Ekitike Shines, Carrick Keeps Winning & Man City Drop Points Again

10:45The Guys:He got in between his feet.

10:46Hugo Ekitike:Yeah, he had that little dink in the first half where Nick Pope stood up. But then when he went through and sort of mugged Dan Byrne in the second half, 1v1, and he just couldn't sort it out. But yeah, he's a real talent without doubt. Class.

11:01Michael Carrick:No, the reason I ask is just you two strikers. And I agree with you. I don't think he's there yet. But when Gaz is talking about all his attributes, and he's going to be at Liverpool, who are always going to create chances. He's going to do well in European football, because Liverpool always do in the Champions League. And I just feel when we talk about Mbappe, he started on the left, now he's playing more central. Kane took a little while going on loan for a couple of years. But then Eketiki's coming to the Premier League and hit the ground running. So if this is him at the start, with the teams he's going to be playing him, yeah, he definitely could be.

11:41The Guys:That's 10 Premier League goals. Obviously, you need to be even considered one of the best strikes. You need to be 20 plus season in, season out. There's a way to go. Obviously, there are other issues with Liverpool. Isak's out for quite a while, but when he comes back, it's also a position he wants to play. They've spent 120 odd million. I mean, it will be a nice problem to have, but also it could prove a little bit difficult. What do you think he'll do? Do you think Isak plays wide now? Or do you think that Iketike does? Does he rotate once he gets back fit and strong? or do they cash in?

12:17Hugo Ekitike:Well, he's only getting better. So it depends how long Isak's going to be out. I mean, if he continues in this form and on this rise, then he'll be the number one. I mean, he wasn't cheap. I don't know what he was, but he was 75, 80 million, something like that. So it's not as if he was a 10 or 50 million pound gamble or punt. So if he continues on the rise, then try and get him out of the team, you know? If he does, then it'll be him and whoever fits in with him.

12:48The Guys:What about the comparisons with Fernando Torres that I think a lot of people suddenly have been making? I think Steven Gerrard mentioned it, which probably was the catalyst for everyone having a view on that. I don't see that necessarily in my side. I see it in some aspects of it. They've had a decent few strikers over the years, haven't they? you know Tauru Owen Swarri Fowler Rush going back to my day was great Sturridge let's not forget Studge yes yeah Sturridge and there'll be one or two more that we've perhaps forgotten but yeah it'll be interesting to see what Slott does when everyone's fit as interesting as it was probably at the start of the season when they they're struggling

13:34Hugo Ekitike:yeah I guess I mean on a bigger picture for Liverpool the win was hugely important for them 31st 35 five minutes I thought they really struggled. I thought Newcastle played the game really well in terms of hitting them on the counter-attack. I'm not convinced that they're back yet and they've still got a lot of work to do defensively. But Mike is right. I think they're always going to create and always going to score goals.

13:55The Guys:You mentioned Wirtz there. I think he's gradually getting into his game, isn't it, and producing the sort of brilliance that we saw so often at Leverkusen Mike. I mean, he is a player who gives the ball away a bit, but often the best players are the ones that give the ball away a bit because they try things. And speaking from the strikers union, Alan, you don't mind that. Players that want to thread little balls through, even if they don't work sometimes, that's what produces goals. And then you look at statistics and you go, oh, we get it away quite a bit. But they're the players generally that are the most creative too.

14:32Michael Carrick:Yeah, it's been so frustrating for me because I give it the big one at the start of the season, he's going to be player of the year he's going to score so many goals so many assists and it's took him a little bit longer than I thought or maybe too long for the quality that he has but now you're seeing it he's a top player and I know people will come in and be like well can he do it in the Premier League it's not that I watch a lot of Champions League football because obviously I cover it and Al you do too so you would have seen him and then when he plays for the national team Germany and he's doing the exact same thing It was only a matter of time before he got the grasp of what the Premier League needed.

15:13Michael Carrick:And then obviously the manager has changed the team and the system. Sometimes he's out on the left. It was a little bit deeper. Now he's in a number 10 and he's thriving. But what's helped him, like you guys said, is Eketiki, his movement. Eketiki never stands still. Sometimes on the left, he comes deep. He goes in behind, like you mentioned before. So he's always got a pass or he's always thinking in his head. And sometimes Verts will just lend it. They'll just lend it and wait for the right moment. And yes, sometimes he does give away the ball. But when you're playing that number 10 role, you give away a ball because you're trying to be creative.

15:48Michael Carrick:So I'm absolutely buzzing to see him do well. I just wish it was a little bit sooner.

15:54The Guys:Six goals in his last 10 games in all competitions now. Even someone like Kerkhez, look, it's starting to look more comfortable. Sometimes it does take players a while to settle in. And they are looking better. Liverpool, by and large, still look a little bit vulnerable, I think, to the counter-attack as well. Lovely moment at the end of the game, wasn't it, with Konate's goal just nine days after his father sadly passed away. So, I mean, it was good to get him on the pitch. And also, I thought he played well and contributed with that goal. Nice touch. And Alisson, I see you noticed he ran the length of the pitch to...

16:35The Guys:whole pitch congratulating

16:37Hugo Ekitike:I thought it was really nice Arna Slott had said that he offered him and said to him take more time but can't have said no I want to play and I guess I guess the pitch is the best place to be you know when you're going through something that might give you a little bit of a little bit of respite in terms of trying to or forgetting about it because you have to concentrate so much of what you're doing on the pitch but yeah he got his goal and I'm sure his old man would have been looking down and I'm very proud of him. And he played really, really well, actually.

17:09The Guys:That was the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. Chelsea, that was a game, wasn't it? I mean, talk about that old adage about a game of two halves. But it really was. He took a gamble, Rossenia, took a gamble in making about seven changes, I think it was, and didn't work at all in the first half. But he was dynamic with his changes. He made them. and they were like a totally different team in the second half.

17:37Michael Carrick:You know what? But just before you go on, it's so hard because was they really poor because of what West Ham did? You know, the narrative is Chelsea were poor in the first half and then they made the changes and they were excellent in the second half. But also West Ham were brilliant in that first half too. Yeah, a bit of both, I would say.

18:00Hugo Ekitike:I was going to say something along the lines of, you know, João Pedro in midweek was brilliant and scored and then you left out. It's like, for a centre forward, you think, I mean, come on, it's not as if he's been a regular and then he does really well and then you left out. But then, obviously, he realised he'd made a huge mistake in making the changes and had to change it again. And he was able to spot that and do that and then Pedro comes on and gets a goal, gets an assist and just helped turn it around for Chelsea. But it was a brilliant game. I mean, West Ham were superb in the first half and they were really dangerous, particularly down the right-hand side, which is why Garmacho got took off at half-time because he couldn't cope with Wan-Bissaka going down the right-hand side.

18:48Hugo Ekitike:But that was a big, big game for Chelsea and a right kick in the nuts for West Ham, that was.

18:53The Guys:Yeah, a massively important result for him because obviously there was a lot of disgruntled fans at half time in Chelsea. It's one of those, isn't it, that you're probably quite critical of him for doing what he did because it didn't work, but then you've also got to give him a lot of praise for changing it. But if he hadn't have got perhaps the winner in the end, people would have been critical and said, you've thrown it away. But it's all going very well for him at the moment.

19:23Michael Carrick:No, I would have walked out of there like I was the man. Yeah. You bring on the centre-half, he gets the assist for Pedro. You're like, okay, so that's goal number one. And then who's got the second goal? It was Cucurella. He brought some Cucurella for Hato at left back.

19:42The Guys:Diving header, bravely going in at the feet. It was a cracker, that.

19:45Michael Carrick:And then he just goes in again. And then to finish it off, you've got Jao Pedro who creates the... No, that is genius. I don't care what anyone says. say what you want about Tactics of Water tactically he got it right because all his subs made an impact

20:02The Guys:I think he's come in and he's been really impressive if this you know what we're like we know what we're like with our own right so you're going oh is he a big is he coming in being a bit too big you know big for his boots and saying some strange things and all this sort of stuff if this was a young French manager coming in we'd be going cool blimey's got something about him this lad we would That's how we think a little bit that way. I think he's got a presence and I think it's really important with the team he's got and the fact that he's a relatively young side, very young side, really. So perhaps needs a young man to understand him.

20:40The Guys:I know what you mean, guys, but it's only because...

20:43Michael Carrick:So when Mourinho came to Premier League, he'd won the European Cup, you know what I mean?

20:49The Guys:Well, I wasn't comparing him with Mourinho. I know. I'm talking about, you know, someone like maybe Deserby who comes in. At this top of my head, someone said that.

20:58Michael Carrick:I understand what you're trying to mean, but I have respect for all managers, no matter what they do. Like, and because a lot of people in the Premier League who watch the Premier League might not watch Europa League or they're not me bothered or Champions League or whatnot. So when young players or managers come over, I'm just like, give them a chance. Give them a chance. And Resinia is a good manager. And I said this way back when, when he was at Hull. It's just the things that I was saying before. Yeah, but we know that you're the oracle.

21:33The Guys:The oracle. The world needs to listen more to Micah Richards. The oracle. Because he knows he's... But let me use one more example. Herzl, unbelievably young manager, comes in and we all go, oh, he must be something really special. I need something very well. But it's just that thing about when an English lad comes in and he says a few things that we all think oh blimey he's a bit cocky isn't he getting above his station and all that kind of stuff

21:59Michael Carrick:no no no but that's different though isn't it Gaz because Herzler went to Brighton and they have a structure in place with the ideas of a new fresh manager coming over this is Chelsea Football Club Al says every week what is he being brought in to win things so that's the only reason and everything he says gets scrutinised That's the only reason we're talking more about Rossellini. But we know he's a good manager. And I just thought yesterday it was brilliant to see his tactical changes come into play.

22:33Hugo Ekitike:He's had a really, really good start, hasn't he?

22:35The Guys:Well, he's only the fourth English manager while we're on that subject to win his first three Premier League games in charge. I tell you what, if you can get these three... Oh. No. I tell you what, if you get one... So what is it again? The first? to win their first three Premier League games in charge.

22:56Michael Carrick:It was on the screen yesterday. It was on the screen yesterday while the game was on. And you know when you look at it, you're like, I was sort of half asleep thinking, I should know that because that's definitely going to come in a quiz.

23:07The Guys:I mean, there's one that you'd probably have a guess. English managers that have done pretty well over the period.

23:13Michael Carrick:Oh, it's a Leicester manager, Shakespeare.

23:19The Guys:Craig Shakespeare, who sadly passed away a year or two ago. I saw that, yes. He was one of them. And there were two others that have done it. One from way back when, Al. I can't remember the name. 1992, one of them. 1992. August, start of the season, 1992.

23:36Hugo Ekitike:That was the first one when the Premier League started, yeah.

23:39Michael Carrick:It was for a team like Coventry or someone like that. It was some... Who was the Coventry manager back then? Bobby. Bobby. Bobby Gordia, yes.

23:51The Guys:Was it, yeah? And the other one was, well, let's put it this way. If someone does lose the job, we'll give it to them for the rest of the season. Big Sam Allardyce did it, yeah, in 2001. But yeah, I think, I mean, you couldn't get a more encouraging start. And absolutely, I think essential that he got a start like that because it gives you a platform, doesn't it? It gives you a little bit of leeway, if you like. Yeah, and also for him, I guess, because how young he is and hasn't, I know he's been at Hull and Strasbourg and what have you, but hasn't managed at that higher level yet.

24:32Hugo Ekitike:So the quicker he got the wins behind him, then it was going to be, the better it is for him and in front of his. You always want to make an impression in players and the first time you walk into the dressing room and you want to do this and say this. So whatever he's saying, then you can back it up with the results. Then it gives you more power as a coach or as a manager, doesn't it?

24:52Michael Carrick:What do you think about his formation, though? Because you said at the start he made seven changes. So someone like Enzo Fernandez, I think he's got the highest XG of all Premier League midfielders. Yes, he has. But he's playing a little bit deeper. And Cole Palmer's playing in the number 10. would you move Cole Palmer to the right and play Enzo a little bit higher or would you stick with what you have now? Oh, don't forget Esteval, but I think he's had to go back to Brazil. Neto as well. Gittin's played the other day. Where do you think he fits in? They've got some options, haven't they?

25:30Hugo Ekitike:Yeah, they have. It's unbelievable, aren't they? Yeah, it's like... You have to get Cole Palmer in that team somewhere. Obviously, there's no doubt. But for me, it's him and 10 others.

25:43Michael Carrick:But would you play him from the right, where he was so successful, or would you play him centrally in a number 10?

25:51The Guys:Depends how you want to play, isn't it, as well? I mean, Palmer can play in either of those roles quite comfortably. I mean, when he played in the Club World Cup final, he was sensational on that right-hand side, wasn't he? He caused PSG all sorts of problems. He plays with a real intelligence and the way he floats around the ground. It's probably really good for Rosseña to have the options to do either. I don't think you go, right, he's going to play in the 10 for a long period of time now. I think football's like that, isn't it? You just suddenly go, actually, maybe for this game, he'll be better off on that side and we can push Fernandes a little bit further forward.

26:26The Guys:But they're strong in those two, Caicedo and Fernandes in there, aren't they? They're tough. They're good players, really good players, yeah.

26:32Michael Carrick:Don't forget, they've still got Lavia to come back as well.

26:35The Guys:I saw something, he's not played 90 minutes football, something since he's been at Chelsea. I know. Right, right. Wow. Which is mad. Up to West Ham. I think they've shown enough in recent weeks to give you some sort of encouragement as a hammer. I mean, it would have been a big blow losing that because they were so good in the first half. If they do stay up, it'll probably largely be down to Jared Byrne. I mean, I know it was slightly fortuitous goal yesterday, but it was still a very good ball in. Since the start, actually, of 2023-24, only Mo Salah, Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins have been involved in more Premier League goals away from home, which I always think is a good sign, a player that can score away from home, not just at home.

27:20The Guys:He's got 29, 18 and 11 assists. If they do go down, though, I think there'll be quite a few clubs in for him.

27:28Hugo Ekitike:Yeah. That was also a big result, by the way, for Forest and Leeds and Palace with Chelsea win as well.

27:33The Guys:Oh, I bet when at half-time they were going, oh my God, we're in trouble here.

27:37Hugo Ekitike:Yeah, absolutely. There's no doubt about that, yeah. But yeah, he's been there and carrying them for a while, hasn't he, Jarrod Bond?

27:45Michael Carrick:Yeah, he's a quality player. But he had a little bit of frustration with the fans, remember earlier on in the season? Yeah, yeah. But he sort of put that behind him now and he carries this team, doesn't he? He really does in the big moments. It's difficult. What are they, five points adrift now? Gaz. Five. See, because you always think Leeds are going to pick up points now.

28:08The Guys:Forrest. Having said that, it takes us on to Leeds, doesn't it? I've got my notes here, actually, in my notes just to remind me where we're going to go. And it says at the top here, Leeds 4, Arsenal 0, Harry. Fuck you, Gaz.

28:24The Guys:But then the next line is Arsenal are back to winning ways. So, yeah. They were 4-0 down. though he came back 5-4 to the end

28:34Hugo Ekitike:he's not singing his lead song is he Micah

28:38The Guys:he's singing his Arsenal song that's his real team

28:42Michael Carrick:I can't be singing the lead song when they got

28:44The Guys:battered 4-0 at home especially when it's against Arsenal oh here we go here we go people are starting to get you know Arsenal this and Arsenal that but I mean I don't quite know why just because you know they scored a few set pieces and another one yesterday obviously with the own goal who are just about their top scoring. So, but impressive away performance, very comfortable victory. I think they're going to take some stopping.

29:11Hugo Ekitike:That was a big result for them yesterday after what happened last weekend and the noise. And it's inevitable that, you know, you're going to get that because it's been that long. And for Mikel and for so many of those players, that's going to happen. But I thought that was a great response yesterday. They looked really good, really powerful, really strong. Tough place to go because you know that crowd. Even at 2-0, the crowd were going crazy at Leeds, weren't they? And if Leeds had got the next goal, you're thinking, oh, what's going to happen? But they just got the third and the fourth. And the subs they brought on, Arsenal.

29:47Hugo Ekitike:I mean, they bring Jesus on. Is it Odegaard they bring on? Martinelli they bring on, is it?

29:53The Guys:I know. So strong.

29:54Hugo Ekitike:Incredible. So they're really, really strong. I thought that was a big statement from Arsenal yesterday.

30:01The Guys:I've got their run of fixtures as well. Six of the next seven games against teams that are not in the top six. So they go Sunderland at home, Brentford away, Tottenham away, Chelsea at home. That's the one in the top six. Brighton away, Everton at home, Wolves away, Bournemouth at home. So, I mean, if they continued that kind of form, they could create a bit of space at the top. But we know in football, particularly in the Premier League, you can lose against anybody, I guess.

30:28Michael Carrick:Of course you can. I keep saying it, it's going to come to that game in April. Arsenal have got to go to Man City. And if Arsenal beat Man City there, then that's when it's over. All these people saying, well, it was a statement win. Totally agree with Alan. But there's still so many games to go. If Man City win this afternoon against Spurs, it's back to four points. And they keep it within that until they play each other. And then there's a couple more games after they play. It's going to be... Yeah, I think it's going right to the wire. I do.

31:02Hugo Ekitike:What happens if City don't win tonight, then, Michael, or later on?

31:06Michael Carrick:Oh, yeah.

31:06Hugo Ekitike:They haven't got a good record there, have they?

31:08Michael Carrick:They've not got a good record there, Alan. You're totally right. I think Pep's lost eight times to Spurs, most of any team, if my calculations are correct. Someone's been doing their homework.

31:26The Guys:glory glory top of the world there you go Arsenal actually only goes they've only got three more trips outside London now really the rest of the season in the Premier League Brighton Wolves Man City the one you talked about but if it obviously will depend on that game against City but it'll only depend on that game against City if there's a small gap correct it could be a large one by then and City need to find a little bit more consistency. Don't forget Aston Villa.

31:58Michael Carrick:Yeah, I think you're right. Everyone's forgetting Aston Villa. But they're

32:05Hugo Ekitike:a good side. A couple of new sign-ins as well.

32:08The Guys:Yeah, but don't forget we're recording this before Villa plays. This little bit here we could, everyone could be going, what do you mean they've just lost five new? What do you mean? It's true. It's true. Great. I can't do any accents. Interesting goings on up front for Arsenal from having no one score, none of their strikers score, I should say. Suddenly you've got Giocares getting a couple of goals in a couple of games. You've got Jesus has come back and scored a few. Now Havertz is back playing again. So all of a sudden they've got options in that position and different options as well.

32:44Hugo Ekitike:Giocares went through yesterday again and missed a big chance, didn't knock it past the defender again. I was like, come on. But then to be fair to him, he did get his goal and finished that up really well. Jesus coming on, his goal was brilliant. The way he sort of moved the ball backwards and forwards and bent it in was a great finish. So, yeah, it looks as if they're all coming back or being fit anyway at the right time for Arsenal.

33:10Michael Carrick:I do think, though, going to Ellen Road, Leeds try to play. Yeah, they go. And they're open and they will attack you. Arsenal are going to have more difficult games, I would say where teams do go in that low block. I don't, I don't, I think the result was massive for Arsenal's confidence, but I don't think it told us a lot about breaking down low blocks. You know, that's still to be seen. And if they can do that, then yeah, they're on the way.

33:40The Guys:What is the best way do you think to break down low blocks? Because it's not easy.

33:45Hugo Ekitike:As a forward, and it's been a big topic, hasn't it, of the last week or 10 days or so is that, well, maybe less goals because a team's sitting deep and having that low block. Find a way, find someone who can make that killer pass. Find a forward who's going to make that brilliant run when crosses come in. The best players do it. A low block isn't something that's just happened all of a sudden this season.

34:09The Guys:It's been here forever. Correct, yeah.

34:12Hugo Ekitike:People are highlighting it perhaps more. I guess maybe social media or there's no programme. This low block hasn't been invented in 2026, has it? Exactly.

34:20Michael Carrick:No, you're totally right.

34:22Hugo Ekitike:Find a way. Find a pass. Find someone who's got that killer pass. Find someone who's good enough to make that forward run and then find a forward who's good enough to do all of those things when balls come in. That's how you do it. Find a way.

34:35Michael Carrick:I think it's rotation, isn't it, Al? I think when you're isolated as a striker, you then need to come towards a ball and have a midfield runner going in there.

34:45Hugo Ekitike:Yeah, yeah, yeah.

34:46Michael Carrick:You've got Odegaard who drops deep, sometimes too deep for the liking of some Arsenal fans. But in terms of doing that, pull people out, move people around and play that killer ball and have that midfielder running into the box

34:59The Guys:and then good delivery, of course. And I used to quite enjoy playing against teams with a low block, which happened, you know, because you mean, basically means you play in the final third. So you don't have to keep chasing back to the bloody halfway line, which was always boring. and you know you've and it's a challenge to find those little spaces and just keep gambling gambling on a run gambling on where the cross will go gambling on where the cross go and eventually one might just come to you and then and then you bang it in absolutely quick question alan before we let you go is the pro-am starting tomorrow the pro-am is starting on tuesday we have a practice round tomorrow so i was going to say go easy tonight don't ruin it for your pro you know Well, it's like a golf trip, right?

35:44The Guys:Golf trip. Every time you go on a golf trip, which I can't play anymore. I used to play, go on lots of golf trips. And every time you get there and you'd start the next day and you go, right, I'm going easy tonight. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I'm not going to get pissed. I'm going to just have a couple, have a couple. And then there you are at two o 'clock in the morning. And then you play the next day and you go, why did I do that? Why did I do that?

36:10Hugo Ekitike:Yeah, well, I'm going with the intention of going this afternoon and getting pissed.

36:15The Guys:Yeah, but you're not playing tomorrow. But it's a practice round tomorrow, so it doesn't matter. Practice round. Yeah. Go well, I'll enjoy it. Cheers, guys. Thank you. Play well. Thanks for covering me later on. Cheers. No problem at all. Micah and myself will be back. Oh, hang on a minute. What's going on behind you? What is that? What is that? Fireworks.

36:37Hugo Ekitike:You've got fireworks? How do you do that?

36:39Michael Carrick:Someone's doing it. One of the producers on this call is doing that because I've not touched the damn thing.

36:45Hugo Ekitike:Do exactly what you did again, the same thing. Lean back and chuck your hands in the air.

36:49The Guys:Yeah. Did you reminisce there to Mario Balotelli coming around your house? He's not in the background, is he, Mario? Is he there? Is he there? Michael, I'll speak to you after you've had a long day's work, as you call it. Well, long day's excitement. Yeah, sitting watching football. Hard graft. We'll be back shortly. Shortly for you, but quite a long time for us, if you get what I mean. Okay.

37:20Florian Wirtz:When you want your spring break to feel like... And your kid's pool day to feel like... And your hotel bed to feel like... Ooh, and room service to feel like... Because at Hilton, hospitality feels like... Your cabana's ready. Would you like fresh towels? It matters where you stay. Book now at Hilton.com. Hilton, for this day.

37:53The Guys:Welcome back to The Rest is Football. I'm Micah Richards and myself, Gary Lennica now. Alan's Lord knows where Alan is, somewhere in Portugal, somewhere in a bar. Well, two more cracking games today. I watched Manchester United. Thrilling game there against Fulham. And then, you know, the Tottenham Man City game. I mean, it was unfathomable the way that turned in the second half. You were doing that one. You were there, Micah.

38:20Michael Carrick:Yeah, I was there for Sky, as I mentioned in the first half. There was a real weird atmosphere, Gaz, at the stadium. it was almost like, I don't know, disbelief or it was, everything was just flat. And I've said previously, I've been to Spurs when they beat Man City on multiple occasions earlier on, and it was absolutely bouncing. Of course, towards the start of the season, it always is. But when you go there and everyone was just flat And that seeped into the performance of the players as well. The first half was one of the worst halves I've seen from a football team at this level. There was no confidence.

39:10Michael Carrick:There was no rotation. The formation wasn't right. And then they managed to turn it around in the second half. And I just, I couldn't believe what I've seen. Man City should have been 3-4 or 5-0 up in that first half. but they're just not killing teams off Gaz and it's a worry

39:28The Guys:yeah it's I mean it was remarkable a turnaround really we saw it a few times last season didn't we mostly in the Champions League because actually that's the first time City have led by two plus goals at half time in a game and failed to win since April 2018 but it did happen once or twice didn't it in the Champions League last season they're definitely the last season and a half now look vulnerable to the counter-attack. But I really couldn't see it coming in this game because, you know, they had absolute control. They were knocking it around. They probably should have scored one or two more goals, but you just couldn't see any way that Tottenham could come back.

40:09The Guys:As you said, they were awful in the first half. They looked bereft of any sort of confidence. I mean, I don't know what he said to them at half-time. Obviously, he made a couple of tweaks, but it was more, I think it was more the attitude that changed in the second half. And somehow they started pushing forward, trying to get the ball wide, trying to get it in. So Lanky has made a difference to them up there. There's no question about that. They've missed him this season. We'll come to his Scorpion goal. That was a little bit special in a moment. But yeah, but looking at the title race now and Villa losing as well as City dropping two points.

40:50The Guys:I mean, it's really, really hard to see beyond Arsenal. I think I'm still optimistic until next week.

41:00Michael Carrick:I think Liverpool are going to cause Man City problems. If Man City turn up like they did in the second half, Liverpool with Eketike and Vert's movement will cause them all sorts of pressure. As soon as you raise the tempo in the game, guys, it's stark. I would love to say here, Spurs did something really tactical and the change. All they did is gone to an old school, 4-4-2, and they had loads of energy. They started winning the ball higher up the pitch, and it was almost like they've had a rollicking at halftime, go out there and give it 100%. And as soon as Spurs did that, guys, Man City didn't know how to deal with it.

41:40Michael Carrick:I've talked about Man City so much, how good they are on the ball, and even before that, how well they pressed high up. but anytime, anytime someone moves the ball quickly against them and I know Nunes, we've talked before, Nunes, Matias Nunes is not a fullback. Nico O 'Reilly thought he did really well in midfield and then he made a little mistake for the second goal in terms of not clearing his lines. But every time someone runs at them with pace, it's like they don't know what they're doing. The second goal, they had five or six players in the box, zero communication Nico Ryan on the first goal I don't know it's a bit of a I feel like I'm ranting but for a team who have accomplished so much to be then get Mark Gane who I actually thought at times he played really well in the game but decision making from the back four is not good enough I've talked about the midfield and the lack of protection we know how Man City are going to play and you know you're going to be exposed to a counter attack but today it wasn't really that although Solanke was making really good runs, it was more about communication on the goals.

42:53Michael Carrick:Who's going to fill into what? How are you going to push? Are we going to jump together as a team? Are we going to stop across? All those things that Al always talks about, that's what Man City are lacking at the moment.

43:05The Guys:I absolutely agree. And it's not entirely just defensive problems. It's the first time in nearly 20 years that they haven't had a shot on target in three successive games, in the second half of three consecutive games, which is a mad statistic, that is. It's really mad. Yeah, it's hard to understand entirely. Obviously, this is a very different team now than they had two years ago when they completed the four in a row. There's a lot of changes, a lot of new players. Obviously, they've spent an absolute fortune on bringing a lot of talent in, But it's certainly not gelling at the moment. And when you consider the overall title race, I mean, Arsenal, really good win.

43:51The Guys:And even on their bad days, they generally grind out result. They don't concede many goals. They'll cause you problems from set pieces, as we all know. So, but looking at it now with that lead and the way City is so inconsistent in terms of their performances, but their performances in one game, they can play great in one half and then really badly in the other. So it's hard to see them suddenly changing that and winning every game like they've done in the past. When they were, you know, when they were going head to head with Liverpool. It's really, you can't see that happening. Obviously, Villa lost their game.

44:30The Guys:I honestly I'm not saying it's done but I'd find it very very hard to imagine that City could come back from this because A you've got Arsenal have got to drop quite a lot of points and City have got to win pretty much well 90 % of their games I would say.

44:50Michael Carrick:Yeah in terms of that I wouldn't rule them out just yet and this has got nothing to do with my ties. Like I said before, I think it's a Liverpool game. Because I always go to that game in April and I still stand by that. Man City against Arsenal at home. And if that was three points in that game, if Man City draw against Liverpool and Arsenal were to win next week, remind me of their fixture, please, Gaz. Arsenal's next week. Sunderland at home. I mean, Sunderland are a very good side, performed very well this season. but if Man City were to draw and Arsenal were to win that's when I'll concede that the title is over because like you said just getting the run together and then still Champions League and all these sort of things married in I just it's frustrating and you know we talk about oh do you like Arsenal like that like it hurt me today watching Man City it hurt me to the core thinking what is going on normally they have the answers.

45:55Michael Carrick:And when a team used to attack them before, guys, what they used to do really well is just starve the opposition of the ball. So even if you're not going to score a goal, kill the game by keeping the ball. They're not even doing that anymore.

46:10The Guys:And also, Micah, that incredible ability to immediately win the ball back when they lost it in really high areas with amazing energy. Yeah, they're way off where they were. They really are. Arsenal have got a reasonable run of fixtures coming up. What stage do we talk about? The quadruple.

46:32Michael Carrick:Oh. Well, Man City have got Newcastle on Wednesday, haven't they? And then Arsenal-Chelsea is on Tuesday, I believe. If they get to the final, I mean, people have been saying it all year. If you don't concede that many goals, I mean, it's going to be difficult. I think Arsenal are suited to Champions League, definitely. I wouldn't say they were suited to the Premier League because there wasn't scoring loads of goals, but they're keeping loads of clean sheets, got a good defence. But you think at this time of the season...

47:09The Guys:Can I ask you a question? Why don't you think they're suited to the Premier League?

47:13Michael Carrick:Because of the... You know, watch the game. There's an eye test, isn't there? And then there's the stats. and the big thing for me last year was, could Arsenal get a striker to take them to the next level? Or we looked at that position on left-hand side, your left winger, was Martinelli good enough? They brought in Eze, Madweke's done really well. So you're thinking for Arsenal, historically, I would say, you would need someone who scores 10 to 15 goals to get them over the line. As long as they perform the same way, good defensive structure, good in midfield, just someone to help out Saka. That was the narrative.

47:55Michael Carrick:I think they've found that player. Well, no. He's called own goal. He's called own goal. So you look at Jokeres' numbers and you're thinking, that doesn't look like it's enough to get them over the line. But other teams around them are not doing what they're supposed to be doing. Man City dropping points, Villa dropping points, Man United falling off although they've bounced back from earlier on in the season and then Chelsea having a new manager so all the things are falling in their favour but now it looks like with Havertz coming back Jesus coming back and scoring Jokere's getting a goal they could just share out the goal so now I would say yes they are in pole position and I believe it now because of the strength and depth that they're having the squad.

48:46Michael Carrick:But with Jokeres' numbers coming in and being that guy, I wasn't convinced. But now with the team, I am convinced.

48:54The Guys:What I would say about them also, which is, you know, it's almost a cliche really, is that despite the fact that they've not been free-flowing probably the last month or two, and it is a difficult time of year to play, you've got that massive congestion of fixtures. But, you know, they've still managed to grind out results. what happens when they start to flow? I know. You know, that's the thing. You know, if you're playing not at 100%, not at your best, and you're still, you know, bossing everybody, I mean, it's a really good time for them. It really is. But as for City, I mean, it was very important for Spurs, wasn't it, that second half performance, and particularly for the manager, I think, because, you know, you could see at half time, it was almost embarrassing a little bit.

49:40The Guys:You know, you thought, oh, this is awful. And then they came out before. We must talk about Solanke's goal.

49:47Michael Carrick:Oh, I mean.

49:49The Guys:What do you call that? What do you call that, guys? A scorpion kick, don't you? Is that what they call it?

49:53Michael Carrick:I mean, I don't. I mean, I don't. The thing is, though, he meant it, though. You know, like sometimes you just throw yourself in the air. But because he had to sort of adjust his body, I was thinking, he can't, he can't. I watched the replay and I was like, he's meant to do it. What a goal that was. It was sensational.

50:13The Guys:Obviously, there's always an element of fortune with that sort of thing, because he certainly didn't deliberately lob Donnarumma because he's a giant. But it was an incredible goal. The first goal was, I think Pep Guardiola whined about, he said it should have been a foul on Mark Gay. But I think Solanke definitely got a little touch on it, and the goal was eventually given to him. And then as he followed through, he probably did catch Gay. But it certainly wasn't one of those that was a clear and obvious error.

50:42Michael Carrick:But I did think it was a foul, though, because when you get your body in there as a defender, you've sort of done a lot of the hard work, not all the hard work, a lot of it, to get your body in there, and he got his foot in there, and then he's kicked his foot. And I think if that was outside the box or anyone on the pitch, if you did that, get your body in, someone kicks you, I think you get a foul for that.

51:06The Guys:Well, yeah, there's always slightly different rules in the box than there are outside. This is why there'll be 15 penalties a game. But I think, yeah, I think you're absolutely right. There was a little touch. And I think if he hadn't have got that little touch on the ball, then they may well have turned it over. While on the subject of VR, I don't know whether you saw the disallowed goal for Aston Villa because it was said to be out of play at the other end of the pitch, right by the corner. They broke away and scored. I mean, really? I don't think there was a definitive angle. It looked like it might well have been out of play, but there was definitely no proof.

51:42The Guys:And I think for something like that, particularly as it's so far away from actually where the ball went in the net, I thought that was really harsh on Villa personally.

51:51Michael Carrick:Yeah, I did. Although Brentford defended really well in that game. Yeah, 10 men. But there was a little, I think it was Rico Henry had basically put his arms up like he'd gone out. So maybe that's why they went back and looked at it. But I totally agree with you. Unless it's definitive, can you make that decision? Because that was a difference. Brentford down to 10 men. I don't know if you've seen it with Sharda getting sent off as well. But yeah, I mean, Villa will be kicking themselves because you expect them to win that game.

52:30The Guys:A Man United in the title race.

52:35The Guys:I mean what a great start for Michael Carrick a bit like um Liam um Resenia as well they both started really well and it's it's great for Michael Carrick you can see I mean to for them to equalize and then come back and bag a winner it was I mean it's great it's a real lift for

52:55Michael Carrick:that club the way the way that he started isn't it you know what guys so there's obviously I work with Roy Keane and I work with Gary Neville. Respect them greatly. And their opinion on it is you have to get the best person for the job in terms of what they've done in the past. So they just want an out and out winner. Tuchel's been mentioned a lot. If he goes and wins the World Cup with England, I mean, that would be great for Man United. But I see a lot of people comparing him to Solskjaer when I don't think it's the same. Carrick, I think he's got a little bit more than Solskjaer. He speaks well.

53:39Michael Carrick:He's very calm. He did all the things that we were crying out for in terms of the system, playing players in the right positions and the one free in free. Not to forget his record before as well when he came in as interim. So I said, they've got a big conundrum with Carrick because how I see it, I feel he'll do really well. I think with Man United, the players coming back and the players that they have in the squad, they can definitely compete for Champions League. And that's why the start of the season, I hired him higher up, even though it didn't work out with Ameren. So if he goals them, gets them into Champions League football, and then they're playing well, and then he's very good in the press.

54:26Michael Carrick:I don't understand why he wouldn't be given a chance. I think I would like to see him as a manager because as long as he keeps this, if he loses the next three on the bounce, I mean. Well, of course, I think there's,

54:38The Guys:I can't see there's any real point in doing anything before the end of the season. You need to, you know, don't, you win three or four games and then you go, right, like, you know, like everything with Solskjaer, you know, give him a long contract, all this sort of stuff. I think the sensible thing would be to see how it goes until the end of the season, because that's what he's brought in for. And then look at the situation. But he's done everything right so far. He's clearly a very cerebral guy. The way he played the game, you could see that. A very intelligent holding player. Most of the great managers, former footballers, are holding players.

55:13The Guys:So it is a really, really good start. And obviously, as well, confidence plays a big part. and as you quite rightly said and we said it last week that he's no longer putting square holes in round square square pegs in round holes and yeah I you know they have got some talent in that squad you know and the two signings Kunya and Mbuma I think they've settled in very well Bruno's now playing a little bit further forward he got himself a couple of assists and I was talking actually earlier on I don't know why with the lads and talking about who are the front runners for football of the year. I mean, it's the 1st of February.

55:55The Guys:It's a little bit early, but if Manchester United continue to go really well and Bruno, I mean, two more assists today, that's five goals and 12 assists in the Premier League. Who else would you think so far? Obviously, Haaland, if he starts scoring again, which he will. Declan Rice. Declan Rice, I was going to say as well. Gabriel. Gabriel. At the bat, he's a fantastic defender. So there's no one obvious at the moment, but he's a bloody good footballer, Bruno Fernandes.

56:23Michael Carrick:He's a top player. The manager's played him in the right position and he's shining. And even when United weren't doing great, he always stepped up with something. I know we've talked about him being petulant with his swinging in the arms. Especially as a young player coming into the squad, sometimes he makes a pass, he's made a mistake and he's got his hands up and he's passionate and I get all that stuff. But what that does, Gazzo, I agree. it brings attention to somebody else because he can get away with it because he's so good.

56:58The Guys:That's what, you know. That is a weakness and I think it's one that he recognises himself. He's talked about it, hasn't he? But he's a good player. The other one I want to talk about is Kobi Maino. He's come back when we were all going, what? I mean, he was such a good footballer. I mean, he was arguably England's best player at the last tournament. Now he's back in the starting lineup. I thought he played very well again today. He'd have to be in the running, wouldn't he, for one of those, you know, pivot kind of players?

57:23Michael Carrick:Yeah, definitely. And it's just confidence as well. You know what I like about this more than anything, Gaz, is there was a lot of pressure on him going back into the team. So especially with what his brother put, the t-shirt, free Kobe and all that sort of stuff. All eyes would be on him. Yes. So it's immense pressure going in that. And if he has a bad game, everyone could say, well, that's why you're not playing. So he had to, you know, just manage his game and he's done it really well because he's a good player. And you know what? You have to give a shout out to Casemiro as well. Absolutely.

57:59Michael Carrick:Because there was times when he was in systems and he got exposed massively. But alongside Maynou, to complement his game, Bruno's always going to work hard, get back into position. and I just think, yeah, he's got the balance right of the team.

58:14The Guys:Yeah, eight goals in three games for Carrick and, you know, Arsenal, Manchester City and Fulham and the other interesting statistic about United is that they've won all seven of their Premier League games in which they've had less than 45 % possession which was also the case today. So, by contrast, they've won just four of 17 league games when having 45 % possession or more So it just shows you that possession is not always everything.

58:42Michael Carrick:Nope, it's not. But you know what? This was a potential banana skin because, again, the games that they've won, everyone's talking about, oh, let's see what they do at Fulham. They'll probably lose to Fulham at home. I know it took a late goal from Sesco. Really good finish. You mentioned the signings before. Which will also do him the world of good. Of course it will. And it's good to see because if you look at what Carrick was doing at Middlesbrough and I watched a lot of his teams and you know you do your homework before when a new manager comes in and all that sort of thing. Carrick played really good football for Middlesbrough.

59:17Michael Carrick:The problem was he didn't get them up. So it wasn't about the football. The fans wasn't murmuring about the football. It was, and he's brought that to United. The next step is now.

59:27The Guys:But with much better players who can probably play that way. Correct.

59:31Michael Carrick:And as long as he can close up the back door a little bit, I think he can do a good job. I really do

59:38The Guys:yeah probably probably not likely title contenders I mean yeah I guess but they I mean Champions League would be a brilliant achievement considering where they finished last season

59:50Michael Carrick:so what's the league so Arsenal City Villa United Chelsea and Liverpool one of them will miss out yeah we're top five won't it it's difficult it's difficult City and Arsenal you know probably expect Villa as well, depending on fixtures and injuries. It was nice for them, for Tammy Abraham as well. It would have been nicer if he'd have been allowed that goal. Yeah, it's a race for top five, I think it will be as well. That'll be interesting.

1:00:23The Guys:Yeah, the top six, I think, will remain the top six. After that, you go Brentford, Fulham, Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland. So I think they might break away a little bit. So, yeah, it's intriguing. It's just whether anyone can chase down Arsenal. I think that's probably the most interesting thing left for the rest of this season. So we always like a bit of a title race. So we shall see. Okay, Micah, you've had a long day. You've had a long day. Get some rest and we'll call it a day. I'll try. Yeah. Goodbye from me.

1:00:57Michael Carrick:Goodbye from me. Have a good week.