26/12/2017 Match of the Day

Good evening, we've got

a sackful of Boxing Day goals

to keep you up tonight.

Danny Murphy and Kevin Kilbane

were obviously desperate to get

out of the house today.

We begin at Wembley.

All eyes were on Harry Kane

ahead of Tottenham's game

against Southampton.

Could he break Alan Shearer's record

for Premier League goals

scored in a calendar year?

We all had our fingers crossed here.

Your commentator, Steve Wilson.

Wembley expectant of a new record.

Spurs' caning of Burnley on Saturday

leaves their favourite son one goal

away from a Premier League scoring

record of 37 for a Premier League,

-- for a calendar year, and two

changes for Spurs. Moussa Dembele

comes in. Charlie Austin starts a

three match ban for Southampton. He

scored five of their last seven

goals. Shane Long is looking for a

first goal since the 11th of

February. To put that in context,

Harry Kane has scored 47 times since

Shane Long last found the net.

Virgil van Dijk isn't in the squad

for Southampton and haven't

travelled to Wembley. Extraordinary

2017 it has been. This is Spurs'

last game in the calendar year so,

if he doesn't do it, it's a name for

2018. Kept that in, but given

straight to Dele Alli. Christian

Eriksen to his left, Kane to his

right. Kane in the middle, just

wide. It was close. Captain play by

Matt Targett, but gave it straight

to Dele Alli, and Southampton in all

kinds bother. Eriksen to Kane, side

netting full two Argentines in the

dugout. Mauricio Pochettino in one,

Mauricio Macri in the other. Danny

Rose being pursued by Pierre-Emile

Hojbjerg. Just outside the penalty

area. A really good piece play by

Danny Rose. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

get the yellow card. He pursued him

and pursued him and finally, there,

caught him. Again, a little

suspicion, when you see it in the

replay, Danny Rose's foot was

fishing a little bit. Six white

shirts inside that very congested

Southampton penalty area. Christian

Eriksen. It's in! Harry Kane! And

that is the record! A landmark goal

which is dispatched by Harry Kane.

37 Premier League goals in 2017. His

name in lights again. Whipped in by

Christian Eriksen and, from no more

than a foot, Harry Kane plans the

ball into the back of the

Southampton net, and he writes his

name in the history books of the

Premier League. Tottenham 1,

Southampton numerically a row. Well,

who did you think was going to break

the deadlock? He'd have got that one

in his sleep, I think. --

Southampton numerically a row. He

needs one become the top goal-scorer

in 2017 in the top five European

leagues but, hold on, here is Shane

Long. Nathan Redmond and Mario

Lemina and Sofiane Boufal forward.

Now, has that cross the line?

Goodness me, it hasn't. How lucky

are Spurs? Wow! Lovely feet from

Sofiane Boufal. Hugo Lloris didn't

really deal with it and certainly

didn't deal with that argumentative,

but the ball didn't cross the line.

-- certainly didn't deal with that

as he meant to. It is his birthday

and his lucky day. 54 goals now for

club and country in 2017, level with

Lionel Messi, who will not play

again in this calendar year, and

neither will Harry Kane after today.

Moussa Dembele. Eriksen. Dele Alli.

Holding off Wesley Hoedt. 2-0, Harry

Kane again! He is two thirds of the

way to yet another hat-trick. Again,

the simplest of finishes. Harry Kane

is always in the right place at the

right time. This is great play from

Dele Alli. And Son on a plate for

you know who. Kane has two.

Southampton have none. And he will

finish 2017 as the top scorer in

Europe's top five leagues. Boufal.

Jack Stephens. It's as far up the

pitch as Southampton's right back

has been in the game, I'd suggest.

Good feet from Mario Lemina. He's

got space, and he hit the bar. This

is good stuff from Southampton.

Mario Lemina, in particular. He

worked it onto his left foot, once,

twice, he found space. Really good

hit. Just rose too much. But only

just. Here is Eriksen. Trying to

catch out Maya Yoshida. Dele Alli's

touch, Son onto it. Just wouldn't

come quickly enough for Son. He'll

have another go now though. Dele

Alli. Oh, great goal! That is a

great finish from Dele Alli or

Tottenham Hotspur to put the game

well and truly out's reach. Harry

Kane will get the headlines, of

course, and rightly so, but this is

the goal of the game so far. Top

drawer finish from Dele Alli. And

Spurs lead 3-0. Damage limitation

may be the order of the day. Boufal.

Blocked by Serge Aurier. It's come

to Redmond. I think it was meant for

Mario Lemina, but here is Dele Alli

for Tottenham. Son is charging

ahead. It was Son to make it four.

He has! 4-0, Son, two in a little

over two minutes or Tottenham

Hotspur. Redmond's pass, then for

Mario Lemina, nowhere near him, and

look at Son, his determination to

get there. And what a good finish.

Lovely, lovely, precise finish from

Son. It's four for Spurs.

Southampton's heaviest defeat of the

season so far came only a couple of

weeks ago, 4-1 against Leicester at

home. Kane! Oh! So close! A

brilliant ball. He got a little

push, Harry Kane, but he still met

it sweetly. So close from Harry

Kane. To be honest, if he retired

now, we'd be talking about him for

decades to come, but he's got years

ahead of him. Shane Long, gets it

through to Sofiane Boufal. It's in!

Well, it's a consolation, and Hugo

Lloris will be very unhappy on his

31st birthday to be beaten by that

at his near post. Southampton have

one goal back. Well hit by Boufal,

and Hugo Lloris surprised at his

near post. Good strike, swerving and

beating the Tottenham goalkeeper low

to his right hand side. 4-1. Oh,

well won. Son, and free up here for

Spurs. Five back for Southampton.

Harry Kane! He's done it! Just take

a moment to think about this. 56

goals in 2017. 39 of them in the

Premier League. Eight hat-tricks.

Two of them in the last three days.

Just not in doubt. The statistics

are getting ridiculous. Harry Kane

is getting better, and Southampton

are getting absolutely hammered. It

has been a very Harry Christmas. It

is Spurs 5, Southampton 1. Oriol

Romeu. Lofted in towards Gabbiadini,

to our -- too high. A magnificent

save by Hugo Lloris. Goalkeepers are

obsessed by conceding goals. He

would be happy with the manner in

which he let in Sofiane Boufal's,

but he will be happy with that. In

goes that corner, out by Hugo

Lloris. Dusan Tadic... It's in! And

its 5-2. Dusan Tadic. It's a good

finish. Hugo Lloris just not tall

enough. Harry Kane might have kept

this out had Hugo Lloris not put his

hand to it. Tottenham 5, Southampton

2.

Show us the ball, if you would. Yet

another one. What are you going to

do with them?

I need to find the

room. It's all in a cupboard. We'll

need to make a room or a glass case

for them and get them all out.

You

will certainly need a bigger

cupboard! You've broken the record,

scored more goals this year than

Lionel Messi, eight hat-tricks in

the year, it's incredible.

It's been

a fantastic year one I am very proud

of. Like I say, compared to Messi

and Shira, it's what it's all about.

First and foremost, it's an

unbelievable display by the team, a

great result, and to get another

hat-trick is a great feeling to end

the year.

It's amazing, very well

about him, how he is. He is not only

a talented player, if not he's a

great and all that happened today,

he deserved.

I want to see a team

with character fighting and playing

for the ball, but the minimum that

you have to be is trying to show

this from the beginning, and I think

the wrong thing today was that we

waited for Tottenham to react.

It's

about improving every year and

that's what I tried to do, finding

edges, training and working harder,

making sure I'm fit and healthy, and

let's see what happens. I am feeling

good and confident. Still a long way

to go this season, so hopefully we

can continue this form for the rest

of the year.

What a lot of balls and

two outstanding records for Harry

Kane, most Premier League goals in

this calendar year and, remarkable,

he cruises past Alan Shearer, and

then this is perhaps even more

impressive, the most goals scored in

2017 in the European leagues. He has

gone two clear of Lionel Messi. He

did it in 12 games less. Where do

you start?

Al didn't fancy coming in

one bit to do this announcement on

Harry Kane. His form has been

excellent but, if you look at his

all-round game and what he brings to

it, he is more than just the goals.

I think we know that now. When you

do start to look at his overall

game, even at the start of the match

today, as soon as he starts the

game, he has a desire to get into

the game immediately, immediately on

the front foot, closing down

defenders. This is basic centre

forward play, get between the goals

and get yourself in a goal-scoring

position. Excellent movement, off

the shoulder of defenders, running

away from Maya Yoshida, creating

space for himself, and finding

himself in the six yard box. This is

what sets him apart from most number

nine.

Alan Shearer particularly!

You

can get away with that! He can play

at a number ten, you can drop deep

and get into positions away from

centre halves and December 's -- and

defenders. If that had gone in, that

would have been sensational. Playing

on the shoulder of defenders, that

is top-class technique, recognising

where they are, freeing himself into

space. Unselfish running, running

away from defenders, freeing up Dele

Alli, giving him that option, and it

is awareness. A little hesitation, a

starter, and then the dink with his

left foot foot six Premier League

hat-tricks across the year, eight in

total. Only Alan Shearer and fouler

and more in the Premier League.

He

the real deal, no question. For all

his brilliance, Southampton didn't

make it too difficult.

They have won one in 11 games and

the basics of football are not that

difficult to do.

It was

embarrassing. That is not being

harsh.

Watch the recovery run. This is not

a team playing for the manager.

People question attitude and

application and that is sometimes

harshly done, but not today. It is

fine playing at the back when you

are sharp. But they were on the back

foot and they were closing them down

and the ball was given the away.

Redmond is in the wrong position.

Look at the top of your screen. You

have got blue file not communicating

with Stevens. It is an easy pass and

Dele Alli is in. This is in the

first ten and 15 minutes of the game

when you have got the energy. No one

is cutting in and getting near

anybody. I am not taking anything

away from Tottenham's creativity.

But their man talent he was awful. I

am worried about them playing like

this.

Why would that happen? Maybe

some of them have had enough of what

they are being taught on a daily

basis. They were not playing with

any enthusiasm. They did not have a

game plan. You either dropped off

and make it hard for Tottenham or

you press all over the place. To be

able to head a ball in from two

yards out. Two defenders have let

the best striker in Europe get in

the middle and the goalkeeper does

not know what he is doing. I fear

for the manager.

I fear for the manager.

Bournemouth spent Christmas Day

in the bottom three.

They faced West Ham who kicked off

one point and one place

above their opponents.

John Roder was at

the Vitality Stadium.

Josh King scored 13 goals between

New Year's Bay and the end of last

season, including a hat-trick in

March in a win over West Ham. He has

passed his fitness test. Lewis Cook

comes into midfield. Manuel Lanzini

returns after serving a two match

ban for diving.

Andre Ayew is also playing, Andy

Carroll is in the substitutes.

Landini looking for an out of it.

West Ham get the corner. Smith left

with little choice but to put that

ball out of play.

Collins!. He gives West Ham an early

lead at the vitality stadium. All

sorts of questions being asked

amongst the Bournemouth defenders.

You can see where he starts his run.

He loses Francis and it is a

powerful header. The man they call

the ginger Pelley has struck.

Wilson in towards Josh King. Every

single Bournemouth fan inside the

ground was expecting Josh King to

make it 1-1. All he had to do was

find a way past Adrian.

In towards Andre Ayew. He cannot

quite believe he has missed that.

Three defenders converged on him.

Bournemouth get the free kick. Andre

Ayew sliding in.

Gosling, 1-1. Dan Gosling scored

last week in the League Cup defeat

at Chelsea. It was his first goal

for over a year and he has now

scored again. It dropped very nicely

for Dan Gosling. It seems like he

had a moment or two to consider

where to place it. - from Francis

and there may well be some action

here. And it will be a yellow card.

In his defence, Kouyate was leaning

in a little bit towards the ball.

Does two wins at home here in the

Premier League this season.

Pulled back by Aaron Cresswell and

the assistant has raised his flag.

Bournemouth will get a free kick.

And it is a yellow card for Aaron

Cresswell as a result of that

challenge.

There is an appeal for handball.

That is what Josh King is claiming.

Bournemouth have to be content with

the corner. They took it quickly.

Nathan Ake, 2-1, Bournemouth. Nathan

Ake gets his first goal for

Bournemouth since making his move

from Chelsea a permanent one. And it

has put the Cherries in front. They

have come from 1-0 down to Leeds

2-1. Keep your eye on the number

five five-year, Nathan Ake. He makes

the run in and he is in the right

place at the right time. He got

three goals in his loan spell in the

first half of last season and he has

now scored what could be a crucial

goal for Bournemouth.

There are appeals for handball as

Collins slid in. It certainly struck

his hand.

Ryan Fraser and Adrienne with the

save and eventually a double save.

Adrian holds firm. Bournemouth had

not scored in their previous two

Premier League Boxing Day fixtures,

but they have made up for it today.

A mistake by Asmir Begovic. And it

is an equaliser for West Ham. Marko

Arnautovic. It was a present the day

after Christmas. The heavy rain that

has fallen all match has an impact

on it, and a huge impact on it at

that. You simply cannot legislate

for a goal like that. The ball was

played back. Asmir Begovic lost his

footing. Marko Arnautovic was left

with the simplest of tasks to make

it 2-2. It is one of the more

farcical goals you are likely to see

this season. This is Landini. We

could be in for a rip-roaring end to

this match here. Both sides feel

they can win it. Hernandez, Asmir

Begovic and stabbed in by Marko

Arnautovic. And from 2-1 down just a

few minutes ago, West Ham have

turned this match around in their

favour. So much as determination

here to twist and turn his way past

practice. Hernandez with the shot.

Begovic could only block it and an

out of which could poke it home from

close range.

A minimum of six minutes additional

time. That will give Bournemouth

hope. Wilson! It will not count, the

flag is up on the near side. It is

ruled out for offside. Wilson is

claiming he did not touch it. Simon

Long is the assistant on the near

side. Bobby Madley comes across to

talk to him. This is one of those

incidents were an assistant referee

would be extremely useful. Is it an

equaliser? Is it disallowed? It is a

goal! It has been given. And

Bournemouth have struck back in this

amazing Boxing Day game. Nathan Ake

with a header across. Does Wilson

get a touch. It certainly looks like

it. That will be a much discussed

goal. Who needs a film and the game

of Shiraz?

I do not know why he

would not go with his linesman's

decision. He puts his flag up

because he believes there is an

offside. For whatever reason he

wants to speak to him. I have had a

look at it and it could be close the

offside. I do not know if our

player's foot is on the ground. But

the worst is, he puts it in the top

of the net with his arm and it

should have been stopped for that.

For them to overrule both decisions

and to get both decisions wrong I do

not see it at all.

Sometimes you get

decisions against you. I went in as

a striker and followed the ball in

and put a touch on it. To my

delight, but not to West Ham's. A

little touch of what? Magic.

When

the linesman's flag goes up I assume

it is not given. With the length of

talking there were having I assumed

the goal would not be given, that

was my gut feeling. But I am pleased

to see the goal given and I thought

it is what we deserved.

Three points

and then one point. It was a crazy

game, but that is why people watch

the game and we entertain everybody

on Boxing Day.

It was a bonkers

Christmas afternoon.

Unbelievable. I

do not know if there is any other

country in the world when Kouyate

gets kicked in the face where it

would not be a sending off. When

somebody swings there aren't they

are classed as being sent off. Some

people would have six months in

jail, never mind a yellow card.

That

is probably overdoing it a bit.

First, let's try and clear up that

extraordinary colour was an

equaliser. What is going on? They

got it wrong basically.

The referee?

I think he is a bit offside. Bobby

Madley has overruled his linesman

for some reason. You can see Callum

Wilson saying I did not touch it.

That is not what he said after the

game.

He is just offside. We presume

he thinks he did not touch it. But

it is irrelevant now because it is

given. I can understand why David

Moyes is fuming because he is a

minute away from getting three

points. But Bournemouth made the

better chances. But Eddie Howe is

right, they played well and made a

lot of good chances, better than

they have played for a long time.

West Ham showed good spirit and good

application to stay in the game and

they should be happy with a point.

A

couple of other incidents, including

the one that David Moyes was

referring to.

It is the Simon

Francis incident on Kouyate. I do

not think it is a red card. I think

Simon Francis is looking. It looks

bad from that angle. But clearly he

is looking at the ball and try to

bring it down from the air and he

captures him. I think a yellow card

is the right decision.

You do see

those given as a red card.

This

looks bad. This is Josh King on

Pedro and it is just frustration. He

turned around and there was a bit

petulant. There is no intent there.

That is how you say Merry Christmas

in Norway!

Liverpool had drawn their last three

at Anfield going into the game

against Swansea who began the day

bottom of the table,

the third season in a row

they've spent Christmas

in the relegation zone.

Commentary comes from Steve Bower.

Liverpool, who haven't lost here

since April, made four changes to

the team that drew with Arsenal,

including a recall for

Oxlade-Chamberlain, but Simon

Mignolet retains his place in goal

to make his 200th appearance for the

club. Alfie Mawson was the only

player to start every Premier League

game under previous manager Paul

Clement. He is in a side that also

shows four changes, including a full

Premier League debut for Scottish

U21 international Oliver McBurnie.

The last nine meetings between these

two have produced 35 goals. Andrei

you. Looking at the free kick, and

he didn't get it. What a strike!

Philippe Coutinho marks his 200th

appearance for Liverpool with

another special goal to add to the

collection. No chance for Fabianski.

Andre Ayew was looking for the free

kick. One touch and the next is inch

perfect. And Philippe Coutinho, who

scored his first ever Liverpool goal

against Swansea at Anfield, as

scored the first of this one. That

is Liverpool's 250th goal in all

competitions under Jurgen Klopp.

Crossing opportunity for Routledge.

Andre Ayew coming in. Simon Mignolet

forced to make the save. A little

too much time and will moan -- time

and room for Routledge. Swansea

haven't scored in ten of their 19

games so far this season. Space for

Mo Salah. Roberto Firmino's tax back

to him. What about that? He is on

side. Queueing up, and he couldn't

pick any of them out. And then

Robertson! You already feel that

this could be a long old evening.

The. Mo Salah and Coutinho linking

up beautifully here. -- a long old

evening for Swansea. It was always

drifting wide for Robertson.

Liverpool a little frustrated they

haven't built on that goal, after

just six minutes. Roque Mesa. Under

pressure from Oxlade-Chamberlain. He

forced the error. Mo Salah kicking

it to Roberto Firmino. Lovely

balance. He can't finish it. He'd

done everything right up until that

moment. He had options as well.

First credit to Oxlade-Chamberlain

for forcing the error. That was the

touch that created it for Roberto

Firmino. He chose to go alone and

then he missed the target. Whilst it

remains 1-0, Swansea will maintain

hope. Alexander Arnold finding

Roberto Firmino. No cell! -- Mo

Salah! Usually put them away from

that kind of range so far this

season. A bit of space now for

Coutinho, allowed to turn. Liverpool

free kick.

Roberto Firmino! Eight goals in his

last eight starts. Should have

scored just before half-time. As

scored less than six and a half

minutes after half-time. Swansea

switched off. Coutinho's delivery,

nobody goes with Firmino. Fernandez

misjudged it and the Liverpool

striker did the rest. Four in four

against Swansea now for Roberto

Firmino. 2-0 today, long way back

for the bottom club. You just worry

that the floodgates could open here.

Mo Salah! Alfie Mawson lost the

flight of the ball. Fabianski did

well, didn't panic. Lovely ball from

Robertson. Alfie Mawson didn't get

there. Fabianski did. Swansea have

only scored more than once in two

Premier League games this season,

and that's what they need to do

somehow in this situation. Emre Can

overhit that. Roberto Firmino was

the intended target. Robertson will

keep it in. Get it across. Coutinho.

Dazzling. Robertson. Away by Alfie

Mawson. Alexander Arnold! He has his

first Premier League goal for

Liverpool. To make it 3-0. That's

one of the dreams growing up as a

Liverpool fan, right by the training

ground. Coutinho heavily involved,

Robertson's cross clear, but look at

the desire from Trent

Alexander-Arnold and then the finish

off the crossbar. Liverpool 3,

Swansea 0. Mawson. Mo Salah. Firmino

is unmarked. He's unselfish. Two for

Roberto Firmino, four for Liverpool.

The floodgates are well and truly

open. Swansea didn't help themselves

with that pass, straight to the

Egyptian. He could have had a shot

but he saw Roberto Firmino totally

unmarked six yards out, and he

wasn't going to miss that. It could

be damage limitation now for the

bottom club. A trip to Watford next

for Swansea, as they look to somehow

clawed some point onto the board.

Could he know, back to Lallana,

Dominic Solanke you wanted it and

Lallana went alone.

Oxlade-Chamberlain. In from

Alexander Arnold. Might come to

Oxlade-Chamberlain! It's five. He

has his second Liverpool Premier

League goal, and the bottom club are

undone again. This was the first

opportunity, look at Dominic Solanke

you, he would have had a tap in, but

Swansea just don't clear their

lines. In opportunity there, they

are not strong enough there will

stop -- strong enough there.

Oxlade-Chamberlain just wanted it

more. No chance again for Fabianski.

Liverpool 5, Swansea 0. Jurgen

Klopp's team have blown Swansea

away.

I was impressed, fantastic

football. Confidence grew in this

period of the game. The first hour

was hard work, it wasn't easy to

come through but, after 60 minutes,

we were brilliant and it was a joy

to watch.

When you bottom affects

your confidence, no doubt. The

second goal went in and maybe the

players lost and I'm pleased they

could get back into the game. That

happens but you have to keep going

and keep making sure you are doing

the right things, giving it

everything you've got, and today you

have to question that.

Tell me how

many years you've been dreaming

about that moment, Anfield,

Liverpool goal.

Yeah, it was harder

going into that moment, and a

pleasure to be able to play and to

game the manager's trust to put me

out on the field to start a game. I

always wanted to go out there and

repay his faith and trust, and I

tried to do that again today.

She's

told me that on Boxing Day the whole

family, part of the family from

America will come over and watch the

game. I said, is that in order for

the line-up?

She told you you had to

play him!

Well, they certainly rewarded him.

Coutinho, 200th game, Captain

armband on, and he played a captain

's role.

He's been sensational

recently in terms of his end

products, five goals, five assists

and, when he plays like this, you

can see why the biggest clubs, like

Barcelona, want him. This is his

first impact in the game early on.

He makes it look so easy. You start

to expect him to finish from these

positions. His footwork, his skill

and awareness, even when they double

up on him it's hard for people to

stop him now. His vision... I like

him when he comes deeper and drops

and gets on the ball, because he can

open teams up with his vision. He is

off-balance, look at that for a

pass. As a forward, he must be

wonderful to play with because every

time you make a good movement is

going to find you for the

-- he is

going to find you.

He is just a

technically superb footballer who is

starting to add goals and assists

and set plays to his game, right on

the money. Superb ball and a good

finish. Let's hope, for Liverpool's

sake, that he is enjoying this role

and he has a change of heart,

because it's a great football club

and he is a big part and, for me,

probably the best player in their

squad, is all round game. Not wants

to leave Merseyside for the money in

Spain, do they? Maybe he will change

his mind and stapled

what could you

be talking about? I wish I could

remember that far back! Swansea are

in the mire.

It could get away from

them quickly. Leon Britton spoke

about the mistakes and errors they

made. Liverpool were brilliant but I

think a lot of mistakes they made

led directly to Liverpool goals, and

you feel they need a manager in

place to take them forward.

Interesting that Garry Monk is

favourite. Could be coming back.

They need direction, somebody go in

and change their fortunes quickly.

They certainly do full I was just

getting over the fact that Everton

ditched me! Manchester United were

13 point point Manchester City ahead

of kick-off against Burnley. The

visitors had played United three

times on Boxing Day previously,

winning all three. By Mowbray was at

Old Trafford. As peasant strikers

go, they wouldn't get much more

powerful than Romelu Lukaku and

Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They start today

for the first time and, as United

brilliant their number ten, so do

Burnley. Chris Wood is out so Ashley

Barnes comes in, rekindling memories

of a battle with Nemanja Matic for

Burnley and Chelsea, which saw the

now United midfielder went off by

today's referee, Martin Atkinson. --

now United midfielder sent off. They

last met on Boxing Day in 1963 and

Burnley won it 6-1. Jeff Hendrick

onto this one. Marcos Rojo is onto

them. Came across him unfairly. It's

going to be a yellow card to, very

early on in the piece. That is for

Marcos Rojo, and you can see why. It

was a little bit more than just

getting across to block the Burnley

man's would fill the ball. A chance

for Johann Gudmundsson to put

something special into the United

box. Watch the back post, bearing in

mind how Harry Maguire got in for

Leicester at the weekend. It has

been bundled in! Burnley have the

lead, and Ashley Barnes has given

them the lead, two minutes in at Old

Trafford. What a start for the

Clarets! Gudmundsson took aim.

Nobody Willie got up to get any play

contact with the head. -- nobody

really got up. Ashley Barnes kept

his eyes on the ball before lashing

home his third of the season.

Gudmundsson. Jack Cork. Bardsley.

Gudmundsson to Jack Cork again.

Burnley passing the ball around

beautifully. Hendrick, Barnes, Jack

Cork. It's a Gudmundsson ball

bearing! Off the top of the

crossbow. -- crossbar. Burnley are

playing some wonderful stuff, and a

clever attempt at a finish. After

you. Matic. Luke Shaw. Juan Mata

outside the left. Luke Shaw went for

goal! Saved by Pope, played by

Taylor. Really good start all-round.

-- cleared by Taylor.

Barnes, Scott Arfield, Ashley Young

went in and didn't win the ball

cleanly. A Burnley free kick, and it

is in range, but it would have to be

pretty special to beat David de Gea

from that distance. Steven Defour

stepped up and it was really

special! What a goal! What a story

might be developing at Old Trafford!

Steven Defour has just found the top

corner with a free kick right out of

the top drawer. Look at the way it

curls away from the right-hand David

de Gea. That is as perfect as they

come.

Great ball for Rashford. Rashford

turns inside! Super goal --

goal-line block. He instinctively

got back to block it. Young,

Ibrahimovic, Lukaku goes in, and

Pope has it. Burnley performing

wonders at both ends. This, from a

defender's point of view, is just as

special as Steven Defour's free

kick. Look at their faces. Merry

Christmas? Best present of the lot

at the moment! Matic.

Blocked by Kevin Long.

That is as

good as a save.

He was being held on to, but he kept

his feet. I thought he got

Manchester United back into the game

for a second. Pope is not getting

anywhere near that. Manchester

United need something special again

to get back into this. Lukaku missed

it! Jesse Lingard hit the bar. How

on earth did that stay out? It is an

amazing save by Pope. It really is.

It hit his head and then it hit the

bar twice. Nemanja Matic is allowed

to advance.

Jesse Lingard! Jesse Lingard scores.

Manchester United have swarmed all

over Burnley from the restart. A

pulsating Boxing Day fixture is back

on again. What a clever, cheeky

finish from Jesse Lingard. The

substitutions Jose-Maria Newell has

made do not seem to have done

Manchester United any harm. They

have not lost at home on Boxing Day

since long before his time. 1978,

3-0 to Liverpool. Marcus Rashford is

given all the time in the world to

cross. Lukaku!

Sure goes for goal and Pope was well

positioned. This sums it up so far.

He did not get the timing of the

jump right at all.

A free kick given against Phil

Bardsley. The ball bounced up

against him he came back in and did

not time it right on Mkhitaryan. We

have seen something special from

Steven Defour. What has Paul Pogba

got? The same spot on the field. Not

quite the same result. Sean Dyche

cannot really ask for any more

effort from his players.

Jones is blocked by Sam Vokes. Can

Burnley hold on?

Juan Mata was looking for Marcus

Rashford. And Jesse Lingard right at

the end. A second goal for

Manchester United. A second for the

substitute Jesse Lingard. He has

saved them from Boxing Day defeat.

What a clean strike. No time to

think about it. Hit it, watch it and

run away in celebration. It has been

a cracker.

Nothing at all negative

to say about my players. I praise

again their spirit, their reaction,

the way they accept all the risks we

took in the second half, so I can

only praise them. But saying that,

it is not the result that we want.

To come out with a point is

pleasing. I thought how the referee

did not give a penalty is beyond me.

Then the final decision on some

folks. I do not know what he's made

to do, he bumped into him. In

basketball that is charging. But

overall to come with another point

pleases me in a different way today.

Overall very pleased. Where does

that rank in the goals you have

scored four Burnley and other teams?

I think this is again a really nice

one.

A slightly disappointed

dressing room in there?

Yes, you

look at the stats and the chances we

created and we know we should have

won the game. Fair play to Burnley,

they defended well.

Is this a bit of

a sticky spell to you?

What is that?

It is a difficult spell for you?

Why? Because we should win matches

scoring four, five or six goals? And

we scored only two. I am not happy

because in the two matches we

deserved to win six points.

Definitely not a sticky spell.

Ashley Barnes was cutting a lone

furrow up front but he did it really

well.

He came in for Chris Wood who

got injured against Tottenham. There

are two things that centre forwards

need to do, particularly the way

Burnley player at times. His hold up

play was excellent in tight

situations. He created chances for

others off the back of it. But when

Burnley defence so deep, you are

relying on your striker to get hold

of the ball and take a few touches

and bring team-mates into play and I

think he did it brilliantly today.

Every single time he made himself

available. At times it was not easy

for him to control, under pressure

run centre halves. Then having the

awareness around him to flick it on

when he sees people running on. His

overall game was very good in the

first-half particularly. That little

flick on lead to the goal. Sean

Dyche is saying they should have a

but he reacts to it and he gets the

reward. A brilliant performance

particularly in the first half.

Burnley have played away at Chelsea,

Spurs, Liverpool and Manchester

United and have not lost at any of

them, quite remarkable. Jose

Mourinho made a couple of changes

and Jesse Lingard made a difference.

He started with 4-4- two and it did

not work. Mkhitaryan also made an

impact as well as Jesse Lingard. But

Jesse Lingard has been adding goals

to his game, which was a criticism

of him. He keeps getting in there

and he keeps making runs off the

ball. His movement is as good as I

have seen of any United players of

the ball. He loves running without

the ball and getting into dangerous

areas. The fact he kept getting in

there even after making a couple of

Mrs, that was a super finish,

technically very good. If he keeps

getting in there, he will get goals.

He is playing a second striker role

where he can see spaces, a bit like

Dele Alli for Spurs in recent times.

Sam Vokes, I do not think that is

felt sorry, I think it is a foul,

nothing to moan about. But this is

another great finish. And he saved

the day really. United at home to

Burnley, it is the type of game they

should be winning. I know they have

made a load of chances against

Leicester, but you have to put them

away.

A little story after the game,

Jose Mourinho in his press

Conference. Kind of saying he spent

almost £300 million but it is not

enough to complete what he is trying

to do, can compare it to other

people, referring to Manchester

City.

It is not a small amount. That

is the thing. You are expected to be

Burnley at home when you spend that

amount of money. They are behind

city, yes, and we can talk about

spending, but they have been able to

compete against them in the transfer

market, but it is just that city

have bought better.

We've reached half-time,

four games still to come.

A great chance for Jamie Vardy. A

flying save. It is hooked towards

the net, incredible action.

It

looked easy to score.

It's just one point

from six games for Watford.

They faced a Leicester side coming

off the back of a 2-2 draw

with Manchester United courtesy

of Harry Maguire's

94th minute equaliser.

Simon Brotherton

was at Vicarage Road.

Watford's early-season shine has

lost its shine of late. Only one

point from the last six matches.

Leicester have picked up in the last

two months, taking 18 points in ten

games since Claude Puel took over.

Alexander Drager bitch makes his

Premier League debut for Leicester.

It almost fell for King and now an

opportunity for Ben Chilwell and

Okazaki was there. But it was saved

by Heurelho Gomes.

A great chance for Jamie Vardy and

he put it wide. And a kick of

frustration tells you all you need

to know. It is rare that Jamie Vardy

gets in a position like this and the

ball does not end up in the back of

the net. The season started so well

but in terms of the number of wins

and points on the board, they are

exactly where they were at this

stage of the season under the former

manager.

Riyadh Mahrez, great chance, 1-0

Leicester City. A lovely girl. -- a

lovely goal. Good play by Mark

Albrighton. The header was guided

home by Riyadh Mahrez. It was Mark

Albrighton's delivery that led to

the late equaliser against

Manchester United the other day. His

cross found a team-mate again here

today.

Unable to get inside the near post.

Richarlison is onside, away from

Schmeichel. He could not wrap his

brood around the ball enough to get

at the right side the post.

Another corner. The last seconds of

the opening 45 minutes. There is a

chance and it is an equalising goal.

Molla Wague making his first start

in the Premier League. Look at him

unmarked. Watford level with

Leicester. We go into added time at

the end of the first half. Something

to celebrate that last for Marco

Silva.

I chance for Richarlison. He smacks

the post. That could easily have

turned this match completely around.

Certainly Leicester will be relieved

to be going in level at the break.

It went past everyone and Abdoulaye

Doucoure array just managed to get

it in from the most acute angles,

and the blood of Kasper Schmeichel

got down to the ball but couldn't

turn it away. -- the love. That has

been confirmed as an own goal.

Kasper Schmeichel's something he

won't want next to his name. One

back by Nathan Cleverly, taken off

Chilwell's toe. Nathan Cleverly! So

nearly three for Watford. Nathan

Cleverly has been busy throughout

and send it just past the far post.

Nothing up front in the second half.

Bags of room for Marc Albrighton.

Slimani was in the right place but

too high. Watford concede a corner.

Another change coming for Leicester

now. Andy King is being substituted.

Leonardo Ulloa is coming on. Claude

Puel throwing a lot at Leicester,

trying to salvage a point. Saved by

Gomez. Wes Morgan can't quite

believe it didn't end up in the back

of the net. Maguire got up well, and

the shot on the turn for Morgan, but

Heurelho Gomes saves the day for

Watford. Leicester knocking on the

door. The header again is saved by

Heurelho Gomes. To preserve the 2-1

lead. Still, Leicester on the

attack. Wilfred Ndidi DCs is ever

plucked from the air. -- sees his

header. One point from the previous

18 available for Watford ahead of

this one.

We did well for the we

didn't recognise our team in the

last game, and it's the only way to

get back into winning ways. It's

like we've done today. Sometimes

it's never just about the quality

but about the attitude that we had.

At the end, the goalkeeper made

fantastic saves. It was perhaps not

enough for us. But I think it will

be a fair result.

The last game, not

a lot of chances. We had a fantastic

chance to kill the match and we

didn't kill it, and they fought

until the end. Good mentality. To

fight and to keep a good result for

us.

A gritty performance from Watford,

just one shot on target. They were

helped by Leicester's ineptitude at

defending set pieces.

And the reason

is that they conceded more than a

body is in the Premier League, 13,

which isn't good. -- more than

anybody else. They play good

football and create great chances,

but back post, nobody on there, a

pet hate of mine. I don't understand

why you don't cover it for

man-to-man, three against three,

Morgan loses this man and Maguire

tries to cover him and leaves his

own man, and of course it falls to

the man you leave and he has an easy

tap in. Its basics, really. You've

got to stick to your own man. This

is why some coaches prefer zonal. A

run around the back. It is

Aleksandar Dragovic, who has just

been brought into the team, so maybe

not sure in his role, but you've got

to follow it all the way out.

Schmeichel has to cover his near

post. A goalkeeping error. It's not

going in until he gets a hand on it,

so an own goal. Individual errors,

and they keep conceding off set

plays. With the opposition only

having one shot on target and you

still lose the game, it's a problem.

Watford stopped the rot.

Yeah, Marco

Silva talked about the mentality, so

good for them to bounce back.

You have to go back to 1933

for Brighton's only ever

victory over Chelsea.

These two were meeting for the first

time in the top flight

of English football.

Jonathan Pearce was

at Stamford Bridge.

Alvaro Morata returns from

suspension to spearhead Chelsea's

west for their sixth home league win

on the spin. Gary Cahill is back

with Kristiansen ill, and Cesc

Fabregas starts. Brighton's record

signing, Jose Izquierdo, starts for

the second time in six games, with

Anthony Knockaert rotated the bench.

Jeremy Kyle gets a second start in

Shane Duffy returns from suspension.

-- around KL. -- Kayal gets a second

start.

A very decent 70 minutes for

Brighton but they need to maintain

this level four 90. Schelotto

defending well. Out by Stevens,

Fabregas stayed onside. Missed by

Bakayoko. Good header back by

Antonio Rudiger, and Chelsea should

be ahead. A pushing header back, but

poked it wide. Just one defeat for

Chelsea in the last ten Boxing Day

fixtures, against Arsenal in 2010.

Fabregas. He saw the run of Moses.

Lovely ball, didn't finish, carried

away by Maty Ryan. Beautiful pass,

rest of the day. Lifted his head, a

beautiful ball, right footed onto

the foot of Moses, finished that

power. Similar Brighton performance

to Tottenham away, Manchester United

away, Arsenal away. Organised today,

as if they are perfecting this

formation, this tactic.

Azpilicueta with a ball in. Alvaro

Morata scores! Chelsea are ahead.

All of Brighton's first half work

undone in the opening minute of the

second. Davy Propper had no chance.

Beautiful ball in by Azpilicueta,

allowed to get across in, and Alvaro

Morata stole away from his marker in

the middle. The header was too

powerful and Chelsea deserved lead.

They have it, and do Brighton have a

plan B to get back into it? The goal

came 52 seconds into the second

half. Bakayoko playing very high up

at the start of the second half.

Hazard! Should have been two. The

start of the second period, Bakayoko

has virtually been playing as a

second centre right up with Alvaro

Morata. His touch has offered the

opportunity, and should have scored.

Chelsea and the other title chasers

have to keep playing their games and

hope Manchester City slip up. It is

a forlorn hope. A yellow card for

Dale Stephens. Miss typed it. First

yellow card of the game. -- this

time.

Carried away by Maty Ryan. He got

there, that's all that's important.

He gave himself a lot to do, but he

knew he could do it. But

goalkeeping. Another good save from

Alonso. Twice, he scored, the

full-back --. Azpilicueta got a good

clearance away.

Target was Alvaro Morata. Good

header away under pressure. Chelsea

are pouring it on. Brighton are

wilting. Their 11th corner of the

game. Fabregas with it, to the near

post! Alonso makes it two. It's been

coming. Chelsea deserved it. Twice

in a matter of moments by goalkeeper

Maty Ryan, but this time no keeping

him out. Allowed to run free,

dancing header on, is this goal of

the campaign, one more to level this

season's tally. He gets goals, the

Chelsea wingback. Good to see Ken

Bates and his partner, Susannah,

here, wrapped up against the cold.

They run from Schelotto. Corner kick

given. Their best move of the game,

Ryton. This was adventurous. The

header was deflected wide. In its

wings, couldn't meet the first man,

and Kayal was hesitant Kayal tried

three times, runners to the left,

runners to the right, Eden Hazard,

still onside, dancing, prancing and

nearly scoring, but away by Lewis

Dunk. Classic Chelsea counter.

Hazard so close. Brilliant defending

by Lewis Dunk. Step inside two

challenges, so balletic, and on the

line by Lewis Dunk, who anticipated

well. Chelsea have had 66% of

possession and 18 efforts on goal.

Fabregas, a little dummy, sublime,

brilliant. Will the finish come? No,

Bakayoko wide. You deserve far

better, on a day when, in the end,

Chelsea had too much quality. A very

good win 2-0.

In the second half we

started very well. We scored, we

created many chances to improve the

school. -- improve the score. Good

performance with good intensity.

We

are very conscious of the division

we are written and quality of the

teams we are up against so I don't

think we minutes that we thought we

would have much choice in front of

goal as we've had the last couple of

seasons, but we will work as hard as

we can coming up to January to

strengthen the squad as much as we

can in areas that we feel can be

strengthened.

It was a hard team.

They defended pretty well. The

second half, we scored early and,

after the early goal, it was

different from the league. It's

tough to win, and we are happy.

For

us, it's an important player, the

back nine. He played a good game

with the ball. But looking the

commitment of all my players.

A good place to start, with Alvaro

Morata, and he seems to build up an

understanding with his Spanish

compatriot.

An amazing combination.

Azpilicueta to Alvaro Morata. It's

an uncanny knack that similar sort

of spot where Azpilicueta gets to,

put a cross in, we did behind, a

great ball into a great area. You

look at it and look at the movement

of Alvaro Morata, his move is

excellent, but look it's incredible

how many times it happened. It is

almost as if you get in that

position and Alvaro Morata sets of,

Azpilicueta put it into a decent

area, and it's unbelievable. A

different sort of goal, but it's the

movement of Alvaro Morata that makes

it again. Azpilicueta sees the

space, reads it in, and Alvaro

Morata has the ability to feed them

and put it into the corner.

Azpilicueta, ten assists since the

start of last season, incredible,

more than any defender in the

Premier League. He's in great form,

Azpilicueta, from an assist point of

view.

I bet he is in lot of fantasy

football teams.

Huddersfield in 11th were the best

placed of the three promoted teams

at the half-way stage of the season.

They faced a Stoke side who moved

clear of the bottom three by beating

West Brom on Saturday.

Alistair Mann was at

the John Smith's Stadium.

Steve Mounie a's two goals on the

opening day at Crystal Palace set

the foundation for what has been an

encouraging first half of the season

for Huddersfield. While his team

have clicked on, Steve Mounie has

been less impactful. There are four

changes today for the Joe Allen was

pushed higher up the field in a

tactical switch at home to West Brom

on Saturday and responded with his

first goal of the campaign as a win.

He remains in the hole behind Peter

Crouch as the visitors keep the same

11 Internet, didn't record

back-to-back wins for the first time

since January. -- the same 11

intact. Immediately played Tom Ince.

Now Collin Quaner. He wants the

return, and he gets it. And he still

manages to get it through for the

turned in by Tom Ince! It's his

first Premier League goal for almost

four years. The last scored for

Crystal Palace against West Bromwich

Albion but today, on a vital match,

really, in terms of those above the

relegation zone, this goal will mean

an awful lot to come in. Collin

Quaner ought not to have got his

cross in but, once he did, Tom Ince

had a fantastic opportunity, and the

John Smith's stadium absolutely

erupts to herald the opening goal

for Tom Ince of Huddersfield Town.

Aaron Mooy with the back, and it

goes towards Shaqiri. And it's just

beyond the post. If a corner. It

took a little ricochet, and that's

what helped it beyond the far post.

They have had their opportunities to

level today, Stoke City. Inside the

last 20 minutes of a pulsating first

half, and Shawcross and Kurt Zouma!

Edits of the line, and it's off the

line again. Incredible action, still

not over, Kurt Zouma again with the

header, and towards the net! Referee

looks at his watch and says it's not

a goal. It stays at 1-0 and goodness

knows how. Relentless pressure from

Stoke City. And a whole host of

combinations kept them out. In the

end, Jonas Lossl, delighted to flop

onto the ball. Well, there's at

least two clearances off the line,

the last of them from Jonas Lossl

was a breathtaking save to deny

Maxim Choupo-Moting. Outstanding

goalkeeping. Mark Hughes cannot

believe that Stoke didn't level.

Valour para went for glory. Butler

and palms it away. Jonas Lossl has

been great at one end. But land has

been great at the other.

He was in two minds, but then it

breaks for van la Parra. They

continue to fashion chances. They

are pulling stoke one way and then

the other.

Aaron Mooy battling with Fletcher.

That will be a yellow card.

Schindler will be the first man to

have his name cautioned. Alan was

just about to get clear from

Schindler.

And the equaliser! That was from

Ramadan Sobhi. They stayed in the

game, Stoke, and somehow they have

turned it around in the early part

of the second half. Stoke threatened

to score in the first half. Through

Ramadan Sobhi they finally do. He

got his first Premier League goal at

the weekend against West Bromwich

Albion. Now he gets his second in

just a few days' time. The reaction

from Mark Hughes says everything.

And it is tipped away. I think that

was a cross that went a little bit

wrong. But Butler and had to palm it

away.

A challenge on Aaron Mooy. Anthony

Taylor is searching and is certain

that nothing untoward occurred.

Anthony Taylor was dismissive. Does

he get the ball? I do not think he

does.

Diouf Bolsover and he looks at the

referee and Peter Crouch does as

well and Marcuse cannot believe that

is not a penalty. The referee turns

away and says, let's get on with it.

I think that could well have been a

penalty as well. Marcuse is

absolutely adamant.

We played very

well, very intense, aggressive, I

think, apart from the goal that they

scored.

I would argue we had more

clear-cut chances. They have taken

the lead with probably their first

attack which was disappointing for

us.

I think a clear penalty which we

had to get when it was 1-1. They had

a penalty situation as well where

maybe it was possible to give them a

penalty.

It has to be a penalty in

my view. Whether or not the referee

was influenced somewhat by the court

at the other end for the home side.

The lad was never in good possession

of the ball. He would have to ask

the referee. A strange decision that

he did not give one.

I just love how

they manage to have completely

different views, generally favouring

their own side. Let's have a look at

those two penalties.

What do you

think? I believe Marcuse and not

because I have played under him.

This is a little bit of shepherding

from Joe Allen. Some referees might

have given it. You are screaming for

that.

Really?

I genuinely do not

think that is a penalty.

If there is

any doubt about that one, this is as

clear a penalty as you will see.

Diouf had his leg taken away from

him from Schindler. This is the best

angle. It is a clear penalty. That

should have been given for Stoke.

But Huddersfield have done

brilliantly to be where they are at

this stage in the season.

They are

11.

They have been up against it all

season. The whole community has come

together for that team.

You spent a

bit of time there.

Yes, I did.

Yes, I did.

West Brom were just one point off

the bottom going into their game

against Everton who've gone five

games unbeaten since

Sam Allardyce took charge.

Watching this one at

the Hawthorns, Martin Fisher.

Gareth Barry scored the winner when

the sides met here last season.

On

that day he was wearing an Everton

shirt. Albion have made three

changes today. Craig Dawson is back

after a ten game absence with an

injury. Yannick Bolasie had an

injury and he was out for over a

year and this is his first

appearance for 387 days. Wayne

Rooney was sent home this morning

still struggling with a virus.

They were across the road doing some

light training earlier on today.

A decent ball and it looked easy to

score. Somehow the Venezuelan has

nudged it wide from two yards. A

decent ball in from Rodriguez and

Rondon was onside. What are Miss and

he knows it.

Rondon just helps it on and Barry

will do likewise.

Rodriguez stopped by whole gay, but

it will be an Albion corner. They

are encouraged by what their team

has produced so far.

Jason Pickford elects to punch only

as far as Phillips. What a chance.

Another glorious opportunity has

been spurned by the home side. That

was as easy as the once burned

earlier on by Rondon. How did Dawson

not head home?

That brings Pickford's first save of

the afternoon. It was good work

again from Gareth Barry that got

West Bromwich Albion on the front

foot.

Oh, dear! Great strength to push

Holgate out of the way, but that is

a horror of a shot.

Rodriguez was attacking it. It has

been the story of Albion's day so

far. They have created what few

opportunities we have seen. But they

have been well wide with all of

them.

Forster with the save. He has had

nothing to do all day. This was the

moment that West Bromwich Albion

supporters had feared. That Everton

might get in at the death.

Maclean found Brunt and then he had

a shot. We could be playing until

New Year's Eve and I do not think we

would see a goal in this one.

Almost

everything we did was on the money

today apart from putting it in the

back of the net, which is what it is

all about really. I cannot remember

seeing a game where the ball flashed

across the box so many times and we

could not find the moment to hit it

at the back of the net. It sounds

like a broken record for us, though.

Not the greatest game, but for me to

be out there is a blessing. This

injury that I have had was career

threatening. I played it down and I

did not let it get to me, but I am

just happy to be out there.

Our

possession against a West Bromwich

Albion team should have been better

and the players have to accept that

responsibility. I do not tell a

player to receive the ball and give

it straight back to West Brom.

We

did that far too much. Not every

ten's best day, but West Brom had

the better of the game. As Alan

Pardew said, you have got to stick

it in the net.

Nine times out of ten

they would win this game. They put

in so many crosses and Solomon

Rondon had to score at that. That

was a bad miss. Given where they

are, 18 games without a win in the

Premier League. Even Dawson had to

cushion that and get it on target.

They were the team pushing

throughout, creating chances and

openings. This was Rondon from an

angle and he just missed it. He

should be doing better from that

chance. It was difficult. This

summed up West Bromwich Albion's

day. It was a bad day for West Brom.

Big Sam has had no defeats.

Five

clean sheets, so they are going in

the right direction.

We are just

about out of time, but some sad

news, Richard Eades, a long-standing

club mascot at West Brom has passed

away, so all our thoughts to his

family from us. But before we leave

you, let's have a look at the

Premier League table. Manchester

City can increase their lead to 15

points if they win at Newcastle on

Wednesday. Tottenham Hotspur keep

pace with Chelsea and Liverpool in

the battle for the top four. None of

the teams in action in the bottom

half managed a victory. Swansea's

13th defeat keeps them rooted to the

foot of the table. Let's see what

the papers say. The Telegraph leads

with Harry Kane's record-breaking

achievements in 2017, as does the

Guardian. Mauricio Pochettino says

Harry Kane is on a par with the very

best in the world. The Mirror

reports claims that Manchester

United boss Jose Mourinho needs to

spend more money to be able to

challenge Manchester City.

First Harry Kane gets Alan Shearer,

then he gets Lionel Messi. Well, it

is Christmas.

It really has been

a Harry Christmas.