- 40 minutes ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00:00Rooney O'Connor!
00:00:03Welcome to Match of the Dead.
00:00:30MUSIC PLAYS
00:00:45Hello. Just 363 sleeps until Christmas.
00:00:49Eight Premier League games should help pass the time.
00:00:51Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney were the pundits most desperate
00:00:54to get out of the house.
00:00:56It was an emotional day at the city ground as Nottingham Forest
00:00:59remembered club legend John Robertson,
00:01:02who died over Christmas at the age of 72.
00:01:05Robertson, who was once compared to Picasso by his manager Brian Clough,
00:01:09appeared in 243 consecutive games for Forest between 1976 and 1980,
00:01:16winning back-to-back European Cups
00:01:18and scoring the only goal in the final against Hamburg in 1980.
00:01:22He left Forest in 1983
00:01:24for what was a controversial move to Peter Taylor's Derby
00:01:27but returned two years later before retiring shortly afterwards.
00:01:31Post-playing, he'd work as assistant manager to his former Forest team-mate,
00:01:35Martin O'Neill.
00:01:37Robertson won 28 caps for Scotland, featuring in the 1978 and 1982
00:01:42World Cup squads and scored the winner against England at Wembley in 1981.
00:01:47Tributes were paid before today's game against Manchester City.
00:01:52Commentary comes from Martin Fisher.
00:01:56It's an emotional day on Trent's side.
00:01:59The sad news has hit Forest fans hard.
00:02:02Rovo was a genuine legend.
00:02:05Manager Sean Dyche got to know him well in recent years.
00:02:08How dearly he would love his side to produce a fitting tribute on the pitch.
00:02:14He's made one change to the side that lost at Fulham on Monday
00:02:17with Nicolas Dominguez preferred to Douglas Luiz in midfield.
00:02:21John Victor again retains his place in goal despite Matt Sells being fit again.
00:02:27Manchester City arrive on the back of five successive league wins
00:02:31with top of the table Arsenal in their sights.
00:02:34Unchanged for the third game in a row with Erling Haaland one shy of 150 goals for the club.
00:02:41He boasts five in six games against Forest.
00:02:44A deafening minutes of applause echoes around the city ground and across the river Trent and into the city.
00:03:05Forest have done well at the city ground since Sean Dyche took over,
00:03:09winning four of their six games in all competitions,
00:03:11but this definitely their toughest test yet.
00:03:16Hudson-Odoi, two against Spurs in Forest's last game here.
00:03:22Decent ball in!
00:03:24Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus between them, couldn't get a touch.
00:03:29What a glorious ball in from Forest's left winger today.
00:03:35Shades of Robbo with that delivery.
00:03:37Oh, for a Bertels or a Woodcock on the end of that.
00:03:40Oh!
00:03:48It's only quickly taken, but Ardo Silva, Pesiecki!
00:03:51And the challenge from Milenkovic was in the nick of time.
00:03:55Forest just a little bit caught off-guard there,
00:03:59Milenkovic wasn't, and was in strongly.
00:04:03They are having a look.
00:04:05Check complete and cleared.
00:04:12Referee thought about blowing and now does.
00:04:15Igor Jesus continues to win his side, free kicks.
00:04:19And a yellow card for his process.
00:04:25Ruben Diaz, the first in the referee's book today.
00:04:34But immediately, some work to do defensively,
00:04:36Ruben Diaz running across the path there.
00:04:38And Igor Jesus has got the free kick and now is waving an imaginary card
00:04:43in the direction of referee Robb Jones, which is never the cleverest thing to do.
00:04:48And Diaz saw the run of the Brazilian, kicked his heel.
00:04:53But that is unnecessary from the Forest centre-forward.
00:04:58Manchester City with work to do, if they are to significantly keep the pressure on Arsenal.
00:05:04They have a ball around the corner, Reinders is in, and Reinders scores.
00:05:09It hasn't taken Manchester City long, two and a half minutes after the restart.
00:05:15Reinders again, he's in a rich vein of form, three in his last five starts.
00:05:22Forest so resilient in the first half, picked apart at the start of the second.
00:05:29And whatever Pep Guardiola said during the break has come up trunks.
00:05:35Forest nil, Manchester City one.
00:05:45Reinders, Schierke, Harland making the run this time,
00:05:48he might have strayed into an offside position,
00:05:50so Schierke goes alone and gets the shot away,
00:05:53tips on to the post by Jean-Victor.
00:05:56Well, it's brilliant from Reinders, Schierke.
00:05:59Pass for the goal was his seventh assist, went alone here.
00:06:03And it's the fingertips of the goalkeeper and the post that manages to deny him.
00:06:08Here goes Harland with an important touch, Schierke.
00:06:14Harland again.
00:06:16Now Foden, Reinders again.
00:06:20Reinders again.
00:06:22Just lost his balance and Gibbs-White carries it away for Nottingham Forest.
00:06:27Hudson-Odoi.
00:06:33Gibbs-White again.
00:06:35Clever ball, Diego Jesus, Hutchinson unmarked back post, here he is!
00:06:391-1!
00:06:40That was a brilliant goal from one end of the pitch to the other.
00:06:52Omari Hutchinson with the final touch, his first goal in a Forest jersey.
00:06:58But look where this move started.
00:07:00Gibbs-White carries it.
00:07:03Collects from Hudson-Odoi.
00:07:05Igor Jesus, look at the space that Hutchinson had got.
00:07:10City court napping back post.
00:07:13And Hutchinson thumps it home.
00:07:16And Forest were not behind for very long.
00:07:19Forest won, Manchester City won.
00:07:22What a ball from Anderson.
00:07:26Shame that Hutchinson couldn't take it in his stride, but Forest still on the move.
00:07:30Hutchinson's ball in, Igor Jesus.
00:07:33Gibbs-White.
00:07:37Anderson will have it, but Hutchinson has other ideas.
00:07:40Twinkle toes from him.
00:07:41Anderson's still available.
00:07:43Curls it in.
00:07:45Away by Mateusz Nunes, down for Gibbs-White.
00:07:48On for Williams to have a go!
00:07:50Donnarumma away, Savona!
00:07:55Well, he rushed the shot, and the chance has gone begging.
00:07:58Donnarumma is relieved.
00:08:00It looked as though this wasn't going to test him from Williams,
00:08:03but it bounced awkwardly.
00:08:05Donnarumma mightily relieved to see Savona put it over the bar.
00:08:09He has scored a couple of important goals this season,
00:08:12against big teams as well, Manchester United and Liverpool.
00:08:16Burrillo's touch was heavy.
00:08:21Foden couldn't get there quickly enough.
00:08:25Gonzalez, Foden, Bernardo Silva.
00:08:29Foden is in, brilliant! Oh, what a save!
00:08:31What a stop by Jean-Victor!
00:08:33Oh, he enjoyed that all right!
00:08:36That was a magical approach from Manchester City.
00:08:39Quick, crisp, accurate passing.
00:08:42And before they knew it, Forrest saw Foden taking aim and firing.
00:08:47Most inside the ground thought that that would hit the back of the net.
00:08:50Jean-Victor had other ideas.
00:08:57That's the intelligent ball from Savona.
00:08:59Might be a chance here for Haaland.
00:09:01Milenkovic does just enough.
00:09:04It looked for a moment or two there as though Haaland had got goalside.
00:09:08But Milenkovic stuck to his task.
00:09:11City have four players in the six-yard box.
00:09:17It's deeper towards Gavardio.
00:09:19Came off of Forrest's head.
00:09:21Another corner.
00:09:28Foden to try again.
00:09:31The game goes deep, but this time it does find the head of Gavardio.
00:09:34Driven in!
00:09:35Check.
00:09:36He's scored.
00:09:38City in front.
00:09:39Again.
00:09:41Set up the first.
00:09:42Scores the second.
00:09:44This Frenchman is having quite an impact on Manchester City this season.
00:09:49It's his first Premier League goal since the opening day of the season
00:09:53when he came on as a sub against Wolves in that comfortable 4-0 success.
00:09:59Nothing comfortable about this game, but will it stand?
00:10:02That's the question.
00:10:03Andy Madley of VAR today is busy checking this.
00:10:09Clever header down by Gavardio.
00:10:11And an unerring finish from Schierke.
00:10:15Donnarumma joyously celebrates, and the goal will stand.
00:10:20They have not been at their best today, Manchester City,
00:10:23because their best is right at the top.
00:10:27But with that strike from Schierke, they might be at the top for at least a few hours.
00:10:34That performance must give you great optimism for the future and great pride.
00:10:39Well, we certainly not lacked pride or optimism, but I know what you mean.
00:10:41It's reinforced the good work the players are doing.
00:10:43I thought they were terrific from start to finish.
00:10:45You know, the goals we can pick the bones out, I'm sure we will.
00:10:48But how we don't get the referee today, I'm lost for words about that.
00:10:53Our player gets thrown to the floor, nothing's done.
00:10:55They score for me.
00:10:56It's getting ridiculous now.
00:10:57We know there's no intention for them to head the ball.
00:10:59He just pushes him to the floor.
00:11:00Can't do that in a corner.
00:11:01I couldn't believe how they had Senraal stayed on the pitch.
00:11:03He brings Igor down early in the second half, a little bit over the top.
00:11:06You know, when they say things like it's an accident,
00:11:08still he held a card whether it's an expert or not.
00:11:10You got that opening goal so soon after the restart.
00:11:13And as soon as it hit the net, you turned away and celebrated with Pep.
00:11:16Was there something you particularly did at the break that he told you
00:11:19what we should do to get that goal?
00:11:21Pep is so good.
00:11:22People from Liverpool, they know it, so he's an incredible manager.
00:11:25So maybe I'm his assistant.
00:11:26He's the top.
00:11:28The top and we talked during the game, the first half, the second half
00:11:32and half time what you should do to, you know,
00:11:34to have some extra players in that position.
00:11:36So we knew that the red red mentality, it's impossible to win the game today.
00:11:41You seem to come out for the second half with an extra determination in your step.
00:11:45What was said during the break?
00:11:47He said, let's do it again and again, try again,
00:11:51because when we find the little space, we win this game and today is that.
00:11:56Well, a nice Christmassy ring to the goal scorers, Cherky and Reinders.
00:12:00Just say it to yourself a few times.
00:12:02And those tweaks at half time certainly paid dividends, didn't they?
00:12:06Yeah, there's no doubt about it.
00:12:07That's what they tried to do, certainly second half.
00:12:11This is the first half.
00:12:12Well, that's the system they're playing against the four or five
00:12:14when they're defending 4-5-1.
00:12:16And Cherky and Foden there.
00:12:18Then you've got Reinders who were sitting,
00:12:20that was a little bit deeper than the other two.
00:12:22But Haaland was isolated a little bit at times because all of a sudden
00:12:26you've got into that position, which is a decent one.
00:12:28But Milenkovic and Marilla, 2v1, didn't really get any joy because of that situation.
00:12:34Similar sort of thing happens here.
00:12:36Now I've got the three there, but there's Reinders again that we've got highlighted.
00:12:41And again, they work it into a decent position.
00:12:45But similar sort of things happen again.
00:12:47They did well to get in there, but similar thing again.
00:12:492v1, not a lot of space and nothing comes of it.
00:12:53But then the only time it happened in the first half was when Reinders
00:12:57did get a little bit further forward and then started to ask questions
00:13:01of that Forest defence because all of a sudden it's not 2v1 or 3v1,
00:13:05it's actually 3v3 which City don't mind that at all
00:13:09and are quite comfortable when that happens.
00:13:11There's the space there.
00:13:12And as I said, all of a sudden it opens up because the centre half
00:13:15then has to come onto Reinders and you've got that 3v3 situation
00:13:21which City will punish you more often than not when that happens.
00:13:24A better ball in and Haaland's in and a great example of that
00:13:27is in the second half with their goal.
00:13:29And this is what happens.
00:13:30All of a sudden, look, Reinders is now up alongside Erling Haaland.
00:13:34At times he actually went past them.
00:13:36They've now got buddies in and around him.
00:13:38So centre-halves and full-backs have got to do something different
00:13:41which they didn't do in the first half.
00:13:43Centre-half's got to look at Cherki.
00:13:45He's also got to have one eye on Reinders which he gets then drawn out the turn.
00:13:49They've then got runners in behind more than Haaland and Reinders was that guy.
00:13:53And ultimately that's helped them win the game.
00:13:56Whether it was Pep Guardiola or Pep Linders who decided to do that at half-time
00:14:00it played a huge part in City getting the success.
00:14:02You can see the first half map of his position ranked as compared to the second half.
00:14:06He's a lot further forward.
00:14:08And as I said, they got far more joy when he did that.
00:14:11Wayne, Sean Dyche says that he couldn't find words
00:14:14but he managed to find a few to discuss a couple of controversial, in his eyes, decisions.
00:14:19Let's have a little look at them through your eyes.
00:14:21Diaz's second yellow, let's call this one, potential?
00:14:24Yeah, I think it is a yellow card.
00:14:26I think if you look, he takes a step back across towards his own goal.
00:14:30He has a look and then he clips the forward.
00:14:33So I think that is a second yellow and he should have been sent off.
00:14:36And no one likes to see players turn together, other players bucked.
00:14:39I agree with that as well.
00:14:40I think it was the look and then the step across
00:14:42and I think they were looking to get away with him already being on a yellow.
00:14:45OK, and what about the winning goal?
00:14:47I actually think it's a foul on O'Reilly.
00:14:51Because I think if you look at Gibbs White here,
00:14:55we'll see it again after this one.
00:14:57He grabs his arm, so he grabs O'Reilly's arm
00:15:00and then he locks his leg into O'Reilly and actually pulls O'Reilly down.
00:15:04So I've got no complaints.
00:15:06We see here, so he locks his arm in and then just with his left leg also,
00:15:11he locks his left leg in and then he pulls O'Reilly down to the ground.
00:15:14So I think it's a good goal. I think the goal should have stood.
00:15:16Dyson is going to look at the VAR report.
00:15:19Yeah, I'm happy to go with whatever the referee decides on that one,
00:15:23which means it's not a clear and obvious error either way.
00:15:26So whatever he gave, I'm happy to go with it.
00:15:28There was a little bit of noise ahead of this fixture,
00:15:30ahead of the Christmas break anyway, about the weigh-in that would happen
00:15:33and the City players being made to be sure that they didn't come back any heavier.
00:15:37And Erling Haaland there telling Donna Rummer that he can come back.
00:15:41You can eat it now, Donna.
00:15:43After he weighed in.
00:15:44And we saw Haaland's post as well about his weight coming back.
00:15:47Lean and mean.
00:15:48What about you two?
00:15:49Ever any worries or concerns?
00:15:50Did you get weighed in?
00:15:51I was all right on Boxing Day.
00:15:52Yeah, I come in a bit heavier times.
00:15:55Well, Wayne, we've had a little look in the archives
00:15:59and maybe that's a reflection on your Boxing Day goals scored.
00:16:03Eight out of four.
00:16:05Oh, there you go. You did have too much turkey then.
00:16:07Yeah, well, I've still got four goals.
00:16:09It's not too bad.
00:16:10I feel like that's no regrets.
00:16:12OK.
00:16:13So that win in the early cook-off put Manchester City top of the table
00:16:16ahead of Arsenal's game against Brighton.
00:16:18Steve Wilson was at the Emirates.
00:16:21Being top at Christmas has never yet been turned into a Premier League title by Arsenal.
00:16:26Another near miss would be very hard for them to stomach.
00:16:30All kinds of adversity for them too.
00:16:32Timber with a twinge in training.
00:16:34Calafiori injured in the warm-up.
00:16:36Miles Lewis-Skelly comes in at left-back.
00:16:38Declan Rice starts at right-back.
00:16:41Some better news for Brighton, who have Dunk and Gomez returning from suspension
00:16:46and Van Hecker from injury.
00:16:47They go with a back three.
00:16:49Danny Welbeck is fit enough for the bench, but Karu Mitoma is ill.
00:16:55Lewis-Skelly.
00:17:00Awkward for Lewis. Dunk-Yokeres!
00:17:02That's a really good chance.
00:17:05It's a very awkward bounce, which went over the top of the Brighton skipper
00:17:10and fell kindly here for Jokeres.
00:17:13It's a bit of a tame attempt.
00:17:17Udegaard.
00:17:18Saka has done well to get himself inside the area, and he's brought a good save
00:17:27from Verbruggen and reacted very quickly to the rebound.
00:17:31Great play by Bukayo Saka, blocked by Verbruggen.
00:17:36His second Christmas as Brighton boss.
00:17:38December has not been kind to him.
00:17:42Ruder dispossessed, a little bit of room here.
00:17:45And Udegaard loves to have a bit of room.
00:17:49Bukayo Saka.
00:17:52That's high and well off target in the end from Saka.
00:17:55Found the space quite nicely, but nowhere near the finish.
00:17:59And it's a goal kick.
00:18:05Here is Saka.
00:18:10And Udegaard.
00:18:11Oh, it's a really good finish by Martin Udegaard.
00:18:17And the skipper scores his first goal of the season to put Arsenal in front.
00:18:23From their own goal kick.
00:18:24Brighton fall behind.
00:18:28Pressure from Incappier.
00:18:30Won the ball back.
00:18:31Udegaard has a little step back to find some space.
00:18:35And Verbruggen might be a bit disappointed that he didn't get across to his left-hand side to get a touch on this.
00:18:43But it's Arsenal 1, Brighton 0.
00:18:46And it's Martin Udegaard.
00:18:48There he is, Gabriel, on the bench, which is very good news for Arsenal to see.
00:18:52To his right-hand side is 16-year-old Marley Salmon, who was a late addition to the substitutes bench once Calafiore got injured in the warm-up.
00:19:04Oh, Rutte has made a really poor decision there.
00:19:07Here's Saka.
00:19:09And Brighton are lucky to get away with that.
00:19:11And they may not.
00:19:12Here's Trossard.
00:19:14Saka.
00:19:16Oh!
00:19:17Van Hecker.
00:19:18Marino.
00:19:19And the flick.
00:19:20Brilliant save by Verbruggen.
00:19:25Wow, what a fabulous save here by Bart Verbruggen.
00:19:30Brilliant passage of play.
00:19:31Terrible decision by Rutte to let that ball drop.
00:19:36Trossard back in.
00:19:38Saka tried his luck.
00:19:39Van Hecker away from Jokeres.
00:19:41Marino.
00:19:42Brilliant little flick from Zubimendi.
00:19:44And a wonderful save by Verbruggen.
00:19:54Mikel Marino.
00:19:56And we've just gone into a minimum of just one added minute.
00:20:01Now, Verbruggen's come.
00:20:03Oh, dear.
00:20:06Well, it's a tough job for Jokeres to score from there.
00:20:09Van Hecker is between him and the goal.
00:20:12The card is yellow.
00:20:13And that probably feels right out there.
00:20:16Verbruggen made a really poor decision to come for it, though.
00:20:20The video assistant referee Paul Tierney has had a look at that.
00:20:23And decided that a yellow card is fair enough.
00:20:29But you would think it's pretty much on the cusp from Verbruggen.
00:20:35Brighton have made two changes at half-time.
00:20:39Brighton's formation, however, has stayed the same.
00:20:41Mikel Marino will receive this and send it on to Leandro Trossard.
00:20:49And Odegaard, big deflection.
00:20:52It's a good block that by Ayari.
00:20:56Arsenal corner.
00:20:58Dangerous from Odegaard.
00:21:00And Ayari with a very important flick on that.
00:21:07Rice, not a pace on that, I think it's an ungoal.
00:21:13Jorginia Rutte's got the final touch on that.
00:21:17It's 2-0 to Arsenal.
00:21:19But Declan Rice takes the congratulations for the speed and threat of the delivery.
00:21:31And Rutte flicks it over Verbruggen.
00:21:36And puts Arsenal two goals in front.
00:21:39Four of Arsenal's last six goals have been own goals.
00:21:44Here's Odegaard.
00:21:46Cariolo with Jokeres.
00:21:48Jokeres battered it into Verbruggen.
00:21:54They absolutely leathered this, Jokeres.
00:21:57But it's such close quarters to Bart Verbruggen.
00:22:00But it's smashed back off the keeper.
00:22:04Brighton won three consecutive Premier League games here at the Emirates against Arsenal
00:22:09between April 22 and May 23.
00:22:11They haven't won one since, home war away.
00:22:15Ruttet on the half turn, Ayari through the crowd and off the post.
00:22:22And the follow-up is smashed in.
00:22:24Gomez makes it 2-1.
00:22:29Well, that's come out of nothing.
00:22:32Brighton have barely ever threatened Arsenal in this game.
00:22:37Just past the hour mark, they're suddenly back in the game.
00:22:39Well held up by Ruttet.
00:22:44Off the post.
00:22:46And the rebound in from Diego Gomez.
00:22:51Arsenal's rhythm and momentum very much halted by that Gomez goal.
00:22:57Lovely little flick, that's Minty!
00:23:02What a save that is by Davy Dryer.
00:23:07Well, that looked like a goal all day long.
00:23:11It's a great hit by Mente, it's a fantastic stop by Davy Dryer.
00:23:18Brighton's corner.
00:23:20Vytha!
00:23:23Vytha!
00:23:25He's put it over the top of the crossbar.
00:23:28It's a real miss.
00:23:30This really is not comfortable at all for Arsenal now.
00:23:34Saka.
00:23:45Saka's crossed Martinelli!
00:23:47Could have won it.
00:23:49But hasn't.
00:23:51Good play by Bukayo Saka.
00:23:54Martinelli over the top.
00:23:56Arsenal still anxious.
00:23:58This is Jankouba Mente.
00:24:04This could be dangerous, the little clip ball.
00:24:07Cadiolu didn't hit it.
00:24:10Zubimendi got himself in front of Jorginho Ruttet.
00:24:13Hands are raised from Arteta.
00:24:16Davy Dryer clutches the ball.
00:24:18And the whistle goes, and Arsenal have the points.
00:24:22Hard-earned points in the end.
00:24:24Though that seemed highly unlikely until Diego Gomez gave Brighton a foothold in the game.
00:24:32I think we dominated, we controlled pretty much everything.
00:24:36Should have scored more goals.
00:24:38Should have been a bigger margin in the end, but that's the Premier League and that's football.
00:24:43Yeah, you switch off for one second and they can punish you.
00:24:47So we got the win and we got the three points.
00:24:49But obviously we would have liked it to be a little bit less stressful towards the end.
00:24:54The small margins, they make the difference and we have to understand how important it is.
00:24:59We have to understand which role do we have as individuals when we have to defend set pieces when we build up.
00:25:06I think we proved it in the second half, but it's about doing it for 90 minutes.
00:25:10I think that's the key thing.
00:25:11You lose Calafiore in the warm-up.
00:25:14Jurgen Timber's got something in training.
00:25:16So players are going to have to be up for doing things that maybe don't come completely naturally to them.
00:25:21You have to be ready because it's now.
00:25:23So in the warm-up something and you have to be in the right mental space.
00:25:27That's what I love about the team.
00:25:29With everything that we're going through, which has been a lot, the way we react to that,
00:25:34the way we want to fulfil that role and make another step is brilliant to watch.
00:25:39Well, Arsenal looked to be cruising in the first half, Alan, but it did get a lot more nervy for them in the second half.
00:25:46Yeah, absolutely.
00:25:48What changed, Gabby, is that Arsenal, particularly in wide areas, caused Brighton so many problems
00:25:55because they were left isolated, the two wing-backs, full-backs, and more often than not, they lost out on those battles.
00:26:01Saka was left so many times, 1v1, and yes, for the first half, this was a constant.
00:26:09He went back, whoever was there, and they went past them, and has caused them all sorts of problems.
00:26:15And they work it really, really well, and as I said, yep, they absolutely dominated Brighton and should have scored more goals, but they didn't.
00:26:22Similar sort of thing there. He works it to where he wants it, but the finish isn't very good.
00:26:28This is the goal. They force Brighton into what Arsenal want them to do, and they get the press spot on.
00:26:34Really, really well. They work it well, and then all of a sudden, similar thing again.
00:26:38Dunked, not sure whether to go tight or to drop off. He doesn't really do either.
00:26:41And again, Saka's left 1v1, but he picks his head up this time and finds Odegaard, who's in loads of space, and finishes it off really, really well.
00:26:51It wasn't just down the right-hand side, it was also down the left-hand side as well with Trossard.
00:26:56He must carry this ball, I don't know, 70 yards or so up the field and puts Arsenal into a really, really good position.
00:27:04He gets to the byline, but that was a constant. Either side, as I said, causing them all sorts of problems.
00:27:09Then all of a sudden, at half-time, Brighton change.
00:27:13They bring Wifa on, they bring Minta on, and they switch Cadioglu to the other side.
00:27:19And I know Arsenal go too, and they look early in the second half, but to their credit, Brighton, this is what they did really, really well.
00:27:25So instead of Arsenal causing them problems, all of a sudden, that's their first effort on target.
00:27:30And then all of a sudden, they're asking questions now, and it really did get nervy for Arsenal.
00:27:35It shouldn't have with the pressure they had, or they tried to put on in that first half.
00:27:40This is the goal here, they work it really, really well.
00:27:43Hit the post, Gomez is there to stick it away.
00:27:45And you're about to see one of, if not, the save of the season.
00:27:49This is an unbelievable save.
00:27:52They work it again so well, but look, there you go, it's those two down that right-hand side again.
00:27:57Little give, little go in behind.
00:27:58Wow, that's all you can see. You can see Herzl and his reaction on the touchline.
00:28:03Unbelievable save that is. It really is magnificent.
00:28:07So what could have been an easier afternoon, if Arsenal had kept that up in the first half, it turned into a really difficult afternoon.
00:28:14But they got the three points, which is the most important thing.
00:28:16Wayne, last week we had two goalkeepers on Match of the Day.
00:28:19They'd have probably spent four minutes analysing that and waxing lyrical.
00:28:23As a centre-forward, give us your appraisal of that, say.
00:28:25Yeah, I think it was a good high for the keeper.
00:28:28No, but in all fairness, it was an absolutely incredible save.
00:28:32And the speed he has to get across the goal, and it's moments like that which win your league titles.
00:28:37And to have rail as many of them moments throughout the season.
00:28:40Yeah, and it was endorsed by his manager, Mikel Arteta.
00:28:43So, to the late game.
00:28:45Aston Villa had won their last ten matches in all competitions,
00:28:49and had the chance to move ten points clear of Chelsea, who began the day just one place below them in fourth.
00:28:54Mark Scott was at Stamford Bridge.
00:28:55Ted in a row is Villa's best winning run as a top division side in 111 years.
00:29:03And it sparked debate about whether they're in the title race.
00:29:07That was a conversation Chelsea were part of a few weeks ago.
00:29:11But one within five has seen them leave the chat.
00:29:14Chelsea bring Paddy Achille and Fernandes in for Fafana and Gusto.
00:29:18When Dia replaces Inanna for Villa, while Marlins preferred to Watkins up top.
00:29:22Morgan Rodgers' individual form is just as impressive as Villa's.
00:29:28He's scored six goals in as many Premier League games.
00:29:34Caicedo quickly onto Cole Palmer.
00:29:38And it's still Cole Palmer.
00:29:40Now Garnaccio.
00:29:42Room here for Fernandes!
00:29:44Who cannot believe he hasn't hit the target.
00:29:47Tarma at the heart of it.
00:29:49Garnaccio then teed up Enzo Fernandes who has scored in all of his last three games against Villa.
00:29:57Should have been four in a row.
00:29:59Enzo Marescu is serving a touchline ban today.
00:30:03He says he was also banned from the kitchen on Christmas Day.
00:30:06As his mum was staying with them and when she's there no one else is allowed in.
00:30:09Pedro Neto.
00:30:15Inside of Martsen and towards Jao Pedro!
00:30:18Martinez did enough to keep him out.
00:30:20Jao Pedro keeps it alive.
00:30:22Fox are clear.
00:30:24Buendia.
00:30:25Dangerous.
00:30:27Telemans helps him out.
00:30:28Or does he?
00:30:30Jao Pedro nicked it off him but couldn't keep it in.
00:30:32Got clear of the Villa defence but couldn't get the ball clear of Emi Martinez.
00:30:38It's been some final quarter from Unai Emery's side at the end of September.
00:30:43Villa were third from bottom.
00:30:45They went into Christmas just three points off the top.
00:30:47Cucurera on the overlap.
00:30:51And that's a corner off Mati Cash.
00:30:54First corner of the match.
00:31:00So Rhys James to take this corner for Chelsea with ten minutes to go until the break.
00:31:07Tricky one to defend!
00:31:09And Villa haven't defended it!
00:31:11And Chelsea have the lead!
00:31:18Well no one seems to know who to congratulate so Rhys James happy to take the acclaim.
00:31:26Such an awkward one to try and keep out this from Rhys James.
00:31:31Popped into a perfect area from a Chelsea point of view.
00:31:35And Villa simply couldn't scramble it away.
00:31:38It'll be Jao Pedro's goal, not that he knew too much about it.
00:31:43Chelsea one, Aston Villa nil.
00:31:47Jao Pedro scores in back-to-back Premier League games for the Blues.
00:31:56Villa have won the most points from losing positions in the Premier League so far this season.
00:32:02They need another turnaround here this evening.
00:32:05Buendia quite into the path of Camara.
00:32:11Now it's Enzo Fernandes.
00:32:13Alejandro Garnaccio.
00:32:15Neto waiting and nearly getting there.
00:32:20And Chelsea actually feel that they've got a case for a penalty here.
00:32:25It's in a natural position for his actions is the VAR verdict.
00:32:29Palma.
00:32:30Michel Pedro.
00:32:31Col Palma.
00:32:32Lovely ball, surely!
00:32:33Oh!
00:32:34A goal-saving intervention from John McGinn.
00:32:35To prevent Chelsea doubling their lead.
00:32:37Such an inviting delivery.
00:32:38And it was a tap-in for Garnaccio until the Villa skipper stepped in.
00:32:43Chelsea very much in charge but only 1-0 up.
00:32:44Neto.
00:32:46Buffeted by Tiedemans.
00:32:47There's no foul.
00:32:48Chelsea have got the ball anyway.
00:32:49Oh!
00:32:50And Rhys James forces a fine save.
00:32:51Go ahead!
00:32:52Oh!
00:32:53Let's go!
00:32:54Let's go!
00:32:55Let's go!
00:32:56Let's go!
00:32:57Let's go!
00:32:58Let's go!
00:32:59Let's go!
00:33:00Let's go!
00:33:01Let's go!
00:33:02Let's go!
00:33:03Let's go!
00:33:04Let's go!
00:33:05Let's go!
00:33:06Let's go!
00:33:07Let's go!
00:33:08Let's go!
00:33:09Chelsea have got the ball anyway.
00:33:10Oh!
00:33:11Rhys James forces a fine save.
00:33:13Garnaccio!
00:33:15Rhys James here, I think certainly was going for goal.
00:33:19And credit to the Villa keeper for recovering and then clawing away to safety.
00:33:25His side have been disappointing so far and Unai Emery is making a triple change.
00:33:31Sancho, Inanna and Watkins on with Marlon McGinn and Buendia taken off.
00:33:38Garnaccio galloping up there.
00:33:42He's found Enzo Fernandes, lovely touch, Alpedro!
00:33:46Not to where Cole Palmer was actually waiting.
00:33:50And Villa with the chance to hit on the counter.
00:33:52And it's a big chance as well.
00:33:54Watkins, Camara's up there.
00:33:56And Watkins through here for Camara!
00:33:58Great work, Sanchez!
00:34:01Nothing to do up until now for Robert Sanchez.
00:34:04But he was out quickly and he was brave at the feet of Camara to block the route to goal.
00:34:10And keep Chelsea in front by a goal.
00:34:14Picked up by Inanna.
00:34:17Chelsea had just looked a bit ropey in the last few minutes.
00:34:20Rodgers, great ball.
00:34:22Watkins!
00:34:231-1!
00:34:24It's Oli Watkins again at Stamford Bridge!
00:34:27He's now scored in three of his last four league games here.
00:34:33And our Villa about to come from behind to win again.
00:34:38They've woken up in the last five or ten minutes or so.
00:34:43And now they're back on terms.
00:34:45It's really sloppy from Chelsea.
00:34:48But it's so switched on from Oli Watkins.
00:34:53Great first touch.
00:34:56And then a bit of fortune when the second touch came back off him.
00:35:00And off the post.
00:35:02And in.
00:35:03It's Chelsea 1.
00:35:04Villa 1.
00:35:05Watkins, three minutes after coming on, has levelled it up.
00:35:10Camara.
00:35:15Sancho.
00:35:16Great stop by Jadon Sancho.
00:35:20Eating up the turf now and finding Morgan Rodgers.
00:35:23Look at the Claritin blue up there.
00:35:25It's Martsen!
00:35:28Kept at bay by Sanchez.
00:35:31Villa all over Chelsea from out of nowhere.
00:35:36Look at those Villa fans.
00:35:38They believe...
00:35:42Watkins.
00:35:43It's a bit of a shabby pass.
00:35:46But now he's chasing one over the top himself.
00:35:48Watkins could be in here.
00:35:50Caicedo does enough, does he?
00:35:52Watkins!
00:35:53Sanchez had to react smartly
00:35:55to prevent Oli Watkins getting a second goal.
00:36:01Simple ball over the top.
00:36:02But Watkins made the most of it.
00:36:06Worked great for the first hour.
00:36:07But since that triple change, Villa have been on top.
00:36:13Oh, that's come through for Watkins.
00:36:18It's Oli Watkins up against Badia Shiel.
00:36:21Still Watkins.
00:36:23Oh!
00:36:24And it's a corner.
00:36:31There goes Watkins!
00:36:32There goes Watkins!
00:36:33There goes Watkins!
00:36:38Villa have done it again!
00:36:42Oli Watkins sends the away end at the bridge into Delirium.
00:36:48And puts Villa on course for an eleventh straight win.
00:36:53Some head of this from Watkins.
00:36:56Up so well and angled perfectly into the corner.
00:37:02Talk about an impact sub.
00:37:07Oli Watkins at the double to turn the game on its head.
00:37:12And have Villa heading for yet another victory.
00:37:16But it's Oli Watkins whose name is hitting the headlines for Villa this evening rather than Morgan Rogers.
00:37:26A belated Christmas gift for him.
00:37:30And what a time to be a Villa fan.
00:37:35Villa's incredible victory march goes on.
00:37:38It's now a joint club record.
00:37:43Eleven wins in a row.
00:37:45And another sign that they surely have to be in the title race conversation.
00:37:54Chelsea 1, Aston Villa 2.
00:37:59To come on and get the two goals to win is an amazing feeling.
00:38:02And obviously we're doing Umbriel in the league.
00:38:07Yeah, we just keep winning.
00:38:10And I don't think we look like slowing down either.
00:38:13He was so, so focused.
00:38:15Keeping the game plan like we planned.
00:38:18And discipline doing it.
00:38:20And doing his task.
00:38:22He's normally getting his numbers.
00:38:26And today scoring goal, of course, fantastic.
00:38:28I think for one hour we dominated the game.
00:38:30We were very good until the goal we conceded.
00:38:33Unfortunately, after that, the dynamic of the game changed a little bit.
00:38:37But I think by the time they scored the 1-1, we should have scored two, three more.
00:38:42You have to see yourself as a contender when you look at the table right now.
00:38:46No. 38 matches. No, no, not.
00:38:49He's finishing tomorrow.
00:38:51The next match against Arsenal is finishing the league.
00:38:53No. Still another 20 matches to play.
00:38:56We'll talk about a game of two halves.
00:38:58It was actually more of a game of one particular half an hour for Aston Villa once Unai Emery had made his changes.
00:39:05Yeah, it was. And I thought the three lads who come on were excellent and really made a big difference to this Aston Villa team.
00:39:11And Unana was a big presence when he came on in the middle of the pitch, winning the ball back.
00:39:16And then that freed up the likes of Morgan Rodgers and Oli Watkins.
00:39:20But then this pass, the weight on that pass, the detail on that pass is fantastic.
00:39:25And Oli Watkins has a good first touch.
00:39:27He gets a little bit of luck with the finish, but he put himself in the right position and he gets his first goal of the game.
00:39:33But Jadon Sancho come into this as well and I thought we haven't seen much of him this season.
00:39:40But I thought he was excellent when he came on and getting the ball, driving with the ball and committing to Chelsea defenders.
00:39:46And then they have runners off that. They have Morgan Rodgers making runs in behind.
00:39:49And then this has got to get squared. If this gets squared across the goal, then they get a tap in.
00:39:54And Oli Watkins here doing what he does best. He's making runs in behind and keeping Chelsea players on their toes.
00:40:00And again, a little bit of luck, but gets a shot off.
00:40:03And then Unana again, winning the ball back, tackling, aggressive.
00:40:07And then Sancho making the run in off the back of the defenders.
00:40:11And again, he gets another shot off.
00:40:14And then Oli Watkins, a fantastic, had a great corner into the penalty box.
00:40:17And a wonderful letter to go and win the game.
00:40:20So Aston Villa were excellent, especially that last 30 minutes.
00:40:23On Oli Watkins, no player wants to start a match on the bench.
00:40:27But does he give his manager, Unai Emery, any kind of dilemma ahead of Arsenal when he makes that kind of impact?
00:40:32He does and I think we need to see more from him this season.
00:40:35Because he has started games and he hasn't scored goals.
00:40:38But he's on the bench today and he's answered his manager in the right way.
00:40:42He scored two goals and won Aston Villa the game.
00:40:44I guess he'll start in the next game.
00:40:45As for Chelsea, Alan, a familiar feeling for their fans today.
00:40:49Yeah, that's the fourth time at home they've been 1-0 up and lost the game.
00:40:54So that has to change if they've got any ambition to get in the top four.
00:40:58OK. Well, it was eight games without a win for Bournemouth, who'd never beaten today's opponents, Brentford, in the Premier League.
00:41:05Robin Cowan was at the GTEC Community Stadium.
00:41:07It's been 20 years since Bournemouth beat Brentford away from home, so not the fixture.
00:41:13Andoni Iriola would have chosen to end their recent poor spell.
00:41:17The Bees have already triumphed over the Cherries this term in the EFL Cup.
00:41:21In August, Igor Thiago scored at the Vitality that night.
00:41:24He's currently on his longest run without a goal this season.
00:41:27He's failed to net in his last four appearances.
00:41:30As well as their long winless streak, Bournemouth are contemplating life without their most influential player.
00:41:35Antoine Semenyu has been involved in 11 of their 26 Premier League goals this season.
00:41:40And speculation is rife that he'll leave during the January transfer window with Man City the favourites to trigger a reported £65 million release clause.
00:41:49Thiago, dropping deep to receive, showing really good strength.
00:42:01Plays in, Sharder.
00:42:04Too strong for Diakite, Sharder!
00:42:11A brilliant Brentford goal, showing all their best attributes.
00:42:19Thiago, with the strength and the vision and the execution.
00:42:26Sharder too strong for Diakite, but also had the composure to finish.
00:42:33Sharder has his fourth of the season.
00:42:37Brentford have the lead.
00:42:44Again, another Bournemouth move.
00:42:46Comes to a conclusion.
00:42:48Yarmoluk.
00:42:50Jensen.
00:42:53Tried to pick out Igbo Thiago.
00:42:54It's Sharder!
00:42:55The block!
00:42:56Sharder again!
00:42:57And gathered by Petrovic.
00:43:01Well, Brentford really could be three up here.
00:43:05Playing around Bournemouth at will.
00:43:06And that clearance from Senesi.
00:43:09Straight to Sharder.
00:43:10He got a couple of goes at it.
00:43:12And couldn't beat Petrovic.
00:43:13Kelleher getting there just in the nick of time.
00:43:23Fired upfield.
00:43:24And that's turned into a really good pass for Igor Thiago.
00:43:27Thiago!
00:43:28Oh, it's in!
00:43:31Oh, it's in!
00:43:36Well, not sure if that will go down as his goal.
00:43:39But the scoreline now reflects Brentford's dominance.
00:43:44And this goal reflects Bournemouth's state at the moment.
00:43:49It was a tight angle.
00:43:52The stricken Bournemouth goalkeeper who could do absolutely nothing about that.
00:43:58And I believe that will go down as an own goal.
00:44:01But all thanks to Thiago's determination.
00:44:06Five minutes before the break.
00:44:08Brentford's lead by two goals to nil.
00:44:14Scott trying to get around Henry.
00:44:16Foul on Alex Scott.
00:44:19And Sharder.
00:44:31Tabernille.
00:44:33One by Collins.
00:44:35And the Edson's touch.
00:44:37Was heavy.
00:44:38Allowed Jimenez to get in.
00:44:40Although, again, Brentford do their defensive work.
00:44:43And they have a three on two.
00:44:46Sharder making good ground.
00:44:48Thiago picks it up.
00:44:50Sharder!
00:44:56Devastating!
00:45:03From one end to the other.
00:45:06Bournemouth are punished.
00:45:07With ruthless efficiency.
00:45:08By Brentford.
00:45:09It looked like the move had broken down here.
00:45:10Jimenez got a foot in.
00:45:11Thiago involved once again.
00:45:12And Sharder has his second.
00:45:13And that should be the game for Brentford.
00:45:15Alex Scott.
00:45:16Alex Scott.
00:45:17Allowed to progress so far.
00:45:18But then it's the red and white wall in front of them.
00:45:22Hard to break down.
00:45:23Brooks delivers though.
00:45:24Just wide.
00:45:25Even Nielsen with the effort.
00:45:26And a corner has been given.
00:45:27So congested in that penalty area.
00:45:28And that should be the game for Brentford.
00:45:29And that should be the game for Brentford.
00:45:33Alex Scott.
00:45:34Allowed to progress so far.
00:45:36But then it's the red and white wall in front of them.
00:45:40Hard to break down.
00:45:41Brooks delivers though.
00:45:42Just wide.
00:45:43Even Nielsen with the effort.
00:45:44And a corner has been given.
00:45:45So congested in that penalty area.
00:45:46Oh, it's off the post.
00:45:47It just won't happen for Bournemouth.
00:45:49Whipped in by Brooks.
00:45:50And Justin Cliver denied.
00:45:54Jimenez.
00:45:55Kimenez.
00:45:59And Justin Cliver denied.
00:46:09Jimenez.
00:46:10Jimenez.
00:46:11denied
00:46:18Jimenez
00:46:21are we still going? Semenyo!
00:46:26Bournemouth have won back he's barely had a kick they've
00:46:32marshalled him so well through the entirety of this game Antoine Semenyo
00:46:36but that is his quality backheel from Semenyo who hasn't been disheartened by
00:46:44the fact that he's been pretty much marked out of the game
00:46:51Aya down the line for Damsgaard
00:46:58releases just in time to find Yarmaluk Damsgaard Jan Elton a bit of space here
00:47:05no one closing him down, the deflection off the post, oh! Keane-Lewis-Potter
00:47:13let's have a look at this he's onside it was a really good save in the first
00:47:19instance what a miss from Keane-Lewis-Potter
00:47:35Damsgaard
00:47:37feeds Henderson
00:47:40back in for Damsgaard, Sharder!
00:47:43game, set, match, and a hat-trick for Kevin Sharder
00:47:51he doubles his goal tally for the season in one afternoon
00:47:57as Bournemouth pushed forward
00:48:00they were light
00:48:02Sharder on the move
00:48:05as Damsgaard on the stretch found him
00:48:09a memorable evening for Kevin Sharder
00:48:11and for Brentford
00:48:13an impressive victory for the Bees
00:48:16I accept you can lose games today is a very difficult game but if we are playing like in the second half
00:48:22perfect we take it you know sometimes you have to accept but we have to look at
00:48:27ourselves why we were 45 minutes late today to start the game no and primarily
00:48:33we need 100% from everyone and today was not like this in the beginning
00:48:37do you feel like you're proving some doubters wrong do you is that motivation for you or do you find that from somewhere else
00:48:44yeah I don't I don't really feel people doubt me as a reason to be motivated to be honest
00:48:51it's it's not the reason I've got to this stage in my in my life so now I just focus on what I can control
00:48:59what we can do here in a day-to-day basis week-to-week basis keep growing the team keep growing the football club
00:49:05and see where we go there
00:49:06the first one was like yeah I just tripped it
00:49:10the second one was so quick I didn't I didn't even think I just tried to hit it
00:49:16and then yeah the header I saw Damsi and thought like yeah please cross it he did
00:49:21and I just hit it in
00:49:23a day to cherish for Sharder
00:49:26he didn't necessarily sound like it was though not a load of enthusiasm can you do with any more
00:49:32absolutely outstanding as were Brentford
00:49:35I mean they were they were direct at times when and when I say direct I don't mean there was a load of long balls
00:49:41we know Bournemouth like to press high so the the way to beat that press is on the odd occasion
00:49:45go long particularly when you've got someone of the strength of Thiago and the pace of Sharder that's prepared to run in behind
00:49:52there you can see the both of them working together brilliant first touch and a great turn
00:49:56not a bad ball in behind either and that that's them on on the way so that's okay
00:50:02that might be being direct with long ball but I mean with speed and with pace and with everything else that you you have to do to beat a team that wants to press there's no messing around
00:50:12it's get it in behind as I said when you've got the willing runners like that and Thiago's really unlucky here
00:50:18it's given as a as a known goal but he sort of creates all of that it's him that helps it put it in the in the back of the net just look where those two start
00:50:26and then have a look at the five of them when they finish because this is what I mean about the pace and the determination to get forward quickly
00:50:33you can see those two but there's there's five of them end up in Bournemouth box here ready to put the ball in the back of the net
00:50:41great ball in and a really clever finish once once again
00:50:45Henderson came on running in in behind again the ball in behind but they just can't do anything about it Bournemouth
00:50:51because it's that they just didn't get it right at all and and and Brentford really deserved the points they were absolutely superb there
00:50:59Damsgaard with the ball in how do you want it on a plate for your for your hat-trick and Brentford are up to it what a season they haven't
00:51:07it really is impressive yeah they have had some incredible form of late well actually through the whole season really
00:51:14and and two points better off Alan they were this stage last season yeah particularly who they lost in the in the summer you know
00:51:23so to go and to be to be better and play some of the football playing the goals so impressive yeah okay thank you very much
00:51:31well Liverpool faced Wolves the first time since the death of Diogo Jota who of course represented both clubs with distinction
00:51:39Jota's family were at Anfield with two of his children among the mascots your commentator Guy Mowbray
00:51:45Diogo Jota's two sons Dennis and Duarte accompany Virgil van Dijk out onto the Anfield turf on which their father
00:51:55used to shine Wolves fans need no reminding of his talents either in a three-year stay with them he more than helped
00:52:03them to promotion and then two top half Premier League finishes for Liverpool two changes Jeremy Frimpong comes in for
00:52:10Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa replaces the suspended Dominic Savaslai the Wolves team four changes
00:52:18Tolu Arakadari takes over from out of from Jürgen Strand Larsson and there's a first start in the team
00:52:24for 18-year-old Mateus Mane
00:52:26Witts
00:52:30Take a TK
00:52:34Brilliantly found
00:52:36Lot to do
00:52:38Oh, he nearly did it
00:52:40Jose Sarr was
00:52:42grasping thin air
00:52:44Beautifully weighted pass to him
00:52:46And a really clever attempt to craft the finish
00:52:50In between the two, past the goalkeeper, inches away.
00:52:54Wolves on their longest losing run in their illustrious history.
00:53:00Eleven in a row, ten of those in the Premier League.
00:53:03This is a worry for Wolves.
00:53:06Chiesa has caught Tolu Arakadari.
00:53:09A sore one, but in the view of the officials, not a sinister one.
00:53:14One slot certainly not underestimating his team's opponents today.
00:53:18Saying about Wolves they've come closer and closer to results,
00:53:21and there's a challenge to every Premier League game.
00:53:27Mane, good attempt, well saved by Alisson.
00:53:31The teenager sparks into life in the Premier League for the first time.
00:53:35And wouldn't that be a thing?
00:53:37Mane scoring at Anfield against Liverpool.
00:53:40And Edwards, who is one of those unlucky or lucky people
00:53:44who celebrates a Christmas Day birthday, just turned 43.
00:53:48And it's Wolves fans on 90 minutes who start with the big booming chant of Diogo.
00:53:55And then the clock ticks around to 20.
00:54:00Liverpool fans will serenade their former star as well.
00:54:04Well, this is quite something, this really is.
00:54:07The whole of the ground standing and chanting and singing about the late Diogo Jota.
00:54:16I think he'll be happy-ish with the way things are going.
00:54:22Liverpool kept out.
00:54:23That's the thing that will please him most.
00:54:26Mateus Mane's had one shot on target at the other end, and he's in business again here.
00:54:33And doing really well.
00:54:35That one's not on target, but how about this young man's confidence?
00:54:39He's the bright wolves light today.
00:54:42Certainly his eighth senior game, his first from the start.
00:54:46They could be forgiven for giving up on this season, but a full compliment has come to Anfield today,
00:54:52and I'm sure they'll carry on travelling everywhere for the whole of the rest of the season.
00:55:01Here's a foul by Van Dijk.
00:55:04Frimpong drifts away from João Gomes and takes on Hugo Bueno and pulls it back for Gravenberg.
00:55:11Liverpool lead.
00:55:13Double-dutch.
00:55:16Frimpong's assist for Gravenberg's finish.
00:55:20What a run this is from Jeremy Frimpong.
00:55:24Mind you, the finish isn't bad, is it?
00:55:27Eye of a needle job from Gravenberg.
00:55:29No chance for Jose Saar.
00:55:32And what started as slim chance has become even slimmer chance for Wolves.
00:55:41Hecatique.
00:55:44Hecatique through to Florian Virts!
00:55:51There's the moment he's been waiting for.
00:55:54Florian Virts, his first for the club, is back.
00:55:58And the Anfield crowd appreciates the graft he's had to put in to acclimatise to the Premier League,
00:56:07to become a player worthy of wearing that Liverpool No. 7 shirt.
00:56:11He's getting there.
00:56:13Big boots to follow.
00:56:14And that first goal won't have helped.
00:56:20Mane.
00:56:21Arokodare.
00:56:22Mane feels away wanting the return.
00:56:24There was no way past Van Dijk.
00:56:26But a Wolves corner and they're showing signs of intent at the start of the second half.
00:56:30They did at the start of the first as well.
00:56:33One goal at Anfield might turn the tide.
00:56:38Mane delivers.
00:56:39Alisson can't get through.
00:56:40Makes the first save.
00:56:41But the follow-up is put in by Santiago Bueno.
00:56:48Wolves have one.
00:56:49It all started because the corner was delivered so well that Alisson felt he couldn't go and get it.
00:56:56Nicely saved at first, but patted down straight to the feet of Santiago Bueno.
00:57:02And Bueno scores for Wolves for only the second time to make it Liverpool 2, Wolves 1.
00:57:08The Reds are just a little bit rattled.
00:57:14Frimpong.
00:57:18Lugo Bueno has one go, second go didn't stop him either.
00:57:21Corner.
00:57:25Jeremy Frimpong has certainly been a player to excite Liverpool fans today.
00:57:33McAllister with the corner, something different.
00:57:35Wirtz.
00:57:38Blocked him behind, but there might not have been a deflection.
00:57:42I think it was a double hit from Florian Wirtz.
00:57:46Yeah, he kicked it onto his standing foot.
00:57:54Wirtz.
00:57:57McAllister and Eketike are waiting.
00:58:00And it's wide from Gravenberg.
00:58:02He was waiting to...
00:58:05He felt he might have been fouled in the process of trying to strike.
00:58:09Lovely footwork again from Florian Wirtz.
00:58:12Gravenberg managed to hold off Mane.
00:58:15And he mis-kicked the shot.
00:58:16Gomez now finds Mola Vulfa.
00:58:26Strand Larsson.
00:58:28Jao Gomez.
00:58:30Here's Chachua.
00:58:32And Erika Dare!
00:58:33That was a huge chance for Wolves.
00:58:38They worked it brilliantly.
00:58:40All that was lacking was the finish.
00:58:44Liverpool fans, young and old, like kids on Christmas Eve.
00:58:48The time can't go quickly enough.
00:58:49Locked on by Erika Dare to Strand Larsson.
00:58:56Strand Larsson across!
00:58:58What a tackle by Bradley.
00:59:01John Arias was about to fire Wolves' level.
00:59:05How many times must Liverpool have the warning shots?
00:59:09They are living very dangerously indeed against the Premier League's bottom club.
00:59:13Players are giving everything, they're trying really hard as well.
00:59:17And they are showing that they're not caving in, they're not going under.
00:59:222-0 down at Anfield.
00:59:24But, you know, we fought back to make a real game of it.
00:59:26And then we're pushing for an equaliser.
00:59:28So, you can see they're not going under, they're trying.
00:59:30And there are signs of improvement there.
00:59:32There's no doubt about it.
00:59:33But ultimately, this game's about getting points.
00:59:36And we've not been able to get that so far.
00:59:38I was confident that I will score one day.
00:59:40But, of course, I wanted to start earlier, scoring and assisting.
00:59:46But it was like this.
00:59:48And I have to accept it.
00:59:50I just know that it will come.
00:59:52And I just try to keep going like that.
00:59:55What was it like having Diogo Joss' children here today?
00:59:58That was, again, special.
01:00:00After a tragedy happened till now, I've seen so many special moments
01:00:04where the fans remembered him or our players conducted themselves
01:00:07unbelievable in all these circumstances.
01:00:10And it was, again, special today to see his children being the mascot.
01:00:15And how emotional it was, I think, already before the game.
01:00:19But also definitely in the 20th minute.
01:00:21Yeah, another emotional day today at Anfield.
01:00:25But Liverpool did get the win and a first goal for Florian Wurtz.
01:00:28Are we starting to see, Wayne, the best of him, do you think?
01:00:31Yeah, I think we are.
01:00:33I think he's had some really good performances this season,
01:00:35but he just hasn't got the goals to go with them.
01:00:37And he was really impressive today.
01:00:39He took up some great positions.
01:00:40He was going out wide.
01:00:42He was coming in the middle of the pitch.
01:00:43And he's starting to get a real good understanding with Kerkers,
01:00:48as we're seeing here.
01:00:49But I think just some of the positions he was picking up,
01:00:51he was causing Wolves problems all game.
01:00:53We see him here in behind the Wolves midfield.
01:00:56And then Ekertike with a great run.
01:00:57It's a wonderful pass.
01:00:59And Ekertike is unlucky with his finish.
01:01:01So he's shown glimpses of being a top, top player.
01:01:06Which I think he can be for Liverpool.
01:01:08And again here with Kerkers.
01:01:10That's brilliant from Ekertike.
01:01:12And then Wurtz pulling off the shoulder.
01:01:13That's a wonderful pass again from Ekertike.
01:01:16And then a good finish.
01:01:19And then as we see here,
01:01:21he's willing to run back and put the work in for his teammates.
01:01:25He's defending his own penalty box.
01:01:27And then he's out wide, blocking crosses.
01:01:29So, again here with Kerkers.
01:01:33The understanding they're getting is really good.
01:01:36And some great skill here in the penalty box.
01:01:39And then he's unlucky not to get the third goal.
01:01:42So, I thought he was excellent today.
01:01:44Yeah.
01:01:45And is there a particular challenge, do you think,
01:01:46you've played with players who've come from the Bundesliga,
01:01:50that that league presents in terms of how you adapt to the Premier League?
01:01:54Yeah.
01:01:55I remember Bastian Swansager when he first joined Manchester United.
01:01:58And he was surprised at the pace of the Premier League.
01:02:02And he liked to get his foot on the ball and slow the game down.
01:02:05And, you know, sometimes you need time to adapt to it.
01:02:08Yeah.
01:02:09OK.
01:02:10Well, the last time West Ham had just 13 points at Christmas,
01:02:13they were relegated.
01:02:14Fulham were looking to win three in a row for the first time this season.
01:02:17Simon Brotherton was at the London Stadium.
01:02:19West Ham have won six of the last seven home meetings with Fulham
01:02:24and how they need another three points today.
01:02:26But the visitors travel across London in fine form
01:02:29and have won their last two away from home.
01:02:32Nuno Espirito Santo goes with the same 11 that started last week's defeat at Manchester City.
01:02:38Jared Bowen has scored in six of the last dozen home matches in the Premier League
01:02:42but hasn't been on the winning side in any of them.
01:02:45Fulham were waiting on the fitness of Harry Wilson,
01:02:47who suffered a bang on the knee against Forrest last Monday.
01:02:50But he's been declared fit to start in an unchanged 11.
01:02:54Raul Jimenez scored the winner in the last game
01:02:56and has enjoyed plenty of success in the past
01:02:59against today's opponents, scoring six times.
01:03:04West Ham going into Christmas week with 13 points so far this season.
01:03:10The joint lowest over Christmas in a season in the Premier League.
01:03:14Lukic who finds Jimenez.
01:03:18Little look around and he sees Wilson away to his right.
01:03:21Tete's there in support.
01:03:23Wilson's going to look for an angle to get a shot in
01:03:25and it was a terrific one as well.
01:03:27And an excellent fingertip save from Alphonse Areola.
01:03:32Struck beautifully by Harry Wilson.
01:03:34Saved superbly by Areola.
01:03:37Fernandes finds Bowen.
01:03:39Whipping that one in with Venom.
01:03:41Good header under pressure there from Anderson.
01:03:45Bowen challenges.
01:03:47Todibo collects.
01:03:48West Ham start to threaten.
01:03:50Bowen looks to unleash it.
01:03:56Bernd Leno tested for the first time in the match.
01:03:59This by the way is the sixth London derby of the season for West Ham.
01:04:04They've lost all five so far.
01:04:08Intercepted by Jean-Claire Todibo in the nick of time.
01:04:11Nicely done.
01:04:12Mateus Fernandes and Paqueta away to Scarls.
01:04:15Who looks for Jared Bowen.
01:04:19Bowen in for West Ham.
01:04:20And it's just, just denied.
01:04:23But the flag has gone up.
01:04:26It was a tight one.
01:04:27He's just offside.
01:04:29It was a good save.
01:04:31The crowd a bit more energised by the efforts of their team.
01:04:34Paqueta.
01:04:35Well, that was an interesting one there.
01:04:37Paqueta going to ground.
01:04:38The referee initially not looking as though he was about to award a free kick at all.
01:04:43Not the heaviest of touches.
01:04:47Now what can West Ham do with this one?
01:04:49Freddie Potts sends it in.
01:04:50Kilman getting up well.
01:04:51Somerville!
01:04:53Oh!
01:04:54And Magasa was right on the line.
01:04:57Potts floating it into the penalty area.
01:04:59Prodigious leap from Kilman.
01:05:01West Ham knocking on Fulham's door here.
01:05:06Two wins in the last three games for Marco Silva's team.
01:05:15Anderson's going to have a go.
01:05:17Areola keeps it out.
01:05:18Wilson's almost in and able to pounce.
01:05:20Well, that suddenly turned into a very tricky moment there for Alphonse Areola.
01:05:24Anderson, who hasn't scored since the third round of the FA Cup,
01:05:27right at the start of the year,
01:05:29almost had himself a goal in the last few days of 2025.
01:05:35Wrapped up on a chilly afternoon.
01:05:38Not been a great fixture over the years in modern times for Fulham.
01:05:42This one, West Ham away.
01:05:43They've only won on one of their last 14 visits in the Premier League.
01:05:48Oh, Magasa's done really well here.
01:05:54Good save by Leno.
01:05:56Wilson goes down.
01:05:57Fulham get it away.
01:05:58And Jimenez has it.
01:05:59Kevin is ahead of him now.
01:06:00And that's a vital interception off the heel of Jean-Claire Todibo.
01:06:04West Ham throw.
01:06:06Kevin thought it was his.
01:06:08And here comes Walker-Peters now.
01:06:12The chase for Magasa.
01:06:15And it's just gone wide.
01:06:18And West Ham so close to breaking the deadlock.
01:06:23Magasa did really well.
01:06:27Sending it across the face of the goal.
01:06:29The save there by Bernd Leno.
01:06:31And then the second one here.
01:06:37The flick from Jared Bowen.
01:06:39Just past the post.
01:06:44Magasa loses it.
01:06:45Smith Rowe.
01:06:46Here's Sasha Lukic.
01:06:48Support from Robinson.
01:06:50Five Fulham players inside the box.
01:06:53It was a stretch for Kilman, but he's able to get it away.
01:06:59Callum Wilson collecting.
01:07:00Wilson looks to be away from Cuenca.
01:07:02It's Callum Wilson!
01:07:04And it's just wide.
01:07:07They certainly look more threatening though.
01:07:14Look him Anderson.
01:07:17Nicely done.
01:07:18Wilson sending it across.
01:07:21They'll get a second a chance to do so.
01:07:23And it's Raul Jimenez again.
01:07:27With five minutes to go.
01:07:29Right place, right time.
01:07:301-0 Fulham.
01:07:32Harry Wilson sent it across.
01:07:34Initially cut out.
01:07:35Second opportunity.
01:07:37And it was beautifully flighted.
01:07:39And Jimenez pounced.
01:07:40It's what he does.
01:07:42And it might be the goal to secure another away win for Fulham.
01:07:46In what is turning out to be an excellent spell in this Premier League season for them.
01:07:52But what a hammer blow for the hosts.
01:07:54It wasn't the greatest game.
01:07:56It was a few chances.
01:07:57But not a lot happened in the game.
01:08:01So I feel like from our point of view, if we can't win it, let's not lose it.
01:08:06But we also knew that it was going to take maybe a mistake from them or a moment from us.
01:08:11And it was great when I put that ball in to see Raul waiting.
01:08:13And I knew from there he was going to find the back limit.
01:08:17And Raul again, he gives everything for the shirt.
01:08:20He's a very hard worker.
01:08:21His work ethic is unbelievable for a player at his age.
01:08:23He needs goals like all the strikers in the world.
01:08:25And he goes to get the boost of confidence and to be more confident on the pitch.
01:08:28I'm very pleased for him because he deserves all the credits.
01:08:31What a tough one to take so late in the game.
01:08:33So little time to do anything about it.
01:08:36Yeah, he comes after some chances that we have during the second half.
01:08:41And we've been punished by a mistake.
01:08:43And we lose the game.
01:08:45The player looked very upset at the end.
01:08:47Yes, of course.
01:08:48It shows that he cares a lot.
01:08:50Of course.
01:08:51Everybody cares.
01:08:52And it's not about that.
01:08:54It's about the situation that we are.
01:08:56And everything bad happens to us.
01:09:00We have to react.
01:09:02The good part is that we play another game into game in today's time.
01:09:05So another chance to give back to our offense.
01:09:09Well, we should say, first of all, a great result for Fulham.
01:09:12That's three wins on the bounce for them into the top half of the table.
01:09:15It didn't seem so long ago that they were having a really rocky time.
01:09:18But, of course, today they exploited a bit of inexperience in that West Ham.
01:09:21Yeah, and that's what's cost West Ham today.
01:09:24As you said, great win for Fulham.
01:09:25But young Oli Sculls get sort of dragged out of position there.
01:09:29Which, okay.
01:09:30Then they recover.
01:09:31They get in behind.
01:09:33But it's the next error that is the one.
01:09:36That's the one that is going to be looked at.
01:09:38And brilliant ball in from Harry Wilson.
01:09:41And a great header.
01:09:42But, you know, that won't be his last mistake at all.
01:09:46Everyone's made mistakes.
01:09:47As tough as it is, you have to get over it.
01:09:50And what I would say, as upset as he is, is 11 defeats this year at home for West Ham.
01:09:57It's not his fault.
01:09:58And the league position they're in at the moment is not his fault.
01:10:01So, as tough as it is, he has to get over it.
01:10:04What would you say to him, Wayne, as a senior pro?
01:10:07Yeah, you've just got to move on from here.
01:10:09You know, we've all made mistakes as players.
01:10:11And obviously that mistake has cost a goal.
01:10:13And he'll have to move on quickly.
01:10:15As this man just said, they've got another game coming up very shortly.
01:10:18Yeah.
01:10:19OK, thank you very much.
01:10:20Well, Burnley were seven points from safety ahead of kick-off against Everton.
01:10:24Stephen Wyeth was at Turf Moor.
01:10:27The first of two festive home games to offer Burnley hope of stimulating a recovery.
01:10:33Three changes from the side that ended a run of seven successive defeats.
01:10:37In come Armando Breuer, who scored the equaliser at Bournemouth.
01:10:40And Marcus Edwards and Bashir Humphreys for full Premier League debuts.
01:10:44Everton's incentive is the paltry five-point gap between them and the top four.
01:10:49However, David Moyes' options are further limited by the absence of Jack Grealish with what he described as a virus.
01:10:56Tyler Dibbling replaces him with Beto getting a first start since October.
01:11:01Both of these clubs have been guilty of lethargy at this time of the year.
01:11:06Six defeats in seven between Christmas and New Year for Burnley.
01:11:10Everton are winless in six.
01:11:13That's tremendous work from Breuer.
01:11:22Armando Breuer, like a man possessed, but losing out there.
01:11:26And Alcaraz can carry it forward for Everton, who are going rapidly from one end of the field to the other.
01:11:32Dibbling.
01:11:36Oh, it's flashed agonisingly across the face of goal.
01:11:41Beto so close to a decisive touch.
01:11:44First time that Tyler Dibbling has got on the ball in a threatening position for Everton.
01:11:51But this is certainly the closest that we've come to a goal so far.
01:11:55Considering how many goals his side have given up in recent times, the fact that they haven't conceded in the first half will certainly be the silver lining that Scott Parker is squinting at.
01:12:07Kyle Walker has done well.
01:12:12Edwards fortunate the ball bounced to Uga Chukwu and then back towards him.
01:12:18And then the pass is sensational.
01:12:21And Jakob Brun Larsson has lifted a glorious chance over the crossbar.
01:12:26Will Scott Parker's side get a better opportunity than that?
01:12:31Brun Larsson, given the benefit of the doubt that he was onside, and as Pickford advanced, and with plenty of the gold to lift the ball into, instead he cleared the frame.
01:12:45His team have given him some hope.
01:12:49Uga Chukwu.
01:12:51Florentino.
01:12:52Oh, taken away from him, Iribunem.
01:12:57Chances for Everton, no doubt about it, Iribunem for Dwight McNeil.
01:13:01Iribunem.
01:13:03Oh, so clever from Beto.
01:13:04And it's taken exceptional reactions from Dabralka to turn the ball aside.
01:13:10Well, he's been struggling for goals, Beto.
01:13:13But he so nearly brilliantly conjured one there.
01:13:17Well, they have huffed and puffed, have Burnley.
01:13:19They say have been better defensively today than of late.
01:13:23They haven't been able to marry that.
01:13:25And he's scoring at the other end.
01:13:28Super pass from Garner.
01:13:29Antiano Barry is in.
01:13:31And Buckford, Dabralka, would have put Everton in front.
01:13:36Antiano Barry off the bench.
01:13:38And very nearly placing the ball beyond the reach at the Bravka.
01:13:46Dibling's going to get this for Everton.
01:13:48And now he's got Lucas Pires momentarily isolated.
01:13:51He's away from him.
01:13:53And still going.
01:13:55Dibling.
01:13:56Collision.
01:13:57Everton free kick.
01:13:58Greg Portsman just gave himself a moment or two to consider that decision.
01:14:03Garner and McNeil standing over the free kick.
01:14:07And will be McNeil whipping it in.
01:14:11And it took a glance to send the ball just beyond the far post.
01:14:15And that touch was Soppa Burnley defender.
01:14:18That was vicious from McNeil.
01:14:20Garner with the corner.
01:14:23Dabralka comes.
01:14:25Tyler Dibling.
01:14:27Charged down.
01:14:29And then as he half appeals for handball, he's then stirred back into action.
01:14:35And there is a check in the background for whether or not this is worthy of a penalty kick.
01:14:40Ferocious shot from Dibling.
01:14:42And I don't think there's any debate over whether or not the ball struck the arm here of Jadon Anthony.
01:14:47It's whether or not it struck his arm in an unnatural position.
01:14:52To Burnley's considerable relief.
01:14:55That has been quite quickly checked and cleared.
01:14:59No penalty.
01:15:02Final minute of the 90.
01:15:06Garner.
01:15:08Paterson.
01:15:10That would have been a story.
01:15:12Moments after his long-awaited reintroduction.
01:15:15Jadon Anthony.
01:15:17There's a chance here for Burnley.
01:15:19Zian Fleming is in!
01:15:22And has come as close to scoring as it is possible to come.
01:15:28It might have taken some unpicking as to whether or not Fleming was offside.
01:15:32The on-field decision was that he had gone beyond the defensive line.
01:15:36The Burnley substitute this close to stroking the ball into the back of the net.
01:15:43It has finished at Turf Moor. Burnley 0, Everton 0.
01:15:47David, what's your initial assessment of that? A slow burner?
01:15:50No, you wouldn't want to watch too much of that, I don't think.
01:15:54Certainly from our point of view, Burnley might have different thoughts on how they were, but from our point of view it wasn't a good performance.
01:16:01We have been playing quite well recently, but today wasn't one of our best.
01:16:04I thought we were a dominant team today, I thought we showed an endeavour about us, we showed a will about us.
01:16:10We understood where we currently are and what we need to be, and for that, that's progression really for this group.
01:16:17While of course we can be a little bit downbeat in terms of the chances we've created and not putting them away, we've created them.
01:16:25And we've also, we've took a very good team here right to it really, so yeah, I'm encouraged by that.
01:16:33Back-to-back draws for Burnley, but with so many key players missing for Everton, was that a missed opportunity for Scott Parker's team?
01:16:40Yeah, I think it was, and you know, Everton had Jack Brealish out, N'Day, Garner Guy, Dewsbury Hall, so I think it was a missed opportunity.
01:16:47A good chance for Burnley to pick up three points, and they were wasteful.
01:16:52Brun Larsson here, he's got a great opportunity to score, and he's waste that opportunity.
01:16:58And then, and this one right at the end, whether he was onside or offside, remains to be seen, but he has to score.
01:17:07And Burnley had 16, if you look at here, he had 16 shots today, and not one on target.
01:17:14The expected goals today was up, it was 1.65, and touches in the opposition's box was high as well, but no shots on target from 16, that's not good enough.
01:17:24A nice trip to St James' Park next.
01:17:26Oh no, they're at home, they're at home, sorry, they're home turf more, yeah.
01:17:30Yeah.
01:17:31OK, well that changes everything then.
01:17:33OK, time for last night's action.
01:17:35No team had won more games on Boxing Day than Manchester United, and no team had lost more games than Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
01:17:41Tom Gale was at Old Trafford.
01:17:44Reuben Amarim says it's impossible to replace Bruno Fernandes, statistically the Premier League's most creative player this season,
01:17:52who could miss the next five games, easily the longest absence of his Manchester United career.
01:17:58With no Ahmed and Mbumo, Matthias Cunha is the clear threat, and looking to score in a third consecutive game.
01:18:05Newcastle have their own injury concerns, with six defenders out, Lewis Miley continues to fill in at right back,
01:18:12Jacob Murphy makes his 200th Premier League appearance, Nick Pote returns on the bench after a month out with a groin problem.
01:18:19Volta Mardin, a little bit of luck there for the German.
01:18:26Gordon, Volta Mardin, Dorgou tracking back at the expense of Newcastle's first corner.
01:18:38Tonali to take, in front of the Stretford end.
01:18:41Toward to the near post, and flicks on and saved!
01:18:46Lamins with a smart stop.
01:18:51Gimaraish with the header.
01:18:53And he's down low, centre Lamins.
01:19:00Sheshka will apply the pressure to Chao.
01:19:03Does enough.
01:19:06Finds Cunha.
01:19:07Cunha to run it, Malik Chao.
01:19:09Goes low, and denied by Ramsdale.
01:19:14Certainly kept his guessing there, Mateus Cunha, whether or not he'd go for the shot or the cross.
01:19:21And the English goalkeeper down well to make the save.
01:19:25Dallow with the long throw.
01:19:28Volta Mardin's headed.
01:19:30Dorgou!
01:19:31Dorgou!
01:19:35A Christmas cracker from Patrick Dorgou.
01:19:39What a memorable way to score your first Manchester United goal.
01:19:45Dallow's throw.
01:19:46Volta Mardin, he makes the first contact.
01:19:49But Dorgou, with excellent technique, he hits that crisp as you like through traffic.
01:19:59Ramsdale sees it late.
01:20:02Feint appeals for offside, but the goal stands.
01:20:05Former Manchester United player Darren Fletcher was appointed head coach of the under-18s over the summit.
01:20:15Proud night for him.
01:20:16With twin sons Jack and Tyler on the home bench.
01:20:19Lamont.
01:20:22This clearance hangs in the air.
01:20:25Benefited Seshka.
01:20:27Cunha skips away.
01:20:29Finds Dorgou.
01:20:31Dorgou.
01:20:32Against Scheer.
01:20:33Goes for goal and denied by Ramsdale.
01:20:38By Cunha.
01:20:40Goes low.
01:20:42Ramsdale makes the save.
01:20:43Gimaraes.
01:20:46Gimaraes.
01:20:48To Ant on the ball.
01:20:49Seshka.
01:20:50Flag has stayed down.
01:20:52Benjamin Seshka!
01:20:53Rattles the crossbar.
01:20:56Gimaraes, of all people, guilty of trying to do too much.
01:21:01Ugarte read his movements.
01:21:03Falls to Seshka.
01:21:04On his left foot.
01:21:06Could have sense that he wanted it on his right.
01:21:08Sees there's no option to get that strike off.
01:21:11So goes with his left.
01:21:17Xerxe.
01:21:19Can't make it stick.
01:21:20Hall.
01:21:22Drop of the shoulder to get away from Ugarte.
01:21:24Lewis Hall!
01:21:25Hits the crossbar!
01:21:29Still not cleared.
01:21:30Gimaraes.
01:21:33Murphy's cross is a deep one.
01:21:35Yaro.
01:21:37Hall again.
01:21:38Let's fly.
01:21:40Blocked by Manchester United.
01:21:42And it is a Newcastle United corner.
01:21:45Lammons is certainly beaten.
01:21:48As it rattles the crossbar.
01:21:52Corner comes in.
01:21:53Dallow's head of share.
01:21:55Is that blocked by his own man?
01:21:56Appeals for handball.
01:21:57Vulture Marder.
01:21:59Chau took a swing.
01:22:02Hall slips.
01:22:03Manchester United and Newcastle United player are down.
01:22:08And the referee stops play.
01:22:11Newcastle United are appealing for handball.
01:22:16And it does involve Lissandro Martinez.
01:22:20It does make contact with his arm.
01:22:23But I'm not sure what he can do there.
01:22:25VAR checks and cleared.
01:22:27They are happy with the on-field decision.
01:22:37Trying to pick their way through here.
01:22:38Gordon with a chance!
01:22:39Oh!
01:22:43He just rolls straight across the Manchester United six-yard box.
01:22:46That was his moment there, Anthony Gordon.
01:22:56Dorku.
01:22:59Cynically fouled there by Sandro Tonali.
01:23:02Not quite sure what his remonstrations are for.
01:23:04It's a clear yellow card for the Italian.
01:23:08Martinez.
01:23:10Spots Dallow.
01:23:12Finds Dallow.
01:23:13Good first touch!
01:23:15Oh!
01:23:17What a moment.
01:23:19Excellent spot from the Manchester United captain Martinez.
01:23:23Look at that first touch.
01:23:24Could that come back to haunt Manchester United here on Boxing Day?
01:23:33Maile.
01:23:34Guimaraes.
01:23:35Barnes.
01:23:36Gordon!
01:23:37Can't keep it down.
01:23:39Well, it's been far from prettier times.
01:23:42But Ruben Amarim secures a first home win since the 25th of October.
01:23:47Full-time.
01:23:48Manchester United one.
01:23:50Newcastle United nil.
01:23:51I felt we should have come away with something.
01:23:53But we only have ourselves to blame for that.
01:23:56It's a frustrating game because I thought in the first half
01:23:58I thought it was there for us to grab.
01:23:59And we didn't.
01:24:00I was disappointed with our performance at half-time.
01:24:03Second half was a lot stronger.
01:24:04I thought we dominated the game in terms of possession and chances.
01:24:07It was just that elusive first goal for us.
01:24:09I think if we get it at any stage in the game, the win's there for us.
01:24:12But we didn't and they defended well.
01:24:14It felt amazing.
01:24:15I just want to thank God, thank my family and me as well
01:24:18to keep working hard even though it's been tough for the last recent weeks.
01:24:23And yeah, just keep going and build more confidence for this.
01:24:26It was the opposite of many games that we have, especially at home when we play better.
01:24:31We create more chances and we didn't get the three points.
01:24:34Today I think it was the opposite.
01:24:36I think we did a good, just good first half.
01:24:39And then the second half we suffered altogether with the fans,
01:24:42with all the guys in the bench.
01:24:44We managed to win.
01:24:46So they move into the top six, Wayne.
01:24:48But what were your thoughts on the performance last night?
01:24:51I was worried when I seen the performance of him being honest.
01:24:53And I think he changed, the manager changed the formation
01:24:57and he went with the back four, which a lot of people have been asking for.
01:25:01But they didn't really, I know they didn't concede the goal,
01:25:04but they didn't look comfortable and Newcastle were putting them under pressure,
01:25:07especially the second half.
01:25:08And then when I look at the squad and the bench, what they've got there,
01:25:13they really need players in to try and help them, you know,
01:25:17be challenging and try and get in the top four.
01:25:20He honestly said before, didn't he, that he would never play a back four.
01:25:25And he did that.
01:25:26What kind of point do you think he's making in terms of the youth
01:25:28that was on that bench last night?
01:25:30Yeah, no, and listen, it's great to see the young players on the bench
01:25:33and getting given an opportunity, but it needs to be at the right time as well.
01:25:37And it's not sustainable at all.
01:25:41I think, you know, they need players in
01:25:44and they've obviously lost some important players
01:25:46and Bruno is a big loss, but this is the home games under Ammonen.
01:25:51And you look at the possession from the Newcastle game,
01:25:5433% possession at Old Trafford.
01:25:56And, you know, I know when them fans go to that stadium,
01:25:59they want to see the team with the ball.
01:26:00They want to see them entertaining, getting crosses in the box
01:26:02and getting shots.
01:26:03And it was a poor performance, but they found a way to win.
01:26:07They did last night, but you're alluding to the fact
01:26:09that that is not sustainable.
01:26:10As for Newcastle United, there was that kind of familiar pattern
01:26:13to them last night, Alan?
01:26:16Yeah, I mean, when you're putting 46 crosses into the box
01:26:23or attempting 46 crosses, then someone has to get on the end of them.
01:26:28I mean, this is a brilliant ball.
01:26:29There weren't that many great balls, but this is one of them last night.
01:26:32I mean, Gordon or Valtomar has to get on the end of that.
01:26:36The movement has to be better.
01:26:38Same thing again here.
01:26:39Gordon might be looking to score,
01:26:40but look at the four or five Newcastle players there.
01:26:43There's not one of them in the six-yard box.
01:26:45If someone isn't attacking that, they're getting a tap in.
01:26:47So it's decision-making as well as the lack of quality.
01:26:50And again, that has to be rolled across to Vissa.
01:26:53It's not a difficult ball.
01:26:54It chooses the more difficult chance to pick Gordon out.
01:26:58And it is worrying.
01:26:59There's no doubt about it.
01:27:00Particularly, they're a home form.
01:27:02You can see the crosses there they put in against Manchester United.
01:27:05Look what they did against Spurs in terms of 40.
01:27:08When you've got that amount of balls wide and putting them in there,
01:27:12and you're only taking two points from their four games,
01:27:15that tells you that there's a lack of quality and certainly a lack of movement
01:27:19and a lack of desire to get on the end of them.
01:27:21Is the saving grace for Newcastle that the table at the moment seems so tight
01:27:25that movement can happen very suddenly, can't it, if you put some form together?
01:27:28No, absolutely.
01:27:29I mean, we were talking about Fulham being in a relegation battle two or three weeks ago,
01:27:33yet they win three games on the spin and they're in the top half now.
01:27:36So that's what Newcastle have to do that.
01:27:38I think they've got Burnley, Palace, Leeds and Wolves in the next four games.
01:27:41That is a great opportunity to win some games.
01:27:44OK. Seems like a good time to have a little look at the table, doesn't it?
01:27:47And, well, you can see there, it's as you were at the top,
01:27:50following wins for Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
01:27:53All eyes will now be on the Emirates on Tuesday as Villa travel to take Arsenal on in a huge clash.
01:27:58Brentford are up to eight, Fulham also rising to the top half.
01:28:01Wolves are just the second side in top flight history to fail to record a win
01:28:06in their opening 18 matches of the season after Bolton Wanderers in the 1902-03 campaign.
01:28:11And West Ham failed to close the gap on Nottingham Forest
01:28:14after they suffered a club record equaling 11th home league defeat of 2025.
01:28:20Thank you to Alan and Wayne.
01:28:21I hope everybody's finished off all the leftovers
01:28:23and done all the washing up by the time you get home.
01:28:25So Watkins wins it for Villa.
01:28:27Tis the season to be Oli.
01:28:29Goodnight.
01:28:44Welcome to Columbia.
01:28:58Welcome to Columbia.
01:28:59Yeah.
01:29:00Welcome to the
01:29:06The
01:29:12the
01:29:15The
Be the first to comment