Match of the Day - Season 2026 Episode 32 - 20/12/202 - video Dailymotion

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Match of the Day - Season 2026 Episode 32 - 20/12/202

Transcript

00:00:00Rooney O'Hall!

00:00:03Welcome to Match of the Dead.

00:00:30Good evening, there are eight Premier League games to show you tonight, and we'll find out who will occupy the number one spot at Christmas.

00:00:52Speaking of number ones, we're in safe hands tonight.

00:00:55If they say a pundit is for life, not just for Christmas, well, we've got two keepers.

00:00:59Joe Hart and Shea Given are here, and there was fog on the time, especially for us this evening.

00:01:04At St James' Park, Newcastle in 12th met Chelsea in 4th.

00:01:08Six points separate the two teams, and both won their League Cup quarterfinals in midweek.

00:01:13Steve Bauer is your commentator.

00:01:16Eddie Howe recorded his 100th win as Newcastle manager here on Wednesday.

00:01:21Only Kevin Keegan reached that milestone quicker.

00:01:24But his defensive headaches are increasing.

00:01:27Tino Libermento is the latest name to be added to a list of six defenders out.

00:01:32He is thankful today, though, that Lewis Hall is fit to face his former club.

00:01:36Jake and Ramsey is also in.

00:01:38Visser, Barnes, Joe Linton and Alanga are all substitutes.

00:01:43Chelsea, who've lost on their last three Premier League visits to St James'.

00:01:46Welcome back Moises Casado after suspension.

00:01:50He replaces Enzo Fernandes, who drops to the bench.

00:01:52It means another star for Cole Palmer and Alejandro Garnaccio.

00:01:57Estevão is still out injured.

00:02:01Chelsea have won four of their eight away games this season.

00:02:05Newcastle beaten just twice here in the Premier League.

00:02:09Forfana got a little fortunate there.

00:02:12But Gordon didn't give it up.

00:02:15Gimmaras.

00:02:17Quickly out to Murphy.

00:02:20In towards Valtemada.

00:02:22What a save by Sanchez.

00:02:24And Valtemada with the follow-up.

00:02:26Just past the three-minute mark.

00:02:32Newcastle lead.

00:02:34Early delivery was crucial for Murphy.

00:02:37What a save this is.

00:02:39But Valtemada couldn't really miss.

00:02:42Nick Valtemada scores his eighth Newcastle goal.

00:02:47And the hosts have the early lead.

00:02:51Three minutes and six seconds, the timing of the goal.

00:02:54That is the earliest that Chelsea have conceded all season.

00:02:56Gimmaras.

00:02:59Out to Murphy.

00:03:00Gordon is bursting into the penalty area.

00:03:03Ramsey's there as well.

00:03:06Still Murphy.

00:03:08Kukureya in the way.

00:03:09No corner.

00:03:11Malo Augusto is still down in the penalty area.

00:03:14Good build-up.

00:03:17To that attack.

00:03:17Here come Newcastle again.

00:03:19It's Gordon.

00:03:21And it's tipped over by Sanchez.

00:03:23And Chelsea are furious.

00:03:24Because Malo Augusto would have been marking Anthony Gordon.

00:03:29Sanchez has been shown the yellow card by Andy Madley.

00:03:32This is the incident.

00:03:34Coming together.

00:03:36Brilliantly tipped over in the end.

00:03:39By Sanchez.

00:03:39Because that was travelling.

00:03:42Ramsey for Newcastle.

00:03:44He's now scored in all nine home Premier League games this season.

00:03:48That was Trafana on Gordon.

00:03:49Well, Eddie Howe, six days ago, in the derby,

00:03:53did mention the word attitude.

00:03:56It's been bang on so far.

00:03:58And a stark contrast to Newcastle.

00:04:01Paul into Gordon.

00:04:03Now, all the cavalry have gone forward.

00:04:04This needs to go in.

00:04:05And it does.

00:04:07For Tamada!

00:04:10And the double!

00:04:16Two for him.

00:04:18Two for Newcastle.

00:04:20Inside the first 20 minutes.

00:04:23Anthony Gordon, the provider.

00:04:24Wicked delivery.

00:04:31What a superbly composed finish that was from Nick Valtamana.

00:04:37And his team lead 2-0.

00:04:43Cole Palmer.

00:04:46But again, they hunt in packs.

00:04:51And win it back.

00:04:52And get a free kick.

00:04:53A yellow card as well for Alejandro Garnacca.

00:04:56I think the Newcastle bench have just seen that tackle again.

00:05:01And they are deep in conversation with the fourth official.

00:05:04Didn't like it.

00:05:09Gimmaras to Gordon.

00:05:13Can Newcastle get numbers in the box?

00:05:15Gimmaras to Gordon.

00:05:19Who thought that was his moment?

00:05:22And so too did the majority of St James' Park.

00:05:26Never scored a senior club hat-trick.

00:05:29He was inches away from doing so there.

00:05:34Newcastle had more shots on target in the first seven minutes of this game

00:05:38than the entire derby last weekend.

00:05:42And that very much says it all so far.

00:05:45Can Chelsea change the narrative?

00:05:48Palmer.

00:05:49First time he's been in that kind of area and he's been fouled.

00:05:56Jacob Ramsey the offender.

00:05:59Free kick which Chelsea hope will be a profitable one.

00:06:04Rhys James.

00:06:05Oh it is!

00:06:07It's outstanding from Rhys James.

00:06:09And the Chelsea captain has reduced it to 2-1.

00:06:15And he's given them the perfect start to the second half.

00:06:19This angle will show you even better.

00:06:20Over the wall.

00:06:21Dipping.

00:06:23Clip off the post into the bottom corner.

00:06:25Game on at St James'.

00:06:27Gordon.

00:06:29Newcastle pick up the pace again.

00:06:31Gordon goes again.

00:06:36What's the referee doing here?

00:06:38Goal kick.

00:06:39Here they are obviously having a look at it.

00:06:42Peter Banks agrees with the interpretation of Andy Madley.

00:06:46Goal kick.

00:06:46Now Newcastle have got a scamper back.

00:06:51Neto.

00:06:52They're 4-on-4.

00:06:53It's still Neto.

00:06:55Has it opened up for him?

00:06:56Garnaccio.

00:06:58Back to Neto.

00:06:59Denied by Ramsdale.

00:07:01It's still alive potentially for Chelsea.

00:07:04Riley with the defending for Newcastle.

00:07:08It's a brilliant watch at the moment this game.

00:07:13Anthony Gordon for Newcastle.

00:07:15Who has Hall bursting on the over up here.

00:07:17Oh and he's ignored him.

00:07:18He's put inside to Ramsey.

00:07:19And then Gordon's cross.

00:07:22And then a problem for Sanchez.

00:07:24And Lewis Hall raises his arms in frustration.

00:07:32Chao Pedro away from Chao.

00:07:35Chance for 2-2.

00:07:37And one he takes.

00:07:38The Brazilian.

00:07:40From two down.

00:07:42Chelsea are level.

00:07:45And his first touch with his head.

00:07:48Just wrong footed Malik Chao.

00:07:51And on Wenxiao Pedro.

00:07:54Who kept his cool.

00:07:55To get his 6th Chelsea goal.

00:07:58And Newcastle who remember.

00:08:00Have dropped 11 points from winning positions this season.

00:08:03Have been pegged back again.

00:08:06Quite selfishly.

00:08:08It's one of those.

00:08:10Pulsating affairs you don't want to end.

00:08:13Sonali.

00:08:15Visser.

00:08:15Here's Harvey Barnes.

00:08:19Corner.

00:08:20What a recovery from Rhys James.

00:08:23In a situation.

00:08:25Where he had to time that.

00:08:27Absolutely correctly.

00:08:30He did.

00:08:30No power on Gimaraes.

00:08:40Here comes Garnaccio for Chelsea.

00:08:42Tried to squeeze into the near post.

00:08:44And Ramsdale equal to it.

00:08:48Gimaraes furious.

00:08:49He didn't get the free kick here.

00:08:51But on went Chelsea.

00:08:53Garnaccio just tried to catch out the Newcastle goalkeeper.

00:08:56But no exaggeration to say.

00:08:59There has not been a single lull in this game.

00:09:03He's gone again.

00:09:04Gimaraes.

00:09:05It's Harvey Barnes.

00:09:07They were all up around me.

00:09:10All the Geordie supporters celebrating.

00:09:14But Harvey Barnes.

00:09:16Is still wondering.

00:09:19How he hasn't made it 3-2.

00:09:23Gimaraes.

00:09:23Over the top.

00:09:26Rhys James.

00:09:27Barnes hasn't given it up.

00:09:32Andy Madley is looking at his assistant.

00:09:34Who is unmoved.

00:09:36Andy Madley is now waiting for Peter Banks.

00:09:39To have a look at this.

00:09:40Rhys James.

00:09:42On Harvey Barnes there.

00:09:44The interpretation is a small pull.

00:09:47But the ball is bouncing out of Barnes' control.

00:09:50Into the goalkeeper.

00:09:52So the on-field decision remains.

00:09:55We played so well today.

00:09:57An outstanding performance.

00:09:58Especially in the first half.

00:09:59I thought we dominated the game.

00:10:00Chances were there for us.

00:10:01I thought athletically.

00:10:03Considering we played on Wednesday night.

00:10:04We were magnificent.

00:10:06Devastated for the lads that we didn't get the win.

00:10:08Very proud of the players.

00:10:09In this stadium.

00:10:102-0 down.

00:10:10Half time.

00:10:12Not many teams I think they can do what the players have done.

00:10:15The goal we scored at the beginning of the second half.

00:10:16Helped a lot.

00:10:17In terms of confidence.

00:10:18In terms of everything.

00:10:20But even after the second goal we scored.

00:10:23We had some chances to win the game.

00:10:25They had also some chances.

00:10:26So nice game for the people at home.

00:10:29Your goal eventually has got the point.

00:10:30I mean it wasn't a conventional one was it?

00:10:32From Robert Sanchez.

00:10:34Yeah.

00:10:34I told him in the half time to play this kind of ball on me.

00:10:38Because I know I could do something difficult.

00:10:41Because I'm always in the 1v1.

00:10:44And then it happened.

00:10:46I could control the ball in front.

00:10:48And I scored a brilliant goal.

00:10:50There was a big call on a penalty.

00:10:52Chalabur on Anthony Gordon.

00:10:53What did you think of that?

00:10:54Yeah.

00:10:54I thought it was a stonewall penalty.

00:10:55I thought the defender went in with too much aggression.

00:10:58I think anywhere else on the pitch that's a free kick.

00:11:01So I'm really disappointed it wasn't given.

00:11:03Well Enzo Mareska said it.

00:11:04It was such a fun game between these two sides.

00:11:07However Eddie Howe really unhappy at the end of it with some of the decisions.

00:11:12Are Newcastle right to feel a bit aggrieved at the end of that game Shea?

00:11:16Yeah I think I can understand.

00:11:17Some of the decisions I actually disagreed with myself.

00:11:20I think Eddie Howe's angry at the end.

00:11:22Especially with the penalty shout.

00:11:23I felt it was a penalty.

00:11:24We'll have a look at it here.

00:11:25And there's a few decisions actually the referee had to make today.

00:11:27And a few tough ones.

00:11:28It's not easy.

00:11:28You don't get me wrong.

00:11:29But the first one comes in the first half.

00:11:31Kelly and I think this is a really nasty challenge from Granato.

00:11:33If you watch this slowly.

00:11:34He doesn't make any attempt to play the ball.

00:11:36He goes over the top of the ball.

00:11:37And clearly you know.

00:11:39High up on Ramsey's shin.

00:11:40And I think you know.

00:11:41VR didn't intervene.

00:11:42But I think that's a really dangerous tackle from Granato.

00:11:45And gets away with that one.

00:11:47This is the one Eddie's really angry about after the game.

00:11:49You know Gordon's got ahead of Chaliba.

00:11:51And he's made no attempt to play the ball.

00:11:52And you could argue he's going shoulder to shoulder.

00:11:54But even if you watch his right leg.

00:11:55And Gordon's left leg.

00:11:56He comes right across him.

00:11:58And for me I don't think that's a difficult decision.

00:12:00I think that's a stonewall penalty.

00:12:01And not giving the game.

00:12:03This is in the 95th minute Kelly.

00:12:05And I'm not asking for James.

00:12:06He could send it on.

00:12:07But I think he clearly pulls his arm back there.

00:12:08And they have another opportunity to score from that position.

00:12:12So you can see and understand.

00:12:13I think why Eddie Howe's angry with the decisions.

00:12:16I suppose you could argue.

00:12:17You could have been miles ahead in the first half.

00:12:19But again these small incidents make a big difference.

00:12:21Yeah they were so good in the first half Newcastle.

00:12:24And by contrast Chelsea were pretty poor for the first 45 minutes.

00:12:27And yet things seemed to change at half time.

00:12:30It wasn't just that Chelsea got back into the game with the goals.

00:12:33That whole approach was different.

00:12:34Yeah Newcastle came out of the blocks.

00:12:36You know they got so much stick last week against obviously the local rivals in Sunday.

00:12:39And they had a really poor performance.

00:12:40And then from the first moment Eddie Howe said actually in the pre-match stuff.

00:12:43He goes we need a reaction from the game.

00:12:45And we've seen that from the very very first minute today.

00:12:47They were on the front foot.

00:12:48They used the crowd again to get them really behind.

00:12:50What's this for a press?

00:12:51We didn't see this last week.

00:12:53Gordon jumps.

00:12:53Valtomata jumps.

00:12:54And you see Murphy on the opposite side.

00:12:56They're playing on the front foot.

00:12:57You see the back four squeezing up.

00:12:58The midfielder drowning.

00:12:59This is Lewis Miley.

00:13:00Jumps in the right back position.

00:13:02A high press.

00:13:02And just keep an eye on Anthony Gordon.

00:13:04He has a press at James here.

00:13:05Right.

00:13:05Misses the first one.

00:13:07He goes I'm not happy with that.

00:13:08Go back.

00:13:08Nicks it back off James again.

00:13:10And again now they're in the front foot.

00:13:11They're playing in the final third.

00:13:12Playing forward.

00:13:13Getting the ball right to Murphy.

00:13:14And I love Murphy.

00:13:15Pits early balls into the box.

00:13:17Gordon should probably score at the back post.

00:13:18Brilliant save from Sanchez.

00:13:19And the big man Nick on the spot.

00:13:21Around Christmas time.

00:13:22It's a fantastic finish from Valtomata.

00:13:24But again you know Chelsea.

00:13:25You did say they were poor Kelly.

00:13:26And you're right first half especially.

00:13:28But Gordon has nothing else in his mind.

00:13:29But get this ball wide.

00:13:30Get the ball into the box.

00:13:32And it's fantastic centre forward play from Valtomata again.

00:13:34And it could have been.

00:13:35And probably should have been 3-0 out of sight.

00:13:37We look at Guimari.

00:13:38How free is he?

00:13:39The Chelsea players are all pointing.

00:13:41No one's doing anything from a Chelsea point of view.

00:13:42Which plays into Newcastle's hands again.

00:13:44Brilliant pass out to Gordon.

00:13:46And again.

00:13:47What they say.

00:13:47Gets it out of his feet.

00:13:48Pits a brilliant cross into it.

00:13:50And Valtomata don't think he's ever scored a hat-trick in his senior career.

00:13:53And he might not get a better chance.

00:13:54It's a brilliant chance.

00:13:55A brilliant cross from Anthony Gordon again.

00:13:57And a 3-0 cup in out of sight.

00:13:58Joe you think Mureska had a word at half time perhaps?

00:14:00Yeah I think he's questioned a lot about his team there.

00:14:02As you say.

00:14:03They were so bad in the first half.

00:14:04But Rhys James.

00:14:05Captain of this team.

00:14:07That is a brilliant free kick.

00:14:09And you want that just after half time.

00:14:11Fieldfire in Ramsdale.

00:14:12He's got two of the best takers in the league lining up there.

00:14:15So he can't go early.

00:14:16Can't gamble.

00:14:16That's a brilliant.

00:14:17But we talked about Jao Pedro.

00:14:19Just talked in his interview.

00:14:20Said to Robert Sanchez at half time.

00:14:22I can isolate Jao.

00:14:23Get that ball into me.

00:14:25Excellent movement.

00:14:26And honestly.

00:14:27This touch.

00:14:28The agility.

00:14:29Oh.

00:14:29Absolutely beautiful piece of play.

00:14:32And then to compose himself.

00:14:34Ramsdale one on one.

00:14:35Absolutely fantastic.

00:14:37And I talked about Rhys James taking the game by the scruff of the neck.

00:14:40Scoring a 30 yard free kick.

00:14:42That's all well and good.

00:14:43We'll be playing in the defence.

00:14:44Late on in the game.

00:14:46You need moments like this.

00:14:47Bang.

00:14:47Never gave up.

00:14:49Barnes took that touch.

00:14:50And as soon as he took it.

00:14:51Great opportunity.

00:14:52And a huge moment.

00:14:53Winning a point for his team on the road.

00:14:55Massive performance in the second half.

00:14:56Huge performance from him in the second half.

00:14:58And a really entertaining game all round.

00:15:00Now Tottenham were looking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last time out.

00:15:05When they took on the champions Liverpool.

00:15:07Steve Wilson watched this one.

00:15:10There have been 206 goals scored in Premier League games between these two.

00:15:15That's a league record.

00:15:17Nine of them were scored when they met here on this weekend last season.

00:15:21Six of the nine hit by Liverpool.

00:15:24If anything, the margin of Spurs defeated the City ground last weekend.

00:15:28Actually flattered Tottenham rather than Forest.

00:15:31Thomas Frank makes one change today.

00:15:33Richarlison dropping to the bench.

00:15:35Lucas Bergvall is in.

00:15:37Liverpool have been clawing back some kind of normality in a five game unbeaten run.

00:15:41Salah's departure for AFCON has taken the spotlight of that particular selection dilemma.

00:15:46Sobosai is fit.

00:15:47Gomez is not.

00:15:48So the return of Conor Bradley from suspension is well timed.

00:15:54Tottenham did win their last home league game against Brentford here.

00:15:58But that's one of only four successes in their last 22 Premier League games on home soil.

00:16:08Simons has caught Virgil van Dijk here.

00:16:13And the card is coming out for the Tottenham man.

00:16:15But it's really poorly timed by Xavi Simons.

00:16:22Left studs right down the Achilles of Virgil van Dijk here.

00:16:25That is very painful.

00:16:26Well this is taking a while this check.

00:16:32And Stuart Atwell is asking John Books to go and have a look at this.

00:16:38This does not bode well for Tottenham's Xavi Simons.

00:16:42But it never looks better in slow motion.

00:16:46That is for sure.

00:16:49After review.

00:16:52The Tottenham number seven with studs catches the Liverpool player on the calf high.

00:16:57It's an act of serious foul play.

00:16:59My final decision.

00:17:00Xavi Simons is sent off.

00:17:03And Tottenham Hotspur are down to ten.

00:17:10And he looks pretty upset.

00:17:12As he makes his way off the field of play.

00:17:17One Dutch team mate on another.

00:17:23I don't think footballers darn socks these days.

00:17:29Cherkis for Gravenberg.

00:17:33Florian Wirtz.

00:17:34Wirtz.

00:17:35Good save.

00:17:36By Vicario.

00:17:37And Eketike couldn't quite reach it.

00:17:40Florian Wirtz.

00:17:41Personal wait for a Premier League goal.

00:17:44Goes on for the moment.

00:17:47Liverpool making a change at half time.

00:17:49Connor Bradley who got a knock just before the break.

00:17:52Is replaced by Alexander Isak.

00:18:00Romero's forward ball hit.

00:18:02McAllister.

00:18:03Eketike.

00:18:04That's nicely done.

00:18:05Florian Wirtz.

00:18:06And Alexander Isak scores for Liverpool.

00:18:11At some cost to himself.

00:18:13He's put Liverpool in front.

00:18:15His teammates are really concerned for him here.

00:18:18They're waving medical staff on.

00:18:20But this might be the breakthrough that Liverpool wanted.

00:18:24Isak popped it off to Eketike.

00:18:26That's a nice ball into Wirtz.

00:18:28And Florian Wirtz will have his first assist in the Premier League for Liverpool.

00:18:34However, Isak has clearly hurt himself quite badly here.

00:18:40Liverpool have the lead but they have an injury issue.

00:18:46Thomas Frank and Justin Cotteran deep in conversation assessing their options.

00:18:55Colen Mouane looking for Johnson has actually come back to Colen Mouane.

00:19:02This is a great little run and it's come off the crossbar.

00:19:08Archie Gray, Bergwahl, Spence and Alisson.

00:19:15Well, it's a super run by Colen Mouane as he hits the shot.

00:19:22It takes a huge deflection of Kerkhez and comes down off the bar.

00:19:27But that's encouragement for the home fans.

00:19:32Sob a slight.

00:19:37Frimpon.

00:19:37The deflection on the cross, Eketike and it's dropped in.

00:19:47Liverpool have a second goal.

00:19:49Tottenham protest.

00:19:51Cristian Romero has been shown a yellow card for protesting too much.

00:19:56Liverpool just celebrate.

00:19:59Well, Romero feels, I think, that Eketike has pushed him in the back as this cross came in.

00:20:05It's a deflection on the cross from Frimpon.

00:20:11Is that a foul on Romero by Eketike?

00:20:15The header drops in.

00:20:18And the goal will stand.

00:20:27It's a foul on Rishonis.

00:20:29It's a foul on Rishonis.

00:20:35Free kick is drilled in and a hit Kerkhez.

00:20:39Van Dijk did well to win that header.

00:20:43It's gone out for a corner.

00:20:46This, in the 82nd minute of the game, is Tottenham's first corner of the game.

00:20:52There's a real sense that this corner represents maybe a last throw of the dice for Spurs to make it difficult for Liverpool.

00:21:04Rishonis goes down.

00:21:05It's a big deflection.

00:21:07Joao Palina.

00:21:08And Rishonis scores!

00:21:10Rishonis against Liverpool again.

00:21:22Well, this was beyond Struffy, but Spurs won't care.

00:21:27Liverpool had a lot of opportunities to deal with this and didn't.

00:21:31Rishonis finds the corner.

00:21:32Now, Rishonis put the ball in the net, went to go and retrieve it.

00:21:37Got involved with Eketike.

00:21:43Kanata.

00:21:44Free kick.

00:21:47Ploughing through Romero.

00:21:49Just needs to be careful, Christian Romero.

00:21:52And I think the referee has shown him a second yellow card here.

00:22:02Christian Romero is going to be sent off.

00:22:06And Spurs will finish this game with nine men.

00:22:12That's why Christian Romero got a second yellow card.

00:22:18Odderbet for Tottenham to Rishonis.

00:22:20Nicely into Odderbet.

00:22:23Whipped across!

00:22:24Alisson!

00:22:25But Johnson...

00:22:28On the ground, inside the six-yard box.

00:22:33And John Brooks blows his whistle.

00:22:36And Liverpool have won a dramatic game.

00:22:40Tottenham continue to protest.

00:22:42Rishonis has shown a yellow card after the final whistle for descent.

00:22:46A dramatic game in which Tottenham finished with nine men.

00:22:51But Liverpool's 11 were left hanging on.

00:22:54But they have won it by two goals to one.

00:22:57Three points away at Spurs is very nice.

00:23:03And it's a difficult game to go to.

00:23:06It's a good team to play against.

00:23:08And we need wins to let the league table look a bit better for us.

00:23:13And eventually that's what we did winning over here.

00:23:16It's a difficult game.

00:23:18But we had the control.

00:23:20That was a bit difficult in the last part of the second half course.

00:23:23They pushed and they scored.

00:23:26But yeah, we kept the result.

00:23:28And we go back in Liverpool with the win.

00:23:31That's the most important.

00:23:32First and foremost, I'm extremely proud of the players.

00:23:36Extremely proud of the team.

00:23:37I think they gave everything.

00:23:40Showed an unbelievable mentality.

00:23:42The players on the team responded today through several setbacks was immense.

00:23:48The first one is the first red, which I think is...

00:23:53I've seen it given before, but I don't like.

00:23:57I don't think it's a reckless tackle.

00:23:59I don't think it's an exceptional force.

00:24:00And then the second one, goal is the big mistake.

00:24:04Two hands in the back from the striker.

00:24:06As far as I know, the law of football is not allowed to do that.

00:24:09And then I think the second yellow to Kuti.

00:24:13I think you have a little feel of the games.

00:24:14Two big boys fighting.

00:24:17Well, Thomas Frank praised the mentality of his players there.

00:24:20And in fairness, towards the end of the game, even when they were down to nine men,

00:24:23they looked as though they might well get that equaliser.

00:24:26But they were down to nine men, Joe.

00:24:28Is there a discipline problem or was there a discipline problem in this game, do you think?

00:24:34Look, there's no doubt about it.

00:24:35They put a really good fight up.

00:24:36But at the same time, there was so much ill discipline.

00:24:39And you can't have that against a very good team like Liverpool.

00:24:42You make it difficult for yourselves.

00:24:43Tottenham actually started well.

00:24:45I don't agree with Thomas Franky.

00:24:46I think Xavi Simons, look, he'll be disappointed.

00:24:49There's no way he's gone out of his way to nail his fellow countrymen there.

00:24:51But that is such a dangerous thing to do.

00:24:54Dangerous tackle.

00:24:55He's caught him on the back of the Achilles.

00:24:58For me, it's absolutely a red card.

00:25:00I know he looks perplexed when the decision's given.

00:25:03But 100%.

00:25:04And you see Richarlison, even here, they're fighting.

00:25:07They're scrapping for their lives.

00:25:082-0 down.

00:25:09And they managed to get themselves a goal.

00:25:11A really important goal.

00:25:12But just this little bit of petulance here.

00:25:14And we just see it all the time.

00:25:15You don't need to do that.

00:25:16You can get yourself a yellow card.

00:25:18Just get yourself back up and get back in the game.

00:25:21And from the moment Romero got that yellow card,

00:25:23I felt like another one would come.

00:25:25You could bank on it almost.

00:25:26And there, Canate's just baited him.

00:25:28And it's right in front of John Brooks.

00:25:29He's got no other way that he can do here.

00:25:32He has to give him a second yellow card.

00:25:35And that's down to nine, making it even more difficult.

00:25:38I just can't believe they just totally lost control.

00:25:41And for me, this is the worst.

00:25:42I really don't like this.

00:25:43Ben Sancourt's absolutely cheap shot on Kerkes.

00:25:46He's hitting really hard there.

00:25:48A fellow professional.

00:25:49No need for that.

00:25:51Michalasen, after the game, just still not giving up.

00:25:54Getting himself a yellow card.

00:25:55Yeah, it just all looked a bit wild out there.

00:25:58It was a bit wild.

00:25:59But from Liverpool's point of view, they get the win.

00:26:02Arnazlott said it's important to start making the league table look a bit better for Liverpool.

00:26:07And in Hugo Eketike, they found a player who they can rely on to score in the big moments.

00:26:13I think, yeah, it was a good...

00:26:14I mean, he's a brilliant header.

00:26:15I thought, I mean, Thomas Frank wasn't happy after, was he, Kelly?

00:26:17He thought it was a foul.

00:26:19And it's interesting, because me and Joe were sort of off air thinking, Joe thinks it's not a foul.

00:26:23Sorry, Joe thinks it's a foul.

00:26:24I think it's not.

00:26:24You see Romero has a look at him here.

00:26:26Fringpong's on the ball at the top of the picture.

00:26:28It takes a little nick, actually, the cross off Spence.

00:26:31But I just think Eketike gets up early.

00:26:32Hang time.

00:26:33I know we've seen in the past a Shearer or a Drogba or something.

00:26:35We've seen him powering over the defender.

00:26:37He's got the run and jump as well over Romero.

00:26:39And yes, he could leave her maybe with his hands.

00:26:41I think the referee, John Brooks, has actually got it right.

00:26:44VAR didn't get involved as well.

00:26:45And maybe, Joe, you think not so sure?

00:26:47Yeah, I just feel like the hands on the back just gains an unfair advantage, in my opinion.

00:26:52But I can understand why they're giving and not giving.

00:26:54So they're allowing a little bit of contact.

00:26:57But the scoring run that Eketike is on is much more significant, given the injury to Alexander Isak.

00:27:04And we don't know what the prognosis is with him.

00:27:06But he was walking off on the ankle that we think he injured.

00:27:10How important can it be, particularly in the absence, we imagine, of Isak?

00:27:14Yeah, I mean, it's a big loss if Alexander's gone off injured again.

00:27:16He's had a stop-start campaign, hasn't he, to his Liverpool career.

00:27:19But Eketike, he looks the real deal, doesn't he?

00:27:22A brilliant striker.

00:27:23And he'll have to step up, obviously Mo Salah's left as well, to go to AFCON.

00:27:26So Eketike will have to stay fit as well, because it's a big loss if Alex is out for a number of weeks now as well.

00:27:32Now, we will see the top two, both in action very shortly.

00:27:35Before that, though, we're going to go to Elland Road, where Leeds were unbeaten in their last three,

00:27:40before the visit of Crystal Palace, who've won more games on the road than any other team in 2025.

00:27:46Stephen Wyeth is your commentator.

00:27:47Rediscovered excellence at home gets an appraisal from the Premier League's happiest of travellers.

00:27:54Leeds' recent tweak and approach can be considered tried and successfully tested.

00:27:59Just one change tonight.

00:28:00Brendan Aronson in place of Al-Tanaka.

00:28:02Dominic Calvert-Lewin aims to score for a fifth game in a row.

00:28:06None of the 11 that started for Palace in Europe 48 hours ago are required to do so again tonight.

00:28:12Instead, Eddie Nketiah for Ismail Assar, now at AFCON, and Will Hughes for the injured Daichi Kamada,

00:28:18the only changes from Manchester City on Sunday.

00:28:22Feels like the November international break came at a good time for Leeds.

00:28:28They've scored ten goals in five games since it.

00:28:32As many as they had scored in the 11 games that preceded it.

00:28:36Nketiah, who's now striding forward and returning it to Pino.

00:28:51Mateta.

00:28:52Nketiah.

00:28:53Good save, Lucas Perry.

00:28:55Pino for Mateta for Nketiah, who could have helped it on once more, but went for goal through the legs of Pascal Strout.

00:29:07Nketiah flanked by two.

00:29:10Loses out.

00:29:11Aronson.

00:29:13Jadon Vogel coming out by outside him.

00:29:14Aronson opted not to use that option.

00:29:17And then Mitchell sliding in, took a really big gamble.

00:29:20Well, Mitchell went sliding in to try and win the ball.

00:29:27But did he take ball or opponent?

00:29:31That has been checked and cleared, and it will not be a Leeds penalty.

00:29:41Here goes Okafor.

00:29:45Lacroix.

00:29:46He's done an awful lot of defensive coverage in his first half.

00:29:49He's sliding across to concede the throw.

00:29:53Something that Leeds clearly feel that they can take advantage of.

00:29:59Launched by Ampadu.

00:30:02Off ahead of Rich is Calvert-Lewin.

00:30:04And the second time of asking, does the necessary?

00:30:09In the sort of form that he's only once previously experienced, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scores for a fifth Premier League game in a row.

00:30:17You'd have expected him to take the first chance as it came back to him off Dean Henderson.

00:30:23He made absolutely sure with the follow-up.

00:30:25Oh, Stack's gone superbly and found space and delivered across.

00:30:35It's been beaten away by Henderson.

00:30:36As far as stroke!

00:30:37The deflection could have gone anywhere.

00:30:42And Henderson, having punched it away, knew he would have been powerless to deal with the ball as it was returned.

00:30:51In from Ampadu.

00:30:52Aronson didn't make the necessary contact.

00:30:59Neither did Nketiah.

00:31:03Palace are rattled.

00:31:04Nothing to do with the long throw.

00:31:11Helps on Calvert-Lewin.

00:31:15He's got two.

00:31:16Leeds United have got two.

00:31:19And just ahead of half-time, they are in a position of real authority.

00:31:24Is there anyone anywhere at the moment that can resist Leeds United at Ellen Road?

00:31:36Out of the Premier League's bottom three at Christmas would be a wonderful achievement.

00:31:43Following promotion and something to build upon for Daniel Farker and Leeds United.

00:31:49Behind it goes.

00:31:53Off-climb.

00:31:54Oh, Leeds corner.

00:31:58Stack with the corner.

00:32:02Aronson returns the ball with interest.

00:32:04Stack with it!

00:32:07Well, you know, things are going.

00:32:09Leeds United's way when Ethan Ampadu scores.

00:32:12That's his first in the league for them to make it 3-0.

00:32:16And Palace know that their race is run now, surely.

00:32:21Well, Ethan Ampadu has been such a huge influence on this game for the goals he has created.

00:32:28Now he's scored one.

00:32:31And with the sort of instincts that Dominic Calvert-Lewin himself would have been proud of.

00:32:36Look how alert he was to the possibilities.

00:32:42Goodmanson's throw.

00:32:43Locker four.

00:32:49Road on.

00:32:51Deflected just wide.

00:32:53An insatiable desire from Leeds United to keep scoring.

00:32:58Palace could be on the receiving end of a hammering if they're not careful.

00:33:03Stack's corner.

00:33:05He's gone deep with it.

00:33:05It's just about repelled by Henderson and a real scramble in the aftermath.

00:33:12How is it not 4-0?

00:33:14Once again, the corner's causing all sorts of problems.

00:33:18That looks destined to be a Pascal Strout goal.

00:33:21You have got to go all the way back to January of 2002 for the last time that Leeds scored three or more goals in three successive top-flight matches.

00:33:35It's Warton leg.

00:33:37Uce is in here and has collided with Lucas Perry.

00:33:41And it's a penalty.

00:33:42Gustantus Uce got himself into a threatening position.

00:33:49It was just a hopeful ball forward by Warton.

00:33:51But it turned into so much more than that.

00:33:53Uce brave to make sure he got there first.

00:33:56Deveni against Lucas Perry.

00:34:01He converts to give Crystal Palace something meagre to celebrate.

00:34:07Just his second in the Premier League.

00:34:10Showed the necessary composure.

00:34:12Send the goalkeeper tumbling in the opposite direction to where he wanted to place the ball.

00:34:19Deveni.

00:34:22Finding Drake's Thomas.

00:34:26They couldn't score again, could they, Palace?

00:34:30It's time to make things interesting.

00:34:32In towards Deveni!

00:34:34Who struck the post when he might have given Leeds a scare.

00:34:39And it was a very presentable chance for him to add to his penalty of a few moments ago.

00:34:47Onasosa.

00:34:48Pulled by Richards, but intercepted by Grueb.

00:34:52Gilpiro.

00:34:53Grueb has gone for the return.

00:34:55He's been fouled by Forna Sosa, surely, has he?

00:35:01Well, Thomas Bramall's just waiting to see if he gets any assistance in terms of this being in or inside, outside or inside the penalty area.

00:35:11Penalty!

00:35:11The location of the foul is being checked.

00:35:15And it would seem as though the contact was before Grueb entered the 18-yard box.

00:35:28It will be a free kick instead of a spot kick.

00:35:31It's nowhere near as good an opportunity as one from 12 yards, but...

00:35:41Stack!

00:35:43That is quite exceptional.

00:35:46Leeds do have a fourth goal.

00:35:49They can finish the game with further celebrations.

00:35:51Anton Stack knew exactly what he wanted to do.

00:35:57Over the wall, wrong footing, Henderson.

00:35:59No penalty kick.

00:36:01No problem for Anton Stack.

00:36:04Instead gloriously dispatching the free kick to make it Leeds United for Crystal Palace 1.

00:36:10If you concede four set-play goals, I think it's embarrassing.

00:36:16So we lost, and we couldn't have conceded two or three more from set-play.

00:36:20So I think they had almost no chance from open play, but every single throw-in, every single corner was dangerous.

00:36:27And we just didn't defend it well, and we have to change this.

00:36:30It's complex when you don't have the best individual quality.

00:36:33Then you need to find a plan, how it works, and the Leeds are doing really well.

00:36:38But it's not the time right now to sing the high praise of Leeds United.

00:36:42We are in a good position, but with 19 points, we won't achieve our goals.

00:36:45We have to keep going.

00:36:47Well, Daniel Farker talked about the fact that Leeds United needed to find a plan.

00:36:51Oliver Glasner said what it was, which was set-plays, Joe.

00:36:54Oh, my goodness me.

00:36:55The threat from set-pieces today, Leeds.

00:36:58Ellen Robe was absolutely rocking every time a throw-in.

00:37:01Ampadu here, you see him sending absolute missiles into it.

00:37:05And we've highlighted Calvert-Lewin versus Wharton.

00:37:07Really, really sharp.

00:37:09Round the back, loses his man.

00:37:11This man's on fire at the moment.

00:37:12You can't give him two opportunities from that close.

00:37:15An excellent start for Leeds.

00:37:17And they were looking so threatening.

00:37:19As we highlight Wharton and Calvert-Lewin again, Ampadu sends one in.

00:37:23And Beal, who actually gets himself two assists today with an excellent header,

00:37:27he's really on fire at the moment.

00:37:29He looks deadly in front of goal.

00:37:30And, like I say, Leeds look really, really good going forward.

00:37:34Talk about Aronson highlighted on the edge here, just helping it back in.

00:37:38Beal gets an absolutely world-class touch here.

00:37:41And Ampadu, who was heavily involved in creating the first two goals,

00:37:44gets his name on the score sheet.

00:37:46Excellent performance from him.

00:37:48And a lovely poke taking the game, putting them 3-0 up.

00:37:51And it looked comfortable from there.

00:37:53They were really, really good today.

00:37:55Really impressive from Leeds.

00:37:57And it's been really impressive for them in terms of their attacking numbers

00:38:00since they moved.

00:38:01It was a half-time in the City game, wasn't it, that they moved to the 3-5-2.

00:38:05And just look at the difference.

00:38:06Yeah.

00:38:07Honestly, I've done quite a lot of Leeds games this year.

00:38:09And even when they've lost, I think they've not been bad.

00:38:12But, like you say, since that change, they've been excellent.

00:38:14Scoring goals quite freely.

00:38:16And Daniel Farker can be really pleased with his team.

00:38:18They're looking like they're in a really good moment.

00:38:20What about Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

00:38:21And he also is in a really good moment.

00:38:24Good enough, do you think, to put himself in Thomas Tuchel's thoughts?

00:38:27Oh, he's going to be in his thoughts.

00:38:28Of course he is.

00:38:29He's proven that when he's fit and when he's firing, he's scored six goals in the last five games.

00:38:34I've seen him interview recently about how good he feels about his game.

00:38:37We've talked about Danny Welbeck.

00:38:38Harry Kane, of course, is going to be there.

00:38:40Oli Watkins, but a fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a great option to have.

00:38:45Now, Manchester City, with six wins in a row in all competitions, began the day two points behind top of the table Arsenal,

00:38:52who had to wait until the late kick-off.

00:38:54Visitors West Ham were without a win in their last five.

00:38:58Commentary comes from Simon Brotherton.

00:38:59With top spot within touching distance, Manchester City go with the same starting 11 as at Crystal Palace last weekend.

00:39:10Erling Haaland is three goals short of 150 for the club, nine of them so far coming in six matches against West Ham.

00:39:17The visitors are without both full-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El-Haji Malik Juff,

00:39:23which opens the door for Kyle Walker-Peters and Oli Skarles,

00:39:26while Max Killman is preferred to Konstantinos Mavropanos, who drops to the bench.

00:39:32It's a bright but chilly Saturday before Christmas in Manchester.

00:39:39Nico Gonzalez, nicely done.

00:39:41Foden Haaland!

00:39:42Second chance to shoot, and he wasn't about to miss.

00:39:49Alphonse Areola having saved the first one.

00:39:53And Manchester City haven't taken long to score at all.

00:39:58It's the tenth goal he scored against West Ham.

00:40:04And it's goal number 24 of the season.

00:40:07Five minutes played exactly.

00:40:10Manchester City won, West Ham United nil.

00:40:15So West Ham finding themselves in a hole again already here.

00:40:18Three wins so far this season for the Hammers.

00:40:21Nine defeats.

00:40:23And here comes Ryan Shirky.

00:40:27Shirky's delivery into Haaland.

00:40:29And that, for a moment, looked as though it was going to be 2-0 inside the opening ten minutes.

00:40:37Lovely play.

00:40:38And the sort of opportunity that Haaland often varies.

00:40:43Foden, who skips away from Fernandes.

00:40:49And Haaland makes a beeline for the penalty area.

00:40:52West Ham very much on the back foot.

00:40:54Bernardo Silva.

00:40:55Here's Reinders.

00:40:58And Magasso able to take it off.

00:41:00And Reinders look to be caught in two minds there.

00:41:04West Ham can't clear their lines.

00:41:06Reinders, Gonzalez, Foden, busy foraging around in the vicinity of the visitors' penalty area.

00:41:16And crowd sensing something might happen.

00:41:19Randers with the shot.

00:41:20Block made by Areola.

00:41:23West Ham's goalkeeper called into action.

00:41:27Sprung to his right to make the save.

00:41:31Bernardo Silva.

00:41:31Bit of a chase for Ryan Shirky, but he'll get there.

00:41:38Support from Mateus Nunez.

00:41:42They're working pretty well together, those two, on the near side in this first half.

00:41:46He's twinkle-toed Shirky.

00:41:51West Ham ought to be able to get the ball away here with Fernandes.

00:41:55That didn't last very long.

00:41:56They're lining up to get it off Shirky.

00:41:59They can't manage it.

00:41:59Manchester City walk it into the back of the net.

00:42:02Superb.

00:42:04Reinders with the finishing touch.

00:42:07The brilliance of Ryan Shirky.

00:42:09Aided by Erling Haaland.

00:42:12And Reinders rifling it home.

00:42:16But here West Ham again, failing to get the ball away.

00:42:19Quick, skilful play from Ryan Shirky.

00:42:24The touch from Haaland.

00:42:26And the finish from Reinders.

00:42:28It's his third goal of the season.

00:42:31And makes it 2-0.

00:42:33With six minutes or so remaining before half-time.

00:42:37Fair to say at this stage, Manchester City in complete control of the game.

00:42:42Here is Crescensio Somerville now.

00:42:48Almost picking out Bowen.

00:42:51Excellent block.

00:42:52West Ham.

00:42:55Via Fernandes.

00:42:57Put it into the crowd behind the goal.

00:42:59Well, Donnarumma's had nothing to do all afternoon.

00:43:01But then suddenly, brought into action.

00:43:05Fernandes blazing it over the top.

00:43:07Well, they might not be too full of Christmas cheer.

00:43:13But plenty of West Ham fans have made the journey.

00:43:16To support their team, as always.

00:43:19It's Bowen trying to get in.

00:43:20And he's got past Donnarumma.

00:43:22But the angle was just a little too acute.

00:43:27But Jared Bowen.

00:43:29Proving what a threat he can be, given half a chance.

00:43:31Perhaps slightly less than that.

00:43:34They've actually drawn the last three matches away.

00:43:36West Ham.

00:43:37O'Reilly.

00:43:39Not an easy one for Foden to control.

00:43:43Advantage West Ham.

00:43:44Paqueta has it.

00:43:45Somerville racing forward.

00:43:47Bowen as well.

00:43:49In ahead of O'Reilly.

00:43:51It's Jared Bowen for West Ham.

00:43:54Oh, and it's just wide.

00:43:55Well, we've seen a lot more from them in the opening 10 minutes of the second half than we saw in the whole of the opening 45 minutes.

00:44:04Here come West Ham.

00:44:07Three quarters of the way through the match.

00:44:09Foden takes it away from Potts.

00:44:13That's a lovely pass from Nunez.

00:44:16And Savino, it's his first touch since coming off the bench, sending it forward.

00:44:21The touch from Lewis.

00:44:22Harland doesn't miss chances like that.

00:44:25And surely it's game set and match for Manchester City.

00:44:30Two goals here last season against West Ham back in January.

00:44:33Two goals so far this time round as well today.

00:44:38Manchester City three.

00:44:40West Ham nil.

00:44:44Harland's onside as the ball is played towards him.

00:44:49Todibo and Walker-Peters.

00:44:51It deflects off the pair of them.

00:44:53Right into the path of Harland.

00:44:57And that's felt disaster for West Ham.

00:44:59Well, this one really has gone to form so far this match.

00:45:06Lucas Paqueta sending it in.

00:45:08Here's Somerville.

00:45:10Good block there by Donnarumma.

00:45:12He may have saved it with his face, actually.

00:45:16Well, Donnarumma, who was called into action early in the second half,

00:45:19was required to make a save here as well.

00:45:24It's going to be seven wins in a row in all competitions leading up to Christmas.

00:45:28The Guardiola's team.

00:45:31Savinia looking as fresh and lively as one would expect.

00:45:35Lucaser.

00:45:37Big day for him.

00:45:38First Premier League appearance.

00:45:41Foden.

00:45:42Oh, that was a stinger of a shot.

00:45:47Well struck by Phil Foden.

00:45:50And saved by Arreola.

00:45:54Lucaser for the nation with Savinia.

00:45:57Savinia and now Lewis.

00:45:59Good ball in.

00:46:00It's Savinia!

00:46:01Denied by Arreola.

00:46:04Lovely swift attacking play there from Manchester City.

00:46:09Almost prizing open West Ham's defence again for number four.

00:46:13Now here goes Haaland.

00:46:26This is the chance for the hat-trick.

00:46:28And it was a nearly but not quite moment for goal number 150 in a Manchester City shirt.

00:46:36Almost a perfect end to an excellent day for Pep Guardiola's team.

00:46:42But it stays at 3-0.

00:46:43I'm really happy at position at the table.

00:46:47It doesn't matter what first or second today.

00:46:49The important is we are close to the top of the league.

00:46:52In the Champions League we are there.

00:46:53Semi-finals, Carabao Cup.

00:46:54But we have to improve.

00:46:56We try to have a game plan the way we want to do things and improve our game.

00:47:01Of course, Man City is a very good team.

00:47:03And they are playing good football.

00:47:05It's difficult to control and contain them.

00:47:08It's not the proper moment to judge.

00:47:11But at the same time, realising that we need to do much better.

00:47:15Classic Erling Haaland, wasn't it really?

00:47:17Scores twice and looks really frustrated and fed up that he hasn't got a hat-trick.

00:47:21Well, it doesn't matter.

00:47:22Listen, Erling scores goals all the time.

00:47:24But today help us to do that incredible pressing that we had.

00:47:27We're thanks to him.

00:47:28And that was really, really good.

00:47:31Well, the pressing Pep Guardiola just described as incredible.

00:47:34And certainly in the first half, Joe,

00:47:35the levels of intensity that Manchester City showed felt reminiscent of Peak City.

00:47:41Yeah, it really did.

00:47:42They absolutely smothered West Ham.

00:47:44They gave them absolutely no chance.

00:47:46We look at how the midfield lined up.

00:47:48I feel like they're starting to understand their game.

00:47:50Gonzalez especially.

00:47:52Rinders.

00:47:53Bernardo.

00:47:53Here we've got Silva and Gonzalez highlighted.

00:47:56Holding midfielders.

00:47:58Looking to progress the team.

00:47:59Always looking forward.

00:48:00How can they link up?

00:48:01Working together as a pair.

00:48:03And as a home supporter, this is what you want to see.

00:48:05Your team just gradually pushing up the pitch.

00:48:08Looking threatening.

00:48:09Probing.

00:48:10Working together as a team.

00:48:11See them.

00:48:12We highlighted them before.

00:48:13Look how they've developed their play up the pitch.

00:48:16This is just slowly Manchester City.

00:48:18No, they've got confidence in each other.

00:48:20But in that point where they're knocking it round.

00:48:22And just the relationships that are starting to develop.

00:48:25Putting Foden in here.

00:48:27But what I couldn't understand in the first half is how much space they gave Harlem.

00:48:31You can't give him two opportunities like that.

00:48:33There he is.

00:48:33The robots backscoring again.

00:48:35But what I loved about Manchester City today wasn't that they had the ball taken off them.

00:48:40But West Ham just had no chance.

00:48:42As soon as that ball was turned over, City, the press, was absolutely suffocating.

00:48:46And the great thing I loved, there was so much dynamic work getting the ball back.

00:48:50But once they do win it again, they're so composed and so threatening.

00:48:55Build up over here.

00:48:56Getting it out.

00:48:57So threatening, as I say.

00:48:58Not afraid to lose it.

00:48:59When you've got a press like this, you can take chances.

00:49:01You can be more expressive.

00:49:03Cherky has got the freedom to go at teams.

00:49:05Because he knows when it turns over, he's got five of his teammates backing him up.

00:49:08Turning it over.

00:49:10And like I say, back to being composed.

00:49:12Back to doing what they do best at home.

00:49:14Making West Ham work.

00:49:16Tiring them out.

00:49:17Completely effortless when they're in possession.

00:49:21Reinders find himself in some really good positions.

00:49:23Testing Areola here.

00:49:25Good save.

00:49:26But it just felt inevitable that another goal was coming.

00:49:28Talked about Cherky not being afraid to try things because he knows he's got the press.

00:49:32Not a great ball in.

00:49:34But he knows.

00:49:34Not a problem.

00:49:35My teammates are going to win me that ball back and get it to me in a really dangerous position.

00:49:39Look at that press.

00:49:40Front foot.

00:49:41No thought of retreat.

00:49:42Get that ball back.

00:49:43Cherky with magnificent feet here.

00:49:45Talked about the space Harland was being given by the West Ham players in the box.

00:49:49You can't do that.

00:49:50Because not only can he score, he's an unselfish player.

00:49:53Reinders capping off an incredible move.

00:49:55They blew them away in the first half.

00:49:57The suffocating performance.

00:49:59Yeah.

00:49:59And we found a new stat for Erling Harland.

00:50:01And he's joined top of that one as well, which is goals scored before Christmas.

00:50:0419.

00:50:05One of four players to do that.

00:50:07But at the other end.

00:50:08And he won't necessarily get the spotlight shone on him in many places after that game.

00:50:12We never do, Kelly.

00:50:12We never do.

00:50:14Oh, I've got the smallest violin in the world.

00:50:16I'm going to look at Shiji Tanaromo, who's just been voted the best goalkeeper in the world.

00:50:21So he has been very much in the spotlight.

00:50:23He has not a lot to do, but this is brilliant.

00:50:25He gets a brilliant touch to come off.

00:50:26And he's six foot six, six foot seven, whatever height he is.

00:50:29How quick he gets up off the ground here.

00:50:30Absolutely unbelievable to make the block.

00:50:33He's a fantastic goalkeeper.

00:50:34I think when he came on the market, Hugo Vianna, new to the club, obviously, the sporting director,

00:50:38thought, we can't turn this down.

00:50:4026 million.

00:50:40I love this save as well.

00:50:42It doesn't matter as a goalkeeper how you keep it out, Kelly.

00:50:44Take it in the mush, whatever it takes, as long as the ball doesn't go in the back of the net.

00:50:47And look at Pep Guardiola.

00:50:48He loves Donnarumma.

00:50:49He's a fantastic goalkeeper.

00:50:51And if a club wants to win the Premier League, and I'm sitting next to one here right next to me, they have to have a top goalkeeper.

00:50:56And in Donnarumma, they have one.

00:50:58Nuno did say about West Ham, you can't judge us too harshly on that game because Manchester City were so good.

00:51:05But they will be judged on this next run of fixtures.

00:51:09And this is where West Ham's situation could be, or a season, could be decided.

00:51:14Well, in recent weeks, they have had a tough run.

00:51:15There's no doubt about that.

00:51:16And, of course, going to Manchester City is always a tough afternoon.

00:51:18But them fixtures you look at on the screen there, they have got an opportunity.

00:51:21And I do believe in Nuno.

00:51:22They've got to manage to get them out of trouble.

00:51:24Well, Pep Guardiola said that league position didn't matter, but they did go top with that win.

00:51:29So how would Arsenal reply after being replaced?

00:51:31It was an 8 o'clock kick-off for their first visit to Everton's Hill-Dickinson Stadium.

00:51:36Guy Mowbray was there.

00:51:39Being number one at Christmas isn't what it used to be, or in Arsenal's case, never was.

00:51:44They've had top spot on December 25th, four times in the Premier League.

00:51:48They've never gone on to win the title.

00:51:51Accompanying Jack Grealish onto the pitch tonight, 8-year-old Georgie.

00:51:55Grealish paid him a surprise visit at his primary school in Bootle recently.

00:51:59Reward for his bravery, supporting his mum after a cancer diagnosis and having lost his dad and grandmother.

00:52:07Everton have gaps to fill, with in-form Kiernan Dewsbury Hall out injured,

00:52:11and Idrissa Garnagay and Illiman Enjai away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

00:52:14Tim Iribunum, Charlie Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil come in.

00:52:17It's McNeil's 100th Premier League game for the club and first start this season.

00:52:22For Arsenal, also three changes. That's from last Saturday against Wolves.

00:52:26Ricciardo Calafiori is back from a ban.

00:52:29Martin Odegaard back to captain the team.

00:52:31And Leandro Trossard back in a fixture.

00:52:33He's scored in in both the last two seasons.

00:52:39Raya.

00:52:39Loses his skills to get the better of Cerno Barry, but it looked risky.

00:52:47Here's Saka.

00:52:51Timber goes with him down the outside.

00:52:54The Arsenal move just loses a little bit of momentum, but they're picking it up again now.

00:52:59Odegaard.

00:52:59And it's headed wide.

00:53:03A move that started with the skill of David Raya.

00:53:08Couldn't be finished with an adept bit of strike play from Victor Jokeres.

00:53:13Saka finds Timber, who'd stayed onside, and that's looped up.

00:53:26Oh, it nearly went in.

00:53:27Was it a foul in there?

00:53:29Arsenal claim a push.

00:53:30They've got a corner.

00:53:32It loops up off Mikelenko, and then Jokeres trying to fling himself at the ball.

00:53:36I think he's already falling before O'Brien makes any sort of contact.

00:53:43Corner it is.

00:53:45Nice in.

00:53:46Calafiore with a towering leap, but was it towering enough?

00:53:50Arsenal are asking for something else.

00:53:51They think there's a handball in there.

00:53:54I'll tell you what.

00:53:54O'Brien jumped with his hands above his head.

00:53:57Oh, that is handball.

00:53:59Almost certainly Arsenal are going to get a penalty here.

00:54:03After review, Everton, 15.

00:54:06Commits a handball offence.

00:54:08My final decision will be penalty kick.

00:54:12We hear it regularly, don't we?

00:54:14We don't know what handball is anymore.

00:54:17Well, that is.

00:54:21Now, Victor Jokeres has been entrusted with this for Arsenal.

00:54:27Jokeres scores.

00:54:29All the frustrations of not having scored since returning from injury

00:54:33were smashed out of the park there.

00:54:36Pretty close to the middle and Jordan Pickford's hands, but no stopping that one.

00:54:41Troussard to Saka.

00:54:53Saka.

00:54:54Timber pulls it back for Saka.

00:54:56It's a goal line block from Tarkovsky that keeps it 1-0.

00:55:00That look for all the world as though the Gunners were about to double their money.

00:55:07And that's interceptive.

00:55:14And what a chance this could be for Barry.

00:55:17Zuby Mendy with the challenge.

00:55:19Evan held for a penalty.

00:55:20They don't get one.

00:55:21They don't get one.

00:55:25I think if there was a foul, it probably took place outside the box.

00:55:29Much, much better from David Moyes' team, though.

00:55:34Wouldn't fall for Barry.

00:55:38Saliba and Barry jostle with one another.

00:55:42Calipiore wouldn't come down for Grealish.

00:55:45Thunder towards goal by Alcaraz, but it's well wide.

00:55:49And Everton go to the referee again and say,

00:55:51how about this time of penalty?

00:55:54It's Cerno Barry who went down and has stayed down since.

00:55:57He was holding on to Saliba.

00:56:00Saliba then kicked the ball in the air.

00:56:01He kicked Barry as well in the process.

00:56:03But we've got disappointing news for Everton fans, though.

00:56:06The foot-to-foot contact has already been checked and cleared,

00:56:10is the message from VAR.

00:56:13We've got a proper contest on now.

00:56:16Absolutely imperative for Everton that they do not allow Arsenal to score the next goal.

00:56:23Timber.

00:56:25Odegaard.

00:56:27Saka.

00:56:31Timber back to Odegaard.

00:56:33Now it's Declan Rice.

00:56:34This is a lovely Arsenal move.

00:56:37Rice finds Trossard, and Trossard hits the post.

00:56:40That was the moment to Auburn win the game.

00:56:45Look at the space that Trossard's got.

00:56:48We've seen him do that before.

00:56:49Everton have seen him do that before.

00:56:51And it really did look as though he was going to score for Arsenal

00:56:54away to Everton for a third season in a row.

00:56:58Dare say for a moment, Jordan Pickford thought he had.

00:57:00Tarkovsky had it and lost it.

00:57:05Tarkovsky had it and lost it.

00:57:05Martinelli.

00:57:06Garner.

00:57:13Rule.

00:57:13Oh, straight to Calipiore.

00:57:16Calipiore to Marino.

00:57:18And Tarkovsky.

00:57:19Well, he put it past Pickford, but thankfully for him, he put it past the post as well.

00:57:23Tarkovsky just wasn't expecting that, let alone Pickford.

00:57:34Saka.

00:57:35Oh, it's vicious.

00:57:36Pickford gets a hand to it.

00:57:37It was going straight in.

00:57:41One goal settled it.

00:57:44And Arsenal will go into Christmas on top of the Premier League.

00:57:48We knew it was going to be a really tough match.

00:57:54In the second half, we should have scored the second or the third goal to be more relaxed.

00:57:58But when you don't do that till the end with 1-0 and this type of teams, you know that it can be tense.

00:58:04Any player now knows that putting your arms above your head is liable to be a penalty kick.

00:58:09So I've not really got anything for him which is positive.

00:58:13I'm thinking, what did you do it for?

00:58:14And in the same box, second half, you have more than one shout.

00:58:17There was one particularly strong one.

00:58:18Did you feel that just went against you?

00:58:21Well, I think they said it was insignificant contact.

00:58:23Well, I don't know.

00:58:25We'll need to watch a few others there and see if they're right.

00:58:27How does it feel to be top at this stage, nearly halfway?

00:58:31Yeah, that's what we want.

00:58:32But we know how long this is going to be and how difficult it is every single game.

00:58:37So take it game by game that we've done from the start of the season and carry on the good form.

00:58:41Let's take a look at a couple of the instances because David Moyes has got no sympathy really for Jake O'Brien.

00:58:48And it wasn't just the penalty incident.

00:58:49He had a sort of strange minute full stop.

00:58:53Yeah, yeah, he did, Jake.

00:58:54A bit scrambled, it feels like, for a minute.

00:58:57We thought maybe, like, when you've seen this first incident live, we thought maybe that's the penalty.

00:59:00He's pushed Yocker in the back.

00:59:01He and I on the back post here, Kelly.

00:59:03Does he go through the back of him?

00:59:04Maybe just not enough.

00:59:05I know it goes to VAR.

00:59:06They said, no, not a penalty.

00:59:08But you just see here, he comes in.

00:59:09I don't know why Yockers would go to the ground there, not head into an empty net.

00:59:12But anyway, he seems to get away with this one.

00:59:15But, I don't know, 30, 40 seconds later, the corner comes in.

00:59:18And you see we circle Jake around the back again.

00:59:21And he just jumps to Kelly.

00:59:22And he's, I don't know, I mean, David Moyes, his own manager, said, like, I don't know what he's thinking.

00:59:26I don't know if he thinks he's playing Gaelic football back in Ireland.

00:59:28But he's jumped up with two hands in the air.

00:59:30He gets a touch on it.

00:59:31It's a mad moment from Jake, to be fair.

00:59:33And the ref's left with no opportunity.

00:59:34It's a clear penalty.

00:59:35And it's the right decision.

00:59:36Yeah, the right decision.

00:59:38Jokeres scores the penalty.

00:59:40And that proves to be the decisive moment in the game.

00:59:42Yeah, brilliant penalty.

00:59:43It's a fantastic penalty.

00:59:44It really is.

00:59:44And the player of his standard, he gave Pickford absolutely no chance with a finish.

00:59:49Yeah, it was a really good penalty from Jokeres.

00:59:53But could Everton have had a penalty of their own?

00:59:55Look, I think there's a lot more than significant contact in this.

00:59:58I'm really strong in this here.

00:59:59You know, people will argue it's not a penalty.

01:00:01But Saliba, Barry gets the ball before Saliba.

01:00:04And for me, it's a clear penalty.

01:00:06I don't understand maybe the laws of the game anymore.

01:00:08But this is a clear penalty.

01:00:09Barry gets the ball.

01:00:10Saliba kicks through the back of his foot.

01:00:13And for me, there's plenty of significance in that.

01:00:15Look, it kicks it through the back.

01:00:16And for me, it's inside the box.

01:00:17I don't think it's an actual difficult decision.

01:00:18I really don't.

01:00:19Sam Barrett, the referee, said no.

01:00:21But I do believe that Fiyosha says, Sam, at least come and have a look at this.

01:00:25For me, that's a penalty all day long.

01:00:27They may have had the benefit of that decision in particular, according to Shea Jo.

01:00:33But it's a really significant win for Arsenal because it means that they are top at Christmas.

01:00:38They came through a really difficult test against Everton.

01:00:41Is this a new look, Arsenal, do you think?

01:00:44Look, that's a massive win because that was a tough game tonight.

01:00:47They've obviously took that moment of madness, scored the goal, stayed in front.

01:00:51A few difficult decisions for the referee, but ultimately it's about winning,

01:00:54especially at this stage of the season, being on top of the league

01:00:57because they know they've got a dominant Manchester City breathing down their necks.

01:01:00The only problem is that they have been here before, Shea.

01:01:04They have been top of the Premier League table at Christmas,

01:01:07and they haven't yet won it when they've been top at Christmas.

01:01:10Is that a note of caution or is it an experience that they can lean on?

01:01:14Well, you hope Arteta and the Arsenal players have turned off for this segment.

01:01:17But look, there'll be question until they get their hands on this trophy.

01:01:20There's no doubt about that.

01:01:20There's a big blue lorry coming behind them in Manchester City.

01:01:23Pep Guardiola and his squad, as Joe rightly said before, are powering again, back up the speed.

01:01:27It's going to be a great race, and Man City will push them all the way.

01:01:31It is going to be a great race, and there's still more games to come from today.

01:01:34But there's just one Premier League match that takes place tomorrow.

01:01:38Manchester United go to inform Aston Villa.

01:01:41You can listen to live commentary on Five Live and BBC Sounds.

01:01:45And then Chappers is joined by Wayne Rooney and Dion Dublin for Match of the Day at 10.30.

01:01:50That's on BBC One and on iPlayer.

01:01:52Also on iPlayer, check out the new Mo Salah documentary.

01:01:56And there's live tennis on the 26th of December.

01:01:59Irina Sabalenka takes on Nick Kyrgios in the Battle of the Sexes.

01:02:03And remember, no matter what your festive schedule is, it's easy to say,

01:02:08this Match of the Day and all the others over Christmas and New Year

01:02:11will be available on BBC iPlayer.

01:02:15Now, Wolves are still without a win, and they're on the worst run in their league history,

01:02:19having lost nine straight games.

01:02:21The club's executive chairman, Geoff Shee, stepped down from his role this week.

01:02:25Brentford were the visitors to Molyneux.

01:02:27Tom Gale is your commentator.

01:02:29Wolves remain the only English professional side still yet to win a match this season.

01:02:36Jose Sarr starts after 11 straight league games on the bench.

01:02:41Just the one goal so far for Hee Chan Hwang in 2025,

01:02:44but he scored three in his last four against Brentford.

01:02:48The visitors away form will concern Keith Andrews.

01:02:51It's one win and seven defeats for Brentford.

01:02:54After missing Wednesday's League Cup defeat at Man City,

01:02:57Igor Thiago's fit to start.

01:02:59Only Erling Haaland has more than the Brazilians' 11 league goals this season.

01:03:04Before kick-off, a period of silence to remember and honour the life

01:03:09of former Wolves player, 21-year-old Ethan McLeod,

01:03:13who passed away on Tuesday.

01:03:14O'Reilly Haaland has more than the Brazilians' 11 league goals this season.

01:03:44But the alertness of Quivine Kelleher keeps it at nil-nil.

01:03:51Well, Rob Edwards did stress when he took the job.

01:03:54The amount of goals Wolves were conceding was a huge problem,

01:03:56and they are keeping things a lot tighter of late.

01:03:59Limited Arsenal to just two shots on target last weekend,

01:04:03but ultimately it did end in defeat.

01:04:06Yannot has it.

01:04:07Looking for Keane-Louis Potter.

01:04:09Thiago's free.

01:04:10He tried to play it first time.

01:04:12He'll get there again.

01:04:13Is the shot on?

01:04:14It is!

01:04:15And it's palmed away by Jose Sarr.

01:04:19It's the closest Brentford have come so far.

01:04:25Well, it's been a frustrating watch this season,

01:04:28and the fans are keen for their voice to be heard.

01:04:31But they are not happy with the hierarchy at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

01:04:39Keane-Louis Potter.

01:04:42Prachy comes across.

01:04:46Yarmouk.

01:04:47Andre's header.

01:04:50Only to Lewis Potter.

01:04:52Cross-shot it!

01:04:53And what a save!

01:04:55Jose Sarr keeping it at nil-nil.

01:05:01What can Brentford do this time?

01:05:04First-time ball from Yarmouk.

01:05:07Flits on to Chardin again!

01:05:08A really lively start to the second half from Brentford.

01:05:16So this was Chardin's first effort.

01:05:20Should the German do better?

01:05:22That was quickly followed up.

01:05:24Yarmouk's ball in.

01:05:25The flick on and met on the volley by Chardin.

01:05:29Either side of the keeper,

01:05:31and I'm sure that's hitting the back of the net.

01:05:33Yarmouk spots Thiago.

01:05:41Ball bounces awkwardly,

01:05:42and it's finished by Keane-Louis Potter.

01:05:46Brentford finally break through Wolves' resistance.

01:05:50And it's a fierce Premier League goal of the season

01:05:53for Keane-Louis Potter.

01:05:55Wolves have had to hang in at times,

01:05:58ride their luck,

01:05:59but as soon as this ball bounces,

01:06:00it's awkward.

01:06:01And it goes over the top of the helpless Krejci.

01:06:06McKeane-Louis Potter is alert,

01:06:09and that is a neat and tidy finish from him.

01:06:12Wolves nil.

01:06:13Brentford one.

01:06:18Gomez.

01:06:20Marnet.

01:06:21Good fierce touch.

01:06:23Shame about the second.

01:06:24Straight into Damsgaard.

01:06:26Wins it back, though, the teenager.

01:06:28Damsgaard stayed down.

01:06:29Marnet's cross towards the back post.

01:06:32Wolves' header!

01:06:34Oh!

01:06:35There's been a notable injection of freshness into the Wolves' attack

01:06:40since Matthias Marnet's come on.

01:06:42Picks out the Norwegian.

01:06:44And he's awfully close.

01:06:46Damsgaard.

01:06:50Yarmaluk.

01:06:53Krejci looking to clear.

01:06:57Damsgaard on the slide.

01:06:59Yarmaluk has it.

01:07:00Brentford have it back.

01:07:01And they're looking for more here, the visitors.

01:07:06Damsgaard.

01:07:07His cross.

01:07:08Two on the stretch.

01:07:09Keane-Louis Potter.

01:07:12That is it.

01:07:13Home supporters are heading for the exit.

01:07:16It looks as though Brentford have wrapped up what is only a second away win of the season.

01:07:24And it's Keane-Louis Potter at the double.

01:07:27Oh!

01:07:31Gomez.

01:07:39Buenque.

01:07:40Delays the cross.

01:07:42Looking for Marnet.

01:07:44Into Doherty.

01:07:46Kelleher doesn't get there.

01:07:47Penalty!

01:07:50This is the replay.

01:07:51Marnet's first time ball in.

01:07:54And does Kelleher get a touch?

01:07:57No.

01:07:57It's clear from that angle.

01:07:59And is this a lifeline for Wolves in the closing stages?

01:08:07Strand-Larsen is denied!

01:08:11And for me, that sums up Wolverhampton Wanderers.

01:08:15No conviction with the spot kick.

01:08:17This is tame from the Norwegian.

01:08:20Full-time.

01:08:21Wolves-nil.

01:08:22Brentford-two.

01:08:24They've played their sixth game now on the rub.

01:08:28Previous five games, it's been a draw at half-time.

01:08:30So, there would have to be that element of patience.

01:08:32But trying to do the right things consistently.

01:08:35And hopefully that brought our rewards.

01:08:37And I think we did that in the second half.

01:08:39There wasn't loads in it, Si.

01:08:40That took a couple of saves in an early period of that second half.

01:08:43And we tried to address that.

01:08:47Again, we're not in a threatening position from the goal they scored.

01:08:49That first one, but we've managed to gift that.

01:08:54And then from there, it's tough for us at the moment.

01:08:57This is the worst I've felt in a long time.

01:09:01And we're just lacking that belief that we can actually win the game.

01:09:04It's like we're afraid to, we're scared to win the game almost.

01:09:06We need to do some soul searching and have a look in the mirror and just figure out what we want to be remembered for at the club.

01:09:14Do we want to be remembered for fighting all the way to the end of the season?

01:09:19Or do we want to be remembered for being cowards and taking maybe the easy option out and maybe trying to leave in January or letting other people not fighting and trying to let other people take your position and stuff like that.

01:09:37So we need to figure out, we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and figure out how we want to be remembered at the club.

01:09:44We've had games where we've played well and we haven't quite got the points.

01:09:46But I think it was similar again last season.

01:09:49It was something away from home.

01:09:51I can't really put my finger on what.

01:09:54But yeah, like I said, going to Christmas to get away from home is brilliant.

01:09:58Is it finally?

01:09:58Two goals so you can have a couple of days off now, a bit more extra turkey?

01:10:02I wish.

01:10:03Lasse Gaffer now.

01:10:03Yep, good performances as just expected.

01:10:07This time of year it is going to be busy.

01:10:09Keane Lewis Potter though, the stand-up player for either side.

01:10:13Yeah, a bit of magic from him, wasn't it, today?

01:10:14He had a brilliant performance and it's mad.

01:10:16His two goals today is the same amount of goals he scored in the last 69 games, would you believe?

01:10:20Yeah, he was just brilliant.

01:10:22He really was.

01:10:22There was a difference between the two teams.

01:10:24You know, again, threatening the line here.

01:10:26We see him, Kelly, you know, getting on the ball, backing it up.

01:10:28Just everything he did, he seemed to be lively.

01:10:30And Keith Andrews spoke very well after the game about him as well,

01:10:33what he brings to the club.

01:10:34Again, he sort of wanders into them positions and no Wolves player at any stage thinks he'd get near him

01:10:38or pick him up or anything.

01:10:40Again, brilliant ball in for Shada.

01:10:41Good save from Sal, of course, but again, he's all in the right areas.

01:10:44Keep an eye on him here.

01:10:45Kreutche goes tight.

01:10:47And just keep an eye on his movement after this.

01:10:49You know, he's just creating space between the lines, trying to upset the back five of Wolves.

01:10:53And just natural ability to pick up spaces and little pockets and no one really gets near him.

01:10:58You see here now, the defender drops off him and he comes alive.

01:11:01This is a nothing kind of ball, to be honest, and Kreutche should deal with it.

01:11:05But take nothing away from Lewis Potter.

01:11:07He gives a brilliant finish.

01:11:08It looks like he's scored all his life with a finish like that.

01:11:10Again, look at the space.

01:11:11There's no one in a Wolves shirt anywhere near him.

01:11:14Nearly a lack of respect to him, actually, because he's maybe a smaller figure on the pitch.

01:11:18But again, he gives it wide to Damsgaard.

01:11:20Brilliant ball from him.

01:11:21Look at all the Wolves players.

01:11:22Joe mentioned before not latching on inside the box.

01:11:25You know, space doesn't score goals.

01:11:27Players do.

01:11:28And you see Keith Andrews come back to his old club today.

01:11:30But it's all about that man, Lewis Potter.

01:11:32A fantastic day for him.

01:11:33From Wolves' point of view, though, they're beaten again today.

01:11:37They've only got two points all season.

01:11:39They're four points below where Derby were, which is the record worst points total in a Premier League season.

01:11:44There were fan protests at the game.

01:11:46Their executive chairman has stepped down this week.

01:11:49It feels like a really difficult moment for the club.

01:11:51And that was certainly echoed in Matt Doherty's comments when he was quite pointed in his criticism.

01:11:58It felt as though it was aimed at certain individuals saying, I don't want us to be remembered as cowards.

01:12:02I don't want people to be looking to get out in January.

01:12:04I don't want people to be shirking their responsibilities.

01:12:07But how do you do that when the club is in the chaos it is?

01:12:11Well, I know Matt on a personal level.

01:12:13I felt for him there.

01:12:14He looked poorly.

01:12:15I wanted to give him a big cuddle.

01:12:16But on a professional level, you've got to step up.

01:12:18You've got to shake it off.

01:12:19You've got to stop thinking about you, your ego, what's going to happen in January, like he said, and get in the trenches.

01:12:24Wolves are in the trenches right now.

01:12:26And the least you can do is put fight, get your shirt on, wear the badge with pride, and fight for your supporters and your team.

01:12:32And that's what Matt Doherty is trying to say there.

01:12:34He's trying to get his team rallied.

01:12:36Like I say, I want to give him a cuddle, but this is big boy time.

01:12:40You need to step up.

01:12:41Burnley were six points from safety and on a run of seven straight defeats when they went to Bournemouth, who were involved in an Old Trafford epic on Monday night.

01:12:52Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum.

01:12:56A bad!

01:12:57It's a monster to touch.

01:12:58Sabino, quite brilliant finish.

01:13:02Just a mirror.

01:13:02Oh, smoke him in.

01:13:04This is Evan Nielsen.

01:13:06Their second equalizer of the game.

01:13:08Bournemouth are in front.

01:13:12Three, three.

01:13:14Jeffing, roll it, Old Trafford.

01:13:17Here's Mateusz Kunia!

01:13:19Four, three!

01:13:20Here's Mateusz Kruppi!

01:13:25They've made it 4-4!

01:13:28Bournemouth refusing to bow down.

01:13:32Hoping for more of the same at the Vitality, Chris Wise.

01:13:35There's been 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 scorelines in Bournemouth games this season, so why not dream of a 10-goal thriller?

01:13:42From the Cherries team that started Manic Monday, there are two changes.

01:13:45Lewis Cook returns from suspension and is straight into the team to replace the injured Tyler Adams.

01:13:51David Brooks also makes his first start for a month.

01:13:54Christmas in the bottom three, a guarantee for Burnley.

01:13:58Scott Parker returns to the club he won promotion with three and a half years ago.

01:14:02But the relegation worries at his current team are intensifying already.

01:14:07Six Burnley changes.

01:14:08Some enforced, others not.

01:14:10As Parker seeks solutions.

01:14:12It's only less than two months ago that Bournemouth were the closest team to the then-leaders Arsenal in the Premier League.

01:14:22Nobody has fallen further down the table in that time than the Cherries.

01:14:26Brooks, Evan Nielsen, lovely.

01:14:31David Brooks again, that would have been a really nice form of goal.

01:14:37Excellent understanding between Evan Nielsen and those who play behind him.

01:14:41It's not a foul on Kluivert.

01:14:49Either that or he lost his balance there.

01:14:51Kluivert thinks he was tripped.

01:14:53Walker's going to try and go past Sonesi.

01:14:55Walker perhaps has got past Sonesi.

01:14:59And in the end, just didn't have the legs to keep going.

01:15:01But that's Fleming.

01:15:03That's Laurent across and that's Anthony in.

01:15:05But the flag is up.

01:15:07And it's not going to count.

01:15:08And Jalen Anthony thought he had his moment against his former club.

01:15:14It started with Kyle Walker rolling back the years, getting up Marcos Sonesi.

01:15:18There is a VAR check taking place.

01:15:23I don't know why they're delaying too much on this.

01:15:26Unless, of course, they're looking at who actually played the ball there to Josh Lauren.

01:15:30Does it come off the Bournemouth player?

01:15:34They've had a quick look at that and they've determined that

01:15:37Chris Kavanagh, his team of officials, got it right initially.

01:15:40So the Burnley breakthrough on hold for now.

01:15:46Diakite.

01:15:48Evan Nielsen on the move.

01:15:50Watched by Worrell.

01:15:53Sonesi.

01:15:53Sharper to it than Fleming.

01:15:56And in for Brooks who puts it over the bar.

01:15:59And that of all of them is the best chance so far for Bournemouth.

01:16:03Burst beyond the Burnley back line.

01:16:05It was tricky because it was coming over his shoulder.

01:16:11Diakite.

01:16:11Brooks for Tavernier.

01:16:16That was really nice.

01:16:18This is Junior Kruppi.

01:16:20He'd be guilty of overplaying it.

01:16:22And then the slip.

01:16:23And Semenyo punishes that moment.

01:16:27There's the Bournemouth breakthrough.

01:16:29Antoine Semenyo again.

01:16:32An eighth Premier League goal of his season.

01:16:34But when the luck is against you.

01:16:37As it feels it is for Burnley right now.

01:16:40That's what happens.

01:16:42Tavernier working it towards Junior Kruppi initially.

01:16:46And then Laurent just loses his footing.

01:16:49And unfortunately for him.

01:16:50He lost his footing right in front of Antoine Semenyo.

01:16:54The one he got at Old Trafford was his first in more than two months.

01:16:58Two in less than a week.

01:17:00And Scott Parker's faced with the familiar problems again.

01:17:05And that goal from Antoine Semenyo by the way.

01:17:07Was the very first shot on target that Bournemouth have had this afternoon.

01:17:12One by Cook.

01:17:13And then collected by Trezor.

01:17:16Who has Trufair right behind him.

01:17:19And Trezor gets Burnley the corner.

01:17:21A bit of attacking thrust.

01:17:22And all of a sudden Burnley are having a decent final five minutes.

01:17:27Short one from Lucas Perez.

01:17:30Marcus Edwards.

01:17:31Oh that's a lovely ball.

01:17:33There's the goal.

01:17:34For Burnley.

01:17:36And for Armando Broja.

01:17:40Right on the 90 minute mark.

01:17:43That's the time to get your first Burnley goal.

01:17:47Barely been in this game Burnley.

01:17:49But a bit of thrust towards the end.

01:17:52And it's brought some rewards.

01:17:54It's a free header for Broja.

01:17:55Five yards out.

01:17:57And very well guided into the corner as well from the Albanian.

01:18:01Well Burnley are going to need a few more moments like that.

01:18:04But that's certainly the foundations of moving things in a positive direction again.

01:18:09So we go into stoppage time at 1-1.

01:18:12And there will be five minutes of added time.

01:18:14And Bournemouth.

01:18:15Who have looked comfortable.

01:18:18If not necessarily menacing at times.

01:18:21Now find themselves back where they were.

01:18:23Lewis Cook with the Bournemouth corner.

01:18:27And the flick on and over the bar it goes.

01:18:30Sanessi was close.

01:18:32Burnley survived that scare.

01:18:34The losing run is at an end for Scott Parker's team.

01:18:41There was no denying we had massive pressure on us.

01:18:43And mainly down to the run.

01:18:45I don't think it's down to the points tally we've got so far this year.

01:18:47Because I see it still.

01:18:49We're still right in it.

01:18:50But the actual run which we've been on.

01:18:52We needed to stop that really.

01:18:54Our reaction after the goal.

01:18:56Which was an unfortunate goal.

01:18:57Was slip.

01:18:58Was then an incredible reaction.

01:19:00So we needed some fighters today.

01:19:01We needed a spirit about us.

01:19:03Which I never ever put in question with this group.

01:19:06And they give me every bit of that today.

01:19:07Everything is costing us now a lot.

01:19:09To get one point you have to do a lot.

01:19:11And in the games that position is better than you.

01:19:15You get nothing.

01:19:16The ones that you think you are better.

01:19:17You have the best chances.

01:19:19You just get a point.

01:19:20And okay one point one point is better than losing.

01:19:23Because you have to value every point.

01:19:26But at the end is I think we are a team with more draws.

01:19:29In the Premier League.

01:19:30So we have to find a way to go to the three points.

01:19:33To put ourselves where we want.

01:19:35Well it might be just a point from Bournemouth's point of view.

01:19:38But it was a late, late equaliser for Burnley.

01:19:40It was a first goal in two years in the Premier League for Breuer as well.

01:19:44How significant though could that goal be for Scott Parker?

01:19:48Hey look it's going to have to be significant.

01:19:49You know that's off the back of seven losses in the Premier League.

01:19:52A lot of pressure mounting.

01:19:54No one expected Burnley to really be flying this season.

01:19:56But they're in a difficult position.

01:19:57That's a great header from Breuer.

01:19:59You know first goal in two years.

01:20:0140 games.

01:20:02And there's some fight in him.

01:20:03There's some spark in him.

01:20:04And that's what they're going to have to take from that game.

01:20:06Two home games coming up.

01:20:07Big moments for Burnley.

01:20:08And they're looking for a spark at Bournemouth.

01:20:11They've not had a win in eight Premier League games.

01:20:13So when you see someone like Antoine Semenyo again with the significant goal for them.

01:20:19How important is it that they keep hold of him in January?

01:20:21Yeah well look at that graph.

01:20:22You know third highest scorer in the Premier League.

01:20:24All the goals are coming from this guy.

01:20:26I know he's got a buyout clause in a week or so's time.

01:20:29First of January.

01:20:30It kicks in for 65 minutes.

01:20:31Numerous clubs looking at him.

01:20:33It will be a worry from a Bournemouth point of view if you lose your star man.

01:20:36Because he scores most of the goals.

01:20:37Let's be honest.

01:20:37He's a brilliant, brilliant player.

01:20:3925 is in the peak of his career as well.

01:20:41So it'll be interesting to see what happens in January.

01:20:43Can't they keep him?

01:20:43That's not a graph by the way.

01:20:45What is it?

01:20:46What is it?

01:20:46It's just a list.

01:20:48Brighton in 10th began the day three points behind eighth place Sunderland.

01:20:52It was the first top flight meeting between these two teams since 1983.

01:20:57Jonathan Pearce was at the Amex.

01:21:01Two Christmas riddles.

01:21:03How will Brighton end their barren nine game run without a December victory?

01:21:07They're without Duncan Gomez suspended for Labour who's at Afton.

01:21:10And Van Hecker ill from the team beaten at Liverpool.

01:21:13Sunderland have lost twice as many players to Afton as any other Premier Cup.

01:21:17Masuaku, Reinildo, Siddiqui, Talbi and Torre have all gone.

01:21:20O'Nein suspended.

01:21:21They're down to bare bones.

01:21:23In come Hulme, Gertrader, Rigg and Adingra five months after he left Brighton.

01:21:28Having been a popular figure here.

01:21:29Here's Ruta.

01:21:35Looks for Minta.

01:21:37The poker's on the far side.

01:21:40And he looks for him.

01:21:41It's a clever spun pass.

01:21:44Best cross of the game so far, that.

01:21:48And Brighton had a foul.

01:21:52That'll be the offender.

01:21:53But it's a lovely cross here by Ancuba, isn't it?

01:21:57Tried the spun cross in.

01:22:00Looking for the run of Maxime de Caita coming in from that left.

01:22:07No more Alderete.

01:22:08Weefer.

01:22:12Tricky border player in there.

01:22:13That's a bad back pass.

01:22:14It's a chance for Sunderland.

01:22:16But Bruggan redeems his situation.

01:22:18And away.

01:22:19In the end by Karioglu.

01:22:21It was nearly given away by Brighton-Hove Albion.

01:22:25Untidy here.

01:22:26Weefer.

01:22:27Led Hinchwood into trouble.

01:22:28That's a bad back pass.

01:22:31But Bruggan came up very, very quickly.

01:22:37Q.

01:22:39High for Brobby.

01:22:40He's got between the centre-backs.

01:22:42The goalkeeper's come out.

01:22:44Couldn't get a claw on it.

01:22:45Brobby.

01:22:46Blocked again.

01:22:48Brighton are wobbling.

01:22:49Sunderland are on top.

01:22:53Look at the space for him.

01:22:55Goalkeeper came.

01:22:56Couldn't get a glove on it.

01:22:58And it's blocked.

01:22:59Combination there, I think, of Coppola and the goalkeeper.

01:23:05Brighton, A, need to pass it all more accurately than they do.

01:23:08In the first half.

01:23:09And B, up the tempo of their passing.

01:23:12Pingra finds Lafayette.

01:23:17It's a good ball back in the mix.

01:23:18Alderete!

01:23:19Good save!

01:23:21Strong save!

01:23:24Elmer Alderete denied by a fine piece of goalkeeping.

01:23:26A little bit of fortune.

01:23:31And the woodwork helped him out.

01:23:33And the boss, Gagli.

01:23:42Intelligent ball.

01:23:43Veltman back into the middle.

01:23:44Oh, a big chance!

01:23:45Yasin Ayari.

01:23:47One of Brighton's best chances of the game.

01:23:49Well crafted that.

01:23:52Poorly executed in the end.

01:23:54And skied by the 22-year-old Swedish international.

01:23:59They lack any sort of penetrative power up front.

01:24:04And it is a worry.

01:24:05Penny Welbeck is suffering back spasms at the moment.

01:24:08Not part of the squad.

01:24:10Here's Grudu can open up a defence.

01:24:12And does so again.

01:24:13And the shot was a good one from Yasin Ayari.

01:24:16Rising.

01:24:18Now he's had their best moments in the second half.

01:24:2465 minutes gone.

01:24:26Norti Mukherjee.

01:24:29Looks to set Lafay away.

01:24:31Just like he's struggling a little bit.

01:24:32First-time ball and needs to be cleared away.

01:24:35It wasn't.

01:24:35It was a decent shot on goal in the end.

01:24:38By Romain Mundic.

01:24:39Just on as a substitute.

01:24:42Forced a stretching save.

01:24:46Not too sure Brighton have done enough over the...

01:24:48What, 76 minutes to win the game?

01:24:50I don't think some of them...

01:24:52Anything wrong...

01:24:53Reserved to lose it.

01:24:56Here's Deltman.

01:24:58What have had a go?

01:24:59Pulls it back.

01:25:00They've got him behind here now.

01:25:01It's ball.

01:25:01Bang on Ayari!

01:25:03Lent off the ball over it went.

01:25:04Pulled back to him by Chalampos Kostrelas.

01:25:11And he's had three good shooting chances in the game.

01:25:14And he's put them all over.

01:25:20Set it up.

01:25:21But not away by Mukherjee.

01:25:25He's overrun that.

01:25:26And that's going to be a challenge that's looked at.

01:25:29It's a yellow card for him.

01:25:35Caught Kostrelas there.

01:25:37It was the follow-through that could cause him problems here.

01:25:41That's been confirmed as a yellow card only by the VAR.

01:25:45Ruda rode the challenge.

01:25:50Could have released to Kostrelas.

01:25:53Does release to Ayari.

01:25:54This time he does hit the target.

01:25:56Rebounds off the chest of the Sunderland goalkeeper.

01:26:00Skipped inside his man.

01:26:01Kept his shot down low.

01:26:03But straight at keeper roofs.

01:26:04We are frustrated, definitely.

01:26:09But we have to understand that Sunderland, they were a good side today.

01:26:14They played well.

01:26:15They did the basic things right.

01:26:17So we have to realise that there are big opportunities we miss.

01:26:23If we only play for phases of the game good.

01:26:26And that's something where we have to take responsibility.

01:26:27I think we played well.

01:26:29Probably 65-70 minutes.

01:26:32With the opportunity to score.

01:26:34We didn't.

01:26:34I think it's always important when you go away.

01:26:37Especially against a strong side.

01:26:39To seize those opportunities.

01:26:41It wasn't the case.

01:26:43After that Brighton pushed.

01:26:44Which I think is normal.

01:26:45And we were a bit on the edge.

01:26:47But still a good point.

01:26:48A good point at Brighton.

01:26:50They're sixth in the table heading into Christmas.

01:26:53A newly promoted side.

01:26:54How impressive have they been?

01:26:55Yeah, brilliant.

01:26:56I was going to say, as far as I say, a great point actually.

01:26:58Brighton's a tough place to go.

01:27:00And we highlighted these two at the back.

01:27:01I think they were absolutely brilliant today.

01:27:02You need a strong defensive unit away from home.

01:27:05And Ballard and Alderetti today were absolutely immense.

01:27:07They really will.

01:27:08Everything that Brighton threw at them.

01:27:09They were dealing with.

01:27:10You see, you know, Ballard scanning.

01:27:12Heading balls away.

01:27:13And again, I think these two have played together the last five games together, Kelly.

01:27:17And it feels like they're really building up a strong understanding.

01:27:19You know, you see here, Ballard's back on the line.

01:27:21Going to defend.

01:27:21Help the keeper if it comes back in again.

01:27:23And again, they're readjusting.

01:27:24And they're never too far apart.

01:27:25You see the way they've circled them together.

01:27:27Five or six yards apart.

01:27:28You know, organising, heading.

01:27:30And I love Dan Ballard.

01:27:31He's absolutely brilliant in there.

01:27:32He goes and tacks over.

01:27:33He had head your granny.

01:27:34What he really was.

01:27:34He's absolutely brilliant in that position.

01:27:36And he's a...

01:27:37It is the season.

01:27:38It is the season.

01:27:39But again, you know, obviously, we're two goalkeepers out tonight.

01:27:43But as a goalkeeper and you've got two defenders, I want to hit things, clear things, block things

01:27:47away from home in the Premier League.

01:27:48That's invaluable.

01:27:49And up to six in the league.

01:27:50It's just a phenomenal season.

01:27:51Let's take a look at the Premier League table then.

01:27:54Arsenal are top at Christmas for the third time in four years.

01:27:58But the last time they turned a lead at this stage into silverware was 78 years ago.

01:28:03Manchester City are two points behind and they've gone on to win the title on the past

01:28:07five occasions that the Christmas leaders have been overtaken.

01:28:11Very little festive cheer for the bottom three, though.

01:28:13Winless Wolves were already cut adrift.

01:28:15Burnley and West Ham are now seven and five points respectively from safety following victory

01:28:20for Leeds.

01:28:22Thank you very much to Joe and to Shea for joining me appropriately for this time of year.

01:28:26We had a double from St. Nick, one from Reindeers and an informed Christmas Cherokee.

01:28:30But Arsenal head into Christmas top of the tree.

01:28:33Good night.

01:28:35Good night.

01:28:37Good night.

01:28:47Good night.

01:28:50Good night.

01:28:52Good night.

01:28:53Good night.

01:28:54Good night.

01:28:55Good night.

01:28:56Good night.

01:28:57Good night.

01:28:58Good night.

01:28:59Good night.

01:29:00Good night.

01:29:01Good night.

01:29:02Good night.

01:29:03Good night.

01:29:04Good night.

01:29:05Good night.

01:29:06Good night.

01:29:07Good night.

01:29:08Good night.

01:29:09Good night.

01:29:10Good night.

01:29:11Good night.

01:29:12Good night.

01:29:14Good night.

01:29:15Good night.

01:29:16Good night.

01:29:17Good night.

01:29:18Good night.

Match of the Day - Season 2026 Episode 32 - 20/12/202

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