The WORST episodes of Match of the Day
Every episode of Match of the Day ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Match of the Day!
Match of the Day (often abbreviated as MOTD) is the BBC's main football television programme. Typically, it is shown on BBC One on Saturday evenings during the English football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in the Barclays Premier League. It is one of the BBC's longest-running shows, having been on air since 1964, though it has not always been aired regularly. The 'Match of the Day' brand is also often used for live football coverage on the BBC. They run a competition called Goal of the Month, choosing the best goal each month, where the winner from there will then be entered into a goal of the season award.
#1 - MOTD - January 14th, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 22 - Aired 1/14/2012
Gary Lineker presents highlights from the day's Premier League games. Bolton faced a daunting trip to Old Trafford, where they had not beaten Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United since September 2002. Chelsea hosted Martin O'Neill's Sunderland, looking to avenge last season's shock 3-0 defeat by the Black Cats at Stamford Bridge. Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool welcomed Stoke, who beat them 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium in September, while Spurs faced Wolves at White Hart Lane. Elsewhere, West Brom faced a home clash with Norwich, Everton travelled to Aston Villa and Blackburn took on Fulham at Ewood Park.
#2 - MOTD - December 3rd, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 14 - Aired 12/3/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of all of the day's Premier League fixtures. Manchester City took on newly-promoted Norwich, a side that have put in some impressive displays on their top-flight return. Manchester United made the journey to Villa Park looking for their first league win at Aston Villa since 2007 having drawn on each of their last three trips, while high-flying Newcastle travelled to Chelsea in search of their first ever Premier League win at Stamford Bridge at the 18th time of asking.
#3 - MOTD - December 10th, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/10/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of the day's Premier League matches. Manchester United host Wolves who caused the champions problems last season, winning at Molineux and only being denied a point at Old Trafford by an injury-time Park Ji-Sung winner. The likes of Ian Rush and John Barnes were on the pitch the last time QPR visited Anfield 16 years ago. The west London side are looking to win at Liverpool for the first time in more than two decades. Meanwhile, Arsenal are at home to Everton, and Newcastle travel down the east coast to face Norwich. Scottish managers Owen Coyle and Alex McLeish go head to head as Bolton welcome Aston Villa, while Wigan head to West Brom, and Swansea play host to Fulham.
#4 - MOTD - December 17th, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 16 - Aired 12/17/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of the day's six Premier League games. Chelsea make the trip north to play Wigan at the DW Stadium, where the Blues won 6-0 last year. The Latics escaped relegation on the final day last season, and Roberto Martinez's men are struggling at the wrong end of the table in the current campaign. Blackburn also need points as they bid to beat the drop. Rovers will hope to claim victory against West Brom at Ewood Park. Elsewhere, Wolves host Stoke, Fulham meet Bolton, Newcastle take on Swansea and Norwich travel to Everton.
#5 - MOTD - December 26th, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 18 - Aired 12/26/2011
Gary Lineker is joined by guests Alan Shearer and Mark Lawrenson for highlights and analysis of the eight Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League. Recent history shows that the Christmas table toppers have gone on to win the league in five of the last seven seasons, and both of the Manchester clubs and Chelsea have the chance to press their title claims here. Manchester City visit West Brom at The Hawthorns, where they had suffered three consecutive defeats until Mario Balotelli's decisive double last season. Defending champions Manchester United host Wigan in a fixture they have never failed to win, while Chelsea attempt to protect a 32-year unbeaten home record against near neighbours Fulham. Other matches include home games for Arsenal and Liverpool against struggling sides Wolves and Blackburn respectively, while surprise package Newcastle are at Bolton.
#6 - MOTD - December 21st, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 17 - Aired 12/21/2011
Manchester United face Fulham at Craven Cottage, where the Red Devils have failed to win in their last three games, losing twice. Arsenal travel to Aston Villa, Wigan meet Liverpool, and Everton host Swansea at Goodison Park. Newcastle are at home to West Brom, while there is also action from yesterday's two matches which saw Wolves host Norwich and Blackburn face Bolton.
#7 - MOTD - December 31st, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 19 - Aired 12/31/2011
Gary Lineker is joined by guests Alan Shearer and Mark Lawrenson for highlights and analysis of seven fixtures in the Premier League on New Year's Eve. Champions Manchester United welcome Blackburn to Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson will be expecting three points against a Blackburn side who have found the going tough this season. Also, Aston Villa travel to play Chelsea. 24 goals have been scored in Villa's last four visits to play the Blues, with one of those a 7-1 drubbing. Elsewhere, Bolton play Wolves, Norwich host Fulham, Tottenham travel to Swansea and Stoke face Wigan.
#8 - MOTD - January 2nd, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 20 - Aired 1/2/2012
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.
#9 - MOTD - January 4th, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 21 - Aired 1/4/2012
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.
#10 - MOTD - November 26th, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 13 - Aired 11/26/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from the Premier League, with Mark Lawrenson and Alan Shearer offering their assessment of the action. Manchester United host Newcastle, whose last victory at Old Trafford was in 1972. Sir Alex Ferguson's men are looking to extend their 10-year unbeaten run against the Magpies, whose last success in this fixture was a 4-3 win in September 2001 when Alan Shearer grabbed the winner. Chelsea take on Wolves at Stamford Bridge, looking to avenge their defeat the last time the sides met, at Molineux in January. Arsene Wenger's Arsenal welcome Fulham to the Emirates for a London derby, while Norwich and QPR, who both won automatic promotion to the Premier League last season, meet at Carrow Road. Elsewhere there's a north-west derby between Bolton and Everton, Wigan travel to Sunderland, and West Brom host Tottenham.
#11 - MOTD - January 21st, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 23 - Aired 1/21/2012
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of today's eight Premier League games, including the match between Norwich and Chelsea at Carrow Road. The Canaries have impressed in the top flight since winning promotion from the Championship last season, but they lost 3-1 to the Blues when the sides met at Stamford Bridge in August. Relegation-threatened Bolton host Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium, with the Trotters looking to avoid an 11th successive defeat against the Reds. There is a Midlands derby at Molineux, where Wolves play Aston Villa, while Everton meet Blackburn and Stoke entertain West Brom. Elsewhere, Sunderland take on Swansea, QPR face Wigan and Fulham host Newcastle.
#12 - MOTD - January 31st, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 24 - Aired 1/31/2012
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.
#13 - MOTD - February 4th, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 25 - Aired 2/4/2012
Gary Lineker is joined by Alan Shearer and Mark Lawrenson for highlights of seven matches from the Premier League. Manchester City are aiming to win the title for the first time since the 1967-68 season but face a difficult match at home against Fulham, who have proven to be a bogey side in recent seasons. The Cottagers have not lost in the league at the Etihad Stadium since 2006 and also fought back from 2-0 down to earn a point against City at Craven Cottage earlier this season. There are a host of important matches at the other end of the table as the battle to avoid relegation intensifies. Queens Park Rangers host Wolves at Loftus Road while West Bromwich Albion play Swansea, and Bolton travel to Norwich.
#14 - MOTD - February 11th, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 26 - Aired 2/11/2012
#15 - no episode this week - delete
Season 2010 - Episode 40 - Aired 5/11/2011
#16 - MOTD - February 25th, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 27 - Aired 2/25/2012
Gary Lineker presents all the goals and highlights from the Barclays Premier League. Fulham make the short hop across west London to face QPR in a derby that sees two teams looking to pull away from the lower reaches of the table. Hoops manager Mark Hughes is no hero with Fulham fans; he lasted less than 11 months as Cottagers boss before swiftly leaving, citing their lack of ambition. Elsewhere, title-chasing Manchester City host relegation-threatened Blackburn, while Chelsea - whose minimum aim for Andre Villas-Boas is a Champions League position - take on Owen Coyle's Bolton Wanderers, another Lancashire club who are desperately trying to avoid the dreaded drop. Other top-flight games include Newcastle v Wolves, West Brom v Sunderland and Wigan v Aston Villa.
#17 - MOTD - March 3rd, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 28 - Aired 3/3/2012
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of seven Premier League games, including the match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. Both sides have endured inconsistent campaigns so far, but will be desperate to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Liverpool won the reverse fixture 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium, but Kenny Dalglish's side have struggled to win home games on a regular basis this season. Title hopefuls Manchester City take on a Bolton side in need of points to bolster their battle against relegation, while Chelsea head to the Hawthorns to face West Brom. Elsewhere, Blackburn host Aston Villa, QPR meet Everton, Stoke take on Norwich and Wigan face Swansea.
#18 - MOTD - March 10th, 2012
Season 2011 - Episode 29 - Aired 3/10/2012
Gary Lineker presents highlights from the Premier League, with analysis from Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson. Swansea's impressive home record was put to the test by Roberto Mancini's Manchester City, as they continued their bid for the title. Manchester United hosted West Bromwich Albion, who had never beaten Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the Premier League and were without a win at Old Trafford since 1978. Tottenham travelled to Everton looking to complete the double over David Moyes' side, following January's win at White Hart Lane. Elsewhere, resurgent Sunderland hosted Liverpool, Wolves and Blackburn met in a relegation battle at Molineux, Stoke travelled to Chelsea, Bolton took on QPR, and Aston Villa met Fulham at Villa Park.
#19 - MOTD - September 17th, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/17/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from the Premier League, as Ewood Park plays host to two former Premier League champions, Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal, looking to rediscover their form. All three newly-promoted sides are in action too, as QPR travel to Wolves, Swansea host West Brom and Norwich face Owen Coyle's Bolton team.
#20 - MOTD - April 2nd, 2011
Season 2010 - Episode 31 - Aired 4/2/2011
Gary Lineker presents highlights from the Premier League, as title hopefuls Manchester United visit West Ham. Arsenal's bid for a first league title since 2004 continues with a visit from Blackburn, while Chelsea are hoping to maintain their 100 percent Premier League record against Stoke. And Carling Cup winners Birmingham City seek to boost their survival hopes with a first victory over Bolton since 2007. Elsewhere, Everton host Aston Villa, Newcastle face Wolves at St James' Park and Tottenham travel to Wigan.
#21 - MOTD - August 13th, 2011
Season 2011 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/13/2011
Gary Lineker returns with highlights and goals from the opening day of the 2011/12 Premier League season in Saturday's Match of the Day. Liverpool spent heavily during the summer, and their new signings will be eager to impress against Sunderland, particularly Jordan Henderson, who could make his Reds debut against the club he left just two months ago. Fellow midfielder Stewart Downing, who joined from Aston Villa, could also play his first competitive game for Kenny Dalglish's side. Arsenal take on Newcastle at St James' Park, scene of the Gunners' incredible collapse last season, when they surrendered a four-goal lead to draw 4-4. QPR return to the top flight after a 15-year absence, with Bolton providing the opposition at Loftus Road, while fellow newboys Norwich visit Wigan. Martin Jol's first Premier League match as Fulham boss is against an Aston Villa side also under new management, with Alex McLeish taking over at Villa Park this summer. Elsewhere, Blackburn host Wolves.
#22 - MOTD - April 9th, 2011
Season 2010 - Episode 32 - Aired 4/9/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights of the day's seven Premier League matches. Title favourites Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford while defending champions Chelsea take on relegation-threatened Wigan at Stamford Bridge. Elsewhere there are difficult away games for three teams at the wrong end of the table - Birmingham travel to Blackburn, West Brom are at Sunderland, and West Ham visit Bolton. Wolves are at home to Everton in the day's early kick-off and Tottenham entertain Stoke.
#23 - MOTD - April 16th, 2011
Season 2010 - Episode 33 - Aired 4/16/2011
Gary Lineker introduces highlights from the Premier League. Reigning champions Chelsea travel to the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion, who have lost their last 11 games against the Blues in both league and cup matches, and were thrashed 6-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season. New boss Roy Hodgson, who replaced former Chelsea favourite Roberto Di Matteo in February, will need to tighten up the Baggies' defence if they are to beat the drop. Two more sides battling for survival meet at Bloomfield Road, where Blackpool host Wigan. The Latics will be desperate to avenge the 4-0 mauling they suffered against the Seasiders back in August. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce faces his former club Birmingham at St Andrew's, while Everton meet Blackburn and West Ham face Aston Villa.
#24 - MOTD - April 23rd, 2011
Season 2010 - Episode 34 - Aired 4/23/2011
Gary Lineker presents highlights from the Premier League, including Chelsea's vital London derby against struggling West Ham. Title rivals Manchester United entertain Everton, who have not won at Old Trafford since 1992. Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer are in the studio to offer their expert analysis and opinion.
#25 - MOTD - April 30th, 2011
Season 2010 - Episode 35 - Aired 4/30/2011
Gary Lineker presents highlights of today's Premier League clashes, including Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge and Blackpool v Stoke City at Bloomfield Road. Spurs' last win at the home of their London rivals came as far back as 1990, but both sides needed three points to boost their European aspirations Blackpool have plummeted down the table since the turn of the year, and were looking to do the double over FA Cup finalists the Potters and give their hopes of avoiding relegation a major boost.