Arsenal drop points in the WSL, United continue to impress and Champions League excitement builds

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2:07Rachael O'Sullivan:Hello everyone and welcome to Daily Brightness. We have got another exciting episode for you. We're talking all things Millie and Rach and obviously catching up on the football. But first, our little check-ins. Bestie, how are you? I think, yeah, just thought I'm all right, yeah. How are you? Do you need a little Millie hug? I do, actually. You do, all right. When we were messaging this morning, I was like, oh. Yeah, well, I'll tell you what, I've got a few days off soon and I'm going to be popping back home to Sheffield, so I think I'll swing by for a little bestie visit. A little cup of tea on the way.

2:41Rachael O'Sullivan:Have you been doing any DIY? That's what I wanted to ask you. I haven't, actually. My extension, project extension is still underway. I can show you a quick picture. yes we're still waiting aren't we viewers for rachel's diy page yeah i haven't been much recently i've been a bit too busy but this is where we're currently at nice i love that you're taking pictures as well of like start yeah and then the process start yeah i love it i love stuff like that i've been golfing this morning a bit of therapy a bit of me time sick i'm taking my clubs back actually i'm gonna go play with my dad oh right i think My dad's buzzing.

3:19Yeah. Oh, absolutely not. A bit of therapy, a bit of smashing the shit out of a golf ball is exactly what was needed on this Monday morning. But yeah, let's move on to football. So you obviously started off the weekend, Friday night game, as you continuously steal those games, with a game in what was, I would describe as, horrendous conditions. I was watching it thinking, oh, I'll put heated on.

3:44Rachael O'Sullivan:Jesus Christ. as well I'd love to put mine on but my boilers broke so that's why I've got the woolly hat on inside don't know shout out to any boilers in the Surrey area that would like to help Millie I'm booked in in November boilers don't say shout out to the boilers shout out to the boilers shout out to the what are they plumbers plumbers plumbers shout out to any plumber that wants to help Millie in the Surrey area yeah obviously we were like watching like the updates and it was like Storm Amy's gonna be hitting Manchester at this time and this time and I was like holy crap I texted my mum and dad I was like drive safe be careful they brought Albie as well and my sister but I honestly expected it to be a lot worse than it was it started off just like a little bit windy but not too bad and then second half the rain just came my shirt was so heavy like it was so heavy but I mean I do like them conditions you know me I was going to say you would have loved that I don't mind the rain wind is the worst wind is horrible our game was windy yesterday yeah I think you guys had it worse than we did But to be honest, we didn't have too much win, but I love the rain.

4:45Rachael O'Sullivan:It made it entertaining. But yeah, it was a really intense game, you know, really, really intense. And we obviously knew that they're obviously very, very much in form at the minute and got the best defensive record before that game as it stood. And yeah, not really conceding much. So we knew we were going to have to work hard for it. I think first off, we were terrible there. We were so far off it. So yeah, we had a bit of a talking to ourselves at halftime. and then second half came out, was much, much better. But then every shot we hit, we just straight at the keeper. So I thought we'd create some really good chances.

5:18Rachael O'Sullivan:We just worked clinical and although we could have won the game, I think a draw was probably a fair result because I think United played some really good football and yeah, they created some chances. Yeah, I thought a draw was a fair result by the end of it. But there was definitely momentum swings, wasn't there? I think Man U were on top for large parts of the second half. Yeah, I think they were on top when we scored, to be honest. They came out from half-time and I thought, yeah, they're on it here. But there was always that little piece in my mind where I was like, oh, Chelsea's going to do it late, I think.

5:50I think they'll just nick one that you're so ruthless. And I always go on about your winning mentality. I thought Sam Kerr was going to come on and bag a winner. But the last five, ten minutes, it swung to you, didn't it? It was more...

6:02Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah, well, May have made a brilliant block against Gourou. but like yeah it was just one of them games where you know what I mean you come away and it's like a draw is better than a loss and we're still in a really good position so yeah a point on the road against a team like that is huge but I'm enjoying Man United at the minute like they're playing really well I don't really like to say that they are playing some really nice football I think Jess Parks added a whole new dimension to their game in my opinion I think Ziggy Oti she's a great midfielder yeah I think they're very much clicking everything works I was a bit surprised at Mallard not playing because she was in absolute flying form it was a weird one for me but you know she's a good player but no yeah I think you'd be happy overall with a 1-1 you know against a team that's in brilliant form at the top of the table with you and away from her in shit conditions definitely and I will say I'm happy that Jess Park's doing well not too much against us But again, when you know these, we know we're on a personal level and seeing players go through a tough time and not having any minutes and having to leave a situation.

7:13I think, again, to then see a player, you know, she's an unbelievable human.

7:17Rachael O'Sullivan:She's so lovely. And then to now see her thriving in that environment and playing some of her best football. It is really, I'm speaking not as a Chelsea player, as a person. Yeah, absolutely. And as a friend. It's really, really nice to see her. Great way to view it, and I think more people should see it like that as well. Yeah, so happy for her. I said that to her after the game, so really happy for her. But your game? Yeah, she looks happy. Oh, your goals, by the way. Jesus. Oh, joke, weren't they? Set-piece table us now, ain't we? Is it Wilms? Yeah, so she actually practices those three kicks.

7:56And honestly, it was only a matter of time before she was going to score one, because against you, she hit the bar. Yeah. She hit the bar against you.

8:02Rachael O'Sullivan:She hit the bar and then I said against Arsenal, her delivery on corners was unbelievable. Well, she hit one against Arsenal, right? The most rogue angle. I was like, she's not going to shoot from here, is she? Yeah, that was just before. Was that just before the corner? Was it after? Yeah, before. And so she, I was like, how on earth? But she does like, to be fair to her, she practices them a lot. Like, she's got them on lock. And then that one came up yesterday and I was like, we were all, everyone on the bench. We were like, this is a goal. Like, part of it was a bit like, it might be too close for Lynn like you know for her to get that up and up and over yeah back down but no we were all like yeah this is going in this is flying in and we've all been saying it's only a matter of time before you're going to score a free kick because we've been getting a few in good positions Kirstie's goal was an absolute screamer like I'm surprised he didn't rip the net I swear I just stood there and I was like wow it went so fast like literally so fast And it lifted, didn't it?

9:01It stayed and then it just lifted the top corner. Late on, I was like, yeah, sick. But that's two free kicks the West Ham keepers conceded in the last two games, us and you. So she's probably going to be annoyed about that one. But yeah, it was a tough game. It's always difficult, isn't it, going to West Ham? It's not a nice place to play. And they always make it difficult and scrappy. And yeah, it wasn't an easy one by any means. But I think we were on top for quite a lot of the game.

9:26Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah, I think yous have got really good form though as well. Yeah, we were bound to, like, we needed that as well because, like, we've done all right, but ultimately we hadn't won yet. So it was nice to just sort of get that under our belts and get a win away. Man City Arsenal game. Now, that was a really good game. We watched, I missed the first two goals when it was 1-1, wasn't it? So we were just coming out of training and I thought, oh, this is, I don't know which way this one's going to go. And you know what? Like, when Chloe came on, I was like, going to score. Fact. Like, there's no way this goes.

9:59It was written in the stars. She's not going to Man City and not scoring.

10:03Rachael O'Sullivan:No. So I was really happy for her because I think that would obviously, it would have been really important for her to get that. Yeah. On a personal level. Yeah, and she's in good form. You know, she seems really happy. So that's good. But interesting result though. I didn't know which way it was going to go because... Me either. Obviously, Arsenal haven't been performing, like their performances haven't been like great. And, you know, they're missing that little spark. and I think struggling a little bit. But then City have had some good games, some not so good games. So it was like, I was like, oh, I'm not sure which way this one's going to go.

10:38Rachael O'Sullivan:And it's one of them games where already the league's taking shape. And yes, we're still very early on, but to drop a lot of points, it's like it's hard to get them back. Every game is so hard, no matter who you play against. And both teams would have known that as well, which I think City stepped up for definitely. That's what happens when two top teams are playing against each other. But you're fighting for the league, you're fighting for trophies. But it's going to be interesting now. I think it is. It's a weird one for Arsenal because, like I say, when we played them, they had a lot of the ball.

11:10They moved the ball well. They played some unbelievable football. But it was just like that clinical edge is just sort of...

11:16Rachael O'Sullivan:If you don't do anything with it, there's no point having the ball. Yeah, no, exactly. But I think City are now finding their feet and they look like they're playing really good football now. It's tough for Arsenal now. like five points behind you without a win in three yeah the league is definitely heating up and i'm just so excited now for each game as it comes and i think people are going to be shocked by a few results because i still don't think people appreciate how hard this league is and how every team has gone up a level and you know you get certain fixtures and people are like oh they'll blitz that that easy game there's no easy game like that doesn't it don't exist especially not in the WSL that it does not exist so I think it's going to be a super exciting season this one Leicester 1 Everton 1 that's I think Leicester are going to be sneaky this year because we played them in pre-season and they're we spoke about it last week didn't we like they're solid their foundation is solid they were good against us as well there's probably a little thing a few things that they'd like to probably add but I think with we've said it before with Rick Passmore has been there you know he's been there interim drilled yeah everything will be disciplined In order, yeah, discipline.

12:24Rachael O'Sullivan:And also for them to be doing so well so early on, I think is a really good sign because if you can get a bit of a base now and you can get some points on the board, you can build on that. Do you know what I mean? You don't fall too far behind. But I think both teams, we've said Everton as well, they're in great form. And again, they're another one, I think, to look out for this season. So I think I didn't get to see any of that game, but I bet that was a bit of an interesting one to watch. Is it Moose Sean? I think it's pronounced. She came on the 80th minute and scored on the 81st. So I bet she was gassed.

12:53But no, yeah, that's another good one. Another one to keep your eye on, I think, Leicester. I think this next one was a bit of a... I don't know. Like Liverpool, so obviously... It's not a pen.

13:03Rachael O'Sullivan:It's not a pen. Do you know what? I actually haven't seen it. Was it Keats? Yeah, it's not a pen. Actuals for me should have been a foul on the keeper. Her foot is so high. If her foot had stayed at that height for any longer, she'd have kicked her in the face. So her foot's high, the keeper's come out, and she's kicked... She's like, they both completely missed, like no one's touched the ball. She hasn't got the ball at all, Keats. And she's literally studded the keeper in her hip and she awarded the penalty. I'm going to go watch it after this. Watch it after this, but I'd put my house on it that it's not a penalty.

13:35It's a tough one, not in it. It's an 89th minute penalty. And not a penalty. Liverpool, they've not got a point yet. No.

13:43Rachael O'Sullivan:And that's quite worrying. When you look at their team, when you look at their players, I think they have a lot of attacking threats. I do. I think they do they have like some flary players a lot of pace they should be doing they should be getting results but then again I've been in that team not in Liverpool team but I've been in a team when you're in like a bit of period of change and struggle and it's the hardest place to be it's so easy for us to sit here and be like yeah they've got flary players this was us last year so hard so hard but you can't rule them out like you can't rule them out you know they've got a great squad and it's early doors.

14:22This is literally what happened to Villa last year. We started off and we took us ages to get points. And then obviously by the back end of the season, we started to gain momentum and get flying again. But another win on the board for London City though. So, you know, it's again, it's an interesting...

14:37Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah, it matters, doesn't it? Points matter. And I think for them to listen, yes, while I think it's not a pen, they've put themselves into a position to be given an opportunity. So, you know, you've got to have that mentality to keep going and points right now for teams in the lower part are massively important. But yeah, I do hope Liverpool turn it around because listen, they are a top team and they're so hard to play against. And yeah, like you said, being in that period of change and things not clicking and not working and you just can't get out the gates. But I do also think, Mil, realistically, obviously this horrific news with Matt Beard, like that's got to have had an impact on those players don't forget a lot of those players have played under him for years so I think that again before people go running their mouths about oh Liverpool aren't you know think about them as and what they're probably dealing with like it's not an easy thing Well you think none of them players have taken a break none of them players have had a week off to start that process of grieving like I'd like to think and I'd like to think they've all been offered that support and I know they have but still as a player you can't what you're going to give the whole team's going to take a break yeah sometimes you can't just turn it on can you when you've got weight on your shoulders but I think they'll turn it around I do think they'll turn it around Tottenham right and that was a one that I wouldn't have been able to call but I think Tottenham play some really nice football I think Martin's got them playing some really nice football yeah you've said this a couple times now I think they've added a couple players as well which I think has taken them to another level I think they've got a lot more depth in their squad now yeah it's like a different style of play that they've ever had I think but a win for them points on the board Brighton not having Fran is obviously a big loss for them I think that she's a big driving force of their team you know they always do it but that Tamburg, their strength, she's good big present Tottenham players obviously stood at the kick-off while Brighton players took the knee and I think that's something obviously that we've spoke about we obviously did followed the same path as you guys in terms of changing the narrative a little bit.

16:49Because I think when it's a topic like racism and people have been affected by it, and you and I both know we're just crying out for change. There needs to be change. There's still racist people in the world, which is just, to me, it's absolutely mind-blowing and disgusting. And I think taking the knee has obviously felt across the league and probably other leagues as well, that it's not really doing anything. It's not really having the impact that we wanted it to have. No, it's lost its meaning. To make change. Exactly. And I think obviously Jess has said herself that it doesn't feel meaningful anymore.

17:26And I think that's sad because that was sort of like what everyone did to try and make change, but it didn't change. So I think obviously us all coming together and uniting as one, I think was quite a powerful message.

17:39Rachael O'Sullivan:Yeah. Yeah, well, that's what we discussed and we wanted to, you know, I think players need to be heard as well. And when change needs to happen, like, forget what team you play for. We're all the same and we all stand for the same, which is racism has no place in the world. Forget football, forget sport. Yeah, exactly. It has no, it's not, I hate when I see that, like racism has no place in football. No, racism has no place in society. It has no place in the world. Like, it's not about sport. It's about a human being and everyone having a right to just live their lives and be who they are, regardless of their background, the color of the skin.

18:13Rachael O'Sullivan:Like, it doesn't matter. So I hate when I see that phrase, like, there's no room in football for it. No, there's no room in the world for it. So obviously, we had that discussion and, you know, hearing from players and feeling that taking the knee has lost its power. Then, okay, what do we do next? Like, how do we make it known that we are not going to tolerate it as people? and it's not about being teammates, it's about being friends and it's about being supportive of one another and trying to put yourself in other people's shoes and what would you want in that? Well, you'd want everyone to come together and unite and we thought like gathering in a circle and all blending in and not standing as two separate teams, like standing together, you know, mixing in and uniting with our arms interlinked was a powerful message to say that we are together.

19:00Rachael O'Sullivan:like and it's yeah it was so nice to see that all the teams did do it and yeah i think change needs to happen social media needs to do a hell of a lot better it's not acceptable that people are still able to just be abusive online and yeah i just racist messages and racism is like one of the worst things like it's just never i've never ever been able to understand it and i've never been able to understand why people feel the need that because of the color of somebody's skin or the way somebody looks that you can just target and throw abuse at them like who do you think you are like it really really really gets under my skin and it's one of the topics that I think I could talk about for a really long time because it's something that I know we're both passionate about making change for but we've obviously seen and been a part of people you know knowing people that have gone through really difficult times with having racist abuse thrown at them and it it's just violent it needs to stop and I hope that you know like if if If a fan looks at our games and says, oh, why are they doing that?

20:01I hope that that is now, okay, great. We're all on this path together. Yeah, you're right. There's no place in football, but the society, it's a massive problem in the world.

20:14Rachael O'Sullivan:And on the other hand, people then expect, people then abuse these players and are racist to them, and then you expect them to go out and perform. And then you'll be online again. Oh, you shit today. well I'm not being funny but I probably wouldn't put my boots back on like I wouldn't you're making it a place where people don't want to exist and people don't want to do what they love like you remember that players play for fans like the women's game started because we want to perform for fans we want to, like there was no money in the beginning there was no flashy things no luxury stadiums, like we played for the love of the game and giving back to our supporters was our 200 fans that I first had when I played for Chelsea at Staines.

20:56Rachael O'Sullivan:I played to impress those 200 fans. And still to this day, over 90 ,000 sold out Wembley, you still play for the fans. So in one breath, you're wanting people to perform and give their all and sacrifice things in their life. But then on the other hand, you're abusing them and you're racist to them and you make them feel like they have no place to exist. I don't understand. You want this, but you're behaving like that. I don't get it. Like, I hate, this is why I don't get abuse full stop because you abuse people, but then you're moaning that they don't perform. Oh, I shouldn't have bought a ticket.

21:30Rachael O'Sullivan:They were shit today. All right, well, let me abuse you and see how you get on. Yeah, exactly. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, I think, yeah, especially, I think a lot in sport, there's a lot of abuse and it's, I mean, we talk about this a lot, but racism is crazy. It just needs to end. It's just absolutely. And just to shout out like Jess and to. Yeah, keep speaking up. Everyone out there, keep standing up. Yeah, keep standing up. We're standing literally right behind you. Let's take a little break before we need to check into the Rage Room.

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