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Episode 112 - Liverpool are back on the Premier League perch! Crystal Palace to meet Manchester City in FA Cup Final
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Arne Slot has done it in his first season in charge! He has become the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League crown. Liverpool’s dominant display against dismal Tottenham Hotspur secured the title for Anfield’s own! Meanwhile, two contenders have emerged from last weekend’s FA Cup semifinals. Who will clinch the trophy in May and secure Europa League football next season?
Join Michael Thompson as he reviews historic Matchweek 34 with elated Louie Easton and not-so-cheerful Michał Czarniecki. Tune in and enjoy!
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Transcript
Introduction and Liverpool's Milestone
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh no.
00:00:52
Mikey
Welcome to the Monday Review, ladies and gentlemen, and as You'll Never Walk Alone serenades us as our introduction, I am joined by a fan who has come straight from watching the game and inhaling alcohol as if it's going out of fashion.
00:00:52
Louie Easton
Oh, that was great.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:01:10
Mikey
It's Mr.
00:01:11
Louie Easton
yeah
00:01:11
Mikey
Louis Eaton. How are you, sir?
00:01:13
Louie Easton
I don't know how I am, to be honest. i can't I haven't quite got a grasp that I'm recording a podcast at the moment because I've still got ah plenty of peronies going through my bloodstream at the moment. But other than that, I'm absolutely chuffed to be here.
00:01:31
Louie Easton
Liverpool... ah joining Manchester United and company with 20 league titles in their history and now overtaking them as the most successful team in English football. Oh, I i ah can't even sum up how I feel at the moment.
00:01:46
Louie Easton
um It's amazing. It's jubilant. Whatever superlatives you want to use, that's how I feel at the moment.
Liverpool's Premier League Triumph
00:01:54
Mikey
um animals yeah And we're also joined by obviously the glue of the Daily English podcast.
00:01:54
Louie Easton
And drunk is definitely one of them. Yeah.
00:02:01
Mikey
It Mikhail. How are you, sir?
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
20 times, 20 times, Man United. Congratulations to Liverpool. I'm feeling... the What's the word? The delicate word that will not get us cancelled, Mikey?
00:02:18
Mikey
um ah't i don't know if I'm really honest. and i'd I'd rather not speak about it.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:02:23
Mikey
As little as possible.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:02:23
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
There we go. Thank you. Thank you.
00:02:25
Mikey
as little as possible.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:02:26
Mikey
Well, today, obviously, it marks a fantastic day for Liverpool and Arn Slott. I do want to make a massive point to that. and We'll get as much information from you, Louis, um as possible about Liverpool.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
you. Yeah.
00:02:36
Louie Easton
yeah
00:02:37
Mikey
But our first section today, people, is all about... the newly crowned Premier League champions of the 24-25 season and that sees Liverpool making a landslide victory.
00:02:48
Mikey
They've got another month of football to play and it's already done, it's in the bag. um Taking over, arguably, Liverpool's most successful manager of all time and then coming in and doing it not only as quick but even better.
Arne Slott's Impactful Management
00:03:04
Mikey
Louis, it's got to be a great feeling.
00:03:07
Louie Easton
Yeah, I would just like to say Klopp is nowhere near our... mean, he's probably third out of Shankly Paisley. Then it's Klopp. Then you've got everyone else that you want to include, maybe Raffa's in there.
00:03:19
Louie Easton
But Slott doing this in his first season is just insane. I did not see this coming before a ball was kicked this season. I saw Arsenal winning the league, if I'm totally honest. um then it would be City, then maybe whoever would be third, and then Liverpool.
00:03:33
Louie Easton
I would just have taken top four quarterfinals for the Champions League and ah final of one of the two FA Cup or League Cup finals before the ball was kicked. But the fact that we've...
00:03:45
Louie Easton
won the premier league in slots first season is insane um i mean where do i start two losses all season uh salah's got his goal which he um was going through a bit of a drought without one uh in recent form in the premier league but he's got one uh alexis mccallister I just I cannot believe how good this guy has been for us and how underrated he's been.
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:04:10
Louie Easton
But he was definitely a man of the match against Spurs. 5-1 is an unbelievable scoreline ah for us. And what a way to win the league.
00:04:20
Louie Easton
Absolutely emphatic in our scoring, in our domination of the entire game.
00:04:23
Mikey
Thank
00:04:26
Louie Easton
i mean, Spurs, other than Solanke's goal, were not anywhere near it. so ah They haven't been all season, but especially in this match, they were absolutely miles off it.
00:04:38
Louie Easton
ah It was total domination for Liverpool. It just seemed like ah whoever wanted to get on the score sheet was going to get on the score sheet. And, I mean... It's just been an unbelievable season ah for Liverpool.
00:04:53
Louie Easton
Absolutely unbelievable. um and you know, there's been all of these sort of allegations against Liverpool that they're the worst Premier League winners ever. It's absolute nonsense.
00:05:05
Louie Easton
Absolute nonsense. um Because as we proved against Spurs, this is a team that have completely fitted like a glove under this new slot philosophy and have been dominant and have been scoring against these teams.
00:05:23
Louie Easton
um And as a Liverpool fan, I'm just absolutely... in awe of our season. um Just completely emotional and it's it's been an unbelievable way to win the Premier League title.
00:05:41
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. And obviously, like you mentioned, Solanke seemed as shocked as anybody else in the stadium, actually scoring that header.
00:05:48
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:05:50
Mikey
and And it only took four minutes before it turned around. And after that, it was just it was all Liverpool. and And it was almost like a ah flicker in the headline, and but which will go unnoticed.
00:05:56
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:06:02
Mikey
But he quiet it kind of shocks me that... that perception of Liverpool or this Liverpool side being one of the worst to ever win the title ah as even a thing, because I completely agree with you, as hard as that is to say.
00:06:09
Louie Easton
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:06:14
Mikey
Anybody, any team that goes... almost all season with losing just two games, especially at this stage, has done a phenomenal job. The goal difference is is phenomenal.
00:06:23
Louie Easton
yeah
00:06:24
Mikey
ah Defensively, I think the structure throughout, I always talk about this with football teams, but if you have a strong middle, you're going somewhere. Goalkeeper, centre-back, centre-midfielders and a forward line, you've got a strong team and and that's exactly what Liverpool have.
Champions League Exit and Season Highlights
00:06:40
Mikey
um And the fact that you're signing these players, these they're creating new contracts now, they're getting over the line I just think they're going to be a formidable outfit next year I think you were really unlucky to go out of the Champions League if I'm really honest that first PSG game you smashed them it was it was no sorry the not the first p that I'm sorry not the first PSG game but I do feel that over the two ties Liverpool had an opportunity to progress beyond PSG no that's when Alisson played well in the first game wasn't it
00:06:52
Louie Easton
a
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:06:55
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:07:10
Louie Easton
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:15
Louie Easton
Yeah, he was amazing. the The thing I would say about the Champions League campaign is I think we just ran out of legs in the second leg. And ever since that Carabao Cup final, we sort of looked a little bit leggy until this match. I mean, I thought Liverpool still had a little bit of a point to prove in recent games, you know, only just getting across the line in recent form against Wolves, against Everton.
00:07:39
Louie Easton
ah But we just looked the old us again in this match against Spurs. And I mean, you can say you make a very good point about this defense because I think Van Dijk is back to his very best. And I think he probably is the best center back in the world at the moment.
00:07:57
Louie Easton
um know Even if you have another player in mind, you can't really debate this Van Dijk campaign because... ah Liverpool have only lost twice all season. Like I mentioned earlier, even in that Plymouth game, he wasn't even playing.
00:08:12
Louie Easton
um And I just am in absolute awe. It's ecstasy for us Liverpool fans to be winning a second Premier League trophy in five years. um And this one's even more special because it's in front of all of the fans again.
00:08:29
Louie Easton
And um I mean, I'll be off in up in that parade.
00:08:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, this is exactly what I wanted to bring up, actually.
00:08:33
Louie Easton
Yeah, i'll be I'll be going straight up to Merseyside for that parade, I can tell you that much.
00:08:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:08:38
Louie Easton
And the turnout of the Liverpool fans... Apparently there were 80,000 Liverpool fans in and and around Anfield for this game. And the you saw the flares going off.
00:08:49
Louie Easton
You saw everyone queuing outside Anfield an hour and a half before kickoff. It's just been an incredible day. And this is what football's all about, really. Just these moments and these memories that you create.
00:09:02
Louie Easton
um Stuff that will last a lifetime. And, I mean, I'll remember this day for the rest of my life, I'm absolutely sure.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And can I throw some statistics just to sweeten it even more for Louis?
00:09:12
Louie Easton
Wow.
00:09:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because so like this is that I would love to have that input there.
00:09:14
Louie Easton
ye
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, ah number like first, Arne Slott is the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League and Virgin van Dijk, the first Dutch player, to win the Premier League as captain of his side.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah That's impressive, but I want to move on. 206 title winners Liverpool have been top of the Premier League for 206 days this season, 165 more than any other side. hundred and sixty five more than any other side Manchester City 41 dominance. And also, number one, Liverpool ranked first in the Premier League this season for goals, 80. Shots, 591.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shots target, 216. Expected at 75.5. Big chances at 136.
00:09:52
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And touches in the opposition's box, 1,274.
00:09:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
big chances and hundred and thirty six and touches in the oppositions box one thousand two hundred and seventy
00:10:06
Louie Easton
Wow. I mean, that does say it all, because whenever you watch Liverpool this season, you just going to feel that they are dominant. And, you know, against all of these other sides that we've played, including Man City this season, who we thought were going to be champions again, probably. But...
00:10:24
Louie Easton
uh ended up turning off at the beginning of the season even uh you see us face these sides and there's just sort of confidence and control about these games uh all across the year and i mean it is the performance of champions and you can't deny that no matter what team you support you have to say liverpool did deserve the premier league way more than any other team did all season and
00:10:42
Mikey
Bye.
00:10:46
Louie Easton
um and you can say what you want about arsenal having injuries manchester city going through a transitional period it doesn't matter live challenged uh last season it went to the last few games um and seasons before we'd lose by one point but liverpool have just stayed consistent throughout these years say when you're what you want about fsg and their sales say what you want about this summer how we're probably losing trent alexander arnold and how we might be losing ah Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, all of these players. It doesn't matter.
00:11:17
Louie Easton
We've stayed at the top. We have challenged and we have got a Premier League title um that we have very, very much deserved. It's been a memorable campaign for Liverpool and...
Tactical Evolution Under Slott
00:11:31
Louie Easton
i i'm running out of words to be honest i know i keep on going about this and i know i'm a bit emotional because i am a bit drunk but it doesn't uh listen it's it's it's exactly boom um yeah it's gonna be a day i'll never forget and what a way to do it 5-1 against spurs i'm not in the right
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Boom.
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And I think actually Victor called it.
00:11:53
Mikey
Absolutely.
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Victor called it like when we were talking about it like right after the the Arsenal drew against the Crystal Palace. Do you remember, Louis? I think Victor called it that there would be a golf fest.
00:12:02
Louie Easton
Yeah, yeah. I think we all sort of knew, judging by the fact that Spurs have now lost 19 games all season.
00:12:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:09
Louie Easton
What a disastrous campaign for Spurs.
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:12:11
Louie Easton
um But don't take that away from Liverpool's performance because it was ah it was incredibly controlling.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:19
Mikey
I think just to just to conclude on the Liverpool and array of of emotion, I guess, ah just to touch on one thing you have said which was how you feel um that Liverpool have done this season on on ah on a performance of of where other teams have maybe had issues.
00:12:37
Mikey
Arsenal have had injuries, City going through this transitional period. As a team, you can only be what's in front of you.
00:12:42
Louie Easton
Exactly.
00:12:43
Mikey
And i think I think you've done that not only... OK, but comprehensively, like you've been the most consistent team and there's no other team that could argue that you deserve to be the champions, I don't think, um and fitting champions. But I do have a question on on the fact that slots come in and from an outside perspective, that's why I want your opinion on this.
00:13:06
Mikey
Do you feel that the fact that he didn't make loads of drastic changes were pivotal to to the success?
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:13:14
Louie Easton
I think what was most pivotal to the success is the change in tactics in midfield. ah Because we had the 4-3-3 formation with a holding midfielder before.
00:13:22
Mikey
Yes.
00:13:25
Louie Easton
Slott completely changed that. He went with a number 10 and he went with two pivots in midfield. He transformed de Alexis McAllister and Ryan Gravenberg this season as the two holding midfielders. And he put Sobosla in a bit more of a sort of...
00:13:42
Louie Easton
ah energetic position where he'd be required in more positions on the pitch, but also just behind the front three. He's been pivotal to Mohamed Salah's success this season and sort of going across the right-hand side and providing him with a bit of support.
00:13:56
Louie Easton
um And I think that's where Jurgen Klopp lacked a little bit of know-how in the midfield ah because he'd just sort of try and overload it and have the striker come back in that false number nine.
00:14:07
Louie Easton
We saw that with Firmino. He'd be in defense sometimes.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:14:10
Louie Easton
but he required a lot less of the striker, so he could have a bit more freedom for Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota up front, but also ah lot of freedom for, ah you know, Harvey Elliott when he was playing at times this season and Dominic Soboslai.
00:14:27
Louie Easton
ah We saw against Spurs, he was all over the pitch, helping out in defence and getting up front to get those um shots away and those assists away, as we saw earlier.
00:14:39
Louie Easton
And I think that was the biggest transformation. He also transformed the fullbacks a little bit to make them a little bit a little bit less force-backy and a bit more of drifting up and down the left-hand side and right-hand side.
00:14:52
Louie Easton
um And I think that was a bit of a change from Klopp. But other than that... You can't really argue with the fact that he did take over where Klopp left off with that incredible team um in a fantastic place. It was like a sort of Shankly handing over to Paisley sort of thing.
00:15:11
Louie Easton
And with the way that Liverpool play throughout the season, I don't see why they can't challenge for the big titles again next season and the season after and the season after, especially with this model that doesn't require too much spending and has a lot of profit with...
00:15:11
Mikey
Thank you.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:15:24
Louie Easton
shipping off these players and getting off ah getting in these players that aren't particularly proven, but will fit into this system perfectly. That's where Liverpool have succeeded, where other where other teams haven't, with this money ball ah sort of system that has implemented over these years.
00:15:41
Louie Easton
um So plenty of credit to Slott, but also plenty of credit to FSG ah for leaving it in a position where Slott can just, I suppose you could say slot in.
00:15:52
Mikey
It's what writing, yeah, absolutely.
00:15:54
Mikey
Nice, yeah, and um making a transformation is key, as you would at the Global Sports Podcast Network. We think transformation is important for you as well, and that's why we chose Bionique as our advertisement.
00:15:54
Louie Easton
Yeah, seemingly.
00:16:49
Mikey
Absolutely. Check it out as soon as you can. That's by Onique. We are going to jump into the f FA Cup semi-finals. then we're going to touch on the games that I would consider miscellaneous of the Premier League.
00:17:01
Mikey
No one's really bothered about them anymore, let's be honest. um And then we're going to go into the end where we're talking all things Europe.
00:17:04
Louie Easton
Bye.
FA Cup Highlights: Man City and Crystal Palace
00:17:08
Mikey
Talking of all things Europe, um we're going to go on to the Forest-Man City semi-final first. um The table, currently in the Premier League, sees Forest in the lowest position that they've been in for a very long time in sixth place, and in need of a win to go back into third and when they have played their game in hand.
00:17:29
Mikey
They were playing Man City today. um And I don't know, did i did experience prevail? Was that the key today? Rico Lewis scored after two minutes and then Guardiola after 51 minutes, 2-0, comprehensive victory.
00:17:44
Mikey
Not much to talk about the game in itself. Mikhail, I'd like to get your opinion on this.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, to be honest, i' I had a very hard time following both of the games because Forest City like was running ah the simultaneously as the Liverpool-Tottenham game.
00:18:00
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:18:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the Liverpool game was far more interesting because of the goals and because of the shambles in which Tottenham Hotspur's defence found themselves in.
00:18:08
Louie Easton
Hmm.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So it was difficult. It was difficult to follow that game at Wembley. But nonetheless, I have a feeling that... what has been going on right now with Man City, ah like how somebody could describe it in some sort of metaphor would be Pep Guardiola's reaction for this victory for every single Golden Man City score nowadays.
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's ecstatic. he I think he's at the very end of the season, he's managed to squeeze whatever energy or whatever football talent out of all of those players at the Etihad Stadium.
00:18:35
Mikey
Yes.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah you can actually sit on the table. You can see it in the FA Cup. And to be honest, ah the the biggest losers out of this um semifinal tie...
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's got to be nothing for us, but not only because they actually lost, but it's also because of in the way how they lost. They were absolutely, they were afraid to attack Manchester City.
00:19:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah They were inept. They did not have any idea how to attack properly. ah To be honest, like my biggest disappointment was a big basically Chris Wood. ah Like, he was completely, like, like he he he, like, we have this saying that, like, you basically walk apart apart from the game, like apart from the game or outside of the game. So basically, you know, he put on like a, like some hoodie, he was just absolutely invisible.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah sells like like his goalkeeping abilities. like he show He used to show far better goalkeeping skills at the Premier League like two months ago, three months ago. Because now, like for example, with this goal that Josko Gvardhijal scored from from the corner, I really think that the Forest his goalkeeper could have positioned himself far, far better.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he had to take the blame for conceding that second goal. And after that... It was game over at Wembley.
00:20:05
Mikey
Yeah, comprehensive victory. Go on, Louis. You were about to say something.
00:20:09
Louie Easton
I was just thinking, you can't put Sells at fault for the entire loss. I mean, he made some unbelievable...
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no, no. Absolutely. Just for the second goal.
00:20:16
Louie Easton
There was that... Yeah, yeah. There was that unbelievable double save that he did. i think it was from a corner or across or something. I can't remember. As I mentioned, I was in the pub watching the Liverpool match and there was the Forest City game on over at the other side of the pub that I was keeping a little bit of an eye on.
00:20:32
Louie Easton
um And he did make some unbelievable saves throughout that game. um And I'm a little bit... Forest have every right to feel a little bit unfortunate. um I mean, they've had a terrific season, but it just seems like they've sort of run out of legs towards this end of the season. They're going through a little bit of a rough patch at the moment.
00:20:50
Louie Easton
But at the same time, if you were to tell a Forest fan that they'd be finishing in the top half of the Premier League, maybe even in a European spot and get to the FA Cup semifinals...
00:21:01
Louie Easton
they would have shaken your hand off before the start of the season. I mean, it's been incredible. Nuno Espirito Santo is an unbelievable manager and proven his worth with this Forest side throughout this entire year.
00:21:13
Louie Easton
um And I would love to see Forest in Europe next season. Absolutely. They deserve it through the way that they've played.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh.
00:21:22
Mikey
Yeah, I completely agree. um i just hope that the demise... i think i thought I felt that there was one that had to happen for them at some point. And I really hope that these last five games now are at the point where it sees them fall out of the European football's places.
00:21:31
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:21:38
Mikey
But we will touch on that in a little bit. I do want to come to you guys about the Palace-Villa semi-final. and i and ah From a neutral perspective, I thought it was a really good game of football.
00:21:50
Mikey
um I enjoyed watching that game and to be quite honest, it would have been really unfair for Palace not to win as comfortably as they did.
00:21:58
Louie Easton
yeah
00:21:58
Mikey
I thought they played very, very well. and Villa lacked any ah imagination, in my opinion, to break down what was a very strong Palace side. They set up well, ah they took the chances well and Villa didn't really have any response to that.
00:22:15
Mikey
Louis, let's come to you first on that.
00:22:18
Louie Easton
Well, I was just amazed by the margin that Palace won. um It seems like Villa haven't really recovered from losing in the Champions League against PSG. I mean, they ran for those entire 120 minutes and went until the very end.
00:22:34
Louie Easton
But since then they haven't looked great and Palace, despite playing midweek against Arsenal at the Emirates, looked like they completely outplayed ah Villa.
00:22:47
Louie Easton
I mean, I suppose what you could say about the Arsenal game is neither team really looked like they were going for it. and a draw was probably the right result. But the mo the way that Palace won against Villa, those goals that they scored, it was incredible.
00:23:04
Louie Easton
I mean, Ebreze's first goal.
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:23:06
Louie Easton
We've seen the form that he's been in recently and we so we know the ability that he has, but... ah got That goal outside the box that was um so powerful, it beat Emi Martinez for pace.
00:23:18
Louie Easton
And then as Mila Sarr coming completely alive in the second half, I don't think any of us saw this coming. And Palace absolutely deserve to be in the FA Cup final based on how they played against Villa.
00:23:31
Louie Easton
It was domination. And Villa just didn't look themselves. They didn't play to their best of ah to the best of their abilities. and Palace just completely took advantage of them.
00:23:43
Mikey
Yeah, I have to agree. And obviously there was a big point in the game where Palace were vote awarded a penalty to go two up. And arguably the biggest transformation of the Premier League as a player, I would say, is Philippe Mateta.
00:23:53
Louie Easton
Hmm.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:24:00
Mikey
I think he's... If you watched him in that game yesterday, he he didn't lose a ball. He held up.
00:24:06
Louie Easton
Hmm.
00:24:06
Mikey
And the job that he does for the team allows the transition to work so well for them, which I felt was was was really beneficial yesterday.
00:24:11
Louie Easton
Yeah. Hmm. Hmm.
00:24:14
Mikey
And he did miss a penalty. He clipped the outside post. And for a team that hasn't been in that position in the FA Cup at Wembley on that stage, it could quite easily have changed that game.
00:24:26
Mikey
and But it showed great, I don't know, teamwork, team... ah ethos, whatever whatever it is, they continued and and it truly paid off. um Closing words for you, Mikhail, on that game?
00:24:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah To be honest, ah yeah, I could just agree with everything that Louis has just said. And i would also like to add that ah perhaps it's just lack of freshness creeping in again, because and we were talking about this many times that the the schedule nowadays football is unforgiving.
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, you have to stay on your top form.
00:25:01
Louie Easton
Mm-hmm.
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You have to be fit from the big from start to finish of the season. And as a coach, you have to rotate because if you don't, at the end of the line, you' you will just you'll you'll end up running out of... um you'll just end up running out of of steam.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'll end up running out of stamina. And that's I think this is what's happening to all those top teams who are playing in Champions League, who are playing in Premier League for those top... They were still playing in the Premier League for those top places.
Struggles and Triumphs in the Premier League
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... um To be honest, I kind of feel sorry for for for Villa fans because they had they were living such a good, like nice dream. They're still living a great dream, right? But the fact that they got knocked out of Champions League in such a manner, ah plus here, this... and I do not know. like from From the season perspective, such undeserving ah loss, you know looking back at everything that Villa has achieved so far this season. and It's kind of anticlimactic.
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But again, it's football.
00:26:01
Mikey
Yeah, I think you're right.
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
What can you do?
00:26:03
Mikey
I think when Unai Emery took over with them, they were just sitting outside the relegation zone. And considering where they are now as a team, it's hard. I agree that looking at the individual moments, it's quite easy to become disappointed. But if you look with the wider perspective, I think as a Villa fan, you've got to be ah you're going to be sat in a happy place that your team are such a...
00:26:24
Mikey
ah a team that that that brings quite a lot to the table whenever you play them or whatever you're playing them. and I think we should really touch on on the other games, just really quickly gloss over these.
00:26:34
Mikey
and Bournemouth, Man United, ah it was it was awful to watch, but like what what's new? and Bournemouth were the better side.
00:26:45
Mikey
um They had a man sent off for slipping, which VAR had a look at 45 times and still decided that it was a red card.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:55
Mikey
ah Arguably, down to the rulebook, it is. In my opinion, it's so, so harsh. It shouldn't have been a red card. That changed the game. Allowed United to have pressure and, you know, Rasmus Hojland bagged and a water finish.
00:27:08
Mikey
Impulsive, instinctive, Xavi Hernandez-like reactions in the six-yard box.
00:27:10
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:27:15
Mikey
oh It was one-all. Mikhail, did you watch it?
00:27:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, yeah, yeah. And, okay, actually, to be honest, I didn't watch the whole game because it was 6 a.m. here in California. So, sorry, I just couldn't.
00:27:27
Mikey
It was an early kickoff today.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very early kickoff, so I just couldn't. But I did watch the highlights, and I'll tell you this. um I'll touch on couple points. Number one, red card. I disagree with you here. Those are the kind of tackles which, like in Poland, we call like the sledge tackle. So basically like, not the sledge, the slay, the slay tackle. So basically you can just imagine the slays.
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was the positioning of of the legs of the attacker. He attacked on the very dangerous parts of of of layer of the leg. And and that was his fully deserved red card. could have ended up in an injury. So here, i'm um'm I'm sorry, Mikey, but here I must disagree. And as far as this ah equalizer from Rasmus Hojland goes, I already voiced this opinion in private chat and I'll just air it here publicly.
00:28:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you celebrate so much... ah the goal that equalizes the game against off-form Bournemouth, not this top-form Bournemouth, off-form Bournemouth, who have struggles of their own, and you behave as if you had just won the World Cup, sort yourself out.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you were nowhere to be seen, whole season, whole round. You were struggling against the sides of Leicester City. and In the f FA Cup. And the only person who would bail you out, Mr. Rasmus Hoyland, was Harry freaking Maguire from a free kick, which if there had been any VAR, that goal would have been ruled out.
00:28:51
Mikey
Thank you.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I'm sorry. Somebody could say, oh, Michael, but now youre all of a sudden you are at the celebration police. I don't care. Sorry, Hoyland. You were supposed to deliver. You did not. Bye-bye.
00:29:08
Louie Easton
I still think that red card was... um I mean, it was 50-50. I'm surprised that VAR overruled it more than anything because I feel like... Because the referee didn't give a red card,
00:29:22
Louie Easton
um i just didn't expect him to have to go to the screen for that. But I feel like if he gave a red card as well, then it's just as much likelihood of VAR to call him over to so suggest that it may be not a red card.
00:29:30
Mikey
Thank you.
00:29:42
Louie Easton
um It just feels like the intervention felt a little bit unnecessary. um And regardless, I mean, Manchester United's biggest opponent is themselves.
00:29:57
Louie Easton
Because that that that that's the general census I get from this team at the moment. Because they have the quality. We've all seen the quality. We've all seen these players.
00:30:08
Louie Easton
When they can perform, they perform.
00:30:10
Mikey
Thank you.
00:30:11
Louie Easton
But it's the consistency they lack. And it's these big miracles they require at the end of matches in order to get anything from them. um And I'm really worried about this Manchester United team for coming seasons. Because it doesn't matter which manager they have.
00:30:27
Louie Easton
It just seems as if whoever's in charge, it just seems to be underperformance after underperformance. There doesn't seem to be a particular style of play that Manchester United have at the moment.
00:30:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh.
00:30:38
Mikey
Thank you.
00:30:41
Louie Easton
They don't have their own brand that they run off, but it's just, you know, based on a bunch of individuals that are playing together. All it needs is someone to improve the culture at Manchester United on and off the pitch in order to get this team ah glued together.
00:31:02
Louie Easton
And that just hasn't happened, regardless of who's in charge. um So until that's fixed, I can't see Manchester United improving. And I'm still surprised that they sacked Ten Hag because he was actually winning trophies there.
00:31:18
Louie Easton
um And I can't see Amarim winning much with this Manchester United side.
00:31:26
Mikey
No, you you are right. So the demise of Man United is one thing, but then we'll go on to talk about ah the Wolves-Leicester game. Wolves beat Leicester 3-0. Cunha was star performance. and and They've gone six games in a row now, which brings them to 13 from the table.
00:31:43
Mikey
Again, this result did absolutely nothing to the Premier League table. ah But as a result for Wolves fans, a turnaround similar to what we saw with Everton, really, um going back a couple of months now and and the work that's been done there.
00:31:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh.
00:31:57
Mikey
So a comprehensive victory. Southampton already done, but they went 1-0 away Fulham, sorry, at home to Fulham. ah Fulham came back on 1-2-0 again that didn't change much with the Premier League table do apologise for whizzing through these but let's be honest the most interesting game of all of these was the Brighton-West Ham game and five goal thriller and some absolutely belting goals in that again it doesn't change much in the Premier League but for a neutral um yeah what a game a last minute victory for Brighton Mikhail did you do you have any anything you want to add to that game?
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, yeah, because so to be honest, I was surprised as to how quickly West Ham just got deflated because it just really looked as if ah ah um that side, that the side led by Graham Potter, had actually ah gotten control against a pretty solid team like Brighton.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it really started to look as if like something that Graham Potter wanted to build all all all along. ah But then all it took was ah like one silly mistake.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Metoma scoring for an equalizer. And then the the goal that actually gave Brighton the victory. To be honest, I do not know who was to blame for this goal more.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it the goalkeeper who didn't do anything? But then again, you could try justifying his reaction that he thought that the ball would just go wide. And that's why he didn't react. Maybe somebody should have blocked it.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whatever. Maybe it's not that important. What's important is that West Ham had an opportunity again two bring three points from a very tough territory. And they just came up short again.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be honest, if I were the likes of, ah for example, Jared Bowen or Thomas Socek, I would just be... ah asking myself like whether there's any point in staying in a club like West Ham. Okay, and and maybe not in club, but like in this team with such teammates, because to to to to let that victory slip away that easily, i think we can just go back to the same discussion we had last time when, Louis, you were saying that ah like you just do not understand why West Ham is so underperforming.
00:34:12
Louie Easton
Well, I just think that... I mean, you can say what you want about Moyes' style of play when he was at West Ham United, and that was why a lot of West Ham fans wanted him gone, because he was just holding ah the defence the entire time. But you could not argue that that man was getting results.
00:34:31
Louie Easton
And since then, Lopetegui and Moyes, they just haven't been getting the same results.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:34:37
Louie Easton
ah Sorry, not Moyes, Potter... ah They haven't been getting the results and it makes me wonder why they were being so greedy ah to get rid of Moyes in the first place because it needs a particular special type of manager in order to play beautiful football and get you results.
00:34:56
Louie Easton
You can be ambitious all you want and we've seen the West Ham quality. I mean, the fact that they have that unbelievable front four of Kudus, Bowen, Fulkrug and Paquetar.
00:35:08
Louie Easton
But the the the ultimate stat is they're 17th in the league.
00:35:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
00:35:13
Louie Easton
And that's not good enough for a team of West Ham's quality on paper. If you remember before the season, on paper, West Ham, we were all predicting, might be challenging for Europe. They had a decent end to last season as well.
00:35:25
Mikey
You
00:35:26
Louie Easton
But it's just been a disaster campaign. ah You could say what you want about Brighton as well, because while they are in the... top 10. It doesn't feel like they are.
00:35:37
Louie Easton
They've only won once in their last five games, and they've lost three times. So they seem to be going through a bit of a rough patch. But at the same time, Fulham as well, they're going through a rough patch as well.
00:35:48
Louie Easton
ah Three losses in their last five. um So they're pretty fortunate to be as high as they are. And... realistically they had they still kind of have an outside chance of challenging for Europe as well.
00:36:03
Louie Easton
um It's really strange this Premier League season. But it's also beautiful in a way because all of these teams are so competitive. There is so much quality. In fact, there's more quality than there has ever been in the Premier League before.
00:36:19
Louie Easton
um And it makes for such an interesting end to the season. ah But if you are a fan of West Ham United at the moment, you have every right to be frustrated.
00:36:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just two years ago they were winning the Conference League trophy in Prague.
00:36:32
Louie Easton
Exactly.
00:36:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it just all went downhill from there.
00:36:33
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:36:35
Mikey
Yeah, I think for for me, I would have gone on what Louis said with greedy.
00:36:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it...
00:36:36
Louie Easton
They should have met.
00:36:40
Mikey
like i think that's a perfect adjective to describe it.
Transition to Advertisement and Newcastle's Rise
00:36:43
Mikey
And the reason that they changed was because they didn't like the style of play. But yet that style of play was getting results. um So I think you've hit the nail on the head.
00:36:53
Mikey
Hopefully the quality will improve. and But we here at the Global Sports Podcast Network choose quality and make sure that quality is of the highest.
00:36:56
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:37:02
Mikey
That's why we choose Zencastr.
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, my bad, once again. There you
00:37:10
Louie Easton
yeah
00:37:40
Mikey
check it out and check out all of the other podcasts available to you at the Global Sports Podcast Network. ah We are going to conclude to with the games that actually are still playing for, you know, a place in Europe. um We have got the Newcastle game, which was very interesting, ah but no surprises. And also the Chelsea game, which again, didn't have surprises either. Let's go to the Newcastle game first. They played, ah relegated Ipswich.
00:38:08
Mikey
ah They had a man sent off. And after that, it kind of It kind of just came. It was always coming. I felt that Liverpool were always... Sorry, Newcastle were always on the on the on the forefront.
00:38:21
Mikey
and They were always smashing it. Liverpool are in my brain. just keep seeing Lewis' face so happy. I can't keep slipping the tongue with Liverpool.
00:38:28
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:38:30
Mikey
ah Yeah, Newcastle smashed it, to be fair. ah Dan Byrne with a great finish to a cross over the top. And then Ursula finishing in the 80th minute. it It was just comprehensive, I thought.
00:38:42
Mikey
And they're now in third place in the Premier League. That can all change, obviously, when Forest have their game in hand. But let's not underestimate just the run of form that Newcastle have had.
00:38:55
Mikey
Mikhail, what's your opinion?
00:38:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, ah my opinion is that I felt so, so sorry for Newcastle strikers every single time, like in the first half, like like for the entirety of the first half.
00:39:01
Louie Easton
Thank
00:39:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because if if you watched that game, you would just see how Ipswich, okay, I believe that was still the game in which Ipswich were fighting for survival. And they did it and they were not confirmed as relegated. They hadn't been confirmed relegated yet.
00:39:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, ah Newcastle, they were attacking and attacking and attacking. Isak, they were throwing everything at that defense. And still, somewhat, someway, there were like, atlas i don't know, three or four goal line clearances.
00:39:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just was like, oh my word, like Ipswich, you guys are such a lucky lot. But then like once this penalty happened, ah to be honest, yeah, it it was just, you know, a done deal. work Once like Newcastle opened the scoring, they just went ahead with this team.
00:39:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Ipswich, like you know looking at the entire season, deservedly going back to the championship. And as far as Newcastle goes, ah yes, i am I am very happy that Kieran Trippier got his Player of the Match award after this game.
00:40:01
Louie Easton
Hmm.
00:40:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, maybe perhaps not according to Premier League website, just to another website. ah But still, I still deserved it. Kieran Trippier, what a game by this dude. I mean... the Very well-deserved title.
00:40:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I would just love to see Newcastle in the Champions League next season.
00:40:27
Mikey
Yeah, well, they're putting themselves in a great position. They're now currently on 62 points, which is above Man City and Chelsea. And, of course, Forrest. But Forrest with that really important game in hand, which puts them back into third place if they win that, obviously.
00:40:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:40:42
Mikey
Louis, I'm going to come to you because Chelsea are sat on 60 points currently, joint with Forrest. Forrest with the game in hand, as I've already said. um And Chelsea were playing, you know, an Everton side that... you You don't know what what you're going to get.
00:40:58
Mikey
So it was it was interesting.
00:40:59
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:41:00
Mikey
Nicholas Jackson, he got his first goal ah since December and he's given hope ah to Chelsea's claim getting Champions League football next year.
00:41:11
Mikey
What was your take on it?
00:41:12
Louie Easton
Well, I've got a couple of stats for you first. So this is very interesting. Chelsea are now unbeaten across their last 30 Premier League games against Everton.
00:41:25
Louie Easton
Their last loss against Everton came in November 1994. It was a 1-0 loss.
00:41:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oof.
00:41:33
Louie Easton
ah That was the Blues' um longest unbeaten home run against an opponent in their Premier League history. Only against Leeds United between 1953 2001, 36 games, have Everton had a longer winless away run in their league history than their current run of 30 against Chelsea.
00:41:54
Louie Easton
They've also scored fewer away goals than any other Premier League side this season with 12, with today being the eighth time they've failed to find the net so on the road this season. and As for the actual game, well, I mean, it's an important win for Chelsea. And, you know, you never know what you're going to get with Everton under David Moyes.
00:42:15
Louie Easton
We understand that the absence of James Tarkovsky has been pretty um been pretty detrimental to this point of Everton in their season at this point. But...
00:42:29
Louie Easton
You have to give credit to Chelsea. I understand that they have had a bit of an inconsistent season, but they're chasing Europe and they got exactly what they wanted at home in the early kickoff, which is also ah very difficult game to play in any circumstance.
00:42:44
Louie Easton
um And credit to Chelsea. You know, ah it wasn't the prettiest of wins, ah you know, holding on to a 1-0 lead from the 27th minute.
00:42:55
Louie Easton
ah But you can't argue with three points.
00:42:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:42:59
Mikey
Yeah, no, absolutely. And I think it's really important to mention that the the game in hand is going to be played on Thursday. And as our forecast obviously goes out on a Friday, maybe we could do a really quick forecast on that game before we conclude this episode.
Upcoming Matches and Podcast Conclusion
00:43:14
Mikey
Forest are playing at home to Brentford. and You have to say it's an all or nothing match now for Forest. um they They need to put all their eggs into this basket.
00:43:24
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:43:27
Mikey
We've talked about their legs and and and the suffering of these teams that maybe don't have the same depth or quality in depth in the squads as our, were you know, what you'd call your top six.
00:43:38
Mikey
Are they going to be able to pull out a result against Brentford? Let's go to Mikhail first and then Louis, you can conclude.
00:43:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah To be honest, I am... ah Okay, just purely on paper, Forest are the favourites to win that game. But then again, to be honest, I'm looking at the struggles of Nottingham Forest tactically, especially in defence.
00:43:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And ah just just look on the back of the FA Cup semi-final against Man City, ah to be honest, I... like In February, I was almost sure that Forest would make the Champions League places. Now, I am not so sure anymore.
00:44:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something is broken in the defense of Nottingham Forest. Something is wrong with their structure. Nono Espirito Santo, like he for some reason, he's lost the grip.
00:44:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
but with like his tactical approach. or Or maybe he hasn't lost the grip and his players didn't. Maybe. I have no idea. But what I do know is that for the Forest, it's going to be do or die.
00:44:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
At the end of the day, I would predict a narrow victory, but still a victory nonetheless. And them coming back to being thirds in the Premier League table. And as far as Brentford goes, ah yeah, I mean, well, they they might have a fighting chance, right?
00:44:57
Mikey
Yeah, true. Louis, just before like we we do conclude, Brentford, to be coming into this game as away team, ah come off the back of draws to Chelsea, Arsenal and a win at home to Brighton 4-2.
00:45:13
Mikey
I don't think there are teams who overlook too quickly. Yeah.
00:45:16
Louie Easton
I mean, we always talk about Forest's defence and they probably have been the best defence in the Premier League all season. um It's so organised and they play on the counter-attack. And, you know, Brentford, I know they got four goals against Brighton, but Brighton were a man down for the majority of that match.
00:45:38
Louie Easton
um It all depends on how Brighton Bermow performs because he was probably the difference between Brentford and Brighton that last time out.
00:45:50
Louie Easton
um And it depends on how Forest can contain them. They like to play on the counter-attack. They'll be at a bit of a disadvantage with that extra game being played this weekend against Manchester City ah at Wembley, which...
00:46:05
Louie Easton
we all know, absolutely exhausting, ah giving everything. So Brighton have that extra day of rest. They were at home against West Ham, and they got that very... ah Sorry, not Brighton. What am I on about? Sorry, I'm mixing my teams up.
00:46:19
Louie Easton
The alcohol's coming in, guys.
00:46:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:46:21
Mikey
Yeah.
00:46:21
Louie Easton
apologise.
00:46:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Understandable. You've just won the 20th title in your history.
00:46:23
Louie Easton
Yeah, sorry. i'm I'm still jubilant. um But no, Brighton... Brighton. Brentford with that extra bit of rest going into this game, I think that will play its part.
00:46:35
Louie Easton
But you cannot underestimate an evening at the city ground. Forest fans can be so loud, and that can be a bit of advantage. I know that it doesn't make too much of a difference to what happens on the pitch, but...
00:46:50
Louie Easton
When the adrenaline kicks in and there will be tired legs towards the end of that game for Brentford, I think Nottingham Forest might just have enough. And they have every right to be motivated in this game because this puts them up to third.
00:47:01
Mikey
Thank
00:47:06
Louie Easton
And this is such a crucial match because this is their game in hand. I think Nottingham Forest might just have the motivation ah to get over the line against Brentford. I'm predicting a narrow victory, just like you said, Michal.
00:47:21
Mikey
Yeah, and on the day after when Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions in absolute style, a draw that levels with Manchester United's 20 titles as Tottenham Hotspur were demolished, dismantled at Anfield and a day where wild celebrations and pure emotion was on the elation of all Liverpool fans.
00:47:45
Mikey
It's been an absolute pleasure having you both here. As always,
00:47:48
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:47:50
Mikey
We are the Daily English Premier League podcast and we will see you every day until the Premier League season concludes. And then after. Boys, it's been a pleasure. I will see you soon.
00:48:02
Louie Easton
like you