Episode
Match of the Day 2: MOTD2 - 31st August 2014
Overview
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's two Premier League games, in which Tottenham host Liverpool and Leicester host Arsenal. This corresponding fixture last season saw Liverpool win 5-0 at White Hart Lane, a result which saw then-Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas sacked. However, two of the Reds' five goals were scored by Luis Suarez, and this season they will have to cope without the Uruguayan livewire, who was allowed to join Barcelona in the summer. The day's second kick-off sees newly promoted Leicester host Arsenal. The Foxes comfortably won last season's Championship, finishing nine points clear of their nearest rivals, but face a step up in class against the Gunners. Arsene Wenger's side ended their nine-year wait for silverware by winning the FA Cup last season, but the recruitment of former Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, who starred for Chile at the World Cup, has left Gunners fans dreaming of a first league title since 2004.
Details
- Series
- Match of the Day 2
- Season
- Season 11
- Episode
- Episode 3
- Air date
- 2014-08-31
- Runtime
- 60 min
Episode context
MOTD2 - 31st August 2014 is Episode 3 in Season 2014/15 of Match of the Day 2. It aired on 2014-08-31. The runtime is 60 min.
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Episode 2: MOTD2 - 24th August 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's three Premier League games, which see Tottenham host Queens Park Rangers, Hull City face Stoke City and Sunderland take on Manchester United. Tottenham's game against QPR sees Rangers boss Harry Redknapp return to White Hart Lane for the first time since being sacked by Spurs in 2012. Tottenham have struggled to replace Redknapp, with successors Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood also eventually deemed surplus to requirements. Sherwood's departure in May saw Mauricio Pochettino appointed Spurs' current boss and this will be the Argentine's first competitive home match at White Hart Lane. Another recent managerial appointment, Manchester United's Louis van Gaal, takes his side to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland. The Dutchman guided his native country to a third-place finish at the 2014 World Cup before taking over the Red Devils, who ended a disappointing seventh in last season's Premier League.
Episode 4: MOTD2 - 14th September 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the match between Manchester United and Queens Park Rangers. The last time QPR played at Old Trafford, Harry Redknapp watched from the stands before officially taking over as manager of the club. He was powerless to stop them being relegated to the Championship, but they are now back in the Premier League and are hoping to end a miserable run of results against the Red Devils. They have failed to register a victory over Manchester United in the Premier League and last beat them back in 1992, when they won 4-1 at Old Trafford. This match is also notable for Rio Ferdinand's return to Old Trafford. The defender made 454 appearances in a 12-year stay at Man Utd in which he won six league titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup before joining QPR in the summer. Mark and guests also look back at the goals from Saturday's matches.
More episodes from this season
Episode 1: MOTD2 - 17th August 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights from the day's two Premier League matches. Champions Manchester City begin the defence of their title away at Newcastle. City beat the Magpies at home and away last season, and also got the better of them in the League Cup, so will be expecting to get the 2014-15 campaign off to a winning start. Liverpool, who just missed out on the title last season, begin life without talismanic but controversial striker Luis Suarez, hosting Southampton at Anfield.
Episode 5: MOTD2 - 21st September 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's three matches, headlined by Manchester City's meeting with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. The two heavyweights are expected to be fighting it out for the title come the end of the season. City may have won the league last campaign but they were beaten both home and away to Chelsea. Leicester City welcome Manchester United to the King Power Stadium, still looking for a first home win against them since they moved to the ground in 2002. The Foxes' last home victory over United was a 3-0 triumph in 1985. Everton take on Crystal Palace in the day's other game. The Eagles proved a tough nut to crack for Roberto Martinez's side last season, taking four points off them. Mark and guests also look back at the goals from Saturday's matches.
Episode 6: MOTD2 - 28th September 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's Premier League meeting between West Brom and Burnley, plus a look back at all the action from Saturday's matches. The Premier League has never featured a meeting between these sides - newly promoted Burnley hope the first clash ends with a Clarets victory. The Baggies are equally keen to secure the spoils having spent last season at the wrong end of the Premier League table, only narrowly avoiding relegation. There is also a look back at a busy day in the Premier League on Saturday, which featured a derby double with Liverpool taking on Everton and Arsenal facing north London neighbours Tottenham.
Episode 7: MOTD2 - 5th October 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's four Premier League fixtures, and also looks back at all the action from Saturday's matches. Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea six months after suffering a humiliating 6-0 defeat there in Arsene Wenger's 1,000th match in charge last March. Manchester United will also be looking for atonement against Everton after the Toffees did the double over them last season for the first time since 1969. Harry Redknapp takes his promoted QPR side across London to face West Ham, the club he both played for and managed. The day's other game sees Tottenham host Southampton. Spurs did the double over Saints last season, winning 3-2 on both occasions. Philip Neville, Trevor Sinclair and Martin Keown are on hand with expert analysis.
Episode 8: MOTD2 - 19th October 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of Sunday's two Premier League fixtures and looks back at all the action from Saturday's matches. Brendan Rodgers takes his Liverpool side to Loftus Road to play promoted QPR, while Sunday's other game sees Stoke face Swansea at the Britannia Stadium. Saturday's Premier League action featured Manchester City against Tottenham and a London derby between Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
Episode 9: MOTD2 - 26th October 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights from the Premier League. All eyes are on Old Trafford as Manchester United face a huge match against Chelsea. Louis van Gaal's expensively assembled squad could not have had more of a contrasting start to the season to that enjoyed by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. The Red Devils will be looking to shrug off what has been a terrible opening to the season by their exalted standards, but their struggling defence will have their work cut out containing a Blues team who have been scoring goals for fun. Elsewhere, struggling Burnley welcome Everton to Turf Moor to get points on the board, while Newcastle travel to play Tottenham. There is also a look back at Saturday's Premier League action, featuring Manchester City against West Ham and Sunderland against Arsenal.
Episode 10: MOTD2 - 2nd November 2014
Mark Chapman introduces highlights from two Premier League games, including Manchester City v Manchester United, United manager Louis van Gaal's first Manchester derby. The Dutchman has recruited star names such as Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao with the aim of re-establishing United as a Premier League force. However, the side's defensive balance has come under the spotlight, and they face a real test against reigning champions Manchester City, who scored 102 league goals in the 2013/14 season, including four in an emphatic win against United at the Etihad Stadium. The day's second game sees Aston Villa entertain Tottenham Hotspur. This fixture has been one-sided in recent years - Spurs have won their last five games against Villa in all competitions, scoring 15 unanswered goals. However, Villa's solid start to the campaign will boost their hopes of ending that miserable run. There is also a look back at the goals from Saturday's matches.
Episode 11: MOTD2 - 9th November 2014
Mark Chapman presents highlights from today's Premier League fixtures. Arsenal made the trip down the M4 to Swansea, a place where they have come away with maximum points on their last two visits. Meanwhile the Gunners' north London rivals Tottenham were looking to make it four wins in a row against Stoke. The day's other two games saw Sunderland host Everton while Newcastle made the trip down to the Hawthorns to meet West Brom.
Episode 12: MOTD2 - 23rd November 2014
Mark Chapman presents highlights from the day's Premier League fixtures. Liverpool take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, a fixture which proved crucial in last season's Premier League title race. Liverpool squandered a three-goal lead in the final 11 minutes last May as the match ended 3-3, leaving Brendan Rodgers' team just one point ahead of title rivals Manchester City, who went on to claim the crown by two points. The day's other game sees Hull host Tottenham. Spurs are unbeaten in their three previous visits to the KC Stadium and they have only lost once to the Tigers in the Premier League. In this fixture last season, Hull ended a run of four consecutive league defeats by earning a 1-1 draw.
Episode 13: MOTD2 - 30th November 2014
Mark Chapman presents highlights of Sunday's two Premier League matches, including Southampton against Manchester City, and a look back at all of Saturday's action. Despite a summer of upheaval Saints enjoyed a record-breaking start to this season and are hopeful of extending their three-match unbeaten run against City on home turf. While Saints celebrated an impressive start to the campaign, Tottenham and Everton struggled to get going and are both desperate for three points at White Hart Lane in the day's other match. Saturday's busy Premier League programme - featuring eight games in total - is also reviewed and analysed.