The Game

Was Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid their best performance under Mikel Arteta? At its heart was a dominant display from Declan Rice, topped off by two outstanding free kicks. Have you ever seen better? And where did Rice’s overall performance leave his England position? A six, an eight, a ten?How do Arsenal approach the second leg, sit back and defend or go for more goals? Could that be their biggest challenge?Bukayo Saka showed his calibre as he terrorised a star studded Real team and Miles Lewis Skelly once again showed confidence beyond his years.For Villa it was a tough night albeit against an exceptional PSG side. Did Emi Martinez’s antics help or hinder his team? Is the tie over or could it be a famous night at Villa Park in a weeks’ time? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Crunch time’, ‘the pressure is on’, ‘squeaky bum time’… call it what you like now is when it matters. The EFL is an edge of the seat ride. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson cover all the latest from the EFL.In the Championship Leeds started the week on top, dropped to second and now sit in third - are they about to live up to their tag of blowing it?. Burnley started third and now sit on top. It is all change in the play off places too, with West Brom and Coventry dropping out for Middlesborough and Bristol City. All have tough run ins to come. So, who will finish in the box seats?In League One Wrexham have finally opened a small gap on Wycombe, but with a squad which can bench two first choice strikers in Mullin and Palmer is it really a surprise?Walsall in League Two have dropped like a stone in recent weeks and now find themselves clinging on to third place. In the play off’s teams as far down as ninth are still involved, and they all have to play each other. What a league!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there something ‘off’ this season? Run away leaders Liverpool lost, but Arsenal had already dropped points, and relegation was sorted out weeks ago. Yet Villa could win the Champions League, Newcastle won a trophy for the first time in seventy years, and Forest could be back in Europe. So, a great season or just a poor one? Gregor thinks the regular fate of promoted sides going straight back down is becoming a problem for English football.The team discuss all that a woeful Manchester derby, Liverpool contract talks and a look ahead to a huge week for Arsenal and Villa in the Champions League. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If ever a game highlighted the problems of VAR it was the Merseyside derby. There is universal agreement that James Tarkowski’s tackle on Alexis Mac Allister was a red card and Liverpool’s winning goal had what ‘appeared’ to be a clear offside. So, what went wrong? Gregor Robertson – fresh from a referee’s course – tries to shed some light.Jose Mourinho is grabbing headlines again… but for all the wrong reasons.On the pitch, Forest are not faltering, far from it, they have their eye on Arsenal in second. Ipswich get a rare win, and is Marcus Rashford back to his best?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Forest, Villa and Palace all through it’s a varied FA Cup semi final line up…but does the presence of Manchester City have an inevitable fell to it? Alyson Rudd thinks not. Had Bournemouth been more bold they may well have beaten City and Palace and Forest both have the swagger to do so.Can you name a cool right back that has played in the Premier League? Apart from Trent Alexander Arnold the team are struggling. But there are plenty cool left backs.And finally, it’s prediction time, who will finish from 2nd to 7th in the Premier League? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the very latest from an enthralling EFL with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.With eight games to go the EFL is far from over. In the Championship the top twelve teams still have an eye on the play offs. At the very top which of the top three will falter? At the bottom will Derby’s renaissance last?In League One Wrexham are grindingly resilient, but Wycombe and Richard Kone are going nowhere. The play off’s look sewn up bar one spot, but with four or five teams fighting for it. League Two Walsall who have been strong all season have stalled badly. At the bottom…Carlisle are in dire straits…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It looks like Trent Alexander Arnold is off to Real Madrid. Where does that leave Liverpool? Does it mean Salah and Van Dijk might now stay? Alexander Arnold’s numbers from right back are unique, can he be replaced and what is his best position? England will have two players playing at the Bernabeu, surely that is a good thing?Speaking of England…Martin Samuel thinks Thomas Tuchel may not have a competitive game until July 9th 2026! What can he learn in the meantime?And it’s FA cup weekend, who do the panel want to win it and who do they think will win it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Tuchel’s first game is out of the way…it wasn’t memorable. Did anyone learn anything from it? Did they lack leadership, is Lewis Skelly a left back for years to come? The team pose the important question; is a lot of international football crap? If it is, how does a manager prepare a team for bigger fixtures once you reach the knockout stages of a tournament? Hamzah watched the under 21’s and saw much promise for the future; Gregor watched Scotland and saw none.Gregor has also been following former players on a referee training course. It was eye opening, the rules are not always as they may appear…    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Thomas Tuchel’s England squad a step forward or a step back? The selection of Jordan Henderson and Kyle Walker with the omission of younger talent has raised a few eyebrows. He doesn’t have much time to assess his squad either, with only twenty-four training sessions ahead of next years world cup. Who will play this Friday and what can the new manager learn.What of England’s last manager Gareth Southgate, following his high profile Dimbleby lecture, what is next…a job in football or outside of football?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United won their first domestic trophy in 70 years. what does it mean to the club, the city and its fans? A well-deserved win on the pitch what happens now, is it a one of off or the first of many? And the awkward question, does the Saudi backing in any way tarnish the achievement?For Liverpool it was their worst week of the season, knocked out of the Champions League and losing a cup final. Could it derail their season? Surely not…? Elsewhere Fulham are still chasing Europe; Arsenal vs Chelsea failed to inspire…what on earth is wrong at Chelsea? And what a week for Dan Burn, scores for his home town team in a winning cup final and gets an England call up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is this why VAR was brought in, for a ‘perfectly good penalty’ to be ruled out?It may be in the letter of the law, but what about the spirit?Real Madrid are through, again. Some are sick of it…shouldn’t they be winning in style instead of grinding it out? Villa await Liverpool conquerors PSG, will Emery work his European magic?After the break, the panel review Manchester United’s new stadium plans. A two billion pound Eiffel tower of the north, or a two billion pound circus?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the latest from the EFL as Gregor and Tom look at the top and bottom of the Championship and the best from Leagues One and Two.It was a very spikey set of fixtures in the Championship as Leeds finally ended their seventeen game unbeaten run. But Sheff Utd and Burnley didn’t fully capitalise despite “throwing everything at it” in their respective draws. The play offs are equally tight with West Brom, Coventry and Bristol all falling over themselves trying to cement their place. At the bottom, Derby and Luton refuse to give up…are seven or eight teams still in the relegation fight?After the break a look at Grimsby and Barrow in League Two and a managerial change in League One   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal stumbled – again. Manchester United were average – again. So, which teams do deserve the prime time 4pm Sunday slot? Spurs v Bournemouth put on a good show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Bournemouth are a swash buckling side, will they be able to hold on to their star players? For Ange Postecoglou, the path to making something of this season is getting narrower, are the players still playing for him? Nottingham Forest notched a “seismic” win against top four rivals Man City. Has anyone done better transfer business and might they have three players in the next England squad. Talking of Champions League…what’s the point of getting into it if you don’t’ do anything in it…?Alyson met up with David Brookes who has recovered from stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma.And, is it time to feel sorry for Erling Haaland..?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paris Saint Germain were amazing…they just weren’t quite as good as Alisson Becker. Liverpool’s one nil win in the French capital was largely down to the outstanding performance of their goalkeeper – have the panel ever seen better? What did PSG do to test Liverpool more than any other side so far this season?  Arsenal are all but through, but would they rather play Real or Atletico Madrid next?Villa could well face Liverpool next, if they do, could Emery work his European magic?Gregor has been to Naples to see ‘the other Scotsman’ Billy Gilmour – he was very impressed.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shoot outs, red cards and moments of madness – the FA Cup delivers. At old Trafford cup holders Man Utd were dumped out by Fulham and the fans made their feelings clear - the focus of their ire was Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Is his efficiency drive having an adverse effect on the club? On the pitch Amorim persists with a 3:4:3 formation. Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts will get a three game ban for a horrendous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jena-Phillippe Mateta…is that enough? Anthony Gordon saw red and will miss the cup final, is that too harsh? And Matheus Cunha snapped against Bournemouth, does incidents like that put off big clubs from signing him?Finally, as Danny Welbeck scored the winner for Brighton, who is the most universally loved player?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The title race is done, so time to recognise the job Arne Slot is doing at Anfield. It is much more than ‘tweaks’ according to Gregor and Martin.With Arsenal dropping more points are they under pressure to get second, and the race for the top four/five is wide open…but who is best placed to capitalise.After the break, as Mo Salah is putting in a phenomenal season, leading both goals and assists charts which player has had the greatest individual season; Cole, Ronaldo, Terry, Kante… ?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson for all the latest news from the Championship, League One and League Two.Is it time to give Frank Lampard credit? His Coventry side are one point off the play offs and he is winning over the sky blues fans. Meanwhile another former international midfielder Michael Carrick is struggling at Middlesborough, what’s gone wrong at the Riverside? As Tom watches a bore fest at Sincil Bank is now the time in the season when fatigue – mental and physical – starts to kick in?  In League Two, AFC Wimbledon have the best defence in the league and are on a twelve game unbeaten run. And a few big teams are struggling. Plus a late surprise appearance from the next generation of footballing/journalistic talent…   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal fluffed their lines at home to West Ham. Liverpool capitalised with their first win at Manchester City in ten years. It puts Liverpool eleven points clear. So, is the title race over?Where are Arsenal going wrong and just how good are this Liverpool team?  Elsewhere, with the top and bottom of the table seemingly sorted out, is mid table the place to be – full of ambitious, forward-thinking clubs. Newcastle thumped Forest, for a half at least. Are Forest on the slide, or were Newcastle lucky?And who is the Premier League’s most under rated player...? Gregor knows - he has been to meet him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League by a dominant Real Madrid. At what point do we start to feel sorry for Pep and his team? Now, according to Gregor Robertson, Peter Rutzler and James Gheerbrant. They join Tom Clarke to discuss that, Darwin Núñez's future, Rashford's return and a poetic red card for Atalanta's captain (essential viewing). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tottenham back to their best? Or did they just play against an EVEN worse team in Manchester United? Tony Cascarino, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to discuss. Plus, Liverpool look leggy, a new young star striker emerges at Arsenal (28 year-old Mikel Merino) and what does expected even mean?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a fitting finale for Goodison Park’s final Merseyside derby. A thrilling roller coaster of a game, four goals, three red cards, VAR and a last minute equaliser. What a night.Were the decisions correct, does the result affect the title race but most importantly can an atmosphere like that be re created in a new ground?Away from the Merseyside could it be over for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City? Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft wonder if he will stay to see out the rebuild of his fragile team.Chelsea and Arsenal are both facing a striker crisis; should they have seen it coming and acted in the transfer window?Finally, will Newcastle take the chance to enter the top four at Manchester city this weekend? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Great escapes, standout signings and a managerial merry go round in this week's EFL Extra. Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson discuss whether Sunderland have the staying power to make automatic promotion a 4 horse race, they react to a familiar face in the dugout at Carlisle and watch as Walsall keep their title contenders interested. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was it an FA Cup shock for the ages, bottom of the Championship Plymouth beating European and Premier League leaders Liverpool? Or did Liverpool’s line up detract from the Pilgrim’s achievement? The fans at Home Park didn’t think so!Leyton Orient nearly went one better by beating Man City with a wonder goal, City survived and Pep Guardiola is in love with the FA Cup.Defeat at Villa park piled the pressure on Ange Postecoglou. After the match he launched a passionate defence of his players. Will it be enough to keep him in a job?Finally, a Man Utd win but they looked awful – again. And a look ahead to the European ‘classico’ Man City v Real Madrid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

St James’ Park was a cauldron, Arsenal were cowed, and Newcastle are off to Wembley.Is Newcastle’s forward line the best around at the moment? And did Arsenal get a taste of their own medicine last night, bullied out of their biggest game of the season?Gregor Robertson is joined by Martin Samuel and Tony Cascarino to discuss last night’s game and what it could mean for each club’s season.After the break, is it ‘Mission 21’or Mission Impossible? As Manchester United launch another grand plan, are there more important things they should be doing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Arsenal stayed humble and thrashed Man City. Did the result say more about a dominant Arsenal performance or a fragile aging Manchester City team? Myles Lewis-Skelly shone as a left back which made Gregor Robertson wonder if old fashioned left backs exist anymore?   Spurs put in a defensively solid performance to win at Brentford so, has Ange finally changed his tactics? Liverpool showed their title credentials again by beating in form Bournemouth; would it be unfair to call them lucky?    Lastly, Moyes works his magic at Everton, Amorim in a mess and Rashford to Villa - mad or a master stroke? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke is joined by Gary Jacob and Martin Hardy to look at all the latest transfer news.Will Ollie Watkins be an Arsenal player in the next 48 hours? Newcastle have sold Miguel Almiron will they have to sell more players to meet PSR rules? Which other clubs are planning last minute deals; Tottenham, West Ham, Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Brighton. How are deals done; the inside track on continuing to pay wages even if you sell a player and why are deals always done so late in the window?  Lastly, how do reporters deal with agents, club presidents and managers and the half-truths, spin and outright lies that do the rounds…?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you think of the new Champions League format? It gets mixed reaction in the studio – full of excitement but was there any real jeopardy?Manchester City got through, but the sight of Pep Guardiola clutching at straws was something to behold. Villa were in a thriller with Celtic and one man stood out – Morgan Rogers. A hattrick in the Champions League at 22 with the England manager watching on.Another young talent on show was 17yr old Ethan Nwaneri where is his best position?A quick look at transfers – is Ollie Watkins worth 60 million and a look ahead to some key games this weekend.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can it get any worse for Spurs? Losses to Everton and at home to Leicester have piled the pressure on Ange Postecoglou, but the fans are turning on chairman Daniel Levy. How long before something breaks? Tom Allnutt makes an impassioned defence of Ange…Alyson Rudd isn’t buying it!Bournemouth in contrast play a similar pressing game, have lots of injures but are on fire. What is the difference, how is Andoni Iraola doing it?Man City against Chelsea was a show case in how not to defend – Gregor Robertson felt for debutant Khunsanov.Yellow card, Red card…orange Card. What did Lewis Skelly deserve? Is the reaction of the Arsenal players and coaching staff make things worse? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City threw away a two goal lead again. As they sign three players in a week, will Pep Guardiola be around for the re build?The result proved one thing, this new Champions League format is great, isn’t it?Is the criticism levelled at Kai Havertz unfair? His stats suggest he is an effective forward so what’s is the problem?After the break, clever footballers, the hipster derby and a new definition of ‘the big six.’  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the latest from the Football League with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.Tony Mowbray is back, and he is back at West Brom. After recovering from cancer one of the most well-liked managers in football has returned to the Hawthorns. What could he achieve there?Burnley and Sunderland made headlines with a nil nil draw. Who will be happier and which is better placed for a promotion push?The bottom of the championship is a managerial merry-go-round will the changes pay off?In League One it’s the clash of the cash as Wrexham play Birmingham at the Racecourse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the future of Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou? With his Spurs team sitting in their worst league position at this stage since 2009, injuries galore and the pressure mounting, what happens next? For Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest life couldn’t be better. Andoni Iraola is drawing rave reviews for his style of football as his team are one point of the Champions League places. Forest are in the title race, let alone the race for Europe.After the break, a tribute to Denis Law, is it time we drop the term ‘Big Six’ and did Villa play well or did Arsenal mess up?      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A tough win in the north London derby has but Arsenal well and truly back in the title race. But who else is in the picture? Liverpool and Forest; Chelsea have stumbled but are Newcastle – on a nine game winning run - now live contenders? Is Gabriel Arsenal’s best defender?What is good football and do Tottenham play it? Forest don’t press, what a refreshing change. Liverpool didn’t win but they still looked good.And how can Everton score a goal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Manchester United display fantastic spirit, organisation and grit or were they lucky and should have lost by three if Arsenal could finish?For Mikel Arteta has his Arsenal team stagnated? Is extra time a good thing or a bad thing for smaller teams? On Tuesday Nottingham Forest play Liverpool. Will it be blood and thunder or a cagey stalemate?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many Newcastle players would get in a Premier League team of the season - two, three…five?!Would any manager other than Ange Postecoglou buy a twenty-one-year-old goalkeeper on Monday and play him in a cup semi-final on Wednesday?After big results for both teams what’s next.For Arsenal, have they progressed this season or was their best chance last year?After the break how will a rejuvenated Graham Potter fare at West Ham and Martin Samuel thinks Forest could win the title…why not!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A must listen for fans of teams in the football league. With Stoke, Millwall, West Brom, Oxford, Hull just some of the clubs who’ve changed manager. But, will it change the table?It’s a two from five for automatic promotion in the Championship. Sheffield United are in it but they’ve had a bumpy Christmas. Across the City Could Sheffield Wednesday make a push for the play offs The Times’ Paul Hirst thinks they might… In League One is it already a three horse race at the top. Who are the lower league strikers in demand and will their be an FA Cup shock?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United were more than worthy of their draw at Anfield. Should they have won? Was this an exception or a sign of things to come? Plus, Arsenal concede a penalty for a header, Bournemouth fans are getting excited and Ange Postecoglou is still Ange Postecoglou. Join Tom Clarke, Paul Hirst, Gregor Robertson and Peter Rutzler for a dissection of the weekend's action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal go within six points of Liverpool, could they make it a proper title race? Chelsea have slipped up Martin Samuel thinks it is self-inflicted and questions Enzo Maresca’s approach. But he is very impressed with the work done by Nottingham Forest, does it set a template for PSR?Why did it go wrong for Wayne Rooney? Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson think it could be tactics…Martin thinks the same could apply to Ruben Amorim ahead of his trip to Anfield on Sunday. Can anyone make a case for a Man Utd win…?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It goes from bad to worse at Old Trafford, are they really in a relegation fight? Will Amorim change his system, can he change his system? Ipswich have their first win in the Premier League this season at Portman Road; it came at the expense of a stuttering Chelsea side. Are Maresca’s problems self-inflicted ?It’s time to give Nottingham Forest enormous credit, and Nuno Espirito Santo in particular. Forest are second, will they hold on to Champions league football?Finally, Alyson Rudd, Charlotte Duncker and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to offer their bold predictions for 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Manchester United be in a relegation fight? Could Manchester City finish mid table and could Fulham or Forest make the top four? It might have sounded fanciful at the start of the season, but not now.Paul Hirst, Martin Hardy and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke to look at a resurgent Newcastle, the two floundering Manchester clubs and predict the top four come May. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another pulsating game at the Tottenham stadium, another win for Liverpool another six conceded for Spurs. Is the title Liverpool’s to lose? For Ange Postecoglou is it injuries or game management?Rubin Amorim was left scratching his head as Manchester United were beaten at home - again - by Bournemouth.Across Manchester, City continue to struggle…could Pep even walk?Plus, when did Burnley beat Manchester united 6-1?Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique Loonat look back at all the weekends action.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcus Rashford looks to be on his way out of Manchester United.A tail of a talent lost or stalled? Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino join Tom Clarke to discuss how he ended up here and what happens next for him and the club.Everton have finally secured a take over deal. Where is their true place in the pecking order - big club or a midtable club?After the break a thorough look at the League Cup and is the Community Shield a trophy – Mikel Arteta thinks so…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Pep Guardiola is the greatest manager of the modern era, its time for him to prove his worth.Manchester City are a “crumbling dynasty” losing again in a derby where they looked nervous throughout. While a Chelsea team with four ex City players in it and a manager honed under Guardiola are now two off the top and “having a lot of fun, playing with palpable joy.”Rubin Amorim has again showed who is in charge by dropping Marcus Rashford from the squad and has his tram playing in his patterns.Elsewhere, time to give Nottingham Forest due credit; managerial sackings and great saves.Paul hirst, Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant join Tom Clarke to analyse a very busy weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Cup 2034 is heading to Saudi Arabia and WC 2030 to Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Martin Samuel was revolted by proceedings… “FIFA conducted two one horse races yesterday.”Is it a decision to grow the game, or a demonstration of 'money talks' ?Martin joins Tom Clarke, Tony Cascarino and Jonathan Northcroft who offer their thoughts on the decision, the process and Gianni Infantino.Elsewhere, more problems in Manchester. Who is to blame for the mess at United? Is Dan Ashworth a patsy? With one win in ten for Manchester City is it now a crisis? And Tony takes a closer look at Haaland.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The top of the Championship is dominated by teams from the north – Sheffield United, Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland, Middlesborough and Blackburn.Martin Hardy joins Tom Clarke to look at who is best placed to kick on. A Leeds squad with great depth, a rejuvenated Sheffield United or a Burnley team with a very tight defence?Sunderland had a rough November but got a win last time out. Is their success based on two teenage midfielders? Middlesborough play a style of progressive football which reflects their manager, Michael Carrick. And Blackburn Rovers are a “neat, tidy and controlled team.” Will it be enough for the play offs? A quick look at League One and League Two and Martin’s wonderful story about Andy Carroll. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Chelsea win the title? Some think it is a silly question, but why?Were Spurs trying to perpetuate the ‘Spursy’ cliché? Two up at home but ending in defeat. Where now for a beleaguered Ange Postecoglou?Fulham are no longer just pretty, they’re gritty and they might have just solved how to defend an Arsenal corner. For Arsenal are they creating enough chances from open play when they are level or behind in a game…?More upheaval at Manchester United a loss on the pitch and a departure off it. None of it reflects well on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.Peter Rutzler, Hamzah Khaliqe Loonat and Alyson Rudd join Tom Clarke.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A six-goal thriller at St James Park allowed Arsenal, Chelsea and City to pick up points on Liverpool. Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel wax lyrical about Trent Alexander Arnold – “I’ve never seen anyone kick a football like that!”Tom Clarke asks the team – how do you stop Arsenal at corners?Chelsea are no longer Cole Palmer plus ten others, they’re now a serious team.A touching and funny tribute from Tony Cascarino to his and Millwall’s former manager John DochertyAnd the managerial merry-go-round could be due a spin with Gary O’Neil and Julen Lopetegui under pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester City are out of the title race…right? Some think they might even have a fight on for top four. Liverpool by contrast looked in control throughout and playing in a variety of ways too. Could Arsenal and Chelsea be Liverpool’s biggest challengers for the title? With Odegaard back Arsenal look at their free scoring best. Chelsea, with a young squad, finally look to be repaying the billion pounds spent on them. Tom Allnutt even thinks there is a chance for Manchester United to creep into the top four. That could be at the expense of Aston Villa who haven’t won a Premier League game since October. What’s gone wrong?Tom Clarke is joined by Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Under Arne Slot Liverpool are top of the Premier League and the new Champions League format. They’ve beaten Real Madrid for the first time in fifteen years; lost once in nineteen games and all with little fuss. It begs the question: just how good is Arne Slot. After the break Pep Guardiola’s woes continue. Be it confidence, injuries or tactics this is no longer a blip for Manchester City. What happens next? Arsenal by contrast seem to have turned a corner are they Liverpool’s main challengers now. Finally, Lampard in at Coventry and Van Nistelrooy at Leicester…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gregor Robertson and Tom Clarke return to cast an eye over a busy week of EFL action.Leeds are starting to look like a team who were preseason favourites. The underlying data on their performances marks them out as the best in the Championship, by some distance. A standout player for Leeds is midfielder Ao Tanaka; Gregor looks at the impressive list of recent signings from Japanese and South Korean leagues.At the other end of the spectrum, Hull City are struggling. Bottom three, manager booed and free scoring Middlesborough next.Wycombe are on fire, mixing the ‘grit’ of Gareth Ainsworth’s team with the pace and quality Matt Bloomfield has brought.Lastly, a quick look at Huddersfield, a player too good for League One and Ian Holloway is back but does his style need to change?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a weekend! Are Manchester City in crisis? Has Martin Odegaard put Arsenal back in the title race, or are Liverpool going to run away with it? It was another Ange Postecoglou masterclass and Southampton self-destructed…again.Ruben Amorim has seen the size of the task at Manchester United; Ipswich showed how 3-4-3 should be played and Gary O’Neil took Wolves to their first away win since February. Oh, and Leicester sacked Steve Cooper – who’s next at the King Power?  Tom Clarke is joined by James Gheerbrant, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.