Football Daily - PL Review: Saka inspires Arsenal and Tottenham win back to back

Episode Date: May 3, 2026

Nigel Reo-Coker and The Telegraph's northern football writer Luke Edwards join Rick Edwards to discuss a big weekend at both ends of the Premier League. Bukayo Saka returned to the starting lineup and inspired Arsenal to extend their lead at the top of the table. Meanwhile, Tottenham jump out of the relegation zone with a win over Aston Villa. Plus Manchester United secure Champions League football and will Ipswich stay in the Premier League this time?    TIME CODES: 2:40 Saka gave the whole Arsenal team a boost 4:50 Is Gyokeres a world class striker? 13:40 Huge win for Tottenham 20:10 3-0 loss for West Ham, but were they unlucky? 28:27 Game of two halves at Old Trafford 31:10 Was Sesko's goal handball? 34:43 Is it time to make Michael Carrick the permanent Manchester United manager? 37:56 Has Florian Wirtz been a flop? 38:50 Will Ipswich stay up this time?

the Football Daily podcast, Premier League Review with Rick Edwards. Hello and welcome to the Premier League review. Joining me to discuss all the weekends action, the Telegrasn Northern football writer Luke Edwards and former Premier League midfielder, Nigel Rio Coker. People are calling it the dream team. I mean, they're wrong to, but people are calling it the dream team. Nice to have you both back.

I'm calling it two bald men and a diva. That's what I'm calling it. Well, I was about to say that three musketeers. Do you think the pod would do better if it was called two bald men? a diva? I think it might. Yes. It's quite a good title.

It's quite a good title. Let's just put this out there. I am actually bald by choice because I want to be bored. Okay? Yeah. Yeah, all right. You're a different story. If you,

I mean, we've had this discussion before. But if you grew it out, Nigel, would you have a full head of hair? No. Right. Right.

Okay, no further questions. So you're not bald by choice. I'm bald by choice. I can still have hair. Luke has no choice. Yeah, I can still have hair. I just look like Dungeon Master. Would you have like a Monk's tonsia?

I'm doing it in old age. When I get to retirement age, certainly when I hit my early 70s, I'm growing it long and bushy around the sides, when you just don't care anymore. What would yours be, just very receded, Nige? Not very receded, but just low. That's about it.

Okay, let's talk about the football then. Arsenal now, six points clear at the top of the table. really comfortable all three nil winner for Fulham yesterday

scored all three in a very good first half and they just looked they just looked like the kind

of Arsenal that you want Arsenal to look like I think Luke yeah we'd forgotten that Arsenal

existed that was the that was the Arsenal we saw at the start of the season when we wax lyrical

about how good they were and how they had the best squad in the league and they were

going to I was shouting from the rooftops that they were going to win the

this season and And then that long trophy drought, I mean, the difference between the kind of anxious, rigid, stodgy performance at home to Newcastle when they were very fortunate to scrape a 1-0 and you thought, God, that their heads have gone. The whole situation has got the better of them mentally.

They were brilliant against Fulham, free-flowing, attacking. I know Saka return makes a big, big difference. I mean, it was more than that. It was more than that. But maybe him, just his pre-fellum, presence and him looking, I think as Arteta said, he was loose and relaxed, just gives everyone a lift because he is such a dynamic front foot player, Nigel. Yeah, that's why they call him the Starboy. And when you're a club like Arsenal right now, what you're going through, when you're big players, your top players play well, it becomes infectious. And you know, Luke's tried to say he just look more relaxed. No, he played with a smile on his face. When was the last time we saw a smack a smile like that on the front of. football pitch made a big difference.

His performance was very infectious to the rest of the team. They played with a lot more energy and enthusiasm, aggression that we haven't seen in a while. Like it was really like finally now, the crazy messaging or the, how do you describe it? The messaging from Arteta finally seems to have got through to the players, whether it's been palatable to some people in his manner of which he's delivering it. But it looks like he finally got his players to believe that they're on. fire and they're doing a very good performance against a Fulham side and they got the job done.

Fulham are, I think, a bit disappointing. Philem are better than that, Luke. They are, but I think Arsenal makes them look ordinary. It's a shame for Fulham because Fulham always seemed to get to this point of the season where, well, they have really good seasons, certainly under Silver. They have these really encouraging seasons where they're sort of in and around the European places, aren't they? And then they sort of fall short.

They were disappointing that they lost at Liverpool recently, didn't they as well? And I think Silver was annoyed about the manner of that performance as well. They certainly weren't at their best. And it had a little bit of an end of season feel to it. But I think that's going to be a bit of a theme of this podcast this evening about strange things happening at the end of the season. And strange performances been thrown in. So they were disappointing. But I know you're trying to shift the conversation onto Fulham, Rick.

and I understand that. No, no, no. I just truly get that. I want to talk. You know what I want to talk about. I know what we're going to talk about. And we'll talk about him. Okay, well, let's talk about him now.

Let's do it. Jacques-Arez. Yeah. 21 goals this season. I've always said it. Good player. Should we just... Good player.

Should we just remind? Regular listeners. How you described him? Infomously described him. I said he was toilet. And since then, I don't want to take all the credit again, but I think I've motivated the guy because he's serious.

Look, I still don't think he is a top level number nine, but there are signs that maybe he could be, and I didn't think there were signs previously. 21 goals. Your first thought, oh, let's behave. Your first thought is 100% correct. I think for me, getting these goals, no problem. But let's just be real about this, right?

The biggest game of the season that Arsenal had for the money that he spent for Yoccarez, where was he? Yeah, on the bench. Kai Havats started. If Kai Havats was fit, Kai Havats will be playing. And then when you look at Arsenal right now, what are they being linked with?

Strikers after strikers, after strikers. And he's just come in. Great. He got his goals. He probably could have got a hat trick. 21 goals. Okay, but he could have got a hat trick this weekend, which probably leads to us to why we could criticize him.

But for me, when you look at top level strikers of what they're competing at, he's not in that top level bracket. Whichever way you want to break it down. Good for him. I'm not a lot of you can get. I'm leaving to his defense. I don't think you can overly criticize a striker who scored 21 goals in his first season at a club.

I think those stats deserve a little bit more respect. And I know I've joined in. I know I have joined in on the shock. I mean, annoyingly, I think you are. I think you're right, Luke. He played really well against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League as well. So there have been improvements. And I think it's just unfair that we've single him out for as much criticism as he's

You say that, Luke. this podcast. Okay, but you say that then, why is it that Arsenal, the football club itself are being heavily linked with strikers and strikers and strikers? So if we're saying what we see, they know that. Okay, then. So I think it's fair. Listen, I understand you can look at the numbers.

I look at numbers and performance. For me, there's no way you could say he's in the same level as a Hewlin Alvarez or, you know, a Harry Kane and all these type of strikers. And I know players don't set their fee, but again, credit to him, he did well. I always look at it when you talk about big games, big games of real significance, and when it was Arsenal Man City,

there's no way a strikers of that value that you've paid for should be sitting on the bench. And if Havits was fit, Havits will still be playing. It's the most goals from an Arsenal player since who? Any ideas?

I'm going to go. I'll give you a season at 1920, not as in 160. 1006 years ago. 160 years ago, my knowledge doesn't stretch that far back if it doesn't go back to 2006.

It was a Bamay-A? It was a Bamayang. Very nice, early point for you, Nijj. They made a few changes as well from the Madrid game. So, Saka obviously came in, Tros Aza, Califiori, Miles Lewis Skelly.

I kind of, I think I know what Artetta's favoured 11 is. But then maybe I don't. No. And he wants to freshen things up. It was all made with one eye on the second leg of that Champions League semi-final against Athletico.

So that's why it's so impressive. So to be three-neill up at half-time and just knowing that you can take Sackeroff, that you don't have to take any unnecessary risk. And it does go back, Rick, to that argument we have made consistently. Actually, maybe not since City bought Gahey and Sam. menu in January. But we have said all through the season that Arsenal had an incredibly deep squad.

They had genuine competition for places all over the pitch and real depth. And the reason we thought they were going to win the league is for the first time we thought, well, when they get injuries now, they're not going to suffer so much. I don't think the problem has not been in the running, their quality of players or their depth of squad

or their options. I just think mentally they seized up a little bit. And that's what they needed to cast off. And their approach maybe at times? Was a bit too... Yeah, their approach comes from Artetta. And I think there's times where you could probably argue that does he really trust his players enough? I think at times when you look at his team selection and these antics on the sideline, no,

because he's kicking every ball instead of letting them go and then take responsibility. I think the team selection definitely is looking for that Champions League, second leg against Athletico Madrid, because you're going to see a different Athletico Madrid as well, because remember, Svalhoff didn't play in that leg, which was a surprise for everyone. I think Louis Skelly, credit to the young man, he's coming the team. He took his chance. He played well, great performance. Trossard was another one.

It was like a performance that we've seen for him in the start of the season. We already spoke about Saka. Declan Rice has just been a rose of an engine for the entirety of the season for Arsenal. These standards were high again. So the boys that came in or given an opportunity, they took it. But will it be the same team against his Athletico and Madrid side? I think that there will be some changes because, again,

There's an element of trust that he doesn't have in some players still. Do you think that there's been freed up a little bit, though, by just knowing that for the first time in months, they're back to being the underdogs, that actually people now expecting Manchester City win it? Do you think that's helped them, Nigel? Can that free you up as a player? I don't think so.

I don't think that they look at them as underdogs. I think the majority of people that I speak with still look at them as probably the favourites, you know, to win the Premier League title. So I don't think that they look at themselves as underdogs. I just think there's times where you're going back and forth, right? Is it Arteta? Is it the players?

And I think for me, when I look at Saka's performance from this weekend, I've been saying, why haven't you guys been doing that for a few weeks ago? Like, you've heard the criticism. They obviously know that people are talking about them, which you can see by the celebrations from the players when they celebrate. Go out there and take it. We've criticized herself. you guys can't get over the hump.

Why don't these players now just go out on that football pitch and say, right, we're going to throw all the criticism, all the people doubted us. We're going to throw it in your face by putting in some performances in and getting the wins. Because they're about opportunities. You do come back to the importance of Saka though, because in that conversation about squad depth,

yeah, it's true, but the one player probably, even though Madweke is good, the one player that you can't really replace in that team, probably is Saka. And when he is back to full fitness and firing, it makes a massive it does just make a massive difference and it would probably to any team.

Yeah, so I think it's a valid argument. I mean, if you took Harland out of Manchester City, for example, I know even by his stellar standards, there's been times and he's faced some criticism. But again, to go back, as Nigel has drawn that comparison to the game against City, when we talked about it, didn't we, Harland, that moment, the moment he's needed,

your strikers needed to score a goal, he does, and he, he will more often than not. And Havert's didn't. And Harland is Harland. He is a difference maker. So I do totally accept that argument. I do think it's more than Saka though.

Something changed with them mentally, I think, this weekend. And I can't. They did feel different, didn't they? It did just feel different. Let's just have a look at the remaining fixtures then. So forget the European stuff or city. You've got the FAC Cup final as well in there. So Arsenal have got West Ham away, Burnley home, Palace away.

City have got Everton away, Brentford home, Palace home, Bournemouth away, Villa home. Are you sort of fancy Arsenal's fixtures, I think? And having, I mean, it's a cliche, but having the points on the board. I would say, for me, when I look at Arsenal, the one potential banana skin, maybe a West Ham. And I've said that before. Because the motivation there is absolutely.

That is the biggest one. And then when I look at City, I would say the Bournemouth game will be the one that can cause some real problems for City. So they've both got one fixed reach that can potentially derail their Premier League title ambition. That's just my opinion on that one. Who's shading it in your head now, Luke?

I'm going to go back to Arsenal. Just because points on the board. and I've got to try and be true to myself and what I've said all season that I thought Arsenal would end up winning the league. Nige? Ages ago I said Man City. I said Man City smell blood.

And I don't know why. I still just sticking with it. Even though it's in Arsenal's hands. I still just feel Man City. Now then, big, big, big, big, big, big, big win for Spurs against a villaside who were unbelievably, like staggeringly poor in the first half, Luke. Absolutely terrible.

We didn't see this coming, but I've got some friends who were Villa fans, and they are angry. You have friends? A few. They used to watch you play for Villa, Nigel, so they were angry then as well, funnily enough.

The team, seven changes, turned up in the first half. I don't ever really want to accuse professional sports people of this, but they didn't look bothered. They didn't look like they cared. They looked like a group of players who were either annoyed

that the fact they were playing meant they were going to miss the second leg of the Europa League semi-final in midweek. Sure, it's an opportunity to play your way into the manager's thinking. Isn't it? That would be one way of looking at it, but the way they played, they certainly didn't be. It seemed to me that they were looking at it going,

oh right, so I'm playing today, so I'm not going to be involved in the semifinal. And it looked like players who, will be involved in that semi-final who were annoyed that others have been given a rest. A Villa Park was so angry. If you consider the season that Aston Villa have had, they were that bad, they were booed off at half-time,

thoroughly deserved. They were abjected. They made Tottenham look superb. A Tottenham team that, you know, okay, it won a game last weekend, scrappy game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. They made them look brilliant. They made them look superb.

They made them look like a top six team. Villa were totally abject. And I think when that team sheet landed... The only other team that have done that to Spurs in the last six months are Liverpool. That's true. I can't like you to remember that. But I think when that team sheet landed,

I don't think only villa supporters were angry, you'd be furious if you're at West Ham. And I'm afraid Nottingham Forest as well, who aren't out of trouble. So I get why Emre's done it. And also probably as a forest fan, you're thinking, oh, they're resting a load of players. Yeah, to play us in the second leg.

Now, I get why Emre's done it, but I would question it. and I think a lot of villa supporters would question it. It's been so bad against Topham that the negativity that has generated ahead of that semi-final, I think, is out- certainly it counters

all the benefits of resting players and keeping them fresh. I think it was unnecessary. He would be surprised at how bad they were, though. He won't have expected that. Listen, watching Unaimriamie on the sideline in this game, he looks like a ticking time bomb, like his head was about to explode.

he was absolutely furious. And everything that Luke said, I second it. I agree with it. It's the worst performance I've seen from Villa this season. They were so bad. And that's the risk you take as a manager. If you put yourself in a manager's shoes, they've definitely got one eye open in that second leg,

one eye on that second leg against Nottingham Forest. But this is the risk you take when you make so many changes and you want your players to step up and be professional. And today, it's hard to say or point one good performance. former from this entire Villa team today. And now you're going to make changes again for that second leg against Forrest on Thursday. But from this performance today, it's not going to be able to be switched on like a light switch all of a sudden you become good because the fans that were there at Villa Park

today are not going to forget this performance today and think that, okay, all of a sudden Thursday is going to be playing sailing. But for me. Nervous when it's Thursday now. Thursday will be. Thursday's going to be very nervous. 100%. But I don't want to take nothing away from Tottenham.

Because I said a few weeks Of, certainly first off. I mean, I know they were made to look good, but they also, they were good. They were good. Yeah. They were good. And then, Rick, they came in and they turned up.

It's not their fault that Villa changed their team. They fought today. They scrapped. They're really showing a fighting spirit of being in a relegation fight. And I think I've got to give them credit today because that is a performance that they needed to put in. Even though we've all to change the villa, I don't want to really give, take nothing away

from Tottenham. They did what they had to do, being in a relegation fight, and that's what they're going to have to show for every single game for the rest of the season. They were expansive first half. They were expansive first half. They played good football first half. The second half was a bit different. You know, they dug in. They put them in behind the ball. Wisely, but on defenders and just sat in. Defending a two goal lead. Yeah. And I think there's nothing wrong with that. No. No. No. Back to back wins together at the perfect moment. So, they won a lead game this year, and they put two games back to back. And a game today that nobody gave them, nobody gave them a chance.

No, yes, no. Also, remember Deserby came out and said, I think this team can win five on the bounce. And I in particular was like, excuse me, Roberto, no, you can't. Well, they've done two. And now they're just got to win the next. They've just got to beat Leeds and Chelsea and Everton. And out of almost out of nowhere, I'm looking at thinking, maybe.

I didn't see it. I did not see it. I didn't see Tottenham. I didn't see them getting out of it. I really didn't. I've given up on them. I think a big, big section of their fan base

are giving up on them as well. But they are, it's now in their hands. It's in their hands. You know, there's nothing West Ham can do if Tottenham went all their games now. It's a performance they needed,

Luke, especially knowing now that they're really in a relegation fight, that's why I give them credit because that was a good performance today. As bad as Villa were, but they did what they had. had to do. It's not about style,

fight and passion. You now, just in terms of kind of a bit of momentum and a bit of a feel good factor around the Zerbi, players coming back in,

Gallagher getting a goal. Like, they'll, they will now start to feel they're going to get out of this. Yeah. And last week, they could feel it,

but they still got to get the results. Unless it's a three-point swing between Westam, Spurs and Forest. It's only three points. with all those games left. It's not done.

I guess if Forrest beat Chelsea, it probably is done for For Forrest. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, you know, last weekend it was West Ham with that late winner against Everton. You thought that was the huge momentum shift.

And then it just goes to show. Seven days later, we're talking about the momentum now being with Topham thanks to that win. It's an absolutely fantastic result fun. Super. West Ham lost 3-0 at Brentford to keep them in,

well, real relegation. trouble actually. I think they can probably consider themselves a bit unlucky. Hit the woodbuck four times. We're on a bit of a run a bit of a run.

Yeah, just and then just defensively they let themselves down Luke. Yeah, I it's with the other results this weekend it was a disastrous result.

Yes. It was a really bad game to lose when you sort of had the momentum, you sort of felt from that late winner against Everton. And I know Nigel was talking on Five Live on Friday night, and he was very up on his former club West Ham getting out of trouble.

And I think we all were. But the way this weekend's gone, they're in real dire straits again. But I want to be kind. Yes, the defending is poor, but they had to overcome so much in that game. Like, you know, they hit the, as you say, they hit the woodwork.

Was it four times? I thought three or four times. They had a really tight, they had an equalizer ruled out by a really tight VAR decision sort of straight after Brentford had taken the lead. I thought they actually played some pretty nice stuff. And in isolation,

I wouldn't have looked at that performance and I'm certainly not giving up on West Ham on picking up points because I think if they play like that in their remaining games this season, they're going to win some of them. They're going to pick up points in them. But it doesn't change. the fact. They lost 3-0

and it was a really bad missed opportunity and the sort of result that puts them deep, deep in trouble. So I'm not sure what to make of it. Really bad result, not a terrible performance, but at this stage of the season, it's always the result that's far more important than the

performance. So bad weekend, really bad weekend. Well, it depends. It depends, Luke. Because, you know, I've been in a little bit of a relegation scrap myself in my career. And I think for me, you look at West Ham, momentum performances have been there, which is a massive thing,

like the belief you can win games or get something out of it. Now, this weekend, the result doesn't reflect the performance. So now for me, it's going to be about Nuno to get that to the players, to say, all, cool, we didn't get the result,

but the performance is still there to keep that belief and that momentum going into the next run of fixtures. If they play like that, they will get the right results, like you said. Like you said, and I think that's just how I look at it.

The killer incident for me was when they went to, and he'll down when they gave way that cheap penalty. That was the turning point where it really became the jufe tackle. That there is the type of mistakes you can't make. But overall, they still had opportunities to score. Like I said, it opposed to the three times. Didn't take their chances when they got them.

But for when you're in that relegation fight, it's the mindset. And even if you look at like, Deserbeing, what he's trying to talk to, he's taught them players about it doesn't want wingers and moaners. So people like you would have absolutely no chance in his dressing room. he wants people to be positive. You want people to be fighters. I think that's what you've got to take from that West Ham performance, though. That's what a good manager will take to say, all right, bad there at your office today.

But look at all the positives. It's not long left, Nigel. It's not long left. It doesn't matter. You could still go to the wire because they're not. It's, I mean, depending on how results go this weekend, it might just be one point difference. And they've been there before. West Ham I've got the experience of being in this situation and coming out of it.

So you've got to just get over it quickly. There's still games and they're still in it. That's how you've got to look at it. Again, being positive, Luke, not negative. The thing about West Ham, I sort of agree with everything. You've said that they were all right, some defensive errors. I wonder about goals. I wonder whether they don't have.

Like Jarrah Bowen's their top league goal scorer with eight. And we know how important he is for them. But you just want, you just want someone. I mean, Somerville was doing it for a bit. wasn't it? Some of them look really look great and now the goals have dried up for him. It's going to be set pieces. Set pieces are going to be where their strengths come from.

You look at Sucheck, Mario Panda, the centreback. They've got some real big boys where they're going to have to take real advantage. What did you call the centreback? Don't try. You caught it. Go on. One more go. It was a tongue-tryster. Anyway, yes, you know who I'm talking about. I think you're talking about Mavropanos, but...

That's the one. Thank you. See, at least you help me out. Do you know what I mean? I have a guy. They're looking laughing, looking little humpty dumpty head. Anyway. Bit rich scrope in you, but yeah.

It's, Rick, it's going to be set pieces. Set pieces is another way, another thing that they have to really take advantage of while still being hard to beat. So they're always going to be a threat in that. Tough games, though, Nigel. Tough games.

It's tough games. Listen, I did honestly think they can get anything. Arsenal, Newcastle leads. Yeah. There's only leads in there that you'll think, King. Now Newcastle are back, so back, after their win. Leeds have some hard games as well. Leeds are safe. Spurs have also got leads.

Yeah. Kingmakers. And Spurs have some hard games. Kingmakers. Yeah, King killers. And you trust Newcastle? You don't really know. It depends what Newcastle turns up. Leeds, like you said, you've got the Arsenal game. It's going to go to the while, which is going to be very nice for us. Yeah. Final day. Spurs ever. West Ham Leeds, Forest Bournemouth.

Oh, Bournemouth. You don't be playing Bournemouth. No, I don't think anyone wants to be playing Bournemouth. There could be. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Time for the halftime teaser then. The last time that both Coventry City and It Switch Town

were in the Premier League together was the 2000-2001 season. Both clubs had a Scottish manager. I want you to name them. We'll be back after this short break. BBC Radio 5 Live. Patrick Kulthi. Stumbling your way into Saturday mornings with great guests.

Good morning, Jimmy Nesbitt. Good morning, the party. You're terrible. Kids taking down commentators. You've wiped the floor with our commentator key. How does it feel? It feels nice. Football chants from the gods.

Take me home. I get wrong. And the less celebrate the host, the better. Patrick Kildsey. Saturday's from 9. Listen on BBC Sound. The Football Daily podcast, Premier League review with Rick Edwards. Welcome back to the Premier League review with Rick Edwards, Luke Edwards and Nigel Rio Coker.

For the halftime teaser, I told you that the last time Comptory City and Ipswich Town were in the Premier League, they both had Scottish managers. I want you to name them. So, Luke. Gordon Strachan. Yeah. I want to say that. Very good.

Oh, you were going to say that. Yeah, of course you were, Nigel. That's you all over. I was going to say that. Coventry are relegated. I remember Coventry being in the Premier League when I was a wee little man. Yes, I remember that, mate. And I know the other one as well.

I know the other one because I've got a soft spot for Ipswich. I think the other one is getable, actually, Nijch. I mean, yeah. I know it. No pressure, Nigel, but I know it. I know it. I'm sure you do. I'm sure you do.

Do you know what? Just because it's never happened before. I'm going to give Luke the opportunity to completely nail the halftime teaser. So Ipswich is Scottish manager. are used to play for the club as well, George Burley. Very nice. Very nice. Can you remember where Ipswich finished that season?

All right, come on, Rick. No, no, no, but I mean, this is, you know. That was the It switch or, wait, you said they both got relegated, right? No, no, no, no. Coventry were relegated. They finished 19th. Was it when they got fourth? Burley.

Fifth. Fifth, yeah, they got in your wafer cup. Yeah, Burley won manager of the year. It's only taking me till May to actually nail the halftime teaser. So can we just have a little moment. No, I think, look, congratulations. for me. Thank you, Rick. Are you finally on the up?

Well, have a cup of tea, put your feet up and some digesties. Go on. Treat yourself. Right. Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-2 at Old Trafford this afternoon. It was a funny game. Liverpool were desperately poor

in the first half and it looked like sort of looked like United were going to score every time they broke. Liverpool just had no answer to the kind of the movement. And yeah, and it now guarantees Manchester United in the Champions League next season.

So massive credit to Michael Carrick. And then somehow United, sort of by their own errors, I mean, granted Liverpool were better in the second half, but they really let them back in, Nige. Yeah, they did. They did. Just really, like you said,

it's weird game watching that one back now. I'm just thinking about it. You'd have to say, the first half, you just said, oh, Michael Carrick outcoached Arnie Slott. Like the set up of how Manchester United set up was perfect. They looked great. Liverpool had possession, but they just never looked like they were going to score. They got to the final third of Manchester United's box,

but they never looked like they were actually going to score. It didn't look like that at any threat. But it's just like a team who weren't playing with a striker, which, to be fair, they were. They were. But every time Manchester United counted, they looked amazing. And then the second half now, you thought, oh, 2-2, little pepping Liverpool. step now, finally starting to turn up a bit now again.

And then you're thinking, okay, how's Michael Carrick going to handle this now? You know, it's all been great sailing for him. What's he, what are we going to learn about Michael Carrick now when you face one of your biggest rivals, tuning like they come back to two to what's going to happen. But credit to them to get the job done. And what a player to score the winner, Kobe Mayno, deserves it so much. It's a very, very nice finish. It's a lovely finish composure.

It's far more difficult than it looks technically. and also under pressure as well. I mean, it's just sort of passed it in. It's just lovely. Yes, come on, guys. Listen, this is what you teach the kids. You tell them, pass the ball into the net. You watch some of the best strikers in the world,

they pass the ball into the net. They don't strike through the laces and all that. That's why you get coached. Teddy Sheronanen was a master class here. That's who I learned that off for my time with Teddy. You used to tell me about passing the ball into the back of the net, and then you watch some of these other players now. Why did you never do it, Nudge?

I've got a nosebleed when I got that far up the pitch. That's what you were doing it, yeah. I learned a lot from Teddy about finishing I just never got in a position to put it into practice But if I had been up there I would have scored a hatful A few sort of controversial moments

We could just go through quickly Shesco's goal We were texting during the game I think you thought maybe it should It should have been disallowed Luke Even though now I think we've seen an angle where you can see that it sort of grazes his finger

his fingernails. I think you can't, you can't disallow that. I obviously would love that to be disallowed. But I think it would be ridiculous too. Well, I tried to wind you up by saying, oh, okay, so all right now to finger the ball in is what I actually said. Yes, yeah, which is a shame. And I was hoping to get a nibble from you,

but annoyingly you agreed with the match day officials. I did, really. Which slightly backfired. My point was, in real time when you watched it, I was looking at the player's reaction, and I think he knew it touched his hand. Yeah. Now, so I thought it was handball, and I think he knew it was handball.

He just, look, the instincts you sort of tried to pull his hand away, I think after it had brushed. But I did agree with you in that, you know, it's got to be clear and obvious. And if the technology can't 100% clear it up, then you've got to let the goal stand. So I think it was the right decision to let the goal stand because I don't think the AIR could rule it out. I just thought it was handball. And I think I'm probably right in saying that. But there was no way you could rule it out on what you can see on the pictures. Nice.

Free with him. I think that it wasn't clear and obvious. It's hard. I only saw an angle when they extra zoomed in it and even that. You couldn't really tell. You think, yeah, it probably has. Yeah, you think so, but I just think that, yeah, you know, you can't rule that out. But then now when you look back at it, some people argue to say it should have been this loud

because you look at how the game finished. It finished only three, two. And if that goal was ruled out, it could have been a game that finished two to. But Manchester United deserves that way. Absolutely cannot fault your math, Sir, Nij. The moment where Bruno goes in for that tackle on Chobeslai, look, he's such a wonderful footballer, Fernandez, but he has got a bit of spite in him.

And when you watch the replay and you see the way that he is careering towards him, he just, it doesn't look great. I'm not saying he should get a red card for it, but you've got to be a bit careful there. Like it's not, it's not a good tackle. You're nowhere near and you look like you're steaming in. You're saying he should have got a red card. No, I'm not.

I'm just saying that it's a really silly thing to do because you're giving the referee a decision to make at least and you're giving VAR sign to look at. He's out of control at speed running. He's running in at speed. and it looks dangerously close to being out of control. Yeah. In real time.

And the commentator said in real time, oh, that doesn't look good. It's naughty. It's a borderline. Yeah, and he, just absolutely, like, what's you doing? Like, given where the ball is, what's you doing? Yeah.

It's just, it's really silly. It is, and it was a strange game in that respect. So Manchester United just really weren't very good second half, were they? No. If you look back on the game, they were so open. Like, they were getting played for us. So Manchester United would be, being open first half,

Liverpool being open first half, sorry. And Manchester Night was so open, second half, but we're praising Manu and Casamiro. They kept bombing forward. And they kept getting caught short. They kept getting short at the back. So it was,

I sat there at half time and was, I was talking to you guys and said, oh, this is really dull now because Manchester Night are two-nill up. And they're just going to sit back and get on the break. Yeah. And then the whole game changed. They stopped doing that for some reason.

And they did, yeah. And it's, that is, that is the Michael Carrick reign, actually. the results have been really good and he couldn't have done any more and it would be such a surprise now if you talk to the journalists

on the patch in Manchester I would say at least nine out of ten of them are convinced it's going to be Michael Carrick who gets the job now and I think it will be more of a shock now the biggest credit we can probably play Michael Carrick is it would be more of a shock now surely if they didn't give it to him

than if they gave it to him but I think the performances actually even against Brentford The defeat at home to Leeds, they are still a bit flaking. They are getting, they are getting away with it a little bit. What you're forgetting to add to this is, Luke, if he does get the job, we haven't seen how he juggles Premier League and also Champions League. Well, that's very true.

That's very true. Another level of management that's going to be very new to him. He's got a good support. Not much you can do about that, but, yeah. Yeah. But like you said, it's still a performance. that you can still question because at the end of the day

2-0 up against your biggest rivals there's no way you should have let them come back in and at the end when it was 2-2 you would say Liverpool looked more likely like the team that could have gone on to get the winner I sort of really want to criticise Liverpool's goalkeeper because he's the third goalkeeper and you know third goalkeepers

realistically aren't expecting to be playing that much I'm not sure that the second United goal is a goal if I mean I'm pretty sure if Alison's a goal it isn't and I think potentially with Marwood Ashvili as well. Is that harsh? I don't think it's brilliant from him.

I don't think that's harsh. But Liverpool were a team and again, you can only beat what's put in front of you, but I don't want to bleak to your defence, Rick. But no centre forward and your third choice goalkeeper playing. There were faults in that Liverpool performance as well. It's the 11th defeat of the season. Slot's going to get even more criticism from,

for there is a section of the fan base now at Liverpool. I think he's had enough of on a slot. It looks like he's going to get next season. I think he deserves that. Big questions, though, again. It's not down to the third-choice goalkeeper. Where was your British record transfer signing? Well, two of them.

One of them's injured again in Alexander Isak, who's barely kicked the ball this season. And Florian Vert. What did he do today? No, Verts is... Please tell me, why not play the young kid Rio? I'm still trying to work out in my head. Why not play the young kid Rio?

When you look at... You can't run a form right now. The lack of creativity, he's got that fearless factor about him. Why not? just play him start in games like this. But I think actually, when you,

if you watch him closely, I think he still plays like a very, like a young, like a young boy. I think there are certain elements. You've only got one. Rick,

you've only got one in a team of 11. That's fine. That, that, that, that, like he made, he made a few sort of defensive, you know, the third goal. Yeah.

Luke Shaw runs off him, doesn't he, for the winning goal. Yeah, and I think that that's the trade-off. And I don't think you want to be making that trade-off for 90 minutes against Spanish United. You probably get more production off him than you get a floor on VERS at the moment. That's my aspect of it. The VIRTS criticism is, I think it's justifiable now because we're not talking about a player new to the league.

You spent a hell of a lot of money on him. He's supposed to be a game changer. He's supposed to win you the big games. He's supposed to win tight games. He's supposed to unlock defence or all that kind of stuff that we're excited about. And yeah, he just... Well, he's lost his keys. He hasn't done it, but he's lost his keys.

Because he's not unlocking anything. And I thought, I was so disappointed with him today. Really disappointed. It's just time and time again in those, in those exactly those kind of scenarios. Big, big games. He just doesn't do anything. It's not good enough. It's not good enough for what he's supposed to be.

No. I mean, we haven't seen much evidence of it. Why? Like all of the ingredients are there, aren't they? Yeah. He needs a very, very good season next season, I would say. Quick conversation about Ipswich. Third promotion in four seasons, 3-0-1 over QPR on the final day in the EFL.

A year ago, they were relegated in 19th with 22 points. Are they going to be better equipped to stay up this time? Do you know what it is? I always feel sometimes with the modern game now, when you speak to all these coaches and stuff like that, they think they're going to reinvent the will. Stay true to who you are. Stay true to your identity.

You don't have to go to the Premier League and start acting like a Hollywood diva and think, okay, now we're going to play total football when you don't have the players to do so. Restrengthen the spine. Sometimes if you have to go direct, go direct, go long, be ugly, get points on the board.

Get points on the board. We'll put confidence in these players to believe that they actually belong there. I think sometimes now some of these managers take this whole total football too seriously and trying to play out the back with your goalkeeper and your players are not of Premier League quality and level. Not thinking about anyone, Russell Martin.

Not thinking about anyone. I'm just saying, but you look at Sunderland, what they did this year, they went and got experience. Granite Jacques is probably one of the signings of the season and how impactful he's been to them and how ugly Sunderland can be at times and you look at what the season they've had. Leeds, it took Farker a bit of time,

but then they changed with direct energy and everything like that. But if you think you're going to go to the Premier League again and do the same thing you did last year and try and play total football and give cheap goals in your final third, you're just going to go back and being relegated again. But I do think if you look at Ipswich now, because when they came up,

they were definitely sort of, you know, a free-flowing attacking side. And now they've been, they've built their season's success on a really good defensive record. So I think they've got the second best defensive record. So if they stick with that, you feel like they'll have more joy, right? Guess who had a good defensive record in the championship?

Burnley. Burnley. That's very true, actually, isn't it? But Luke? I mean, what I would like to add about Ipswich is I'm very softball. I lived in Ipswich for a while as a child. I've always had a soft spot for them. Does the Premier League need Ed Shearing in it?

That's what I really, that's really what I wanted to post. It's a good question. You don't want him kind of singing on the pitch at halftime and stuff, do you really? No, I don't want to see a lot of him in the stand. That's the problem. I don't want to see a lot of Ed Shearing in the stands. And I know that every time it's on TV and he's there, the camera's going to go to him.

What's had done to you? He's not done anything to me as such. He's been very, very successful, hasn't he? Very, very successful. And that must rankle with you. It does a little bit. Yeah. All right.

Thanks very much, fellas. That is all we got time for on the Premier League review. The Monday Nightclub will be your next episode of the Football Daily.