:00:20. > :00:23.COMMENTATOR: Just brilliant, just brilliant!
:00:24. > :00:35.COMMENTATOR: What a turn, what a goal!
:00:36. > :00:45.COMMENTATOR: Look at that. Oh, look at that!
:00:46. > :00:54.Ibrahimovic! What a brilliant goal. A world-class finish from a
:00:55. > :01:00.world-class player. He's scored again. The Venezuelan has a
:01:01. > :01:07.hat-trick. The champions' travel sickness continues. The penalty is
:01:08. > :01:11.given! Billings gets the win in what he described as a much win game.
:01:12. > :01:17.Sooner or later they knew Middlesbrough would switch on.
:01:18. > :01:19.Really professional from Middlesbrough tonight. Ten wins in a
:01:20. > :01:24.row for Antonio Conte's table topping blues.
:01:25. > :01:27.It's the season of goodwill and a feast of football.
:01:28. > :01:30.Just a few days after their midweek exertions, 12 teams were back
:01:31. > :01:33.in action, including the leaders and title favourites, Chelsea.
:01:34. > :01:36.Joining us in the studio - Scrooge and Tiny Tim.
:01:37. > :01:39.We'll leave you to work out which one is Danny Murphy
:01:40. > :01:44.Chelsea were six points clear at the top going
:01:45. > :01:49.Steve Wilson was at Selhurst Park to see if they could make
:01:50. > :02:01.Stranger things have happened, but arguably not many. Palace with seven
:02:02. > :02:07.defeats in ten take on Chelsea, with ten wins in ten. With 11 injuries,
:02:08. > :02:13.getting tougher. Alan Pardew CHEERING AND BOOING
:02:14. > :02:18.Changes. Flamini the latest injury. Joe Ledley and Jason Puncheon come
:02:19. > :02:25.in. 2-macro changes for Chelsea, Fabregas and Pedro substitutes.
:02:26. > :02:29.Matic and Hazard return. Embolo can take one of four Chelsea start as an
:02:30. > :02:32.4-macro yellow cards, could become the first man to play in
:02:33. > :02:39.back-to-back Premier League title winning teams at different clubs.
:02:40. > :02:44.It's not exactly a pea soup. You wouldn't want to be on the back row
:02:45. > :02:50.of the upper tier in this fog. I'm not sure how much of the other end
:02:51. > :02:59.of the ground you would see. Eden Hazard, Diego Costa. Willian. It's a
:03:00. > :03:06.free kick to Chelsea. He only has eyes for the Chelsea player. Gets a
:03:07. > :03:12.yellow card. Willian standing right over the ball. David Luiz has given
:03:13. > :03:20.himself a run-up, it could be one of his side foot dippers. It's David
:03:21. > :03:24.Luiz through the wall. Behind Jo Ward, who conceded the free kick,
:03:25. > :03:27.then blocked it. Alan Pardew is the longest serving Crystal Palace
:03:28. > :03:36.manager since Neil Warnock's first spell from 2007-2010. Palace have
:03:37. > :03:44.made seven managerial changes since. Joe Ledley space on the right,
:03:45. > :03:48.looking for Kelly. Kelly going to reach this first. Dangerous. Wide by
:03:49. > :03:52.Puncheon, first really clear opportunity of the game for Crystal
:03:53. > :03:58.Palace. Well met, Puncheon. Then the finish wasn't there. Make no mistake
:03:59. > :04:03.about it, if Crystal Palace do come away with a 0-0 draw against Chelsea
:04:04. > :04:16.today they'll feel it's been a good day's work. Trip by Yegor Coster,
:04:17. > :04:23.free kick to Crystal Palace. Yohan Cabaye is... -- trip by Diego Costa.
:04:24. > :04:30.Diego Costa will not feature against Bournemouth in Chelsea's next game,
:04:31. > :04:45.his fifth yellow card of the season. And ball by Angola condo. Looks like
:04:46. > :04:51.it. -- handball by Kante. Ball in the air. MacArthur, who's scored
:04:52. > :04:58.five times this season meeting it. Chelsea haven't really troubled
:04:59. > :05:01.Crystal Palace. Nor have they been unduly bothered at the other end.
:05:02. > :05:07.Just a couple of minutes of normal time to go in the first half. Hazard
:05:08. > :05:12.waving Azpilicueta forward. Towards Diego Costa. Far too simple a goal
:05:13. > :05:19.for Chelsea to score. Diego Costa gives them the lead just before
:05:20. > :05:24.half-time. Palace static at the back. Chelsea are a very good side
:05:25. > :05:28.but you don't need to be a very good side to score this, it's just
:05:29. > :05:33.knocked up and Diego Costa simply heads it into the corner of the net.
:05:34. > :05:37., about as straightforward as they come. Diego Costa's 13th of the
:05:38. > :05:54.season. Cahill reacting here. Yohan Cabaye,
:05:55. > :06:00.well hit. Courtois had to get down to his left. A hint of threat here.
:06:01. > :06:06.Cahill, straight to Cabaye, not sure it was on target, but neither was
:06:07. > :06:10.Courtois. It will be Chelsea's 11th consecutive victory with nine clean
:06:11. > :06:23.sheets in 11 games. It's not in the bag yet. Well saved by Hennessey. He
:06:24. > :06:27.really caught that. Both goalkeepers have been busy in the first four and
:06:28. > :06:31.a half minutes of the second half than they were for much of the first
:06:32. > :06:36.three of the Chelsea's last five victories in this sequence of wind
:06:37. > :06:40.have been by a single goal to nil, at Middlesbrough, home to West Brom,
:06:41. > :06:46.then Sunderland. This wondering the same way. Fabregas around the corner
:06:47. > :06:52.to Moses. Moses dangerous. A good header... Alonso side netting. Super
:06:53. > :06:56.technique by Marcos Alonso, this was dropping from great height.
:06:57. > :07:00.Controlled the volley really well. Ledley. Delaney.
:07:01. > :07:10.Benteke did well. We've seen him score with situations like that
:07:11. > :07:14.before. Similar to a goal he scored for Liverpool at Old Trafford last
:07:15. > :07:25.season. He scuffed it into the ground. Alonso to Diego Costa.
:07:26. > :07:31.Trouble here. Moses to the right-hand side. Hazard, too. Back
:07:32. > :07:44.to Victor Moses. Riding the challenge of Puncheon, hit by Konte.
:07:45. > :07:52.The game might have been out of palace's reach. A good shot by
:07:53. > :07:58.Hennessey. No foul. Puncheon unable to find Benteke. David Luiz picked
:07:59. > :08:02.out Victor Moses here. Eden Hazard is furthest forward, but there are
:08:03. > :08:06.others in white. Marcos Alonso's one of them. Good save by Hennessey,
:08:07. > :08:14.nice height for him, to be fair. Hennessey is getting busier. Firmly
:08:15. > :08:21.hit by Alonso. Two straight. Crystal Palace heading for a sixth home
:08:22. > :08:26.league defeat of the season. Fabregas, another lovely ball from
:08:27. > :08:31.Fabregas to Hazard. Left by Diego Costa. Did Delaney get the ball? Not
:08:32. > :08:37.in the opinion of Jonathan Moss. Another good ball from Fabregas and
:08:38. > :08:44.Delaney get the card. It's either David Luiz with his right or Marcos
:08:45. > :08:50.Alonso with his left. Of the bar by Alonso! Cahill can't put the rebound
:08:51. > :08:53.away. He felt he was fouled, Cahill, by Joel Ward, as he tried to knock
:08:54. > :09:01.this into the back of the net. A really good free kick. Unlucky. Did
:09:02. > :09:04.water then foul Gary Cahill? The Chelsea defender thought so. Chelsea
:09:05. > :09:09.have had their chances to put this out of Crystal Palace's reach, and
:09:10. > :09:19.they haven't, as yet, done so. Townsend driven in. Fabregas out.
:09:20. > :09:25.Caught by Cesc Fabregas, free kick Crystal Palace. Those hopes Dale
:09:26. > :09:34.Palace fans in good voice, hopeful still, three minutes of added time
:09:35. > :09:41.still to play. It absolutely flew miles over the crossbar. Got that
:09:42. > :09:47.all wrong. He got it up all right. Was in the central London before it
:09:48. > :09:54.came down again. It's 11 wins out of 11 for Antonio Conte. And Chelsea.
:09:55. > :09:57.And another defeat for struggling Crystal Palace. Diego Costa with the
:09:58. > :10:05.only goal in the closing moments of the first half. Chelsea go on.
:10:06. > :10:08.Antonia, congratulations, 11 matches, to win them all is
:10:09. > :10:15.something really special. -- Antonio. I'm pleased, I'm pleased
:10:16. > :10:21.for my players, because they are deserving this. I see every day
:10:22. > :10:25.every single moment, which is commitment during the training
:10:26. > :10:32.session. The way that we prepare the game. And the way they fight in
:10:33. > :10:36.every game. It's fantastic. Chelsea are in that mode at the minute where
:10:37. > :10:39.they have confidence at the back, we talk about confidence going forward
:10:40. > :10:42.but their confidence defensively, sound, don't make a mistake, all
:10:43. > :10:47.doing their jobs, makes it difficult to find a breakthrough. If you look
:10:48. > :10:51.at our goal-scoring record there not a problem with that. We couldn't
:10:52. > :10:55.find a way through today. I'm there are four or five teams who will try
:10:56. > :11:04.to catch first position. We still have many games, many hard games, so
:11:05. > :11:08.we're not favourites, we are one of the teams who can win the title.
:11:09. > :11:13.11 consecutive victories for Chelsea, looking pretty formidable
:11:14. > :11:19.at the moment. Crystal Palace, they make them fight for it, didn't they?
:11:20. > :11:23.They worked tremendously hard for the manager, well-organised, won a
:11:24. > :11:27.lot of second balls, gave them a few problems in the second half, Jason
:11:28. > :11:31.Puncheon missed a good chance. Defensively, Chelsea sound
:11:32. > :11:34.well-balanced and confident defensively, didn't play brilliant
:11:35. > :11:38.going forward but did enough, another great goal from Costa. There
:11:39. > :11:43.doesn't seem to be a weakness in the side, I can't see one area in their
:11:44. > :11:46.team they are struggling, fantastic for Chelsea supporters and worrying
:11:47. > :11:51.for everybody else. The other thing, in tight games like that, if you've
:11:52. > :11:54.got a striker like Costa, back to his imperious best, didn't half make
:11:55. > :12:01.a difference. He's brilliant, in phenomenal form. It was the first
:12:02. > :12:06.effort on goal. Crystal Palace were right in this game until this point.
:12:07. > :12:11.Hazard doing what he does, getting involved, making Crystal Palace
:12:12. > :12:15.work. This ball from Azpilicueta, he's picked up Diego Costa, not just
:12:16. > :12:20.whipped in. One thing I wanted to look at, look at Delaney's face,
:12:21. > :12:23.looking at his keeper, sorry, look at Scott Dann, looking at the
:12:24. > :12:27.keeper, saying, you come and get this. I know what I'm doing, I'm
:12:28. > :12:31.going to get my arm into Costa's chest, try to stop him.
:12:32. > :12:36.Miscommunication between them, it cost them the goal. His positioning
:12:37. > :12:41.needs to be further off his line, he gets caught in no man's land. If
:12:42. > :12:44.he's further out he can be more commanding, he can take that. It was
:12:45. > :12:47.a breakdown in communication between Scott Dann and Wayne Hennessey, the
:12:48. > :12:53.one moment that cost Crystal Palace the game. You picked out Eden
:12:54. > :12:56.Hazard, he's back to his best this season. Sensational, I had to
:12:57. > :13:01.picking out because he was the difference, he gives them so much.
:13:02. > :13:07.-- picked him out. He's putting a shifting defensively as well. He's
:13:08. > :13:12.so direct, looks fit, sharp, caused them all sorts of problems today. He
:13:13. > :13:15.drifting off the left side, because he's got Alonso playing left
:13:16. > :13:19.wingback role, doesn't have to be as wide, ends up drifting all over the
:13:20. > :13:24.place, pops up as a ten, sometimes on the right side. He goes from zero
:13:25. > :13:28.to 60 so quickly, he's got that wonderful balance and ability to go
:13:29. > :13:32.past people. His decision-making, that's what I like he knows when to
:13:33. > :13:36.dribble and when to pass, he's got the all-round game. He's playing as
:13:37. > :13:40.he did when he won play of the year, this is what I'm talking about.
:13:41. > :13:44.Awareness of people around him. Fabregas should have done better.
:13:45. > :13:49.It's the speed he can travel, he goes past people so easily, it's the
:13:50. > :13:53.low centre of gravity. This is his passing ability, is not just a
:13:54. > :13:57.dribbler. Must be a nightmare to play against. He gets his team up
:13:58. > :14:03.the pitch, when you need a player to get you from a to B really quickly,
:14:04. > :14:07.he's your man. It's obvious the midweek break did him a bit of good,
:14:08. > :14:11.he looks the freshest player on the pitch today. Though he didn't score
:14:12. > :14:15.or make a goal, he was sensational for long periods. Our Chelsea going
:14:16. > :14:21.to run away with it, that is the question. The danger to many teams.
:14:22. > :14:26.As it stands nought they are out and out favourites. Nine points clear.
:14:27. > :14:30.Manchester United are giving it a go now. Spurs. That chasing pack,
:14:31. > :14:33.Liverpool are the team that are favourites to catch them. They have
:14:34. > :14:38.defensive issues. I think they are the favourites to take it. I agree.
:14:39. > :14:42.Two home games coming up which they would expect to win, which would
:14:43. > :14:43.give them a lead. If they keep everyone fit, they are favourites
:14:44. > :14:46.for me. OK. In the Premier League,
:14:47. > :14:49.it's fair to say the first half of Leicester's 2016 has been rather
:14:50. > :14:51.better than the second! Ahead of their match at Stoke,
:14:52. > :14:54.they'd taken just one It was quite a game,
:14:55. > :15:01.watched by Alistair Mann. COMMENTATOR: This time last season
:15:02. > :15:07.Leicester hadn't lost an away game. They did though come close here ASBO
:15:08. > :15:14.January helped Stoke to a 2-0 lead before the visitors rescued a point
:15:15. > :15:21.with two second-half goals. Bojan comes in for Arnautovic, they have a
:15:22. > :15:25.trio of alteration. Mike e a boost for Leicester, they have not kept a
:15:26. > :15:30.clean sheet in any of the eight games he missed with a broken hand.
:15:31. > :15:33.They have not kept an away day shut out since April in the League. That
:15:34. > :15:42.was the last time they gathered three points on their travels.
:15:43. > :15:56.Clever ball, actually. Picks out Allen. A lovely effort from Walters.
:15:57. > :16:01.Great football from Stoke. Excellent stop from Schmeichel. Great move,
:16:02. > :16:06.Bojan and Allen and Walters. It's a great stop, actually. That is just
:16:07. > :16:12.the kind of save that he was making last season. Why he's been such a
:16:13. > :16:18.big miss. Simpson, Mahrez, King. I think he was caught there, Mahrez.
:16:19. > :16:21.He was. The referee wants a little word with Erik Pieters. Just went
:16:22. > :16:28.through the back of him a little bit. The opening 10 minutes have
:16:29. > :16:30.fairly zipped by. No goals, but opportunities, that's for sure.
:16:31. > :16:42.Here's Fuchs. Morgan, Fuchs, again. Now, King.
:16:43. > :16:47.Still plenty in there. Huth was one of them. Grant, on the stretch, just
:16:48. > :16:52.helped it over the bar with the finger tips. Wasn't an easy header
:16:53. > :17:01.for Robert Huth. A decent stop, actually. Canons off the back of him
:17:02. > :17:07.and straight to Mahrez. Still going, Mahrez, Vardy. Good shot, a decent
:17:08. > :17:12.save by Grant. I think it might have hit a Stoke player on the way
:17:13. > :17:24.through, actually. Vardy hit it. There is a little deflection off the
:17:25. > :17:29.back of the player. Beaten to it by Johnson. Vardy goes crashing in on
:17:30. > :17:38.Diouf. The referee's gone to the pocket - and it's red! Vardy went
:17:39. > :17:41.hurtling into the loose ball and he catches Diouf and Craig Pawson went
:17:42. > :17:48.straight to the pocket, no he is station. Red card, Vardy goes. Well
:17:49. > :17:52.Craig Pawson only has one look at this. He saw the speed of the
:17:53. > :17:55.challenge and that both of Vardy's feet were off the floor when he goes
:17:56. > :17:59.to make it. Even though he gets the ball, which he most definitely does,
:18:00. > :18:06.the referee believes that he was out of control as he made it. That's why
:18:07. > :18:12.Vardy gets his marching orders. Look at his gestures. Keep it calm.
:18:13. > :18:18.Relax. Don't get carried away. Here's Johnson. Great ball in.
:18:19. > :18:26.Headed away by Simpson. Gathereded in by Bojan. Oh, that's a handball.
:18:27. > :18:31.That's a penalty. It just looked like Simpson handled it as he slid
:18:32. > :18:37.to try and block the cross. There's a yellow card for Simpson, as well.
:18:38. > :18:41.Bojan, as he put the cross in, appealed for the penalty, and his
:18:42. > :18:46.hand is above his head and it's a penalty. Well, Bojan missed a
:18:47. > :18:53.penalty against Bournemouth about a month ago. But he's entrusted with
:18:54. > :18:59.the responsibility, nonetheless. And this time, he obliges. The defending
:19:00. > :19:07.champions maybe heading for yet another away day defeat. Leicester's
:19:08. > :19:10.first task with 10-men was to get to the half-time interval at 0-0. They
:19:11. > :19:14.haven't managed it. Bojan, who scored twice before against
:19:15. > :19:25.Leicester, does so again from the penalty spot today. Here's Johnson.
:19:26. > :19:28.He's been caught. Albrighton with the foul. A yellow card for
:19:29. > :19:32.Albrighton. Half the out field players are now in the referee's
:19:33. > :19:42.notebook and Vardy's in the dressing room. So ale free-kick to Stoke. Off
:19:43. > :19:47.the inside of the post. Allen makes it two. Stoke City have made
:19:48. > :19:53.Leicester City's first half about as miserable as it could be. The look
:19:54. > :19:59.on the face of the visiting manager says everything. Imbula slammed it
:20:00. > :20:03.against the near-post. Allen couldn't miss the rebound. Leicester
:20:04. > :20:09.looking for an offside. One flag was not forthcoming. It's just going
:20:10. > :20:14.from very, very bad to much, much worse for the defending champions
:20:15. > :20:19.who are staring down the barrel of yet another away defeat. It's Stoke
:20:20. > :20:23.City 2, Leicester City 0, and the referee, who is going to have to go
:20:24. > :20:28.past the Leicester City supporters now to get to the dressing room,
:20:29. > :20:39.he's going to get some fearful stick from the visiting supporters.
:20:40. > :20:44.Johnson, Bojan gets it. Now Diouf. Walters, on the far side. Great save
:20:45. > :20:49.by Schmeichel. That's brilliant goalkeeping. Morgan feels as though
:20:50. > :20:56.it should have been a foul. The referee waved play on. The header
:20:57. > :21:01.was great, the save outstanding. A double change for Leicester.
:21:02. > :21:10.Leonardo Ulloa is one. Demarai Gray is another. Slimani makes way. So
:21:11. > :21:14.too Albrighton. It was inevitable they would start to take players off
:21:15. > :21:24.with the energy they expended trying to keep in the game. Demarai Gray is
:21:25. > :21:28.always happy to take on a sprint challenge. The cross is a beauty.
:21:29. > :21:33.Off the line. Technology says it crossed. It's 2-1. Ulloa's first
:21:34. > :21:39.contribution since coming on is to put Leicester back into a game that
:21:40. > :21:47.they were seemingly out of. Great ball by one substitute, Gray, headed
:21:48. > :21:55.by Ulloa. Off the line by Shawcross, but the technology says it's a goal.
:21:56. > :21:59.You can see exactly why. Claudio Ranieri had a decision to make about
:22:00. > :22:03.his substitutions. He brought on Ulloa and Demarai Gray. The two
:22:04. > :22:11.combined within moments. Leicester are back in the hunt. Here's Demarai
:22:12. > :22:15.Gray, again. Oh, the deflection could have taken it anywhere. They
:22:16. > :22:21.will be immensely proud of their players. They have not capitulated.
:22:22. > :22:28.2-0 down at half-time, with 10-men. They have been probing and searching
:22:29. > :22:32.and now they've halved the deficit. Leicester City throw.
:22:33. > :22:46.Fuchs is winding up a long throw. Morgan is in there. Huth is up from
:22:47. > :22:54.the back. All those who came up for the long throw might as well remain.
:22:55. > :22:57.The cross is a great one. And Amartey, what a wonderful
:22:58. > :23:03.performance from Leicester City. You can't say they haven't merited it. A
:23:04. > :23:11.Amartey's header, right in front of Lee Grant. It gives the equaliser to
:23:12. > :23:16.Leicester City. Real brave, brave header. He knew the goalkeeper was
:23:17. > :23:23.coming, Amartey. He got there, just in front of Grant. And he plants the
:23:24. > :23:26.header into the net and goes to join the Leicester City supporters, who
:23:27. > :23:37.will feel as though this is a victory, not just a draw. If looks
:23:38. > :23:44.could kill. Allen helps it on, Walters. Amartey with the tackle.
:23:45. > :24:00.Morgan gets it away. Imbula. Wheelen. -- Whelan. Schmeichel with
:24:01. > :24:04.the save. He made excellent saves, Schmeichel, to keep Leicester in
:24:05. > :24:12.this game. 10 out of 10 for his team. 10 out of 10 for him. Well the
:24:13. > :24:17.wlisle blows and the cheers are coming from the away end, the
:24:18. > :24:22.Leicester City supporters. A quite extraordinary performance from the
:24:23. > :24:28.defending champions. Everything stacked up against them, but they
:24:29. > :24:32.had enormous belief, enormous character, it's's Stoke City 2, it's
:24:33. > :24:38.Leicester City 2. Defending champion performance. It was a fantastic
:24:39. > :24:43.spirit. We wanted to fight until the end, it was important for us at this
:24:44. > :24:48.point to play well. We started very very, well after the sending off
:24:49. > :24:54.everything changed with my players. My players were so nervous during
:24:55. > :24:58.the half-time. We spoke a lot. We continued to believe something good
:24:59. > :25:02.could be possible and they made it very fantastic performance. You must
:25:03. > :25:06.be fuming after throwing away a two-goal lead? Yeah. We have made
:25:07. > :25:10.our own problems in the second-half, in fairness. The first half I
:25:11. > :25:12.thought we were excellent and we are in good shape. The second-half you
:25:13. > :25:17.know Leicester will come at you, that is why he this were champions
:25:18. > :25:23.last year. They have good energy and they will always ask questions.
:25:24. > :25:30.Leicester were incensed about the sending off. Two-footed tackle.
:25:31. > :25:33.Hughes said it was a two-footed challenge from Jamie Vardy and
:25:34. > :25:38.diserved to be sent off. What was your view? One manager said yes,
:25:39. > :25:42.another said no. I felt like he was being impedestrianed first of all.
:25:43. > :25:44.He saw the ball and got the ball cleanly iechl' not sure what the
:25:45. > :25:48.referee saw. Watching from the stands what has been the problem for
:25:49. > :25:53.Leicester this season. It hasn't been easy at all-time, has it? It
:25:54. > :25:56.was never going to be easy. We have had good performances and we haven't
:25:57. > :26:00.had the rub of the green. Last year we did. You make your own luck when
:26:01. > :26:04.you work as hard as we did, especially the second-half, you get
:26:05. > :26:09.what you deserve. It was an amazing comeback from Leicester. Craig
:26:10. > :26:12.Pawson, the referee, had an interesting after knob, didn't he?
:26:13. > :26:18.Another one. We talk about the red card. An interesting week? He has. I
:26:19. > :26:22.have sympathy with him. Obviously, the decision in midweek which we
:26:23. > :26:27.will see now. Which he didn't give. Which he didn't give. He got a bit
:26:28. > :26:30.of stick for. You know, rightly so. That's a naughty challenge.
:26:31. > :26:35.Obviously two-footed. Could have caused him some damage. Today's very
:26:36. > :26:39.different for me. I don't think it's a red card, first and foremost. I
:26:40. > :26:45.think Vardy is really unlucky. He's obviously thought of midweek and
:26:46. > :26:49.saw... Johnson pushes Vardy a bit. Knocks him off balance. He actually
:26:50. > :26:52.does leave the ground. You see a gap between Vardy and the ground. He
:26:53. > :26:57.ends up winning the ball. One foot is ahead of the other. It's actually
:26:58. > :27:02.a decent tackle, even if he is pushed off balance. Maybe, he might
:27:03. > :27:08.have got a yellow, couldn't believe he got a red. I don't think it's aed
:27:09. > :27:10.red card or Mark Hughes does. If that happened to his players he
:27:11. > :27:15.would go mad. I think he is saying that. It inspired them. Really did.
:27:16. > :27:21.Look at Bojan's face. I don't think he thought it was. It inspired them.
:27:22. > :27:24.Eventually, 0-0, went to 2-0. To add insult to injury, they get a penalty
:27:25. > :27:29.against Leicester, which was one of those that is sometimes they get
:27:30. > :27:32.given and sometimes don't. What do you think in this instance? I
:27:33. > :27:35.thought it was are ha shall. Trying it get the ball in the box. It's
:27:36. > :27:40.been stopped. It's been impeded by his hand. I know what is going
:27:41. > :27:43.through Simpson's mind here. He is at full stretching saying, all I
:27:44. > :27:47.want to do is stop this cross. Look where his hand is. People talk about
:27:48. > :27:51.unnatural hand position. If I'm trying to block a ball, I'm not
:27:52. > :27:54.whipping it around the back of my neck and into that position to stop
:27:55. > :27:59.the cross. It's not an unnatural position. It hit his hand. The
:28:00. > :28:05.penalty was given. I personally don't th think it was a penalty.
:28:06. > :28:11.They are given on a weekly basis. Leicester showed the spirit they
:28:12. > :28:15.showed last season, didn't they? Brilliant second-half. All of them.
:28:16. > :28:21.Well-organised. Full of energy. Full of endeavour and quality in the end.
:28:22. > :28:24.Claudio Ranieri deserves credit because he made substitutions, two
:28:25. > :28:29.of them, Demarai Gray and Leonardo Ulloa. They have been bit part
:28:30. > :28:34.players, to be honest. 0 minutes. They come on. They had a point to
:28:35. > :28:38.prove. I mine, Demarai Gray was sensation aal when he came on. He
:28:39. > :28:44.ran forward, he put crosses in, dribbled. This is to get back to
:28:45. > :28:47.2-1. Brilliant cross. We saw Ulloa do this many times last season.
:28:48. > :28:52.Super attitude. Good header of the ball. There is the goalline
:28:53. > :28:55.technology helping us. I don't think it would have been given if we
:28:56. > :29:03.hadn't had it. It would be a tough one, wouldn't it? ? Yeah. He gave
:29:04. > :29:07.them energy and dribbling. I don't know understand why he doesn't play
:29:08. > :29:11.week in and week out. I watched him, every time he comes for Leicester he
:29:12. > :29:15.always has an impact. I think he's... It will the not be long
:29:16. > :29:20.before he gets the hump about not playing.
:29:21. > :29:27.Great goal, he played really well, if anyone deserved to score, it was
:29:28. > :29:31.him. Fantastic. Stoke two up against ten men, they'll be kicking
:29:32. > :29:36.themselves. On such a good rental of things going so smooth, I don't know
:29:37. > :29:40.if it was the complacency within the ranks, 2-0 up, man down, thinking we
:29:41. > :29:44.would cruise this one, they were caught out. The booing at the end
:29:45. > :29:50.was unnecessary from Stoke fans, Mark Hughes has been doing a
:29:51. > :29:52.fantastic job. I put it down to the disappointment of losing the game
:29:53. > :29:54.and Leicester fans at the other end of the stadium having a party.
:29:55. > :29:57.Festive frustration. We've got four matches
:29:58. > :30:11.for you still to come. Rooney. Good try. The arms of Valdes
:30:12. > :30:19.stung by Sigurdsson. Roberts, he's hit the post.
:30:20. > :30:23.West Brom were seven and Manchester United six after both had good wins
:30:24. > :30:25.on Wednesday evening. They met at the Hawthorns,
:30:26. > :30:32.commentary from Steve Bower. Finally Manchester United are
:30:33. > :30:37.turning performances into points, West Brom were in that group before
:30:38. > :30:43.them as they go in search of their fourth consecutive home win. Salomon
:30:44. > :30:47.Rondon leaves West Brom's attack as they look for a fourth consecutive
:30:48. > :30:51.home victory. It was the Venezuelan's goal that settled the
:30:52. > :30:54.fixture last season. Wayne Rooney has scored seven in nine Premier
:30:55. > :31:01.League games against the baggies, another today would finally equal
:31:02. > :31:06.Sir Bobby Charlton's club record. He hasn't scored since the opening
:31:07. > :31:10.weekend in the league. Tony Pulis has only ever been Manchester United
:31:11. > :31:15.twice in 14 games in the Premier League as manager. He's lost 11 of
:31:16. > :31:26.those as well. Strength, fair strength, from Nyom. Nyom came
:31:27. > :31:30.across. Lingard, isn't going to get a penalty for that. A look in hope
:31:31. > :31:39.rather than anything else towards Anthony Taylor. Long from Valencia.
:31:40. > :31:45.Lingard with a first-time cross. Ibrahimovic, as clinical as that.
:31:46. > :31:49.Inside the first five minutes, Manchester united with their first
:31:50. > :31:55.real attack, score the first goal. And it is him again, Zlatan
:31:56. > :32:02.Ibrahimovic. Six in six in the Premier League now. Made by Lingard.
:32:03. > :32:07.First-time cross. Ibrahimovic in his form in front of goal wasn't going
:32:08. > :32:11.to miss that. He went six league games without a goal and has now
:32:12. > :32:16.scored six in the following six, perfect start for him and Manchester
:32:17. > :32:22.United. The dropper Bob Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in the words of Jose
:32:23. > :32:38.Mourinho. To give Manchester United the need. -- the undroppable
:32:39. > :32:42.Ibrahimovic. Nice touch from Dawson. Brunt's cross blocked by Rojo. West
:32:43. > :32:48.Brom get their first corner of the game. Nine of West Brom's 23 goals
:32:49. > :32:51.this season have come from headers. Manchester United will have worked
:32:52. > :32:57.on this kind of situation, trying to defend it. Whipped in by Brunt,
:32:58. > :33:04.right across the face. It was Olsson who got a touch. What an inviting
:33:05. > :33:10.delivery. But in between the two defenders, Olsson, just couldn't
:33:11. > :33:20.steer it on target. Rooney will chase that. Four forward for
:33:21. > :33:25.Manchester United. Pogba. Into Lingard. In the penalty area nobody
:33:26. > :33:34.at the moment. There is now. Rooney. Good try. Off the bar. Cleared by
:33:35. > :33:38.Fletcher. For a split second Wayne Rooney thought this was the record
:33:39. > :33:42.equalling goal, clean strike, terrific save from Ben Foster.
:33:43. > :33:49.Former Manchester United goalkeeper. To touch that under the crossbar.
:33:50. > :33:57.Manchester United, goal number 249. Still not forthcoming. That was a
:33:58. > :34:04.strong charge by Ibrahimovic on Dawson. A yellow card coming. From
:34:05. > :34:09.Anthony Taylor. One was viewed in the week at Crystal Palace, no
:34:10. > :34:14.charge forthcoming. Definitely a booking forthcoming here. Yellow for
:34:15. > :34:19.the Manchester United goal-scorer. Watch his eyes, he was always going
:34:20. > :34:28.to be late. Nowhere near the ball. Phillips. Taking on Valencia and
:34:29. > :34:32.getting the cross in. Rondon. After his three headers on Wednesday, he
:34:33. > :34:36.had half a chance of another one there. In between the two defenders
:34:37. > :34:40.he'll be disappointed he wasn't able to get out on target. First real
:34:41. > :34:50.opportunity West Brom have fashioned so far. The last minute of the first
:34:51. > :35:00.half at the hawthorns. Parreira. Good strength from Valencia. Away by
:35:01. > :35:05.McCauley. A chance for Lingard. A chance he should have done much
:35:06. > :35:09.better with. His reaction tells you everything. When McCauley clear
:35:10. > :35:13.that, made a mess of it, inadvertently came to Lingard. He
:35:14. > :35:17.had so much time, he'd sat up beautifully on the volley for it.
:35:18. > :35:21.Lingard who's got his first Manchester United goal against West
:35:22. > :35:27.Brom should have scored against them again. Income Manchester United with
:35:28. > :35:35.Pogba. ! In income Manchester United. Carrick has found Rooney.
:35:36. > :35:41.Trying to go through the space himself, Ibrahimovic. That was the
:35:42. > :35:45.right decision, two for Ibrahimovic, two for Manchester United. Ten
:35:46. > :35:51.minutes of the second half gone and they have doubled their advantage.
:35:52. > :35:57.Ibrahimovic now has ten goals in his last nine games in all competitions.
:35:58. > :36:00.16 goals for Manchester United. Rooney might have been expecting it
:36:01. > :36:04.back, wasn't getting it back. The Swede saw a little bit of light in
:36:05. > :36:10.the corridor, shot was deflected, just off Dawson. That's what took it
:36:11. > :36:15.into the bottom corner, past Foster. That's what it means to Jose
:36:16. > :36:27.Mourinho, that's why he is undroppable. Ibrahimovic has 152
:36:28. > :36:33.league goals in his last 170 games. Rondon taking on Rojo. Rojo in the
:36:34. > :36:40.end was equal to it. Rooney brought the cross.
:36:41. > :36:47.What was first the emergency, then the unlikely defensive partnership
:36:48. > :36:53.between Jones and Rojo. Rondon got involved with Rojo. Jones felt he
:36:54. > :37:02.raised his hand. Anthony Taylor is going to have to defuse this
:37:03. > :37:07.situation. Little nudge from Rondon. Rojo won it fairly. Rojo wanted to
:37:08. > :37:19.have a word. That was the first push. Not true exactly what Rojo did
:37:20. > :37:27.wrong. There was a slap from Rondon. Yellow card for each in the end.
:37:28. > :37:31.Going to have to take a risk or two more to find a way back into the
:37:32. > :37:38.game. Dawson, blocked by Rooney, West Brom corner.
:37:39. > :37:49.Deep from Brunt. Back by McCauley. West Brom appealing for hands,
:37:50. > :37:52.Anthony Taylor not interested. This is what West Brom were appealing
:37:53. > :38:02.for. McCauley hands this back across. Proffered deliberately. Did
:38:03. > :38:08.he use his arm? I don't think so. Manchester United have not looked in
:38:09. > :38:13.any trouble all day. That was a boy touch. That was deliberate from
:38:14. > :38:23.Brunt. -- poor touch. The only way he was going to stop Marcus
:38:24. > :38:26.Rashford. End of a good week for Manchester United, nine points from
:38:27. > :38:31.nine, eight Premier League games unbeaten, thanks once again to
:38:32. > :38:38.Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has 16 goals for the season now. Two today
:38:39. > :38:43.complete a polished and professional way performance. West Brom 0- two
:38:44. > :38:47.Manchester United. Great performance, even better than the
:38:48. > :38:55.last one at Crystal Palace. Very solid from the first minute. And
:38:56. > :38:59.everything under control. We coped well with the difficult things that
:39:00. > :39:03.West Bromwich always bring to the game. I would give them a poor goal
:39:04. > :39:08.at the beginning, that was disappointing. What I said at
:39:09. > :39:11.half-time, make sure we stay in the game and as the game goes, we'll
:39:12. > :39:17.grow into it, I really thought we would. The last thing we want is for
:39:18. > :39:20.them to get that second goal. A very fortuitous goal. Another one for
:39:21. > :39:24.Ibrahimovic, as a younger player what is it like having him on and
:39:25. > :39:26.off the pitch? He's a great character, everyone knows his
:39:27. > :39:31.character, his bubbly in the changing room, helps the young lads,
:39:32. > :39:38.and he's good to play with. He's good to link off as well. I think he
:39:39. > :39:41.is proof that he's a super man in his mentality. Because he is doing
:39:42. > :39:48.fantastic, what he's doing at the age of 305I think is a dream for
:39:49. > :39:52.every one of 25, every striker of 25, to arrive in the Premier League
:39:53. > :39:56.and to impress the way he's doing. I'm feeling good, at the end I was a
:39:57. > :40:03.little bit tired, but I feel fresh, I feel good, I'm confident. When the
:40:04. > :40:08.team is doing good, it's easier, absolutely. But we work hard and we
:40:09. > :40:12.are doing the sacrifice for each other. When you can win on like
:40:13. > :40:18.this, it's beautiful, it's a beautiful day. At the end what
:40:19. > :40:22.counts is three points. His statistics continue to prove he's a
:40:23. > :40:26.wonderful footballer, even at 35, ten goals in his last nine games,
:40:27. > :40:31.classic Centre forward performance. Never had to worry about the numbers
:40:32. > :40:34.when it comes to Ibrahimovic, he's scored everywhere he's gone, because
:40:35. > :40:39.of little things like this, he knows every trick in the book to get a
:40:40. > :40:45.yard of space, pulls him back, get the header, that's Man United's 1-0.
:40:46. > :40:51.I feel he's getting sharper and sharper as the season goes on, and
:40:52. > :40:56.stronger with it. Mourinho's right, at 35, it's phenomenal to see. This
:40:57. > :41:00.is the other side to him. Got an edge. Yellow card. There have been
:41:01. > :41:04.centre halves throwing themselves at centre forward for years, he likes
:41:05. > :41:11.to throw himself around this way. It's a yellow card. They are very
:41:12. > :41:18.similar. This is a yellow card as well. Fully shoulder barged Rashford
:41:19. > :41:24.of the ball, both incidents the referee got right. When you've got a
:41:25. > :41:26.striker like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose wonderfully gifted,
:41:27. > :41:31.technically sound, holds the ball up, he likes to play more with his
:41:32. > :41:35.back, hasn't got the legs to get beyond defenders, you need players
:41:36. > :41:39.to compensate from that. Jesse Lingard, in him United have that
:41:40. > :41:43.today. Last season when he first cemented his place in the team, it
:41:44. > :41:47.was one of the strengths I noticed, his willingness to run in behind. At
:41:48. > :41:52.Palace the other night they played Rooney and Mata in wide positions
:41:53. > :41:55.and struggled to make any good runs, penetration wasn't there. What he
:41:56. > :41:58.does is this, he has great pace and willingness to get in there, which
:41:59. > :42:02.is key. Could have had a penalty early in the game. It's all about
:42:03. > :42:08.timing when you make these runs, soon as Valencia gets his head up,
:42:09. > :42:15.spins just that the right time. Nyom's not spin slow, what a cross,
:42:16. > :42:18.the best I've seen all season, unbelievable technique. Keeps
:42:19. > :42:21.finding himself in a really dangerous positions because he wants
:42:22. > :42:25.to get in there. He scored some big goals for United already in his
:42:26. > :42:31.career, another good run sets Rooney up, nearly equalled the record. When
:42:32. > :42:37.he does get the ball two feet, he can dribble, good technique, he's
:42:38. > :42:41.confident, drives at people. He would have started the season if he
:42:42. > :42:45.didn't get injured early. You'll get goals, I wouldn't worry about this.
:42:46. > :42:49.He's in there again, right position, trying to smash it rather than place
:42:50. > :42:56.it. They couldn't cope with him all afternoon, he was... He was fighting
:42:57. > :43:00.for a place in the team, he certainly will give Mourinho a
:43:01. > :43:08.headache. West Brom, despite being on a really good run of form lacked
:43:09. > :43:11.competitiveness today, or was it Manchester United's ability. I think
:43:12. > :43:15.they lack competitiveness, they were very passive through the game. They
:43:16. > :43:19.naturally like to drop off in games, I watched against Chelsea a couple
:43:20. > :43:23.of weeks ago and they frustrated them for long periods. This is 1-0
:43:24. > :43:26.down. At home you need to make something happen. Look at the
:43:27. > :43:30.numbers they have in the attacking area, they have the ability to put
:43:31. > :43:35.the press on Manchester United. It's like everyone's mentality is,
:43:36. > :43:38.retreat, I'm going to go to my position because that's what I've
:43:39. > :43:41.been told to do, that's what they did most of the game. The problem
:43:42. > :43:48.with that mentality is when you do play against topsides and give them
:43:49. > :43:51.this space, not anybody getting anywhere near a Manchester United
:43:52. > :43:59.player, they can unlock that defence whenever they want, someone makes a
:44:00. > :44:05.quick run, they are written. -- they are in. For lesser sides, it works.
:44:06. > :44:08.It probably spill over into their general play. I'll give them the
:44:09. > :44:13.benefit of the doubt, had a tough week, on a good run. I'm guessing
:44:14. > :44:16.Tony Pulis will look at it, saying, we are tired, put a lot of energy
:44:17. > :44:20.into those games which is why we got the results. The quality wasn't
:44:21. > :44:23.there today at all. Manchester United were brilliant but I expected
:44:24. > :44:26.a lot more from West from. Improving quickly.
:44:27. > :44:28.One place separated Middlesbrough and Swansea ahead of a crucial
:44:29. > :44:31.Commentary on the battle near the bottom comes from Guy Mowbray.
:44:32. > :44:38.COMMENTATOR: Boro's joint top-scorers this season have three
:44:39. > :44:42.goals each. Alvaro Negredo's work for the team has been appreciated.
:44:43. > :44:46.He has scored against Swansea before in his one season stay at Manchester
:44:47. > :44:51.City. He remains Middlesbrough's most likely player to net. Today,
:44:52. > :44:58.the opposite side, see as striker he used to vie with in the Spanish
:44:59. > :45:03.national side. Fernando Llorente has scored one more than Negredo. His
:45:04. > :45:08.abilities are well-known to Aitor Karanka. Former team and roommate at
:45:09. > :45:22.Atletico Bilbao. Down it his knees. Nothing doing. He
:45:23. > :45:28.can't keep it. The fans not happen which with how their team started.
:45:29. > :45:32.Victor Valdes is stunned by Sigurdsson. Swansea are quicker out
:45:33. > :45:36.of the blocks. Sigurdsson with the first attempt on target in the game.
:45:37. > :45:42.For Swansea, it's the first of four key matches in a row over the
:45:43. > :45:46.holiday period. You would think their first priority will be not
:45:47. > :45:50.losing this one. Boro will only be happy with a win.
:45:51. > :46:04.Sigurdsson. Forced off it. Nice foot work from Ramires. Clayton to his
:46:05. > :46:06.left. Clayton pushes on. Lovely foot work to deceive Mawson. What a
:46:07. > :46:21.finish that is by Alvaro Negredo. Middlesbrough's main striker has his
:46:22. > :46:28.first goal of the season. This is fantastic work from Adam Clayton. He
:46:29. > :46:30.deceived Alfie Mawson. Negredo nets for Boro. Middlesbrough 1, Swansea
:46:31. > :46:46.City 0. Amat. Had to hurry, lost the ball.
:46:47. > :46:49.Negredo. De Roon. Rangel. He felt that he had to knock it behind. That
:46:50. > :47:04.ball was Downing bound. Forshaw. There's Ramires. He seems
:47:05. > :47:09.to have been tripped. Free-kick given to Boro, just outside the box.
:47:10. > :47:18.Referee was always looking to see whether an advantage could develop.
:47:19. > :47:30.Up steps Ramirez. Oh, not far away at all. It has the pace to ensure
:47:31. > :47:39.that had it been lower, Fabianski wasn't getting near it. Gibson.
:47:40. > :47:49.Straight to Ramirez. Middlesbrough's to throw back in. They do so
:47:50. > :47:55.quickly. Forshaw. He's done. The referee points to the spot.
:47:56. > :48:02.Middlesbrough penalty. It all came about because of the quickly taken
:48:03. > :48:05.throw. In it came to Adam Forshaw. Amat lifted his leg and left it
:48:06. > :48:12.hanging. He tried to get it away, but he didn't have the time. Quite a
:48:13. > :48:20.lazy challenge. Negredo has very confidently put himself up for this.
:48:21. > :48:26.Here comes Alvaro Negredo. He doubles his and Middlesbrough's
:48:27. > :48:30.total for the afternoon. It's happening to Swansea, again. Two
:48:31. > :48:37.goals in just over 10 minutes scored against them. Very, very confidently
:48:38. > :48:43.and cooly done. That's Swansea done for already. Alvaro Negredo has a
:48:44. > :48:48.double, Middlesbrough 2, Swansea City 0. Bob Bradley, before today,
:48:49. > :49:00.they conceded 15 goals in five away games.
:49:01. > :49:11.Made the near-post run. Towards Fulton. He's the player guilty of
:49:12. > :49:17.fouling him rather than the way round. They both tumbled. Help
:49:18. > :49:29.blocks him first and hugs him. Who fouled who there? The decision goes
:49:30. > :49:35.against Fulton, but it was a block by Barrow in the first place.
:49:36. > :49:44.Downing will go for goal. On target all right, but straight down the
:49:45. > :49:48.barrel for Fabianski. -- Barragan. Is Gibson, through to De Roon.
:49:49. > :49:53.Lovely lay off for Negredo. Here's Ramirez. Great ball in. It's
:49:54. > :49:58.finished by Marten de Roon. You would think Swansea are finished
:49:59. > :50:05.now, too. That's a lovely Middlesbrough goal. A sweeping move.
:50:06. > :50:09.And, Middlesbrough are sweeping to victory in this hugely important
:50:10. > :50:16.game near the bottom of the Premier League. No question of de Roon being
:50:17. > :50:22.onside. It's an absolute ripper of a ball from Ramirez. It just needed
:50:23. > :50:26.stroking hope op. Middlesbrough 3, Swansea City 0. They are the people
:50:27. > :50:35.I feel sorry for today, the Swansea fans who have made this long trek up
:50:36. > :50:39.to Teesside. A19, A1, M5, M4, that's the way home. M standing for,
:50:40. > :50:58."misery" most of the way. He gives him the slip. Montero gives
:50:59. > :51:05.on. There's Fer. This one was goal-bound from Leroy Fer.
:51:06. > :51:20.In from Sigurdsson. Alves was caught behind the crowd there. Forshaw. How
:51:21. > :51:26.far can he go? Friend is up there as well. His team-mate. Here's George
:51:27. > :51:37.Friend. He was grinding through the gears, was Friend here. Have a look.
:51:38. > :51:40.Have a go. Have a jog back. Rangel. Up to Llorente. Neat little lay off
:51:41. > :51:58.to Sigurdsson. It will now come to month material owe.
:51:59. > :52:08.-- Montero cross. It gets closer towards his clean sheet. It's been
:52:09. > :52:11.our biggest victory, but I think this I think it was... Everybody in
:52:12. > :52:16.this group is really, really confident. Today these three goals,
:52:17. > :52:19.especially three points and clean sheet has been massive for us. You
:52:20. > :52:25.know that you have to win, because you have to stay above the bottom
:52:26. > :52:31.three, yeah, you say to each other and after there's relief that you
:52:32. > :52:34.won. The second goal comes in in a strange way achl throw-in where I
:52:35. > :52:41.think our players are leaning one way. It goes in quickly we Given up
:52:42. > :52:44.the PK, the penalty. I feel as if we put ourselves in the hole over and
:52:45. > :52:50.over. That takes a lot out of a team. The ability to come back in
:52:51. > :52:55.the Premier League week after week is obviously nearly impossible. It's
:52:56. > :52:59.been more a case of road matches and so now we have two very big home
:53:00. > :53:04.games coming up and we have to turn all our our attention towards those
:53:05. > :53:08.two matches. Let us focus firstly, Jermaine, on Middlesbrough. Negredo,
:53:09. > :53:10.back in the goals, four in the last four following 11 games without a
:53:11. > :53:14.goal. That is vital for Middlesbrough, isn't it? It's vital
:53:15. > :53:20.for them. I think Middlesbrough will be OK. There are teams down there
:53:21. > :53:23.that would kill for an out and out goalscorer which Alvaro Negredo
:53:24. > :53:27.actually is. This is a brilliantly taken goal. Going away from goal,
:53:28. > :53:30.wraps his left foot around it into that bottom corner. As you say,
:53:31. > :53:34.Gary, four in four. He's now starting to find that it type of
:53:35. > :53:40.form that Middlesbrough desperately need him to be in. When he's on he
:53:41. > :53:46.is on. One of those. Look at this moment here with him. He wasn't
:53:47. > :53:52.doing this a few weeks ago. We love this every now and again - I can't
:53:53. > :53:55.even do one! That shows you the type of confidence he is playing with. At
:53:56. > :54:04.this point, I thought Middlesbrough were cruising. He is involved in the
:54:05. > :54:07.third goal as well. Ramirez brilliant for Middlesbrough all
:54:08. > :54:10.season. Marten de Roon great ball in. Important they have Negredo
:54:11. > :54:15.banging in the goals on a regular basis now. I suppose at present,
:54:16. > :54:21.Danny, if you were given a chance to pick a fixture you would take,
:54:22. > :54:28.unfairly or cruelly, which ever way you would take it Swansea at home A
:54:29. > :54:36.bit harsh, but probably fair. Just a question. Yeah. That is is harsh,
:54:37. > :54:42.Danny? Yeah. The problem with Swansea, for me, they lack tenacity,
:54:43. > :54:46.athleticism. They are quite a nice team, they didn't get near
:54:47. > :54:50.Middlesbrough today. Even when they were losing 2-1 no-one got ruffled
:54:51. > :54:54.or put tackles in. It was a weak performance. Limp, if you like. They
:54:55. > :54:58.need to change something whether it's bring in six new players in
:54:59. > :55:02.January, if they can. Or will it be the manager Maybe the manager. They
:55:03. > :55:04.are not known for their patience. The squad at the moment I don't
:55:05. > :55:10.think will stay up. Match of the Day 2 is on Monday
:55:11. > :55:13.night this week to take in the Merseyside derby,
:55:14. > :55:37.as well as all of Sunday's action. Match of the Day 2 Extra
:55:38. > :55:39.will discuss all the weekend's 5Live has commentary
:55:40. > :55:47.on Manchester City against Arsenal I hope you can join us
:55:48. > :55:51.for Sports Personality of the Year, Mark Chapman follows Match
:55:52. > :55:56.of the Day on Saturday nights with all the latest from the NFL
:55:57. > :56:15.or you can catch up throughout COMMENTATOR: The kick will be taken
:56:16. > :56:25.and left to Danny Murphy. And he scores for Liverpool! Danny Murphy's
:56:26. > :56:29.done a David Beckham here. # We'd better get some work done...
:56:30. > :56:33.# Danny Murphy and Bob the Builder
:56:34. > :56:35.together. There must be a tool joke there. I have to work it out.
:56:36. > :56:39.West Ham had taken four points from their last two matches to ease
:56:40. > :56:40.the pressure slightly on Slaven Bilic.
:56:41. > :56:42.Could they continue that improvement against a struggling Hull City?
:56:43. > :56:44.Simon Brotherton is your commentator.
:56:45. > :56:53.COMMENTATOR: Four points from two games in the past week has lifted
:56:54. > :56:57.West Ham's spirits as well as their league position. Hull's tally of six
:56:58. > :57:01.points from the last 14 matches is the same they earnt in the opening
:57:02. > :57:06.two fixtures of the season leaving them close to the bottom. West Ham
:57:07. > :57:10.are unchanged, Andy Carroll starts for the second time in four days and
:57:11. > :57:13.for the third time all season in the Premier League. Hull are back in
:57:14. > :57:22.London again after their midweek defeat at Tottenham. One change this
:57:23. > :57:27.afternoon. Mbokani returns preferred to Diomande upfront. Plenty on that
:57:28. > :57:38.ball forward from Noble. Hull look to break. Mbokani got there ahead of
:57:39. > :57:44.Kouyate. Out for a goal kick. Hull threatening here. James cordon an
:57:45. > :57:52.interested spectator here for this one today.
:57:53. > :57:59.That backpass is too short. M bow Khanningy is in. Oh, he's missed.
:58:00. > :58:02.West Ham United get away with one. Mbokani laying the bat back. Oh,
:58:03. > :58:07.dear me, Hull City are unlikely to get another gift like that this
:58:08. > :58:11.afternoon. Oh, it was on a plate. Mbokani just trying to squeeze he
:58:12. > :58:17.squeeze it inside the post. Cresswell, a dreadful pass. Well,
:58:18. > :58:21.less than a ball's width away from taking the lead. What aens Cha. Mike
:58:22. > :58:24.Phelan saying ahead of this match how his team need to take their
:58:25. > :58:30.chances more than they have been. He's still waiting. -- what a
:58:31. > :58:36.chance. They are on the front foot once again here. I playing
:58:37. > :58:44.positively. Huddlestone can hit them, given half a chance. It rather
:58:45. > :58:51.fizzles out. The referee said there was there a deflection there. It's
:58:52. > :58:56.been given. It's a Hull City corner. Snodgrass, their top scorer, he is
:58:57. > :59:03.the man who will take it. Saved by Randolph. It had to be as
:59:04. > :59:11.Here it is again as the ball comes over, Maguire came in from the back
:59:12. > :59:15.and got just in front of him. Robertson back in there once more.
:59:16. > :59:19.Mbokani goes for it at the edge of the penalty area and shoots. What a
:59:20. > :59:35.goal it would have been had he managed to keep that down. Landini.
:59:36. > :59:44.Hull playing well here. Now pushing forward. Half far-away, into the
:59:45. > :59:53.opening minute of the last 45, the ball not quite falling Maguire. West
:59:54. > :00:01.Ham United under real pressure. West Ham United will be relieved if they
:00:02. > :00:03.can go in goalless at half-time, it was who could easily have slight the
:00:04. > :00:13.ball into the back of his own net. Hull should be sensing an
:00:14. > :00:21.opportunity in this match this afternoon. Snodgrass. Turn away from
:00:22. > :00:28.Kouyate. It's headed against his own post, that, by Mark Noble! Goodness
:00:29. > :00:38.me. Hull hitting the post for the second time this afternoon. This
:00:39. > :00:44.time off West Ham's captain. But on the bike Mbokani towards Snodgrass.
:00:45. > :00:53.Robertson comes to the edge of the penalty area. He's hit the post
:00:54. > :01:10.again. Unbelievable. This was superb play by Robertson. A thunderous
:01:11. > :01:14.shot. This is the angle. I yet finding Ogbonna. It'll be a corner.
:01:15. > :01:24.Ogbonna's only ever scored one goal for West Ham. Still nothing in it.
:01:25. > :01:31.Hit off the line. That's the closest West Ham have come, now it's with
:01:32. > :01:38.Kouyate. Antonio. Great save by Marshall. Twice in quick succession.
:01:39. > :01:42.West Ham close. Now Hull city with Mbokani trying to come away, the
:01:43. > :01:52.Kearney slightly over runs it. A real chance here. Great challenge by
:01:53. > :01:56.Kouyate, racing into the box on Sam Clucas. Brilliant depending. Here's
:01:57. > :02:02.the double chance for West Ham, the header from Andre Ayew. So close. A
:02:03. > :02:06.great stop on the line by Robertson. The second effort here from Antonio,
:02:07. > :02:11.saved by David Marshall. Other end of the pitch, here comes the corner.
:02:12. > :02:16.Kouyate back on his feet. End to end 20 minutes into the second half. Off
:02:17. > :02:22.the line at the other end. It's Hernandez who gets there. Great
:02:23. > :02:25.blocked on the line. Having gone close at one end, West Ham suddenly
:02:26. > :02:38.on the back foot here. This is a tremendous run here, two
:02:39. > :02:44.thirds the length of the pitch from Michail Antonio. Before it was
:02:45. > :02:57.upended. Yellow card for Michael Dawson. An all action run to get the
:02:58. > :03:03.crowd on their feet. In it goes. Marshall beaten to the ball.
:03:04. > :03:11.Huddlestone's there. Still in the air. Well shielded. Rodriguez...
:03:12. > :03:16.Penalty for the challenge on Antonio. Huddlestone went up for it,
:03:17. > :03:22.they waited for the ball to drop and Antonio goes down. Hull will feel
:03:23. > :03:30.that's a soft penalty. And clearly do. Can Mark Noble take this chance
:03:31. > :03:42.for West Ham with 15 to go? Yes, he can. West Ham 1-0 Hull city. What a
:03:43. > :03:48.good penalty. West Ham's reliable captain keeping cool and slotting it
:03:49. > :03:54.home. Away comes Dimitri Payet, Andre Ayew to his right, Hernandez
:03:55. > :03:59.to his left. I yet might fancy this himself, still going, down he goes
:04:00. > :04:04.under pressure and gets a free kick. The challenge by Henriksen, who is
:04:05. > :04:07.booked. I yet got a free kick where he likes it. Just over five minutes
:04:08. > :04:14.remaining at the London stadium and Dimitri Payet with this opportunity
:04:15. > :04:20.for West Ham. Round the wall, a save from Marshall, good free kick,
:04:21. > :04:26.stopped by the goalkeeper. Aaron Cresswell, left the door ajar.
:04:27. > :04:32.Snodgrass into the penalty area. Maguire with the shot, saved by
:04:33. > :04:36.Randolph. There were three players hoping for the ball there. But
:04:37. > :04:43.Creswell will be relieved nothing came of this after that little slip.
:04:44. > :04:50.Reflecting on chances gone by in the first half. Am I pleased with the
:04:51. > :04:54.performance? No I'm not. Am I pleased with the reaction in the
:04:55. > :05:00.second half? Especially the last half-hour? I am. We scored the goal.
:05:01. > :05:03.Should have finished the game, to score another one after we scored
:05:04. > :05:12.the first, but we didn't. Massive three points for us, back-to-back
:05:13. > :05:16.win on the stadium, two 1-0 results, very good for us considering the
:05:17. > :05:22.situation we were in. Burnley at home and Hull at home have been hard
:05:23. > :05:28.tests honest hard-working teams, we've kept two clean sheets and got
:05:29. > :05:32.two victories, which is massive. We gave an opportunity for a referee to
:05:33. > :05:38.make a decision and he took it, I'm not going to moan and groan, it's a
:05:39. > :05:42.difficult role they play. I'm sure, deep down, they'll look at that
:05:43. > :05:49.again. As we'll be all, it'll be replayed and replayed and discussed
:05:50. > :05:53.and discussed. If you don't put yourself in a position of authority
:05:54. > :05:57.by scoring your own goals first... It became a matchwinner for West
:05:58. > :06:01.Ham. Probably had to resist the urge. It was the flimsiest of
:06:02. > :06:06.penalties, let's look at it, Danny. I agree completely. We do get the
:06:07. > :06:12.advantage of looking back on it again and again, of course. He goes
:06:13. > :06:17.over too easily. REFEREE: Position, actually. We'll see as we go closer,
:06:18. > :06:20.there is a slight touch of Huddlestone's hand on the side of
:06:21. > :06:31.Antonio. He shakes his head when he gives it,
:06:32. > :06:36.he goes, no, not upheld to, I changed my mind... He was definitely
:06:37. > :06:41.not convinced, but gave it in the end. It was a good pen. From a
:06:42. > :06:46.reliable penalty taker. Strange game, Hull haven't scored in two
:06:47. > :06:51.months away from home, had bags of chances and lots of misfortune. I
:06:52. > :06:55.think Hull will go down. The reason is based on this alone. They haven't
:06:56. > :06:59.got an out and out goal-scorer in their side, missed far too many
:07:00. > :07:02.opportunities. Haven't got that killer instinct. They got some nice
:07:03. > :07:05.football is in their rags but when it comes to moments like this you
:07:06. > :07:09.can't rely on anybody in their team, you haven't got anybody to stick the
:07:10. > :07:15.ball in the back of the net when it matters. This time, Clucas, yes,
:07:16. > :07:21.Kouyate makes a great challenge last minute to get them back into that.
:07:22. > :07:26.It was, I'll be honest, a lot of unfortunate incidents for them
:07:27. > :07:28.today. Second time he hit the post. Robertson was brilliant today,
:07:29. > :07:34.fantastic strike. Huddlestone played well for them as well. Look at back
:07:35. > :07:37.of the line, Maguire, it wouldn't go in the back of the net for them. At
:07:38. > :07:42.all. Interesting, West Ham's official Twitter account asked for
:07:43. > :07:47.the fans to vote for the man of the match and they gave it to the post,
:07:48. > :07:52.it kind of says a lot. Nevertheless, a vital win for West Ham? It was a
:07:53. > :07:57.vital win. They are struggling, is it lack of confidence? They have to
:07:58. > :08:00.dig seriously deep to get any kind of performance, any win under their
:08:01. > :08:07.belt. They didn't play well again today, they seem to have no ideas,
:08:08. > :08:12.almost, how to play. Just hopeless balls, these couple of balls from
:08:13. > :08:17.Antonio not digging him out in particular, it was a West Ham issue,
:08:18. > :08:20.not Antonio. I yet running forward with the ball, looking for runners,
:08:21. > :08:25.they have no one is all of a sudden. They want to come towards the ball,
:08:26. > :08:30.I get the same, make runs behind, I'll find you. Everybody wants to
:08:31. > :08:36.choose the easy option in the West Ham shirt. Lovely ball from Mark
:08:37. > :08:40.Noble. Who's running forward? No one. Loads of space in the
:08:41. > :08:44.right-hand side for somebody to be steaming into. No, we'll pass it
:08:45. > :08:48.backwards, nice and easy for Hull, they've dealt with it all day poor
:08:49. > :08:51.performance, they were lucky to get the win.
:08:52. > :08:53.21 of the 24 sides who've been bottom of the Premier League
:08:54. > :08:55.at Christmas have gone on to be relegated.
:08:56. > :08:57.Sunderland occupied that unenviable spot as they welcomed Watford
:08:58. > :09:10.Victor in each of the returns after injury for a match David Moyes
:09:11. > :09:13.describes as a must win match for the Black Cats. One of only three
:09:14. > :09:18.goal-scorers in the Premier League this season for Sunderland. Donald
:09:19. > :09:22.Love makes his first start since August. Troy Deeney has been stuck
:09:23. > :09:25.on 99 goals for what would since the beginning of October. Nine
:09:26. > :09:28.appearances without a goal for the Hornets captain. Younes Kaboul began
:09:29. > :09:33.the season at Sunderland before an August move to Vicarage Road.
:09:34. > :09:38.Watford come here having lost their last three away matches.
:09:39. > :09:53.Harlow on the chase. Gets there. Deeney making a run into the penalty
:09:54. > :10:01.area. Early corner. Etienne Capoue to take this conifer Watford. Rabat
:10:02. > :10:07.with the volley. Tipped over by Pickford. What an acrobat, met that
:10:08. > :10:10.terrifically. You can see him on the edge of the penalty area, nobody in
:10:11. > :10:16.a Sunderland shirt anywhere near him. Only one point from the last
:10:17. > :10:21.four away from home. Having lost the last three at Liverpool, West
:10:22. > :10:31.Bromwich Albion and Manchester city midweek. Zuniga trying to find a
:10:32. > :10:43.gala, cut out by Ndong. -- trying to find a Carlow.
:10:44. > :11:08.Watford throw. Trying to get away from Denayer. Great kick to Watford.
:11:09. > :11:18.Given away by Jason Denayer. Labour is behind it. Only just wide.
:11:19. > :11:23.Pickford came for that and came nowhere near it. Britos with the
:11:24. > :11:27.opportunity for Watford, close to scoring, look at the way he rises,
:11:28. > :11:35.takes a touch of Younes Kaboul on the way through. Given away,
:11:36. > :11:39.straight to Denayer, urged forward by David Moyes. And Paul Creswell in
:11:40. > :11:50.the Sunderland technical area. Januzaj. Flag stays down. It needed
:11:51. > :11:53.Gomez to make the save as van Aanholt timed his run perfectly.
:11:54. > :11:59.Nice one touch football from Sunderland and Gomez to the rescue
:12:00. > :12:03.to keep it 0-0. Lovely run here. Though was the offside? Looked like
:12:04. > :12:08.it. Van Aanholt with the opportunity. Gomes making sure it
:12:09. > :12:23.remains level 0-0 at half-time. Away by Djilobodji. Lovely play to
:12:24. > :12:30.get away from Younes Kaboul. Jermain Defoe with the ball across. Turned
:12:31. > :12:34.in off the post, Sunderland in front, Patrick van Aanholt with the
:12:35. > :12:46.goal. Sunderland with the breakthrough. Brilliant play there.
:12:47. > :12:49.Defoe. Only one man in support. That man was van Aanholt and he does
:12:50. > :12:56.superbly here to turn away from the challenge. And then put the ball in
:12:57. > :13:01.off the upright. Van Aanholt gets his third goal of the season and,
:13:02. > :13:08.crucially, Sunderland's first of the afternoon. Sunderland 1-0 Watford.
:13:09. > :13:12.David Moyes said in the build-up to this match, had he known the full
:13:13. > :13:15.facts about Sunderland's financial situation and the fact the chairman
:13:16. > :13:20.Ellis Short is looking to sell aid, he may have thought a little harder
:13:21. > :13:24.about taking the job here. -- looking to sell it. Januzaj, the
:13:25. > :13:38.only option for the jack. Here he is. -- only option for the throw.
:13:39. > :13:43.Any to be! -- Victor any to be. Many in the Stadium of Light would have
:13:44. > :13:52.expected Sunderland's second goal. Just the wrong side of the post,
:13:53. > :13:59.Anichebe. Wayward clearance, picked up by an Rabat, shrugs off van
:14:00. > :14:01.Aanholt. In towards Deeney. The search for goal number 100 in
:14:02. > :14:10.Watford Colours goes on for Troy Deeney. The aggressive run forward
:14:11. > :14:15.from Amrabat, Deeney holding back off target. Jordan Pickford may well
:14:16. > :14:21.have had it covered anyway. Time running out for Watford. Deeney with
:14:22. > :14:25.a header on. Ighalo. Success. Who gets away from the challenge.
:14:26. > :14:34.Success is still powering his way on. It's put behind for a corner.
:14:35. > :14:41.Djilobodji. A cross to get his considerable frame in the way.
:14:42. > :14:43.Zuniga drives it across, Pickford... Pickford with the save, right behind
:14:44. > :14:52.it from the former Newcastle man. It might drop here for Ighalo.
:14:53. > :14:59.Pickford with the save. He just gets there, again. Jordan Pickford with
:15:00. > :15:07.two saves in quick succession to keep Sunderland in front. First from
:15:08. > :15:11.Janmaat and then this second one. Sunderland 1, Watford 0. I think it
:15:12. > :15:17.was on the verge of a must win for us today. I think to make sure that
:15:18. > :15:21.we didn't get detached and, especially over the Christmas
:15:22. > :15:24.period, we have tough games. The players did great, tuck at it. Ugly
:15:25. > :15:27.at times. Nevertheless, the three points were the big thing we What
:15:28. > :15:32.did the needed. Manager say to you at half-time? He just said - keep on
:15:33. > :15:36.doing what you are doing. You are creating loads of chances on the
:15:37. > :15:40.left side. We combined very well. Keep doing what you are doing, the
:15:41. > :15:46.chance will come. The chance game. I scored the goal. Massive. The
:15:47. > :15:49.manager said, no point kidding you, it's a must-win game. Simple as
:15:50. > :15:53.that. Loads of games in a short space of time. It was important we
:15:54. > :15:56.recover, which we did. Credit to the medical team to get everything
:15:57. > :16:01.right. When you do that, you get results. We are delighted today.
:16:02. > :16:09.Walter, did Watford do enough to get even a point?
:16:10. > :16:12.TRANSLATION: I'm very angry. We did everything ourselves positive and
:16:13. > :16:17.negative. Of course we missed many chances in the first half. Then we
:16:18. > :16:23.also gave them their goal very easy. I'm very angry. Good performances in
:16:24. > :16:28.the last month. I didn't think today was a good performance. It was a
:16:29. > :16:34.winning performs and a winning team it covers up a multitude of sints
:16:35. > :16:39.when getting -- sins when getting your minds. He was a superstar of
:16:40. > :16:46.the future at Manchester United, Januzaj. It didn't happen for him.
:16:47. > :16:49.Better today He played behind Defoe. Technically superb. As we know.
:16:50. > :16:55.Drifts in and out of games. In this central role he was involved more.
:16:56. > :17:00.Positive. Likes to go forward. In a game where Watford could have got
:17:01. > :17:05.something out of, he was the, for Sunderland, he was the difference in
:17:06. > :17:09.their attacking play. He opened them up time and time again. His best
:17:10. > :17:16.game. Had a big hand in the goal there. You see, what he's got is the
:17:17. > :17:19.turn, to go - the desire to go forward, I should say. The
:17:20. > :17:23.willingness to take the ball under pressure. He was really good. He
:17:24. > :17:27.played really well. David Milibands said it was a must-win game. You can
:17:28. > :17:30.see what he means to keep the momentum going. They have improved?
:17:31. > :17:34.Massive game. Won three of the last four at home. Their home form for
:17:35. > :17:39.them is going to be imperative to them having any type of chance of
:17:40. > :17:46.staying up in this league Watford, generally, kind of going along quite
:17:47. > :17:50.nicely really. Doing well. Hot and cold. Decent performance. A tad
:17:51. > :17:55.unlucky. Chelsea's victory at Crystal Palace
:17:56. > :18:01.means they extend their lead Arsenal and Manchester City
:18:02. > :18:05.will have the chance to close the gap when they play each
:18:06. > :18:07.other on Sunday. Swansea drop to 19th
:18:08. > :18:09.after another heavy away defeat. Sunderland's win over Watford
:18:10. > :18:14.means they climb off The Sunday papers... The Times leads
:18:15. > :18:16.on Chelsea's club record-equalling 11 match winning streak to lead the
:18:17. > :18:22.Premier League at Christmas. Manchester City will bid ?25 million
:18:23. > :18:26.for Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in January.
:18:27. > :18:30.According to the Sun. The Mail on Sunday reports that Zlatan
:18:31. > :18:33.Ibrahimovic will reject a ?120 million offer to join the Chinese
:18:34. > :18:35.Super League. So Chelsea sit on the top
:18:36. > :18:43.of the tree at Christmas - Got it out of a Christmas cracker -
:18:44. > :18:47.sorry!