13/04/2014 MOTD2 Extra

Good afternoon. Welcome to Match of the Day two Extra. We'll look back

at another dramatic afternoon in the Premier League and look ahead to

today's games in the title race. It's set to be an epic atmosphere at

Anfield as Manchester City travel to Liverpool. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea

travel to Swansea City. Arsenal are through to the FA Cup final, but

were pushed all the way by Wigan Athletic. And the fight to stay up

takes another incredible twist. We'll reflect on another crazy day

at the Hawthorns. And with me this afternoon is Kevin Kilbane, Match of

the Day's Steve Bower and Andy Dunn from the Sunday Mirror. Good

afternoon. You can contact us via the website or twitter. A warm

welcome to you all. Kevin, you were at Wembley yesterday, but not

necessarily the biggest story for you? No, the Norwich and full game

yesterday. A huge win for full. For Neal Adams, where does he go to in

these last four games? The momentum is with Fulham. They proved they can

grind out a result because it was a nervy day and they prevailed. Andy,

plenty of nerves and tension on display yesterday? Yes, a win for

Arsenal raises as many questions as answers as most of their

performances do nowadays. For a long time we were writing how much more

can Arsenal Wenger take? Then up pops Mertesacker with an equaliser.

The victory takes them to the first FA Cup final in a long while, but it

can't mask the problem is Arsenal Wenger has got. Essentially, it was

doubly significant on the day. Nothing that Arsenal shown suggests

they will overhaul Everton. If they don't get that spot and qualify for

the Champions League, I am not an FA Cup wind will convince Arsene Wenger

to stay. In the press box, there's a feeling that even if Arsenal win the

FA Cup and perhaps don't make Champions League, maybe it will be

time for him to depart? Yes, I don't think it changed the fact... They

somehow found a way to get to the final. They could end those seasons

without a trophy but I don't think it will be enough. Most of the

writing this morning reflects that if he decides to stay, and he

decides whether to stay or not dash and that is the one quirk of the way

Arsenal is run at the moment - he is nowhere near good enough to compete

with the likes of man city and Liverpool and maybe Man United next

season. At the moment, I am not sure he believes that is true. Good

afternoon. These six score thrillers follow you around! Yes, incredibly

to do stoppage time equaliser is. Yesterday it encapsulates the

season. 3-0 up against a Spurs side. In the second half, mentally, West

Bronx sunk deeper. At 3-2 we thought they might go again. West Brom

should be OK but if they are not they will look back on those two

home games when they were up and they should have seen it out. They

have conceded again and dropped points in home games. Although Spurs

had all the ball yesterday, they should have had enough... What does

that do to Pepe Mel? They should be taking the positives out of that. He

was 3-0 up at home against Tottenham. Not long ago, they would

have considered themselves a contender for the fourth place. You

take the positives. A bouncing atmosphere, I can imagine. It was

until the second goal. I would rather have that then get beaten

badly. He said the defending was horrendous. I am sure he said more

than that! The fourth time West Brom lead 2-0 up. Pepe Mel said they were

worried about that side of it mentally. You go in front in a big

game like that and then you drop off, you can see grounding behind

and you don't want to concede yourselves. You can't... You've got

no real outlet and you can't get the support of your striker.

We'll talk about the relegation battle shortly, but first to Anfield

ahead of what's a huge match in the title race. Let's talk to Guy

Mowbray who's there for Match of the Day two.

An emotional day? We will have the poignant, the still and silent and

remembering the 96 of 25 years ago. That will give way to Anfield in

full cry. I can tell you the atmosphere already well over an hour

before kick-off has been building up. The crowd outside from half past

nine this morning were just incredible. It was something to see.

They are about six deep now either side of the road waiting for the

Liverpool team bus to arrive. Most of the players were stonefaced. They

were welcomed in the tunnel to see them all in. There was a steely

determination about Liverpool. It is building and building and building

with every game they play at Anfield. It has the feel of a

decider. It's not as though. In the dependent on Sunday --

Independent on Sunday he was asked if he can go on and win the title.

Do you agree? They can. If they carry on with this winning run they

fully deserved to win the Barclays Premier League this season. City

will undoubtedly take a point. Much rests on whether Kompany will be

fit. All we get from man city is that he is travelling and he will be

here. -- Manchester city. I have heard that he will be OK and he

would eat them out this afternoon. When the whistle goes, there will be

an almighty cavalry charge. Liverpool have been blitzing teams

early at Anfield in recent weeks. Against Arsenal, it was like that

and we expect a similar approach today. What a test that is about to

be! I am gabbling because I am that excited. It is the game of the

season. You are gabbling so we will say

goodbye! Let us pick up on an article in your

paper today. Then Andy Noel has played in some big matches. One

headline says" mad fans stormed bus". He won't experience anything

like the sort of mixture of hostility, in a way, not in an

unpleasant way but also some emotion that will be there before the game.

Anfield can be like that. Today is a very special and emotional day for

the whole of football and particularly for that football

club. He won't have experienced that. There will be that element to

deal with, but a bit of it is that a bit too much is made of it. These

are experienced players for Manchester city and I don't think a

hostile atmosphere will affect them too much. A couple of weeks ago, one

onlooker was saying that he can remember under Rafael Benitez when

they were going for the league, if you stepped off the bus you felt two

or three inches taller and that gave Liverpool players the extra

impetus. It was quite an interesting insight because they are there again

today and there is no bigger game. Rogers has made the public plea to

the supporters how big a change they can make. The atmosphere will be

cracking. It is incredible. I was at the Tottenham game when they blew

Tottenham away early on. Turton couldn't get out of their own half

-- Tottenham. They grew in stature, Liverpool, and started at such a

pace. If the city start the game the way they did against Southampton

last week, Liverpool can blow them away in a similar fashion. We can

probably names several instances where they have blown teams away

early on. I saw them when they blew Arsenal away in the first half-hour

when they were 4-0 up. That was down to the naivete of Arsenal in the way

they were set up. This should give them a lift. I also think they are

experienced enough to deal with that. How about you? I was at the

corresponding fixture on Boxing Day. Liverpool were very unlucky not to

get anything out of that. I think Brendan Rodgers will remind them of

that because they went toe to toe with Manchester city that day.

Nobody expected the form of Liverpool since. Psychologically,

they will believe. With Liverpool 's attacking threat, they have a great

chance of winning the game. Do you think it is a gamble with Sergio

Aguero? It will be fascinating on the team news which we will get

through shortly. My hunch is he won't start. They will maybe bring

him on. And whether Kompany is indeed fit. There was a big story

yesterday amongst the press love that Wembley that he had pulled up

in training and he was in a bit of pain which was later denied. That

will leave them pretty weak at the back. The tactics will be

fascinating. Can Gerard be stopped from orchestrating the moves. On the

flanks, Suarez tends to target the weakest Link, like great players

do. You won't find him on Kompany's shoulders. I think for all the hype

and emotion and the atmosphere surrounding it, it will also be a

fascinating tactical battle between the mansion -- managers. Suarez is

convinced in the papers today that he will take the title. -- that

Liverpool will take the title. They have got to prove that... The

pressure probably will be on Liverpool considering everyone is

expecting them to start the way they have been starting home games. So

there is pressure on that. There are so many intriguing battles within

it. The way Manchester city started against Southampton, moving the ball

slowly around the pitch, Southampton got in their faces. It is important

Manchester city do not start like that. The Sunday Telegraph has a

lead story with Arthur and bingo's saviour. This is Pellegrini 's

attacking Jose Mourinho's style. You would have thought Pellegrini would

have enough on his plate as opposed to having another spat with Jose

Mourinho! Andy suggested earlier in the office that some of his

colleagues might have put some spin on this. I could not get my head

around that! What I merely said was that what Pellegrini is trying to

get across is that he believes it would be fitting for an attacking

team like Liverpool Manchester city, teams who scored 174 goals between

them or something like that, it would be more fitting for them to

win the league or whatever. I would say that there is no loss -- love

lost between the two. If Pellegrini could, I suspect he would have a

Kevin Keegan! In defence of Jose Mourinho, it is the way he sets the

defence up to win. At long -- times it is long ball tactics. If we had a

quality striker he would play differently. Picking up on Chelsea

because they go to Swansea city today. Three defeats on the road. --

on the road. An interesting one this afternoon. The Champions League and

Chelsea is interesting. Will it spurred them on in the league or

will it take their eye off the league. Swansea away, that could be

interesting on a Sunday afternoon. So, this one throws up more

questions. If Swansea were to lose they are right in the relegation mix

as well. I think it will lift Chelsea. They have key Premier

League games amidst the two Champions League semifinal legs but

it will lift them. It will be -- he will be delighted. There has been so

much criticism from Jose Mourinho himself, he will want a good end to

the season. No matter what the result, he will say we still have a

great chance of winning the title. And the timing as well?

It gives them fresh impetus in May know what they have today. They will

be looking at this game today and saying, if Liverpool win that game

and Chelsea won every game, they will win the league. It is a huge

chance for Chelsea. People forget that if Chelsea win every game they

will come above Liverpool. But one of those games is that Liverpool.

But how much will Jose Mourinho relish going to Anfield and getting

a result? You don't think the game against Atletico Madrid will hamper

them? It might do. Jose Mourinho is probably thinking, go back to

Portugal, possibly win. I just think when it comes to pick his teens it

will be interesting to see what team plays at Swansea today. -- pick his

teams. If that team good enough to win the Champions League? I think

this squad has been underestimated, mainly by Jose Mourinho himself.

They've got world-class players pretty much all over. They might not

be to everyone's taste. I think today and maybe next weekend's

game, I do think he might not take any risk with the likes of John

Terry. I think he will bring Mohamad Salah on. He will relish this

situation. Dream final? I think there is a dream semifinal as well.

I think Chelsea will beat Atletico Madrid. A quick word on what this

means at the bottom. Yesterday's results have set this up in an

interesting way to Swansea. They probably only need to get one more

win. It probably won't come today but I think it will come. They do

have a goal threat. Thank you. Let's hear from Roberto Martinez now.

I think it's important we got the amount of points that we got. That

is pleasing and now we go into the next group of games with a real

desire and excitement. It's the highest points tally ever in the

Premier League and that for a football club like ours with our

history feels really exciting. That is what we are doing from game to

game, preparing as well as we can. We've got real competition for

places which always helps to focus the performances. Steve, what a job

that man is done. Incredible. The players will run through a brick

wall for him. Yes, there was a bit of fortune yesterday but seven wins

on the run is incredible for Everton. Crystal Palace at home is

probably a different sort of challenge. Arsenal will have played

on the Tuesday night against West Ham. Crystal Palace presents a

different type of challenge. Almost more challenging than playing

Arsenal. They will say, come and break is down. -- us down. But the

way that Martinez has set up his side, he's found a bit of a tactic

that he's put out and he's found ways to win those tight games. Andy,

what has impressed you most? Roberto Martinez was held up as an example

of how to work the transfer market in the papers yesterday. There was

an unbelievable transfer window. He lost a player who was important but

probably would not have been important to Roberto Martinez.

McCartney came in. He got four players in and one player out. A

fantastic transfer window. The positivity is incredible. He

inspired the other players. I think Manchester United is next Saturday.

Nobody would doubt what David Moyes did but the contrast between David

who would ten to play down expectations, Martinez does the

complete opposite. He aims for the top. That is why Wednesday is so

important for them. But another had problems with the big matches. --

Everton never had problems. Do we think Everton will hold on? The

momentum is with them. Probably slightly against Arsenal with the

way they played yesterday and last week. I'm looking forward next week

to Sunday's game, I will be there. It is a big test for them. I looked

through Manchester United's side and I think Everton man for man have a

better side. It is already a record number of points for Everton.

Someone is taxed to ask whether you believe Manchester United can get

into the top four this season. This season? Nope. I knew there would be

a short ! -- short answer. Let's just take a look at the front page

of the Observer. You were there yesterday, so what happened? Did

Wigan played very well ordered Arsenal just not get going? -- or

did Arsenal. If you are on the outside looking in, you'd think it

is a Championship team who upheld Arsenal to a draw. I think Wigan

will look back and think, that is a chance missed. Arsenal have become a

bit mundane. They were there for the taking yesterday. When Callum

McManaman went off, I found it bizarre because he was causing

Arsenal all sorts of problems. I think they will look back and think,

we missed a chance to get to our second FA Cup final in succession. I

thought Arsenal were laboured. They had little down the left side. Lukas

Podolski was terrible. Arsenal have key injuries, they always seem to

have key injuries. But if you are going to be the best, that squad has

two be able to compensate. Yesterday, they were average. Last

season we were in the studio talking about them scoring goals every week

and I remember you saying they were title contenders at one stage. They

work, but they've never been able to maintain it. They've had criticism

from Arsenal band as a result. I don't feel that some of the players

are good enough to play at the top end and they were exposed. Callum

McManaman was the key incident yesterday. If he had not gone off I

really do believe Wigan would have won that game. When Kieran Gibbs

came on he changed the game a bit. He started on the bench and we

couldn't understand that one. Arsenal's best player was oxalate

chamberlain. He was the best player for a mile. They brew the sixth is

not that long ago. It's been an almighty slide. -- February sixth.

They've gone out of the Champions League and they just scraped through

yesterday. The general consensus is Wigan missed an opportunity. Whoever

Arsenal play in the final will have all that expensive and is the -- all

that expectancy again. He's had 1000 matches in charge. If he gets picked

to fourth place, do you think it is over? I spoke to Arsene Wenger after

the match against Everton. He was as down as I've seen him in a long time

because he knew that was a big setback in their race for poor. You

do get the impression that that is what he needs. -- their race for

fourth. And I think after their game against Everton there was some

doubt, as though for the first time that might not happen. Whoever goes

out in a game of Sheffield against Hull United, that is important. I

think whoever gets to that final will make it difficult for Arsenal.

Our thoughts are with the former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson who

has been diagnosed with cancer today. We wish him a speedy

recovery. It is a wonderful achievement getting to an FA Cup

semifinal. They had a big setback against Millwall. They are in great

form at this stage. They've still got Redding and Burley to play, two

teams at the top. The second semifinal is at Wembley today led by

two managers who know what Wembley is all about. We've been once in the

semifinal in 1930. I don't think we will have many supporters at this

one who were there at the last one. So we should enjoy it. In my

experience, it is a point drastic occasion only if you win. It will be

a normal way trip for us. Just try and relax and enjoy it as best we

can. Don't let the day pass you by. Also, make sure there is pressure

there. What a great job Nigel Clough has done at Sheffield United. Well,

if either whole or Sheffield United win, I think one of football's to

good guys will be around. Steve Bruce, when he was sacked from

Sunderland nobody wanted to touch him. What a job he has done. And

Nigel Clough, another real top man in football. Sheffield United were

third bottom in League One. They are well safe in the top table now.

After all he's been through, if he was to lead a team out to Wembley,

that would be magnificent. An incredible story for Hull City with

the boss will change of name and everything crazy that has gone on

off the pitch. -- the possible change of name. He's done a great

job in press conferences being asked about it. In the end, he just says,

I don't want to hear any more about it! To do everything he's done with

that backdrop is superb. He has had support from the owner, whatever you

think about his plans to change the name. He has backed him and Steve

has spent well and made a big difference. I think it is a lovely

semifinal and it will be great whichever one of those faces

Arsenal. I've played under both managers, it is difficult! Having

you played under every club? ! I've played for a couple of years with

Hull and I think they should win, let's be honest. Playing against a

third tier team. I think whole will win the game. But the way Sheffield

United have produced results, you cannot rule them out. Saint

Johnstone are playing and also Dundee United had victory. Back to

Anfield now with some team news. Daniel Agutter is fit again after

his knee trouble. Daniel Acker. As for Manchester city, Kompany is

fit. A little piece of extra information. Of course, the whole

occasion is touched with poignancy two days ahead of the 25th

anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. There will be a minutes

silence and a giant patch has been laid in the centre circle.

Never forgotten. Thank you. So Liverpool are unchanged and no

Sergio Aguero. No, I thought he wouldn't start with him. The lasts

-- Manchester city side I saw... I think he is bringing the best out of

one of the players. We were just talking about Mamadou Sakho being

retained at centre-half. Interesting. Experience wised, they

have potentially best defensive partnership. Is Brendan Rodgers

candidate for best Manager of the Season? Considering the turnaround

at the club, you've got to give him full credit for what he's achieved

this season. He's not spent masses amount of money. Full credit to him

with the turnaround. Let us turn our attention to the

fight to stay up and defeat for Norwich city.

We have to respect that Norwich was a better team. We were very lucky

that we had a good goalkeeper who saved us from defeat. At this stage

of the season, I suppose the result is so much more important than the

performance? Yes, the result is all. We are very happy about the result.

We go on. Three points was the most important thing.

We take the situation we are in and hopefully we can add more points. We

know how close we are, perilously close. We've got to get ourselves

further up the table and open up a bigger gap. That is what we will

strive to do. A huge result for Fulham and I am

sure Norwich city fans are sick to death of people like me reminding

them they've got to play Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and

Arsenal. You almost felt yesterday it was the last chance. They hit the

bar and you almost felt that was it. For some reason, everything seemed

to depend on going into those last four games and needing the points on

the board. Fulham had a huge wind. I think they will find it difficult to

pick up points but that's where they are, Norwich. Again, by virtue of

the fact that... That it is difficult on paper. It is more

difficult for them in that you might have hoped that Arsenal would have

nothing to play for. With Everton 's form they will have something to

play for. All these are imponderables. You can't any more

just look at black-and-white fixtures and say categorically.

Norwich have had good games at home this season. Not even when you look

at the top teams? Manchester United away is in the fixture it was last

season. Exactly. If you were missed -- West Brom, for instance, you

would think that. Fulham and by all accounts Norwich played quite well

yesterday. Fulham still have to win their games. No guarantee. Just on

full, I covered the first game and Felix Magath was so positive. I did

their defeat at Cardiff which everyone thought was the pivotal

game. After, he said that full would stay in the Premier League and

people sniggered behind his back. You now look at back-to-back wins in

the Premier League -- Premier League which are massive. They have Hull

and Palace at home. They might not be life -- laughing quite as loudly

now. All week he was saying he was confident he would stay up. His

reputation will not be damaged. He's never been relegated his -- in his

career as a manager. People will look back and say it was the fault

of previous regimes. I think he's got a little bit of a carefree

attitude that might reflect well on his players. If he brings one of his

players back, he is a confident player and can score four or five

goals. Let us turn our attention to Cardiff City. Let us hear from

Ledburn assault trial. -- Arleigh Gunner Solskjaer.

What is your reading of the situation? We are one point behind

Fulham and three behind Norwich and four behind West Brom and Swansea.

Four games to go so that is 12 points. We don't expect to win all

of them but we can win a few of them.

Stuck at home, Chelsea at home and the last day of the season. I'd

written them off, to be honest. But he has been in that school of best

manager and just when you think they are out of it they win at Saint Mary

's. The remaining fixtures are interesting because Sunderland and

Newcastle away are not the faithful fixtures they might have been

earlier in the season. Stuck at home is winnable for Cardiff. Chelsea at

home on the final day looked weeks ago like the dreaded strap but who

knows where they will be in the title race. They might be in Lisbon

at that stage looking forward to the Champions League. So you wouldn't

rule out Cardiff staying up. It has been an awful season for

them. Unbelievable competition. The standard this year has been

unusually high. Stockdale has had a good season two but the manager at

Cardiff has been sensational. Over the last 16 is, they have conceded

about 20 goals in their last ten games but they would have conceded

more if it wasn't for him. I think they've got goals in them. I think

it will give them a massive lift. Sometimes at this stage, teams are

almost accepting their fate and Sunderland are close to that. They

have to build on it. They beat Fulham and that was a big lift but

then they go and lose. They had a clean sheet at Southampton but there

is no margin for error. I remember talking to you when you did the

Cardiff and Liverpool game and you said for the first 40 minutes...

They were rocking, Liverpool. But they were 2-0 up and four minutes

from half-time, you thought if they can just get to half-time with a

2-goal cushion because Liverpool were rocking. Those periods of games

will give them hope in these remaining games. Weeks ago, you

couldn't predict. One result changes everything and Cardiff have done

that now and given themselves hope. You really can't predict. You think

Sunderland because of the way they have been playing and you thought

last week Cardiff were doomed but now everything is to play for. It is

a thrilling end. Felix Magath, I think Ollie Gunner Solskjaer is in

the same boat. It is fortunate in a way that he won't get the flat if

they don't down. He can approach the last few games with a sense of

adventure and he can look forward to it. It is a big challenge. He said

it would be the biggest thing in his career if he keeps Cardiff City up.

Sunderland doomed? It looks that way. To concede an own goal like

they did yesterday puts them on the back foot. From Sunderland 's point

of view, you can't rule out Cardiff... Looking at the fixtures

there... You're not shaking -- you're shaking your head. I can't

see is Sunderland... It doesn't give a great message. No, when Gus Poyet

keeps saying we need a miracle. What about West Bromwich Albion, Steve?

What sort of atmosphere was there at the Hawthorns? The supporters are

worried because the last few home games they have been up. Yesterday

's hurt them. They would have moved on 35 points. You think that is a

giant leaf -- leap to safety and the nap man scores. That gave them an

idea of how they were feeling. They knew it was a blow. Pepe Mel was

very down when I spoke to him. Looking at the fixtures and the home

games they've got, they should be OK as they can score goals. Interesting

back page lead on the back of the Sunday Mirror. You've decided to go

with the back paid -- back page lead of Alan Pardew, get out! There is

serious unrest. You have to say in terms of form... They are

essentially not scoring goals and concede a lot. The figures are

astonishing. It is strange. Ever since he was sent off as a serious

punishment everything seems to have fallen flat. They don't seem to be

able to score without their top striker. There is almost a feeling

they are not bothered about trying to get into the Europa League. It

has fallen pretty flat. It is interesting. I look at Alan Pardew,

the second longest serving manager in the Premier League, and he will

wonder what the future holds at Newcastle in terms of investment.

What will happen at Anfield today? I think there will be goals and

Manchester city will feel they should lose. A draw. I think

Manchester city... I think Manchester city will nick it today.

Always, thank you very much indeed and thank you for watching. Don't

forget, tonight 's programme will be pretty special at Anfield, with

Liverpool versus Manchester city. By bye for now.

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