In short
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker discuss several Premier League matches and wider football news. They start with Manchester United’s “misfiring” form, focusing on their win at Fulham: VAR penalty checks, Bruno Fernandes missing, and United needing to start winning soon (next game Burnley at Old Trafford). They highlight Everton’s big home win over Brighton, praising Jack Grealish’s two assists and Everton’s new-stadium atmosphere; they also mention a close handball/soft penalty moment and Jordan Pickford’s key save after a Tarkowski back-pass. They then focus on Tottenham’s outstanding performance vs Manchester City: Romero and Van de Ven’s partnership, Richarlison, and Spurs’ midfield energy under Thomas Frank. They also cover Arsenal’s strong start (including striker goals and set-piece quality from Declan Rice). Finally, they discuss promoted clubs’ early home success and Morecambe’s dramatic off-field takeover and restart.
Guests
none (only hosts).
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOAlan Shearer's Trophy Win
0:00 to 0:22
Alan shares his experience of winning a trophy at a tennis tournament.
“And the person who drives it, well, that's a Chevy person.”
Alan Shearer's Trophy Win
2:11 to 3:56
Alan shares his experience of winning a trophy at a tennis tournament.
“Before anyone jumps on the bandwagon, I know, something I'm not used to, winning a trophy.”
Man Utd's Performance Analysis
3:56 to 8:13
Discussion of Manchester United's recent match performance and penalties.
“and now it's had its confirm, that you are Andre Agassi in disguise.”
Everton's Impressive Start
8:13 to 10:01
Analysis of Everton's surprising victory against Brighton.
“Obviously, the funny thing, I was texting Richard Osman, who's the rest of his entertainment for us, before the game saying, are you there?”
Other Matches and Goalkeeper Insights
10:01 to 12:41
Review of other matches and notable performances from goalkeepers.
“He's gone down as though, you know, to slightly protect him because he's hit it hard.”
Tottenham's Impressive Start
14:01 to 19:13
Analysis of Tottenham's strong performance and management under Thomas Frank.
“The two centre-halves, Romero and Van de Ven, were brilliant.”
Arsenal's Positive Week
19:14 to 23:20
Discussion on Arsenal's recent successes and player performances.
“I thought the same but terrific start for Spurs.”
Concerns for West Ham
23:21 to 27:44
Overview of West Ham's struggles and defensive issues in recent matches.
“And there's still bloody dangers from set pieces.”
Exciting Fantasy Football Insights
27:45 to 28:01
Sharing insights and experiences from the fantasy football perspective.
“for them but obviously Cole Palmer was injured which I I think killed the aspirations of most fantasy football fans.”
Fantasy Football Insights
28:01 to 28:55
The hosts discuss their experiences and strategies in fantasy football.
“And you know, João Pedro, goal two assists.”
Show all 11 chapters
Morecambe's Remarkable Rebirth
28:55 to 31:03
A heartwarming story of Morecambe's struggles and their inspiring turnaround.
“On-field struggles, mirrored off-field chaos, the club suffered financial penalties.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01Gary Lineker:Somewhere out there is a Chevy truck. And the person who drives it, well, that's a Chevy person. You probably know one. Your buddy. Your sister. Ones who always show up. They're the first to rise, the last to leave. They always have that little extra something. And maybe you've got it too. Chevrolet. Together let's drive. Visit chevy.com slash trucks to explore the lineup.
0:29Alan Shearer:Queen Carvania stood haloed by the morning sun. An army hung on her every word. My champions, I have sold my chariot on Carvana. It was a lovely SUV, an inexplicably queenly offer. They're even coming to the castle to collect it. Tonight, we feast.
0:53Gary Lineker:An offer you can feast on. Sell your car today on Carvana. Pick up fees, may apply.
0:59Alan Shearer:Dirt. Sweat. Tears. Working hard can take its toll, but your relief doesn't have to. With Icy Hot Original No Mess Roll-On, you get maximum strength, fast-acting, mess-free pain relief. So you're ready to go again. Ice works fast. heat makes it last icy hot you're so back learn more at icyhot.com
1:37Alan Shearer:hi everyone before we start with today's episode we've had a bit of an issue we've had a glitch with our sound and it was bizarrely only on the first half of my voice because we think we've either got a problem with the microphone or something but it's it's a strange one we've fixed it to a degree but it's not as pure as we would like the sound to be you'll notice it but bear with us be patient we've done the best that we can and hopefully enjoy the episode hello and welcome to the rest is football with alan shearer and me gailenica amica has been to the reading festival today and he's in a car on his way home and we're hoping that at some point he will join us um we'll wait and see it's definitely the reading festival not the nottingham carnival i believe alan you also i've been a little bit busy today because there's a trophy herched over your right shoulder.
2:38Gary Lineker:Before anyone jumps on the bandwagon, I know, something I'm not used to, winning a trophy.
2:42Alan Shearer:Just shows you it's like red buses, one comes along and then...
2:46Gary Lineker:Yeah, we have a... My good friends of mine have a tennis tournament every year at the back of their house. There's seven or eight tennis courts and there's about 40 pairs come in and we all... There's a draw this morning and jollifications all afternoon and what have you. And then, yeah, I ended up with my partner was Steve Harper. I said to Harps, Harps, come on. If we get knocked out within the first two or three rounds, we can just have a little party and it's fine. We can just go drinking because we don't really want to go that far. But we got second round. And honestly, I can feel my feet, my hamstrings, my back screaming at me.
3:25Gary Lineker:I'm thinking, oh, no. The quarterfinal, we managed to screw it through. We get to the final. And then it was, yeah, it was great. Harps' wife was in the other pair with another guy who was playing against us in the finals. So, yeah, I just said, and he kept on apologising to her. I said, fuck apologising to her. We need to win this, man. Apologise later on. It's fine. But we ended up winning it, and the trophy's there. And the speech was, I really don't know what to do because I've never won a trophy in Newcastle.
3:55Alan Shearer:I always thought, Alan, for years and years and years that you were, and now it's had its confirm, that you are Andre Agassi in disguise.
4:05Gary Lineker:I love it, yeah.
4:07Alan Shearer:I had a fun day. I actually went to the game. I went to Fulham. I went to United. I went to Creham Cottage. It's not far. So I went with my mate, JD. He said, let's go on a line bike. I'm like, oh, you're joking. So he set me up and showed me how to do it. Because I'm a bit, you know, I'm a bit old and a bit scared very soon. So I went on a line bike. Easy 10 minutes. We were there. I went early because they were very generous to us, Fulham. Brighted us to lunch. we had a michelin star chef the new stand in the new stand which is amazing right on the river there so we had lunch overlooking the river beautiful setup and um the game was you know so so and then then to get to do the podcast i walk out walk over the bridge over potney bridge all the fans jumped on line right came home amazing i know from most of our listeners you're thinking well anyway but yeah line bites we all get them but anyway it was a new experience first time i've ever in fact i think it's decades and decades since i sat on any kind of a bike
5:05Gary Lineker:it's probably the first time you've had a ride in 15 years
5:11Alan Shearer:sadly that's probably true but anyway the game um well you know it started really well i thought oh hello because last week i thought they showed something against us leaving that they lost and the first 10 15 20 minutes you thought okay you know um kunya was electric um went really close brilliant effort hit the post another one blazed over the bye had a one-on-one where the keeper they probably should have scored but a good save from leno and you thought well there's something in this got they got a penalty which my goodness what a bizarre experience i've got you know going to the game we're watching the game there's a corner and it's something i know and then the ball's clear the ball goes up the end of the pitch and then pull them on the attack and then suddenly the ref stops and you're thinking what's going on here now i know the experience is probably different at home but if you're in the ground oh my it's then you look at you see a sign saying um vr penalty check and i honestly sit in there and i said to him i went for which two didn't even know whether it was that end or that end and you had no idea what was going on i mean it's such an awful experience for fans i mean i know now they're telling you why they changed their decision which he ultimately did um i couldn't see from how far we were away so i've no idea whether it should have been overturned but bruno missed it anyway blazed over the bar but they've got to actually tell you what's going on for the fans in the ground to hear it there's a penalty check because so and so we think he might have pushed so and so but we're checking all the angles the referee you can hear the conversation between the referee and the VAR.
6:44Gary Lineker:After seeing it again, do you think it was a penalty?
6:46Alan Shearer:I haven't seen it again.
6:47Gary Lineker:Alright, okay.
6:48Alan Shearer:The view?
6:49Gary Lineker:I mean, the penalty was awful, wasn't it? It doesn't matter about that, but I think it was a penalty, probably, yeah.
6:53Alan Shearer:Did they put on Boomer on penalties now? Because he's so good at penalties, isn't he? He's like, that's it, I mean, didn't miss.
6:58Gary Lineker:No, you're allowed, you're allowed to, I think you're allowed to miss one, aren't you? And if you miss, if you miss two on the spin, then I guess you've got to hand it over. But you're allowed to miss one.
7:07Alan Shearer:I mean, it's another, well, not handling it, it's the first point of the season for United, which you did something out of the bottom three that was a bit cool and he thought but they didn't really kick on offer much in the second half his changes didn't really work Cesco came on was very quiet there was no service to be honest and well they got ahead and apparently there's a bit of a push on that one a lot of the Fulham fans were complaining about we couldn't it's hard to see I've only seen it on TV
7:33Gary Lineker:and I'm thinking if you're going to give the Man United one for a penalty it was clearly a shove there's no doubt about it for that one. It's like, come on, really? Anyway, it is what it is. But if they weren't, I didn't see the whole game. I've just seen the highlights. But they're one of the teams that have to start winning pretty soon. Otherwise, the pressure will mount hugely. There's no doubt about it. I mean, what have they got? Burnley next week, haven't they? Burnley at Old Trafford, I think. That's one of those games where you probably want it, but it's another one. If you don't win it, then it really does mount the pressure.
8:11Gary Lineker:So they've got to win that one at home. There's no doubt.
8:13Alan Shearer:I thought Fulham did well. Obviously, the funny thing, I was texting Richard Osman, who's the rest of his entertainment for us, before the game saying, are you there? Because he's a big, massive, well, obviously massive, but anyway, he's also a massive fan. And he replied, said, no, he's working on his film. He said, but we've spent about a few hundred grand in the window. We've bought the reserve goalkeeper and that's it. So it's a bit alarming, but I don't know whether it's our friend the PSR or for whatever reason I don't know but I thought they did okay they came back they rallied at the end and they actually look probably the more likely to score in the last 10 minutes of the game after their equaliser but all in all I think it was probably about a fair result I would say the other two games today we were in early enough to have the lunch and watched Everton versus Brighton on the TV what a great start for them in their new stadium
9:07Gary Lineker:Brighton missed a couple of really big chances. But I thought that was one of the naps of the weekend, Everton winning there in their first game there. Great atmosphere, expectations, everything. And really pleased for Jack Grealish. A couple of assists, wasn't they? So, yeah, I thought that was the nap of the weekend, Everton beating Brighton at home.
9:30Alan Shearer:Yeah, I thought that was very likely as well. Good win. Great start, as you said there, for Jack Grealish to do that. the brilliant bit of play for the first one. Yeah, brilliant. Drilled across to Undy at the far post, but the name in the ground amuses me a bit. The Hill Dickinson Stadium. For the lawyers or something. Needs must. I thought they'd spayed two signings. I thought they'd bought Jimmy Hill and some money Dickinson. But yeah, it was a good performance from them. There was also... Did you see the handball? I mean, not against Steersbury Hall.
10:05Gary Lineker:No, I didn't see. Tell me.
10:07Alan Shearer:Well, he's drilled it at him. He's gone down as though, you know, to slightly protect him because he's hit it hard. He's put his arm up, but it's very close to his body and his arm is up in front of his face and the ball hits his hand. And you just, he's not gone out wide. It's tucked in and it just, I mean, he missed it anyway. Well, he didn't miss it. Pitford saved it. It wasn't a good penalty. So it didn't make any difference, but it happened. I mean, it was a soft one. The ref did give it on field. So, well, that made a difference. but so they didn't I saw Jordan Pickford
10:39Gary Lineker:made a brilliant save having a terrible back pass from Tarkowski that was a key save wasn't it
10:43Alan Shearer:yeah what a good goalkeeper I was so consistent I know there always used to be doubts because he's a little bit hot-headed at times but you know there's a calmness there's an authority there's a confidence about him these days I feel and he's got I hate to say things like this when you're talking about someone especially the England goalkeeper that he does not make many mistakes I mean all goalkeepers do make mistakes and he will and he has, but very, very few are.
11:10Gary Lineker:Yeah, and also when you look at his competition, I mean, James Trafford getting the move to Man City and having a terrible day yesterday.
11:17Alan Shearer:Felt for him a bit because he got, you know, Don and Rumm are likely to come in as well.
11:21Gary Lineker:On another subject, that for him, I mean, it's a huge call him choosing Manchester City. We don't know why or in terms of talks and who he had options. And I know he had options at Newcastle, but for whatever reason, he chose to go back to Man City. but can you imagine if Donnarumma signs for Man City? He's not going to play ahead of him.
11:42Alan Shearer:Yes, it's a tough game, particularly if you're a goalkeeper. The other game today was interesting, obviously, because it was the two teams that swapped places in European competitions, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. And on his even, Palace got ahead. Ishmosa scores some goals, doesn't he? He's a real athlete and Mignogos was ever mording down that right wing.
12:04Gary Lineker:With what's gone on over the past few days with Nuno and what's happened at Forest, then I don't think that's a bad result for them. I mean, it was tin helmet time in terms of who's going to come out on top on that battle because clearly Espirito Santo came out in the weekend or just before the weekend and said that things aren't well. And there's obviously an issue with Edu in terms of the sport and director and the relationship between those two.
12:29Alan Shearer:The first bad run they have, Alan The first bad run they have I'd be a bit new now
12:35Gary Lineker:Yeah, well that's a battle He's never going to win, unfortunately I wonder whether he wants to He's probably decided to think I'm going to get out in the open And see if I can win it that way But that's what it looks like But yeah, it doesn't end well For the coach or for the manager When that happens
12:51Alan Shearer:No, it's not going to end up with a trophy Like you've got over your right and shoulders I'm making the most of it It does actually look like the Cowboy Cup Are you sure it's not that? No, you just lifted it for the day. You borrowed it. Let's take a break. When we come back, we'll talk about Saturday's fixtures. You and Michael are on Saturday. Hopefully, Michael will find a signal in the back of his car at some point. If not, it'll just be you and me. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace. Need a website that can actually run your business? With Squarespace, you can sell products, book appointments and get paid all in one place.
13:23Alan Shearer:It's built to help you grow and with payment options like Apple Pay, PayPal, Plana and more, check out some breeze for your customers. Head to squarespace.com slash football for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, use the code football to save 10 % off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Read the full transcript
13:47Alan Shearer:Welcome back to The Rest is Football with Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. still no news from Micah Richards hopefully on the M4 somewhere and he'll get a signal at some point
13:56Gary Lineker:he's on the champagne or the whiskey or something somewhere he might not even know where he is
14:01Alan Shearer:I always thought this was a possibility Micah at a festival what could go wrong anyway you were doing much today yesterday Kelly I thought you know great debut she was brilliant she was great she was great show was show was as good as always Man City but Man City I mean wow I mean let's start with the positive and Tottenham Hotspur and Thomas Frank what a start he's had I know not necessarily off the field because you know they had the Morgan Gibbs White deal go wrong and then obviously Eberici Eze ended up signing for Arsenal which was grim news and you thought to yourself now they've got a tough game away but I thought they were so impressive
14:47Gary Lineker:do you know what it is They were absolutely outstanding, I suppose. Their energy, their aggression. The two centre-halves, Romero and Van de Ven, were brilliant. Richarlison was fantastic. Kudos was great again. Jed Spence, Porro. I mean, everyone.
15:05Alan Shearer:Spence is hard to get past, isn't he?
15:07Gary Lineker:Yeah, very, very difficult. Very difficult. He's having a great time and really enjoying his football. I thought the midfield three of Saar, Benton Kerr and Paulinho were absolutely outstanding. The way they got wired in, the way they protected, the way they played, creativity. Paulinho got his goal. I mean, after what we'd said about City and their midfield and Reinders the week before, how good he was and a debut for City in the league, and then for him to be bossed by those three yesterday at home, Spurs were impressive, man. They really were. Thomas Frank, what a great start he's had, hasn't he?
15:46Alan Shearer:Amazing start. Particularly when you take into account the couple of disappointments they've had off the pitch, didn't let him affect him. He just said, you know, if a player doesn't want to come here, they don't want to come here. No, I don't want players that don't want to come here.
15:57Gary Lineker:It's already, after two games, three games, if you include the cup game before the season started, it's got Thomas Frank's DNA all over the team, all over the club already. Sometimes it takes time.
16:10Alan Shearer:But the DNA is working hard.
16:13Gary Lineker:The DNA is being direct if they have to be. The DNA is playing. The DNA is long throws. The DNA is having the right attitude. And everyone is on the same page and getting wired in. That's the DNA of Thomas Frank. And that's why he's been a really, really astute, clever manager over the years. And that's why he's got this job. and that's why if they go ahead and keep backing him,
16:38Alan Shearer:I really... Well, yeah, but I like his words.
16:42Gary Lineker:Even his words afterwards, you know, he said, fine, if players don't want to join us, that's all right. We don't want them. We'll move on and we'll get someone else. I mean, it sounds as if they're going back in for Savino City, but he's had a brilliant start and I really, really like everything about Thomas Frank and his all ethos of who and what he is.
17:03Alan Shearer:They made it so difficult for City to beat the press as well, didn't they? The goal, obviously, the Trafford era was a perfect example of that. But there were other times as well where it wasn't just the front three, but then you got the midfield three that you talked about and even Romero would go really high up and win there. It was so good and so encouraging for Tottenham fans. But, you know, as lifelong Spurs followers, I think it's the hope that kills you.
17:32Gary Lineker:Did you see the stat about those two centre-halves when those two play together? Which doesn't surprise me. The win over half the games, yeah.
17:42Alan Shearer:I mean, Romero is so good. I mean, I know occasionally he's a bit hot-headed and he might get himself sent off. And Van de Ven has had his injury problems. But when they're both fit like they clearly were yesterday, I mean, Van de Ven, how quick is he? Even Haaland was struggling to get behind them at all. And City didn't really offer much, did they?
18:02Gary Lineker:Even if you take the... Haaland had a header, a couple of other... But you're going to the Etihad, you're going to Man City, you're not going to dominate for 90 minutes. There are going to be a time where you have to suffer. But even that, the way they suffered, they all dug deep and they all were last-ditch tackles and everything else. Even that was impressive, you know, the way they dug in for each other. So, yeah, I was really, really... I don't think you could beat anything other than impressed with Spurs yesterday.
18:29Alan Shearer:I was quite surprised with City's starting line-up. seemed a bit, you know, quite inexperienced. I think it was their youngest side for about 10 years or 12 years or something, which was, you know, and it was a bit, you know, when you looked at the benches, obviously, you know, Rodri's been injured, but it was good to see him come on because we were all worried that it was something serious again because there was no information coming out. So clearly it wasn't too bad, which is really good news for City and him and football. Foden on the bench as well. not really you know so I don't know after last week as well you thought City maybe on the you know but actually that was a big that seemed like felt like a big step backwards
19:12Gary Lineker:I agree I think after all the positivity with them last week and the way they sort of dismantled Wolves you're thinking okay I'll be back they had energy and all of that but yeah I agree it was a big step backwards that and the way they were outfought yesterday would be a bigger concern for me.
19:32Alan Shearer:I thought the same but terrific start for Spurs. Also, it's been a good week for Arsenal. Obviously, they won at United in the opening game of the season. They got the Eze transfer over the line. They obviously smashed Leeds, won very comfortably, put in five by them and also their striker, their nine that we've talked about for so long, delivered. I saw you talking on Match of the Day and it is, I mean, we know what it's like. Not necessarily even if you go to a new club but even if it's a start of a season but particularly when you go to a new club I had mixed experience my first move to Everton I didn't score I think in the first three games and I was starting to feel the heat you know I remember the what was it called the Liverpool Echo the newspaper all the letters were why have we wasted all our money on this clown and all this kind of stuff and then I got a goal away at Tottenham a diving header when we won 1-0 and it it just feels like the weight's the world off your shoulder.
20:32Alan Shearer:Same at Spurs. I came back from Barcelona. It took me a while to adjust to the pace of the game again. Took about five games to score. And then you do and the world's a better place. But for someone like Giorcores with so much expectation, it was crucial for him. And he sort of snatched at one, didn't he, in the first half when you were quite right. He should have controlled it because he had the time and he could have knocked it in. But the first goal will give him so much confidence because it was actually quite a special effort.
20:59Gary Lineker:Do you know what was even more impressive for me was him grabbing all of the ball and going for the penalty. Love that, though.
21:06Alan Shearer:Strikers, you've got to. What a challenge. Were you all a striker? That is your best possible opportunity to score.
21:13Gary Lineker:I'm not sure that he would have had if Saka had been on, then he might not have been on it. But I just thought, yeah, great. Go and take the penalty. You've already got one. You must. And you know, you're right. We know what it's like to get off to a decent. I mean, last weekend, he would have been thinking, oh God, it wasn't what I wanted and it didn't go the way it should have and that I planned and what have you at Old Trafford. But then you're at home and you've scored one really good goal and then the belief and the confidence, give me the penalty. And then, I mean, he would have been on top of the world last night and I bet he cannot wait for the next game.
21:51Alan Shearer:That's exactly what it is.
21:52Gary Lineker:I mean, I think my analysis sort of also, it is going to take time because Saka's brilliant at going past players. So you don't want to stop that. Maduweki is, Eze is. You don't want to stop what they're good at. No, but they're also good at crossing the ball. Saka is good at crossing the ball. Yeah, exactly. Putting balls into his feet, putting balls first time like his goal. It was 90 seconds after half-time and I'm absolutely certain Arteta said something to them about playing the first-time ball over rather than taking the time.
22:22Alan Shearer:Yeah, you can see that. And also, you've got intelligent football, like Saka and probably has a probably play on the left-hand side. They're going to know what he wants and they can deliver that. And there's a sense perhaps of last season because they didn't have that necessarily in the middle. That's probably why they didn't cross, but they'll work that out. I suppose on the downside, two of the key players, they went off with injuries. Erdogan was a shoulder. I can't imagine that's hopefully too bad. But the Saka one looked like it might be a little tweak of the hamstring.
22:53Gary Lineker:Yeah, but then I was thinking, goodness me, look at the players. that brought Trossard on. I forgot about him. Then you've got Eze to come in. Martinelli.
23:02Alan Shearer:Yeah.
23:03Gary Lineker:I mean, the numbers they've got are really incredible now, the squad that Arsenal have got. So they have to go on and they have to win something pretty big this season. But they've made a good start. It wasn't a great performance at United, but they got the right result. Much, much better yesterday. So that will give them good belief going forward as well.
23:23Alan Shearer:And there's still bloody dangers from set pieces. The balls, the quality of the balls.
23:28Gary Lineker:Declan Rice's ball is incredible. It's so accurate. I don't know, eight or nine times out of ten, the ball is on the money. The ball is exactly where he wants to put it. It really is. And that is a great skill to have.
23:41Alan Shearer:It really is. Let's move on to the fixture at the bottom of the table. Burnley against Sunderland. I shouldn't say that. That's not fair because Sunderland have got three points. I'm just assuming they might be at the bottom table. End of the season. Sunderland fans, Burnley fans, forgive me. I should not have done that I'm pleased that was you
23:57Gary Lineker:saying that about so not me because the Maccams will be coming for me again
24:01Alan Shearer:but there is a reason there is a reason because I was going to start this off I've got a little quiz question for you Adam when was the last time all three promoted teams won a game in their opening two fixtures which has happened over the last week and a bit
24:15Gary Lineker:2016
24:16Alan Shearer:bloody good guess 16-17 season yes
24:19Gary Lineker:I must have asked the same question yesterday I did you did you that's so good
24:28Gary Lineker:I mean it's no surprise that all three of them have won at home Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley which is that's going to be key isn't it I think particularly at Sunderland and Ellen Road because of how crazy those fans are I'm not saying Burnley aren't but that will be key to them how they get on at home in their games I mean Leeds are not going to be judged away to Arsenal
24:51Alan Shearer:No exactly
24:51Gary Lineker:they have to get pick up points at home and the odd draw here and there away from home against teams that are going to be in and around them. And that's how one of those teams, I think, can survive.
25:01Alan Shearer:Burnley, I think the fact that they are hard, I know that in the first game they conceded a few, but that was against Tottenham and they were flying. But, you know, they had that season, didn't they, with conceding so few goals. And I think it gives you a chance. I know it's different in the Premier League and players get chances, they do finish it, which in the Championship they're less likely to do so or less frequently. But if they can keep that, you know, and they look quite, I mean, actually Sunderland started well, didn't they? Could have had a goal early on. Missed a sitter in the first two or three minutes, didn't they, Sunderland?
25:30Gary Lineker:It might be different if that goes in. But that was like, you get your chances, you know you have your moments. And if you don't take them, you know you're going to get punished. I mean, Burnley weren't beaten at home at all last season. So that tells you that anyone who's not at it, any of the one that's in and around mid-table and below, going to Burnley going to Sunderland going to Leeds we'll find it tough they'll have to earn if they're going to get something yeah
25:57Alan Shearer:that's what Scott I think Scott Parker said something along the line we've got to make this a hard place to and he's absolutely right difficult place to score because you know all these sides are going to struggle to score goals and we'll see how they go and I think probably encouraging to the three promoted clubs is also the fact that Wolves and West Ham in particular looked really off it I suppose I thought actually Wolves did a bit better in this game but they still struggled and West Ham were awful
26:27Gary Lineker:and Aston Villa as well Aston Villa yeah but
26:30Alan Shearer:Villa you know are going to climb up the table yeah certainly not they're not going to be involved anywhere near a relegation fight they just had a slow start but you know I'd look at West Ham I'd watch the Chelsea game I know Chelsea played well but West Ham defensively and they looked really kind of wooden and a bit slow and cumbersome. I don't know. I fear for them. They folded like a pack of cards, just like they did at Sunderland the week before
26:59Gary Lineker:once they sort of conceded. It was like they had the goal disallowed, didn't they, West Ham? But then after that, it was like Chelsea got two and then it was like, how many are Chelsea going to score here? It would be a huge concern and he knows he's under pressure. And I said on Match of the Day last night about, I don't know the ins and outs of that football, club but it does look I mean they had an incredible manager there and David Moyes chose not to keep him but it looks a difficult club to manage and coach it really does and with the lack of activity I know they've got the goalkeeper left-sided defender but yeah you'd be really really concerned for West Ham already with it just in the manner they've conceded and the way they've looked how poor they've looked
27:44Alan Shearer:Chelsea good night for them but obviously Cole Palmer was injured which I I think killed the aspirations of most fantasy football fans. Maybe that's why Mike is not here. He's in the rest. Yeah. It seems like just a little tweak of the groin. So hopefully nothing too serious. But despite that, they still play really well. Great start. And you know, João Pedro, goal two assists. Got him in my team. We've got him in the Triff team. Me too. I'm starting to take an interest in fantasy football. It's kind of big. It's a bit contagious, isn't it? I mean, you captained him, didn't you?
28:17Gary Lineker:Yeah. My son Will, who's in charge of it, he was the one that said to me, shall we captain him, Dad? He's going to West Ham, they've conceded a few goals. So he did. So I think he got himself 30 points.
28:30Alan Shearer:Yeah, brilliant. Esteval looks like a bit special. He actually was, I think he kept the ball away for the first goal. Pacatel's fantastic effort. But, you know, it really looks like he's got something special, that kid. Yeah, he's a very special. Looking forward to watching him. Looks really good, doesn't he? Just before we finish, a lovely story that I want to finish on from Morecambe, actually. In May this year, after 18 consecutive years in the Football League, they were relegated from League Two and it became a grim low point in their 105-year history. On-field struggles, mirrored off-field chaos, the club suffered financial penalties.
29:12Alan Shearer:They got three-point deduction, unpaid wages, administrative instability. And then there was a much-anticipated takeover by Panjab Warriors, a London-based Sikh-led consortium that was provisionally approved by the EFL in June 2025. They'd already committed 3.8 million quid, cleared 630 grand in debts and provided 1.7 million in working capital. However, the sale faltered as bond group investments under owner Jason Whittingham resisted relinquishing control, triggering legal threats, became a bit of a mess. Wage defaults and mounting pressure from board directors. National League suspended Morecambe from competition, including the League Cup, in late July due to a failure to meet financial requirements and postpone their first three fixtures.
30:03Alan Shearer:A suspension review was scheduled for the 20th of August. In a dramatic turn, the takeover by Panjab Warriors was finalised. The National League lifted the suspension, allowing Morecambe to restart their season. new manager Ashveer Singh Jahal just 30 years old was appointed becoming the first seat manager of a professional English club and the youngest manager in England's top five divisions remarkably Morecambe played their first match against Altrincham and sealed a dramatic 2-1 winner with a stoppage time goal a symbolic rebirth for the club and its supporters that's after all the shit
30:43Gary Lineker:they've had to go through and I listened to one of their owners actually on TV he was on Sky Sports News when they'd taken over and he just said all I will say to everyone is please trust us and what a start that is so to get the goal that late and if anyone deserved a little bit of luck because of all the stuff that they've been through then it's them so well done
31:03Alan Shearer:Absolutely well that's it for this episode of The Rest is Football don't forget we'll be La Liga The Rest is Football La Liga we'll be with you on Tuesday we'll look at Barcelona's amazing comeback and well Real Madrid's game we recorded this Sunday evening they've not kicked off yet so we'll see how that one goes and lots of other Spanish fixtures but until then goodbye from me
31:25Gary Lineker:goodbye from me and have a good weekend wherever you are Mike I hope you're alright
31:29Alan Shearer:and parade that trophy a lap of honour Al come on there he is
From the publisher
How long will Ruben Amorim get to bed in his new players before the pressure really starts to mount? Will we see Jack Grealish recapture his best form at Everton? How has Thomas Frank stamped his mark and philosophy on Spurs in just two games?
Gary & Alan also discuss Arsenal thumping Leeds and how plenty of positive personal performances were marred by a couple of potentially worrying injuries.
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