Episode
Match of the Day 2: December 18th, 2011
Overview
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's busy four match Premier League schedule. Title contenders City have failed to score in their last three league games against the Gunners, but with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli among the goals this season, they will be confident of ending that run. Arsenal's last visit to Manchester saw them concede eight goals against Manchester United, and the Gunners have not won at City since 2008 - so history seems against them. City's neighbours, Manchester United are also in action against London opposition, with Sir Alex Ferguson's title chasing outfit hitting the road and taking on Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Neil Warnock's side have had a solid start in their return to top flight but they have not beaten the Red Devils since a famous 4-1 win on New Year's Day back in 1992.
Details
- Series
- Match of the Day 2
- Season
- Season 8
- Episode
- Episode 16
- Air date
- 2011-12-18
- Runtime
- 60 min
Episode context
December 18th, 2011 is Episode 16 in Season 2011/12 of Match of the Day 2. It aired on 2011-12-18. The runtime is 60 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 15: December 11th, 2011
Colin Murray presents highlights of Sunday's two games from the Premier League, which saw Sunderland host Blackburn and Stoke welcome Tottenham.
Episode 17: January 1st, 2012
Colin Murray is joined by Dion Dublin and John Hartson for highlights and analysis of the first Premier League fixtures of 2012. There will also be a chance to catch up with all the goals and highlights from Saturday's games. West Brom and Everton have the honour of playing the opening match of the New Year with an early kick-off at the Hawthorns. Both sides have not started this campaign in particularly good form, but they will be looking to make confident strides in the second half of the season. In the day's other kick-off, Sunderland welcome Manchester City to the Stadium of Light. Sunderland have a poor home record this season and City have lost just once at the Stadium of Light in their last six visits.
More episodes from this season
Episode 14: December 4th, 2011
Everton host Stoke looking to preserve a seven-match unbeaten home record against the Potters, a run of results that stretches back 30 years. Stoke travel to Goodison Park looking to improve on their away form which has been poor so far this season. At Molineux, Wolves hope to extend their winning run against Sunderland to three league games and gain more precious points in their bid to keep out of danger in the bottom half of the table. Steve Bruce's Black Cats meanwhile have been inconsistent so far this season and have struggled away from home, registering just one win on their travels.
Episode 18: January 15th, 2012
Jake Humphrey introduces highlights from the day's Premier League matches. Two of last season's promoted sides were in action as Mark Hughes took his QPR team to the north-east for a clash with the current campaign's surprise package, Newcastle. Meanwhile, the Liberty Stadium was the place to be for the purists as Brendan Rodgers' easy-on-the-eye Swansea outfit took on Arsenal. Plus, another chance to catch up on the goals from Saturday's games.
Episode 13: November 27th, 2011
Colin Murray introduces highlights and reaction from the Premier League matches between Liverpool and Manchester City, and Swansea City v Aston Villa.
Episode 19: January 22nd, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's two huge Premier League games between Manchester City and Tottenham and Arsenal versus Manchester United. Both London clubs will be looking for revenge after suffering early-season thrashings in these fixtures a few months ago while the two Manchester sides will be looking for maximum points to maintain their title challenges. As ever, there will also be a comprehensive round-up of the weekend's action - and in the studio Colin will be joined by analysts Lee Dixon and Alan Hansen.
Episode 12: November 20th, 2011
Colin Murray introduces highlights and reaction from the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as a round-up of Saturday's action. The hosts, led by young Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas, see qualification for the Champions League as the very minimum of their league ambitions for this season. Achieving that feat would satisfy the thirst of Liverpool's loyal army of followers, who can only see a bright future under Kenny Dalglish. This match at Stamford Bridge should give an indication of how both might fare come May.
Episode 20: February 5th, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's two matches from the Premier League: Chelsea at home against Manchester United and Newcastle's clash against Aston Villa. As well as comprehensive highlights from those two games, Colin and his guests as ever will look back at all the goals and major talking points from Saturday's seven matches.
Episode 11: November 6th, 2011
Colin Murray introduces highlights and reaction from three Premier League matches which include the London derby between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. Fulham boss Martin Jol will have approached this match with relish given he was manager of Tottenham for three years. Still a hugely popular figure among Spurs fans, the Dutchman will put sentiment to one side as he bids to end Fulham's dismal run in league fixtures between these sides. The Cottagers have only beaten Tottenham in one of their last 10 league matches, but they triumphed easily against Harry Redknapp's side 4-0 in the FA Cup last season. The other fixtures include struggling Bolton hosting Stoke at the Reebok Stadium and Wigan travelling to the Midlands to play Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. As always there will also be a review of all the goals and incidents from Saturday's matches - with the analysis led by MOTD2 regular, Lee Dixon.
Episode 21: February 12th, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's two Premier League matches, which see Manchester City travel to Aston Villa and a West Midlands derby between Wolves and West Brom at Molineux. Manchester City were comfortable 4-1 winners when they hosted Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in October, but that was when they were in the middle of a scintillating run of form that saw them win 11 of their first 12 league games. Roberto Mancini's side have stuttered a bit since then, something that will give Villa manager Alex McLeish hope. There's never any lack of passion in a Black Country derby and the stakes are even higher this time as Wolves and West Brom go in search of points that will ease their relegation fears. Mick McCarthy's men won this fixture 3-1 last season, but the Baggies took the spoils at the Hawthorns in October, and are looking for their first top-flight double over Wolves for 30 years.
Episode 10: October 30th, 2011
Colin Murray introduces highlights and reaction from Premier League games - including the London derby between Tottenham and QPR. Spurs and QPR renew their rivalry after a 16-year gap - and if you check the history books, you will see the two clubs have three wins apiece from their previous Premier League meetings. However, this fixture is best known for the 1982 FA Cup final, when Spurs needed a replay to overcome their then lower division opponents. Expert opinion and analysis comes from Lee Dixon and Mark Lawrenson - and there is also a comprehensive review of Saturday's eight games.
Episode 22: February 26th, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's three Premier League matches. Arsenal host north London rivals Tottenham, Manchester United travel to Norwich, and Stoke welcome Swansea to the Potteries. Spurs have recently turned the tables on their rivalry with Arsenal, sitting higher in the table than the Gunners for much of this season. Their run of good form began back in early October when Kyle Walker's fierce late strike gave Tottenham a 2-1 win in a frenetic north London derby at White Hart Lane. Reigning Premier League champions Manchester United continue the defence of their title with a visit to Norwich, who have impressed with some fine results this season since being promoted back to the top flight. Swansea travel to Stoke hoping to improve on an erratic away record in their first ever season in the Premier League. Colin and guests also look back at the goals and talking points from Saturday's six matches.