Match of the Day Season 1987/88

Shown unscheduled as part of "Sports Special" with Athletics and Boxing.

The first live Match of the Day of 1987 features two of the season's most talked-about teams.

Billed as part of "Sports Special" with Snooker, Golf and Cricket (30min football).

Of the 136 League derbies played between the giants of Merseyside, all of them in the First Division, Liverpool have won 48 to Everton's 47, with 41 games drawn. These clubs head the parade of champions, Liverpool having won the title 16 times and Everton taking their total to nine last season.

BBC cameras are at the Baseball Ground to assess clubs of great tradition who were in the Second Division when they last met four seasons ago.

George Graham 's forecast, when he took over at Highbury last year, was that Arsenal could be genuine contenders for the league title within two seasons. The timing looks right. Last month's 14th successive win set a new Arsenal record. Coventry City did not need a trophy cabinet until they won the FA Cup last May, but all that Sky Blue excitement at Wembley has been hard to follow this season.

As a breath of fresh air over the holiday, here's action highlights from two Barclays League First Division matches with analysis and interviews. Manchester United v Everton Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

The first live football coverage of the New Year features two of the clubs who have spent the first half of the season in pursuit of the Barclays League leaders.

The FA Cup, won six times by Manchester United, has gone to East Anglia just once - ten years ago, when Bobby Robson 's Ipswich shocked Arsenal at Wembley.

Highlights of one of today's top Barclay's League matches, an action report from another, and a comprehensive round-up of the day's other soccer stories. Liverpool v Arsenal Aston Villa v Ipswich Town

After establishing a club record of 14 straight wins in the first half of the season, Arsenal have momentarily gone off the boil. A draw against West Ham and victories over Charlton and Queens Park Rangers make up Manchester United's record in London this season. Past form at Highbury favours United and a close encounter. They have won there three times in the last four seasons, all by the odd goal, as was Arsenal's victory in the corresponding match last season.

Action highlights from this afternoon's games, plus all the atmosphere and tension that surrounds the Cup. Manchester United v Chelsea Port Vale v Tottenham Hotspur Leyton Orient v Nottingham Forest

The FA Cup Fifth Round brings yet another mighty confrontation between the giants of Mersey side, with Everton attempting to reach the final for the fourth time in five seasons and Liverpool chasing a unique second double success in Championship and Cup.

Luton were barred from last season's Littlewoods Cup because of their ban on away fans. They had second thoughts for 1987-88 and now, after drawing the first leg of this semi-final 1-1 at Oxford, will fancy their chance of reaching only the second final in their history. Oxford surprised many when they won the Milk Cup two years ago, so they have the flavour of Wembley. They are also fighting for their First Division lives.

The last live match from this season's Barclays League is the 102nd time these great north London rivals have disputed points in a series that began in 1909. Rival managers George Graham and Terry Venables are friends of long standing, but there will be no old pals' act on the field. There never has been, as the summary of results shows: 41 wins for Arsenal, 39 for Spurs, with 21 games drawn.

Action highlights, analysis and interviews, plus all the atmosphere and tension that surrounds the Cup. Arsenal v Nottingham Forest Wimbledon v Watford Luton Town v Portsmouth

Action highlights from two matches in the Barclays League, at a crucial point of the season. Portsmouth v Nottingham Forest Liverpool v Manchester United

Only one step away from Wembley, a journey never experienced before by First Division newcomers Wimbledon. This afternoon at White Hart Lane, they face Luton Town who will be trying to achieve a record fourth appearance there in one season. Meanwhile at Hillsborough, Liverpool, no strangers to Wembley themselves, will also be aiming for a record - to be the first club to achieve the League and FA Cup 'double' for the second time in history. Only Nottingham Forest can stop them, although knowing that Brian Clough has never been to the final in this competition either as a player or manager could provide his young side with the necessary motivation to do so.

Highlights of this afternoon's FA Cup Final from Wembley Stadium between Liverpool and Wimbledon. Jimmy Hill presents the best action, analyses the key moments and talks to the players and manager of the victorious side.