The BEST episodes directed by Ian Finch
#1 - MOTD - 22nd August 2015
Match of the Day - Season 2015 - Episode 4
Gary Lineker presents highlights of the day's six Premier League matches. In the lunchtime kick-off, Manchester United welcomed Newcastle to Old Trafford, while West Ham entertained Bournemouth at Upton Park. Former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is a guest in the studio alongside Alan Shearer. In the day's other games, Crystal Palace host Aston Villa, Tottenham travel to take on Leicester, Norwich play Stoke and Sunderland meet Swansea.
#2 - MOTD - 29th August 2015
Match of the Day - Season 2015 - Episode 5
Gary Lineker presents highlights of the day's Premier League games, which include Newcastle's match against Arsenal. The Gunners ended last season strongly, lifting the FA Cup at Wembley after thrashing Aston Villa, but a poor start to their league campaign prevented them from challenging for the league title. Arsene Wenger's men have won their last seven games against Newcastle, and will be hopeful of extending that winning run at St James' Park. Elsewhere, reigning champions Chelsea face fellow Londoners Crystal Palace, while Aston Villa meet Sunderland, Bournemouth host Leicester and West Ham travel to Liverpool. Newly promoted Watford face a tough trip to Manchester City, while Stoke play West Brom and Tottenham face Everton. Analysis comes from Ruud Gullit and Martin Keown.
#3 - MOTD - 8th August 2015
Match of the Day - Season 2015 - Episode 2
Gary Lineker introduces the best of the action and reaction from the opening day of the Premier League season. Chelsea began their title defence at home to Swansea, who had not won this fixture for 90 years, while an expensively revamped Manchester United side hosted Tottenham. The three promoted sides were all in action: Bournemouth made their top-flight debut against Aston Villa, Norwich welcomed Crystal Palace to Carrow Road, and Watford travelled to Everton.
#4 - MOTD - 15th August 2015
Match of the Day - Season 2015 - Episode 3
Gary Lineker introduces Premier League highlights and reaction with studio guests Ian Wright and Jermaine Jenas. Tottenham host Stoke, looking to avenge back-to-back defeats last season. West Ham begin their final Premier League season at Upton Park with the visit of Leicester, while Swansea entertain Newcastle, boasting a six-game unbeaten run against them. The day's other fixtures see Southampton play Everton, Norwich travel to Sunderland and Watford face West Bromwich Albion. Plus highlights of Manchester United's trip to Aston Villa on Friday night.
#5 - MOTD - November 3rd, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 10
#6 - MOTD - 18th November 2017
Match of the Day - Season 2017 - Episode 13
Gary Lineker presents Premier League highlights, including the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham. In the other games Manchester City visited Leicester, Manchester United hosted Newcastle, Liverpool played Southampton, West Brom welcomed Chelsea, Bournemouth hosted Huddersfield, Swansea visited Burnley, and Crystal Palace and Everton met at Selhurst Park.
#7 - MOTD - 2nd December 2017
Match of the Day - Season 2017 - Episode 16
Gary Lineker presents Premier League highlights, including Arsenal v Manchester United. The Gunners ended United's 25-match unbeaten run in the Premier League in the corresponding fixture last May, which also gave Arsene Wenger his first competitive victory over Jose Mourinho at the sixteenth attempt. Other games include Tottenham's visit to Watford and Brighton's first Premier League game against Liverpool.
#8 - MOTD - November 10th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 11
Gary Lineker presents the best of the action from the Premier League, with analysis from Alan Shearer and Martin Keown. Manchester United faced an away trip to Aston Villa, where Sir Alex Ferguson's side had not lost a league game since 1995. Arsenal hosted a London derby with Fulham, who held them to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium last season. Elsewhere, Sunderland travelled to Everton, Reading faced Norwich, Southampton met Swansea, Stoke took on QPR and Wigan played West Brom at the DW Stadium.
#9 - MOTD - January 2nd, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2011 - Episode 20
Gabby Logan is joined by guests Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer for highlights and analysis of five Premier League matches. Chelsea face a difficult trip to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers. Mick McCarthy's side stunned the then title-chasing Blues last season with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Jose Bosingwa own goal. Arsenal travel to Craven Cottage for a London derby with Fulham. Craven Cottage is a ground where the Gunners have not had things all their own way in recent years, with only two wins from their last five visits. Elsewhere, Aston Villa take on Swansea, relegation-threatened Blackburn welcome Stoke and two newly-promoted sides clash at Loftus Road as QPR play Norwich.
#10 - MOTD - January 4th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2011 - Episode 21
Gabby Logan is joined by Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson for highlights of five Premier League games played out over consecutive nights. Most recently, Newcastle United, who started the season in brilliant form, hosted Manchester United. Last season the Geordies held the eventual champions to a 0-0 draw in April. Also, Everton hosted struggling Bolton at Goodison Park. Previously, Manchester City took on Liverpool, free scoring Tottenham hosted West Bromwich Albion and Wigan played Sunderland at the DW Stadium.
#11 - MOTD - January 31st, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2011 - Episode 24
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from a busy evening in the Premier League, with this season's big three all in action, and reflects on all the big moves as the January transfer window closes. Manchester City travelled to Goodison Park to take on north-west neighbours Everton. City had lost on both previous visits under Roberto Mancini's management so it was a fixture sure to test their title credentials. Manchester United entertained a Stoke side that took Premier League points off them for the first time earlier this season with a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium, while Tottenham welcomed Wigan to White Hart Lane with last season's shock 1-0 Latics win still fresh in their memories.
#12 - MOTD - April 30th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2011 - Episode 40
Gary Lineker presents highlights from the crucial clash between Manchester City and Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. The bitter cross-city rivals have been battling out at the top of the Premier League all season, and much could rest on this match. Roberto Mancini's City side produced one of the best results in the club's history when they beat Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils 6-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season. But United are unbeaten in their last three league visits to City, conceding just one goal in those games, and they also beat Mancini's side in the FA Cup third round back in January.
#13 - MOTD - May 6th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2011 - Episode 41
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of the day's Premier League matches, with the majority of the weekend's top-flight games being held to avoid a clash with the FA Cup final. Newcastle's quest for European qualification sees them host a Manchester City side who inflicted the Magpies' first defeat of the season back in November. Alan Pardew's men have arguably been the Premier League's surprise package this season, with the likes of Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa giving the Tyneside team real cutting edge. Those three may fancy their chances against Roberto Mancini's side, whose form has dipped in the second half of the season. City have spent the entire campaign battling with title rivals Manchester United, who face Swansea in their final home game of the season. The first Welsh side to play in the Premier League, the Swans have not only comfortably avoided relegation, they have also played with style. Their manager, Brendan Rodgers, is unlikely to abandon his passing principles even though Swans have never won away to United.
#14 - MOTD - August 18th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 1
Gary Lineker introduces the best of the action and reaction from seven matches on the opening day of the 2012/13 Premier League season, with studio guests Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer providing expert analysis. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal host Sunderland in North London as the Gunners kick off another hungry search for a first trophy since 2005. To the east of the capital, Aston Villa visit newly-promoted West Ham, with new boss Paul Lambert desperate to revive the flagging fortunes of the Midlanders. Elsewhere, Liverpool fans get their first glimpse of league life under Brendan Rogers against West Brom, with Newcastle and Tottenham - two teams that both battled for but ultimately failed to land Champions League qualification last season - looking to get their campaign off to a flying start in the north east. Other matches include Stoke's trip to Reading, Fulham taking on Norwich, and QPR against Swansea.
#15 - MOTD - September 15th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 4
Gary Lineker presents highlights from all of Saturday's Premier League matches. Champions Manchester City meet Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, which was the scene of a Peter Crouch wonder strike when then teams drew there last season. Manchester United entertain Wigan, while Fulham manager Martin Jol sees his team play West Brom, a club he represented in his playing career. Arsenal play host to Southampton, hoping to score their first league goals of the season at the Emirates after being held 0-0 there by Sunderland on the opening day. Other fixtures include a west London derby, with QPR also looking to banish memories of their most recent league game at Loftus Road, a 5-0 thumping by Swansea - but Mark Hughes' side face a tough task, with European champions Chelsea the visitors. Elsewhere, Liverpool travel to Sunderland, Norwich host West Ham and Swansea visit Aston Villa.
#16 - MOTD - October 27th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 9
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of six Premier League games, including the London derby between Arsenal and QPR. Arsene Wenger is desperate for his relatively new-look Arsenal team to show that they can mount a real challenge for the Premier League title, having not won a trophy since 2005. They will also be keen to exact revenge on Mark Hughes's struggling side, who caused a minor shock when they beat them 2-1 at Loftus Road back in March. Elsewhere, Swansea travel to Manchester City for a meeting between two of the most watchable top-flight sides at the Etihad Stadium. Both teams have managers from foreign climes, with champions City led by Italy's Roberto Mancini and the equally urbane Michael Laudrup, from Denmark, in charge of the Welsh club. In other matches, Aston Villa host Norwich in the early game, Fulham take on Reading, Stoke travel to Sunderland, and West Ham play at Wigan.
#17 - MOTD - November 28th, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 14
Gary Lineker presents highlights from a busy midweek of Premier League action, with analysis from Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer. Manchester United come up against a Sam Allardyce-managed West Ham for the first time since the Hammers' promotion. Allardyce masterminded Bolton to famous victories at Old Trafford in 2001 and 2002, with current West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan on target on both occasions. Chelsea and Fulham meet in a west London derby, while Manchester City travel to north west neighbours Wigan. Elsewhere, Everton welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park, looking to end their 10-match winless streak against the Gunners.
#18 - MOTD - December 1st, 2012
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 15
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from the Premier League, with fixtures including the clash between Manchester City and Everton. The Toffees have proved a real thorn in City's side in recent years, winning five of the last six league matches between the sides. That run includes a rare home defeat for City boss Roberto Mancini in 2010, plus last season's game at Goodison Park, which Everton won thanks to a Darron Gibson goal. The lunchtime kick-off is a London derby between West Ham and Chelsea at Upton Park. The Hammers have made an encouraging start to the season following their return to the top flight, but they have not beaten the Blues since 2003. There is another London derby at Craven Cottage, where Fulham manager Martin Jol faces his former side Tottenham, while elsewhere in the capital Arsenal host Swansea. Other matches include Liverpool against Southampton, Queens Park Rangers against Aston Villa and West Brom versus Stoke, while the evening kick-off sees Reading entertain Manchester United.
#19 - MOTD - January 1st, 2013
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 21
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of the first seven Premier League fixtures of 2013 on a busy day of New Year action. Manchester United make the short trip across Lancashire to take on Wigan. The Latics finally ended their 13-game all-time winless league run against Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the 2011 season at the DW Stadium with a famous first-ever victory. Manchester City host Stoke City, a side they have beaten on all four previous Premier League meetings at the Etihad Stadium without the visitors so much as scoring a goal. West Ham host Norwich at Upton Park, with recent meetings tending to be close: six of the last seven league encounters between the sides had ended level. Reading travel to Tottenham for the first time since an enthralling 6-4 defeat in December 2007. Analysis comes from Mark Lawrenson and Dion Dublin.
#20 - MOTD - February 9th, 2013
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 27
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from the Premier League. Champions Manchester City travel down to Southampton, having come from behind to beat the Saints earlier in this campaign. Tottenham host Newcastle, whom they thrashed 5-0 at White Hart Lane last season. Chelsea face Wigan, against whom they have had some big wins in recent years, including scorelines of 8-0 and 6-0. The last time Arsenal were at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland put them out of the FA Cup; 12 months on, Arsene Wenger's side hope for better fortunes. Struggling Reading have the tricky task of trying to pick up points from their visit to Stoke's Britannia Stadium, something which has proved beyond most other teams this season. The day's other games see Fulham visit Norwich and QPR travel to Wales to play Swansea.
#21 - MOTD - May 11th, 2013
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 38
Highlights of the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Chelsea. Villa have endured a difficult season, spending much of the campaign battling to avoid relegation. They were beaten 8-0 in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in December, when they suffered their biggest defeat in top-flight history. But the prolific form of Belgian striker Christian Benteke since the turn of the year has helped Paul Lambert's side pick up some vital points. The visitors lifted the Champions League trophy 12 months ago, but need a strong finish to the season if they are to qualify for next year's competition. Interim manager Rafael Benitez won't be in charge of the Blues next season, but he will be determined to end his Stamford Bridge stint on a high by claiming a top-four spot.
#22 - MOTD - May 12th, 2013
Match of the Day - Season 2012 - Episode 39
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from seven Premier League games. The penultimate Sunday of the season is sure to provide plenty of drama and suspense, as teams near the bottom battle to secure survival while those at the top scrap over European qualification. Tottenham have failed to win their last four league and cup games against Stoke, but they may fancy their chances of victory at the Britannia Stadium given the Potters' disappointing displays since the new year. Sunderland's form has also dipped in the second half of the season, prompting the Black Cats to replace manager Martin O'Neill. His replacement, Paolo Di Canio, will be hopeful of securing three points against Southampton. Leaders Manchester United take on Swansea in what will be the Red Devils' final home game of the 2012-13 season. Newcastle make the long trip south to play Queens Park Rangers, while Liverpool also head to London, with Fulham their opponents. Elsewhere, Everton face West Ham and Norwich host West Brom.
#23 - MOTD - November 9th 2013
Match of the Day - Season 2013 - Episode 11
Gary Lineker presents highlights and analysis of the day's six Barclays Premier League matches. Chelsea have beaten West Brom at Stamford Bridge in all seven previous Premier League encounters, yet the Baggies have already won at champions Manchester United this season and are an emerging force under former Chelsea player Steve Clarke. Elsewhere, Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool host Fulham, while West Ham travel to Norwich. Last season's promoted clubs are also in action as Crystal Palace welcome Everton to Selhurst Park, Cardiff make the away trip to Aston Villa for the first time since 1975 and Hull City journey to the south coast to take on Southampton.
#24 - November 18th, 2012
Match of the Day 2 - Season 2012 - Episode 12
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.
#25 - MOTD2 - 9th August 2015
Match of the Day 2 - Season 2015 - Episode 1
Highlights and analysis of the day's three Premier League matches, plus a round-up of Saturday's action, introduced by Mark Chapman. Arsenal have approached the new season in confident mood after ending the last campaign strongly and retaining the FA Cup. Sunday's opponents West Ham hadn't beaten the Gunners in 15 attempts, but their new manager Slaven Bilic has been backed in the transfer market and set a target of a top-eight finish by the club's owners. There was a managerial bow too for Steve McClaren at Newcastle, who hosted Southampton, while Stoke City faced Liverpool in a repeat of the final day of last season, when the Potters scored five first-half goals as Brendan Rodgers' side were thrashed 6-1.
#26 - MOTD2 - 16th August 2015
Match of the Day 2 - Season 2015 - Episode 2
Highlights and analysis of the day's two Premier League matches, plus a round-up of the weekend's earlier action, introduced by Mark Chapman. Champions Chelsea are unbeaten in the Premier League against last season's runners-up Manchester City since Jose Mourinho returned to the west London club. Mourinho will be looking to extend that run to five games, and with it steal an early march in the fledgling title race. Crystal Palace invested heavily in new signings over the summer, including one-time Arsenal target Yohan Cabaye. The Eagles' new arrivals are sure of a warm reception from the Selhurst Park faithful ahead of their home league debuts as Arsene Wenger's Gunners make the short trip across London.
#27 - MOTD2 - 23rd August 2015
Match of the Day 2 - Season 2015 - Episode 3
Mark Chapman introduces highlights of the day's three matches in the Premier League. In the day's early kick-off, West Brom took on champions Chelsea at the Hawthorns. Back in May, the Baggies inflicted a surprise 3-0 defeat on the Blues, but it mattered not to Jose Mourinho, as his side had already secured the title. Everton welcome Manchester City to Goodison Park, meaning an early return to Merseyside for Raheem Sterling, whose controversial move from Liverpool to Man City has been one of the talking points of the summer. In Sunday's other match, Premier League new boys Watford host Southampton at Vicarage Road.