Match of the Day - Season 54 - Episode 34: 27/12/2025 - video Dailymotion

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Transcript

00:00:00Oh, what a goal! Oh, look at that! Absolutely phenomenal!

00:00:05Rooney O'Hall!

00:00:08Welcome to Match of the Dead.

00:00:30Hello, just 363 sleeps until Christmas.

00:00:54Eight Premier League games should help pass the time.

00:00:56Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney were the pundits most desperate to get out of the house.

00:01:01It was an emotional day at the city ground as Nottingham Forest remembered club legend John Robertson,

00:01:07who died over Christmas at the age of 72.

00:01:10Robertson, who was once compared to Picasso by his manager Brian Clough,

00:01:14appeared in 243 consecutive games for Forest between 1976 and 1980,

00:01:20winning back-to-back European Cups and scoring the only goal in the final against Hamburg in 1980.

00:01:27He left Forest in 1983 for what was a controversial move to Peter Taylor's derby,

00:01:32but returned two years later before retiring shortly afterwards.

00:01:36Post-playing, he'd work as assistant manager to his former Forest teammate Martin O'Neill.

00:01:41Robertson won 28 caps for Scotland featuring in the 1978 and 1982 World Cup squads

00:01:48and scored the winner against England at Wembley in 1981.

00:01:53Tributes were paid before today's game against Manchester City.

00:01:57Commentary comes from Martin Fisher.

00:01:59It's an emotional day on Trent's side.

00:02:04The sad news has hit Forest fans hard.

00:02:07Robbo was a genuine legend.

00:02:10Manager Sean Dyche got to know him well in recent years.

00:02:13How dearly he would love his side to produce a fitting tribute on the pitch.

00:02:19He's made one change to the side that lost at Fulham on Monday

00:02:22with Nicolas Dominguez preferred to Douglas Luiz in midfield.

00:02:26John Victor again retains his place in goal despite Matt Sells being fit again.

00:02:33Manchester City arrive on the back of five successive league wins

00:02:36with top of the table Arsenal in their sights.

00:02:40Unchanged for the third game in a row with Erling Haaland one shy of 150 goals for the club.

00:02:47He boasts five in six games against Forest.

00:02:49A deafening minute's applause echoes around the city ground

00:02:57and across the river Trent and into the city.

00:03:09Forest have done well at the city ground since Sean Dyche took over.

00:03:13winning four of their six games in all competitions but this definitely their toughest test yet.

00:03:21Hudson-Odoi, two against Spurs in Forest's last game here.

00:03:27Decent ball in!

00:03:29Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus between them.

00:03:32Couldn't get a touch.

00:03:33What a glorious ball in from Forest's left winger today.

00:03:40Shades of Robbo with that delivery.

00:03:42Oh, for a Bertels or a Woodcock on the end of that.

00:03:45They're quickly taken but Ardo Silva, Pesekhi!

00:03:56And the challenge from Milenkovich was in the nick of time.

00:04:00Forest just a little bit caught off guard there.

00:04:04Milenkovich wasn't and was in strongly.

00:04:08They are having a look.

00:04:11Check complete and cleared.

00:04:12Referee full about blowing, and now does.

00:04:20Hugo Jesus continues to win his side, free kicks.

00:04:26And a yellow card for his process.

00:04:30Ruben Diaz, the first in the referee's book today.

00:04:35But immediately, some work to do defensively.

00:04:41Ruben Diaz running across the path there of Hugo Jesus,

00:04:44who's got the free kick and now is waving an imaginary card

00:04:48in the direction of referee Rob Jones,

00:04:50which is never the cleverest thing to do.

00:04:53Ruben Diaz saw the run of the Brazilian,

00:04:56kicks his heel, but that is unnecessary from the Forest Centre forward.

00:05:01Manchester City with work to do,

00:05:05if they are to significantly keep the pressure on Arsenal.

00:05:10They have a ball round the corner, Reinders is in, and Reinders scores.

00:05:14It hasn't taken Manchester City long, two and a half minutes after the restart.

00:05:19Reinders again, he's in a rich vein of form, three in his last five starts.

00:05:26Forest so resilient in the first half, picked apart at the start of the second.

00:05:34And whatever Pep Guardiola said during the break has come up trumps.

00:05:39Forest 0, Manchester City 1.

00:05:41Manchester City 1.

00:05:50Reinders, Schierke, Harland making the run this time, he might have strayed into an offside position,

00:05:55so Schierke goes alone and gets the shot away, tips onto the post by Jean-Victor.

00:06:00Well, it's brilliant from Ryan Schierke.

00:06:04Pass for the goal was his seventh assist, went alone here.

00:06:08And it's the fingertips of the goalkeeper and the post that manages to deny him.

00:06:13There goes Harland with an important touch, Schierke.

00:06:19Harmon again.

00:06:21Now Foden, Reinders again.

00:06:25Just lost his balance, and Gibbs-White carries it away for Nottingham Forest.

00:06:31Hudson-Odoi.

00:06:32Gibbs-White again.

00:06:39Clever ball.

00:06:41Nigo Jesus, Hutchinson unmarked back post.

00:06:43Here he is!

00:06:441-1!

00:06:45That was a brilliant goal from one end of the pitch to the other.

00:06:57Omari Hutchinson with the final touch, his first goal in a Forest jersey.

00:07:02But look where this move started.

00:07:05Gibbs-White carries it, collects from Hudson-Odoi.

00:07:10In the middle of the pitch.

00:07:12Igor Jesus, look at the space that Hutchinson had got.

00:07:15City court napping back post.

00:07:17And Hutchinson thumps it home.

00:07:20And Forest were not behind for very long.

00:07:24Forest won.

00:07:25Manchester City won.

00:07:27What a ball from Anderson.

00:07:30Shame that Hutchinson couldn't take it in his stride,

00:07:33but Forest still on the move.

00:07:35Hutchinson's ball in.

00:07:36Igor Jesus.

00:07:37Gibbs-White.

00:07:39Anderson will have it, but Hutchinson has other ideas.

00:07:44Twinkle toes from him.

00:07:46Anderson's still available.

00:07:48Curls it in.

00:07:49Away by Matej Nunes.

00:07:51Down for Gibbs-White.

00:07:52On for Williams to have a go!

00:07:54Donnarumma away, Savona!

00:07:59Well, he rushed the shot, and the chance has gone begging.

00:08:02Donnarumma is relieved.

00:08:04It looked as though this wasn't going to test him from Williams,

00:08:07but it bounced awkwardly.

00:08:09Donnarumma mightily relieved to see Savona put it over the bar.

00:08:13He has scored a couple of important goals this season,

00:08:16against big teams as well.

00:08:18Manchester United and Liverpool.

00:08:20The Rillo's touch was heavy.

00:08:24Foden couldn't get there quickly enough.

00:08:26Foden couldn't get there quickly enough.

00:08:29Gonzalez, Foden, Bernardo Silva.

00:08:33Foden is in, brilliant!

00:08:35Oh, what a save!

00:08:36What a stop by Jean-Victor!

00:08:38Oh, he enjoyed that all right.

00:08:41That was a magical approach from Manchester City.

00:08:44Quick, crisp, accurate passing.

00:08:47And before they knew it,

00:08:48Forest saw Foden taking aim and firing.

00:08:51Mostly inside the ground,

00:08:53thought that that would hit the back of the net.

00:08:55Jean-Victor had other ideas.

00:09:01That's the intelligent ball from Savino.

00:09:03Might be a chance here for Haaland.

00:09:05Milenkovic does just enough.

00:09:08It locked for a moment or two there,

00:09:10as though Haaland had got goalside.

00:09:12But Milenkovic stuck to his task.

00:09:18City have four players in the six-yard box.

00:09:21It's deeper towards Kabadio.

00:09:24Came off of Forest Head.

00:09:26Another corner.

00:09:32Foden to try again.

00:09:35The game goes deep.

00:09:36But this time it does find the head of Kabadio.

00:09:38Driven in!

00:09:39Check!

00:09:40He's scored!

00:09:41City in front.

00:09:43Again.

00:09:45Set up the first.

00:09:46Scores the second.

00:09:48This Frenchman is having quite an impact

00:09:50on Manchester City this season.

00:09:54It's his first Premier League goal

00:09:55since the opening day of the season

00:09:57when he came on as a sub against Wolves.

00:10:00in that comfortable 4-0 success.

00:10:03Nothing comfortable about this game.

00:10:05But will it stand?

00:10:06That's the question.

00:10:07Andy Madley of VAR today is busy checking this.

00:10:12Clever header down by Kabadio.

00:10:15And an unerring finish from Schierke.

00:10:20Donnarumma joyously celebrates.

00:10:23And the goal will stand.

00:10:25They have not been at their best today, Manchester City.

00:10:28Because their best is right at the top.

00:10:31But with that strike from Schierke,

00:10:34they might be at the top for at least a few hours.

00:10:39That performance must give you great optimism for the future

00:10:42and great pride.

00:10:43Well, we certainly not lacked pride or optimism.

00:10:45But I know what you mean.

00:10:46It's reinforced the good work the players are doing.

00:10:48I thought they were terrific from start to finish.

00:10:50You know, the goals we can pick the bones out.

00:10:52I'm sure we will.

00:10:53But how we don't get the referee today,

00:10:54I'm lost for words about that.

00:10:57Our player gets thrown to the floor.

00:10:59Nothing's done, they score from it.

00:11:00It's getting ridiculous now.

00:11:01We know there's no intention for them to have the ball.

00:11:03He just pushes him to the floor.

00:11:05Can't do that in a corner.

00:11:06I couldn't believe how there Senraal stayed on the pitch.

00:11:08He brings Igor down early in the second half

00:11:10and kilp it over the top.

00:11:11You know, when they say things like it's an accident

00:11:13still he held a card whether it's an excellent or not.

00:11:15You got that opening goal so soon after the restart

00:11:17and as soon as it hit the net you turned away

00:11:19and celebrated with Pep.

00:11:21Was there something you particularly did at the break

00:11:23that he told you what we should do to get that goal?

00:11:25Pep is so good.

00:11:27People from Liverpool, they know it.

00:11:29He's an incredible manager.

00:11:30Maybe I'm his assistant.

00:11:32He's the top.

00:11:34We talked during the game,

00:11:35the first half, the second half,

00:11:36in the half time what you should do

00:11:38to have some extra players in that position.

00:11:41We knew that the red red mentality

00:11:44is impossible to win the game today.

00:11:46You seem to come out for the second half

00:11:48with an extra determination in your step.

00:11:50What was said during the break?

00:11:52He said, let's do it again and again, try again

00:11:55because when we find the little space

00:11:59we win this game and today is that.

00:12:01Well, a nice Christmassy ring to the goal scorers,

00:12:04Cherky and Reinders.

00:12:05Just say it to yourself a few times.

00:12:07And those tweaks at half time certainly paid dividends,

00:12:10didn't they?

00:12:11Yeah, there's no doubt about it.

00:12:12That's what they tried to do, certainly second half.

00:12:16This is the first half where that's the system

00:12:18they're playing against the four or five

00:12:19when they're defending 4-5-1.

00:12:21And Cherky and Foden there.

00:12:23Then you've got Reinders who were sitting

00:12:25that was a little bit deeper than the other two.

00:12:27But Haaland was isolated a little bit at times

00:12:30because all of a sudden you've got into that position

00:12:32which is a decent one.

00:12:33But Milenkovic and Marilla, 2-1,

00:12:36didn't really get any joy because of that situation.

00:12:39Similar sort of thing happens here.

00:12:41Now I've got the three there,

00:12:43but there's Reinders again that we've got highlighted.

00:12:46And again, they work into a decent position.

00:12:49But similar sort of things happen again.

00:12:52They did well to get in there,

00:12:53but similar thing again.

00:12:542-1, not a lot of space.

00:12:56And nothing comes of it.

00:12:58But then the only time it happened in the first half

00:13:01was when Reinders did get a little bit further forward

00:13:04and then started to ask questions of that Forest defence

00:13:07because all of a sudden it's not 2-1 or 3-1,

00:13:10it's actually 3-3,

00:13:12which City don't mind that at all

00:13:13and are quite comfortable when that happens.

00:13:15There's the space there.

00:13:17And as I said, all of a sudden it opens up

00:13:19because the centre half then has to come onto Reinders

00:13:22and you've got that 3-3 situation,

00:13:26which City will punish you more often than not when that happens.

00:13:29A better ball in and Haaland's in.

00:13:31And a great example of that is in the second half with their goal.

00:13:34And this is what happens.

00:13:35All of a sudden, look,

00:13:36Reinders is now up alongside Erling Haaland.

00:13:39At times he actually went past them.

00:13:40They've now got buddies in and around him.

00:13:42So centre-halves and full-backs have got to do something different,

00:13:45which they didn't do in the first half.

00:13:47Centre-halves have got to look at Turkey.

00:13:49He's also got to have one eye on Reinders,

00:13:51which he gets then drawn out the turn.

00:13:53They've then got runners in behind more than Haaland,

00:13:56and Reinders was that guy.

00:13:58And ultimately that's helped them win the game.

00:14:00And whether it was Pep Guardiola or Pep Linders

00:14:02who decided to do that at half-time,

00:14:04they've played a huge part in City getting the success.

00:14:06You can see the first half map of his position, Reinders,

00:14:09compared to the second half.

00:14:11He's a lot further forward.

00:14:12And as I said, they got far more joy when he did that.

00:14:16Wayne, Sean Dyche says that he couldn't find words,

00:14:18but he managed to find a few to discuss a couple of controversial,

00:14:22in his eye, decisions.

00:14:23Let's have a little look at them through your eyes.

00:14:25Diaz's second yellow, let's call this one, potential?

00:14:28Yeah, I think it is yellow cards.

00:14:30I think if you look, he takes a step back across towards his own goal.

00:14:35He has a look, and then he clips the forward.

00:14:38So I think that is the second yellow, and he should have been sent off.

00:14:41And no one likes to see players trying to get other players bucked.

00:14:44I agree with that as well.

00:14:45I think it was the look and then the step across,

00:14:47and I think they were looking to get away with him already being on a yellow.

00:14:49OK, and what about the winning goal?

00:14:51I actually think it's a foul on O'Reilly.

00:14:56Because I think if you look at Gibbs White here, and we'll see it again after this one,

00:15:02he grabs his arm, so he grabs O'Reilly's arm, and then he locks his leg into O'Reilly,

00:15:07and actually pulls O'Reilly down.

00:15:09So I've got no complaints.

00:15:11We see here, so he locks his arm in, and then just with his left leg also,

00:15:15he locks his left leg in, and then he pulls O'Reilly down to the ground.

00:15:18So I think it's a good goal.

00:15:19I think the goal should have stood.

00:15:21Dyson is going to look at the VAR report.

00:15:24Yeah, I'm happy to go with whatever the referee decides on that one,

00:15:27which means it's not a clear and obvious error either way.

00:15:30So whatever he gave, I'm happy to go with it.

00:15:32There was a little bit of noise ahead of this fixture,

00:15:35ahead of the Christmas break anyway, about the weigh-in that would happen,

00:15:38the City players being made to be sure that they didn't come back any heavier.

00:15:42And Erling Haaland there telling Donna Rummer that he can come back.

00:15:45You can eat it now, Donna.

00:15:47After he weighed in, and we saw Haaland's post as well about his weight coming back,

00:15:51lean and mean.

00:15:52What about you two?

00:15:53Ever any worries or concerns?

00:15:54Did you get weighed in?

00:15:55I was all right on Boxing Day.

00:15:57Yeah, I come in a bit heavier times.

00:15:59Well, Wayne, we've had a little look in the archives,

00:16:03and maybe that's a reflection on your Boxing Day goals scored.

00:16:07Eight and four for you, Wayne.

00:16:09Oh, there you go.

00:16:10You did have too much turkey then.

00:16:11Yeah, well, I've still got four goals.

00:16:13It's not too bad.

00:16:14I feel like that's no regrets.

00:16:16Okay, so that win in the early cook-off put Manchester City top of the table ahead of

00:16:21Arsenal's game against Brighton.

00:16:23Steve Wilson was at the Emirates.

00:16:25Being top at Christmas has never yet been turned into a Premier League title by Arsenal.

00:16:31Another near miss would be very hard for them to stomach.

00:16:34All kinds of adversity for them too.

00:16:36Timber with a twinge in training.

00:16:38Calafiori injured in the warm-up.

00:16:40Myles Lewis Skelly comes in at left-back.

00:16:43Declan Rice starts at right-back.

00:16:46Some better news for Brighton, who have Dunk and Gomez returning from suspension.

00:16:50And Van Hecker from injury.

00:16:52They go with a back three.

00:16:53Danny Welbeck is fit enough for the bench.

00:16:56But Karu Mitoma is ill.

00:17:00Lewis Skelly.

00:17:05Awkward for Lewis Dunk.

00:17:06Jokeres!

00:17:07That's a really good chance.

00:17:10It's a very awkward bounce.

00:17:12Which went over the top of the Brighton skipper and fell kindly here for Jokeres.

00:17:17It's a bit of a tame attempt.

00:17:22Udegaard.

00:17:27Saka has done well to get himself inside the area.

00:17:30And he's brought a good save from Verbruggen.

00:17:33And reacted very quickly to the rebound.

00:17:35Great play by Bukayo Saka.

00:17:38Blocked by Verbruggen.

00:17:40His second Christmas as Brighton boss.

00:17:43December has not been kind to him.

00:17:47Ruda dispossessed.

00:17:48A little bit of room here.

00:17:49And Odegaard.

00:17:51Loves to have a bit of room.

00:17:54Bukayo Saka.

00:17:57High and well off target in the end from Saka.

00:17:59Found the space quite nicely, but nowhere near the finish.

00:18:04And it's a goal kick.

00:18:10Here is Saka.

00:18:14And Odegaard.

00:18:18That's a really good finish by Martin Odegaard.

00:18:21And the skipper scores his first goal of the season.

00:18:25To put Arsenal in front.

00:18:27From their own goal kick.

00:18:29Brighton fall behind.

00:18:30The pressure from Incappier.

00:18:35Won the ball back.

00:18:36Odegaard has a little step back to find some space.

00:18:41And Verbruggen might be a bit disappointed that he didn't get across to his left-hand side.

00:18:47To get a touch on this.

00:18:48But it's Arsenal 1, Brighton 0.

00:18:50And it's Martin Odegaard.

00:18:53There he is, Gabriel, on the bench.

00:18:55Which is very good news for Arsenal to see.

00:18:58To his right-hand side is 16-year-old Marley Salmon.

00:19:02Who was a late addition to the substitutes bench once Calafiore got injured in the warm-up.

00:19:08Oh, Ruta has made a really poor decision there.

00:19:11Here's Saka.

00:19:13And Brighton are lucky to get away with that.

00:19:15And they may not.

00:19:17Here's Trossard.

00:19:20Saka.

00:19:22Van Hecker.

00:19:23Marino.

00:19:24And the flick.

00:19:25Brilliant save by Verbruggen.

00:19:29Wow, what a fabulous save here by Bart Verbruggen.

00:19:34Brilliant passage of play.

00:19:36Terrible decision by Ruta to let that ball drop.

00:19:41Trossard back in.

00:19:43Saka tried his luck.

00:19:44Van Hecker away from Jokeres.

00:19:46Marino.

00:19:47Brilliant little flick from Zubimendi.

00:19:49And a wonderful save by Verbruggen.

00:19:58Mikel Marino.

00:20:00And we've just gone into a minimum of just one added minute.

00:20:05Now Verbruggen's come.

00:20:06Oh dear.

00:20:08Well, it's a tough job for Jokeres to score from there.

00:20:14Van Hecker is between him and the goal.

00:20:17The card is yellow and that probably feels right out there.

00:20:20Verbruggen made a really poor decision to come for it though.

00:20:23The video assistant referee Paul Tierney has had a look at that and decided that a yellow card is fair enough.

00:20:33But you would think it's pretty much on the cusp from Verbruggen.

00:20:37Brighton have made two changes at half-time.

00:20:43Brighton's formation, however, has stayed the same.

00:20:47Mikel Marino will receive this.

00:20:49And send it on to Leandro Trossard.

00:20:54And Odegaard.

00:20:55Big deflection.

00:20:57It's a good block that by Ayari.

00:21:01Arsenal corner.

00:21:04Dangerous from Odegaard.

00:21:07And Ayari.

00:21:09With a very important flick on that.

00:21:14Rice.

00:21:15A lot of pace on that.

00:21:16I think it's an own goal.

00:21:19Jorginho Rutte has got the final touch on that.

00:21:22It's 2-0 to Arsenal.

00:21:25But Declan Rice takes the congratulations for the speed and threat of the delivery.

00:21:36And Rutte flicks it over Verbruggen.

00:21:40And puts Arsenal two goals in front.

00:21:44Four of Arsenal's last six goals have been own goals.

00:21:47Here's Odegaard.

00:21:51Cariolo with Jokeres.

00:21:53Jokeres battered it into Verbruggen.

00:21:58They absolutely leathered this, Jokeres.

00:22:00But it's such close quarters to Bad Verbruggen.

00:22:04But it's smashed back off the keeper.

00:22:09Brighton won three consecutive Premier League games here at the Emirates against Arsenal.

00:22:13Between April 22 and May 23.

00:22:15They haven't won one since.

00:22:17Home war away.

00:22:22Ruta on the half turn.

00:22:23Ayari through the crowd and off the post.

00:22:27And the follow-up is smashed in.

00:22:28Gomez makes it 2-1.

00:22:33Well, that's come out of nothing.

00:22:36Well, Brighton have barely ever threatened Arsenal in this game.

00:22:42Just past the hour mark, they're suddenly back in the game.

00:22:44Well held up by Ruta.

00:22:50Off the post.

00:22:52And the rebound in from Diego Gomez.

00:22:56Arsenal's rhythm and momentum very much halted by that Gomez goal.

00:23:01Lovely little flick.

00:23:04That's Minty!

00:23:06What a save that is by Davy Dreyer.

00:23:11Well, that looked like a goal all day long.

00:23:18It's a great hit by Minty.

00:23:19It's a fantastic stop by Davy Dreyer.

00:23:23Brighton's corner.

00:23:24Vytha!

00:23:28He's put it over the top of the crossbar.

00:23:33It's a real miss.

00:23:37This really is not comfortable at all for Arsenal now.

00:23:42Saka.

00:23:49Saka's crossed Martinelli!

00:23:52Could have won it.

00:23:54But hasn't.

00:23:56Good play by Bukayo Saka.

00:23:59Martinelli over the top.

00:24:01Arsenal still anxious.

00:24:06This is Jankouba Mente.

00:24:08This could be dangerous, the little clip ball.

00:24:11Cadiolu didn't hit it.

00:24:14Zubamendi got himself in front of Jorginho Rute.

00:24:18Hands are raised from Arteta.

00:24:20David Raya clutches the ball.

00:24:23And the whistle goes.

00:24:25And Arsenal have the points.

00:24:27Hard-earned points in the end.

00:24:30Though that seemed highly unlikely until Diego Gomez gave Brighton a foothold in the game.

00:24:37I think we dominated, we controlled pretty much everything.

00:24:41Should have scored more goals.

00:24:43Should have been a bigger margin in the end.

00:24:45But that's the Premier League and that's football.

00:24:48You switch off for one second and they can punish you.

00:24:51So we got the win and we got the three points.

00:24:55But obviously we would have liked it to be a little bit less stressful towards the end.

00:24:59The small margins, they make the difference and we have to understand how important it is.

00:25:03We have to understand which role do we have as individuals when we have to defend set pieces when we build up.

00:25:09I think we proved it in the second half but it's about doing it for 90 minutes.

00:25:14I think that's the key thing.

00:25:16You lose Calafiore in the warm-up.

00:25:19Jurien Timbers got something in training.

00:25:21So players are going to have to be up for doing things that maybe don't come completely naturally to them.

00:25:26You have to be ready because it's now.

00:25:28So in the warm-up something and you have to be in the right mental space.

00:25:32That's what I love about the team.

00:25:34With everything that we're going through, which has been a lot, the way we react to that,

00:25:38the way we want to fulfil that role and make another step is brilliant to watch.

00:25:44Well, Arsenal looked to be cruising in the first half, Alan,

00:25:48but it did get a lot more nervy for them in the second half.

00:25:51Yeah, absolutely.

00:25:53What changed, Gabby, is that Arsenal, particularly in wide areas,

00:25:56caused Brighton so many problems because they were left isolated,

00:26:01the two wing-backs, full-backs, and more often than not, they lost out on those battles.

00:26:06Saka was left so many times, 1v1, and yes, for the first half, this was a constant.

00:26:14He went back, whoever was there, and they went past them,

00:26:17and has caused them all sorts of problems.

00:26:20And they work it really, really well.

00:26:23And as I said, yep, they absolutely dominated Brighton

00:26:26and should have scored more goals, but they didn't.

00:26:28Similar sort of thing there.

00:26:30He works it to where he wants it, but the finish isn't very good.

00:26:32This is the goal.

00:26:33They force Brighton into what Arsenal want them to do,

00:26:36and they get the press spot-on, really, really well.

00:26:40They work it well, and then all of a sudden, similar thing again.

00:26:43Dunked, not sure whether to go tight or to drop off.

00:26:45He doesn't really do either.

00:26:47And again, Saka's left 1v1.

00:26:49But he picks his head up this time and finds Odegaard,

00:26:52who's in loads of space, and finishes it off really, really well.

00:26:54It wasn't just down the right-hand side,

00:26:57it was also down the left-hand side as well with Trossard.

00:27:00And he must carry this ball, I don't know, 70 yards or so up the field

00:27:05and puts Arsenal into a really, really good position.

00:27:08He gets to the byline, but that was a constant.

00:27:12Either side, as I said, causing them all sorts of problems.

00:27:14Now all of a sudden at half-time, Brighton change.

00:27:17They bring Wifa on, they bring Minta on,

00:27:20and they switch Cadillac to the other side.

00:27:23And I know Arsenal go too, and they look early in the second half,

00:27:26but to their credit, Brighton, this is what they did really, really well.

00:27:29So instead of Arsenal causing them problems,

00:27:32all of a sudden, that's their first effort on target.

00:27:35And then all of a sudden, they're asking questions now.

00:27:38And it really did get nervy for Arsenal.

00:27:40It shouldn't have with the pressure they had,

00:27:42or they tried to put on in that first half.

00:27:44This is the goal here, they work it really, really well.

00:27:47Hit the post, Gomez is there to stick it away.

00:27:50And you're about to see one of, if not, the save of the season.

00:27:53This is an unbelievable save.

00:27:56They work it again so well.

00:27:58Look, there you go, it's those two down that right-hand side again.

00:28:01Little give, little go in behind.

00:28:03Wow, that's all you can see.

00:28:06You can see Herzl and his reaction on the touchline.

00:28:08Unbelievable save that is.

00:28:10It really is magnificent.

00:28:11So what could have been an easier afternoon,

00:28:15if Arsenal had kept that up in the first half,

00:28:17it turned into a really difficult afternoon.

00:28:19But they got the three points, which is the most important thing.

00:28:21Wayne, last week we had two goalkeepers on match of the day.

00:28:24They'd have probably spent four minutes analysing that, waxing lyrical.

00:28:27As a centre-forward, give us your appraisal, at that say.

00:28:29Yeah, I think it was a good high for the keeper.

00:28:32No, but in all fairness, it was an absolutely incredible save.

00:28:37And the speed he has to get across the goal,

00:28:39and it's moments like that which win your league titles,

00:28:42and Davarela has many of them moments throughout the season.

00:28:45Yeah, and it was endorsed by his manager, Mikel Arteta.

00:28:47So, to the late game, Aston Villa had won their last ten matches in all competitions,

00:28:53and had the chance to move ten points clear of Chelsea,

00:28:56who began the day just one place below them in fourth.

00:28:59Mark Scott was at Stamford Bridge.

00:29:01Ten in a row is Villa's best winning run as a top division side in 111 years,

00:29:08and it sparked debate about whether they're in the title race.

00:29:12That was a conversation Chelsea were part of a few weeks ago,

00:29:15but one within five has seen them leave the chat.

00:29:19Chelsea bring Badia-Shiel and Fernandes in for Fafana and Gusto.

00:29:23Buendia replaces Inanna for Villa, while Marlins preferred to Watkins up top.

00:29:27Morgan Rodgers' individual form is just as impressive as Villa's.

00:29:32He's scored six goals in as many Premier League games.

00:29:38Caicedo quickly onto Cole Palmer.

00:29:42And it's still Cole Palmer.

00:29:45Now Garnaccio, room here for Fernandes!

00:29:48Who cannot believe he hasn't hit the target.

00:29:52Palmer at the heart of it.

00:29:54Garnaccio then teed up Enzo Fernandes, who has scored in all of his last three games against Villa.

00:30:02Should have been four in a row.

00:30:04Enzo Maresca's serving a touchline ban today.

00:30:07He says he was also banned from the kitchen on Christmas Day,

00:30:11as his mum was staying with them, and when she's there no one else is allowed in.

00:30:14Pedro Neto.

00:30:20Inside of Martsen and towards Xalpedro!

00:30:23Martinez did enough to keep him out.

00:30:25Xalpedro keeps it alive.

00:30:27Fonts are clear.

00:30:29Buendia, dangerous.

00:30:31Telemans helps him out.

00:30:32Or does he?

00:30:34Xalpedro nicked it off him but couldn't keep it in.

00:30:36Got clear of the Villa defence but couldn't get the ball clear of Emi Martinez.

00:30:43It's been some final quarter from Unai Emery's side at the end of September.

00:30:48Villa were third from bottom.

00:30:50They went into Christmas just three points off the top.

00:30:52Cucurera on the overlap.

00:30:56And that's a corner off Mati Cash.

00:30:59First corner of the match.

00:31:05So Rhys James to take this corner for Chelsea.

00:31:08With ten minutes to go until the break.

00:31:12Tricky one to defend!

00:31:14And Villa haven't defended it!

00:31:16And Chelsea have the lead!

00:31:23Well no one seems to know who to congratulate.

00:31:26So Rhys James happy to take the acclaim.

00:31:31Such an awkward one.

00:31:33To try and keep out this from Rhys James.

00:31:35Popped into a perfect area from a Chelsea point of view.

00:31:39And Villa simply couldn't scramble it away.

00:31:43It'll be Xalpedro's goal.

00:31:46Not that he knew too much about it.

00:31:48Chelsea one.

00:31:50Aston Villa nil.

00:31:51Michel Pedro scores in back-to-back Premier League games for the Blues.

00:32:00Villa have won the most points from losing positions in the Premier League so far this season.

00:32:06They need another turnaround here this evening.

00:32:09Buendia quite into the path of Camara.

00:32:15Now it's Enzo Fernandes.

00:32:18Alejandro Garnaccio.

00:32:20Neto waiting and nearly getting there.

00:32:22And Chelsea actually feel that they've got a case for a penalty here.

00:32:29It's in a natural position for his actions is the VAR verdict.

00:32:33VAR verdict.

00:32:36Palmer.

00:32:42Michel Pedro.

00:32:43Cole Palmer.

00:32:45Lovely ball surely!

00:32:46A goal-saving intervention from John McGinn to prevent Chelsea doubling their lead.

00:32:54Such an inviting delivery.

00:32:56And it was a tap-in for Garnaccio until the Villa skipper stepped in.

00:33:00Chelsea very much in charge but only 1-0 up.

00:33:07Neto.

00:33:11Buffeted by Tiedemans.

00:33:12There's no foul.

00:33:13Chelsea have got the ball anyway.

00:33:14Oh!

00:33:15Rhys James!

00:33:16Forces a fine save.

00:33:17Garnaccio!

00:33:20Rhys James here.

00:33:21I think certainly was going for goal.

00:33:24And credit to the Villa keeper for recovering and then clawing away to safety.

00:33:30His side have been disappointing so far and Unai Emery's making a triple change.

00:33:36Sancho, Inanna and Watkins on with Marlon McGinn and Buendia taken off.

00:33:42Garnaccio galloping up there.

00:33:47He's found Enzo Fernandez.

00:33:48Lovely touch.

00:33:49Al Pedro.

00:33:51Block to where Cole Palmer was actually waiting.

00:33:55And Villa with the chance to hit on the counter.

00:33:57And it's a big chance as well.

00:33:59Watkins.

00:34:00Kamara's up there.

00:34:01And Watkins through here for Kamara.

00:34:03Great work, Sanchez.

00:34:06Nothing to do up until now for Robert Sanchez.

00:34:09But he was out quickly and he was brave at the feet of Kamara to block the route to goal.

00:34:16And keep Chelsea in front by a goal.

00:34:20Picked up by Inanna.

00:34:22Chelsea had just looked a bit ropey in the last few minutes.

00:34:25Rodgers.

00:34:26Great ball.

00:34:27Watkins!

00:34:281-1!

00:34:29It's Oli Watkins again at Stamford Bridge.

00:34:34He's now scored in three of his last four league games here.

00:34:39And our Villa about to come from behind to win again.

00:34:43They've woken up in the last five or ten minutes or so.

00:34:48And now they're back on terms.

00:34:50It's really sloppy from Chelsea.

00:34:52But it's so switched on from Oli Watkins.

00:34:58Great first touch.

00:34:59And then a bit of fortune when the second touch came back off him.

00:35:05And off the post.

00:35:06And in.

00:35:08It's Chelsea 1.

00:35:09Villa 1.

00:35:10Watkins, three minutes after coming on, has levelled it up.

00:35:15Kamara.

00:35:16Sancho.

00:35:20Great stop by Jadon Sancho.

00:35:24Eating up the turf now.

00:35:25And finding Morgan Rodgers.

00:35:27Look at the Claritin blue up there.

00:35:29It's Marksen!

00:35:33Kept at bay by Sanchez.

00:35:36Villa all over Chelsea from out of nowhere.

00:35:41Look at those Villa fans.

00:35:43They believe...

00:35:46Watkins.

00:35:49It's a bit of a shabby pass, but now he's chasing one over the top himself.

00:35:53Watkins could be in here.

00:35:55Caicedo does enough, does he?

00:35:56Watkins!

00:35:58Sanchez had to react smartly to prevent Oli Watkins getting a second goal.

00:36:06Simple ball over the top.

00:36:07But Watkins made the most of it.

00:36:10Worked great for the first hour, but since that triple change,

00:36:13Villa have been on top.

00:36:16Go!

00:36:17Go!

00:36:18Go!

00:36:19Go!

00:36:20Go!

00:36:21Go!

00:36:22Go!

00:36:23Oh, that's come through for Watkins!

00:36:24It's Otley Watkins up against Badia Scheele.

00:36:26Still Watkins!

00:36:27Oh!

00:36:28And it's a corner.

00:36:30It's a corner.

00:36:31Go!

00:36:32Go!

00:36:33Go!

00:36:34Go!

00:36:35Go!

00:36:36Go!

00:36:37At the top!

00:36:38Go!

00:36:39Go!

00:36:40Go!

00:36:42Go!

00:36:43Go!

00:36:44Go!

00:36:45Oli Watkins sends the away end at the bridge into delirium, and puts Villa on course for an 11th straight win.

00:36:59Some head of this from Watkins, up so well, and angled perfectly into the corner.

00:37:07Talk about an impact sub, Oli Watkins at the double, to turn the game on its head, and have Villa heading for yet another victory.

00:37:21But it's Oli Watkins, whose name is hitting the headlines for Villa this evening, rather than Morgan Rodgers.

00:37:31A belated Christmas gift for him, and what a time to be a Villa fan.

00:37:37Villa's incredible victory march goes on.

00:37:44It's now a joint club record, 11 wins in a row.

00:37:50And another sign that they surely have to be in the title race conversation.

00:37:59Chelsea 1, Aston Villa 2.

00:38:01To come on and get the two goals to win is, yeah, it's an amazing feeling, and obviously we're doing unreal in the league.

00:38:13Yeah, we just keep winning, and I don't think we look like slowing down either.

00:38:18Yes, he was social focus, keeping the game plan like we planned, and discipline doing it, and doing his tasks.

00:38:26He's normally getting his numbers, and today scoring goal, of course, fantastic.

00:38:32I think for one hour, we dominated the game.

00:38:35We were very good, until the goal we conceded.

00:38:38Unfortunately, after that, the dynamic of the game changed a little bit, but I think by the time they scored the 1-1, we should have scored two, three more.

00:38:47You have to see yourself as a contender when you look at the table right now.

00:38:51No.

00:38:5138 matches?

00:38:52No, no, no.

00:38:53He's finishing tomorrow?

00:38:55The next match against Arsenal is finishing the league?

00:38:58No.

00:38:58Still, another 20 matches to play.

00:39:00We'll talk about a game of two halves.

00:39:04It was actually more of a game of one particular half an hour for Aston Villa, once Unai Emery had made his changes.

00:39:10Yeah, it was, and I thought the three lads who came on were excellent, and really made a big difference to this Aston Villa team.

00:39:17Unana was a big presence when he came on in the middle of the pitch, winning the ball back, and then that freed up the likes of Morgan Rodgers and Ollie Watkins.

00:39:25But then this pass, the weight on that pass, the detail on that pass is fantastic,

00:39:29and Ollie Watkins has a good first touch.

00:39:32He 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.

00:39:39But Jadon Sancho come into this as well, and I thought we haven't seen much of him this season,

00:39:45but I thought he was excellent when he came on in getting the ball, driving with the ball, and committing to Chelsea defenders.

00:39:50And then they had runners off that, they had Morgan Rodgers making runs in behind, and then this has got to get squared.

00:39:55If this gets squared across the goal, then they get a tap in, and Ollie Watkins here doing what he does best.

00:40:01He's making runs in behind and keeping the Chelsea players on their toes.

00:40:04And again, a little bit of luck, but gets a shot off.

00:40:07And then Unana again, winning the ball back, tackling, aggressive.

00:40:12And then Sancho making the run in off the back of the defenders, and again he gets another shot off.

00:40:18And then Ollie Watkins, a fantastic header, a great corner into the penalty box, and a wonderful letter to go and win the game.

00:40:24So Aston Villa were excellent, especially that last 30 minutes.

00:40:28On Ollie Watkins, no player wants to start a match on the bench, but does he give his manager Unai Emery any kind of dilemma ahead of Arsenal when he makes that kind of impact?

00:40:36He does, and I think we need to see more from him this season, because he has started games and he hasn't scored goals,

00:40:42but he's on the bench today and he's answered his manager in the right way.

00:40:46He scored two goals and won Aston Villa the game.

00:40:48I guess he'll start in the next game.

00:40:50As for Chelsea, Alan, a familiar feeling for their fans today.

00:40:53Yeah, that's the fourth time at home they've been 1-0 up and lost the game,

00:40:58so that has to change if they've got any ambition to get in the top four.

00:41:02OK, well, it was eight games without a win for Bournemouth,

00:41:07who'd never beaten today's opponents, Brentford, in the Premier League.

00:41:10Robin Cowan was at the GTEC Community Stadium.

00:41:14It's been 20 years since Bournemouth beat Brentford away from home,

00:41:17so not the fixture Andoni Iriola would have chosen to end their recent poor spell.

00:41:22The Bees have already triumphed over the Cherries this term in the EFL Cup.

00:41:25In August, Igor Thiago scored at the Vitality that night.

00:41:29He's currently on his longest run without a goal this season.

00:41:32He's failed to net in his last four appearances.

00:41:35As well as their long winless streak,

00:41:37Bournemouth are contemplating life without their most influential player.

00:41:40Antoine Semenu has been involved in 11 of their 26 Premier League goals this season.

00:41:44And speculation is rife that he'll leave during the January transfer window

00:41:48with Man City the favourites to trigger a reported £65 million release clause.

00:41:59Thiago dropping deep to receive, showing really good strength.

00:42:05Plays in, Sharda.

00:42:08Too strong for Diakite, Sharda!

00:42:14A brilliant Brentford goal, showing all their best attributes.

00:42:24Thiago, with the strength and the vision and the execution.

00:42:31Sharda too strong for Diakite, but also had the composure to finish.

00:42:37Sharda has his fourth of the season.

00:42:41Brentford have the lead.

00:42:44Again, another Bournemouth move.

00:42:51Comes to a conclusion.

00:42:53Yarmaluk.

00:42:55Jensen.

00:42:57Tried to pick out Igual Thiago.

00:42:59It's Sharda!

00:43:00The block!

00:43:01Sharda again!

00:43:02And gathered by Petrovic.

00:43:06Well, Brentford really could be three up here.

00:43:07Playing around Bournemouth at will.

00:43:12And that clearance from Sinesi.

00:43:14Straight to Sharda.

00:43:15He got a couple of goes at it.

00:43:17And couldn't beat Petrovic.

00:43:22Kelleher getting there just in the nick of time.

00:43:24Fired upfield.

00:43:28And that's turned into a really good pass for Igual Thiago.

00:43:32Thiago!

00:43:33Oh, it's in!

00:43:40Well, I'm not sure if that will go down as his goal.

00:43:44But the scoreline now reflects Bradford's dominance.

00:43:47And this goal reflects Bournemouth's state at the moment.

00:43:54It was a tight angle.

00:43:57The stricken Bournemouth goalkeeper who could do absolutely nothing about that.

00:44:02And I believe that will go down as a known goal.

00:44:05But all thanks to Thiago's determination.

00:44:11Five minutes before the break.

00:44:13Brentford's lead by two goals to nil.

00:44:19Scott trying to get around Henry.

00:44:23Foul on Alex Scott.

00:44:25And Sharda.

00:44:26Foul on Alex Scott.

00:44:35Tabanilla.

00:44:37One by Collins.

00:44:39And the Edson's touch.

00:44:41Was heavy.

00:44:43And allowed Jimenez to get in.

00:44:44Although, again, Bradford do their defensive work.

00:44:48And they have a three on two.

00:44:51Sharda making good ground.

00:44:53Thiago picks it up.

00:44:54Sharda!

00:45:01Devastating.

00:45:07From one end to the other.

00:45:11Bournemouth are punished.

00:45:13With ruthless efficiency.

00:45:16By Brentford.

00:45:18It looked like the move had broken down here.

00:45:20Jimenez got a foot in.

00:45:22Thiago involved once again.

00:45:24And Sharda has his second.

00:45:31And that should be the game for Brentford.

00:45:37Alex Scott.

00:45:38Allowed to progress so far.

00:45:41But then it's the red and white wall in front of them.

00:45:47Hard to break down.

00:45:48Brooks delivers, though.

00:45:50Just wide.

00:45:52Eva Nilsson with the effort.

00:45:54And a corner has been given.

00:45:56So congested in that penalty area.

00:45:58Oh, it's off the post.

00:46:06It just won't happen for Bournemouth.

00:46:11Whipped in by Brooks.

00:46:14And Justin Cliver denied.

00:46:16Jimenez.

00:46:17And he's still going.

00:46:28Semenyo!

00:46:28Oh!

00:46:31Bournemouth have one back.

00:46:33And he's barely had a kick.

00:46:36They've marshalled him so well through the entirety of this game.

00:46:41Antoine Semenyo.

00:46:41But that is his quality.

00:46:44Back heel.

00:46:46From Semenyo.

00:46:47Who hasn't been disheartened by the fact that he's been pretty much marked out of the game.

00:46:52Ayer down the line for Damsgaard.

00:47:03Releases just in time to find Yarmaluk.

00:47:06Damsgaard.

00:47:07Jan Elton a bit of space here.

00:47:10No one closing him down.

00:47:11The deflection!

00:47:12Off the post!

00:47:14Oh!

00:47:15Keeg Lewis Potter!

00:47:18Well, let's have a look at this.

00:47:21He's onside.

00:47:22It was a really good save in the first instance.

00:47:25What a miss from Keeg Lewis Potter.

00:47:41Damsgaard.

00:47:43Feeds Henderson.

00:47:46Back in for Damsgaard.

00:47:47Sharder!

00:47:51Game set.

00:47:53Match.

00:47:54And a hat-trick for Kevin Sharder.

00:47:57He doubles his goal tally for the season in one afternoon.

00:48:03As Bournemouth pushed forward.

00:48:06They were light.

00:48:09Sharder on the move.

00:48:11As Damsgaard on the stretch found him.

00:48:13A memorable evening for Kevin Sharder and for Brentford.

00:48:19An impressive victory for the Bees.

00:48:21I accept that you can lose games.

00:48:25Today is a very difficult game.

00:48:26But if we are playing in the second half, perfect.

00:48:28We take it.

00:48:29You know, sometimes you have to accept.

00:48:30But we have to look at ourselves.

00:48:32Why we were 45 minutes late today to start the game.

00:48:37And primarily we need 100% from everyone.

00:48:40And today was not like this in the beginning.

00:48:43Do you feel like you're proving some doubters wrong?

00:48:46Is that motivation for you?

00:48:48Or do you find that from somewhere else?

00:48:50Yeah, I don't really feel people doubt me as a reason to be motivated, to be honest.

00:48:57It's not the reason I've got to this stage in my life.

00:49:01So, no, I just focus on what I can control.

00:49:05What we can do here on a day-to-day basis, week-to-week basis.

00:49:07Keep growing the team.

00:49:09Keep growing the football club.

00:49:10And see where we go with that.

00:49:11The first one was like, yeah, I just tripped it.

00:49:16The second one was so quick.

00:49:19I didn't even think.

00:49:20I just tried to hit it.

00:49:22And then, yeah, the header, I saw Dumsey and thought, like, yeah, please cross it.

00:49:26He did.

00:49:27And I just hit it in.

00:49:29A day to cherish for Charder.

00:49:32He didn't necessarily sound like it was, though.

00:49:35Not a load of enthusiasm.

00:49:36Can you do with any more for us?

00:49:38Absolutely outstanding.

00:49:39As were Brentford.

00:49:40I mean, they were direct at times.

00:49:43And when I say direct, I don't mean there was a load of long balls.

00:49:46We know Bournemouth liked to press high.

00:49:48So the way to beat that press is, on the odd occasion, go long.

00:49:52Particularly when you've got someone with a strength of Thiago and the pace of Charder that's prepared to run in behind there.

00:49:58You can see the both of them working together.

00:50:00Brilliant first touch and a great turn.

00:50:02Not a bad ball in behind either.

00:50:04And that's them on the way.

00:50:06So that's OK.

00:50:07That might be being direct with long ball.

00:50:10But, I mean, with speed and with pace and with everything else that you have to do to beat a team that wants to press.

00:50:16There's no messing around.

00:50:17It's get it in behind, as I said, when you've got the willing runners like that.

00:50:21And Thiago's really unlucky here.

00:50:23I mean, it's given as a known goal.

00:50:25But he sort of creates all of that.

00:50:27It's him that helps put it in the back of the net.

00:50:29Just look where those two start.

00:50:32And then have a look at the five of them when they finish.

00:50:34Because this is what I mean about the pace and the determination to get forward quickly.

00:50:39You can see those two.

00:50:40But there's five of them end up in Bournemouth box here.

00:50:44Ready to put the ball in the back of the net.

00:50:46Great ball in and a really clever finish once again.

00:50:50And Henderson came on running in behind.

00:50:52Again, the ball in behind.

00:50:54But they just can't do anything about it, Bournemouth.

00:50:56Because they just didn't get it right at all.

00:50:59And Brentford really deserved the points.

00:51:02They were absolutely superb there.

00:51:04Damsgaard with the ball in.

00:51:06How do you want it on a plate for your hat-trick?

00:51:09And, I mean, Brentford are up to eighth.

00:51:11What a season they have.

00:51:12And it really is impressive.

00:51:13Yeah, they have had some incredible form of late.

00:51:17Well, actually, through the whole season, really.

00:51:19And two points better off, Alan, than they were this stage last season.

00:51:24Yeah, particularly with who they've lost.

00:51:25And it seems to have said so many times about what they've lost.

00:51:26Particularly who they lost in the summer, you know.

00:51:29So, to go and to be better and play some of the football that they're playing and their goals.

00:51:34So impressive, yeah.

00:51:35OK, thank you very much.

00:51:36Well, Liverpool faced Wolves the first time since the death of Diogo Jota.

00:51:41Who, of course, represented both clubs with distinction.

00:51:44Jota's family were at Anfield with two of his children among the mascots.

00:51:48Your commentator, Guy Mowbray.

00:51:51The Ogo Jota's two sons, Denis and Duarte, accompany Virgil van Dijk out onto the Anfield turf, on which their father used to shine.

00:52:02Wolves fans need no reminding of his talents either.

00:52:05In a three-year stay with them, he more than helped them to promotion.

00:52:09And then two top-half Premier League finishers.

00:52:12For Liverpool, two changes.

00:52:14Jeremy Frimpong comes in for Conor Bradley.

00:52:17And Federico Chiesa replaces the suspended Dominic Saboslai.

00:52:21The Wolves team, four changes.

00:52:23Tolu Arakadari takes over from out-of-form Jürgen Strand Larsson.

00:52:27And there's a first start in the team for 18-year-old Matthias Mane.

00:52:36Witt.

00:52:38Nikitique.

00:52:40Brilliantly found.

00:52:41A lot to do.

00:52:43Oh, he nearly did it.

00:52:44Jose Sarr was grasping thin air.

00:52:50Beautifully weighted pass to him.

00:52:52And a really clever attempt to craft the finish.

00:52:55In between the two, past the goalkeeper, inches away.

00:53:00Wolves on their longest losing run in their illustrious history.

00:53:0511 in a row, 10 of those in the Premier League.

00:53:08This is a worry for Wolves.

00:53:10And Chiesa has caught Tolu Arakadari.

00:53:15A sore one, but in the view of the officials, not a sinister one.

00:53:19And the slot certainly not underestimating his team's opponents today.

00:53:23Saying about Wolves, they've come closer and closer to results.

00:53:26And there's a challenge to every Premier League game.

00:53:32Mane.

00:53:33Good attempt.

00:53:34Well saved by Alisson.

00:53:36The teenager sparks into life in the Premier League for the first time.

00:53:41And wouldn't that be a thing?

00:53:42Mane scoring at Anfield against Liverpool.

00:53:46And Edwards, who is one of those unlucky or lucky people who celebrates a Christmas Day birthday.

00:53:52Just turned 43.

00:53:53And it's Wolves fans on 90 minutes who start with the big booming chant of Diogo.

00:54:04And when the clock ticks around to 20, Liverpool fans will serenade their former star as well.

00:54:11Well this is quite something.

00:54:13This really is.

00:54:14The whole of the ground standing and chanting and singing about the late Diogo Jota.

00:54:19I think he'll be happy-ish with the way things are going.

00:54:27Liverpool kept out.

00:54:29That's the thing that will please him most.

00:54:32Mateusz Mane's had one shot on target at the other end.

00:54:35And he's in business again here.

00:54:38And doing really well.

00:54:40That one's not on target.

00:54:41But how about this young man's confidence?

00:54:44He's the bright Wolves' light today.

00:54:48It's only his eighth senior game.

00:54:50His first from the start.

00:54:52And he could be forgiven for giving up on this season.

00:54:55But a full compliment has come to Anfield today.

00:54:57And I'm sure they'll carry on travelling everywhere for the whole of the rest of the season.

00:55:02And he's a foul by Van Dijk.

00:55:10Frimpong.

00:55:11Drifts away from João Gomes and takes on Hugo Bueno.

00:55:14And pulls it back for Gravenberg.

00:55:17Liverpool lead.

00:55:21Double dodge.

00:55:23Frimpong's assist for Gravenberg's finish.

00:55:25What a run this is from Jeremy Frimpong.

00:55:30Mind you, the finish isn't bad, is it?

00:55:32Eye of a needle job from Gravenberg.

00:55:35No chance for Jose Saar.

00:55:38And what started as slim chance has become even slimmer chance for Wolves.

00:55:46Nekatike.

00:55:50Nekatike through to Florian Beerts!

00:55:55There's the moment he's been waiting for.

00:55:59Florian Beerts' first for the club is back.

00:56:04And the Anfield crowd appreciates the graft he's had to put in

00:56:09to acclimatise to the Premier League,

00:56:11to become a player worthy of wearing that Liverpool No. 7 shirt.

00:56:17He's getting there.

00:56:18Big boots to follow.

00:56:20But that first goal won't help.

00:56:25Marnie.

00:56:26Arokodare.

00:56:27Marnie feels away wanting the return.

00:56:29There was no way past Van Dijk.

00:56:31But a Wolves corner and they're showing signs of intent

00:56:34at the start of the second half.

00:56:36They did at the start of the first as well.

00:56:38One goal at Anfield might turn the tide.

00:56:42One goal delivers.

00:56:44Alisson can't get through.

00:56:45Makes the first save.

00:56:46But the follow-up is put in by Santiago Bueno.

00:56:49And it all started because the corner was delivered so well that Alisson felt he couldn't go and get it.

00:57:02Nicely saved at first, but patted down straight to the feet of Santiago Bueno.

00:57:07And Bueno scores for Wolves for only the second time to make it Liverpool 2, Wolves 1.

00:57:15The Reds are just a little bit rattled.

00:57:18Frimpong.

00:57:23Lugo Bueno has one go.

00:57:25Second go didn't stop him either.

00:57:27Corner.

00:57:27Well, Jeremy Frimpong has certainly been a player to excite Liverpool fans today.

00:57:38Mac Alistair with the corner.

00:57:40Something different.

00:57:41Wirtz!

00:57:43Blocked him behind, but there might not have been a deflection.

00:57:47I think it was a double hit from Florian Wirtz.

00:57:52Yeah, he kicked it onto his standing foot.

00:57:53And it's wide from Gravenberg.

00:58:08He was waiting to...

00:58:10He felt he might have been fouled in the process of trying to strike.

00:58:14Lovely footwork again from Florian Wirtz.

00:58:17Gravenberg managed to hold off Mane.

00:58:20And mis-kick the shot.

00:58:21Gomez now finds Muller-Wulfa.

00:58:32Strand-Larsen.

00:58:33Joe Gomez.

00:58:36Here's Chachua.

00:58:37And Erika Dare!

00:58:38That was a huge chance for Wolves.

00:58:44They worked it brilliantly.

00:58:47All that was lacking was the finish.

00:58:50Liverpool fans, young and old, like kids on Christmas Eve.

00:58:53But the time can't go quickly enough.

00:58:58Hooked on by Erika Dare to Strand-Larsen.

00:59:02Strand-Larsen across!

00:59:04What a tackle by Bradley.

00:59:06John Arias was about to fire Wolves' level.

00:59:10How many times must Liverpool have the warning shots?

00:59:14They are living very dangerously indeed against the Premier League's bottom club.

00:59:21The players are giving everything.

00:59:22They're trying really hard as well.

00:59:23And they are showing that they're not caving in.

00:59:27They're not going under.

00:59:27You're 2-0 down at Anfield.

00:59:29But, you know, we fought back to make a real game of it.

00:59:32And then we're pushing for an equaliser.

00:59:33So, you can see they're not going under.

00:59:34They're trying.

00:59:35And there are signs of improvement there.

00:59:37There's no doubt about it.

00:59:38But ultimately, this game is about getting points.

00:59:40And we've not been able to get that so far.

00:59:42I was confident that I will score one day.

00:59:45But, of course, I wanted to start earlier, scoring and assisting.

00:59:51But it was like this.

00:59:53And I have to accept it.

00:59:54I just know that it will come.

00:59:57And I just try to keep going like that.

00:59:59What was it like having Diogo Joss' children here today?

01:00:03No, that was, again, special.

01:00:04After a tragedy happened till now, I've seen so many special moments where the fans remembered him or our players conducted themselves unbelievable in all these circumstances.

01:00:15And it was, again, special today to see his children being the mascot and how emotional it was, I think, already before the game, but also definitely in the 20th minute.

01:00:27Yeah, another emotional day today at Anfield.

01:00:30But Liverpool did get the win and a first goal for Florian Wurtz.

01:00:33Are we starting to see, Wayne, the best of him, do you think?

01:00:36Yeah, I think we are.

01:00:37And I think he's had some really good performances this season, but he just hasn't got the goals to go with them.

01:00:42And he was really impressive today.

01:00:44He took up some great positions.

01:00:46He was going out wide.

01:00:47He was coming in the middle of the pitch.

01:00:49And he's starting to get a real good understanding with Kirk, as we see him here.

01:00:54But I think just some of the positions he was picking up, he was causing Wolves problems all game.

01:00:58You see him here in behind the Wolves midfield.

01:01:01And then Eketike with a great run.

01:01:02It's a wonderful pass.

01:01:04And Eketike is unlucky with his finish.

01:01:07So he's shown glimpses of being a top, top player, which I think he can be for Liverpool.

01:01:12And again here with Kirk, as that's brilliant from Eketike.

01:01:17And then Wurtz pulling off the shoulder.

01:01:18That's a wonderful pass again from Eketike.

01:01:21And then a good finish.

01:01:22And then, as we see here, he's willing to run back and put the work in for his teammates.

01:01:30He's defending his own penalty box.

01:01:32And then he's out wide, blocking crosses.

01:01:35So, again here with Kirk, as the understanding they're getting is really good.

01:01:41And some great skill here in the penalty box.

01:01:44And then he's unlucky not to get the third goal.

01:01:47So, I thought he was excellent today.

01:01:48Yeah, and is there a particular challenge, do you think?

01:01:52You've played with players who've come from the Bundesliga.

01:01:55That that league presents in terms of how you adapt to the Premier League.

01:01:59Yeah, I remember Bastian Swansager when he first joined Manchester United.

01:02:04And he was surprised at the pace of the Premier League.

01:02:07And he liked to get his foot on the ball and slow the game down.

01:02:10And, you know, sometimes you need time to adapt to it.

01:02:13Yeah.

01:02:14Okay.

01:02:15Well, the last time West Ham had just 13 points at Christmas.

01:02:18They were relegated.

01:02:19Fulham were looking to win three in a row for the first time this season.

01:02:22Simon Brotherton was at the London Stadium.

01:02:25West Ham have won six of the last seven home meetings with Fulham.

01:02:29And how they need another three points today.

01:02:32But the visitors travel across London in fine form.

01:02:35And have won their last two away from home.

01:02:38Nuno Espirito Santo goes with the same 11 that started last week's defeat at Manchester City.

01:02:43Jared Bowen has scored in six of the last dozen home matches in the Premier League.

01:02:48But hasn't been on the winning side in any of them.

01:02:50Fulham were waiting on the fitness of Harry Wilson, who suffered a bang on the knee against Forrest last Monday.

01:02:55But he's been declared fit to start in an unchanged 11.

01:02:59Raul Jimenez scored the winner in the last game and has enjoyed plenty of success in the past against today's opponents, scoring six times.

01:03:07West Ham going into Christmas week with 13 points so far this season.

01:03:15The joint lowest over Christmas in a season in the Premier League.

01:03:22Lukic who finds Jimenez.

01:03:23Little look around and he sees Wilson away to his right.

01:03:27Tete is there in support.

01:03:28Wilson's going to look for an angle to get a shot in.

01:03:30And it was a terrific one as well.

01:03:32And an excellent fingertip save from Alphonse Arriola.

01:03:36Struck beautifully by Harry Wilson.

01:03:40Saved superbly by Arriola.

01:03:43Fernandes finds Bowen.

01:03:44Whipping that one in with Venom.

01:03:47Good header under pressure there from Anderson.

01:03:50Bowen challenges.

01:03:52Tadebo collects.

01:03:54West Ham start to threaten.

01:03:56Bowen looks to unleash it.

01:04:01Vendleno tested for the first time in the match.

01:04:06This, by the way, is the sixth London derby of the season for West Ham.

01:04:09They've lost all five so far.

01:04:13Intercepted by Jean-Claire Tadebo in the nick of time.

01:04:16Nicely done.

01:04:17Mateus Fernandes.

01:04:18And Paqueta away to Scarls.

01:04:21Who looks for Jared Bowen.

01:04:24Bowen in for West Ham.

01:04:25And it's just, just denied.

01:04:29But the flag has gone up.

01:04:31It was a tight one.

01:04:32He's just offside.

01:04:34It was a good save.

01:04:37The crowd a bit more energised by the efforts of their team.

01:04:40Paqueta.

01:04:41Well, that was an interesting one there.

01:04:43Paqueta going to ground.

01:04:44The referee initially not looking as though he was about to award a free kick at all.

01:04:49Not the heaviest of touches.

01:04:52Now, what can West Ham do with this one?

01:04:54Freddie Potts sends it in.

01:04:56Kilman getting up well.

01:04:57Somerville.

01:04:58Oh!

01:04:59And Magasa was right on the line.

01:05:03Potts floating it into the penalty area.

01:05:05Prodigious leap from Kilman.

01:05:08West Ham knocking on Fulham's door here.

01:05:10Two wins in the last three games for Marco Silva's team.

01:05:20Anderson's going to have a go.

01:05:22Areola keeps it out.

01:05:23Wilson's almost in and able to pounce.

01:05:25Well, that suddenly turned into a very tricky moment there for Alphonse Areola.

01:05:30Anderson, who hasn't scored since the third round of the FA Cup,

01:05:32right at the start of the year,

01:05:34almost had himself a goal in the last few days of 2025.

01:05:38Wrapped up on a chilly afternoon.

01:05:43Not been a great fixture over the years in modern times for Fulham.

01:05:47This one, West Ham away.

01:05:48They've only won on one of their last 14 visits in the Premier League.

01:05:57Oh, Magasa's done really well here.

01:06:00Good save by Leno.

01:06:01Wilson goes down.

01:06:02Fulham get it away.

01:06:03And Jimenez has it.

01:06:05Kevin is ahead of him now.

01:06:06And that's a vital interception off the heel of Jean-Claire Todibo.

01:06:11West Ham throw.

01:06:12Kevin thought it was his.

01:06:15And here comes Walker-Peters now.

01:06:19The chase for Magasa.

01:06:21And it's just gone wide.

01:06:23And West Ham so close to breaking the deadlock.

01:06:31Magasa did really well.

01:06:32Sending it across the face of the goal.

01:06:34The save there by Bernd Leno.

01:06:36And then the second one here.

01:06:42The flick from Jared Bowen.

01:06:44Just past the post.

01:06:48Magasa loses it.

01:06:50Smith-Rowe.

01:06:50Here's Sasha Lukic.

01:06:52Support from Robinson.

01:06:54Five Fulham players inside the box.

01:06:58It was a stretch for Kilman.

01:06:59But he's able to get it away.

01:07:04Callum Wilson collecting.

01:07:05Wilson looks to be away from Cuenca.

01:07:07It's Callum Wilson.

01:07:09And it's just wide.

01:07:12They certainly look more threatening though.

01:07:14Joachim Anderson.

01:07:22Nicely done.

01:07:23Wilson sending it across.

01:07:26They'll get a second a chance to do so.

01:07:28And it's Raul Jimenez again.

01:07:32With five minutes to go.

01:07:34Right place.

01:07:35Right time.

01:07:351-0 Fulham.

01:07:37Harry Wilson sent it across.

01:07:39Initially cut out.

01:07:40Second opportunity.

01:07:42And it was beautifully flighted.

01:07:43And Jimenez pounced.

01:07:46It's what he does.

01:07:47And it might be the goal.

01:07:49To secure another away win for Fulham.

01:07:51In what is turning out to be an excellent spell.

01:07:55In this Premier League season for them.

01:07:57But what a hammer blow for the hosts.

01:08:00It wasn't the greatest game.

01:08:02It was a few chances.

01:08:04But not a lot happened in the game.

01:08:07So I feel like from our point of view.

01:08:08If we can't win it.

01:08:10Let's not lose it.

01:08:11But we also knew that it was going to take maybe.

01:08:13A mistake from them.

01:08:15Or a moment from us.

01:08:16And yeah.

01:08:17It was great when I put that ball in.

01:08:18To see Raul waiting.

01:08:19And I knew from there he was going to find the back limit.

01:08:22Raul again.

01:08:23He gives everything for the shirt.

01:08:25He's a very hard worker.

01:08:26His work ethic.

01:08:27He's unbelievable for a player at this age.

01:08:29He needs goals like all the strikers in the world.

01:08:30And he goes to get the boost of confidence.

01:08:32And to be more confident on the pitch.

01:08:34I'm very pleased for him.

01:08:35Because he deserves all the credits.

01:08:36What a tough one to take so late in the game.

01:08:39So little time to do anything about it.

01:08:41Yeah.

01:08:42He comes after some chances that we have during the second half.

01:08:47And we've been punished by a mistake.

01:08:49And we lose the game.

01:08:50The player looked very upset at the end.

01:08:53Yes.

01:08:53Of course.

01:08:54Of course.

01:08:54He cares a lot.

01:08:55Of course.

01:08:56Everybody cares.

01:08:57And it's not about that.

01:08:59It's about the situation that we are.

01:09:02And everything bad happens to us.

01:09:06We have to react.

01:09:07The good part is that we play another game into game in today's time.

01:09:11So another chance to give back to our offense.

01:09:13Well, we should say, first of all, a great result for Fulham.

01:09:17That's three wins on the bounce for them.

01:09:19Into the top half of the table.

01:09:20It didn't seem so long ago that they were having a really rocky time.

01:09:24But, of course, today they exploited a bit of inexperience in that West Ham.

01:09:27Yeah.

01:09:27And that's what's cost West Ham today.

01:09:29As you said, great win for Fulham.

01:09:30But young Oli Sculls get sort of dragged out of position there.

01:09:34Which, OK.

01:09:35Then they recover.

01:09:37They get in behind.

01:09:38But it's the next error that is the one.

01:09:41That's the one that is going to be looked at.

01:09:43And brilliant ball in from Harry Wilson.

01:09:46And a great header.

01:09:47But, you know, that won't be his last mistake at all.

01:09:51Everyone's made mistakes.

01:09:53As tough as it is, you have to get over it.

01:09:55And what I would say, as upset as he is,

01:09:58is 11 defeats this year at home for West Ham is not his fault.

01:10:03And the league position they're in at the moment is not his fault.

01:10:06So, as tough as it is, he has to get over it.

01:10:09What would you say to him, Wayne, as a senior pro?

01:10:11Yeah, you've just got to move on from here.

01:10:14You know, we've all made mistakes as players.

01:10:16And obviously that mistake has cost a goal.

01:10:19And you'll have to move on quickly.

01:10:20As this man just said, they've got another game coming up very shortly.

01:10:23Yeah.

01:10:23OK, thank you very much.

01:10:26Well, Burnley were seven points from safety ahead of kick-off against Everton.

01:10:29Stephen Wyeth was at Turf Moor.

01:10:31The first of two festive home games to offer Burnley hope of stimulating a recovery.

01:10:38Three changes from the side that ended a run of seven successive defeats.

01:10:42In come Armando Breuer, who scored the equaliser at Bournemouth.

01:10:45And Marcus Edwards and Bashir Humphreys for full Premier League debuts.

01:10:50Everton's incentive is the paltry five-point gap between them and the top four.

01:10:54However, David Moyes' options are further limited by the absence of Jack Grealish with what he described as a virus.

01:11:01Tyler Dibbling replaces him with Beto getting a first start since October.

01:11:05Both of these clubs have been guilty of lethargy at this time of the year.

01:11:12Six defeats in seven between Christmas and New Year for Burnley.

01:11:16Everton are winless in six.

01:11:19That's tremendous work from Breuer.

01:11:26Armando Breuer.

01:11:28Kind of like a man possessed, but losing out there.

01:11:31And Alcalá's can carry it forward for Everton, who are going rapidly from one end of the field to the other.

01:11:41Dibbling.

01:11:43Oh, it's flashed agonisingly across the face of goal.

01:11:47Beto so close to a decisive touch.

01:11:51First time that Tyler Dibbling has got on the ball in a threatening position for Everton.

01:11:57This is certainly the closest that we've come to a goal so far.

01:12:00But considering how many goals his side have given up in recent times,

01:12:05the fact that they haven't conceded in the first half

01:12:08will certainly be the silver lining that Scott Parker is squinting at.

01:12:16Kyle Walker has done well.

01:12:19Edwards.

01:12:20It's fortunate the ball bounced to Uga Chukwu and then back towards him.

01:12:24And then the pass is sensational.

01:12:26And Jakob Brun Larsson has lifted a glorious chance over the crossbar.

01:12:32Will Scott Parker's side get a better opportunity than that?

01:12:36Brun Larsson, given the benefit of the doubt that he was onside,

01:12:40and has Pickford advanced.

01:12:42And with plenty of the goal to lift the ball into.

01:12:47Instead, he cleared the frame.

01:12:50His team have given him some hope.

01:12:54Here we go Chukwu.

01:12:56Florentino.

01:12:57Oh, taken away from him.

01:13:01Irribunan.

01:13:02Chances for Everton, no doubt about it.

01:13:04Irribunan for Dwight McNeil.

01:13:06Irribunan.

01:13:07Oh, so clever from Beto.

01:13:09And it's taken exceptional reactions from De Branca to turn the ball aside.

01:13:14Well, he's been struggling for goals, Beto.

01:13:18But he so nearly brilliantly conjured one there.

01:13:22Well, they have huffed and puffed, have Burnley.

01:13:25They say they have been better defensively today than of late.

01:13:28They haven't been able to marry that.

01:13:30He's scoring at the other end.

01:13:33Super pass from Garner.

01:13:34Antiano Barry is in.

01:13:36And Buckford, De Branca, would have put Everton in front.

01:13:42Antiano Barry off the bench.

01:13:45And very nearly placing the ball beyond the reach at the Branca.

01:13:50Dibling's going to get this for Everton.

01:13:53And now he's got Lucas Pires momentarily isolated.

01:13:57He's away from him.

01:13:58And still going.

01:13:59Dibling.

01:14:00Collision.

01:14:01Everton free kick.

01:14:04Greg Poulsen just gave himself a moment or two to consider that decision.

01:14:09Garner and McNeil standing over the free kick.

01:14:11And will be McNeil whipping it in.

01:14:16And it took a glance to send the ball just beyond the far post.

01:14:21And that touch was Sopha Burnley defender.

01:14:23That was vicious from McNeil.

01:14:25Garner with the corner.

01:14:28De Branca comes.

01:14:29Tyler Dibling.

01:14:31Charged down.

01:14:34And then as he half appeals for handball, he's then stirred back into action.

01:14:40And there is a check in the background for whether or not this is worthy of a penalty kick.

01:14:45Ferocious shot from Dibling.

01:14:47And I don't think there's any debate over whether or not the ball struck the arm here of Jadon Anthony.

01:14:52It's whether or not it struck his arm in an unnatural position to Burnley's considerable relief.

01:15:00That has been quite quickly checked and cleared.

01:15:03No penalty.

01:15:04Final minute of the 90.

01:15:10Garner.

01:15:13Patterson.

01:15:14That would have been a story.

01:15:17Moments after his long-awaited reintroduction.

01:15:21Jadon Anthony.

01:15:22There's a chance here for Burnley.

01:15:23Zian Fleming is in.

01:15:25And has come as close to scoring as it is possible to come.

01:15:33It might have taken some unpicking as to whether or not Fleming was offside.

01:15:37The on-field decision was that he had gone beyond the defensive line.

01:15:42The Burnley substitute this close to stroking the ball into the back of the net.

01:15:49It has finished at Turf Moor.

01:15:50Burnley 0.

01:15:51Everton 0.

01:15:52David, what's your initial assessment of that?

01:15:54A slow burner that comes out.

01:15:56No, you wouldn't want to watch too much of that, I don't think.

01:15:58Certainly from our point of view, you know, Burnley might have different thoughts on how they were.

01:16:02But from our point of view, it wasn't a good performance.

01:16:05And we have been playing quite well recently.

01:16:08But today wasn't one of our best.

01:16:10I thought we was a dominant team today.

01:16:12I thought we showed an endeavour about us.

01:16:14We showed a will about us.

01:16:15We understood where we currently are and what we need to be.

01:16:18And for that, that's progression really for this group.

01:16:21So while, of course, we can be a little bit downbeat in terms of the chances we created and not putting them away,

01:16:29we've created them.

01:16:31And we've also took a very good team here right to it, really.

01:16:35So, yeah, I'm encouraged by that.

01:16:37Back-to-back draws for Burnley, but with so many key players missing for Everton, was that a missed opportunity for Scott Parker's team?

01:16:45Yeah, I think it was.

01:16:45And, you know, Everton had Jack Grealish out, N'Day, Garner Guy, Dewsbury Hall.

01:16:49So I think it was a missed opportunity, a good chance for Burnley to pick up three points.

01:16:55And they were wasteful.

01:16:57Burnle Larson here, he's got a great opportunity to score and he's wasted that opportunity.

01:17:03And then, this one right at the end, whether he was onside or offside, remains to be seen.

01:17:09But he has to score.

01:17:12And Burnley had 16, if you look at, he had 16 shots today and not one on target.

01:17:19I expect the goals today was up, it was 1.65 and touches in the opposition's box was high as well.

01:17:26But no shots on target from 16, that's not good enough.

01:17:30A nice trip to St James' Park next.

01:17:32Oh, no, they're at home.

01:17:34Sorry, they're home turf more.

01:17:35Yeah, OK, well, that changes everything then.

01:17:38OK, time for last night's action.

01:17:40No team had won more games on Boxing Day than Manchester United

01:17:43and no team had lost more games than Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

01:17:47Tom Gale was at Old Trafford.

01:17:50Ruben Amorim says it's impossible to replace Bruno Fernandes.

01:17:54Statistically, the Premier League's most creative player this season

01:17:57who could miss the next five games,

01:18:00easily the longest absence of his Manchester United career.

01:18:04With no Ahmed and Mbumo,

01:18:05Matthias Kunja is the clear threat

01:18:07and looking to score in a third consecutive game.

01:18:11Newcastle have their own injury concerns with six defenders out.

01:18:15Louis Miley continues to fill in at right back.

01:18:17Jacob Murphy makes his 200th Premier League appearance.

01:18:21Nick Pote returns on the bench after a month out with a groin problem.

01:18:25Volta Mardin, a little bit of luck there for the German.

01:18:32Gordon, Volta Mardin, Dorgou tracking back

01:18:36at the expense of Newcastle's first corner.

01:18:40Tonali to take in front of the Stretford end.

01:18:49Towards the near post and flicked on and saved!

01:18:51Lamins with a smart stop.

01:18:57Gimaraish with the header.

01:18:59And he's down low.

01:19:01Center Lamins.

01:19:02Sheska will apply the pressure to Chab.

01:19:08Does enough.

01:19:11Finds Kunja.

01:19:13Kunja to run it.

01:19:14Malik Chab.

01:19:16Goes low!

01:19:18And denied by Ramsdale.

01:19:20See the captors get in there.

01:19:22Matthias Kunja, whether or not he'd go for the shot or the cross.

01:19:26And the English goalkeeper down well to make the save.

01:19:30Dallot with the long throw.

01:19:33Volta Mardin's head.

01:19:35Dorgou!

01:19:39A Christmas cracker from Patrick Dorgou.

01:19:44What a memorable way to score your first Manchester United goal.

01:19:50Dallot's throw.

01:19:52Volta Mardin.

01:19:53He makes the first contact, but Dorgou with excellent technique.

01:20:00He hits that crisp as you like through traffic.

01:20:04Ramsdale sees it late.

01:20:08Feint appeals for offside, but the goal stands.

01:20:14Former Manchester United player Darren Fletcher was appointed head coach of the under-18s over the summer.

01:20:20Proud night for him, with twin sons Jack and Tyler on the home bench.

01:20:26Lamont.

01:20:28This clearance hangs in the air.

01:20:30Benefited Sheshka.

01:20:32Kunja skips away.

01:20:34Finds Dorgou.

01:20:36Dorgou.

01:20:37Against Shear.

01:20:38Goes for goal!

01:20:38And denied by Ramsdale.

01:20:40And by Kunja.

01:20:45Comes low.

01:20:46Ramsdale makes the save.

01:20:48Gimaraes.

01:20:52Gimaraes.

01:20:53Tervant on the ball.

01:20:54Sheshko.

01:20:55Flag has stayed down.

01:20:57Benjamin Sheshko!

01:20:58Rattles the crossbar.

01:21:01Gimaraes, of all people, guilty of trying to do too much.

01:21:05Ugarthi read his movements.

01:21:08Falls to Sheshko.

01:21:09On his left foot.

01:21:11Could have sensed that he wanted it on his right.

01:21:14Sees there's no option to get that strike off, so goes with his left.

01:21:22Zerxie.

01:21:23Can't make it stick.

01:21:25Hall.

01:21:27Drop of the shoulder to get away from Ugarthi.

01:21:29Lemis Hall hits the crossbar.

01:21:33Still not cleared.

01:21:35Gimaraes.

01:21:38Murphy's cross is a deep one.

01:21:40Yarrow.

01:21:42Hall again.

01:21:43Let's fly.

01:21:45Blocked by Manchester United.

01:21:47And it is a Newcastle United corner.

01:21:50Lamont is certainly beaten.

01:21:53As it rattles the crossbar.

01:21:57Corner comes in.

01:21:58Dallow's head.

01:21:59A share.

01:22:00Is that blocked by his own man?

01:22:01Appeals for handball.

01:22:02Vultamane.

01:22:04Chow took a swing.

01:22:07Pulse lips.

01:22:10Manchester United and Newcastle United player are down.

01:22:13And the referee stops play.

01:22:16Newcastle United are appealing for handball.

01:22:19And it does involve Lissandro Martinez.

01:22:25It does make contact with his arm.

01:22:28But I'm not sure what he can do there.

01:22:31VAR checks and cleared.

01:22:33They are happy with the on-field decision.

01:22:41Picked the way through here.

01:22:43Gordon with a chance.

01:22:44Oh!

01:22:45And it's just rolled straight across the Manchester United six-yard box.

01:22:53That was his moment there, Anthony Gordon.

01:22:55And it's just rolled straight across the country.

01:22:57And it's a clear yellow card for the Italian.

01:23:13Martinez spots Dallow.

01:23:16Finds Dallow.

01:23:17Good first touch!

01:23:19Shot for!

01:23:21What a moment.

01:23:24Excellent spot from the Manchester United captain Martinez.

01:23:28Look at that first touch.

01:23:30Could that come back to haunt Manchester United here on Boxing Day?

01:23:33Well, it's been far from pretty at times.

01:23:47But Ruben Amarim secures a first home win since the 25th of October.

01:23:52Full-time Manchester United one.

01:23:54Newcastle United nil.

01:23:55I felt we should have come away with something.

01:23:58But we only have ourselves to blame for that.

01:24:01It's a frustrating game.

01:24:02Because I thought in the first half,

01:24:03I thought it was there for us to grab.

01:24:05And we didn't.

01:24:05I was disappointed with our performance at halftime.

01:24:08Second half was a lot stronger.

01:24:09I thought we dominated the game.

01:24:10In terms of possession and chances.

01:24:12And it was just that elusive first goal for us.

01:24:14I think if we get it at any stage in the game,

01:24:16the win's there for us.

01:24:17But we didn't.

01:24:18And they defended well.

01:24:19It felt amazing.

01:24:20I just want to thank God.

01:24:22Thank my family and me as well.

01:24:24To keep working hard.

01:24:25Even though it's been tough the last recent weeks.

01:24:28And yeah, just keep going.

01:24:29And build more confidence for this.

01:24:31It was the opposite of many games that we had.

01:24:34Especially at home when we play better.

01:24:37We create more chances.

01:24:38And we didn't get the three points.

01:24:40Today I think it was the opposite.

01:24:41I think we did a good, just good first half.

01:24:45And then the second half we suffered.

01:24:46All together with the fans.

01:24:48With all the guys in the bench.

01:24:49We managed to win.

01:24:51So they move into the top six, Wayne.

01:24:53But what were your thoughts on the performance last night?

01:24:56I was worried when I seen the performance.

01:24:58If I'm being honest.

01:24:59And I think he changed, the manager changed the formation.

01:25:03And he went with the back four, which a lot of people have been asking for.

01:25:07But he didn't really, I know he didn't concede the goal.

01:25:10But he didn't look comfortable.

01:25:11And Newcastle were putting him under pressure, especially the second half.

01:25:13And then when I look at the squad and the bench, what they've got there.

01:25:19They really need players in to try and help them, you know, be challenging and try and get in the top four.

01:25:26He honestly said before, didn't he, that he would never play a back four.

01:25:31And he did that.

01:25:32What kind of point do you think he's making in terms of the youth that was on that bench last night?

01:25:35Yeah, no, and listen, it's great to see the young players on the bench and get them given an opportunity.

01:25:40But it needs to be at the right time as well.

01:25:42And it's not sustainable at all.

01:25:46I think, you know, they need players in.

01:25:50And they've obviously lost some important players.

01:25:51And Bruno is a big loss.

01:25:53But this is the home games under Ammonen.

01:25:57And you look at the possession from the Newcastle game, 33% possession at Old Trafford.

01:26:01And, you know, I know when them fans go to that stadium, they want to see the team with the ball.

01:26:05They want to see them entertaining, getting crosses in the box and getting shots.

01:26:08And it was a poor performance, but they found a way to win.

01:26:12They did last night, but you're alluding to the fact that that is not sustainable.

01:26:15As for Newcastle United, there was that kind of familiar pattern to them last night, Alan?

01:26:21Yeah, I mean, there's just, I mean, when you're putting 46 crosses into the box or attempting 46 crosses,

01:26:30then someone has to get on the end of them.

01:26:33I mean, this is a brilliant ball.

01:26:35There weren't that many great balls, but this is one of them last night.

01:26:38I mean, Gordon or Valtomar, it has to get on the end of that.

01:26:41The movement has to be better.

01:26:43Same thing again here.

01:26:44Gordon might be looking to score, but look at the four or five Newcastle players.

01:26:48There's not one of them in the six-yard box.

01:26:50If someone isn't attacking that, they're getting a tap in.

01:26:53So it's decision-making as well as the lack of quality.

01:26:56And again, that has to be rolled across to Vissa.

01:26:58It's not a difficult ball chooses the more difficult chance to pick Gordon out.

01:27:03And it is worrying, there's no doubt about it, particularly they're a home form.

01:27:07You can see the crosses there they put in against Manchester United.

01:27:11Look what they did against Spurs in terms of 40.

01:27:13And when you've got that amount of balls wide and putting them in there,

01:27:17and you're only taking two points from their four games,

01:27:20that tells you that there's a lack of quality and certainly a lack of movement

01:27:24and a lack of desire to get on the end of them.

01:27:26Is the saving grace for Newcastle that the table at the moment seems so tight

01:27:30that movement can happen very suddenly, can't it, if you put some form together?

01:27:33No, absolutely.

01:27:34I mean, we were talking about Fulham being in a relegation battle two or three weeks ago,

01:27:38yet they win three games on the spin and they're in the top half now.

01:27:41So that's what Newcastle have to do that.

01:27:43I think they've got Burnley Palace, Leeds and Wolves in the next four games.

01:27:46That is a great opportunity to win some games.

01:27:49OK.

01:27:50Seems like a good time to have a little look at the table, doesn't it?

01:27:52And, well, you can see there it's as you were at the top following wins for Arsenal,

01:27:57Manchester City and Aston Villa.

01:27:58All eyes will now be on the Emirates on Tuesday as Villa travel to take Arsenal on in a huge clash.

01:28:04Brentford are up to eight, Fulham also rising to the top half.

01:28:07Wolves are just the second side in top flight history to fail to record a win

01:28:12in their opening 18 matches of the season after Bolton Wanderers in the 1902-03 campaign.

01:28:17And West Ham failed to close the gap on Nottingham Forest after they suffered a club record-equalling

01:28:2211th home league defeat of 2025.

01:28:25Thank you to Alan and Wayne.

01:28:26I hope everybody's finished off all the leftovers and done all the washing up by the time you get home.

01:28:30So Watkins wins it for Villa.

01:28:33Tis the season to be, Oli.

01:28:35Good night.

01:28:36Good night.

01:28:37Good night.

01:28:38Good night.

01:28:39Good night.

01:28:40Good night.

01:28:42Welcome to Colombia.

Match of the Day - Season 54 - Episode 34: 27/12/2025

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