The Commentators' View: Moments of the season

19:20Ian Dennis:Yeah, and one of the goals I've not even mentioned yet was a cracker of an overhead kick wasn't it? So you know that always kind of helps when that's the case and one complete aside that overhead kick was a cracker and I remember the great one obviously by Scott Metomine and of course the very famous one with Cristiano Ronaldo and Turin when he scored against Juventus for Real Madrid and I had the joy of being at all of them I tell you what we only invited you on so you could show off Pat that was that was flexing and look it was as Denno said and he's chosen his moment and what it's got in common with with John Murray's moment is chaos sometimes the best games and the best moments are not those where they are the most precise where the manager would be delighted with them where it's about control where it's about minimizing the negatives in the game sometimes it's when Everything's just gone a bit wrong I think chaos is very It's underrepresented in the English game A lot of the time But it isn't in the Scottish game right now You mentioned the fact that The Hearts for the Rangers game was up there as well As well as the one we did At Tiny Castle there But I watched Motherwell play the other night Against Hearts It was exactly the same Right now we've got a whole bunch of them in a row And it is that chaotic thing that we've got going in Scottish football because everyone had to go for it for this period of time and the stadiums are completely full and everyone's up for it.

20:57Ian Dennis:And I liked that comment that Denny was saying about the honesty of the game. That's really important because there isn't a lot of throwing yourself at the ground, pretending you're going to be hitting the face. There's just not quite so much of that in Scottish football, certainly at the moment. So that helps the commentary and the atmosphere as well. The referees allow a little bit more to go and when that's the case, the players don't bother to throw themselves together. So everything that was needed for that game that Denil was talking about there, well, it's been in quite a few of the games so far.

21:27Ian Dennis:And Denil, you were there with me the whole day there and the atmosphere was staggering, wasn't it? It was absolutely staggering.

21:34Alistair Bruce-Ball:The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. You're listening to The Commentator's View, moments of the season, with me, Kelly Cates, alongside Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. Your second picks are all about the Champions League. So up first, John Murray.

22:03Well, there it is, a five-life first. Can you translate that, John?

22:07Ian Dennis:Yes, it means proud of Norway, proud of Buddha. We are Vikings.

22:16Ian Dennis:Well, we'll leave Schott in his Google Translate for a little bit longer with that one. What a treat that is for people who are tuning in to drive. As Hauga brings it forward, right foot shot, oh it's in! Passed Donnarumma and into the top corner! Some scoreline, this in the Champions League! Buda Glimt 3, Manchester City 0. Well, Boona Glimt, who have never won a match in the Champions League proper. Well, what a way to break your duck this is. Listen to this roar. Yo, Pepe! I am here! Yo, Pepe! I am here! You, Pepe! I am here! The thing with that game was, not only was it a really notable scoreline, But John Murray, this was one that you had earmarked right from the moment the draw was made.

23:13Ian Dennis:I know we've got a packed schedule, but I could talk about this match all night and the experience and the trip to north of the Arctic Circle. I think about 80 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. And what had really, you know, added to my interest and keenness to go there was the fact that Ali had been the previous season in the Europa League for the semifinal. and you told me all about it, Ali.

23:35Alistair Bruce-Ball:I did, John. Yeah, just a very, very unusual place to visit to commentate on football. Absolutely stunning. In particular, on the day of the game that I did, on the morning of the match, I made sure I got all my work done so we had a few hours to explore. And is it the Emperor's Walk? I seem to remember. I recommended a walk to you up into the hills to get high above Buda itself and the views and then the stadium and the town down below. So, yes, I'd sort of whetted your whistle a little bit, hadn't I? I'd got you excited.

24:08Ian Dennis:Yeah. So I had an idea of what I was getting into. But the fact is that this match against Manchester City was played in January. And when it was suggested that we would be going there, and as you say, Kelly, it was an early kickoff, which meant that, you know, it fitted into the five live schedule and we could do the commentary. And I thought, it's not going to happen. And even though they play on an artificial pitch, I just thought, well, there's no way. It'll snow. we'll not get there it'll be too cold something will happen we won't get there we got there and i mean it was the best time i surely cannot have been a better time to go there it was the most sparkling of a couple of winter days there was snow and ice packed on the ground but the sun was shining and the place looked i went out both mornings long before breakfast just to have a walk around the place just because it is really, really special.

25:00Ian Dennis:And I just, as I said at the time, it really had that local hero feel to it, the whole place. This town, it's a town really, a fishing port on the water. And the fact that they have a team there, many of them local players, and a manager, Cetul Knutson, who's become an absolute legend of that place, and also, you know, long, long history there, has managed to get them to punch so much above their weight in the European competitions. And then to actually have the match where they beat the almost all-powerful Manchester City. It just had everything. Journalist and Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Marius Gautomsen, joined us on Five Live that night.

25:43Marius, was anybody in the whole stadium as excited as John Murray to be there?

25:48John Murray:No, I think probably he was the most excited one of the around 8 ,000 people that had shown up this cold and freezing January night. But what can we say? The football on the pitch certainly warmed the home fans' hearts. Freezing, but as John said, the sun was shining and it's shining now. Just tell anybody who's listening what we can see behind you, Marius. Yeah, I'm standing right in front of the old stand here. It's built in 1966. Right now I have the evening sun just setting mildly on my face here. It's around, yeah, it's a little over nine o 'clock local time and the northern lights of the cold January evenings and nights are slowly but surely being swapped away with the midnight sun, which shines all the way through the 24 hours during summer.

26:45John Murray:So it's exciting times ahead. You mentioned Northern Lights there. John, you got to see them, didn't you, when you were there?

26:53Ian Dennis:Yes, kind of. Everyone was saying these are the most spectacular display of Northern Lights that it's possible to see in Buddha. But wherever we tended to go, where we ended up going, I saw a sort of half glimpse of them. And people were coming up to me all the time saying, did you see the Northern Lights last night? I said, well, I kind of got a bit vague idea of them. I should tell you, Kelly, as well, where Marius is standing now. it was just about 30 yards to your left marius after the match when and our producer gary flintoff had said the whole time because gary'd filled in the hazard assessment form we've got all that the risk assessments done and of course the streets are so icy and treacherous the pavement i mean if that match had been played in in the uk i mean it wouldn't have been played because it would have been too dangerous around around the stadium and anyway gary kept telling me be careful be careful on these streets be careful on these streets anyway gary had gone around to the press conference and i thought and and i i set off to walk around and just where just where marius is standing i walked straight out of the stadium and went head over heels and landed flat on my back with these these buddha glimpse supporters were all around me they were just laughing at me they thought here he is he's come from england and he's and he's slipped over but look it was it was really really icy but it was so cold that it was difficult to take notes john it was because my pen froze up.

28:15Ian Dennis:You can always tell it when it's cold, when the pen froze up. And the other thing, Marius, I should give great credit to Buda Glimt. The commentary position seats are the most comfortable commentary position seats I have ever sat on to commentate on a match. It was absolute luxury. Do you know what, even if they've been uncomfortable, Marius, it was such a great game. I mean, I don't think even the most fervent of Buda Glimt supporters would have expected to have that scoreline at the end.

28:44John Murray:No, absolutely not. Even though they have taken some big scouts before. Jose Mourinho came here and got beaten ugly when he was manager for Rome a couple of years ago. But, you know, having the giants of Man City, Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, I mean, it's a star-filled team. And Bode basically had to win. They were eliminated if they hadn't gotten three points in that game. but nobody could really hope that it could go all the way. And to beat Man City 3-1 was just unbelievable. We had to rub our eyes. It was just an incredible evening for, I think, both the home and also the away fans. I think they were also shocked of what they were seeing of the around 400 Man City supporters that had travelled all the way north here.

29:34John Murray:Mariusz, I've got a question for you. I was most disappointed. I wanted it to be really cold for John. I wanted him to suffer in the cold, and he didn't suffer enough, although he did have a fall obviously but out of curiosity what is the coldest you've ever been in that stadium and the reason i asked that is that i once went to roros in northern norway and it was minus 27 so what is the coldest you've ever been when you've been watching football so it's uh measured just by temperature is a bit hard because uh bodo is a coastal town it's warmed by the North Atlantic Gulf Stream. And so it doesn't get freezing cold as you probably experienced in Røros.

30:12John Murray:But the thing that makes it so miserable here at wintertime is that the wind is extremely strong and which makes the effective degrees so much lower than it might seem on the temperature, on the thermometer. So it's hard to say, but you can almost feel your soul leaving the body if you have underdressed going to a game here in Buda.

30:39Alistair Bruce-Ball:But Buda, Kelly, ever since I went for that Europa League semifinal against Spurs at the end of the season before, became or have become a bit of an adopted team on the commentator's view. So they do get plenty of mentions. John was very excited about going and absolutely loved it. When they got knocked out, because sporting really turned that tie around in the knockout stages, we were devastated. actually they would have played Arsenal wouldn't they? They would have played Arsenal, there would have been another English opponent for Buda

31:06Ian Dennis:I should also, now Marius is on I must thank Marius because we've stayed in touch since when Buda Glimp went on to have those further matches so we've stayed in touch and it was Marius who was the man who tipped me off about the Sherry Bar in Madrid it was Marius' discovery which is a great find to come back to the Sherry Bar because Marius has come out to stand in front of the stadium there to chat to us and remind us all of the incredible scenes that night. Marius, really appreciate you. Thank you for coming on.

31:37John Murray:It's all my pleasure. Thank you.

31:48Alistair Bruce-Ball:BBC Radio 5 Live. Patrick Kielsey. Stumble in your way into Saturday mornings with great guests. Good morning, Jimmy Nesbitt. Good morning, Apati. You're terrible. Kids taking down commentators. You've wiped the floor with our commentator, Cian. How does it feel? It feels nice. Football chants from the gods. Take me home, like it roll. The less said about the host, the better. Patrick Kilty, Saturdays from 9. Listen on BBC Sounds. The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. So Deno, we started with the Arctic Circle. You're going to take us to Anfield.

32:35John Murray:I am, yes. And it was Liverpool against Paris Saint-Germain. They were 2-0 down from the first leg. And I've got so many special memories about Anfield on a European night. We were there together in 2016, weren't they, when they played Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League, which actually was the same date as this game against Paris Saint-Germain, because it was on the eve of the Hillsborough anniversary, which is always an emotional and poignant night at Anfield. And Liverpool once again had to try and produce another special European performance, but they were unable to do it as they did against Barcelona in 2019.

33:13And I know it's a cliche, but there's no better place on a European night than Anfield.

33:19John Murray:But it's a cliche because I've experienced it twice before. And again, I was thinking, could they do it against this Paris Saint-Germain side? and as it turned out, they didn't. The game itself was still a very enjoyable game. Paris Saint-Germain, you can only admire them. They're an excellent side. And I think also we're probably watching the emergence of this young, dynamic team that could dominate European competition for the next few years. They will go down, I think, as one of the great sides with so many great players. And Liverpool in the second half let the handbrake off and they did have a real tilt at it.

33:52John Murray:And I think the Anfield crowd appreciated it, But also, there was many supporters thinking, why couldn't Arna Slott have done this on many occasions this season? Where's that performance been? So, although Liverpool crashed out of the competition, in terms of the spectacle, it was still a very good game of football. Let's hear how you described it. You'll never walk alone. Being sung by the Liverpool supporters. And on the eve of the Hillsborough anniversary, particularly poignant. as Paris Saint-Germain come forward and Barcola towards Dembele and Dembele secures their passage through to the last four with their fourth goal in the tie Paris Saint-Germain lead Liverpool by two goals to nil but four nil on aggregate Liverpool are out and the defending champions are through to the semi-finals as defending champions obviously Paris Saint-Germain are a European force but when you were watching them in that game, Denno, and the way that they dismantled Liverpool when they even attempted to have a go at them.

35:02Was there a realisation that they've kicked on since that Champions League victory? Because they'd struggled for a few seasons before to get to the final stages, to get over the line. But once they'd done it, there's that belief, that confidence around the club.

35:17John Murray:Yeah, and even last season, if you recall, I remember seeing them against Arsenal in the league phase and they hadn't necessarily clicked. I think it was Dembele who had been left behind for disciplinary reasons from Luis Enrique and yet the second half of last season they got stronger. And again, in this year's competition, because once more they didn't qualify automatically by finishing in the top eight, they've just got stronger and stronger. And you're looking at them and you think, Quaraz Kalia, I remember seeing him at Napoli. He is just such a joy to watch. The full backs bomb on to such an extent that you're thinking, blimey, they're playing almost like wingers or forwards, and yet it's the full-backs, Hakimi and Mendes.

35:59John Murray:And I just think that they're a really, really talented side. Vitinha, I think, obviously we saw him at Wolverhampton Wanderers a few years ago. He's just a class act. There's Neves also in the midfield, João Neves, Barcola, Desaradoué, Dembele. You know, I just think that they are an excellent side. They're a pleasure to watch at Paris Saint-Germain.

36:21Alistair Bruce-Ball:Yeah, do you know what, Kelly? I was just thinking as Denno was going through the team there and talking about commentating on teams like that and games like that, you know you're going to be royally entertained. You know at times there'll be football that will take your breath away. I think Kvarek Scalier in particular is a footballer at the moment that you just, you almost think as a commentator, I hope my words can do justice to what he's actually doing on the pitch because it's difficult to keep up sometimes or actually sort of describe the kind of exact sleight of hand that he's using or body movement or whatever to beat players.

36:52Alistair Bruce-Ball:But like Ian says, it is a joy. We are so lucky to be in there to watch that play out. And, you know, the big games aren't always going to deliver. But I think that Paris Saint-Germain team at the moment, particularly in the knockout stages, you know, John will do them again in the Champions League final. And that's such a contrast of styles, John, coming up in the Champions League final as well, isn't it? What are you laughing at?

37:15Ian Dennis:I'm saying because the morning after the second leg of the Arsenal semi-final when I was on Five Live in the morning and doing the various hits that we do in the morning after a match like that. I think in every single one, I said the phrase that we're going to be brushing off and getting ready to use for this Champions League final is a contrast of styles. And it will be. We are staying with the Champions League in terms of picking the best moments of the season from our commentator's point of view. Ali, for yours, we go all the way back to September.

37:49Alistair Bruce-Ball:Trossard controls, dummies the shot, deflected and in. And that will be an Arsenal win in Bilbao. A massive win at the start of this Champions League campaign. And it's another substitute that has done it for Mikel Arteta. Deflected shot, high into the net, athletic Bilbao nil, Arsenal two. Ali, I'm not sure that even Arsenal fans would have picked this as one of their moments of the season. So why have you gone for it? No, it's a niche choice, but I think it fits, Kelly, given the fact that we're talking about them making the final. So this was their first game in the group stages. I've picked it, I would say, 20 % for football reasons and 80 % for travel reasons.

38:27Alistair Bruce-Ball:And I think when we're talking about Champions League games, a bit like John in the Arctic Circle, it was a great trip. And I'll come on to that in a second. Football-wise, though, it was interesting because it was a real marker for what we were going to see from Arsenal, particularly in the Champions League. So before Christmas in that competition, played six games conceded one goal and that was against Bayern Munich we talked a lot in the summer about the strengthening of the squad to have a tilt you know to try and go a step further and win the Premier League and push on in the Champions League as well you know the signings of Eza and Jocherez who both started that game but actually it was the subs who came off the bench and scored the goals Martinelli's not done much in the Premier League this season he scored a lot of goals in the Champions League particularly in the group stages and Trossard it was a classic Trossard comes on, scores a goal, and then he's really angry in his celebration.

39:17Alistair Bruce-Ball:He always seems quite angry, Leandro Trossard. And it was very much one of those, why am I not starting games? I should be in this team. And so Mosquera came in. He was one of the new signings, played really well because Saliba couldn't play in the game. So that was the football reasons for it. And that's what's taken them all the way through to the final. And that's why we're talking about a clash of styles in the final. In terms of the trip, the reason I was so excited about it, Kelly, was because I had heard so much about Bilbao and football in Bilbao, but particularly the club, Athletic Club, as they're known over there and their policy of, you know, only having players from the Basque region who play for the team or who have learned their footballing trade in that area.

40:01So you go into a city where you only see Athletic Club shirts.

40:06Alistair Bruce-Ball:No one else in that city will support any other club. I actually asked a couple of the locals, you're just not allowed to. You know, if you're a kid and you try and pick a Real Madrid or a player, it's just not going to happen. I mean, I think we were pretty easy targets. But on the Tuesday night before the game, the club hosted us and sort of did a little history lesson. Did a little history lesson, you know, so they basically entertained the English journalists. This is who we are. This is what we're about. And they told the story brilliantly and the hospitality was superb. So you were already sort of on their side.

40:38Alistair Bruce-Ball:I think added to that you had Mikel Arteta you had Martin Zubimendi and you had Mikel Marino who all have connections with Real Sociedad who are obviously the big rivals to athletic clubs so there was that going on in the stadium as well so it was just it was just a really joyous footballing experience of visiting a city I'd heard so much about a fabulous atmosphere a great respect between the two clubs and some delicious tapas the night before the game and Paul Robinson and I, we really stumbled upon an absolute gem after the game. You know, quite often you'll come out of a football stadium and it's still absolutely heaving.

41:16Alistair Bruce-Ball:And any of the bars or restaurants close to the stadium, you're never going to get anywhere near. And we sort of, I don't know how we did it, but we went down some stairs and a couple of narrow alleys. And then we were right by the riverside and we spotted this bar that just looked too good to be true. There was no one in it, sort of low light, delicious food, cold beer, and just sat there for two hours sort of, you know, talking about the game after the game, not being bothered by anyone at all. It was a fabulous trip. That's why I picked it. It sounds like you must give us that recommendation if any of us are ever over on a romantic trip in Bilbao.

41:52Ian Dennis:I've never been there, not commentated on a match in that stadium. I think Ian has at least a couple of times.

41:58John Murray:Yeah, I went twice in a matter of three weeks. I did the semi-final last year and they played Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final. And then obviously United went and met Tottenham and I went back for the final. But I've got to say, I would agree with Ali Kelly. It is a great city. And also the beauty of the stadium is a little bit like Newcastle, is that it's right in the heart of the city. So therefore you come out and you're straight into the bars and there's a vibrant feel to Bilbao.

42:29Ian Dennis:That's right up there on my list of stadiums I have not commentated in, which also includes, just out of general interest, Real Sociedad would be on that list as well. So would Valencia. I've been to Valencia, but never commentated on a match there. And Fiorentina I would put in there as well. Oh, yeah. And Genoa as well. Luigi Ferrari stadium. I've always wanted to go there.

42:52Alistair Bruce-Ball:Very quickly, Kelly, I also love a bit of football history. And, you know, I was listening to, I'm sure, was it John and Ian together? You were in, were you in Belgrade in the stadium where Penenka scored the Penenka penalty this season? Yeah. I love, I love historical footnotes like that. And that San Mames stadium is actually redesigned and rebuilt. But the original San Mames, one of the first goals I think I ever saw live on television was Brian Robson scoring for England in that old San Meme stadium after 27 seconds against France in their opening World Cup group game. And I just love that idea of being, you know, in a city, what would it be, 24 years later, pretty close to the spot that the kind of goal that actually really got me into the game of football was scored.

43:42Alistair Bruce-Ball:I love all those sorts of things. I love reading into the history of stadiums and matches that were played and goals that were scored. 24 years? Are you talking about the 82 World Cup? 40. 44 years. 40.

43:56Ian Dennis:Time flies, Kate. I can tell you, by the way. There's been a pandemic in the middle. It's just messed with all our timelines. I'm like Ali as well. That goal, I remember, ran home from school, just got back in time. I got back in time to open a packet of mini Mars bars. Do you remember those fun-sized Mars bars? Still exist, John. Do they? Yes. Open a fun-sized Mars bar. Treat yourself sometime. Sat down, television on, Brian Robson scored. We're going to kick off your third and final choices with some FA Cup magic with John Murray. I make it. We've had seven minutes of added time now. It goes long for Palace.

44:35Ian Dennis:It's chested down by Johnson to Sosa. Sosa's ball into the penalty area. Heathcote comes, gets his head to it. Still we play. Pino drives it in. Only half cleared. Dawson hits it downfield. And that is the last kick of the match. One of the greatest FA Cup giant killings has happened here in the sunshine at the Crossroads. The holders, Crystal Palace, have been knocked out. What a turnaround of fortunes for Crystal Palace. Winners at Wembley in May, losers in Macclesfield in January. And a pitch invasion now from all sections. The Macclesfield players have disappeared in a scene of celebration.

45:28We just heard Macclesfield beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup earlier this season. John Murray, still now, is there anything better than a big Cup upset?

45:39Ian Dennis:I don't think there is. Such an easy choice, this one. have seen some FA Cup upsets over the years, but this was right up there. And as I suggested at the time, when the final whistle went, one of the greatest giant killings. I still don't think it quite tops Wrexham knocking out Arsenal, but this is pretty close. And it is the biggest upset in terms of the numbers because there were 117 places between the teams. So that was the biggest gulf in terms of league places, but so much more than that. The fact that it was Crystal Palace who, Ian, you know, we were both there to witness them winning the FA Cup for the first time in the history just a few months before.

46:22Ian Dennis:And it was very difficult not to feel a connection with Crystal Palace because we were there to witness it and to see what it meant to them. And in their very next match in the FA Cup, after all of that, they're subject to this. so it's also that number 117 it's also the first time for 117 years that the holders had been knocked out by a non-league club and apart from that as well, just the day it was I mentioned how it was in Buda Glimp for that match, it was also the most magnificent January English winter's day that day it was sparkling, you know the frost was on the ground, I had a little skid in the car on the way to the stadium that day fortunately managed to uh do a beyond valdegarde and and stay on track but you know to get there and and to see what unfolded the joy that it brought and another little story as well that morning at breakfast i stayed in a little pub uh or it was a sort of yeah well it was it was a pub and when i went down to breakfast there was only me and another man in the breakfast room and we ended up talking to one another and he sort of clocked who i was and this was a few days after new year and he crystal palace fan he said you know last year was such a year for for crystal palace the greatest year that i've had as a crystal palace fan i think he was called paul and he said you know what i did on new year's eve he said i got the the tv pictures the footage of crystal palace's fa cup win he said i put them on the television and i synced it up with the five live commentary which i found on youtube so he listened to he listened to me and ian commentating on that match and with sean dyche and clinton morrison you know and then sets off to macclesfield a few days later and sees his team absolutely humiliated by macclesfield and and and as well you know with macclesfield the fact that they'd you know they'd they'd gone out of business ceased trading in 2020 but i think above everything else there were so many storylines It's John Rooney, brother of Wayne, as the manager, but also the fact that it came less than a month since their player, Ethan McLeod, was killed in that car crash.

48:35Ian Dennis:And the emotion that was tied up in that as well. It really was a day in the FA Cup that had just about everything. It was an incredible day and an incredible comeback. And as you talked about your journey on the way in, I thought, Bjorn Valdegaard, I don't think I know that name. I've never heard of it. So while I was actually paying attention to everything you were saying, I googled Bjorn Valdegaard. And if like me, you thought, I think I'm generally across my sport, but it's an unfamiliar name to me. Bjorn Valdegaard was a Swedish rally driver and the winner of the World Rally Championship for Drivers in 1979.

49:13So don't worry too much if it's not on the tip of your tongue, the name of Bjorn Valdegaard. But it will be forevermore. It was incredible. I mean, there was so much that could have been predicted that felt as though it was sort of written in the stars, that one. I know you talked about wouldn't it be incredible if this happened? Would it be incredible if, you know, Crystal Palace managed to get the upset in the FA Cup final? Then themselves the subject of a huge upset. But these games, Denno, they're why we watch the FA Cup, especially in those early stages.

49:45John Murray:Yeah, because it's a cliche and you say that there will be an upset, but there is always an upset. although if John was saying that was the first time in 117 years did you say that the holders had been knocked out by a non-league side I don't think many people would have necessarily expected it to come there but what is interesting as well is that from them winning the FA Cup last year is that they've actually put the words of our commentary on the wall in the press box and I'm just thinking I wonder if there's room for the conference league final and Ali Bruce Ball's words to go alongside them should Crystal Palace be successful.

50:21John Murray:That would be a nice hat trick. In Leipzig. And then Five Live could have the, it could be like a Holy Trinity. Yeah, could be amazing. Talking of silverware, that's your final pick, Dano. You've gone for the first silverware of the season. Rodri right-hand side of the penalty area. Returns it back towards Nunes. Time to pick his spot with the cross. It's O 'Reilly again.

50:43Ian Dennis:Nico O 'Reilly and a double. And Manchester City have taken a real strong

50:55We were talking about Manchester City's League Cup win, Denno, and the significance of that, because in the build-up to the game itself, there were so many different subplots around it.

51:05John Murray:There were, yeah. I mean, you had the two best teams in the country going head-to-head for the first bit of silverware of the season, but also one of the main subplots was the fact that what impact it would have on the on the title race and psychologically if you know if Arsenal were to get their first silverware how much that could help them likewise if Manchester City were to do it would they deal Arsenal a blow and I thought the second half in particular I don't know what John felt because obviously John was was also in the commentary box that day but there was a 20-25 minute period where Manchester City were at their imperious best and they were playable and they deserve to win.

51:44John Murray:And then obviously we've seen what's happened subsequently in the title race and only in the last week or so have Arsenal now wrestled that little bit back from Manchester City. But it looked for a long time that Manchester City were going to reel Arsenal in. And I just thought from a psychological point of view, the ramifications of that game and how it was going to play out in the subsequent weeks was really interesting. Yeah, it was a big day for people who love a narrative, John.

52:10Ian Dennis:It was. And I think I remember saying at the end, you know, we will find out now if they do have a psychological edge. And of course, what happened just a few matches later, Manchester City then beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League as well. And after that, you know, is this the title decider? The other thing that was a huge talking point around that game was Nico O 'Reilly's performance. What a season he's had, Dano, and delivered when it came to a cup final.

52:38John Murray:Yeah, he's had such a meteoric rise, hasn't he? Because, you know, from being with England's under 21, signing a new deal for Manchester City, breaking into the senior squad, popping up with the two goals in a League Cup final and possibly going in as, you know, as a real contender now to start in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup position at left back. You know, he's had a really standout season for Pep Guardiola. He can also play in midfield, which is his natural position. He's extremely versatile. he's athletic, pops up with the odd goal. It was actually, I think it was that second goal. I was actually surprised that it was him to see him stoop to head the ball in.

53:17John Murray:But he's an unassuming lad as well, but he's got a really, really bright future and he's done excellently for both club and country this year.

53:25Ian Dennis:Yeah, man a few words, isn't he? And wasn't that the day after his 21st birthday as well? Yeah, of course. Yes, it was. We have come to the final moment. It's Ali's third pick and this one is the most recent of all of them.

54:04Ian Dennis:Now they're behind Manchester United 3, Liverpool 2. Ali, you said right at the beginning that you felt that you'd gone for niche picks because John and Ian mopped everything up between them. Yeah. Not this one, though.

54:19Alistair Bruce-Ball:Not this one, not this one. Also, I think I should have said in that bit of commentary there, every single Manchester United fan inside the stadium is up and rejoicing because obviously there were a few thousand Liverpool fans. Always the self-critic. There we go. But do you know why I've chosen it, Kelly? Because Joy just completely lost myself in that game. And it was full of errors. You know, they are not the best two teams in the Premier League this season. We know that. Everyone knows about the history of the rivalry and the fact, you know, they've won more top flight titles than anyone else.

54:55Alistair Bruce-Ball:But it was just 90 minutes of error strewn, high pace, blood and thunder. Some great goals in there as well. Bruno Fernandes is a real central point. So the other little narrative, we're going to talk narratives in there, is him chasing this assist record. And for the Sesco goal, he did head the ball across goal, but the goalkeeper got a palm onto it and it hits Sesco so he doesn't get the assist. But that moment, Kelly, just that explosion of joy for the May-new goal for the Manchester United fans. And do you know what? I've done two Manchester United games at Old Trafford this season where they were 2-0 up, another one against Fulham, and they let the opposition back in and then won it with a late goal.

55:33Alistair Bruce-Ball:sesco did it against full and mainu did it in that game and for the first one of those i sat with steve bruce not commentated with steve bruce before but you couldn't have had a more perfect summarizer deon dublin was with me for the manchester united liverpool game but steve bruce played in that sir alex ferguson team that routinely did things like that you know highly entertaining football would let teams back in would find a way to score a winner and the whole stadium went nuts and in my experience of doing games at old trafford i've not heard it like that for a while. You know, that Manchester United, Liverpool, Michael Carrick going really well.

56:07Alistair Bruce-Ball:It was absolutely buzzing and it was just great fun to do. And Ali, as you said, neither of those sides are the best two teams in the Premier League. However, Bruno Fernandes was named the Football Writer Association's Footballer of the Year. Now, often that goes to a player who, if not wins the title, at least is challenging for the title. And yet Bruno's got it this year. What are your thoughts? I mean I love watching him I love commentating on him he is an incredible footballer and I think I said it at the end of that game were it not for him Manchester United would be nowhere near where they are at the moment so I so I recognize his ability and his importance to the team but I can see the argument I heard John saying in a commentary the other day David Raya you know had a good shout to be player of the year this season Gabriel Declan Rice as well obviously you know if they go on to win the title Nico O 'Reilly we've been talking about for Manchester City so um yeah I would I have chosen him I do love I do possibly I would you know Kelly because I just you you can't you can win it and not be in the best team I think I have a feeling that the Arsenal vote was probably split and there was probably only one Manchester United player that people would have voted for?

57:29John Murray:Bruno Fernandes won it with the FWA. I think he got 47 % of the votes. But there would have been... Were you at the dinner? They actually haven't had it yet. It's... But no. But I voted for Antoine... I think it's next week, isn't it? It is, yeah. I voted for Antoine Semenyo for my vote for the FWA. And I think there's David Raya, there's Declan Rice. But the reason I went for Antoine Semenyo is that he gave Bournemouth such an excellent start to the season, which they've been able to carry on. But also when he went to Manchester City, I thought he gave Manchester City momentum for their title race as well.

58:05John Murray:So I think he's had an impact for two clubs. And also I enjoy watching him play. So, but yeah, he got my vote. But I think the decision for Bruno Fernandes has certainly been, it's provoked a lot of debate within FWA members. And I think Bournemouth's run, since Ali Antoine Semenyo, probably says more about their excellent recruitment than it does about the contribution that Antoine Semenyo made in that game. So Bruno Fernandes chasing Premier League assist record, possible player of the season, possible PFA player of the season to come. Huge for Manchester United. Is there anybody that, because Ali mentioned there commentating alongside Steve Bruce, is there anybody that you haven't sat next to yet that you would like to as your summariser?

58:53Alistair Bruce-Ball:Crikey. Do you have a dream summariser?

58:58Ian Dennis:Gareth Southgate. That's excellent. Yeah, that is a very good shout. Denno, Ali, do you want to have a little think about it?

59:07Alistair Bruce-Ball:Well, I've commentated with him before, and obviously, you know, it's due to the club that's dear to my heart. But, you know, another game with Terry Butcher at some point. Oh, always enjoy those. Always enjoy those.

59:20John Murray:Yeah. Funnily enough, I haven't done a game with Steve Bruce. I'd like to do one with Steve. But Gareth Southgate would also be up there. And then there's somebody who's close to your heart who I wouldn't mind sharing a drink or some time with as well. My heart? Yeah. Yeah, he said no.

59:43Alistair Bruce-Ball:I'll tell you, Kelly. Wenger. Wenger. Oh, that would be a good one. Yeah. Or someone like Jurgen Klopp, who does a lot of media work as well in his post-managerial career. John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce Ball. Thank you very much for your company. Been lovely talking to you, even though you didn't want me. Ali didn't want me. That was Ali. That was Ali.

1:00:12Alistair Bruce-Ball:Welcome to the Wayne Rudy Show. We're joined by Wayne Rudy. We are joined by the actor James Nelson-Jobs. Is that him, lad? Is that him, lad?

1:00:22Ian Dennis:We've got to get you into it, mate. We've got to do it. Bruno, this is the first interview I've ever done. Very nice to be here with you. I played against you. I got the shirt off you, but you don't know it. I asked Juan to get it for me. Paddy, thank you so much for being with us today.

1:00:37Alistair Bruce-Ball:I know I'm going to win the belts. That's in my destiny. It was just, that wasn't my time. The Wayne Rooney Show. Watch your night, player. Listen on BBC Sounds.