Match of the Day 2 Season 9, Episode 17: December 23rd, 2012

1

August 19th, 2012

Colin Murray is joined by guests including Mark Lawrenson for highlights of the day's Premier League fixtures between Wigan and Chelsea and Manchester City and Southampton - as well as a round-up of Saturday's seven matches. Hopes are high for Roberto di Matteo's buoyant Chelsea, who launched a new league title bid off the back of a season of relative domestic transition - despite sensationally winning the European Champions League. They are keen to improve on their 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium in Lancashire last season. Roberto Mancini's Manchester City, inspired by David Silva, host newly-promoted Southampton in confident mood ahead of a campaign in which they are determined to build upon, winning a first league championship since 1968.

60 min

2

August 26th, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's two Premier League fixtures. Champions Manchester City travelled to Liverpool for the Reds' first top flight home match under the management of Brendan Rodgers. Anfield has not been a happy hunting ground for City in recent years, they are winless in their last nine trips dating back to 2003. Stoke hosted Arsenal in day's other game with trips to the Britannia Stadium not a favoured destination for Arsene Wenger's men either. The Gunners have tasted victory only once in four attempts since the Potters won promotion. There is also a round-up of all of Saturday's eight matches.

60 min

3

September 2nd, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights of today's three Premier League games, including Liverpool's clash with Arsenal at Anfield. The Reds reached two cup finals last term, but disappointing league form saw Kenny Dalglish replaced by former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman likes his sides to play free-flowing football, as does Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, so today's game should be one to savour. The Gunners won this fixture 2-1 last season thanks to an injury-time Robin van Persie goal, and that victory proved crucial at they went on to qualify for the Champions League for the 15th consecutive season. Elsewhere, Manchester United make the long trip south to face newly-promoted Southampton at the St Mary's Stadium. The Saints dropped out of the top flight in 2005 after losing to the Red Devils on the final day, and will feel they are long overdue revenge against Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

60 min

4

September 16th, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights from the day's Premier League match between Reading and Tottenham, along with all the goals and talking points from Saturday's eight games. Reading and Tottenham haven't met since the 2007-08 season, when Spurs did the league double over Reading, and also beat them in the FA Cup, albeit after a replay. Those league victories included an astonishing 6-4 win at White Hart Lane, which included four goals from Dimitar Berbatov.

60 min

5

September 23rd, 2012

Colin Murray introduces highlights of Sunday's Premier League action. Anfield plays host to the latest instalment in one of the game's biggest rivalries as Liverpool face Manchester United. Both clubs are hoping football is the only talking point after last season's league meeting on Merseyside was overshadowed by the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra affair. Champions Manchester City meet Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. A solitary David Silva goal was enough to give Roberto Mancini's side victory at home against the Gunners last season. And there is an all-London encounter at White Hart Lane as Tottenham face QPR, while Norwich travel to Newcastle. There is also the chance to catch up on all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

6

September 30th, 2012

Colin Murray introduces highlights of Sunday's Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Brom. This Midlands derby pits together two clubs who have had differing starts to the season. The Baggies followed up a stunning opening day win over Liverpool with a point against Tottenham at White Hart Lane to give new manager Steve Clarke a dream introduction to life at West Brom. The same cannot be said for Paul Lambert's opening matches in charge of Villa; he was able to bolster his thin-looking squad on deadline day, and now needs his side to pick up points to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle come the end of the season. There is also the chance to catch up on all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

7

October 7th, 2012

Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's four Premier League fixtures. Manchester United travel to Newcastle looking to avenge their 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Magpies earlier this year. Southampton take on Fulham at St Mary's in their first Premier League meeting since January 2005, while Liverpool play Stoke and Tottenham entertain Aston Villa.

60 min

8

October 21st, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's Premier League games, which see Sunderland face local rivals Newcastle and QPR entertain Everton. The Tyne-Wear derby is always a fiercely contested fixture, and the last four meetings have produced a total of four red cards, including dismissals for Sunderland duo Stephane Sessegnon and Lee Cattermole when the sides last met in March. On that occasion Shola Ameobi netted a late equaliser for Newcastle, who have only lost one of their last 15 games against the Black Cats. The day's other game sees QPR meet Everton at Loftus Road, where the Toffees have only won once in the last 25 years. Rangers narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season, but will expect a better performance this season following the signing of high-profile trio Julio Cesar, Park Ji-Sung and Esteban Granero. Colin and guests also look back at the goals from Saturday's eight matches.

60 min

9

October 28th, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights of four Premier League games. The historic Merseyside derby will be as keenly contested as ever, with David Moyes keen to see Everton blossom into top-four Premier League contenders while Brendan Rogers works hard to build his own empire at Liverpool. Entertainment should also be in rich supply when Manchester United visit Chelsea. Last season, Sir Alex Ferguson's team launched a stirring fight-back to earn a hard-fought point at Stamford Bridge after being three goals down. West Brom travel to Newcastle and Southampton host Tottenham, while Colin and guests also look back at the goals from Saturday's six matches

60 min

10

November 4th, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights from the day's two Premier League matches, along with a chance to catch up with the goals from Saturday's top-flight games. There is usually plenty of excitement when Liverpool and Newcastle clash, and this game was Reds' manager Brendan Rodgers' first taste of this particular fixture. Home victories have been hard to come by for Liverpool in 2012, but Rodgers will have been encouraged by the fact that Anfield has not been a happy hunting ground for Newcastle in recent years, with the Tyneside club losing on their last seven visits there. QPR and Reading have both endured tough starts to the 2012-13 campaign, so their meeting at Loftus Road could prove vital if both find themselves in a relegation fight in the spring. The teams have already met once this season, with Reading twice coming from behind to win 3-2 in the Capital One Cup in September.

60 min

11

November 11th, 2012

Colin Murray reviews the day's Premier League action, featuring Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, Chelsea v Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and Newcastle United v West Ham United at St James' Park. Liverpool completed a league double over the Blues last season, as well as eliminating them from the League Cup, although Chelsea did gain some revenge by winning 2-1 in the FA Cup final.

60 min

12

November 18th, 2012

Colin Murray and guests Steven Reid and Dion Dublin introduce highlights of the Premier League clash between Fulham and Sunderland at Craven Cottage. Martin Jol's Fulham side made an excellent start to the season at home, keeping clean sheets in three out of their first four matches at Craven Cottage. Sunderland have found goals hard to come by and have relied heavily on record signing Steven Fletcher to find the back of the net. Craven Cottage is not a ground the Black Cats have enjoyed playing at in the Premier League, having managed a solitary victory in eight visits to west London. There is also a chance to catch up with the goals and talking points from all of Saturday's games.

60 min

13

November 25th, 2012

Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's four Premier League fixtures. Rafael Benitez takes charge of Chelsea for the first time, hosting champions Manchester City, who have recorded only two Premier League victories from 15 visits to Stamford Bridge. Brendan Rodgers takes his Liverpool side to former club Swansea for the first time since his summer switch to Anfield. The Swans won the corresponding fixture 1-0 last season and kept clean sheets in both games against the Reds last term. The day's other fixtures see Alan Pardew return to former club Southampton with Newcastle, while Tottenham host West Ham in an eagerly-anticipated London derby. There is also another chance to see all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

14

December 2nd, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights from the day's Premier League game, which pits Norwich City against Sunderland at Carrow Road. The match sees Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill return to the club where he had spells as both player and manager. The Black Cats have a poor record away to the Canaries - their last league win there was 27 years ago. So far this season, O'Neill's side have been tough to beat but over-reliant on summer signing and top scorer Steven Fletcher. A rare away win would therefore be a real boost to the Wearsiders' confidence. The Canaries suffered the disruption of losing manager Paul Lambert to Aston Villa this summer. His replacement, former Newcastle and Birmingham boss Chris Hughton, had to wait until City's eighth league game of the season to register a first win, courtesy of Grant Holt's strike against Arsenal. Holt was Norwich's top scorer last season, and the Canaries need him back to his best if they are to avoid being drawn into a relegation struggle.

60 min

15

December 9th, 2012

Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's three Premier Leauge fixtures, headlined by the Manchester derby. In their last meeting, Vincent Kompany scored the only goal against United at the Etihad Stadium to give City a decisive advantage in the title race with only two games remaining. City boast a phenomenal home record under manager Roberto Mancini, but United can take heart from the fact they have won more than half of their Premier League visits to their neighbours. In the day's other games, Everton host a Tottenham side aiming for a first win at Goodison Park in six seasons, and different footballing philosophies collide at Upton Park as Sam Allardyce's West Ham meet Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool.

60 min

16

December 16th, 2012

Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's two Premier League matches, as Tottenham host Swansea and West Ham face West Brom at the Hawthorns. Spurs beat the Welsh club 3-1 when they met last season, on April Fool's Day, although the north Londoners' season eventually ended in disappointment as they ultimately failed to qualify for the European Champions League. That is their target once more this season under new manager Andre Villas-Boas. The Swans, meanwhile, are enjoying life under their new boss Michael Laudrup. Both West Brom and West Ham have enjoyed a fine start to the season, rising higher than expecting in the Premier League table. Baggies boss Steve Clarke has made an impressive switch from being an assistant at various clubs to being the main man in charge, while Sam Allardyce - an experienced hand in the management game - is displaying all his old guile and craft after getting the Hammers promoted back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

60 min

17

December 23rd, 2012

Mark Chapman presents highlights of the day's Premier League matches, with analysis from Alan Shearer and Dion Dublin. Aston Villa travel to Stamford Bridge, where they scored an impressive 3-1 win against Chelsea 12 months ago. Michael Laudrup's Swansea take on Manchester United, who became the first visiting side to win at the Liberty Stadium in the Premier League last season.

60 min

18

December 30th, 2012

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the final two Premier League fixtures of 2012, with expert analysis from Alan Shearer and Pat Nevin. Everton take on Chelsea at Goodison Park, a ground the west London club have struggled at in previous seasons. The Toffees are unbeaten in their last four home encounters against Chelsea, winning the last three. Chelsea's last victory at Goodison came courtesy of a Michael Essien match-winning goal during the 2007/08 campaign. Queens Park Rangers host Liverpool at Loftus Road in the other game, with the 2011 season's 3-2 triumph for the Rs still fresh in the memory. The visitors led 2-0 with only 13 minutes of the game to go, only for Shaun Derry, Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie to turn the game on its head and kick-start what ultimately proved to be QPR's successful Premier League survival campaign. There is also another chance to see all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

19

January 13th 2013

Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's two heavyweight fixtures in the Premier League: Arsenal v Manchester City, and Manchester United v Liverpool. Games between Arsenal and City and have been tight, low-scoring affairs in recent seasons and last year's corresponding fixture at the Emirates was no exception, with Gunners midfielder Mikel Arteta scoring the only goal three minutes from the end. At Old Trafford, Manchester United will be vying to complete the double over Liverpool, having beaten their great rivals at Anfield in September courtesy of Robin van Persie's late penalty.

60 min

20

January 20th 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's two heavyweight matches in the Premier League, in which Chelsea host Arsenal and Tottenham play Manchester United. Earlier in the season Chelsea enjoyed an excellent win over Arsenal at the Emirates, triumphing 2-1 thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Fernando Torres. It kept the Blues top of the league but they have since struggled and have, of course, replaced manager Roberto Di Matteo. Tottenham produced one of the results of the season so far when they pulled off a historic victory over Manchester United back in September. Their 3-2 win was their first at Old Trafford for 23 years, and the 1989-90 season was the last time they completed the double over the Red Devils.

60 min

21

February 3rd, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's Premier League matches. Roberto Mancini's Manchester City host Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool, with the Reds looking for a better performance than they managed on their previous two Premier League visits to the Etihad, which both resulted in 3-0 defeats. In the day's other game, Spurs travel to West Bromwich Albion, with boss Andre Villas Boas harbouring unhappy memories of his last Premier League trip to the Hawthorns; it proved to be his final game in charge of Chelsea. There is also a chance to see all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

22

February 10th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's two Premier League fixtures, along with all the goals from Saturday's eight matches. Everton caused a stir when they beat Manchester United 1-0 in their opening match of the season, and David Moyes's side have gone on to show that the victory was no fluke. But that was on their home turf - how will they fare at Old Trafford? Aston Villa suffered a 1-0 defeat in their season opener away at West Ham, who they now face again. Things have not got much easier for the West Midlands side, although they could take hope from the fact that they did the double over the Hammers last season, thanks to Gabriel Agbonlahor's injury-time winner at Upton Park.

60 min

23

February 17th, 2013

Mark Chapman introduces highlights from the day's Premier League game between Liverpool and Swansea City. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers spent two successful years in charge of the Swans, establishing the Welsh club in the top flight before leaving to take over at Anfield. Swansea could be forgiven for having one eye on next weekend's League Cup final against Bradford, when the Swans have the chance to win the first major trophy in their history. Rodgers' replacement at the Liberty Stadium, Michael Laudrup, has enjoyed a successful start to his Premier League career, with the recruitment of prolific Spanish forward Michu proving one of the signings of the season. Despite the distraction provided by their cup run, Laudrup will be hopeful of steering his side to a top-half finish.

60 min

24

February 24th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's two Premier League fixtures: the top-of-the-table meeting between Manchester City and Chelsea, and Newcastle's game with fellow strugglers Southampton. Samir Nasri's late winner for Manchester City in last season's corresponding fixture against Chelsea kept them firmly in the title race and they were in need of a repeat of that result today. The two sides contested a drab goalless draw earlier in the season, memorable only for the hostile reception from Chelsea's supporters toward the club's new manager Rafa Benitez. Chelsea's subsequent exit from all cup competitions has hardly appeased the fans, and the deposed European champions cannot afford to falter in their quest for Champions League qualification. In the day's other game, Newcastle and Southampton were looking for the three points that would help them move away from relegation danger.

60 min

25

March 3rd, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's only Premier League fixture as Tottenham entertain Arsenal in the 152nd north London league derby. The Gunners have beaten their old adversaries 5-2 in each of their last two league meetings, both at the Emirates Stadium, stretching back to the 2011-12 season. Now, back on home soil, Tottenham will be looking for three valuable points as they look to finish above the Gunners in the final league table for the first time since 1995. Alan Hansen provides expert analysis, and there is another chance to see all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

26

March 10th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's two Premier League fixtures - Tottenham's trip to Anfield to face Liverpool and Newcastle's match with Stoke. When Tottenham and Liverpool last met, first-half goals from Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale were enough to give Andre Villas-Boas's exciting team victory over their visitors from Merseyside. Newcastle have endured a tough season and faced a difficult match against a Stoke side that beat them 2-1 earlier in the season. Goals from Jon Walters and Cameron Jerome condemned the Magpies to a fourth straight defeat in the league for the first time since 2008. There are also highlights and analysis of Saturday's four Premier League matches.

60 min

27

March 17th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's four Premier League games. Norwich travel to the Stadium of Light looking to complete the double over Sunderland, having beaten the Black Cats 2-1 in early December during a stunning run of form that saw them go ten matches unbeaten. Meanwhile, struggling Wigan have pulled off some great escapes to avoid relegation over the last few seasons and this one looks like it will require the same. They host Newcastle, and will be encouraged by a good recent home record against the Toon. There are also two London derby games as Chelsea meet West Ham at Stamford Bridge and Tottenham face Fulham at White Hart Lane.

60 min

28

March 31st, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's only Premier League match, Aston Villa v Liverpool. Relegation-threatened Villa produced one of their best performances of the season when they won 3-1 at Liverpool in December, but Paul Lambert's side have otherwise found wins hard to come by. In contrast, the goals have flowed freely for Liverpool since the turn of the year, giving the Reds renewed hope of European qualification. Colin and guests will also look back at the goals from Saturday's eight matches.

60 min

29

April 7th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's five Premier League fixtures. Tottenham welcome Everton to White Hart Lane, looking to continue an unbeaten three-game home record against the Toffees. QPR entertain fellow strugglers Wigan, hoping to maintain a record of never having lost at home to the Latics in English football's top two divisions. Elsewhere, Chelsea entertain Sunderland, Liverpool face West Ham and Newcastle host Fulham. There is also another chance to see all of the goals from Saturday's games.

60 min

30

April 14th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's two Premier League fixtures, with action at both ends of the table. Manchester United's pursuit of their 20th league title continues at Stoke, while there is a crucial Tyne and Wear derby at the foot of the table. The arrival of Paolo Di Canio at Sunderland adds an extra bite to an always feisty derby against Newcastle, which holds even more meaning due to the relegation concerns of both sides.

60 min

31

April 21st, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's two heavyweight fixtures, with Tottenham hosting Manchester City and Liverpool facing Chelsea in games that will have a bearing on European qualification. Tottenham and Manchester City have twice met in decisive late-season matches in recent seasons, each winning once to qualify for the Champions League at their beaten opponent's expense. They are both in a position to claim a top-four finish this time, although Spurs have less margin for error and had lost their previous four matches in this fixture. In the other game, Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez returns to his former club Liverpool. Both sides can ill-afford to drop points as they look to end transitional seasons by securing European qualification. Liverpool have had the upper hand in this fixtures over recent seasons, winning four successive meetings before settling for a draw at Stamford Bridge last November.

60 min

32

April 28th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's Premier League matches. The early match saw Reading host QPR. Both sides have endured an awful season in which they have been marooned at the foot of the table. Nigel Adkins started the season in charge of Southampton but has since been entrusted with the seemingly impossible job of keeping the Royals in the top flight. Harry Redknapp was given a similar task at QPR, but despite heavy investment, his arrival failed to give Rangers the immediate fillip they needed. Chelsea face a crucial match against Swansea at Stamford Bridge. In the afternoon's late kick-off, Manchester United travelled to north London to face Arsenal. The Gunners are a side the Red Devils have loved facing in recent years, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men losing just one of their last 11 meetings in all competitions.

60 min

33

May 5th, 2013

Colin Murray introduces highlights of the day's two Premier League matches, with the 220th Merseyside derby as hotly-contested as ever. Last season at Anfield, Liverpool emerged as 3-0 winners, with club captain Steven Gerrard scoring a memorable hat-trick to spoil David Moyes' 10th anniversary as Everton boss. Earlier this season, the two clubs drew 2-2 at Goodison Park. Controversial Reds striker Luis Suarez took centre stage, but Everton stole a point after hitting back from being two goals down. The later match sees Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford, a fixture that once again pits Sir Alex Ferguson against old adversary Rafael Benitez. Aside from there being little love lost on the managerial front, these two clubs have a colourful recent rivalry; United beat the Blues in the 2009 European Champions League final, though Chelsea recently knocked the Red Devils out of the FA Cup competition.

60 min