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00:00Welcome to Match of the Dead.
00:30CHOIR SINGS
00:45Evening, four games to show you from the first Saturday of 2026
00:49and unlike New Year's Day, no nil-nils and plenty of goals.
00:53One of England's best centre-forwards is in the studio alongside Alan.
00:57First, Wolves still winless but looking to build on their draw at Old Trafford
01:02in mid-week against a West Ham side who began the day four points from safety
01:06and without winning their last eight. Commentary from Alistair Mann.
01:10It was the 8th of November when West Ham last won a match
01:15and though Wolves haven't gathered a three-pointer since April,
01:19their increasingly hopeless position has actually begun to relieve the tension.
01:24Rob Edwards' assertion that recent displays at Anfield and Old Trafford were promising
01:29is backed by him making just one change from the draw with Manchester United,
01:34Santiago Bueno returning from injury.
01:37With just nine goals in their nine away games this season,
01:41West Ham's travels have offered little encouragement.
01:44Captain Jarrod Bowen continues to look their brighter spark,
01:49particularly today as he scored more career goals against Wolves than any other opponent.
01:54His importance now even greater given Lucas Pakatar has been ruled out with injury.
02:00Well, following the news of the sad passing of former Wolves winger Terry Wharton
02:06who died at the age of 83 following a short illness,
02:10two sets of players will now pause for a moment's reflection.
02:15There's been a feeling in these parts that this is a game in which the pressure is all on the visitors.
02:34Wolves' increasingly desperate plight, they seem now resigned to their fate for West Ham.
02:43It is a must-win fixture.
02:46West Ham have already won the ball back through Somerville,
02:49he kept it in play as well.
02:51There are options as well, Potts is one of them.
02:54Well, he was clipped I think, tried to stay on his feet which was the honest thing to do.
03:00Well, he could easily have gone down and won a penalty there,
03:05but it was quickly dismissed.
03:10Nicely done by Mane, an exciting protégé.
03:15And it goes to Huang.
03:17Huang's ball across and Wolves in front!
03:23Less than four minutes and Arias scores his first goal
03:27as a Wolverhampton Wanderers player.
03:30Sometimes, as a commentator, you're reluctant to point out how long it's been
03:35since there's been a goalless draw that you never expected this to end 0-0.
03:41And within four minutes that particular prospect is over.
03:47He's inherited a team who have had real problems expressing themselves this season.
03:52Defensively, they have been frail.
03:54Here he is again, Mane, and now Hugo Bueno.
04:03Clearance as far as Mane, who goes down and wins the penalty!
04:09Magassa says no way,
04:12Peter Bank says definitely.
04:14And Magassa went for the ball,
04:16and Peter Bank says he got the man and not the ball.
04:19and awards Wolves a penalty.
04:23So Huang with an opportunity to give Wolves a 2-0 lead.
04:28An opportunity he takes, and the explosion of noise around Molyneux
04:36is to herald a potentially winning position.
04:38Well, it was April 26th the last time that Wolves celebrated a victory in the Premier League.
04:51Huang's penalty right down the middle.
04:55Areola moving out of the way.
04:57But Wolves in uncharted waters this season.
05:01They lead 2-0.
05:03Walker-Peters.
05:06And that's headed straight to Mane.
05:10He doesn't need asking twice to have a go.
05:14Full of confidence.
05:16Brings in Chatua.
05:22Trying to get round Scars, he's done it.
05:25Dangerous ball in, and he wins a corner.
05:39Headed away by Kilman.
05:41João Gomes.
05:43Clip ball in.
05:44A brilliant save by Areola.
05:46Wow, that is sensational.
05:49He had no right to get anywhere near that.
05:53And he's helped it over his crossbar with his foot.
05:57You go a long way before you see a save better than that one.
06:01That just looked like it had to be a goal.
06:05Here's Hugo Boinho.
06:15Mane's onside, no question of that.
06:17And he has a go!
06:18And it's three!
06:25They're so excited about him in these parts, Matthias Mane.
06:29He's been given licence to have a go when he gets the ball.
06:34And he now scores for the first time as a Wolverhampton Wanderers first-team player.
06:40No question of offside.
06:42And Mane thought, well, why not?
06:44And it was a stunning strike.
06:47He's a player with so much promise.
06:50Outstanding at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
06:53And now he has his first professional goal.
06:57And it will not be the last on the evidence of what we've seen so far from him.
07:02And Wolves extraordinarily lead 3-0.
07:06Well, a penny for your thoughts.
07:11More like a million pounds.
07:13Nuno has made his changes, changed the formation.
07:20Mayers has gone in as the third centre-half.
07:23Saucek up towards Somerville.
07:30Probably looked as lively as anyone for West Ham.
07:33That's a good attempt from Bowen.
07:35Got underneath it and skied it, but at least it will go down as a chance.
07:41Well, they've not seen their team win away from home since August 31st.
07:47Ironically, that was at Nottingham Forest under the management of Nuno EspÃrito Santo.
07:54Andre in front of Bowen.
07:57Hugo Bueno.
07:59Still going.
08:01It's a good effort and Areola puts it beyond the post.
08:06Well, he's a player who has certainly benefited after Ryan Knight.
08:11Norrie left for Manchester City.
08:13Working it onto his right foot.
08:15And Areola's save was important.
08:20Wilson.
08:23With Mane for company.
08:26And he wins a corner.
08:28Fifth West Ham corner, they're fourth of the second half.
08:37Great delivery.
08:38Good punch by Jose Sartre.
08:42Well, just at the moment, VAR are still checking for a potential foul.
08:46Krejci on the back of Saucek.
08:49Well, Saucek was asking the question.
08:53Nothing given.
08:58Andre.
09:01Cleared, but only as far as Mane.
09:06Well, he's done that well.
09:07It's a great save again from Areola.
09:10Well, he's box-office, isn't he, Mane?
09:12Just such an exciting prospect.
09:16He scores his first ever professional goal.
09:19And it gives him the confidence to try and grab his second.
09:22Well, the damage was inflicted in the first half.
09:36But it was some serious damage to West Ham United.
09:39Wolves finally taste the victory.
09:43Rob Edwards first in charge at Molyneux.
09:47And as much as Wolves are delighted, West Ham will be feeling desperate.
09:54A terrible afternoon for the visitors.
09:57A wonderful one for the hosts.
10:00The final score, Wolves three, West Ham United nil.
10:06The overall performance, I thought we were good.
10:08Resilient when we needed to be.
10:09Compact when we needed to be.
10:11But, yeah, stuck together and placed from really good football
10:14at the right moments as well.
10:16So I thought it was a pretty complete performance.
10:17Has it been difficult to convince them to buy into what's been going on?
10:21No, because I don't think, if you watch the performances,
10:23I don't think the lads have struggled to buy in at all.
10:25I think they've been all in.
10:26And you're seeing that and we're seeing that.
10:29So a big credit to the lads and a huge credit to the supporters.
10:32That's for them today because they've had it really, really tough.
10:35Has this been the lowest point so far since you took over, would you say?
10:39Yes, yes.
10:40Especially the first half was really disappointed, was embarrassing.
10:45And I should apologize to our fans, those that travel, those at home.
10:51This is not what we want to show them.
10:53We have problems in terms of squad, in terms of options.
10:58But that is not a justification for what we did in the first half.
11:03The mistakes that we made, the lack of effort, discipline, organization, responsibility, was very bad.
11:12Tell us about the feeling when you get the board and you think,
11:15you know what, I'm going to have a crack here.
11:17Yeah, I saw a general say on the edge, but I thought, let me get a chance, let me shoot.
11:21And it went in and I was buzzing, buzzing to get my first goal.
11:24A moment you dream of, but did it feel even better in reality?
11:28Yes, 100%.
11:29When I saw it going, I just ran to the corner and did a nice knee slide and celebrated with the team and the fans.
11:34Can't help but smile, can you?
11:36His performance and just listening to him and there's only one place to start and that's with him.
11:41Well, it's no coincidence that Wolves have certainly improved in the last three games.
11:46And the three games are the ones that he's started.
11:49Liverpool, Man United and obviously today.
11:52And everything was about him today.
11:54He brought an energy.
11:56He was brave on the ball.
11:58He was the best player on the park by a mile.
12:01He constantly did that.
12:02He just played with such confidence for someone so young.
12:07He played a huge part in that first goal.
12:11Little give, little go.
12:13And he doesn't stop.
12:14Look around the corner and he follows his ball.
12:16And we will talk about West Ham and how weak they were today.
12:20But they just couldn't handle him.
12:22He was too quick for them there.
12:23He gets the penalty.
12:24Of course, they score the penalty.
12:27And it's the same thing again.
12:29Look, he's the wrong side.
12:30Then goes, takes the ball with the left foot and hits it with the right foot.
12:34It was great skill to do there from him.
12:38Doing his bit defensively, which he had to do.
12:41More so second half when West Ham changed it a little bit.
12:46But he was more than prepared to do that.
12:49And look at this.
12:50This is brilliant, isn't it?
12:52The little flick through.
12:53There you go.
12:54See you later to Bowen and Fernandes.
12:56And that's a decent save there.
12:58And to get his first goal, it'll be a day he will never, ever forget.
13:04And so he shouldn't because he's given something different to Wolves.
13:08And as I said, they've been better, far better when he's been in the team.
13:13And you can see that today since he's been in the team.
13:15Look, all of a sudden, total shots, shots on target, fouls won.
13:20So, yeah, it looks very, very promising for him.
13:24He started off as a kid at Rochdale and Wolves brought him into their academy.
13:29And he talked to people around Wolves.
13:31So, one of the things that they're impressed with him
13:34is that he's performing for the first team in the same way
13:37that he performs for the under-21s.
13:40He's sticking true to what he does.
13:42Is that, from your experience with academy coaching, is that unusual?
13:46Sometimes it is.
13:47I think you need a football personality.
13:49Obviously, you're dealing with different characters.
13:51But I think for this young man, you know, it was a masterclass
13:53in terms of how he played, his desire.
13:56He looked like he's been there for years.
13:58And a lot of occasions you get young players, like you said,
14:01you know, they're in the under-18s or the 21s and, you know,
14:03they're the best player.
14:04All of a sudden, they go over to the first team
14:05and their games change a little bit.
14:07But, I mean, if he can excite us like the other, you know,
14:11Mane that we had in the Premier League, then it would be amazing.
14:14But what a performance.
14:15When you realise the pressure that Wolves are under,
14:18then you look at him today and just the way he played,
14:21and he played with such freedom.
14:23It was great to watch.
14:24Off the back of Anfield and Old Trafford as his first two.
14:28Yeah.
14:29So, for all of that, and that's brilliant for Wolves,
14:31and what a boost that will give them, West Ham, on the other hand,
14:35well, what adjective would you use to describe West Ham?
14:38Well, I'll give you three or four.
14:39You can choose whatever you want.
14:41You want weak, woeful, pathetic, useless.
14:44OK. All of those things, particularly in the first half.
14:47I mean, I can't remember such a poor performance from a team
14:50in the first half.
14:52All over the park, not just in midfield.
14:54You can see the three midfielders there.
14:56Yes, that's great skill.
14:58Potts has got to come over.
15:00Fernandes has got to track the runner, comes over,
15:02but there's no such effort to get back into the box,
15:05and all of a sudden it's too late, you're punished.
15:07That was a constant today.
15:09Not following runners, not prepared to win tackles,
15:12not prepared to roll your sleeves up.
15:14Bwemo can run 30 or 40 yards up the pitch there,
15:17and there's no one within 10 yards of him.
15:19It's like, how do you want it?
15:21How easy do you want it?
15:22How free do you want to be?
15:24Take your time, put your ball into the box,
15:27of which they did, and they really just couldn't handle
15:31what Wolves were chucking at them.
15:33Magassa and Potts, same thing again.
15:35They don't win the tackle there.
15:37How many times that happened, particularly in that first half,
15:40we lost count of it.
15:42Ball into the box again.
15:44Mane, who we've spoken about, who was brilliant, is free.
15:47The ball eventually falls to him, and he gets his penalty.
15:52Too late, weak, same thing again.
15:54Jao Gomez, just have a look at this.
15:58Look at how, and there's just no desire to close down.
16:02He takes three touches before he puts the ball into the box,
16:05but for a wonderful save.
16:06That's another goal there.
16:08You've got Fernandes and Magassa again into the midfield.
16:14I mean, this is just, it's unbelievable this is.
16:18It's great skill, absolutely.
16:20But if you just have a look at, I don't know how to describe it,
16:24without swearing.
16:26Oh, go on, swear.
16:27It's like, no, but just have a look at Mavropanis.
16:29If that's the best you can do in closing down,
16:32a defender turning your back, not preparing to put your foot in,
16:36when your team's in danger of being relegated.
16:39Seriously, you cannot allow that to happen.
16:42You have to do better than that.
16:44And that's why the manager was that angry at full time,
16:47because of performances and incidents like that.
16:49And if you look at the comparison to what West Ham will lie
16:52under Graham Potter and to where they are under Nuno,
16:56and actually the numbers are worse under Nuno
16:58than they were under Graham Potter.
17:00But, I mean, they're depressing, whichever way you look at them,
17:03whichever coach you look at them.
17:04Which highlights, really, Jermaine, what West Ham,
17:06this is deeper than who their head coach is.
17:09Yeah, because under Graham Potter, it was disappointing.
17:12The performances, the results weren't there.
17:14And obviously Nuno come in.
17:15I think, naturally, when a new manager comes in,
17:16you're going to get a reaction.
17:17I think that happens from the players.
17:19But since then, nothing's really happened, to be honest.
17:22I mean, the performances and I don't...
17:24Players go into games and they work hard,
17:26but competing is different.
17:28You know, working hard and competing is completely different.
17:30And when you see the goal there, especially the Mane one,
17:31you know, you have to...
17:33There's different phases of the game.
17:34When the ball goes wide, you're defending the box.
17:36As soon as it comes into the middle, you're defending the goal.
17:38And when you're seeing players shoot from the edge of the box
17:41and your defenders are not engaging or making contact,
17:44it's worrying for the manager and it's worrying for West Ham.
17:46What I would also say quickly is that the players and the manager
17:50have to accept the criticism that they're getting this season
17:52and particularly today.
17:54But what I also say is the money that West Ham have spent,
17:57the recruitment needs a good, hard, long look at as well
18:00because it hasn't been anywhere near good enough.
18:02OK. Arsenal began the day four points clear
18:05when they travelled to Bournemouth,
18:07who'd gone ten matches without a victory.
18:09Commentary on this one from Mark Scott.
18:11Bournemouth were responsible for half of Arsenal's
18:16four league losses last season,
18:18but you'd get long odds on them doing damage
18:21to the Gunners' title chances today
18:24with that ten-game winless run,
18:26their worst under Antony Iraiola.
18:29Iraiola goes with the same side that started the draw at Chelsea,
18:34so Antoine Semenyo starts for the Cherries once again,
18:37despite Manchester City closing in on a deal for the Gunners.
18:40Mikel Arteta switches his side up by three.
18:44Declan Rice returns after missing the Villa game with a knee injury,
18:48while Noni Madweke and Gabriel Martinelli come in out wide.
18:52It's only Madweke's second start in the last 14 league games.
18:56Marino Trossa and Saka all move to the bench.
18:59Havertz misses out altogether as he's eased back in after that long layoff.
19:04This is the sixth time that Arsenal have topped the Premier League table by the end of New Year's Day.
19:12On all five previous occasions, they've failed to win the title.
19:18Timber.
19:19Madweke.
19:24Good stuff by Noni Madweke!
19:28The run was excellent, the finish was poor.
19:32Still looking for his first Premier League goal for Arsenal, Noni Madweke.
19:36And he made real headway to get into a handy position.
19:40But then the accuracy was lacking with the hit.
19:44His side won a four-game winning run in the league for the second time this season.
19:50They didn't manage more than three in a row last season.
20:00All Deary Me given straight to Emma Nielsen!
20:06A horrific error has gifted Bournemouth the opening goal!
20:12And it was a chance gobbled up by Emma Nielsen!
20:16Gabriel with an absolute nightmare here.
20:20And Arsenal, who we've got used to seeing being so watertight at the back,
20:26with one of the biggest gaps you will see all season.
20:30And Bournemouth are in front against the league leaders.
20:34going forwards towards Brooks.
20:40Timber underneath it.
20:42Tavernier.
20:44Clyburn opens up!
20:46Not far away.
20:50I think Raya was hoping rather than expecting it to go wide.
20:57Go back a long way, Mikel Arteta and Antoni Iraiola,
21:01with the pair having played together for a youth team in the Basque Country.
21:10Zubimendi.
21:13It's a bit too robust from Alex Jimenez.
21:18Hoping to do some damage.
21:20And the other end now, Gabriel, after that error that led to the opener.
21:27Delivered by Teklam Rice.
21:29Petrovic has done with it to a certain extent.
21:34Madweke.
21:36Don't forgets Semenyo.
21:37And away from Semenyo.
21:39And still going!
21:40And across!
21:42And blocked!
21:43But in!
21:44Arsenal level!
21:45And it is Gabriel who makes amends for his ghastly error
21:49by blasting Arsenal level!
21:51Madweke was really positive here, absolutely did Semenyo.
21:57And then cut it back looking for a teammate to get on the end of it.
22:01Martinelli had the first pot which was blocked.
22:04But Gabriel made no mistake when the ball broke his way.
22:07A speedy response from the league leaders.
22:13Bournemouth 1, Arsenal 1.
22:16And what a start to the game!
22:24Here's Alex Scott.
22:25Seneci.
22:30Jimenez.
22:40Hill.
22:41Good ball!
22:42And a good chance that Tavernier can't take!
22:44No one picked up the run of Tavernier who couldn't quite manoeuvre the correct angle to find the net.
22:55Zubamendi up to Jokeres and Rice couldn't give it back to the Swede.
23:03Nice from Tavernier.
23:06He lets himself down with the pass.
23:09He's given away possession chiefly again though.
23:14Clivert. Dangerous!
23:17Tavernier should have done better.
23:20But he couldn't get the correct touch on it.
23:27Semenyo, lovely first touch.
23:37Still Semenyo.
23:38Evan Nielsen.
23:39Semenyo!
23:41That's a tricky chance.
23:44Ball coming towards him and the first time Scoop had too much height on it.
23:49Harder! Harder!
23:55Seneci's header finds its way to Truffert.
23:59And Evan Nielsen striked out.
24:04Free kick taken quickly.
24:05They could be in here with Brooks.
24:08Brooks!
24:11Dozy from Arsenal.
24:13But it was such a tough angle for David Brooks to try and find the net with.
24:18Switched off here, didn't they?
24:19Brooks might have been offside, but no need for VAR to get involved as he wasn't able to get it inside the post.
24:31Go to Jochenlo.
24:32Go to Jochenlo!
24:33Go to Jochenlo.
24:34Go to Jochenlo!
24:36Go to Jochenlo!
24:37Zanesi ahead of Jocheres there, Martinelli, Jocheres got the wrong side of his man, Zanesi struggling to recover, Odegaard now, Rice, brilliant, absolutely clinical from Declan Rice, and the league leaders have turned it around.
24:57He's come in for a bit of stick, for not making much of an impact this season, Victor Jocheres, but he was the man that started it all for Arsenal here, causing a bit of panic inside the penalty area, Odegaard saw Declan Rice, and he saw exactly where he wanted to put the ball, and caressed it, beyond Petrovic and in.
25:20First time, stroke in, is gorgeous from Declan Rice, he scored in the loss to Bournemouth in May, but has put Arsenal in front against the Cherries today, to the delight of his manager.
25:42Saka.
25:46Timber.
25:50Here's Bukayo Saka, Rice, game over now, you feel, Declan Rice at the double for Arsenal.
26:01Sealed with a kiss, and surely the goal that seals the win.
26:07Saka with the intelligent run, Rice peeled back, Saka found him perfectly, and you never really doubted Declan Rice when he went for another first-time hit.
26:18Bournemouth won, Arsenal 3, Bournemouth won, Arsenal 3, Bournemouth won't feel a bit hard done by at the current scoreline, they've had their chances, and they've been more than a match for Arsenal.
26:28Let's have a goal.
26:29Let's have it here.
26:30Let's have it here.
26:31Let's have it here.
26:32Let's have it here.
26:35Cook.
26:36Opens up for the hit here.
26:37Oh!
26:38What a hit too from Kruppi!
26:40And Bournemouth are back in business!
26:43Junior Kruppi with a cracker beyond David Raya to move Bournemouth back to an inner goal.
26:54Well, that is the definition of an impact sub, and what an impact he had on the ball here.
27:00A ripper beyond Raya.
27:02Little hope keeping that one out, and it's Bournemouth 2, Arsenal 3.
27:08Sinesi pumped in, Saliva's underneath it.
27:13He has a swing, and it comes off Turian Timber for a throw for Bournemouth, and Antoine Semenyo will hurl this in.
27:23What could be one of his final appearances for the club?
27:27Did he help out his potential new employers?
27:30By helping Bournemouth take points off Arsenal.
27:33Semenyo's throw.
27:35Keepers up there.
27:38New Year.
27:40Same outcome for Arsenal.
27:42Mikel Arteta's men make it five wins in a row.
27:46Bournemouth unhappy with the referee.
27:49They felt there was still time left for them to try and do something.
27:52But they fall just short against the league leaders.
27:56Who have shown grit and determination to recover from that dreadful start to win here by three goals to two.
28:06Today we conceded three goals against Arsenal, and they haven't really had a lot of chances.
28:12You know, you can concede three goals because they are putting a lot of pressure on you.
28:16They have, I don't know, 25 shots and your keeper saves.
28:19But I haven't felt like a game where we should be conceding three goals.
28:24Big praise to them because it's a team that creates so many questions and difficulties to you in everything that we do because they do it really well.
28:32On top of that, we put ourselves into a very difficult position in the manner that you concede the goal and then it's a big mountain to climb.
28:40But I think the team showed a lot of maturity. What Gabi has done after that mistake is remarkable.
28:46And then the team slowly grow, started to control and dominate the game much better, scored two very great goals.
28:52Were you hoping for the hat-trick when you've previously been looking for two?
28:56I actually was. I was thinking, one more cut back to me, please.
29:00But another chance didn't arise.
29:02And Bournemouth for the last 15 minutes played really well.
29:04You know, they shut that space off.
29:06So I was guided to not get the hat-trick.
29:08But I'll keep trying. Maybe one day that might come.
29:12Well, if he keeps adding the goals, Jermaine, he becomes even more the complete midfielder, doesn't he?
29:16Unbelievable. You know, 296 games and, you know, the first time he's got two goals in a Premier League game.
29:22But, I mean, what a performance.
29:24You know, I think when you look at the modern-day midfielder, you know, he does everything.
29:28You see here, you know, he's just at energy level just to get you up the pitch.
29:31And I remember Declan speaking a few years back, and he sort of, like, modelled his game on Yaya Torre.
29:36And that was sort of like Yaya Torre-like, you know, just getting you up the pitch.
29:39Unfortunately, he didn't get the free-kick there.
29:41But even here, you know, he's always sort of like, he knows what's around him.
29:44That sort of, like, pitch geography, you know, he comes away from the pressure.
29:46And you see here just that change of speed there to caress it in the corner.
29:50You know, his body position, his shoulder, where he relaxed his shoulders and, you know, good contact into the corner.
29:55Here, you know, just, again, the other side of the game, you know, can you, out of possession, can you be, you know, effective?
30:01And then stop those sort of, like, balls into the frontman, you know, you see him scanning there.
30:04I think that's Clive, you know, he stops the passes going forward.
30:07And then, you know, he doesn't stop there.
30:09You know, onto the second balls, wins that.
30:11You know, just everything he did.
30:13Again, you know, just arriving into the box at the right time.
30:15We spoke about, you know, if he can add goals to his game, you know, he becomes even a better player.
30:19And the detail there, just the scanning, just to see where he's at.
30:21And again, the change of speed.
30:22And sometimes people talk about in the box, you know, moving and getting to those areas.
30:25But sometimes actually standing still, you know, and then when it comes, then you've got to execute and that.
30:29So, you know, that was his second goal.
30:31Here, again, you know, just sensing the danger.
30:33You know, Lewis Cook there just stuck on his heels and that.
30:35But again, getting it.
30:37Here, again, you know, making contact, not just sort of, like, getting close and not making contact, but actually making contact, winning the ball back for his team.
30:43You know, he's fantastic, the energy levels.
30:45And again, scanning there, so important just to know where you're at.
30:49Again, just, you know, heads it round the corner.
30:51He makes it look so easy.
30:52He does exactly what the game told you to do.
30:54You know, he plays one touch, he plays two touch.
30:56You know, he drives forward, you know, he got his two goals.
30:58And I just felt that the performance was brilliant.
31:00And, you know, if Arsenal are going to go on to win this title, you know, he's pivoting.
31:05I mean, he must be the perfect player for any manager.
31:10It's a manager's dream.
31:11It's a manager's dream, he really is.
31:12I mean, his attitude is amazing.
31:15He very rarely misses games.
31:17And when he's out there, he's a regular eight out of ten.
31:21So, he's been incredible.
31:22So, he said that to you, did he, about Yaya Atore?
31:24That's right.
31:25I remember watching it and he actually said that, you know, he watched Yaya Atore's game
31:28and the way Yaya Atore is to get the teams out of pitch and, you know, drive through midfield.
31:31And he's got that.
31:32I think the only thing that now is probably adding a little bit more goals to his game.
31:35And, you know, when he arrives on the edge of the box, he makes good contact.
31:38He's a good finisher.
31:39Bournemouth are great to watch going forward.
31:41Their problem this season has been defensively.
31:44When you look at the stats, their numbers are way down, which is maybe to be expected, Jermaine, I suppose,
31:50given the number of defenders they lost in the summer and the goalkeeper.
31:54Yeah, well, it's not just defenders.
31:55I mean, it's ten players.
31:56And I think when you look at that, you know, last season, you know, at this stage of the season, you know, seventh, now 15th.
32:01And you talk about, you know, when you concede, you know, that many goals, you know, you don't give yourself a chance to win games.
32:09And they're a funny team to watch Bournemouth because some of the performance is actually good.
32:12You know, they play the right way.
32:13They've got good players.
32:14They have a go.
32:15But, you know, if you can't concede, if you start conceding goals, you know, it's so difficult to win games.
32:22You think they'll be all right, though, do you?
32:23I think they'll be all right, yeah.
32:24I think they'll have enough up top when they'll get enough goals, I think, to be all right, yeah.
32:27OK.
32:28Six games on tomorrow's Match of the Day.
32:52Passing to Orjo Linton, who's hooked it in.
32:55Matchetta!
32:59And nodded in by Greg.
33:01Lovely ball.
33:02A deep ball!
33:05Driven in.
33:06Shek is scored.
33:07That's Enzo Fernandez.
33:09Worked the space very well.
33:15Five Lives Premier League.
33:16Sunday will cover it all on air from midday.
33:18You get a choice of commentaries at 3 o'clock.
33:20All of them can be found on BBC Sounds.
33:22Manchester City, Chelsea is then at 5.30.
33:25Ski Sunday returns for a new series on BBC Two and iPlayer from 10 to 6.
33:30Another chance to watch the most salad doc straight after tonight's programme.
33:33And there's a full midweek programme in the Premier League.
33:36Eight games on Wednesday.
33:37Match of the Day on BBC One and iPlayer from 22-11.
33:41Now, no club in Europe's top five leagues had a higher win percentage at home than Aston Villa in 2025.
33:47Nottingham Forest, their first visitors of 2026.
33:51And Steve Bauer was at this one.
33:56Villa, who've won their last ten games here, are able to recall both Cash and Kamara after suspension.
34:02Both Captain McGinn and Martsen also return and Nana is injured.
34:07Nottingham Forest, who've lost four of their last five Premier League games and their last five here, are able to welcome back Ola Einer after injury for the first time since September.
34:18While Frenchman Dylan Bakwa starts for the first time under Sean Dyche.
34:28Bright sunshine on a very chilly afternoon in the Midlands.
34:32Williams is quickly closed down, Watkins denied by John Victor.
34:44It's still alive, Martsen.
34:47It isn't now.
34:49What a let-off.
34:50It's a fantastic stop, you know, from the Brazilian goalkeeper.
34:53Nico Williams put under pressure by Rodgers, and Watkins thought he'd given Villa the lead.
35:00But the six-foot-six frame of John Victor did brilliantly well.
35:04His right leg denying Watkins.
35:09Still trying to get his watch moving there, I think.
35:11Clancy from Konza.
35:19Lindelof had to make that, he didn't.
35:21It's Dominguez for Nottingham Forest.
35:24Hutchinson...
35:26stepping inside!
35:27And forcing the save out of Martinez.
35:34When Hutchinson came inside here, you could see his intention.
35:37Martinez equal to it, good height for him.
35:40Rodgers.
35:41Watkins!
35:42The special moment that was required to break down Nottingham Forest's stubborn resistance provided by the man in form, Oli Watkins.
36:09On his 250th appearance for the club.
36:13His sixth goal in seven Premier League games to finally unlock the forest door.
36:21And it needed to be of the highest quality.
36:26And it was.
36:27Two quick touches.
36:28And then the emphatic one.
36:29And John Victor actually went with his opposite hand there.
36:30And got something on it.
36:31It wasn't right in the corner, but the speed of the strike went past him.
36:35Unai Emery's side have the advantage at the break.
36:39Tielamans.
36:40Tielamans.
36:41Martin.
36:42That's too close to the goalkeeper.
36:43Ooh, decided not to catch it.
36:44Got the job done in the end.
36:45There was a slight question mark about John Victor there.
36:46Simon Hooper says play on.
36:50Backward does that, but he's closed down by Tielamans.
36:54Watkins behind McGinn.
36:55Caches in space.
36:56Kamara's found him.
36:57McGinn coming in.
36:58that's too close to the goalkeeper who decided not to catch it
37:05got the job done in the end there's a slight question mark about john victor there
37:13simon hooper says play on backward does that but he's closed down by tielemans
37:19watkins behind mcginn cash is in space kamara has found him again coming in
37:28soon aston villa three and a half minutes into the second half
37:35a second premier league goal of the season for the villa skipper john mcginn
37:41well a perfect end to the first half and a dream start to the second
37:47and he reacted quickly in the end here the credit tielemans there to win it back
37:53and when it eventually came out to cash he delivered the cross for watch mcginn
38:01in ahead of milenkovich who was a little flat-footed
38:05but the desire from john mcginn to get there won the day
38:11fully committed as ever aston villa two nottingham forest nil
38:17committee meeting required now his team the second lowest scorers in the premier league
38:28this season only 18 goals forest of mustard
38:32long from milenkovich jesus
38:35so well to potentially keep that alive dominguez in from hutchinson
38:46completely miscued the header first real moment of promise
38:52from nottingham forest
38:54early ball in eventually from amari hutchinson and that needed to go
39:00right across the face of the goal from bakwa he knew that too
39:13as bakwa gives white bursting forward and he's on site
39:17it's morgan gibbs white for forest
39:22hope is restored
39:23seven games without a goal he's popped up just past the hour mark with a perfect time to end that run
39:34and get it back to 2-1
39:38timed his run to perfection took his time and then lifted it beautifully past emi martinez
39:47lovely finish from the forest skipper and from nowhere they are back in the game
39:52dillard two forest one
39:5613 goals conceded the last seven games now for the home team
40:01in the possession of hutchinson
40:06couldn't find mackety though
40:08thielemans into mcginn all the goalkeepers in no man's land here and john mcginn makes him play
40:22his second and villa's third and it could be a crucial goal in the outcome
40:31and it could be a crucial goal in the outcome the skipper at the double
40:36well the goalkeeper's down holding his left calf but when this ball was played by
40:45uri thielemans he was never ever getting there that's a super finish from mcginn
40:54but john victor caught where he was never getting to the ball or the man
40:59and from then on it was composure what mcginn provided look at the curl on that from that angle
41:08absolute precision aston villa three nottingham forest one
41:15and you would expect matt cells to be required here for the remaining 17 minutes for nottingham forest
41:22and it is a tearful john victor that leaves the field at villa park
41:31matt cells without a warm-up and he's told he is coming on
41:40williams can forest hit back straight away gibbs white martinez required
41:49well the goalkeeper was changed at one end the villa one had to stay warm and had to stay alive
41:58with a save you would have expected him to make aston villa up to second with an 11th consecutive home
42:06win the last time that happened was 36 years ago that is five defeats in six though for forest now
42:14aston villa three nottingham forest one the manager pushes me a lot he's very demanding he says i
42:22should be scoring more goals getting in better positions and we do a lot of analysis and this
42:28morning he pushed me hard to get in those positions and thankfully today i've managed to get two goals
42:32so hopefully he'll get off my back a wee bit it's a strange situation today because there's a lot of
42:36energy out there there's a lot of performance there's a lot of your mentality because you know come back
42:40two one looks different but you can't keep giving yourself a mountain to climb we did it in the
42:44last game you know pretty pretty soft goals you know from the organizational point of view and just
42:49players just switching off to the basics you know and the basics of principles of the shape and the
42:53organization we were focusing a lot this match to try to to keep the energy we we had or we show it
43:01but of course playing out of matches and uh last week in chelsea then arsenal now again we needed rest
43:11we needed work and get focused for this match with the energy we show it and how the players respond
43:20in all demand we are settling really fantastic well they're struggling in the second half of the emirates
43:27alan because they had an they lost anana at half time with injury and kamara was suspended they had
43:33him back today and it made a big difference yeah with kamara and tielemans in that midfield and then
43:39you heard john mcginn saying he has to get other managers telling them to get into better positions
43:42well that happened today and it worked perfectly for them today and the midfield balance was was
43:47absolutely superb i thought you got kamara and tielemans there this is in the uh in the first minute
43:52and it all happens because of of their positioning really is that there's there's actually no way out
43:57for nottingham forest when they win the ball back because they're closing down there
44:04and then all of a sudden they're closing down there and there's just no way out at all the
44:08rogers is also closing there so force them into into miss a mistake and after the first minute should
44:14be one nil ollie watkins should put the ball in the in the back of the net it's a decent save and then
44:19the last minute of the half where forest are thinking they're doing okay the midfield balance
44:23again they get the throwing and their setup there is uh is perfect and that that little swivel here
44:29from tielemans then the pass into rogers he doesn't even look he actually knows where he exactly where
44:35he is and as i said that balance was superb i mean the finish is wow it's a fantastic goal it really is
44:41and there's again there's no way out they just don't give up on it tielemans is there expecting
44:47there's no foul but what's the reaction he's straight after it he blocks it and then all
44:53of a sudden villa are on the front foot and then you can see his midfield partner there camaro
44:57he's then getting forward and playing the passing and then mcgin's getting into the into those good
45:02positions that um that he was on about that his manager's telling him to get into i mean this is
45:07an incredible pass and a great touch from mcgin like a quarterback pass isn't it there he just guides
45:13it in there but you see the touch better i mean god knows what the goalkeeper's doing i haven't got
45:17a clue where he is but just have a have a look at the pass here the way to pass and then the touch
45:25from mcgin you can see where he wants it that touch there with the right foot and then to get that much
45:30bend and curl on it when he's under pressure it really is a great this is the angle you can see
45:34it there from this angle how far have a look at the ball boy as well he's ready to go look he's up on
45:39his knees ready to celebrate it's such a clever goal a clever finish but i thought the midfield
45:46balance for villa to do was spot on uh and that takes them into second from from a notty and forest
45:53point of view we can show you the sort of run that they are on at the moment sean dyish allen said
45:59afterwards that if you before today's game if you look at their last six so from wolves onwards they've
46:05taken six points out of those six games and sunderland in that same period had taken seven
46:11so it's his job to look at the reality he said not the noise and sunderland are obviously getting a lot
46:17do you understand that i understand where he's coming from and what he's trying to say because
46:20he's trying to give his team a little bit of confidence and a little bit of uh belief but what
46:26i would say the game they have on tuesday against west ham at west ham is a huge game for both
46:31football clubs and if forest can go there and win i would say that's pretty much enough for them
46:36do you think forest in that game can take advantage of the pressure that will be on west ham at home
46:43and what the atmosphere will be like i think they're gonna have to um i think they're gonna
46:46have to go there and and try and win the game like we said before so you know it's a massive game uh
46:51from a western point of view you know being at home someone's actually better being away you
46:55know it's gonna there's always been an expectation and a demand um you know to play the right way at
46:59west ham to win games to compete that we spoke about at the top of the show but that is a huge
47:04game yeah massive forest probably have more carry more of a threat don't they well yeah i mean and
47:09judging i don't know they've lost the last four but judging by their performance today and the noise
47:14that that will create west ham it'll be a tough atmosphere they'll be at home on tuesday
47:18okay uh there's a pattern to brighton's last six it reads lost draw lost draw lost draw they were
47:26looking to break the sequence against the burnley side six points from safety simon brotherton was at
47:31the annex 18 year old greek international haralampos kostoulos makes his first premier league start
47:38and caro mitoma is first in over three months georginio rutter and brian gruder both come in too
47:45pascal gross has just rejoined the club from borussia dortmund and is named as one of the substitutes
47:51burnley make three changes with jayden anthony and jakub brun larsen playing instead of marcus
47:57edwards and loom chowna while bashir humphreys starts at the back with maxi mestew absent through injury
48:04burnley actually unbeaten in their last seven away league fixtures against uh
48:09brighton and hove albion but lost away to them in over a decade now excellent play opportunity
48:16taking flag up straight away though to deny kostoulos took his chance extremely well
48:23but the flag was raised immediately as soon as the ball was played forward
48:28very tight call there but kostoulos certainly took the chance superbly well
48:34it looked close and indeed it was it was extremely close and it was almost the perfect start for
48:43fabian herzler's team small margins brighton without a win actually uh in just over a month now back end of
48:50november at nottingham forest looking to make a positive start to this one in towards rutter blasted
48:55towards goal by gomez and it was a shot that was heading goalwards here from diego gomez deflected behind by ekdal
49:10oh it's excellent play from jorginho rutter backed up by gruda
49:13ajari kostoulos is in there blasted home by rutter it's taken them nearly half an hour
49:24but this time the home side really are ahead
49:28and jorginho rutter has his second goal of the season
49:33rutter's initial attacking burst appeared to have come to an end gruda and ajari kept it alive
49:39and kostoulos with the deflection that fell at the frenchman's feet and rutter buried the chance
49:51joel feltman with the throw met by bashir humphries
49:56broyer chasing
50:01and caro mitoma on the end of it here with kyle walker for company
50:09it's going to be uh brighton's ball
50:15so burnley finding themselves in a familiar position behind
50:23sweeps it in and almost snuck it in at the near post
50:29to bravka covering the near post to deny kadiolu
50:34games come thick and fast at this time of year don't they scott parker and his team at home to
50:39manchester united on wednesday night here comes jayden anthony now into brun larsen
50:47support from lucas perez and perez brings the save from for bruggen that's the best we've seen from
50:53burnley almost on the stroke of half time first effort on goal on target from the clarets
51:04here's gomez
51:10kadiolu forward is he done gomez can't find a way through ubachukwu tries to send it away sliding in
51:17but yasiniari collects it here oh it's the perfect start to the second half for brandon hobalbion
51:23the lead is doubled and we've only been playing just over a minute following the restart
51:32and burnley's problems this afternoon have just got a whole lot worse
51:38only half cleared by ugo chukwu
51:40ayari was quick on his feet quick to react quick to collect the loose ball and ayari has his third goal of the season
51:53bright looking to make a winning start to the new year they've made a bit of a habit of it they've
51:57only lost their first league game at the start of a calendar year once in the last 16 years before today
52:06barrentino luis he's lost his way in a pretty big way and it could so easily have been three dubravka
52:18makes the save from kostoulas
52:20feldman moves it on grudas got support on the far side
52:35this is ayari kostoulas was there
52:39kadiolu moving in at the far post as well it might have been a tap-in for him had it gone that far
52:43and yasin ayari who scored the second very nearly creating a third as kostoulas stretching
52:54that's an excellent pass for marcus edwards to latch onto loom chana is up alongside him jayden
52:59anthony in the middle as well
53:06met by the head of van hecke burnley have a corner
53:10signs of life from scott parker's team at 2-0 down
53:18as perez with the corner
53:20back across
53:23kadiolu was on the line
53:27and burnley was so close to getting a goal back 30 kadiolu in the right place there
53:33and brighton get it away
53:35kadiolu heading it against the crossbar the ball clearly not going over the line
53:42de kaipa
53:49bit loose there ayari into de kaipa free kick
53:53referee couldn't miss that if he tried it was right in front of him
53:57josh lawrence concedes it
53:58well beck leaves it
54:07slamming against the post there from maxine de kaipa
54:13brighton's so close to number three
54:18well it's going to be two points from the last 33 available for burnley after today
54:23good tracking back there by yasin ayari but clorentino luis has done really well and the deflection
54:35falls fortuitously into the gloves of bart perbruggan there
54:39brighton back to winning ways their first victory in seven brighton two burnley nil
54:45i thought we were poor today yeah i thought it was really poor i thought we um we didn't deserve
54:52anything from the game today really so i think there's been other games where i've stood here
54:56and said that we um we was competitive i know the results have not gone our way but we've uh we've
55:02been hugely compared today i won the case really and and it was a big shift from we lost the game
55:08only three days ago against newcastle which um was very different to how we we looked today really
55:14i thought we lacked we lacked a little belief today and that's um that was worrying today we
55:19controlled the game i think there was one chance for for burnley in the first half overall we defended
55:26quite well we had some some good chance after set pieces we don't have that many chances in the
55:31first half but in the second half again we started well we created more chances we we controlled the
55:36game quite well so it was not a perfect game but overall it was a was a good performance and in the
55:42end we we kept the clean sheet and we deserved the way we lost today is not is not one which was um
55:48which was nice for us really and not acceptable really and we need a reaction now for sure
55:52um and like you said the saving grace is that there is only a x amount of points but that's irrelevant
55:57to be quite honest with you because we want to perform at times like we did today then
56:03whatever points are we're not we're not going to get enough he's been positive in recent post-match
56:08interviews as scott parker jermaine hasn't he but not not today he was fuming yeah i mean bernie's
56:12win this run now extends to 11 premier league games um really disappointing i mean last season
56:17yeah of course you know in the championship you know conceding 16 goals and you know this season
56:22they've conceded 39 goals um i mean the signs were there from early on you know they i mean they were
56:27there they look like an okay position right there and you know it's it's just a long bow over the top
56:32but the signs with i think that's poor defending from the fullback you've got to be in the in the
56:35inside looking out um here you know rooty gets it here and you and you and you you think right
56:41there's not anywhere you can go really you know you can't come back inside you've got to make contact
56:45and you know you know try and win the ball and stop him getting inside you know it's sort of
56:49poor defending there is that too easy it's too easy to get through yeah a little bit of fortune there
56:54when he gets the goal and that but i just feel like you know when the ball goes wide you have to make
56:58contact and win the ball again they've got bodies back don't really look like they're in much
57:02danger no contact you know poor really um again you know can you sort of like regain it and and try
57:08and play out and it's just an unbelievable finish but all right but yeah i mean they just they caused
57:13their own problems to be honest you know all after there again you know over playing sometimes you know
57:17when you're away from home it's difficult you've got to get the ball from back to front quicker
57:21this should have been a goal um and they just continue to play the same way um and sort of it sort of
57:26goes even head you know no one's sort of like engaging getting close it's too easy you know not defending
57:31in the box again another great chance you know brighton could have scored four goals um and you
57:37can see why scott parker's disappointed because sort of reflection on on on on the team that he wants
57:42to to to put out and like i said you know last season conceding 16 goals and it's almost you know
57:47against his principles you know 39 goals it's way too many um brighton up to eight despite that being
57:54just their first win in seven seven yeah that's the big picture for brighton i think i would expect
57:59something around that now and i know there were one or two um that weren't happy when they're on
58:04that run but they're they're back to winning ways and as you said back up to it here's the table then
58:08arsenal extend their lead to six points manchester city face chelsea on sunday villa into second after
58:14an eighth successive home league win wolves have doubled their points tally for the season after
58:19beating west ham west ham four points behind forest and they play each other on tuesday that's it thanks
58:26to alan and jermaine and now that they have that first win maybe 2026 will be the year of the wolf good
58:31night
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