Eniola Aluko makes history as first ever female Match of the Day pundit

Chelsea striker took part in MOTD2 Extra

Tom Sheen
Monday 29 September 2014 12:27 BST
Comments

Chelsea striker Eniola Aluko made history by becoming Match of the Day's first ever female pundit.

Aluko joined Mark Chapman, Kevin Kilbane and John Motson in the MOTD2 Extra studio on Sunday to discuss the weekend's biggest action as one of the show's experts.

The Nigeria-born 27-year-old has won 83 caps for England, playing in two World Cups and two European Championships, as well as playing at the London 2012 Olympics for Great Britain.

After the programme she thanked people via Twitter, saying she was "honoured" to be the first ever female pundit on the show.

Celina Hinchcliffe was the show's first female presenter in February 2005, while Gabby Logan is now deputy to Gary Lineker on the flagship Saturday night broadcast; Jacqui Oatley has been a semi-regular commentator since her debut in 2007.

During the 45-minute show, which goes out over the BBC website, Aluko offered analysis on Wayne Rooney's red card, Diego Costa, Southampton and Frank Lampard's form at Manchester City.

She said there was "no need" for Rooney to make the "reckless" tackle that got him sent off against West Ham, and called Costa "Chelsea's best player".

Aluko in the studio with John Motson, Mark Chapman and Kevin Kilbane (left to right)

On Lampard, Aluko said: "He’s proving he’s still a Premier League player. Chelsea might think, 'Gosh maybe we should have kept him'."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in