In short
Podcast Summary: ESPN FC - Arsenal Increase the Gap
Episode Overview
- Title: Arsenal Increase the Gap
- Description: The FC Crew reacts to Arsenal's victory over Everton, noting the achievement of Max Daumann as the youngest Premier League goal-scorer. The episode also covers Manchester City's draw against West Ham, Chelsea's struggles, and Real Madrid's performance against Elche.
Key Points Discussed
Arsenal vs. Everton
- Match Result: Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0.
- Key Player: Max Daumann, at just 16 years old, became the youngest goal-scorer in Premier League history.
- Match Analysis:
- Arsenal displayed a lackluster performance but managed to secure the win.
- Craig Burley and Stevie Nicholl noted Arsenal's grinding style and concerns over their form heading into Champions League matches.
- Don Hutchinson expressed skepticism about Manchester City's ability to catch Arsenal, especially given City's inconsistent form.
Manchester City vs. West Ham
- Match Result: Manchester City drew 1-1 against West Ham.
- Comments:
- The draw left Arsenal with a nine-point lead over City, although City has a game in hand.
- Discussion regarding City's tactics and selection choices, including Pep Guardiola's struggles with team consistency.
- Observations were made about City’s lack of creativity and unpredictability in attack.
Chelsea's Performance
- Match Result: Chelsea lost to Newcastle 0-1.
- Key Issues:
- Controversy arose from a pre-game huddle that included the referee.
- Manager Liam Rossignol was critical of the referee's position during the huddle and the lack of penalties for his team.
- The crew criticized Chelsea's lack of maturity and consistency under pressure.
Real Madrid vs. Elche
- Match Result: Real Madrid won 4-1 against Elche.
- Highlights:
- Federico Valverde continued his fine form, scoring yet again.
- A remarkable long-distance goal from Arda Güler highlighted Madrid's attacking prowess.
- The crew discussed Madrid's solid performance despite some shaky moments earlier in the season.
Player and Manager Insights
- Max Daumann:
- Arteta praised the young player for his natural talent and ability to perform under pressure, noting the positive impact he had on the game.
- Pep Guardiola:
- Critiqued for his tactical decisions and inability to find the right combinations with his squad.
- The panel discussed whether Guardiola's job security was in jeopardy given City's current form.
Concluding Thoughts
- Arsenal's Title Chances: Most analysts on the panel felt that Arsenal is in a strong position to win the Premier League title, with City looking less likely to challenge effectively.
- Chelsea’s Future: Concerns about Chelsea's direction under Rossignol, especially with his focus on off-field issues rather than team performance.
- Upcoming Matches: Anticipation for future matches, including Champions League clashes and implications for the title race and relegation battles.
Key Quotes
- "Is it over? When you look at City's fixtures, you can't rely on them winning every game." - Don Hutchinson on Arsenal's title hopes.
- "The only reason City are still in it is because of Arsenal dropping points." - Craig Burley on the title race dynamics.
Episode Conclusion The episode encapsulates the tension of the Premier League title race, the struggles faced by Chelsea, and the impressive performance of Real Madrid, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next round of fixtures.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOArsenal's Premier League Progress
0:45 to 3:06
Discussion on Arsenal's recent victory and Premier League standing.
“In the early game, they'd beat Everton by two goals to nil.”
Concerns for Arsenal's Consistency
3:06 to 4:25
Hosts discuss Arsenal's performance in the context of upcoming matches.
“Because they would have had to have pulled their finger out and been a lot better than they are.”
Man City's Struggles This Season
4:25 to 7:53
Analysis of Manchester City's recent form and tactical issues.
“You've got Bakaya Saka, who you've got a World Cup coming up and he's probably a guaranteed starter.”
Max Daumann's Historic Achievement
7:53 to 14:01
Reflections on Max Daumann becoming the youngest Premier League goalscorer.
“Interestingly, Jan said to him, I think it was Thursday, he said, Erling Haaland doesn't necessarily like to have another striker around the bottom.”
Impact of Coaching on Player Performance
14:01 to 14:55
Exploring how over-coaching might be affecting player performance, specifically Bukayo Saka.
“And what I took from that press conference there when he was sort of saying I had a gut feeling.”
Chelsea's Huddle Controversy
17:21 to 20:29
Analyzing the implications of Chelsea's pre-game huddle and referee interactions.
“Chelsea taking on Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.”
Chelsea's Immaturity on the Field
20:31 to 23:31
Discussing Chelsea's lack of maturity in gameplay and the impact on their performance.
“You know, if a manager said to you, I was three, we're your teammates.”
Referee's Credibility in Question
23:33 to 24:25
Debating the consequences for the referee and coach after the huddle incident.
“He's another coach that's got himself in a pickle with a goalkeeping situation.”
Real Madrid's Recent Performance
24:33 to 27:54
Reviewing Real Madrid's win and the performance of their academy players.
“because, of course, there's some big games tomorrow.”
Player Performance and Confidence
28:00 to 29:10
Discussion on the confidence of players like Bellingham and their performance streaks.
“Yeah, he was part of the trail, wasn't he?”
Show all 16 chapters
Striking Skills and Challenges
29:10 to 30:30
Analysis of the challenges and skills involved in scoring goals, particularly from distance.
“I think it was the first six games of the season.”
Real Madrid's Recent Form
30:30 to 32:28
Examination of Real Madrid's performance and mindset ahead of their upcoming matches.
“It must feel a bit weird at the Bernabeu the last couple of games where people have not been miserable.”
Bayern Munich Match Overview
34:19 to 36:36
Discussion on the matches involving Bayern Munich and the impact of player decisions.
“Bayern Munich would end this game with nine men.”
Future of Pep Guardiola and Team Dynamics
36:36 to 42:01
Debate on Pep Guardiola's future with Manchester City and team dynamics.
“But if anyhow picks a fast Alanga, a fast Anthony Gordon, a fast Harvey Barnes with that high line, I know it's like bingo when you mention Barca, but they can be got at.”
Discussion on Relegation Candidates
42:01 to 42:44
The hosts analyze the chances of various teams facing relegation in the league.
“I think West Ham look as if they've got a lot more organisation about them than they had two or three months ago.”
Show Conclusion and Highlights
42:44 to 43:11
The hosts wrap up the discussion and highlight upcoming matches and events.
“That brings us to the end of today's show.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Alejandro Moreno:We're leaving today and entering a world of Mickey Mouse waving, princess meeting and greeting, lightsaber clashing, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror dropping, Banshee flying, Space Mountain launching, galaxy rewinding, what's the whole death of galaxy rewinding, fireworks igniting, world of other worlds for whatever you love. Infinite worlds await at the most magical place on earth. Walt Disney World Resort.
0:34Shaka Hislop:Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas, joined by Craig Burley and Stevie Nicholl. There are some very happy Arsenal fans around the world today as they took one huge step to winning the Premier League title. In the early game, they'd beat Everton by two goals to nil. They left it late and it saw 16-year-old Max Daumann become the youngest ever goalscorer in the history of the Premier League as they'd beat Everton 2-0. And then straight after that, it was West Ham against Manchester City. City could only manage a 1-1 draw, meaning the advantage now to Arsenal is nine points.
1:07Shaka Hislop:City do, though, have a game in hand. Don Hutchinson joins us. Is it over, Don?
1:17Frank Leboeuf:It's over. When you look at City's fixtures, they've got Chelsea, they've got Arsenal, they've got Villa. You look at this City side, you can't rely on them winning every single game. They'll even, I think, lose a game or two towards the end of the season. There's always a game where you think that's the one that's got the team over the line and that was the Arsenal-Everton game today. I thought Everton were quite good in the game. I thought they probably deserved a point. But when Max Downman come on, he got the goal and the assist, an amazing goal for a 16-year-old. And you just think, yeah, that's the one.
1:51Frank Leboeuf:That'll be the one that's played over and over and over again next season and the season's to come, it's going to be Arsenal's.
1:57Shaka Hislop:Yeah, it's difficult to argue against that, isn't it? Because of City and their inability to put any consistent results together.
2:03Dan Thomas:I thought City and Liverpool would be a big challenge this year and it's not materialised for obvious reasons. It was another game for Arsenal. It was a bit like pulling teeth, watching it. You know, Saka hasn't played well. Everton were more dangerous, as Don said. They played well for long periods of the game. but the worry for Arsenal is this Champions League game in midweek and we talked about it last week about flicking this switch that's how it feels for them at the moment they're just sort of grinding and churning these results in the Premier League but we saw that kind of bite them in the backside to a certain extent in Germany in Leverkusen where they really should have dominated that game and it should have been dead and buried but they go into the second leg and they've got a proper match on their hands and they're not playing particularly well so I don't think that's it a foregone conclusion.
2:52Dan Thomas:I think the Premier League title is. And look, you can't blame them for not playing well at times because they're trying to get over this line that they haven't been over for 22 years. But I could only imagine what it would have been like for them if these teams had been breathing down their neck. Because they would have had to have pulled their finger out and been a lot better than they are. But as it turns out, the challenge to them thus far has been powder puff.
3:17Shaka Hislop:And that's exactly right. Manchester City side don't deserve to be anywhere near a title if you can't beat Forest and you can't beat West Ham.
3:25Alejandro Moreno:No, and really, let's be honest, the only reason City were still in it is because of Arsenal dropping points they shouldn't have dropped. And really for Arsenal, the front three, I mean, again today, I mean, Saka is struggling. He's absolutely struggling for form. They tried Medvedeke on the left. It didn't work. Eze didn't work. Havertz started up front, didn't work. And actually, I mean, it's always hindsight, but the best thing Arteta did was bring Max on because it actually changed the atmosphere in the stadium as much as anything else. And all of a sudden, it went from moaning and groaning to there was a bit of excitement and everybody got behind the side.
4:13Alejandro Moreno:Now, was that the difference between them getting the goals and not? I don't know, but I'll tell you what, if you're on the field and all of a sudden the crowd's behind you instead of mourning and groaning, it makes a big difference. But end of the day, does it matter? No, because they've got three points.
4:27Dan Thomas:You've got Bakaya Saka, who you've got a World Cup coming up and he's probably a guaranteed starter. Probably. He was. Definitely when he was at the top of his game, but he's not.
4:39Alejandro Moreno:I don't know. You've got Phil Foden, who's out of the team.
4:43Dan Thomas:You've got a few of these players that are sort of out of form. but he's one of them he took him off in Leverkusen and Madweke came on and injected a bit of pace he's lost a step, Odegaard was in the stands he wasn't available and Steve he said Eze does some really good things but we haven't seen it in the last couple of games now, they are winning and they are going to win the title, that's fine but there's another picture of a Champions League game coming up and there's another picture for some of these players as a World Cup coming up and you really don't want to finish a season like this going into a big summer of football but in terms of a game.
5:16Dan Thomas:It was just a grind, but lovely to see a young guy coming on and having such a great day.
5:21Shaka Hislop:Don, it's interesting with Pep Guardiola. Feisty, of course, in the press conference ahead of this when questioned about his selection for the Real Madrid game. Another change in the tactics today. He had Mamouche and Haaland up front together. He seems to be just throwing darts at the moment.
5:38Frank Leboeuf:Yeah, I mean, I was watching the Real Madrid game and it looked like to me when you're watching it, because you always sit there watching the game thinking, like, what would you do or what do you think the changes And I thought the changes are in the Real Madrid game. I thought the changes were Doku on one side, Semenyu on the other, and Cherki or Foden as the 10. Haaland's getting no service whatsoever. That's a big worry to me. I wound up, he's actually enjoying playing this City side. He got two chances, and the first one came on the hour mark. And then, in the end, I don't really blame him because it's a game that you've got to win, so you've got to get your defensive players off, your potential holding midfield players off.
6:10Frank Leboeuf:You've got to get as many forwards on as you can. It is desperation. and until you're probably at ground level, well, I say that loosely because he was sat in the stand, but until you're trying to, you know, make a change and make two and three and four changes because you know you need to win that game, you can't just sit on your hands and you can't go, oh, well, I'll give it another 10 minutes or I'll give it another five. So, yes, I think Pep's to blame at a certain point, but I think when he got asked the questions yesterday, I thought he answered them quite well when he said, listen, when I win a game, how many times have people said I'm a genius?
6:41Frank Leboeuf:when I lose one, you know, pion, pion, pion, he was saying, everyone's firing bullets at him. So it's part of the course. I just think when you look at Arsenal and you look at Man City now, there's not too much difference between them. And City will come back next year. But Arsenal, the better version. What frustrates me when I watch City is they don't cross the ball. Apart from wide free kicks or corners, they literally work the ball side to side to side. Don't put it in. Come back to the left. Don't put it in. and they've got wingers out and crossed the ball, put the ball in the box, it's just...
7:15Frank Leboeuf:You watch them, you just think it's very predictable.
7:19Alejandro Moreno:He's actually struggled all season, Pep, to get the mix right. He hasn't been able to get the mix right at the back. He's certainly not been able to get the mix right in the middle of the park. Yes, Rodri, obviously, coming back from his operation, but the middle of the park is invisible, particularly from a defensive point. And he's got the players going forward, but he just doesn't seem to be able to get the mix right. so is it really a surprise what we saw again today and is it a surprise what we saw against Real Madrid
7:47Dan Thomas:so middle of the park has been a bit of a problem like the fullback here has been a problem in the centre half area he's got no answers for it but he leaves you mentioned Rodri been out with his injury he goes to Real Madrid he plays four up front basically he plays he played limit room he played Doku he played Haaland Semenho as the second striker and Savinho with Bernardo Silva charging around like an empty Chris Packet on a windy day, leaving Rodri in there on his own to try and cover the ground, to try and shield a week back four anyway. We talked about this in midweek. It was just bonkers.
8:23Dan Thomas:Interestingly, Jan said to him, I think it was Thursday, he said, Erling Haaland doesn't necessarily like to have another striker around the bottom. Some strikers do. Some strikers like to work with a striker. Jan said he doesn't like to have that. He likes to have players sometimes floating in, but he doesn't like to have somebody kind of there and making it a little busy in that area. So I thought that was an interesting point. But Guardiola keeps going back.
8:48Alejandro Moreno:Surely Pep knows that though. If that's the case, why is Pep playing Semenyo beside him? If Hanna likes to be on his own, that's why you've got a jerky. That's why you've got Foden. Because they're not going to get in his way. They're going to supply him, if anything else, and then maybe come up with something themselves. So the fact that Pep's trying to menu beside him when he doesn't like having somebody up there, it's a bit of a head-scratcher.
9:12Dan Thomas:Do you remember the start of the season when Stevie and I said on the show, their problem is going to be their back line, right? But at the time, their stats were, they wouldn't back that up. Because they were defending okay. And we said, well, yeah, but I don't think this has got longevity when you look at the players. But Eileen Haaland was scoring goals. Ellen Haaland started the season like a house on fire and it masked any potential issues. As soon as they stop scoring and he starts tinkering with the team as much as he is, then the back four is creaking and cracking. They can't keep a clean sheet.
9:47Dan Thomas:I mean, they could have lost four and five in Madrid. And West Ham are not exactly one of the best teams going forward.
9:55Shaka Hislop:Defensively, they're vulnerable. And obviously, going forward, they're not creating the chance. How many chances? Are we setting up this game today? How many chances do they have?
10:03Dan Thomas:I saw Tajani Reinder scored at Nottingham Forest, a very good goal, and next game he wasn't playing. Ryan Cherky, we've talked about, he's done some brilliant stuff. I'm not saying he's always consistent, but he's done some brilliant stuff this season. And then you pick up, you go and look at the team sheet for the next game, he's on the bench. There really has been no consistency or continuity with the team selection. And I know sometimes you have injuries, and particularly at the back. But again, I don't have any sympathy for them. Because they went out and they got Kusinov last year, the youngster.
10:36Dan Thomas:They knew John Stones was injury prone. They knew Akanji was going to enter. They went and bought Ait Nuri. Oh, my God. And they had Mateus Nunes playing it right back. They never addressed any of the issues last summer with proper players in those. One of the first things they did when he came in, they went and bought Kyle Walker and one or two others in the full-back area because it was so important. They didn't address it and they're now paying the penalty for that.
11:01Alejandro Moreno:Donnarumma bailed them out at the start. He's had two rickets in the last two games. So now that he's lost his form, it just makes it even harder. So, I mean, really? You think Man City's going to do Real Madrid midweek? You're not putting money on it.
11:17Shaka Hislop:And you're not putting money, obviously, on them catching Arsenal. As we mentioned, a huge day for Max Dalman, who became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Premier League. Here's his boss.
11:27Alejandro Moreno:I had a gut feeling that it was a moment for him. Probably because he doesn't seem to be faced by the occasion, the moment, the context of the opponent. He just plays so naturally. He makes decisions to make things happen and what he delivered was incredible. I've seen a lot of players with talent but at 16, very few that can cope with that level of demands. Could we see you potentially start at some point? Calma. As your colleague said, let's come down to earth today and enjoy the moment because it was intense and it was worth it and we'll see tomorrow.
12:09Shaka Hislop:Stevie, what, 16-year electrician's apprentice?
12:12Alejandro Moreno:Oh, was I?
12:13Shaka Hislop:How you never killed yourself or others?
12:17Dan Thomas:Can you imagine him coming round to rewire your house? You wouldn't let him through the front door. You'd have to leave the state. Imagine it. I remember when I was at Derby, albeit it was the year we got relegated to the championship, there was a young lad, I can't remember his name, there was a young lad who made his debut, I think it was Johnny Gregory who gave him his debut, he was 15. And I remember looking at him thinking, holy smokes! You know, I'm going to think back to when you were 15, or certainly Max Damon, when you were 16. You know, I'd just gone to Chelsea as an apprentice, a little spotty-faced kid, you know, and I was like, I could not.
12:55Dan Thomas:I would have... The very thought of even going on the bench for the first team, I would have just been... I would have sat in the bathroom and cried. I just can't imagine it. It's just not normal. It's just not normal.
13:13Alejandro Moreno:Was it Wayne Rooney?
13:14Dan Thomas:Did Wayne Rooney not do it at 16? But maybe a little. I think he did.
13:18Alejandro Moreno:To have the maturity and to have the football brain to do the things that he does. When he's come on previously, he's done some great things as well. But in terms of today, to have the maturity and the coolness and the calmness to score the second goal, it's 16. It's just not normal. It's not normal. It's the only thing you can see. I just can't get out of my head that he's the electrician's apprentice.
Read the full transcript
13:45Dan Thomas:16-year-old Don.
13:48Frank Leboeuf:Oh, my days. Nowhere near anyone's first team. I mean, literally, I didn't move to Hartlepool until I was 17 and a half, 18. So, you know, nowhere near it. I liked Arteta there. And what I took from that press conference there when he was sort of saying I had a gut feeling. He's basically saying he's coached the life out of Maduweki and he's coached the life out of Bikai Osaka. This kid's not had any coaching yet. So he just went on and played. That's exactly the feeling you had. You just stuck a 16-year-old and gone, I'm not going to give you no coaching. I'm not going to give you no advice at the minute.
14:21Frank Leboeuf:You're probably not even allowed in the home dressing room yet because he's so sort of tender at his age. And he just went on and played like it was just. He was in the park with his mates, and he made such a difference. Just off the back of the Bukayo Saka chat before when the lads were saying, you know, he's been out of form, which he has been. You know, this kid now at 24, Bukayo Saka, has played over 300 games. So you just start to wonder with a few injuries along the way, is he feeling a little bit shattered or is it over coaching? Because as I said before, Daman came on and just lit up the place.
14:53Frank Leboeuf:He was magnificent.
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17:25Shaka Hislop:Chelsea taking on Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. All the talk about this game was the huddle before the kickoff. Traditionally now under Rosinha, the Chelsea players gather in the center circle. for a team talk ahead of kick-off. The referee was in the middle of it all, though, Rossellini not happy about that. Also not happy that the referee didn't give a penalty as well for what he thought was a foul on Kyle Palmer. And mostly, he's not happy the fact that Chelsea lose the game. Newcastle winning by one goal to nil. Anthony Gordon in the 18th minute.
17:56Dan Thomas:Right, we're only talking about that, haven't we?
17:57Shaka Hislop:Do you want to talk about the huddle? Well, for me, the referee is the joke. Rossellini is going to report the referee to the PGO ML or whoever he's reporting him to. It should. The referee should have just got out of the road. Well, maybe he didn't realise what was happening until he was surrounded.
18:10Alejandro Moreno:Even when it does happen, then get out of the road. What is he doing sitting in there?
18:15Shaka Hislop:Well, maybe he's got to start off the ball. Was you tongue-in-cheek?
18:19Dan Thomas:Oh, no, no. Rosinia said he's going to report the referee for this. I mean, come on, come on. I mean, I agree with Stevie in a sense. I don't know what the referee is doing there unless he couldn't get out. Seriously. But he's reporting the referee to the PGMOL for this. Yes. He wants to go and worry about his team's performance. He wants to worry about the fact he lost five goals in Paris. He wants to concern himself about the backline. He wants to concern himself about Liverpool winning tomorrow and what that means for the Champions League chances. And anyway, even if the referee wasn't there, what's this we huddle around the centre circle for unity nonsense?
18:58Dan Thomas:The day he got the job in his very first interview, I said to you, and I think we all said the same thing, he thinks he's brainier than everybody else. He thinks he knows more than everybody else. He thinks he's clever and he's overthinking everything. This unity thing and reporting the referee. I do agree. You know, it looks silly the referee being in there, but come on. He's got more to worry about than reporting the referee.
19:26Shaka Hislop:He's also angry at the referee for not giving the penalty, Don.
19:31Frank Leboeuf:No, there's never a penalty. I mean, to be honest, I never really thought the Kai Havertz one was a penalty because the referee in the match centre said minimal contact. So I thought, well, whatever the referee goes with, I'll go by. I'll stand by that. The Volta Marr one was never a penalty. The huddle, man. The huddle. I mean, honestly, it just makes... Honestly, you can forget the game because the huddle is embarrassing. You think you've seen everything in football. then you see a team get in front get Paul Tierney the referee in the middle and they won't let him out I mean it makes the referee look weak like if I'm the referee there I'm like barging people out the way saying like I want no part of this lads get me out of here the fact that he just stands there it's crazy they all come off it's just bonkers
20:22Alejandro Moreno:they all come off together as well they can't come off on their own they all come off together this is the office they all got to wait for each other and they all go off together I mean seriously what's that got to do with the huddle it's the same nonsense same thing it's more nonsense no I think that's a different different different
20:41Alejandro Moreno:so you've got I've got to wait for you before I go off at halftime I've got everybody's got to get together and we've all got to go off together at halftime
20:47Shaka Hislop:oh I thought you meant the referee and the linesman no no no
20:53Alejandro Moreno:it's like it's like said there's a lot more things you've got to worry about than all that stupid nonsense This is the full David Brent from The Office.
21:01Dan Thomas:Right, yeah. American version, whatever. This is The Office. You know, if a manager said to you, I was three, we're your teammates. Right, we're doing this together. We're huddling around the centre circle for unity. And it doesn't matter who's there. Block them in.
21:18Shaka Hislop:We won the match, Scott. Let's drag the referee.
21:20Dan Thomas:Unless this Chelsea dressing room are just soft and weak and will accept anything. they have to be giggling like school kids behind this manager's back when he's asking to do some of this stuff. Because we've been in dressing rooms, all three of us, and we know what goes on. If a manager was asking you to do some of these things and talking like the way Liam Rossignor is, there is no way, might be wrong with this dressing room, but there should be no way these players are not having a full day with the manager. And by the way, I'd be like that. Forget this unity thing in the middle of the park and all this nonsense.
21:56Alejandro Moreno:I mean, you're just making yourself stupid. I don't think he watches the game. Every time the camera goes to him, he's sitting here writing an essay. All he does is write things done. It's like, watch the game. Are you telling me you can't watch the game and then go in at half-time and talk to your players without writing a book? I mean, some of the things that he's doing is just... Don's talking about over-coaching. That's overdoing it on the other side. What's wrong with him, Don?
22:28Frank Leboeuf:Chelsea, I think they're very immature. I thought that for a while. I thought, you know, when they turn it on and when things are going in their favor, they're a good side, got good players. But when you watch them, is it nine red cards? They look immature to me. If things are not going their way, someone will get sent off. If things are not going their way, I think they try hard, to be fair. I don't get a sense that any of the players are down on tools or not good enough. I think you look at that team there and you think some outstanding players. but I just think they're a little bit immature.
22:58Frank Leboeuf:When it's not going their way, it's like, right, let's do something daft. Let's, you know, like the line there where you're not squeezing up in unity, you're not playing offside. And even when the ball got played through there and it got played through to Willock, when you see that goal back again, Fafana was at least five yards ahead of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Gordon out-sprinted him in the space of like 20 yards and got five yards ahead of him. So, you know, do the hard work, do the hard yards, track back, don't get sent off, be more mature. That's what might cost them.
23:30Dan Thomas:You know what, I'm just intrigued by, you know, he's got himself in a pickle. He's not the only one. He's another coach that's got himself in a pickle with a goalkeeping situation. Because Jorgensen, he brought him in because Sanchez was making mistakes. And now he made a mistake. He dropped him and brought Sanchez back in. So he's another manager where both keepers know that he doesn't really fancy them. When he sends this to Howard Webb, I'm just intrigued by this. What's Howard Webb going to do with Paul Tierney, the referee? Take him off another, demote him to League One because he was stood in the middle of some stupid huddle?
24:06Dan Thomas:He's got to go to a game where there's going to be no huddles. How stupid do you think it makes you sound as a coach of a team that's trying to get in the Champions League and spends billions of pounds and your biggest concern after the game is that the referee got in the way of your ridiculous huddle? I mean, that sums it up.
24:24Alejandro Moreno:He'll lose credibility. When he phones now, they'll be like, oh, here we go, that's nonsense. He'll just lose credibility.
24:32Shaka Hislop:Just taking a look at how things stand then at the bottom of the table, because, of course, there's some big games tomorrow. West Ham's point means, I don't know when the last time they're out of the relegation zone was, but it was a long time ago. They are now one point clear of Nottingham Forest, who, of course, are in action tomorrow. Also in action tomorrow, Spurs taking on Liverpool at Anfield. and everybody is going for a Liverpool victory. Dom thinks it's going to be convincing everyone else, so believes that it will be. Slot's side will get the victory. Meanwhile, United take on Villa as well.
25:06Shaka Hislop:Both teams are vying for a place in the Champions League next season. Wow! Don't bet a draw. Whatever you do, don't do it. This guy's got a draw. Wow, everybody is going for a draw. Just a reminder, we'll be looking back at Aston Villa's short victory a little later in the day as we'll be looking back at that. And also, of course, those big games at the bottom of the table. Barca in action against Sevilla as well.
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26:35Shaka Hislop:Real Madrid beat Elche by four goals to one. What a week it's been for Fedi Valverde. Of course, scored a hat-trick against Manchester City. Was on the score sheet once again here today. but the most memorable goal belonged to Arda Goura, who scored from well inside the Real Madrid half. That was the fourth, as Real Madrid closed the gap on Barcelona to one point at the top of La Liga table. For more on this, let's welcome in, shall we? Luis Garcia joins us. Luis, overall, job done. Couldn't have put this much better for Real Madrid.
27:07Frank Leboeuf:No, not at all.
27:08Shaka Hislop:We talked about it in the first 45 minutes. It was quite plain, quite predictable, but they were already two goals ahead. And in the second half, I think they improved a lot. The speed was there. They could rotate players. I cannot even remember when was the last time
27:23Frank Leboeuf:that we saw so many academy players involved in the first team and doing it so well. The team never lost their composure, their structure,
27:31Alejandro Moreno:and the young players actually did a pretty good job. Fantastic goal from Artagule, who kind of gave back their confidence on the manager. And overall, fantastic three points,
27:40Frank Leboeuf:getting pressure on Barcelona for tomorrow's game against Sevilla and keeping the momentum going. And they got a very, very important game in midweek against Manchester City.
27:51Shaka Hislop:So this game of today gives them the confidence to go there and get a good result. Felix Valverde, loving life at the moment.
27:57Dan Thomas:Yeah, well, you know, about a month ago, I'll give a check when they were booing him. Yeah, he was part of the trail, wasn't he?
28:03Shaka Hislop:Bellingham and Venetius Jr.
28:04Dan Thomas:For some reason he was part of it. And I don't know why. maybe just performance because he's always been a player that you never criticise him for worry but he's always been a really good obviously box to box midfielder but he's always been a great striker of the ball really really good striker of the ball coming onto it from the middle of the park this one's a little bit more panache because he's got to dig it out by the way look at the defender the defender comes out and turns his back that sort of helps but yeah he's on a roll obviously his hat tricking midweek was an amazing hat trick but yeah he's playing at the top of his game right now.
28:43Shaka Hislop:Stevie you must have periods like that. When you were top goalscorer in the Premier League back in the day, everything you feel you hit?
28:50Alejandro Moreno:Everything comes easily to you. Everything you hit is sweet. You were top goalscorer? Not at the end of the season.
28:58Shaka Hislop:No but for like a month on it. I was going to say it. Not a few games. It would have been 15 years doing this the first time I bring that up. I thought it was a... Oh, my God, that was a hell of a season.
29:10Alejandro Moreno:With all those strikers. I think it was the first six games of the season. I was top scorer in England. Bad.
29:18Shaka Hislop:Anyway, it didn't last. But during that period, as you say, you feel like everything...
29:22Alejandro Moreno:Your head's clear. Everything comes easily to you. As I said, when you're playing a pass, when you're taking a shot, it's clean. It's confidence. Well, you're not thinking, you're just doing it. You're just using your instincts and everything's in sync. You're timing, you name it. It's just great fun, is what it is.
29:44Shaka Hislop:Ardugula, of course, having great fun with that fourth goal, Luis. How difficult is this to pull off? The boy says it's easy with the ball these days.
29:53Frank Leboeuf:No, no, not at all. Not at all. It's very difficult. Not because you have to be precise, but it's a lot of power, the one that you need. from a player who we all know that he's got a fantastic strike, but normally near the box, close to the boss, he's fantastic. He addressed the ball perfectly. He sees the ball. He sees the keeper quite forward on the field. And just to make that contact, to have that in his head, it's already showing how fantastic of a player he is.
30:23Alejandro Moreno:But the strike is beautiful. It's clean. And, well, it's a long, long distance. Very, very difficult. not for everyone to try and not for every player to achieve it.
30:33Dan Thomas:It must feel a bit weird at the Bernabeu the last couple of games where people have not been miserable. No, absolutely.
30:39Shaka Hislop:Even when they won at home this season, you've been miserable because they haven't done anything. But this was a good show.
30:44Dan Thomas:Yeah, and look, this wasn't the Man City performance, but it was very, very comfortable. But Elche were... Think about the game away for Real Madrid and Elche. It was 2-2. they struggled. Elche were pummeling them, they had a lot of possession, a lot of chances, probably should have won the game. This is a different version of that side now. They don't travel well, they haven't won since around Christmas time, they're banging a relegation battle. So all those cards really fell, bearing in mind they got the Man City game in midweek, the cards fell well for them because it was, on paper, one of the easier games in La Liga, and Real Madrid, certainly in the last couple of months, one of the easier games.
31:25Dan Thomas:Although they haven't made it look, particularly easy in some of these games. But the interesting thing for me is what's going to be fit and available for midweek.
31:35Shaka Hislop:Yeah, we spoke to Alex Timmy before the game and he said Mbappe's going to Manchester. If he plays, that's a different moment.
31:41Dan Thomas:He's going to go. I think he might be, you know, maybe even on the bench. You're thinking about the counter-attack. You're thinking about City pushing forward, trying to get some early goals in the space that that might give them. but they go into this midweek in such a better mindset than the Celta Vega game, which was horrible, but the Getafe game before that where they lost at home. There has been a minor sort of mood swing. Now, if they get battered at the Etihad, and look, City haven't played well today against West Ham, but they could on their day, they can. They just haven't really shown it.
32:21Dan Thomas:so that could change for Real Madrid if it all goes wrong for them in midweek I don't think that will be the case but it's not dead in the water yet you can't just pitch up with your big ego and think that City are not going to have a go at you but it would be a really bad day at the office if Real Madrid were to be knocked out of this Champions League
32:41Shaka Hislop:Good man Luis, we'll say thank you very much much appreciated just a reminder Luis Garcia it's old team is in action Barcelona tomorrow Just a reminder how things land at the bottom of the table for Elche. Of course, they're very much involved in this relegation scrap. Just one point ahead of Mallorca, who are still to play this weekend. 1045, the coverage then starts for Barca in action against Sevilla. That game live on ESPN Plus tomorrow. Kane Alley to take you through that. Kickoff is at 11.50. He left at 11.15 a.m.
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34:16Shaka Hislop:Bayern Munich won. Bayern Munich would end this game with nine men. Nico Jackson would be sent off for a bad challenge just before the break. And then joining him as well would be Luis Diaz, who would be accused of diving, getting a second yellow card. Boys, do you think it was a dive?
34:33Dan Thomas:Absolute, 100%. Yes. He's left a trailing leg into the goalkeeper. Don?
34:41Frank Leboeuf:Yeah, no, exactly that. He's got himself what he's hoping for a 50-50 and his right leg just makes sure he caught contact with a keeper. That's a definite dive.
34:53Shaka Hislop:So he said that VAR would have obviously reviewed it. They can't review it for a second yellow. They will be able to win the World Cup.
34:59Dan Thomas:What's that?
34:59Shaka Hislop:So they'll be looking at second yellow cards and be able to review them in the World Cup when that comes around. Thanks for that. There we go. Be it not, Extra Time continues. Don is back with us to answer some of the questions, including Don, the percentage chance of City having Pep in charge next season.
35:19Shaka Hislop:Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Craig and Stevie here in the studio with us. Don joins us as well. Don, percentage chance Pep's City next season.
35:31Frank Leboeuf:I'm going to go 90-10. I think he'll be in charge. I think he'll want to go out in a high.
35:35Dan Thomas:No, no. I'm going to go 9-10 the other way. You're out. I think he's not denying that. Yeah, he looks as if he's lost the energy to me to keep. And that's understandable. Yeah. I don't have a problem with that. Klopp had it at Liverpool. And all the talk is from some of the journalists up in Manchester is that when he's been asked the question, he's not saying, no, no, I'll be... He's paving the way, particularly with results, I think, to walk away and have a sabbatical somewhere.
36:04Shaka Hislop:Stephen, you have the deciding vote. Which 90-10 are you skewing towards? I'm not, I'm 50-50. OK.
36:11Alejandro Moreno:Well, I'm not deciding then, am I?
36:16Frank Leboeuf:Which way? 50-50, Stephen? Craig just did that joke, Don. Take your time. Ah, I couldn't get in, I couldn't get in.
36:25Shaka Hislop:Don, does Newcastle's current form give them more than a punch's chance to eke out a win at the camp now? Yeah.
36:32Frank Leboeuf:I mean, listen, Barca will be favourites. But if anyhow picks a fast Alanga, a fast Anthony Gordon, a fast Harvey Barnes with that high line, I know it's like bingo when you mention Barca, but they can be got at. I would say Newcastle have definitely got a boxers chance.
36:53Shaka Hislop:What percentage, Don, as we're doing percentages?
36:57Frank Leboeuf:OK, 60-40 in favour of Barca.
37:03Alejandro Moreno:I would have said 70-30 in favour of Barca.
37:06Shaka Hislop:Yeah, 70-30. For the boys, has Max Downman made an argument for more playing time at Arsenal?
37:16Alejandro Moreno:I would think so, yeah. At the end of the day, if the players who are being picked aren't producing anything, then there comes a time. and if somebody could do what he did and change, just change the whole crowd, the game, the whole thing, then why would you not? I'm not suggesting that he starts, but certainly I would put him on before 15, 20 minutes to go.
37:45Shaka Hislop:Craig mentioned the 15-year-old that he played with at Derby. What's the youngest player that you've ever played alongside?
37:49Alejandro Moreno:Do you remember? I gave a debut to a guy called Diego Fagundes at the Revs.
37:56Shaka Hislop:He's just gone back to the Revs, hasn't he?
37:57Alejandro Moreno:He's just gone back, yeah. I think he was 16. OK. I think, I would say he's the youngest player I've ever been involved with.
38:05Shaka Hislop:And did you have any concerns about putting a 16-year-old out?
38:08Alejandro Moreno:No. No. Not at all. No, not at all. For the very reasons that Arteta was talking about. You know, I knew it wasn't going to be too much for him. because he went in training and he was just playing as if he'd been there forever. And we weren't particularly flying at the time. So, yeah, it was good. And it helped everybody. Helped the rest of the players, helped the crowd. Same as Max Diamond did today. Don, youngest player you played with?
38:38Frank Leboeuf:I think a couple springs to mind. Franny Jeffers at Everton, but we had another young kid called Danny Kadamatri who was like Wayne Rooney-Build. So even though Danny was like six, he's a bit older, 17, I remember him playing against Chelsea.
38:56Frank Leboeuf:And he gave their centre-offs. He was like solid, Danny. And he ran the channels and he played against Desai and he smashed into Desai once or twice in the game. And he was like, this kid's got something about him. So I'd probably say Franny and Danny.
39:13Shaka Hislop:Franny and Danny. How many times did Don mention being on comms for the game today during the show? You didn't Don, so I guess did you have the day off?
39:22Frank Leboeuf:No, I was on the Arsenal game. I was doing a goal rush, I was doing the Arsenal game and the Newcastle game. Both kicked off at the same time.
39:32Shaka Hislop:Is it over? Done and dusted. Have Arsenal guaranteed themselves a Premier League title, Stevie?
39:37Alejandro Moreno:I think so, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I think Don Cerelli, you can't see City winning every game between now and the end of the season. And that would mean that Arsenal would probably have to lose three, including playing against City. So, yeah, I don't see it.
39:53Shaka Hislop:Don percentage chance for relegation for Spurs, Forest and West Ham.
40:05Frank Leboeuf:That's tough because you look at Spurs and they're going to get wallop tomorrow and then the game after they play Forest so it's like all the talk all the talk over here is Tudor cannot be in charge for Spurs against the Forest game. So all the talk over here is he'll get the Liverpool game. He'll be lucky if he gets that Let it Go Madrid game, but he will definitely not be in charge unless he gets a win, of course. He'll definitely not be in charge for the Forest game. I think West Ham are going to get out of it. I think they're in great form. I'm going to go. I mean, there's something about Forest with Maranacas getting all the team in the other day and slaughtering all the team the other day that thinks they're not going to be in good stead.
40:53Frank Leboeuf:And Tottenham, how can you... I mean, the game against Fulham was bad enough for Spurs when they lost that one. But the game against Palace was embarrassing. The Atletico Madrid one can happen. I'm going to go... I don't want to sit on the fence. I'm trying not to say 50-50. I'm going to say 60-40, Forrest go down. I know, it's not the question. I'm going to say 60-40 Forest. No, there's three teams.
41:23Shaka Hislop:I've got the calculator here, Don.
41:24Frank Leboeuf:Oh, my God. All right, then. All right, then. I'm going to go 50 % Forest. Yeah. 30 % Spurs, 20 % West Ham. OK.
41:38Shaka Hislop:You agree? You think Corey's the favourite? I think at this point, I'm actually edging towards Spurs.
41:46Dan Thomas:Right. I mean, it would be Liverpool this season. to cough up some sort of result. I mean, they've been bad this year at times. I mean, if Canati is another one of those days that you had in midweek... Especially with Chelsea dropping points today.
42:01Shaka Hislop:Great chance of Liverpool to...
42:02Dan Thomas:No, I mean, Forrest is a bit of a mess. They've got Fulham at home. That's not an easy game. I agree with Don. I think West Ham look as if they've got a lot more organisation about them than they had two or three months ago. So I'm going to say probably 40 % where am I? I'm having a dawn moment here. I'm having a dawn moment. Whatever it is, I can't work it out. Don't try and be too clever. 40 % Spurs to go down and 30-30 for the other two. Okay. Stephen, who were you looking up on your phone?
42:38Alejandro Moreno:I was checking how old Fagundas was.
42:40Shaka Hislop:Oh, okay. Yeah, he was 16. There we go. All right. Do you want to talk about relegation or do you want to go home? Oh, Spurs are definitely favourites. Okay. All right. And that is it. That brings us to the end of today's show. I think I've messed up. Of course. What have you done, Don? I think I've messed up, haven't I?
42:54Frank Leboeuf:I've not messed up. Didn't I say West Ham 50 %?
42:57Alejandro Moreno:Yeah. You went 50-30 and Spurs 20.
43:00Frank Leboeuf:I know. I was going the other way. I was trying to say 50 % safe. I went the other way. Oh, OK. Get me off air.
43:07Shaka Hislop:It's not the first time anyone said that to you, Don. And that is it. ESPN FC is back tomorrow. Passer against Sevilla, Liverpool, Spurs, United, Villa. We'll be covering all of that. Be sure to join us. Burley, you're here tomorrow, aren't you? Oh, what are you doing tomorrow, Steve? You're going to the Holly's concert.
43:21Dan Thomas:He's going to the Geriatrics concert. He's going to be the youngest one there at the concert. I will be as well.
43:47Alejandro Moreno:technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by.
From the publisher
The FC Crew react to Arsenal's win over Everton as Max Dowman becomes the youngest ever Premier League goal-scorer at 16, and also Manchester City's draw at West Ham. Then, a discussion on Chelsea's poor run of form and their interesting interaction with the referee in pregame. Also, Real Madrid's impressive 4-1 win over Elche as Valverde continues his great goal-scoring form.
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