I thought we really

dug in today. I thought we showed huge amount of character. Did you

need a little bit of luck and did you get it today with that goal?

Yeah, maybe. It was a beautiful goal. When the ball comes to me I

just decide to score. As long as we got the three-points it's a great

goal for me. The goal we conceded with a sloppy and poor goal you need

breaks, John. You need referees making correct decisions.

Unfortunately again today we had two looks - brunt is a stonewall at

penalty with Rodgers five yards from that. I don't know why he doesn't

give it. Callum's at the end, that is a penalty. He doesn't touch the

ball and catches Callum's foot. The lads worked hard today. We put a

real shift in today. We don't deserve to lose this game. Is there

a sense you might be in charge for longer than you initially thought?

Well, I don't know if my voice can take much more, to be honest with

you. We will keep going and prepare as normal. If a new man comes in, as

long as he's the right man, that's great. That poor run has ended,

first win since October. Finally, they got luck, didn't they? Yes,

Tony Pulis is right am you need its, hes special specially when are you

down there. I have seen them play better recently and not winch they

won't mind this. It is a joke goal. Keeper should do better at the

near-post. When it bounces off him he doesn't know where it is. Bar of

soap. Credit for to Ki for following up first. That gave them something

to hold on to. West Bromwich Albion played well. I agree with Tony

Pulis. I think this one in particular. It's a definite penalty.

Gets there. This one? This for me isn't. He makes the most of it. A

dive. Gone down early, isn't he Players reactions are very obvious.

They are absolutely fuming with him because, all right, might be a tiny

touch. He's gone down so easily there. They should have had a

penalty. Actually the performance overall was a good one from West

Brom. Back to the previous game, Newcastle against Everton. Stunning

finale. Sorry to remind you of i Thanks. Newcastle ruing big misses.

Rob Elliot, once again, was superb and kept his team in it. There was a

few last-ditch tackles when you get a chance to kill the game, and a big

chance like Newcastle had last week against Aston Villa to go 2-0 up.

The far-post, a sitter. Game over with if that goes in last week no

coming back for Aston Villa. Today, 0-0, 15 minutes left. They worked

very hard. But, this is, again, an absolute sitter. The Mitrovic. He's

got to score. Never mind hit the target. A brilliant ball in. Got to

score that goal. Not everyone is as good as you in the air, have you to

remember that. High standards. If you don't take your chance - This

can happen. An amazing goal. Everton just edged it. I enjoyed watching

them play recently. They have been unlucky at the games at Norwich,

Bournemouth and the home game to Palace to not have more points Some

of their football today was terrific it really was. Particularly in the

fist half, played great tough. Our final two games feature

Bournemouth against Crystal Palace, but before that it's bottom

of the table Aston Villa, who began the day 10-points

from safety, against West Ham. Christmas is awful early to be

talking about must win games, but when you are in Villa's position it

seems almost inevitable. Their home form has been so poor they haven't

won here in the league since last season when West Ham were also the

visitors, back in May. One gashed change today with Gestede who came

off the bench last week preferred to Sinclair in attack. Valencia play

today and observe ya starts in midfield with Songo'o dropping to

the bench. -- Song. COMMENTATOR: Away from Noble.

Gestede. Westwood with Hutton outside him. A little too high for

Gestede who took it away from Veretout. In to Gestede. Just wide.

Best from Aston Villa we have seen so far. 17 minutes in. Hutton's

delivery a little out of reach. But the one from Veretout hit the spot.

Gestede couldn't quite hit the net. Veretout. Ayew trying to turn away

from Tomkins. Advantage played by Mike Dean into Bacuna. It brings a

save. Doesn't bound, ideal for Gestede. Adrian grate grabs the

ball. Bacuna with the save. Good play from West Ham. Valencia.

Valencia trying to tee himself up. Off the top of the crossbar. The

shot from Valencia deflecting up and the header off Kouyate onto the top

of the crossbar. Cresswell, Kouyate through the centre. Cresswell let's

fly. A smashing goal from Cresswell for West Ham. His first of the

season. In added time, at the end of the first half. Look at the space

here for Cresswell. Picked his spot. He found the far corner. And, yet

again, Aston Villa find themselves behind. Aston Villa 0, West Ham 1.

This is Alan Hutton. Veretout. May go for goal here. Veretout. Good

save. Save. Veretout, just saw a little hint of an opening. Brought

the best out of Adrian. That sums up the mood among the home crowd pretty

well at the moment. Festive cheer a little short in supply, perhaps.

Gestede, big and strong. Down. Penalty for the home side. Well he

was skating on thin ice there. The pair of them tussling. Obiany untidy

in his challenge on the Aston Villa striker. -- Obiang. Ayew against

Adrian. 1-1. Cool, calm and collected. How about this for a cool

penalty. Under pressure, Aston Villa 1, West Ham United 1, just under

half an hour to go. Hutton. Almost lost the ball there. In doing so

invited the challenge from Kouyate. He gets a yellow card for being a

tad late. What can Villa do with this? Veretout with the delivery.

Lescott at the far-post. Had that gone over line? Not quite as Hutton

headed it goalward. Villa close to taking the lead. How close? Well as

Hutton headed the ball goalward it was just before the ball got to the

line. This is the third time Villa have been bottom of the top division

at Christmas. . They went down on the other two occasions. West Ham

might be able to carve out a chance here. Was there a hint of a handball

in there? That is what West Ham were claiming. Let us look. It struck the

arm of Westwood there. Here come West Ham. Antonio, one challenge,

two. Goes over Lescott, who gets a booking. Got away from the first two

tackles and tumbled over the third. West Ham looking to snatch it at the

last. The Valencia. Bringing a save from Guzan. Almost the last kick of

the game. It was going in. We didn't deserve to be behind the score than

we had a lot of shots. A lot of on targets. The goalkeeper made

brilliant saves. Brad did one as well for us at the end on the

free-kicks. You know, I think we deserved more than we had in this

game. I'm pleased the way we played and it's very encouraging for the

next games. He was in front of Gestede, pulling his shirt to get

that advantage. He came in front. Then he waited for him to touch him

and he went down. For me he could give us a foul for that because

during the game he was giving that. So that was very important decision

that went against us. COMMENTATOR: Having scored 47 in 126

appearances for Crystal Palace before joining Bournemouth, Glenn

Murray says he will not celebrate if he scores against them today, new

lines up in an unchanged cherry side, King once again missing

because of a hamstring problem. Alan Pardew had a bit of a nightmare just

before Christmas with the injury front, Connor Wickham was ruled out,

and Yannick Cortie, for potentially much more than the several weeks for

which Connor Wickham will be out. -- Cherries. Yohan Cabaye is available

after a heel problem, he will be starting on the bench.

Jordon Mutch, in four Puncheon, handball to the left of them. Almost

catches out Artur Boruc. Looking for the cluster of white shirts in the

box. Almost ended up with a goal instead. -- in for. Artur Boruc

scrambling back. Deep corner from Puncheon, met by Delaney. Francis

gets it away. Damien Delaney has got a couple of goals for Crystal

Palace. Got away from Cook. Just ahead of Artur Boruc. Alan Pardew

says that there has been some discussion about extending his

contract at Crystal Palace but says that any new deal is a long way off.

Delaney looking for him, Frazier Campbell is onside... So close to

the opener for Palace will stop what about the run, and pass, from Damien

Delaney. Superstar. The message finish, not 1 million miles away

from looping in. Harry Arter, Campbell trying to

close, still Harry Arter, finding Stanislas. France's a run against

Ward, Glenn Murray is in there but it was Matt Ritchie who got the

touch, that is the best moment of the game for Bournemouth by a long

chalk, evaded Glenn Murray, Matt Ritchie emerging late in the day,

planting his head on this. Hennessy did not move, it drifted just wide.

Eddie Howe was in the frame to take over as Palace manager back in 2011

but he decided to stay at Bournemouth. Bournemouth with the

bit between their teeth at the moment, Harry Arter, away from

Ledley... Almost painful Matt Ritchie... Comes for Gosling,

deflected and tipped away by Wayne Hennessey. The Welshman has been in

fine form for Crystal Palace recently, showing that again. Harry

Arter, for Daniels, Daniels has done well... Charlie Daniels, back across

goal rather than going for gold but Stanislas, and over the top. Should

have done better, and he knows it, Junior Stanislas. He has been in a

decent vein of goal-scoring form, never got fully over the top of that

one. Daniels has left it. Overlap comes

from Francis. Still going, shrugging off Puncheon.

Forcing a save out of Wayne Hennessey, the first chance of the

second half, and it is the substitute who has had it, O'Kane

giving the opportunity to open the account, and it is a smart stop from

Hennessy. Scoot forward for Gosling to chase, this is a real chance for

Dan Gosling, TZ up for Glenn Murray. It was a weak finish, there was the

chance for him to score against his former club. -- tease it up for

Glenn Murray. Really put it on a plate. But it was a tame finish. --

tees it up. Andrew Surman, forward, and away from Delaney, who do love

recovered well. -- who recovered well. Dropping the shoulder to get

away, Rantie. Matt Ritchie in, Hennessy stays...

Ritchie, once again, for Bournemouth. On for O'Kane and

everything to his left, decent ball in, Rantie! Deflected away.

Excellent work from Scott Dann, body on the line.

I thought it was a very tight game, two sides in form, very cagey, not

many clear-cut chances for either side. On chances I thought we shaded

it. Problem be grateful for the whistle at the end, Palace came on

strong quite late. Physically, mentally, tactically, tough game, we

are both going to need a good old rest before the next game. You have

got to take your hat off to Bournemouth, the commitment of the

team was phenomenal, for me, and we matched it, just about. You had some

chances, perhaps the finishing was not quite up to it. That is a fair

assessment, we got in good positions and then the final bit we did not

execute right, difficult side to beat, the away record has been very

good, we will take that point. No goals, decent point for both, not

much festive cheer. One manager who was not so happy, Slaven Bilic, with

a couple of decisions, did he have a point? On one of them, I think the

penalty... Rudy Gestede, centre-half has got to be stronger. I do think

that it is a fowl, once he has got in behind. It is difficult for the

referee to see these, but once he's a, he should not be fouling him,

this is a foul. But this one, it is clear handball, he puts his hand out

towards the ball. -- foul. And song kicks it four, five yards away, so

that was a penalty. I agree. -- Song. Sometimes the angle is

difficult to the referee, you understand why they are not given.

It has been a long one! We are out of time.

The top two both lost, allowing Manchester City to close the gap,

they play leaders is to city in a crucial clash on Tuesday, Tottenham

Hotspur consolidated their hold on fourth, Crystal Palace against --

Crystal Palace above Manchester United. 17 matches without a win for

Aston Villa, they remain rock bottom. Like many of the newspapers,

the mail on Sunday league with quotes from Manchester United boss

Louis van Gaal, he says that he could quit by himself. The Sunday

Times claimed that the Red Devils will have to move quickly if Louis

van Gaal does depart, because Jose Mourinho could be set for a shock

return to old club Real Madrid. So that's it for our

Boxing Day special.