Episode
Match of the Day 2: April 8th, 2012
Overview
Colin Murray is joined by studio guests, Robbie Savage and Lee Dixon, for highlights of the day's Premier League fixtures between Manchester United and QPR, and Arsenal and Manchester City. Both Manchester clubs are fighting for the title with differing motivations - Sir Alex Ferguson's team want to extend their record by winning a 20th league championship, while Roberto Mancini's side are aiming to win a first top flight title in 44 years. United beat QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road when they last met on 18 December, the same day City beat Arsene Wenger's team by a solitary goal in that reverse fixture. As usual, there will also be a review of all the goals and action from Saturday's seven games.
Details
- Series
- Match of the Day 2
- Season
- Season 8
- Episode
- Episode 28
- Air date
- 2012-04-08
- Runtime
- 60 min
Episode context
April 8th, 2012 is Episode 28 in Season 2011/12 of Match of the Day 2. It aired on 2012-04-08. The runtime is 60 min.
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Episode 27: April 1st, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's Premier League fixtures between Newcastle and Liverpool, and Tottenham against Swansea. Both Newcastle and Liverpool are vying for a top-six finish and European qualification, a target that would exceed Newcastle's pre-season expectations, but one which would be considered a minimum requirement by the Reds. Liverpool's season has been undermined by a lack of goals, and all eyes will be on struggling 35m pound striker Andy Carroll as he returns to his former club for the first time since his British record transfer. Champions League-chasing Tottenham play host to a Swansea side which has exceeded expectation since promotion to the Premier League. The two sides drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture but Swansea go into this game seeking their first ever league victory at White Hart Lane. As ever there will be a review of the previous day's goals and incidents, with expert analysis provided by Mark Lawrenson.
Episode 29: April 15th, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's Premier League action as champions Manchester United met Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's side continue their pursuit of a twentieth league title against a Villa team they beat 1-0 in December. Villa's Premier League security is still not assured - their form has dipped lately and manager Alex McLeish will be hoping for some joy - but at Old Trafford, picking up points is never easy. There is also another chance to catch up with all the goals and incidents from Saturday's games.
More episodes from this season
Episode 26: March 25th, 2012
Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's Premier League fixture between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at the Hawthorns. The two clubs are meeting for a 12th occasion in the Premier League era and goals have been a prerequisite in those previous encounters with on average over three goals being scored per game. The Baggies are undefeated in three matches against the Magpies since the two clubs returned to the top flight together in 2010.
Episode 30: April 22nd, 2012
Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's three Premier League fixtures, with analysis from Alan Shearer, Robbie Savage and special guest, Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers. Manchester United welcomed Everton to Old Trafford looking to complete their first league double over the Merseysiders since the 2007/08 season. In the three campaigns that have followed, the Toffees have frequently frustrated United and were unlucky to lose 1-0 at Goodison Park in October. Javier Hernandez scored the winning-goal but Leighton Baines struck the bar for David Moyes's side. Fellow title challengers Manchester City were also in action travelling to Molineux to take on Wolves, a venue that has not been a happy hunting ground in previous seasons as City have suffered two defeats from three previous Premier League trips.
Episode 25: March 18th, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of today's two Premier League matches. United were comprehensive 4-1 winners when Wolves visited Old Trafford in December - but the Molineux faithful will remember last season's fixture when the men in gold inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Sir Alex Ferguson's side, a result which lifted Wolves off the bottom of the table, and proved vital in their narrow escape from relegation. The Midlands side, who last month sacked Mick McCarthy and gave his assistant Terry Connor the top job until the end of the season, are in another relegation battle in this campaign - and another famous victory could once again prove crucial. Newcastle have had a brilliant season under manager Alan Pardew and a win today would keep up their hopes of qualifying for European football.
Episode 31: April 29th, 2012
Colin Murray introduces highlights from the day's two Premier League fixtures, with expert analysis from Lee Dixon and Stoke City manager Tony Pulis. In the early kick-off, Chelsea welcome west London rivals Queens Park Rangers to Stamford Bridge. The two sides have already clashed twice this season with honours even at one win apiece. In the day's other game, Tottenham host Blackburn in a match crucial to both sides. Spurs are chasing a top-four finish that would secure a return to the Champions League - and they will be buoyed by their excellent recent record over Rovers which has seen them lose just two of their last 16 meetings. Steve Kean's Blackburn side meanwhile have endured a tough season as they battle to avoid relegation to the Championship for the first time since 1999. A win for them today would help ease those worries. As ever, there is also a review of all the goals and incidents from Saturday.
Episode 24: March 11th, 2012
Colin Murray presents the best of the action from the day's three crucial Premier League clashes which have huge significance at both ends of the table. It is a massive day in terms of who will win this season's Barclays Premier League as title chasing Manchester City and Manchester United are both in action - with City facing a tough trip to Swansea, while United host West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. The two Manchester sides have set the pace from the start of the season and both will be wanting to pile the pressure on each other as the run-in hots up. There is a crucial game also for relegation threatened Wigan, with Roberto Martinez's side travelling to Norwich. Wigan have struggled throughout this season and are once again in great danger. They escaped the drop on the last day of last season - they will be aiming for maximum points to maintain their hopes of survival again this time.
Episode 23: March 4th, 2012
Colin Murray presents highlights of the day's three Premier League games, including the crucial match between Tottenham and Manchester United at White Hart Lane. The reigning champions beat Spurs 3-0 back in August, but Harry Redknapp's side have recovered to mount a sustained title challenge. It is 11 years since Tottenham last beat United, but with world-class players such as Luka Modric and Gareth Bale at their disposal, Spurs can be a match for any team on their day. Sir Alex Ferguson's men have enjoyed facing London sides so far this season, winning six of seven league games against opposition from the capital, with the only exception their remarkable 3-3 draw with Chelsea. Wolves head south to face Fulham at Craven Cottage, where they have not won a top-flight fixture since 1967, and the day's early kick-off sees high-flying Newcastle play in-form Sunderland. The match will be Martin O'Neill's first Tyne-Wear derby since taking charge of the Black Cats in December.
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.
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 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 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.