Match of the Day - Season 41

Episode 1

8th August 2004: Community Shield: Arsenal v Manchester United

Highlights of this afternoon's game between Premiership champions Arsenal and FA Cup winners Manchester United at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. This traditional curtain-raiser to the new season mirror

Episode 2

Match of the Day at 40

David Beckham and Michael Owen are among the stars reflecting on four decades of football's flagship show. Classic clips and cherished memories illustrate how the programme became a national treasure

Episode 3

14th August 2004

Celebrating its 40th year, Match of the Day returns live to Saturday night with extended highlights and analysis of the Premiership on the opening day of the season. Featured games include Tottenham v

Episode 4

18th August 2004: International Friendly

Coverage from St James' Park as England warm-up for their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign with a friendly against Ukraine.

Episode 5

21st August 2004

An emotional day loomed as Kevin Keegan returned to the ground where he was idolised as a player. Will Man City's manager see his team triumph at Liverpool? Gary Lineker has highlights of this and the

Episode 6

25th August 2004

Highlights of this evening's Premiership matches, including Blackburn's trip to Arsenal, new boys Norwich at Newcastle, and Aston Villa's clash with Charlton. Plus, Middlesbrough and Fulham get the ch

Episode 7

28th August 2004

Will Manchester United's lunchtime match against Blackburn have re-ignited the flame of their mid-90s Premiership rivalry? Gary Lineker has news of this, plus coverage of defending champions Arsenal's

Episode 8

4th September 2004: World Cup Qualifier

Northern Ireland v Poland. Coverage of this Group Six World Cup qualifying match from Belfast's Windsor Park. Since Lawrie Sanchez took over as manager in January, Northern Ireland have made a marked

Episode 9

11th September 2004

Highlights and goals from all eight Premiership matches played today, including Fulham v Arsenal.

Episode 10

18th September 2004

Highlights and goals from all six Premiership matches played today, including Arsenal v Bolton.

Episode 11

25th September 2004

Premiership highlights from today's games, including Tottenham v Manchester Utd.

Episode 12

2nd October 2004

Highlights of today's six Premiership matches, including Arsenal's London derby against Charlton, Everton's clash with the Spurs side they defeated at Easter for the first time in seven years and Manc

Episode 13

9th October 2004: World Cup Qualifier: England v Wales

Coverage from Old Trafford of the World Cup qualifier between the two home nations. A win would put England in a strong position in Group Six, but Wales can't afford another slip-up following draws wi

Episode 14

9th October 2004: World Cup Qualifier: France v Republic of Ireland

Brian Kerr's men travel to Paris for this Group Four World Cup qualifier with legitimate hopes of causing an upset against the formerly formidable French.

Episode 15

16th October 2004

Action from all eight of today's Premiership clashes, which included pace-setters Arsenal's tie against Aston Villa, plus Manchester City v Chelsea, Birmingham v Manchester United and Fulham v Liverpo

Episode 16

23rd October 2004

Gary Lineker has highlights from today's six Premiership matches where, at the top end of the table, high-flying Chelsea host Blackburn while Liverpool take on Charlton Athletic.

Episode 17

30th October 2004

Highlights from the the Premiership and action from the first round of the FA Cup.

Episode 18

6th November 2004

Highlights from the the Premiership, including Arsenal v Crystal Palace.

Episode 19

13th November 2004

Two London derbies - Tottenham v Arsenal, and Fulham v Chelsea - feature in highlights of today's Premiership programme. Plus FA Cup first-round action.

Episode 20

14th November 2004: FA Cup First Round

Thurrock v Oldham Athletic. Coverage from Ship Lane of this first-round tie - a chance for non-league Thurrock to achieve "giant-killer" status as they take on League One side Oldham Athletic.

Episode 21

17th November 2004: International Friendly

Spain v England. After a flurry of World Cup qualification fixtures, Sven-Goran Eriksson 's men travel to Madrid for a friendly international at Real's 75,000-capacity Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Episode 22

20th November 2004

Action involving the Premiership's big three, with Man United at home to Charlton, Arsenal facing West Brom under new boss Bryan Robson, and Chelsea hosting Bolton.

Episode 23

27th November 2004

WBA boss Bryan Robson welcomes his old club Man United to the Hawthorns. Plus action from the day's other Premiership matches.

Episode 24

4th December 2004

An extended edition in which action from all eight of today's Premiership clashes - including Chelsea v Newcastle United and Arsenal v Birmingham City - is augmented by the pick of the FA Cup second r

Episode 25

5th December 2004: FA Cup Second Round

Hinckley United v Brentford. Coverage of Conference North minnows Hinckley United playing a League One side in the FA Cup for a potential chance to play a big gun in the third round - the draw for whi

Episode 26

11th December 2004

Action from all seven of today's Premiership ties, including high-flying Merseysiders Everton's clash with local rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park and Crystal Palace v Blackburn at Selhurst Park.

Episode 27

18th December 2004

Manchester United take on Crystal Palace, while Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate, Ugo Ehiogu and George Boateng face former club Aston Villa.

Episode 28

26th December 2004

Highlights of the London derby between Arsenal and Fulham, plus Chelsea at home to Aston Villa, Manchester United v Bolton and Newcastle away to Blackburn.

Episode 29

28th December 2004

Highlights from all nine of today's Premiership matches. Southampton face a silverware-hungry Liverpool side, Portsmouth host title contenders Chelsea, Manchester United travel to play Aston Villa and

Episode 30

1st January 2005

All 20 Premiership clubs were in action today. Among the potential highlights are Chelsea's trip to Liverpool, Arsenal's London derby at Charlton, and Manchester United's visit to Middlesbrough.

Episode 31

4th January 2005

Including highlights of Arsenal v Manchester City, Manchester United v Spurs and Chelsea's clash with Middlesbrough. Plus the pick of yesterday's action.

Episode 32

8th January 2005: FA Cup Third Round: Sheffield United v Aston Villa

Coverage of this intriguing FA Cup third-round tie from Bramall Lane.

Episode 33

8th January 2005: FA Cup Third Round: Plymouth Argyle v Everton

Gary Lineker introduces FA Cup third-round action from Home Park.

Episode 34

8th January 2005: FA Cup Third Round

Highlights of today's FA Cup third-round tussles, including Jose Mourinho 's Premiership pace-setters Chelsea v Scunthorpe United, currently at the top of League Two, and 11-times winners Manchester U

Episode 35

9th January 2005: FA Cup Third Round: Yeading v Newcastle United

From OPR's Loftus Road stadium in west London, the last of this weekend's FA Cup third-round ties. "The Ding" will need to muster a Herculean effort to pull off an upset - when the draw was made last

Episode 36

15th January 2005

Highlights of today's Premiership games, including Liverpool's bid to avenge September's defeat at Old Trafford, and Chelsea's attempt to continue their 15-year unbeaten run against Tottenham.

Episode 37

19th January 2005: FA Cup Third Round Replay

Coverage of one of tonight's replays to decide who makes it through to the fourth round - even if it means the dreaded penalty shoot-out.

Episode 38

22nd January 2005

Premiership highlights, including Manchester United v Aston Villa - in which David O'Leary 's men look for their first win at Old Trafford since 1983 - plus Chelsea v Portsmouth and Harry Redknapp 's

Episode 39

29th January 2005: FA Cup Fourth Round: Southampton v Portsmouth

A clash from St Mary's in which new Saints manager Harry Redknapp prepares for some stick as he faces his old club Pompey in the FA Cup fourth round.

Episode 40

29th January 2005: FA Cup Fourth Round: Manchester United v Middlesbrough

After seeing off Exeter City at the second attempt, Alex Ferguson 's men continue their defence of the FA Cup with an all-Premiership fourth-round tie at Old Trafford against Middlesbrough.

Episode 41

29th January 2005: FA Cup Fourth Round

Action from, and reaction to, today's fourth-round FA Cup ties, which included West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham, Arsenal v Wolves, Southampton's south coast derby with Portsmouth and holders Mancheste

Episode 42

30th January 2005: FA Cup Fourth Round: Oldham Athletic v Bolton Wanderers

A tasty fourth-round tie in which the League One outfit set out to claim their second Premiership scalp in this season's FA Cup at Boundary Park.

Episode 43

2nd February 2005

Highlights of all ten of this week's Premiership games, including the eagerly anticipated and potentially explosive clash between Arsenal and Manchester United at Highbury.

Episode 44

5th February 2005

Highlights of today's Premiership action, including Liverpool v Fulham and Arsenal's trip to Aston Villa. Plus Birmingham head up the M6 to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, while struggling Nor

Episode 45

9th February 2005: International Friendly

England v Netherlands from Villa Park. A friendly international that may provide England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson with some vital pointers in advance of March's resumption of the World Cup qualifiers

Episode 46

12th February 2005: FA Cup Fourth Round Replay

Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion. Coverage from White Hart Lane of the all-Premiership FA Cup fourth-round replay. With a home tie against Championship side Nottingham Forest the prize, both t

Episode 47

12th February 2005

Did Everton improve their chances of a Champions League place when they welcomed Premiership leaders Chelsea to Goodison Park? And were there changes at the bottom of the table after relegation-threat

Episode 48

19th February 2005: FA Cup Fifth Round: Arsenal v Sheffield United

After suffering a bitter Premiership defeat against Manchester Utd, which effectively ended the Gunners' title hopes, Arsene Wenger's men will at least be confident of booking themselves a place in th

Episode 49

19th February 2005: FA Cup Fifth Round: Everton v Manchester United

Two North West rivals with a renowned FA Cup pedigree vie for supremacy in this eagerly awaited all-Premiership fifth-round tie. The last two FA Cup meetings between these two sides have been finals,

Episode 50

19th February 2005: FA Cup Fifth Round

Highlights of today's six FA Cup fifth-round ties, including Everton v Manchester United and Arsenal's third successive clash with a Championship side.

Episode 51

20th February 2005: FA Cup Fifth Round: Burnley v Blackburn Rovers

Coverage from Turf Moor of this FA Cup fifth-round tie - a Lancashire derby that sees Championship outfit Burnley take on Premiership side Blackburn. It's 45 years since the local rivals met in the FA

Episode 52

26th February 2005

Premiership highlights include Southampton v Arsenal, Manchester United v Portsmouth and Aston Villa v Everton.

Episode 53

5th March 2005

Premiership highlights include Arsenal v Portsmouth and Chelsea v Norwich.

Episode 54

12th March 2005: FA Cup Sixth Round: Bolton Wanderers v Arsenal

The first of three all-Premiership FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend is a potential thriller which pits Sam Allardyce's high-flying Trotters against the Premiership champions. Can the mercurial Londo

Episode 55

12th March 2005: FA Cup Sixth Round: Southampton v Manchester United

Two sides who are installed at opposite ends of the Premiership and are desperately seeking silverware, clash at St Mary's for a coveted place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Episode 56

13th March 2005: FA Cup Sixth Round: Blackburn Rovers v Leicester City

The last non-Premiership team remaining in the FA Cup travel to Ewood Park for this quarter-final match. The difference in their league status notwithstanding, Mark Hughes' side would do well to remem

Episode 57

19th March 2005

Highlights of today's Premiership matches, including Chelsea v Crystal Palace and Portsmouth's encounter with Newcastle.

Episode 58

26th March 2005: World Cup Qualifier

England v Northern Ireland. Sven-Goran Eriksson's men launch into a home double header of World Cup qualifiers which could help propel them towards Germany in 2006. Their first opponents in today's Gr

Episode 59

30th March 2005: World Cup Qualifier

England v Azerbaijan. At Newcastle United's home of St James' Park, England play their second home World Cup qualifier of the week as they take on this largely unknown Group Six quantity from the sout

Episode 60

2nd April 2005

Champions-elect Chelsea travel to lowly Southampton, Bolton Wanderers look to complete the double against Liverpool at Anfield, and Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes faces his old club Manchester U

Episode 61

9th April 2005

It's a battle of the blues as Chelsea host Birmingham, Arsenal travel to Middlesbrough, and Manchester United visit a Norwich team desperate for points. Ray Stubbs presents highlights, plus all the go

Episode 62

16th April 2005: FA Cup Semi-Final

Highlights from Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers, the first of this weekend's FA Cup semi-finals. Plus a Premiership round-up.

Episode 63

17th April 2005: FA Cup Semi-Final: Manchester United v Newcastle United

An all-Premiership FA Cup semi-final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium that sees the Magpies, who haven't lifted the trophy for 50 years, out to end three previous defeats in the competition by the Red

Episode 64

20th April 2005

All the goals and key moments from tonight's eight Premiership matches, including Chelsea v Arsenal and Everton v Manchester United.

Episode 65

23rd April 2005

Premiership highlights as Chelsea take on south-west London rivals Fulham, Crystal Palace host Liverpool and Everton clash with Birmingham.

Episode 66

30th April 2005

Premiership action from seven encounters includes Bolton v Chelsea, Liverpool v Middlesbrough and Southampton v Norwich.

Episode 67

2nd May 2005: Women's FA Cup Final: Charlton Athletic v Everton

Will it be a case of "third time lucky" for the Addicks, runners-up for the past two seasons? They're in with a good chance - Everton last lifted the trophy in 1989.

Episode 68

7th May 2005

It's the penultimate weekend of the Premiership season, but there could still be a lot to play for. Among the relegation-threatened sides in action today were Bryan Robson 's West Brom - who aimed for

Episode 69

15th May 2005

On the final day of the Premiership season, Gary Lineker presents highlights of all today's matches. There are big games at the top end of the table as new champions Chelsea visit Newcastle seeking re

Episode 70

21st May 2005: FA Cup Final: Manchester United v Arsenal

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium bids farewell to English football's showpiece occasion as holders Manchester United clash with Arsenal in the 124th FA Cup final. The last time the teams met in the final

Episode 71

28th May 2005: International Friendly

Highlights of the friendly between the USA and England from Chicago's Soldier Field Stadium. The States have twice upset the odds against England, winning 1-0 in the 1950 World Cup and 2-0 against a p

Episode 72

31st May 2005: International Friendly

Colombia v England. The Giants Stadium in New Jersey is the venue as England play the second and final friendly of their American tour. Sven-Goran Eriksson 's men have never lost against Colombia and

Episode 73

5th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005: England v Finland

Coverage from the City of Manchester Stadium, where the host nation are favourites to win their first Group A match. Including highlights of the curtain-raiser between the 2001 runners-up Sweden and D

Episode 74

6th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005

Highlights of the two opening Group B matches. Defending champions Germany, who won all eight qualifying ties, could face a test against Norway, the only country to win European, world and Olympic tit

Episode 75

8th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005: Denmark v England

Coverage from Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers, as the host nation take on tough opposition in their second Group A match of the women's European championship.

Episode 76

9th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005

Action from the European championship's fifth day. In Group B, reigning champions Germany faced Italy in Preston, while France clashed with Norway in Warrington.

Episode 77

11th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005: England v Sweden

Coverage from Ewood Park, Blackburn, where the host nation play their final Group A game in the qualifying stages. Finland's clash against Denmark kicks off at the same time at Bloomfield Road, Blackp

Episode 78

13th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005

Highlights from Group B as defending champs Germany meet the French, while former winners Norway face Italy.

Episode 79

15th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005 Semi-Final

Germany v Finland at Deepdale, Preston.

Episode 80

16th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005 Semi-Final

Sweden v Norway at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Episode 81

19th June 2005: Women's Euro 2005 Final: Germany v Norway

The two teams that have battled through the group stages and semi-final showdowns meet at Ewood Park.