Alonso's Chelsea thrive as £300m Spurs sit bottom

14:49Gary Lineker:You just mentioned how Cole Palmer wasn't in the England squad.

14:52Alan Shearer:Let's talk about Lewis Hall. I totally agree with you. I think we all thought that was ludicrous, didn't we?

14:58Gary Lineker:I mean, he again was brilliant against Spurs, as lots of players for Newcastle were. The other side, the full-back, Dedich, I thought was absolutely outstanding. I was very impressed with Newcastle. That was a brilliant away performance. At times in the first half, they had to suffer a little bit. And when they did, they had to defend well. They had to align the goalkeeper for a couple of good saves as well. But then the second half, it totally changed. Newcastle battered them second half. I thought they were absolutely outstanding. I mean, what are Spurs doing? I mean, our young manager did a job on Deserby, by the way, because he didn't have a clue how to sort it out, because they overloaded Newcastle's right side with Dedich and with Alanga.

15:41Gary Lineker:And Robertson couldn't cope. and it looked as if De Zerbe didn't have an answer for that. It was brilliant from a Newcastle point of view. Wissar getting his goal, different player, different character this season. Already I've seen enough.

15:55Alan Shearer:I did tell you, Alan, many times last season I said, I think Wissar will come good. I don't know whether you can remember that. Yeah. I did. I think there's a goal scorer in there.

16:04Gary Lineker:Yeah, everything about him, he looks sharp, he looks bright. He's totally different. I know he had injury problems last season. totally different to what we saw when we did see him last season. And it looks as if he's having fun. He looks as if he's fit. And he's played a big part in Newcastle's first three games. So, yeah, really positive from Newcastle. And if they can get another forward in today or tomorrow, I might change my mind on my predictions, guys.

16:34Alan Shearer:Oh, Micah, he's a different animal when they win a game or two. The tone in his voice is just brilliant. When he's speaking about Newcastle, the passion.

16:45Gary Lineker:Talk to me how good they were, Micah. I told you, what did I say at the start? We was at the game against Liverpool and I know they had the tribute to Kevin Keegan, the great, late Kevin Keegan. And a lot of people was talking about it. Potentially it could have just been the atmosphere and, you know, the send off and all that. And the crowd was behind them. but I just we interviewed the manager afterwards like I said last week and there was something in him which he was confident but not cocky but knew what he needed to do for such a young manager and it was all about energy and it was all about confidence it was all about belief and he made me believe that even if they come up against a better team they're going to outwork them everyone's going to know their jobs and even with the young players yes Sturdon start in putting Nico Gonzalez and the tactic he deployed to sort of have him a little bit deeper to play that switch he was talking about to the right hand side, I just think it was fantastic and yes, what you lack may be in a little bit of quality, you make up with energy I really like the look of Newcastle this season, just going back to what you was talking about Gaz in terms of when Nico Gonzalez was getting the ball in that low position and he was firing that long ball.

18:09It's very difficult because Robertson was with Tell and I've played with wingers who don't get back in. What Tell was doing, he wasn't going high enough and then he was coming back too late. And then when he was trying to put pressure, Spurs, he wasn't putting pressure high enough, giving them too much time, but then still trying to press like the whole team is behind you. And then I was thinking to myself, but if Tell's not coming back, then you need to push right up, but give yourself an extra yard because of Alanga's pace. But what he was doing, Alanga was running through the middle and then Dedic was going down the wing, but there was no communication between Robertson and Tell, which I was thinking, come on guys, if in doubt, just give yourself five yards.

18:59You know what they're trying to do tactically. That's what they'd be working on 100%. Let's just take a breather, five yards back and try read what they're going to do and then grow into the game but it didn't happen they kept making the same mistake over and over again

19:12Gary Lineker:Micah that pass happened in the first minute yep it did Gonzalez got that ball pinged it out to the right hand side and they were they were unlucky not to score in the first minute and it kept happening and that's where the goal and I'm thinking are you just going to let this happen you're playing that high line and that's where the goal came from no pressure on the ball Robertson play the high line Dedic got around him, nodded it back into Alanga. I mean, Alanga's finish, oh my word, that was incredible.

19:40Alan Shearer:Great finish, really good finish.

19:41Gary Lineker:But that kept on happening. That's why I said, Jaisla did a job on De Zerbe. And I was thinking, are you not going to stop this? Are you not going to try and do something about it? And that for me was brilliant for Newcastle.

19:53Alan Shearer:We all had our predictions, didn't we, last week? And we went quite high with Spurs. I think we all had them kind of on the, just maybe outside the Champions League, but possibly Europe or possibly even the Champions League. Is it too early to panic on that, to change our minds? Considering where they've finished the last two seasons, they have spent a lot of money. I think they probably do need a little bit of time. All their flair plays are out, guys. Xabi Simons is out. Kulisevski is still out. Maddison is out. But they're all going to be out, aren't they? Xabiho is out. He got a little muscle injury the other day.

20:33Older Bird's out as well They've just signed Mamouche So it's going to take a little bit of time Don't panic I don't think there's time to panic for Spurs right now Because they've got good enough players He just needs to find out the right formula Of how he wants to set up Yes, you know, going into the season It doesn't look great And he's conceding goals and all that sort of stuff But it will come good

20:55Alan Shearer:Micah, Micah You've already relented, haven't you? What have I said? You said Savio I know, yeah, I called Savinho, I know. I got bothered from you guys last week, didn't I? Well, you were saying you're not changing. You're not changing. You've called him that for five years and now you're not changing. Forget Savio. Savinho sounds better. Sounds better than it, Savinho. But I do, I do believe, and I said it last week, they need something up top. They need another number nine to hold it all together.

21:27Gary Lineker:Aren't they about to do a deal with N 'Jai and Richarlison go the other way? N 'Jai's another wide player, isn't he? He's another wide player. He's someone who wants to get on the ball and turn. Yeah, well, it works. Spurs have always been, well, in my history, I remember always had great, great wingers. That's how they want to play. Good energy and all that sort of thing. But they need another number nine now. That's where the focus should be. Well, they were all in for Gakpo as well, but it looks as if Gakpo's chosen city, doesn't it? So, yeah. While you mention that, I'm a bit surprised by that one for City.

22:00Gary Lineker:Yeah, I'm in shock. Yeah, and for him, because when you look at what City have got, I mean, Doku, Haaland, Grealish, I'm surprised that he's going to go there and think, I know he'll play a part, but he won't be a regular, I don't think. Maybe I'm wrong.

22:17Alan Shearer:No, I thought the same thing, actually, but we all make our decisions. I think when you're a player, you always see yourself as starting in any team, don't you? Yeah. If you've got anything about it, if you've got any confidence. So we'll see. We'll monitor that one. Let's move on. Manchester United, they needed a victory. They got a bit of a smelly start, went a goal down. But Bruno started where he left off last season. Fabulous performance once again from him. Mipswich, I thought, defensively looked a bit of a shambles, particularly in the second half.

22:54Gary Lineker:Yeah, I mean, it all changed, didn't it, when he slipped up and then Bruno went through and finished it. I mean, that was a brilliant finish into the roof of the net. When that sort of happened, I thought it just changed then. And I know they got a little bit of luck with the Harry Maguire handball, which we can talk about, but then Bruno, again, was absolutely outstanding. I thought Kobe Maynard played well. I thought he grew into the game. What I liked about Kobe is he's not afraid to play that forward pass, you know? What he lacks in a little bit of mobility in terms of energy, which Belieber will add to that, on the ball is so comfortable, isn't he?

23:35And he can drive and he always wants to play forward. If you look at him, watch midfielders. I always look at midfielders and see the ones who are hiding. They say that they give the ball away in the first two minutes and then they don't want to get on it again. He always wants to get on it and he always looks forward first. And I think if they can get him going, because he played really well towards the end of last season, didn't he? Under Carrick. And I'm thinking they've got a real player on their hands.

24:03Alan Shearer:I think that... The one thing I'll say on Mike, sorry to interrupt, but I would say that whenever I've watched Kobe Maynou play, he's pretty much been really, really good. It's just that discipline though, guys. I think when you're looking at midfielders, because Tielemans is not the most mobile, you need to read the game. I remember when Rodri first come to Man City and I was like, what is going on here? He's getting run past, he can't get back, he's slow on the turn, all those things. And then after six months, he just read absolutely everything. If Kobe can get that into his game, then he'd be different class.

24:42Gary Lineker:Yeah, there's no doubt. The only thing is that why have others just felt, no, you're not good enough, I'm not using you? That's my only thing. Is it something we don't see, something we don't know? Because when you see him, I think, yeah, there's without doubt talent there, but others have maybe spotted something that we can't see behind, I don't know. I think that was more to do with the formation under Ameren. Ameren. Yeah, I think that didn't go in his favour. Because again, we talk about midfielders being energetic. He's a fit lad. But if you vacate that space in the middle and you can go forward or you can get on the ball, but you can't get back or people are getting in behind you.

25:20That's what I'm talking about. Just reading the game, having that discipline and that composure just to do your job. Once he learns that, he's going to be a top player. Go on. What about the handball then? Honestly, I'm sick to death of it. We talked about VAR last week, didn't we? Brilliant. I thought they had a brilliant week. Congratulations to the referees. Again, the law, the law, again, it's not the referees. It's the law, isn't it? But they're trying to say that this, right, if you do this to protect your face, that is deliberate. Whether we like it or not, he could have left his hands by his side.

26:00Yet it's a natural position if the ball is going to come flying in the face. But it's a deliberate attempt to stop the ball from hitting your face. So that means it must be a deliberate handball if the ball hits your hand.

26:12Alan Shearer:No, you're making a very valid point. And I think the other interesting point of that particular decision was the fact that because it was a deflection, because it was an own goal, he wasn't the last person to handball it. Therefore, even if they decided it wasn't deliberate, then it's not a goal. Now, I think under the laws as they are, that you can understand that because it was an own goal. it was going wide, etc. But, I mean, the whole handball, it's an absolute shambles of a law.

26:45Gary Lineker:Just because he's had a shit shot. Yeah, a shit shot. Then it's a goal. I mean, come on. I mean, it's the laws. The law is fucking stupid, as we know. The law is an ass. It is. I know that is the law, but it is crap. It is, yeah. We've said it so many times about that, but, yeah, because he's had a crap shot and it's an own goal, albeit it fell for him and to him because of his handball. I mean, come on. It's handball anyway. Forget the rest of it, it's handball anyway, isn't it?

27:17Alan Shearer:It did look like he put almost two hands up to it. But the whole handball thing, I mean, I don't know, talking about broken records, I mean, can we just get it back to how it used to be?

27:28Gary Lineker:What, deliberate handball or not? Well, the ref didn't think that yesterday, so...

27:32Alan Shearer:But we'll always have occasional disagreements on that because of the nature of it. But at the moment, they have to have everything definitively written down to cover every possible aspect of it. And they've just tied themselves completely in knots. But that's not the referee's fault though, is it? No, it's not. No, it's the lawmaker's fault. I feel for the referees. They're put in a position on the pitch where it's just become a farce.

28:01Gary Lineker:Can you imagine these sat in a room? well when we're going to disallow this we have to have 6.8G where if it's actually going wide and then it comes to an own goal actually we have to I mean can you imagine them sat around a fucking table making these laws up honestly yeah who makes the laws do we mean it it's like a tax man you just never see it you just never see the fucking

28:28Alan Shearer:but you just know they're there they're just there it's part of FIFA what do you think do it iFab, isn't it? And they've got referees. It's two basically... Kalina. Kalina and David Ellery, isn't it? David Ellery, yeah. For years now. Why on earth are we allowing referees to determine the laws of the game? Of the game. So all they're interested in is the job for referees when we're interested in the game of football and the betterment of our sport. For them, it's about officiating. You know, I think it's like giving, I don't know, parking attendants making the laws of the road. It's 20 degrees.

29:09Alan Shearer:And on that note, we'll take a little breather.

29:25Alan Shearer:welcome back to the rest is football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in his wonderful beret uh and me Gary Lineker you just need a little bike and some onions are coming off the I do like it. It'd suit you. I could definitely not get away with that. I dare you. Next pod. Get one on, please. Well, if you send me it, Micah, I'll wear it, okay? Okay. I think actually I've got a small head, but that could be read the wrong way.

29:54Gary Lineker:Small head, massive lugs.

29:56Alan Shearer:Massive lugs. I look a twat in a hat, to be perfectly honest. I'd probably resist. But if you send it, I'll wear it for at least two minutes. On to, I was talking about cracking weekends football. Manchester City, another victory. They came back from behind, obviously, in their first game. But this was a bit more emphatic. And I think for two reasons, probably. Obviously, they were playing against Palace, who have bitten Turmore at present. And a certain Erling Haaland, God, he had a drought as well. He had a one-game drought. City are back. like, ooh, ooh, City. Hey, everyone's writing off City.

30:36No one's writing off City. Not yet. I'm telling you, they're going to push for that title. I mean, Arsenal, Arsenal, probably favourites. But City, mate, Shirky, the shirkster. Let's call him the shirkster from now on. Oh, my. The way he's twisting people up and his movement and his first touch and his skill and then the finish. Oh, my God. What a player he is.

31:01Gary Lineker:Hey, he's just hammering me for going up a tour or two about Newcastle. Listen to his voice when he talks about Man City and the Cherkster. Yeah.

31:13Alan Shearer:Alan, one point here. In his defence, in his defence, he is at least getting paid by the club.

31:23Alan Shearer:Whereas yours is purely coming from the heart, Al. Izzy's coming from his wallet.

31:33Gary Lineker:Yeah, they were brilliant. Harland's header. Harland's header and finish. Forget Harland for a minute. Nico O 'Reilly. Oh, he's a player, man.

31:43Alan Shearer:He's a star. What is this player? Everything. He's got everything. How? He come from the academy as an attacking midfielder, but he can play at the back. He can play centre half, left back. He can play holding midfield. He can play attacking midfield. He can play left wing. He's got everything. He's got absolutely everything. This is one of the most talented players I've seen at my age. His football brain is off the chart. His technique is brilliant. His game understanding is just, oh, wow. He can be whatever he wants to be. Totally with you. Yeah, he'd agree with that, yeah? You know, when you see a young man, you think, oh, blimey.

32:23Alan Shearer:And also, he'll get you a goal from a header from a corner. I mean, he's got absolutely the lot. He's great to watch. He's still incredibly young. He's already pretty much a regular in the England team and will get more regular as time goes by. He's that good. I thought he had a really good World Cup as well, considering we were a bit in and out at times. He's definitely, I think, you know, there are always dangers in football. You know, injuries or you can, it's easy to go off-piste a little bit and be distracted by certain things when you're young. But if he has a fair run, he strikes me as the kind of lad that is, you know, he loves the game, he's dedicated, et cetera, because you can't be that good if you're not.

33:10Alan Shearer:I think he's got an absolutely sensational future ahead of me.

33:14Gary Lineker:Yeah, brilliant. I'd agree with that. He's super talented, yeah. Are they going to add to their squad already? They're going to get Enzo as well, Micah? To be honest, I don't know where Enzo fits in, mate. I know, I was going to say that. I don't know where he fits in. I thought he was going to play Nico O 'Reilly left back, but now that he's putting him in midfield and Guardiola's playing left back, I don't know. I just, obviously, he needs covering that position. But yeah, O 'Reilly starts in midfield. He's number one. Well, he's got Boadi on there as well, hasn't he? He's got Boadi as well.

33:45Alan Shearer:Alan, as a Newcastle fan, obviously we've seen what's going on there and we've seen what's going on below. Does it agitate you a little bit when you see clubs like City that just seem to be able to spend. I know they've sold a lot of players, so they've manufactured some money, but boy, oh boy, it's like, here we go. We'll buy Enzo Fernandez and now we're going to get Cody Gakpo. You're just trying to wind me up.

34:08Gary Lineker:I can see you're fishing. You're fishing for a bite. Do you want a bite or not? Do you want a nibble? I had my nibble last week, didn't I? I had my nibble about that nonsense last week, yeah. Hey, the winning. The winning now, guys. So he won't have it, you know. Yeah, he's all right at the moment. He's reactionary, isn't he? You wait till they lose a couple, Micah.

34:25Alan Shearer:You wait till they lose a couple. He'll be back on it. I predicted last week an Arsenal win by 10 points. I think I've already changed my mind. I think City and Chelsea might run in close, but I've not changed my mind on the overall title. I still think Arsenal have to be the favourites. I mean, City have got firepower. It's been a good start, hasn't it, for Maresca, because following Pep, you need a good start. I think it was absolutely essential because you don't want the fans to doubt you at the start. You don't want particularly the players when you're used to someone for that long. But the fact that he was there with Pep for a long side would help him, I think.

35:12Gary Lineker:Yeah, last week's win was a big win. I mean, they're under pressure and they left it late. I think the first 10 or 15 minutes, they could have and should have conceded a couple, I think, to Palace. But once they got into their rhythm after that, City looked really, really good. You know, one thing I have noticed with City, do you remember towards the end of Pep's tenure, they was keeping the ball really well, dominating the ball, but they'd sort of lost a little bit of that press. Have you seen Maresco on the side? He's like, go! Every single time they've not got the ball, it's get the ball back.

35:45He wants them, again, winning that ball back within three seconds. That's one little detail I have noticed since he has come in, especially in that Palace game.

35:54Alan Shearer:As for Palace, I think it's a big couple of days for them now, isn't it? The last two days before the window shuts, obviously it closes tomorrow, if you're watching or listening to this on Monday. Be interesting to see what happens and whether they do lose some of their key players. And also, I suppose, after that, if they do keep them, whether they'll be motivated enough.

36:19Gary Lineker:Yeah, that's the issue, isn't it? We said that last week and nothing's changed. Munoz is gone, I think, isn't he? He's gone to Forest or going to Forest,

36:27Alan Shearer:which will be a big loss to them.

36:29Gary Lineker:And the issues they've got up top, yeah. I wouldn't change anything that I've said about them. I'd be concerned if I was a Palace fan as what's going to happen to them this season. I would agree with that. The only thing I would say, I don't know what they're trying to do at the moment. So they've got sort of Pino, haven't they? And Nketiah to the left and the right of Stran Larsson up front. So Nketiah is the one who works really hard for the team, but wants to get in behind. And then you've got Pino, who's a ball player, who wants to thread it through. But then you've got Stran Larsson, who's just, he's not really running in behind like he can do.

37:11and then when he gets a chance, he doesn't fill you with confidence as well. So there's something not clicking there. I went and Ketia was at Arsenal. He had that run, didn't he? And it went on, he scored about, what was it? Six, seven, eight goals a little bit on a run. I just wonder if it's worth putting him up front rather than using him as sort of one of your tens who's not going to create a great deal. are sort of using him as a player in a forward position, having to do defensive things, like constantly run back. That's not allowing him to get up the pitch because when I watch the game every day, I'm like, you're basically just used as a bit of a decoy who wants to add that little bit of pressure.

37:57But when you get on the ball, you've not really got the instincts of a number 10 to start getting on and pay people through. but then you're not going to take anyone on because that's not your role. In Ketya's best part of his game is his movement. But I think his movement is being used in the wrong part of the pitch, which I think they may have to look at that.

38:20Gary Lineker:Adam Wharton, particularly first half, was brilliant. Some of his passing was outstanding. Forward passing, I thought, was brilliant. And that's what I worry about. When you look at Wharton or Henderson, who clearly will attract interest from other clubs. What are they thinking from where Palace were, winning in Europe, winning the FA Cup, and things were brilliant, but then it looks to be pretty chaotic at the club at the minute.

38:46Alan Shearer:Yeah, it really does. Big couple of days ahead. Oliver Glasner's obviously gone to Nottingham Forest to get Munoz. I mean, he knows him. I mean, I really like Munoz. He's got him down on that right-hand side so well. and good performance from Forrest as well at Liverpool, which was another good game, very watchable, end-to-end stuff.

39:07Gary Lineker:I thought it was Einer on the right-hand side, wasn't it, for Forrest in that position? It was in that game. I thought he did actually did well. Yeah, he did. I mean, I totally understand him knowing Munoz and wanting to get him in. Forrest, after being done a couple of times off Leeds, I thought Forrest looked really good and probably were a tad unlucky not to take all points at Liverpool. Another one who's playing well, Morgan Gibbs-White. Yeah. He's another one who probably...

39:34Alan Shearer:So he's scored more goals than anyone since the start of the year. So, that's... In the Premier League, Premier League goals.

39:43Gary Lineker:Other than Haaland, was it? I think it was actually even ahead of Haaland,

39:47Alan Shearer:unless that changed over the weekend. How highly do you guys rate Morgan Gibbs-White? Do you think he can go to the very top? Because he's been doing it for a while now, hasn't he? I think he was very close to making the England squad, wasn't he? And I think he'll very much end up probably being, if he can continue his progress, he's had a cracking 12 months and he's probably unlucky not to go in the summer. Now, I know you can't take everyone, but he's definitely got something about him. He's got a great energy, which I think is important. He's a little bit unfortunate that there's a lot of talent in that sort of area of the pitch for England at the moment.

40:32Alan Shearer:But if he keeps knocking on the door and if he keeps scoring goals, I know it's a penalty, but that's still an important part of the game.

40:39Gary Lineker:He even get better with De Lapp going into Forest. I think because of the runs, because of the balls in behind, I think he could even get better because of them getting him because I think there'll be a better side for getting him. Just on that, in terms of the balance or that chemistry with a midfielder and a striker, how long does that take before things start to click? If you're that good a player, which I think he is, then it can just like that, just go like that. Because I think what he's very good at is like similar to Wharton sometimes, you know, on that first time pass where you pass that forward.

41:22Gary Lineker:So, yeah, I think it can just click like that. Click easily.

41:25Alan Shearer:How long did it take us, Alan? About two minutes? Three minutes?

41:28Gary Lineker:Yeah, about something like that, guys. Yeah, but you had some proper top players behind you, didn't you? Do you know what I mean? You lot get all the plodits. Some of the players that you guys played with.

41:38Alan Shearer:Come on.

41:39Gary Lineker:It's all about the runs, Micah.

41:41Alan Shearer:It's all about who puts it in the back of the bag.

41:43Gary Lineker:Did you think that was a penalty, by the way? You know, when DeLapp took the throw in and then Alisson comes rushing out.

41:50Alan Shearer:How it is now, in our day, not in a million years, but now they've got this thing where I suppose if it was anywhere else on the pitch and the defender went in like that and you got ahead of it and he slid and carried on and hit you, they'd give a free kick. I wish it was like that in the days that we played, Alan, because there's no way under any circumstances that that would be a penalty. but I wish it was because we'd have had loads more penalties to take and we'd have scored loads more losses come on

42:22Gary Lineker:he did come rushing out didn't he he did

42:24Alan Shearer:and he didn't get there first and if the player gets there first I can see it from but he had the shot away he's already had the shot I agree it was a coming together after he's had his shot

42:34Gary Lineker:if you pass the ball and the defender comes in and whacks you that's alright is it well yeah no it's not you're still going to get a foul because he's whacked you no but it's a coming it's a contact sport if he would not anymore say if well it's not anymore yeah you're right with that but if he would have been going to the ball and then Alisson would have touched him and he had to deviate or change what he was about to do because of the contact I would have agreed but it already took a shot it went about five yards and then the contact came so I was like oh I don't understand Once the referee had given it, it was one of those.

43:16Gary Lineker:I agree with that. Once the referee was given it, it was not going to be overturned. Having said that, guys, having said that, how bad will Liverpool again? Yeah, they're struggling at the moment. Yeah, they've got a few problems, without doubt. Lots and lots to work on from Areola. Defensively, really poor.

43:34Alan Shearer:Defensively poor. It's not got that dynamism at the moment that they need. And obviously, it's the way Areola likes to play. He likes to play the high-press, high-energy game. But I think he said it, didn't he, before the start of the season. I don't think they're quite ready yet for that.

43:51Gary Lineker:Do you know with the Isak's situation, I know he scored. But if you look at the way he scored, when Isak was at his best at Newcastle, he was getting early balls in from the wing. He was getting early balls in from midfield in behind. And Liverpool haven't and don't do that too often at all. It's pass, it's pass. to get the best out of him he has to receive early crosses and early balls in behind and that's one of the reasons I think I know he scored but he scored with a good ball into the box and an early one but unless you're prepared to do that him and Virts I think will continue to just do okay rather than him being the player he was at Newcastle and not going to get the best out of him Do you think it's a little bit different though Al?

44:36Because when he was at Newcastle at times you'd be okay the buzzwords are back out low block, mid block in that sort of area but the whole game plan was to go forward and to counter attack with pace and there'd be space when you're with Liverpool more often than not you're going to have the ball and the spaces are not there as much so I take your point get the ball to Isak and he was sort of that inside left and I agree when he used to get the ball he used to run at EA and full of confidence. There's none of that. So I totally agree with that. But is he working in smaller, tighter spaces now, which he's finding it difficult?

45:18Yeah, well, that's how you break that, by early passes and early crosses.

45:21Gary Lineker:Look at the number of times Anthony Gordon got the ball out wide and whipped it in early. You remember that cross, that header? Remember when he ripped Van Dijk apart at St. James when he got that ball early into him and he moves it and he gets his shot away? Everything with Isak has to be done quickly. You have to get the ball into him early, whether it's wide or whether it's him running in behind. And I don't think they've worked that out yet, Liverpool.

45:46Alan Shearer:How about the start that Hull City have had?

45:49Gary Lineker:Brilliant. Wow, McBurney! Wow, six. I mean, not many people would have said that, six out of six, before a ball was kicked, would they? So they're brilliant here, brilliant again, Hull. That was a huge game on there.

46:01Alan Shearer:It felt like a big game earlier in the season. It felt like a six-pointer, didn't it? Coventry had some chances though Yeah they did They had some chances Because I have Coventry staying up Me too I was watching that game If they're going to stay up I don't know if it's only a second game They probably need to win there Just for confidence Not for the league Yeah I mean it's two games in But just to think Okay Team that's come up with beat them It gives us a little confidence Going forward It's only game two But when you start When you lose that game At home then you start doubting yourself. And if you look at the course of the game, I watched it again.

46:41And I was thinking, they're doing all the right things. The combinations are good. The energy is good. But scoring in the Champions is different to scoring in the Premier League.

46:51Alan Shearer:That is the difference, isn't it? That is the difference, you know? Can Hull do a Sunderland? No. I mean, that would be hard to do. Do you remember when Huddersfield was in the Prem? Yeah, it can happen. That's what I'm asking. No, I don't think so.

47:05Gary Lineker:I mean, six points out of six is superb for them. And you can imagine the belief and the feeling in Hull. It'll be, wow, this is amazing to be back in the Premier League. Everything's going really well for them and great. Let them enjoy it. But no, I don't see them doing what Sunderland did last season.

47:21Alan Shearer:And Coventry now need a result.

47:24Gary Lineker:Because we've seen it with teams that come up as well. We've seen them struggling. We've seen them take so long to get a win. and the belief and the lack of confidence and all of that. So they need a win rapidly. Do you know who their next game is? Is it City away? Is it? It is, isn't it? Yeah. I know. Goodness me.

47:46Alan Shearer:Welcome to the Premier League, guys. They've got Arsenal out the way and then Man City away. Two of the toughest fixtures out the way.

47:55Gary Lineker:That's why I think that was such a big game for them against Hull. It felt that. While we're on this, you know the fixtures? Do you think that has a bearing where you finish in the league, by the way? Because if you go to Arsenal and Man City in the first three games and the confidence is shot, you have Hull. It becomes a must-win game against Hull in the second game, surely. And I'm not just saying that because I think Coval are going to stay up,

48:24Alan Shearer:but it's cruel, is that, no? I'll tell you what's cruel. my dog has just farted and honestly I can't tell you how bad the smell is and do you Lester I know exactly why Philbert yeah I know exactly why I popped out for a little bit of a bite to eat yes because my kitchen's not finished yet so and I came back and he managed somehow to get on the counter and eat a whole packet of dark chocolate digested biscuits and dogs don't like honestly it's it's such a bad smell in here.

48:58Gary Lineker:Philbert. Go on, Philbert. Have another one. Shit all over the carpet, Philbert. Jesus, man.

49:05Alan Shearer:Sorry, sorry I was in fights for that little interruption. It smells as bad as Coventry starts the season. Okay, let's call it a day there because I know Alan doesn't really want to discuss a win for Sunderland.

49:22Gary Lineker:That, as we've said about Hull and them winning and Coventry maybe had to win. I think Sunderland, that was a massive game for Sunderland yesterday because there's a lot of us that have said they might struggle this season. So they needed a win quickly. So to get that win, yeah, it'll be huge for them, that.

49:41Alan Shearer:Can Sunderland repeat what they did last year? No. Last season, you should say. No, I don't think so. Micah, I'm not asking you, Alan. I know what you're going to say. No. No, it'd be difficult. You'll stay in the league, Sunderland. Don't worry. the girl who the girl who who I mentioned in the pod about about us being on their social media she texted me laughing

50:03Gary Lineker:did you see the did you see the reply I did a tweet about four years ago about have you ever seen a Macam in Milan and now they've got Milan and now Sunderland have been you drawn Milan haven't they away in Milan so they replied to that tweet just did laughing faces I think what was my reply and my reply was something along the lines of if you'd like directions please shout and enjoy your flight from the region's capital from the region's capital hey do I have control there social media very good though very very good yeah that's good I liked it very good yeah very good I loved it good fun hold on hold on you don't mention Leeds Leeds another good point it's a point everyone's raving about Brentford and Leeds get a draw fantastic Calvert-Lewin

50:54Alan Shearer:you must in your fantasy team of course he is yeah I could tell I could tell the reaction good stuff alright let's call it a day there that's it for this episode of the rest is football um goodbye from me goodbye from me

51:08Gary Lineker:goodbye from me have a great week everyone

51:20you