Kelly Cates returned to host Match of the Day on Sunday, October 11, presenting highlights of three Premier League matches, including Liverpool v Manchester City at Anfield. During the episode, she welcomed new pundit Toby Alderweireld on air.
Manchester City's return to action
At the start of the show, Kelly said: "Three games on tonight's Match of the Day, but there's only one that has dominated the headlines over the last two weeks. Manchester City took to the field for the first time since being found guilty by an independent commission of 114 charges of breaching Premier League financial rules. They travelled to Anfield to take on Liverpool."
A clip of the players arriving on the pitch for their warm-up was then played, with loud boos from fans heard in the background. Kelly added: "This was the reception when they came out for the warm-up."
Fans react to Alderweireld's debut
Back in the studio, Kelly joked: "And Toby Alderweireld was horrified to learn that that's how we greet Match of the Day debutants as well. He joins Wayne Rooney this evening."
Viewers shared their delight on social media. One person wrote on X: "Toby Alderweireld on MOTD." Another added: "OMG... it's Tobes!" while a third said: "Aww one of my favourite most recent Spurs players." Someone else commented: "He's a class act."
An Instagram user echoed the sentiment, saying: "Well done geeza, you're a proper pundit!" Another wrote: "Brilliant Toby. He's a great ex player pundit." Someone else similarly shared: "So good to see Toby [heart emoji]."
Alderweireld's analysis and new line-up
During his debut, Toby praised his former Belgium teammate Jérémy Doku after his performance for Man City against Liverpool. He said: "From a defender point of view, it's horrible to defend against him, because he can go outside, inside. He comes dribbling at you and sometimes he stops and you think, 'Okay.' His acceleration is unbelievable, and he's a strong guy as well. And the only questions before was, can he give the assists? Can he get that goal that he needs to deliver? But today, yeah, when he shoots like this, it's unbelievable."
Toby's appearance comes after the BBC confirmed four new additions to the Match of the Day line-up for the 2026/27 season. As well as Toby, the show has welcomed former Wolves coach Rob Edwards, former Premier League marksman Robbie Keane, ex-Man United and Aston Villa stalwart Ashley Young, and Thomas Frank, who was sacked as Spurs boss last season.
Kelly has reprised her presenting role alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan. Returning pundits include Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy, and Ashley Williams. Match of the Day is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
