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

DramaSphere

Watch Match of the Day - Season 54 - Episode 34: 27/12/2025 - DramaSphere on Dailymotion

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.

00:03:45guy who jubile today.

00:03:52It's only quickly taken, but Ado Silva, Pešeky!

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

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

00:04:04Milenkovic wasn't.

00:04:06And 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.

00:36:17Oh God!

00:36:19Oh, that's come through for Watkins.

00:36:21It's Otley Watkins up against Badia Schille.

00:36:26Still Watkins.

00:36:28Oh!

00:36:29And it's a corner.

00:36:30there goes Watkins

00:36:37Villa have done it again

00:36:44Ollie Watkins sends the away end at the bridge

00:36:50into delirium and puts Villa on course

00:36:54for an 11th straight win

00:36:58some head of this from Watkins

00:37:01up so well and angled perfectly into the corner

00:37:07talk about an impact sub

00:37:11Ollie Watkins at the double

00:37:14to turn the game on its head

00:37:17and have Villa heading for yet another victory

00:37:21but it's Ollie Watkins

00:37:24whose name is hitting the headlines for Villa this evening

00:37:28rather than Morgan Rodgers

00:37:30a belated Christmas gift for him

00:37:34and what a time to be a Villa fan

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

00:37:43it's now a joint club record

00:37:4711 wins in a row

00:37:49and another sign that they surely have to be in the title race conversation

00:37:58Chelsea 1, Aston Villa 2

00:38:01to come on and get the two goals to win is an amazing feeling

00:38:07and obviously we're doing unreal in the league

00:38:11yeah we just keep winning and I don't think we look like slowing down either

00:38:18yes he was social focus

00:38:20keeping the game plan like we planned and discipline doing it

00:38:24and doing his task

00:38:26he's normally getting his numbers

00:38:30and 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

00:38:37unfortunately after that the dynamic of the game changed a little bit

00:38:41but I think by the time they scored the 1-1

00:38:44we should have scored two, three more

00:38:46you have to see yourself as a contender when you look at the table right now

00:38:50no, 38 matches, no, no, not

00:38:53he's finishing tomorrow

00:38:54the next match against Arsenal is finishing the league

00:38:57no, still 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

00:39:07for Aston Villa once Unai Emery had made his changes

00:39:09yeah it was and I thought the three lads who come on were excellent

00:39:13and really made a big difference to this Aston Villa team

00:39:16and Unana was a big presence when he came on in the middle of the pitch

00:39:20winning the ball back

00:39:21and then that freed up the likes of Morgan Rodgers and Ollie Watkins

00:39:25but then this pass is the weight on that pass

00:39:27the detail on that pass is fantastic

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

00:39:31he gets a little bit of luck with the finish

00:39:34but he put himself in the right position

00:39:36and he gets his first goal of the game

00:39:39but Jadon Sancho come into this as well

00:39:41and I thought we haven't seen much of him this season

00:39:44but I thought he was excellent when he came on

00:39:46and getting the ball, driving with the ball

00:39:48and committing to Chelsea defenders

00:39:50and then they have runners off that

00:39:52they have Morgan Rodgers making runs in behind

00:39:54and then this has got to get squared

00:39:55if this gets squared across the goal

00:39:57then they get a tap in

00:39:58and Ollie Watkins here doing what he does best

00:40:01he's making runs in behind

00:40:02and keeping the Chelsea players on their toes

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

00:40:07and then Onana again winning the ball back

00:40:10tackling aggressive

00:40:11and then Sancho making the run in off the back of the defenders

00:40:15and again he gets another shot off

00:40:18and then Ollie Watkins a fantastic header

00:40:20great corner into the penalty box

00:40:22and a wonderful letter to go and win the game

00:40:24so Aston Villa were excellent especially that last 30 minutes

00:40:27On Ollie Watkins, no player wants to start a match on the bench

00:40:31but does he give his manager Unai Emery

00:40:33any kind of dilemma ahead of Arsenal

00:40:35when he makes that kind of impact?

00:40:36He does and I think we need to see more from him

00:40:39this season because he has started games

00:40:40and he hasn't scored goals

00:40:42but he's on the bench today

00:40:43and he's answered his manager in the right way

00:40:46he's scored two goals and won Aston Villa the game

00:40:47I guess he'll start in the next game

00:40:49As for Chelsea, Alan

00:40:51a familiar feeling for their fans today

00:40:53Yeah, that's the fourth time at home

00:40:56they've been 1-0 up and lost the game

00:40:58so that has to change

00:40:59if they've got any ambition to get in the top four

00:41:02OK, well

00:41:04it was eight games without a win for Bournemouth

00:41:07who'd never beaten today's opponents

00:41:08Brentford in the Premier League

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

00:41:12It's been 20 years since Bournemouth beat Brentford away from home

00:41:17so not the fixture Andoni Iraiola would have chosen

00:41:20to end their recent poor spell

00:41:21The Bees have already triumphed over the Cherries this term

00:41:25in 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

00:41:34As 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

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

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

00:41:54Thiago

00:41:59Dropping deep to receive

00:42:02Showing really good strength

00:42:04Plays in, Sharda

00:42:07Too strong for Diakite

00:42:10Too strong for Diakite

00:42:10Sharda

00:42:11A brilliant Brentford goal

00:42:17Showing all their best attributes

00:42:22Thiago

00:42:24With the strength

00:42:26And the vision

00:42:27And the execution

00:42:28Sharda too strong for Diakite

00:42:32But also had the composure

00:42:34To finish

00:42:35Sharda has his fourth of the season

00:42:40Brentford have the lead

00:42:43Again, another Bournemouth move

00:42:50Comes to a conclusion

00:42:53Yarmaluk

00:42:54Jensen

00:42:56Tried to pick out

00:42:58Igor Thiago

00:42:59It's Sharda

00:43:00The block

00:43:01Sharda again

00:43:02And gathered by Petrovic

00:43:04Well Brentford really could be three up here

00:43:07Playing around Bournemouth at will

00:43:11And that clearance from Sinesi

00:43:13Straight to Sharda

00:43:15He got a couple of

00:43:16Goes at it

00:43:17And couldn't beat Petrovic

00:43:18Kelleher getting there

00:43:22Just in the nick of time

00:43:24Fired upfield

00:43:29And that's turned into

00:43:30A really good pass

00:43:31For Igor Thiago

00:43:32Thiago

00:43:33Oh it's in

00:43:36Well not sure if that will go down

00:43:42As his goal

00:43:43But the scoreline now

00:43:45Reflects

00:43:46Brentford's dominance

00:43:47And this goal reflects

00:43:50Bournemouth's

00:43:51State at the moment

00:43:53It was a tight angle

00:43:56The stricken Bournemouth goalkeeper

00:43:59Who could do absolutely nothing about that

00:44:01And I believe that will go down

00:44:04As a known goal

00:44:05But

00:44:05All thanks to

00:44:07Thiago's determination

00:44:09Five minutes before the break

00:44:12Brentford's lead by two goals to nil

00:44:15Scott

00:44:19Trying to get around

00:44:20Henry

00:44:21Foul on Alex Scott

00:44:25And Sharda

00:44:26Tabanilla

00:44:36One by Collins

00:44:39And the Edson's touch

00:44:40Was heavy

00:44:42And allowed Jimenez to get in

00:44:44Although

00:44:45Again

00:44:45Redford do their defensive work

00:44:47And they have a three on two

00:44:50Sharda making good ground

00:44:52Thiago picks it up

00:44:54Sharda

00:44:56Devastating

00:45:00Devastating

00:45:01From one end to the other

00:45:09Bournemouth are punished

00:45:12With ruthless efficiency

00:45:16By Brentford

00:45:17It looked like the move had broken down here

00:45:20Jimenez got a foot in

00:45:21Thiago involved once again

00:45:24And Sharda

00:45:27Has his second

00:45:28And that should be the game for Brentford

00:45:33Alex Scott

00:45:38Allowed to progress so far

00:45:41But then it's the

00:45:42Red and white wall

00:45:44In front of them

00:45:45Hard to break down

00:45:48Brooks delivers though

00:45:49Just wide

00:45:51Eva Nilsson

00:45:53With the effort

00:45:54And the corner has been given

00:45:55So congested

00:45:57In that penalty area

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

00:46:06It just won't

00:46:09Happen for Bournemouth

00:46:10Whipped in by Brooks

00:46:13And Justin Cliver

00:46:15Denied

00:46:16Jimenez

00:46:24And we're still going

00:46:27Semenyo

00:46:29Bournemouth have

00:46:32One back

00:46:33And he's barely

00:46:35Had a kick

00:46:36They've

00:46:37Martialed him so well

00:46:39Through the entirety

00:46:40Of this game

00:46:41Antoine Semenyo

00:46:41But that is his quality

00:46:43Back heel

00:46:45From Semenyo

00:46:47Who hasn't been disheartened

00:46:48By the fact that he's

00:46:50Been

00:46:50Pretty much marked out

00:46:52Of the game

00:46:52Ayer

00:46:57Down the line

00:46:58For Damsgaard

00:46:59Releases just in time

00:47:04To find Yarmaluk

00:47:05Damsgaard

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

00:47:09No one closing him down

00:47:11The deflection

00:47:12Off the post

00:47:13Oh

00:47:14Keeg Lewis Potter

00:47:16Well let's have a look

00:47:19At this

00:47:19He's onside

00:47:22It was a really good save

00:47:24In the first instance

00:47:25What a miss

00:47:26From Keeg Lewis Potter

00:47:27Damsgaard

00:47:42Damsgaard

00:47:42Feeds Henderson

00:47:44Back in for Damsgaard

00:47:47Shana

00:47:48Game set

00:47:52Match

00:47:53And a hat trick

00:47:55For Kevin Shana

00:47:56He doubles

00:47:58His goal tally

00:48:00For the season

00:48:00In one afternoon

00:48:02As Bournemouth

00:48:04Pushed forward

00:48:05They were light

00:48:07Shana on the move

00:48:10As Damsgaard

00:48:12On the stretch

00:48:13Found him

00:48:13A memorable evening

00:48:15For Kevin Shana

00:48:16And for Brentford

00:48:18An impressive victory

00:48:20For the Bees

00:48:21I accept

00:48:24You can lose games

00:48:25Today is a very difficult game

00:48:26But if we are playing

00:48:27In the second half

00:48:27Perfect

00:48:28We take it

00:48:29You know

00:48:29Sometimes you have to accept

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

00:48:32Why we were 45 minutes late

00:48:35Today to start the game

00:48:37And the Premier League

00:48:38We need 100%

00:48:39From everyone

00:48:40And today was not like this

00:48:42In the beginning

00:48:42Do you feel like

00:48:43You are proving

00:48:44Some doubters wrong

00:48:45Is that motivation for you

00:48:47Or do you find that

00:48:48From somewhere else

00:48:49Yeah

00:48:50I don't really feel

00:48:52People doubt me

00:48:54As a reason

00:48:55To be motivated

00:48:56To be honest

00:48:56It's not the reason

00:48:58I've got to this stage

00:48:59In my life

00:49:01So

00:49:01Now I just focus

00:49:03On what I can control

00:49:04What we can do here

00:49:05On a day-to-day basis

00:49:06Week-to-week basis

00:49:07Keep growing the team

00:49:08Keep growing the football club

00:49:10And see where we go

00:49:11The first one

00:49:12Was like

00:49:14Yeah

00:49:14I just chipped it

00:49:15The second one

00:49:17Was so quick

00:49:18I didn't even think

00:49:20I just tried to hit it

00:49:21And then

00:49:22Yeah

00:49:22The header

00:49:23I saw Damsi

00:49:24And thought like

00:49:25Yeah

00:49:25Please cross it

00:49:26He did

00:49:26And I just set it in

00:49:28A day to cherish

00:49:30For Charder

00:49:31There

00:49:31He didn't necessarily

00:49:33Sound like it was

00:49:34Though

00:49:35Not a load of enthusiasm

00:49:36Can you do with any more

00:49:37For us

00:49:37Absolutely

00:49:38Outstanding

00:49:39As were Brentford

00:49:40I mean

00:49:41They were direct

00:49:42At times

00:49:43And when I say direct

00:49:44I don't mean

00:49:45There was a load of long balls

00:49:46We know Bournemouth

00:49:47Like to press high

00:49:48So the way to beat

00:49:49That press is

00:49:50On the odd occasion

00:49:50Go long

00:49:51Particularly when you've got

00:49:52Someone with a strength

00:49:53Of Thiago

00:49:54And the pace of Charder

00:49:56That's prepared

00:49:56To run in behind

00:49:57There

00:49:57You can see the both

00:49:58Them working together

00:49:59Brilliant first touch

00:50:00And a great turn

00:50:01Not a bad ball

00:50:03In behind either

00:50:04And that's them

00:50:06On the way

00:50:06So that's okay

00:50:07That might be

00:50:08Being direct

00:50:09With long ball

00:50:10But I mean

00:50:10With speed

00:50:11And with pace

00:50:12And with everything else

00:50:13That you have to do

00:50:14To beat a team

00:50:15That wants to press

00:50:16There's no

00:50:16Messing around

00:50:17It's get it in behind

00:50:18As I said

00:50:19When you've got

00:50:20The willing runners

00:50:20Like that

00:50:21And Thiago's

00:50:22Really unlucky here

00:50:22I mean it's given

00:50:23As a known goal

00:50:25But he sort of

00:50:26Creates all of that

00:50:26It's him that helps

00:50:27Put it in the

00:50:28In the back of the net

00:50:29Just look where

00:50:30Those two start

00:50:31And then have a look

00:50:32At the five of them

00:50:33When they finish

00:50:34Because this is what

00:50:35I mean about the pace

00:50:36And the determination

00:50:37To get forward

00:50:38Quickly

00:50:38You can see those two

00:50:40But there's

00:50:41Five of them

00:50:42End up in Bournemouth

00:50:43Box here

00:50:43Ready to put the ball

00:50:45In the back of the net

00:50:45Great ball in

00:50:47And a really clever finish

00:50:48Once again

00:50:50Henderson came on

00:50:51Running in behind

00:50:52Again the ball in behind

00:50:53But they just can't

00:50:55Do anything about it

00:50:56Bournemouth

00:50:56Because they just

00:50:58Didn't get it right

00:50:58At all

00:50:59And Brentford really

00:51:01Deserved the points

00:51:02They were absolutely

00:51:03Superb there

00:51:04Damsgaard with the ball in

00:51:05How do you want it

00:51:06On a plate

00:51:07For your hat-trick

00:51:09And Brentford are up

00:51:10To eighth

00:51:11What a season

00:51:12They have on it

00:51:12Really is impressive

00:51:13Yeah they have had

00:51:15Some incredible form

00:51:16Of late

00:51:17Well actually through

00:51:18The whole season

00:51:18Really

00:51:19And two points

00:51:20Better off

00:51:21Alan than they were

00:51:22This stage last season

00:51:24Yeah particularly

00:51:24With who they've lost

00:51:25Particularly who they've lost

00:51:27In the summer

00:51:28You know

00:51:29So to go

00:51:30And to be better

00:51:31And play some of the football

00:51:32That they're playing

00:51:33And their goals

00:51:33So impressive

00:51:34Yeah

00:51:34Okay thank you very much

00:51:36Well Liverpool faced Wolves

00:51:38The first time

00:51:39Since the death

00:51:40Of Diogo Jota

00:51:41Who of course

00:51:42Represented both clubs

00:51:43With distinction

00:51:44Jota's family

00:51:45Were at Anfield

00:51:46With two of his children

00:51:47Among the mascots

00:51:48Your commentator

00:51:49Guy Mowbray

00:51:50Diogo Jota's

00:51:53Two sons

00:51:53Dennis and Duarte

00:51:55Accompany Virgil van Dijk

00:51:57Out onto the Anfield turf

00:51:59On which their father

00:52:00Used to shine

00:52:01Wolves fans

00:52:03Need no reminding

00:52:04Of his talents either

00:52:05In a three year stay

00:52:06With them

00:52:07He more than helped

00:52:08Them to promotion

00:52:09And then two

00:52:10Top half

00:52:11Premier League finishers

00:52:12For Liverpool

00:52:13Two changes

00:52:14Jeremy Frimpong

00:52:15Comes in for Conor Bradley

00:52:16And Federico Chiesa

00:52:18Replaces the suspended

00:52:19Dominic Soboslai

00:52:20The Wolves team

00:52:22Four changes

00:52:23Tolu Arakadari

00:52:24Takes over from

00:52:25Outer from

00:52:25Jürgen Strand Larsson

00:52:27And there's a first start

00:52:28In the team

00:52:29For 18 year old

00:52:30Matthias Mane

00:52:31Witts

00:52:36Witts

00:52:37Nekatike

00:52:39Brilliantly found

00:52:41Lot to do

00:52:42Oh he nearly did it

00:52:44Jose Sarr was

00:52:47Grasping thin air

00:52:48Beautifully weighted

00:52:51Pass to him

00:52:52And a really clever

00:52:53Attempt to craft

00:52:54The finish

00:52:55In between the two

00:52:56Pass the goalkeeper

00:52:58Inches away

00:52:59Wolves

00:53:01On their longest

00:53:02Losing run

00:53:03In their

00:53:03Illustrious history

00:53:0511 in a row

00:53:0610 of those

00:53:07In the Premier League

00:53:08This is a

00:53:09Worry for Wolves

00:53:10Chiesa has

00:53:12Caught Tolu Arakadari

00:53:14A sore one

00:53:16But in the

00:53:16View of the officials

00:53:17Not a sinister one

00:53:18Maslott certainly

00:53:20Not underestimating

00:53:21His team's opponents

00:53:22Today

00:53:22Saying about Wolves

00:53:24They've come closer

00:53:25And closer to results

00:53:26And

00:53:26There's a challenge

00:53:28To every Premier League

00:53:29Game

00:53:29Mane

00:53:32Good attempt

00:53:34Well saved

00:53:35By Alisson

00:53:35The teenager

00:53:37Sparks into life

00:53:39In the Premier League

00:53:39For the first time

00:53:40And wouldn't that be a thing

00:53:42Mane scoring

00:53:43At Anfield

00:53:44Against Liverpool

00:53:45And Edwards

00:53:46Who is one of those

00:53:48Unlucky or lucky

00:53:49People who celebrates

00:53:50A Christmas Day

00:53:50Birthday

00:53:51Just turned 43

00:53:53And it's Wolves

00:53:56Fans on 90 minutes

00:53:58Who start with the

00:53:59Big booming

00:54:00Chant of Diogo

00:54:01When the clock ticks

00:54:05Around to 20

00:54:06Liverpool fans

00:54:08Will serenade

00:54:08Their former star

00:54:09As well

00:54:10But this is quite something

00:54:13This really is

00:54:14The whole of the ground

00:54:15Standing

00:54:16And chanting

00:54:17And singing

00:54:18About the late

00:54:19Diogo Jota

00:54:20I think he'll be happy

00:54:24Ish

00:54:25With the way

00:54:25Things are going

00:54:26Liverpool kept out

00:54:28That's the thing

00:54:29That will please him most

00:54:30Mateus Mane

00:54:33Has had one shot

00:54:34On target

00:54:34At the other end

00:54:35And he's in business

00:54:36Again here

00:54:37And doing really well

00:54:39That one's not on target

00:54:41But how about

00:54:43This young man's confidence

00:54:44He's the bright

00:54:46Wolves light today

00:54:47It's only his

00:54:48Eighth senior game

00:54:49His first from the start

00:54:51And they could be

00:54:53Forgiven for

00:54:53Giving up on this season

00:54:55But a full compliment

00:54:56Has come to Anfield

00:54:57Today and I'm sure

00:54:58They'll carry on

00:54:59Travelling everywhere

00:55:00For the whole of the

00:55:01Rest of the season

00:55:02Here's a foul

00:55:07By Van Dijk

00:55:08Frimpong

00:55:10Drifts away

00:55:12From João Gomes

00:55:13And takes on Hugo Bueno

00:55:14And pulls it back

00:55:15For Gravenberg

00:55:16Liverpool lead

00:55:18Double dodge

00:55:22Frimpong's assist

00:55:24For Gravenberg's finish

00:55:25What a run this is

00:55:29From Jeremy Frimpong

00:55:30Mind you the finish

00:55:31Isn't bad is it

00:55:32Eye of a needle job

00:55:34From Gravenberg

00:55:35No chance for Jose Sarr

00:55:37And what started as

00:55:39Slim chance

00:55:40Has become even slimmer

00:55:41Chance for Wolves

00:55:42Nekatike

00:55:46Nekatike

00:55:50Nekatike

00:55:50Through to Florian

00:55:51Virts

00:55:52There's the moment

00:55:57He's been waiting for

00:55:58Florian Virts

00:56:01Is first for the club

00:56:02It's back

00:56:03And the Anfield crowd

00:56:05Appreciates

00:56:06The graph he's had to put in

00:56:09To acclimatise to the Premier League

00:56:11To become

00:56:12A player

00:56:13Worthy of wearing

00:56:14That Liverpool

00:56:15Number 7 shirt

00:56:16He's getting there

00:56:18Big boots to follow

00:56:20But that first goal

00:56:21Won't help

00:56:21Mane

00:56:25Arokodare

00:56:27Mane

00:56:28Peels away

00:56:29Wanting the return

00:56:29There was no way

00:56:30Past Van Dijk

00:56:31But a Wolves corner

00:56:32And they're

00:56:33Showing signs of intent

00:56:34At the start of the second half

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

00:56:37One goal at Anfield

00:56:39Might turn the tide

00:56:41Mane

00:56:43Delivers

00:56:43Alisson

00:56:44Can't get through

00:56:45Makes the first save

00:56:46But the follow-up

00:56:47Is put in

00:56:48By Santiago

00:56:49Bueno

00:56:49Wolves have one

00:56:54It all started

00:56:56Because the corner

00:56:57Was delivered so well

00:56:58That Alisson felt

00:56:59He couldn't go

00:57:00And get it

00:57:01Nicely saved

00:57:03At first

00:57:03But

00:57:04Patted down

00:57:05Straight to the feet

00:57:06Of Santiago

00:57:06Bueno

00:57:07And Bueno

00:57:09Scores for Wolves

00:57:10For only the second time

00:57:11To make it Liverpool 2

00:57:13Wolves 1

00:57:14The Reds are

00:57:16Just a little bit rattled

00:57:18Frimpong

00:57:20Lugo Bueno

00:57:24Has one go

00:57:25Second go

00:57:25Didn't stop him either

00:57:26Corner

00:57:27Well Jeremy Frimpong

00:57:30Has

00:57:31Certainly been

00:57:33A player to excite

00:57:36Liverpool fans today

00:57:37McAllister with the corner

00:57:40Something different

00:57:41Viertz

00:57:41Blocked him behind

00:57:44But

00:57:45That might not have been

00:57:47A deflection

00:57:47I think it was a

00:57:48Double hit

00:57:49From Florian Viertz

00:57:51Yeah he kicked it

00:57:52Onto his standing foot

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

00:58:06And it's wide from Gravenberg

00:58:08He was waiting to

00:58:09He felt he might have been fouled

00:58:11In the process of trying to strike

00:58:13Lovely footwork again

00:58:15From Florian Viertz

00:58:17Gravenberg managed to hold off

00:58:19Mane

00:58:19Miss kicked the shot

00:58:21Gomez now finds

00:58:29Mola Vulfa

00:58:30Strand Larsson

00:58:33Joe Gomez

00:58:34Here's Chachua

00:58:37And Erika Dare

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

00:58:43They worked it brilliantly

00:58:45All that was lacking was the finish

00:58:48Liverpool fans young and old

00:58:51Like kids on Christmas Eve

00:58:53The time can't go quickly enough

00:58:54Hooked on by Erika Dare

00:58:59To Strand Larsson

00:59:00Strand Larsson across

00:59:03What a tackle by Bradley

00:59:05John Arias

00:59:07Was about to fire Wolves level

00:59:10How many times

00:59:11Must Liverpool have the warning shots

00:59:14They are living very dangerously indeed

00:59:17Against the Premier League's bottom club

00:59:19Players are giving everything

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

00:59:23And they are showing

00:59:24That they're not caving in

00:59:26They're not going under

00:59:272-0 down at Anfield

00:59:28But we fought back

00:59:30To 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

00:59:38This game's about getting points

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

00:59:42I was confident

00:59:43That I will score one day

00:59:45But of course

00:59:46I wanted to start earlier

00:59:48Scoring and assisting

00:59:50But it was like this

00:59:52And I have to accept it

00:59:54I just know

00:59:55That it will come

00:59:56And I just try to keep going like that

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

01:00:03That was again special

01:00:04After a tragedy happened

01:00:06Till now

01:00:07I've seen so many special moments

01:00:09Where the fans remembered him

01:00:10Or our players conducted themselves

01:00:12Unbelievable in all these circumstances

01:00:14And it was again special today

01:00:17To see his children being the mascot

01:00:19And how emotional it was

01:00:22I think already before the game

01:00:24But also definitely in the 20th minute

01:00:26Yeah, another emotional day today

01:00:29At Anfield

01:00:30But Liverpool did get the win

01:00:31And a first goal for Florian Wurtz

01:00:33Are we starting to see Wayne

01:00:35The 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

01:00:39This season

01:00:40But he just hasn't got the goals

01:00:41To 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

01:00:48And he's starting to get

01:00:50A real good understanding with Kirk

01:00:52As we see him here

01:00:54But I think just some of the positions

01:00:55He was picking up

01:00:56He was causing Wolves problems

01:00:57All game

01:00:58We see him here

01:00:59In 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

01:01:05With his finish

01:01:06So he's shown glimpses

01:01:09Of being a top, top player

01:01:10Which I think he can be

01:01:12For Liverpool

01:01:12And again here with Kirk

01:01:14And that's brilliant from Eketike

01:01:16And then Wurtz

01:01:18Pulling off the shoulder

01:01:18That's a wonderful pass again

01:01:19From Eketike

01:01:20And then a good finish

01:01:22And then as we see here

01:01:26He's willing to run back

01:01:28And put the work in for his teammates

01:01:29He's defending his own penalty box

01:01:32And then he's out wide

01:01:33Blocking crosses

01:01:35So

01:01:35Again here with Kirk

01:01:37Because the understanding

01:01:39They're getting is really good

01:01:40And

01:01:41Some great skill here

01:01:42In the penalty box

01:01:43And then

01:01:44He's unlucky not to get

01:01:46The third goal

01:01:47So

01:01:47I thought he was excellent today

01:01:48Yeah

01:01:50And is there a particular challenge

01:01:52Do you think

01:01:52You've played with players

01:01:53Who've come from the Bundesliga

01:01:55That that league presents

01:01:56In terms of how you adapt

01:01:57To the Premier League

01:01:58Yeah

01:01:59I remember

01:02:00Bastian Swansager

01:02:02When he first joined

01:02:03Manchester United

01:02:04And

01:02:04He was surprised

01:02:06At the pace of the Premier League

01:02:07And he liked to get his foot

01:02:08On the ball

01:02:08And slow the game down

01:02:10And

01:02:10You know

01:02:11Sometimes

01:02:11You need time to adapt to it

01:02:13Yeah

01:02:14Okay

01:02:14Well the last time

01:02:16West Ham had just 13 points

01:02:18At Christmas

01:02:18They were relegated

01:02:19Fulham were looking to win

01:02:20Three in a row

01:02:21For the first time this season

01:02:22Simon Brotherton

01:02:23Was at the London Stadium

01:02:24West Ham have won

01:02:26Six of the last

01:02:27Seven home meetings

01:02:28With Fulham

01:02:29And how they need

01:02:30Another three points today

01:02:31But the visitors

01:02:32Travel across London

01:02:33In fine form

01:02:34And have won

01:02:35Their last two

01:02:36Away from home

01:02:37Nuno Espirito Santo

01:02:39Goes with the same 11

01:02:40That started last week's

01:02:41Defeat at Manchester City

01:02:43Jared Bowen

01:02:44Has scored in six

01:02:45Of the last dozen

01:02:46Home matches

01:02:47In the Premier League

01:02:47But hasn't been

01:02:48On the winning side

01:02:49In any of them

01:02:50Fulham were waiting

01:02:51On the fitness

01:02:52Of Harry Wilson

01:02:52Who suffered a bang

01:02:53On the knee

01:02:54Against Forrest last Monday

01:02:55But he's been declared

01:02:56Fit to start

01:02:57In an unchanged 11

01:02:59Raul Jimenez

01:03:00Scored the winner

01:03:01In the last game

01:03:01And has enjoyed

01:03:02Plenty of success

01:03:03In the past

01:03:04Against today's opponents

01:03:06Scoring six times

01:03:07West Ham going into

01:03:11Christmas week

01:03:12With 13 points

01:03:14So far this season

01:03:15The joint lowest

01:03:16Over Christmas

01:03:17In a season

01:03:18In the Premier League

01:03:19Lukic who finds Jimenez

01:03:23There's a little look

01:03:24Around and he sees

01:03:25Wilson away

01:03:25To his right

01:03:27Tete's there in support

01:03:28Wilson's going to look

01:03:29For an angle

01:03:29To get a shot in

01:03:30And it was a terrific

01:03:31One as well

01:03:32And an excellent

01:03:33Fingertip save

01:03:34From Alphonse

01:03:35Areola

01:03:36Struck beautifully

01:03:38Moved by Harry Wilson

01:03:39Saved superbly

01:03:41By Ariola

01:03:41Fernandes finds

01:03:44Bowen

01:03:44Whipping that one

01:03:45In with Venom

01:03:46Good header

01:03:47Under pressure there

01:03:48From Anderson

01:03:49Bowen challenges

01:03:51Tadebo collects

01:03:53West Ham start

01:03:55To threaten

01:03:55Bowen looks to

01:03:56Unleash it

01:03:57Van Leno tested

01:04:02For the first time

01:04:03In the match

01:04:04This by the way

01:04:07Is the sixth

01:04:07London derby

01:04:08Of the season

01:04:09For West Ham

01:04:09They've lost

01:04:10All five so far

01:04:11Intercepted by

01:04:14Jean-Claire Tadebo

01:04:15In the nick of time

01:04:16Nicely done

01:04:17Mateus Fernandes

01:04:18And Paqueta

01:04:19Away to Scarls

01:04:21Who looks

01:04:21For Jared Bowen

01:04:23Bowen in for West Ham

01:04:25And it's just

01:04:26Just

01:04:28Denied

01:04:29But the flag

01:04:29Has gone up

01:04:30Was a tight one

01:04:32He's just offside

01:04:33It was a good save

01:04:35Home crowd

01:04:37A bit more energised

01:04:38By the efforts

01:04:39Of their team

01:04:39Paqueta

01:04:40Well

01:04:41That was an interesting

01:04:42One there

01:04:43Paqueta going to ground

01:04:44The referee initially

01:04:45Not looking as though

01:04:46He was about to award

01:04:47A free kick at all

01:04:48Not the heaviest

01:04:50Of touches

01:04:50Now what can West Ham

01:04:53Do with this one

01:04:54Freddy Potts

01:04:55Sends it in

01:04:56Kilman getting up

01:04:57Well

01:04:57Somerville

01:04:58Oh

01:04:59And Magasa

01:05:00Was right on the line

01:05:01Potts

01:05:03Floating it into

01:05:04The penalty area

01:05:05Prodigious leak

01:05:06From Kilman

01:05:07West Ham

01:05:08Knocking on

01:05:09Fulham's door

01:05:10Here

01:05:10Two wins

01:05:12In the last

01:05:12Three games

01:05:13For Marco Silva's team

01:05:14Anderson

01:05:21Anderson's going to have a go

01:05:21Areola keeps it out

01:05:23Wilson's almost in

01:05:24And able to pounce

01:05:25Well that suddenly

01:05:26Turned into a very

01:05:27Tricky moment there

01:05:28For Alphonse Areola

01:05:29Anderson who hasn't

01:05:30Scored since the third

01:05:31Round of the FA Cup

01:05:32Right at the start

01:05:33Of the year

01:05:34Almost had himself

01:05:35A goal

01:05:35In the last few days

01:05:37Of 2025

01:05:38Wrapped up on a chilly afternoon

01:05:41Not been a great fixture

01:05:44Over the years

01:05:45In modern times

01:05:46For Fulham

01:05:47This one

01:05:47West Ham away

01:05:48And they've only won

01:05:49On one of their last

01:05:51Fourteen visits

01:05:52In the Premier League

01:05:53Oh Magas has done

01:05:58Really well here

01:05:58Good save by Leno

01:06:01Wilson goes down

01:06:02Fulham get it away

01:06:03And Jimenez has it

01:06:04Kevin is ahead of him now

01:06:06And that's a vital interception

01:06:07Off the heel

01:06:08Of Jean-Claire Todibo

01:06:09West Ham throw

01:06:12Kevin thought it was his

01:06:13And here comes

01:06:16Walker-Peters now

01:06:18The chase for Magasa

01:06:20And it's just gone wide

01:06:23And West Ham so close

01:06:28To breaking the deadlock

01:06:29Magasa did really well

01:06:32Sending it across

01:06:33The face of the goal

01:06:34The save there

01:06:36By Bernd Leno

01:06:36And then

01:06:39The second one here

01:06:42The flick from Jared Bowen

01:06:44Just past the post

01:06:46Magasa loses it

01:06:49Smith-Rowe

01:06:50Here's Sasha Lukic

01:06:52Support from Robinson

01:06:54Five Fulham players

01:06:56Inside the box

01:06:57It was a stretch for Kilman

01:06:59But he's able to get it away

01:07:00Callum Wilson

01:07:04And it's just wide

01:07:08And it's just wide

01:07:10They certainly look more

01:07:14Threatening though

01:07:15Look him Anderson

01:07:20Nicely done

01:07:22Wilson sending it across

01:07:24They'll get a second

01:07:27A chance to do so

01:07:28And it's Raul Jimenez

01:07:29Again

01:07:30With five minutes to go

01:07:34Right place

01:07:34Right time

01:07:351-0 Fulham

01:07:36Harry Wilson

01:07:38Sent it across

01:07:39Initially cut out

01:07:40Second opportunity

01:07:41And it was beautifully

01:07:43Flighted

01:07:43And Jimenez

01:07:45Pounced

01:07:45It's what he does

01:07:47And it might be the goal

01:07:48To secure another

01:07:50Away win for Fulham

01:07:51In what is turning out

01:07:52To be an excellent spell

01:07:54In this Premier League season

01:07:56For them

01:07:57But what a hammer blow

01:07:58For the hosts

01:07:59It wasn't the greatest game

01:08:01It was a few chances

01:08:04But not a lot happened

01:08:06In the game

01:08:06So I feel like

01:08:07From our point of view

01:08:08If we can't win it

01:08:09Let's not lose it

01:08:11But we also knew

01:08:12That it was going to take

01:08:13Maybe a mistake from them

01:08:14Or a moment from us

01:08:16And it was great

01:08:17When I put that ball in

01:08:18To see Raul waiting

01:08:19And I knew from there

01:08:20He was going to find

01:08:21The back limit

01:08:22Raul again

01:08:23He gives everything

01:08:24For the shirt

01:08:25He's a very hard worker

01:08:26His work ethic

01:08:27He's unbelievable

01:08:27For a player at this age

01:08:28He needs goals

01:08:29Like all the strikers

01:08:30In the world

01:08:30And he goes to get

01:08:31The boost of confidence

01:08:32And to be more confident

01:08:33On the pitch

01:08:34I'm very pleased for him

01:08:35Because he deserves

01:08:36All the credits

01:08:36What a tough one to take

01:08:37So late in the game

01:08:38So little time

01:08:39To do anything about it

01:08:40Yeah

01:08:42He comes after

01:08:43Some chances that we have

01:08:44During the second half

01:08:46And we've been punished

01:08:47By a mistake

01:08:48And we lose the game

01:08:50The player looked very

01:08:51Very upset at the end

01:08:52Yes, of course

01:08:54Shows that he cares a lot

01:08:55Of course

01:08:56Everybody cares

01:08:57And

01:08:57It's not about that

01:08:59It's about

01:08:59The situation that we are

01:09:01And

01:09:02Everything bad

01:09:04Happens to us

01:09:05We have to react

01:09:07The good part is

01:09:08That we play another game

01:09:09Into game

01:09:09In today's time

01:09:10So another chance

01:09:12To give back

01:09:13To our offense

01:09:13Well we should say

01:09:15First of all

01:09:16A great result for Fulham

01:09:17That's three wins

01:09:18On the bounce

01:09:19For them

01:09:19Into the top half

01:09:20Of the table

01:09:20It didn't seem so long ago

01:09:21That they were having

01:09:22A really rocky time

01:09:23But of course

01:09:24Today they exploited

01:09:25A bit of inexperience

01:09:26In that West Ham

01:09:27Yeah and that's what's cost

01:09:28West Ham today

01:09:29As you said

01:09:29Great win for Fulham

01:09:30But young

01:09:31Olly Sculls

01:09:32Get sort of

01:09:33Dragged out of position

01:09:34There which is okay

01:09:35Then they recover

01:09:36They get in behind

01:09:38But it's the next error

01:09:40That is the one

01:09:41That's the one

01:09:42That is going to be looked at

01:09:43And brilliant ball in

01:09:45From Harry Wilson

01:09:46And a great header

01:09:47But you know

01:09:48It's not

01:09:49That won't be his last mistake

01:09:50At all

01:09:51We all

01:09:51Everyone's made mistakes

01:09:53As tough as it is

01:09:53You have to get over it

01:09:55And what I would say

01:09:56As upset as he is

01:09:5811 defeats this year

01:09:59At home for West Ham

01:10:02Is not his fault

01:10:03And the league position

01:10:04They're in at the moment

01:10:05Is not his fault

01:10:06So as tough as it is

01:10:08He has to get over it

01:10:09What would you say to him

01:10:10Wayne

01:10:10As a senior pro

01:10:11Yeah you've just got to

01:10:13Move on from here

01:10:14You know

01:10:14We've all made mistakes

01:10:16As players

01:10:16And obviously

01:10:17That mistake

01:10:17Has cost a goal

01:10:18And he'll have to

01:10:19Move on quickly

01:10:20As this man just said

01:10:21They've got another game

01:10:22Coming up very shortly

01:10:23Yeah

01:10:23Okay

01:10:24Thank you very much

01:10:25Well Burnley

01:10:26Were seven points

01:10:27From safety

01:10:28Ahead of kick-off

01:10:29Against Everton

01:10:29Stephen Wyeth

01:10:30Was at Turf Mall

01:10:31The first of two

01:10:34Festive home games

01:10:35To offer Burnley

01:10:36Hope of stimulating

01:10:37A recovery

01:10:38Three changes

01:10:39From the side

01:10:39That ended a run

01:10:40Of seven successive defeats

01:10:42In come Armando Breuer

01:10:43Who scored the equaliser

01:10:45At Bournemouth

01:10:45And Marcus Edwards

01:10:46And Bashir Humphreys

01:10:47For full Premier League debuts

01:10:49Everton's incentive

01:10:51Is the paltry five-point gap

01:10:53Between them

01:10:53And the top four

01:10:54However

01:10:55David Moye's options

01:10:56Are further limited

01:10:57By the absence

01:10:58Of Jack Grealish

01:10:59With what he described

01:11:00With what he described

01:11:00As a virus

01:11:01Tyler Dibbling replaces him

01:11:03With Beto

01:11:03Getting a first start

01:11:04Since October

01:11:05Both of these clubs

01:11:08Have been guilty

01:11:09Of lethargy

01:11:10At this time of the year

01:11:11Six defeats

01:11:12In seven

01:11:13Between Christmas

01:11:14And New Year

01:11:15For Burnley

01:11:15Everton are winless

01:11:17In six

01:11:18That's tremendous work

01:11:21From Breuer

01:11:21Armando Breuer

01:11:27Like a man possessed

01:11:29But

01:11:29Losing out there

01:11:31And

01:11:31Alcalaz

01:11:32Can carry it forward

01:11:33For Everton

01:11:34Who are going rapidly

01:11:35From one end of the field

01:11:36To the other

01:11:37Dibbling

01:11:42Oh it's flashed

01:11:45Agonisingly

01:11:45Across the face

01:11:46Of goal

01:11:47Beto

01:11:47So close

01:11:49To a decisive touch

01:11:50First time

01:11:52That

01:11:52Tyler Dibbling

01:11:53Has got on the ball

01:11:54In a threatening position

01:11:55For Everton

01:11:56But this is certainly

01:11:58The closest

01:11:58That we've come

01:11:59To a goal

01:11:59So far

01:12:00Considering how many goals

01:12:02His side have

01:12:03Given up

01:12:04In recent times

01:12:05The fact that they haven't

01:12:06Conceded

01:12:07In the first half

01:12:08Will certainly be

01:12:09The silver lining

01:12:10That Scott Parker

01:12:11Is squinting at

01:12:12Kyle Walker

01:12:17Has done well

01:12:18Edwards

01:12:19Fortunate

01:12:21The ball

01:12:21Bounced

01:12:22To Uga Chukwu

01:12:23And then back

01:12:23Towards him

01:12:24And then the pass

01:12:25Is sensational

01:12:26And Jakob

01:12:27Brun Larsen

01:12:28Has lifted

01:12:28A glorious chance

01:12:30Over the crossbar

01:12:31Will Scott Parker's side

01:12:34Get a better opportunity

01:12:35Than that

01:12:36Brun Larsen

01:12:37Given the benefit

01:12:38Of the doubt

01:12:39That he was onside

01:12:40And as Pickford

01:12:41Advanced

01:12:42And with plenty

01:12:44Of the goal

01:12:45To lift the ball

01:12:45Into

01:12:46Instead he cleared

01:12:48The frame

01:12:49His team have

01:12:51Given him some hope

01:12:51Here we go Chukwu

01:12:55Florentino

01:12:57Oh

01:12:59Taken away from him

01:13:00Iribunen

01:13:01Chances for Everton

01:13:03No doubt about it

01:13:04Iribunen for Dwight McNeil

01:13:05Iribunen

01:13:07Oh so clever

01:13:08From Beto

01:13:09And it's taken

01:13:10Exceptional reactions

01:13:12From De Branca

01:13:12To turn the ball aside

01:13:14Well he's been struggling

01:13:16For goals

01:13:17Beto

01:13:18But he

01:13:18So nearly

01:13:19Brilliantly

01:13:20Conjured one there

01:13:21And they have huffed

01:13:22And puffed

01:13:23Have Burnley

01:13:24They have been better

01:13:25Defensively

01:13:26Today than of late

01:13:27They haven't been able

01:13:29To marry that

01:13:30And he's scoring

01:13:31At the other end

01:13:32Super pass from Garner

01:13:34Antiano Barry is in

01:13:36And Buckford

01:13:38The Branca

01:13:38Would have put Everton

01:13:40In front

01:13:40Antiano Barry

01:13:42Off the bench

01:13:43And very nearly

01:13:46Placing the ball

01:13:47Beyond the reach

01:13:48At the Branca

01:13:48Dibling's going to get

01:13:51This for Everton

01:13:52And now he's got

01:13:53Lucas Pires

01:13:54Momentarily isolated

01:13:55He's away from him

01:13:58And still going

01:13:59Dibling

01:14:00Collision

01:14:01Everton free kick

01:14:02Greg Poulsen

01:14:04Just gave himself

01:14:05A moment or two

01:14:06To consider that decision

01:14:08Garner and McNeil

01:14:10Standing over the free kick

01:14:11Will be McNeil

01:14:14Whipping it in

01:14:14And it took a glance

01:14:18To send the ball

01:14:19Just beyond the far post

01:14:21And that touch

01:14:21Was Sopha Burnley

01:14:22Defender

01:14:23That was vicious

01:14:24From McNeil

01:14:25Garner with the corner

01:14:28Dibravka comes

01:14:29Tyler Dibling

01:14:30Charged down

01:14:32And then as he

01:14:35Half appeals

01:14:35For handball

01:14:36He's then

01:14:37Stirred back into action

01:14:40And there is a check

01:14:41In the background

01:14:42For whether or not

01:14:43This is worthy

01:14:44Of a penalty kick

01:14:44Ferocious shot

01:14:46From Dibling

01:14:46And I don't think

01:14:48There's any debate

01:14:48Over whether or not

01:14:49The ball struck

01:14:50The arm here

01:14:51Of Jadon Anthony

01:14:52It's whether or not

01:14:54It struck his arm

01:14:55In an unnatural position

01:14:56To Burnley's

01:14:58Considerable relief

01:15:00That has been

01:15:01Quite quickly

01:15:02Checked and cleared

01:15:03No penalty

01:15:04Final minute of the 90

01:15:08Garner

01:15:11Putterson

01:15:13That would have been

01:15:15A story

01:15:16Moments after his

01:15:19Long awaited

01:15:20Reintroduction

01:15:20Jadon Anthony

01:15:22There's a chance

01:15:23Here for Burnley

01:15:23Zian Fleming

01:15:24Is in

01:15:25And has come

01:15:28As close

01:15:29To scoring

01:15:30As it is

01:15:31Possible to come

01:15:32It might have

01:15:34Taken some unpicking

01:15:35As to whether or not

01:15:36Fleming was offside

01:15:37The on-field decision

01:15:38Was that

01:15:39He had gone beyond

01:15:40The defensive line

01:15:41The Burnley substitute

01:15:43This close

01:15:45To stroking the ball

01:15:47Into the back

01:15:47Of the net

01:15:48It has finished

01:15:49At Turf Moor

01:15:50Burnley 0

01:15:51Everton 0

01:15:52David what's your

01:15:53Initial assessment

01:15:54Of that

01:15:54A slow burner

01:15:55You wouldn't want

01:15:57To watch too much

01:15:58Of that

01:15:58I don't think

01:15:58Certainly from

01:15:59Our point of view

01:16:00Burnley might have

01:16:01Different thoughts

01:16:01On how they were

01:16:02But from our point of view

01:16:04It wasn't a good

01:16:05Performance

01:16:05And we have been

01:16:06Playing quite well

01:16:07Recently

01:16:07But today wasn't

01:16:09One of our best

01:16:10I thought we was

01:16:11A dominant team today

01:16:12I thought we showed

01:16:13An endeavour about us

01:16:14We showed a will

01:16:14About us

01:16:15We understood

01:16:16Where we currently are

01:16:17And what we need to be

01:16:18And for that

01:16:19That's progression

01:16:20Really for this group

01:16:21So while of course

01:16:23We can be a little bit

01:16:24Downbeat

01:16:25In terms of these

01:16:26The chances we created

01:16:27And not putting them away

01:16:28We've created them

01:16:30And we've also

01:16:31We've took a very good team

01:16:34Here right to it really

01:16:35So yeah

01:16:36I'm encouraged by that

01:16:37Back to back draws

01:16:39For Burnley

01:16:39But with so many key players

01:16:41Missing for Everton

01:16:42Was that a missed opportunity

01:16:43For Scott Parker's team?

01:16:45Yeah I think it was

01:16:45And you know

01:16:46Everton had Jack Rielish out

01:16:47Dendai

01:16:47Garner Guy

01:16:48Dewsbury Hall

01:16:49So I think it was

01:16:50A missed opportunity

01:16:51A good chance for Burnley

01:16:53To pick up

01:16:54Three points

01:16:55And they were wasteful

01:16:57Brun Larsson here

01:16:58He's got a great opportunity

01:16:59To score

01:17:00And he's wasted

01:17:01That opportunity

01:17:02And then

01:17:03And this one

01:17:05Right at the end

01:17:06Whether he was

01:17:06Onside or offside

01:17:07Remains to be seen

01:17:09But

01:17:09He has to score

01:17:11And

01:17:12Burnley had

01:17:1316

01:17:14If you look at

01:17:16He had

01:17:17He had 16 shots today

01:17:18And not one on target

01:17:19The expected goals today

01:17:21Was up

01:17:21It was 1.65

01:17:22And touches in the

01:17:24Opposition's box

01:17:24Was high as well

01:17:26But

01:17:26No shots on target

01:17:27From 16

01:17:28That's not good enough

01:17:29A nice trip

01:17:30St James' Park next

01:17:31Oh no

01:17:33They're at home

01:17:33Sorry

01:17:34They're at home

01:17:34Turf more

01:17:35Yeah

01:17:35Okay

01:17:36Well that changes

01:17:36Everything then

01:17:37Okay

01:17:39Time for last night's action

01:17:40No team had won

01:17:41More games on Boxing Day

01:17:43Than Manchester United

01:17:43And no team had lost

01:17:45More games than

01:17:45Newcastle United

01:17:46On Boxing Day

01:17:47Tom Gale

01:17:47Was at Old Trafford

01:17:49Ruben Amorim says

01:17:51It's impossible

01:17:52To replace

01:17:53Bruno Fernandes

01:17:54Statistically

01:17:55The Premier League's

01:17:56Most creative player

01:17:57This season

01:17:57Who could miss

01:17:58The next five games

01:18:00Easily the longest

01:18:01Absence of his

01:18:02Manchester United career

01:18:03With no

01:18:04Ahmed

01:18:04And Mbumo

01:18:05Mateus Kunja

01:18:06Is the clear threat

01:18:07And looking to score

01:18:08In a third

01:18:09Consecutive game

01:18:10Newcastle

01:18:11Have their own

01:18:12Injury concerns

01:18:13With six defenders out

01:18:15Lewis Miley

01:18:15Continues to fill in

01:18:17At right back

01:18:17Jacob Murphy makes

01:18:19His 200th Premier League

01:18:20Appearance

01:18:21Nick Pote returns

01:18:22On the bench

01:18:23After a month out

01:18:24With a groin problem

01:18:25Voltemada

01:18:29A little bit of luck

01:18:30There for the German

01:18:31Gordon

01:18:32Voltemada

01:18:34Dorgut

01:18:35Tracking back

01:18:36At the expense

01:18:38Of Newcastle's

01:18:39First corner

01:18:40Tonali to take

01:18:44In front of the

01:18:45Stretford end

01:18:46Towards the near post

01:18:50And flicked on

01:18:51And saved

01:18:51Lamins

01:18:53With a smart stop

01:18:55Gimaraish with the

01:18:58Header

01:18:58And he's down low

01:19:00Centre Lamins

01:19:02Sheshka will apply the

01:19:07Pressure to

01:19:07Chap

01:19:07Does enough

01:19:09Finds

01:19:12Cunha

01:19:12Cunha to run

01:19:14At Malik

01:19:14Chap

01:19:14Goes low

01:19:17And denied

01:19:18By Ramsdale

01:19:19So the

01:19:21So the captain's

01:19:21Guessing there

01:19:22Mateus

01:19:22Cunha

01:19:22Whether or not

01:19:23He'd go for the

01:19:24Shot or the

01:19:25Cross

01:19:25And the English

01:19:26Goalkeeper

01:19:27Down well

01:19:28To make the

01:19:29Save

01:19:29Dallot

01:19:31With the long

01:19:31Throw

01:19:32Voltemada's

01:19:34Head

01:19:34Dorgut

01:19:35A Christmas

01:19:41Cracker

01:19:41From Patrick

01:19:42Dorgut

01:19:43What a memorable

01:19:45Way to score

01:19:46Your first

01:19:47Manchester United

01:19:48Goal

01:19:49Dallot's

01:19:51Throw

01:19:51Voltemada

01:19:53He makes

01:19:54The first

01:19:54Contact

01:19:55But Dorgut

01:19:56With excellent

01:19:58Technique

01:19:59He hits

01:20:00That crisp

01:20:01As you like

01:20:02Through

01:20:03Traffic

01:20:04Ramsdale

01:20:05Sees it

01:20:06Late

01:20:06Feint

01:20:08Appeals

01:20:09For offside

01:20:10But the

01:20:10Goal

01:20:10Stands

01:20:11Former

01:20:14Manchester United

01:20:15Player Darren

01:20:16Fletcher

01:20:16Was appointed

01:20:17Head coach

01:20:18Of the

01:20:18Under 18s

01:20:19Over the

01:20:19Summit

01:20:20Proud

01:20:20Night

01:20:20For him

01:20:21With

01:20:21Twin

01:20:22Sons

01:20:22Jack

01:20:22And Tyler

01:20:23On the

01:20:24Home

01:20:24Bench

01:20:24Lamets

01:20:27This

01:20:28Clearance

01:20:29Hangs

01:20:29In the

01:20:29Air

01:20:30Benefited

01:20:31Sheshka

01:20:31Kunia

01:20:32Skips

01:20:33Away

01:20:33Finds

01:20:35Dorgut

01:20:36Against

01:20:37Shear

01:20:37Goes

01:20:38For

01:20:38Goal

01:20:38And

01:20:39Denied

01:20:39By

01:20:39Ramsdale

01:20:40By

01:20:43Kunia

01:20:43Goes

01:20:45Low

01:20:46Ramsdale

01:20:47Makes

01:20:47The

01:20:47Save

01:20:48Gimara

01:20:59Gimara

01:21:04trying to do too much, Ugarte read his movements, falls to Szesko, on his left foot, could have

01:21:12sense that he wanted it on his right, sees there's no option to get that strike off so

01:21:17goes with his left. Xerxi, can't make it stick, Hall, drop of the shoulder to get away from

01:21:28Ugarte, Lewis, Hall, hits the crossbar, still not cleared, Gimaraish, Murphy's cross is a

01:21:39deep one, Yarrow, Hall again, lets fly, blocked by Manchester United and it is a Newcastle

01:21:48United corner, Lamens is certainly beaten as it rattles the crossbar, corner comes in,

01:21:58Dalot's head, a share, is that blocked by his own man, appeals for handball, Vulture Marder,

01:22:04Chau took a swing, pull slips, Manchester United and Newcastle United player are down and the

01:22:13referee stops play, Newcastle United are appealing for handball and it does involve

01:22:23Lissandro Martinez, it does make contact with his arm but I'm not sure what he can do there,

01:22:31VAR checked and cleared, they are happy with the on-field decision,

01:22:35trying to pick the way through here, Gordon with a chance, oh!

01:22:47And it's just rolled straight across the Manchester United six-yard box, that was his moment there,

01:22:54Anthony Gordon,

01:22:55Anthony Gordon,

01:22:55Dorku, cynically fouled there by Sandro Tonali, not quite sure what his

01:23:08remonstrations are for, that's a clear yellow card for the Italian,

01:23:13Martinez, spots Dalot, finds Dalot, good first touch, oh!

01:23:21What a moment, excellent spot from the Manchester United captain Martinez, look 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 but Ruben Amarim secures a first home win since the 25th of October,

01:23:52full-time Manchester United one, Newcastle United nil.

01:23:55I felt we should have come away with something, but we only have ourselves to blame for that.

01:24:01It's a frustrating game, because I thought in the first half, I thought it was there for us to grab,

01:24:05and we didn't, I was disappointed with our performance at half-time.

01:24:08Second half was a lot stronger, I thought we dominated the game in terms of possession and chances,

01:24:12and it was just that elusive first goal for us, I think if we get it at any stage in the game,

01:24:16the win's there for us, but we didn't, and they defended well.

01:24:19It felt amazing, I just want to thank God, thank my family and me as well, to keep working hard,

01:24:25even though it's been tough the last recent weeks, and yeah, just keep going and build more confidence for this.

01:24:31It was the opposite of many games that we had, especially at home when we play better,

01:24:37we create more chances, and we didn't get the three points today, I think it was the opposite.

01:24:41I think we did a good, just good first half, and then the second half we suffered altogether,

01:24:47with the fans, with all the guys in the bench, we managed to win.

01:24:51So they move into the top six, Wayne, but what were your thoughts on the performance?

01:24:55I was worried when I seen the performance, if I'm being honest, and I think he changed,

01:25:01the manager changed the formation, and he went with the back four, which a lot of people have been asking for,

01:25:06but he didn't really, I know he didn't concede the goal, but 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, and 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, and it's not sustainable at all.

01:25:46I think, you know, they need players in, and they've obviously lost some important players,

01:25:51and Bruno is a big loss, but this is the home games under Ammonen,

01:25:57and you look at the possession from the Newcastle game, it's 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?

01:26:20Yeah, I mean, there was just, I mean, when you're putting 46 crosses into the box,

01:26:28or attempting 46 crosses, then someone has to get on the end of them.

01:26:33I mean, this is a brilliant ball. There 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. Same thing again here.

01:26:44Gordon might be looking to score, but look at the four or five Newcastle players there.

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. It 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.

01:27:13When you've got that amount of balls wide and putting them in there, and you're only taking two points from their four games, that tells you that there's a lack of quality, and certainly a lack of movement, and 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 that movement can happen very suddenly, can't it, if you put some form together?

01:27:33No, absolutely. I mean, we were talking about Fulham being in a relegation battle two or three weeks ago, yet they win three games on the spin and they're in the top half now.

01:27:40So that's what Newcastle have to do that. I 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, seems like a good time to have a little look at the table, doesn't it?

01:27:53And, well, you can see there, it's as you were at the top, following wins for Arsenal, Manchester 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 in 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 11th home league defeat of 2025.

01:28:25Thank you to Alan and Wayne. I hope everybody's finished off all the leftovers and done all the washing up by the time you get home.

01:28:31So Watkins wins it for Villa. Tis the season to be, Oli. Good night.

01:28:37Welcome to Columbia.

01:29:04Welcome to Columbia.

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

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended