Football Daily - PL Review: Spurs turn a corner as Arsenal pull clear

Episode Date: March 15, 2026

Has a 16-year-old settled the title race for Arsenal? Is Bruno Fernandes the Player of the Season? And have Spurs turned a corner?Those questions and much more discussed on Premier League Review, as f...ormer Liverpool, Stoke City and Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam joins Aaron Paul and Luke Edwards, The Telegraph’s Northern Football Writer.Timecodes: 01:00 Premier League moments we loved this week 03:15 Have Spurs turned a corner under Igor Tudor? 06:40 Were Liverpool complacent? 08:45 Will Tudor keep his job now? 13:05 Max Dowman’s special moment for Arsenal 14:40 Mikel Arteta on Dowman’s goal and impact 15:10 Is the Dowman hype real? 18:00 Arteta’s impactful substitutions 21:10 Why are City dropping points from winning positions? 24:23 Half-time teaser 27:00 Bruno Fernandes to break the assist record?  28:20 Wayne Rooney backs Carrick for the job — should he have it? 36:10 Aston Villa unable to go any further?

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Starting point is 00:00:50 626-horsepower twin-turb Ovid engine and intelligent 6D dynamics air suspension. Learn more at landrover.ca. On the Football Daily Podcast, Premier League Review with Aaron Paul. Hello and welcome to the Premier League Review on a big weekend with regards to the title race. A 16-year-old Max Downman inspired Arsenal to late victory over Everton whilst Manchester City stumble again. The gap is currently at nine points.
Starting point is 00:01:22 Then on Sunday, Tottenham fought to a one-old draw and field to potentially turn the tide under Igor Tudor. Also, Manchester United won again to boost Michael Carrick's chances of getting the job full-time. and a criticise Anthony Gordon returned to Newcastle's line up for only a second ever Premier League win at Stanford Bridge. Loads to get through in the company of Luke Edwards and Charlie Adam.
Starting point is 00:01:42 Gents, how are we? Good evening. Really good. Well, thank you. Fantastic. Right, we are asking you why you love the Premier League. One thing this weekend that reminded you why you love the Premier League.
Starting point is 00:01:53 Who wants to go first? I'm going to go first. It's not a great moment. It's kind of the opposite to a great moment, in fact. But it is the Chelsea pretty much huddle with referee Paul Tierney trapped in the middle
Starting point is 00:02:07 it is one of the weirdest and strangest things I have seen I have no idea why Chelsea can't just do their huddle in their own half like everyone else
Starting point is 00:02:16 in the history of football has ever done I've no idea while Paul Turney has decided to refuse to move so that he's in the middle of it I have no idea what Liam Rossini
Starting point is 00:02:26 was on about afterwards in his post-match press conference it's just when you're a journalist these weird and wonderful stories is they always capture the imagination. And Chelsea, the ball whisperers. That's my new nickname for them.
Starting point is 00:02:36 They like to talk to the ball before the game, apparently. Well, maybe they should follow the ball when it gets passed through their defence. And Wesley Fafana should probably track the ball. Anthony Gordon is running into score. So, yeah, a farcical moment, but I did find it absolutely hilarious. I'm off a matchdown, and I think it's a special, special talented player.
Starting point is 00:02:57 I've seen Rio Ingrammo a few times this year as well. and I think it's the weekend of the young kids the next generation of English talent that's coming through and for two managers to be different sort of pressures one's under pressure because they've struggled this year and one manager's under pressure
Starting point is 00:03:18 to win a championship for the first time in 20 or years and to throw two young players in is an incredible belief from the two coaches but also from the players to you know when I watch Ingamoa play and I'm putting it too different or both players, these boys just want to keep giving them the ball, want to trust them, they want to give it,
Starting point is 00:03:35 and they make things happen. And I think that's probably the highlight of me of the weekend is these two young players stepping on the scene, bursting on the scene as Mika Richards talks about. I think this is two real special talents for English football, and it should be a joy to watch them play. Special mentions to Ricardo Califiori for that. Stunning Block and J.D. Canvo's celebrations
Starting point is 00:03:57 at Leeds Red Cross. hard. I've never seen anything like it. He went for it. He went for it. He fully went for it. That's all I can say. Shane never scored a goal in two games at which he can actually celebrate. Maybe he's bored. Maybe he's practising. Yeah, maybe. Maybe it was good fun. Let's begin with what we've just seen. Live on five live, a mega point for Tottenham
Starting point is 00:04:18 at Anfield, won all it finish, a 90th minute equalizer for Rich Charleston. Mean Spurs, don't leave Anfield empty-handed. Now, it has been absolutely woeful. This has been a real turbulent week. at the lane and people expected a bit more pain. But Charlie, Spurs fought. They put in some grit, some determination, and they were disciplined, and they managed about themselves a point. Yeah, listen, if you look back at what Tottenham have done over the last few months,
Starting point is 00:04:47 to be fair, the whole season really has been very poor for their standards and their level. The pressure was adding towards the new manager coming in, heavy defeat in midweek against Athletical Madrid. To go to Anfield and get a point, we'll look to kickstart the start. season hopefully for this sort of mini, many, many leagues that they've got left because they're in the mix, they're in the mix. I'm looking at the, you know, the points and that, they're on 30 points, point just above West Ham and Notting Forrest, and they have to start getting results soon. And that was, that hopefully will give them a lot of confidence going into
Starting point is 00:05:17 the last sort of run of games. Racharlison, I mean, you know what he's going to bring to a pitch in terms of the dark arts, in terms of howserie, but he can pop up when you need him to. Yeah, he can. And for the first time in a while, Tottenham looked like a team that could stay up today. It's not just, like Charlie's saying there, it's not just getting the late equaliser because the point doesn't transform their position at the bottom of the table,
Starting point is 00:05:40 particularly doesn't give them a big leap to safety, but they were organised, they were dogged, they were diligent, and they carried a threat. And the assumption before that game was that Liverpool were going to win, and then we're going to win easily. It was described on the television, Tottenham, the team that every Premier League team
Starting point is 00:05:57 side wants to face at the moment because they've been a laughing story. They're being abject. We were all expecting Igor Tudor to lose his job this week. That would seem to be the direction of travel. So Richarlassen getting that late goal, and he deserved that. He had a few chances in the game, but they caused Liverpool problems, and they got that late equaliser.
Starting point is 00:06:14 But it was more about the general performance hour, and they really fought today. They were a team today. And I think for the first time that group of players behaved and approached a game in a way that they knew they were in a relegation fight. They suddenly belatedly realized they're not too good to go. they haven't got too many good players to drop into the championship and yeah I think after being the butt of so many jokes for so many weeks
Starting point is 00:06:38 and being quite frankly a bit of a farce that was a much needed jolt of of realism of where they are and how they're going to get out of it and I was really really impressed with them Liverpool were poor but Tottenham helped make them look like a poor team today and that was really impressive from there I was hearing in the week some some pundits reporters were saying just null-in void the game
Starting point is 00:07:01 just leave the game we're going to get beat sack the manager you know what given right have you got to give that opinion in the end of the day this manager has
Starting point is 00:07:10 come in and he's tried his best at the moment it's not working and that's a big big point for them going forward like you said I thought they were well organised well drilled more competitive than they have been but the goalkeeper didn't help him again today
Starting point is 00:07:25 the goal that he lost was oh you know the goal of coach must just be sitting. Every time a goal goes, the ball goes near a goal, the goalie coach must have sat on the bench and think oh no, here comes at something. He just rolls back in his chair because I think he's got to do better with this free kick of Sobyslay again today. Talk to me about Liverpool, though
Starting point is 00:07:41 Charlie, your former club because, I mean, just so, so wasteful and what they'd do at one point it looked like sort of death bypassing. I saw one move breakdown after they put together something that 20, 25 passes and you're just wondering what's going on? Yeah, it's just that sort of dining
Starting point is 00:07:57 and real quality at the top end of the pitch at a moment it's just, you know, today wasn't there. You know, they've leaving Salah out the team again today was, you know, it was a big, a big thing for Slot against a, you know, a Tottenham team that you felt that, like you said, everybody thought that Liverpool going to win this game easily. To play Frimpong up on that right-hand side,
Starting point is 00:08:18 yeah, he's got pace and he's got power, but he doesn't have the quality of Mo Salah. But, you know, I just felt that Liverpool were, were laboured and didn't really play as well as they could have. Songwisle's goal is a great effort from him, but Totten goalkeeper again was poor. So two points dropped. Considering where Spurs have been,
Starting point is 00:08:42 in particular in the last week, should Liverpool feel embarrassed by that performance? Not embarrassed, absolutely not, because it's the Premier League. And, you know, there's no given right to win a football match in the Premier League. There's nothing easy. Again, you look at the form of both teams, of where they've been recently
Starting point is 00:08:58 and, you know, Liverpool obviously lost in midweek against the Galadastri and, you know, the last, you know, sort of lost the wolves in the league but the last couple before that they've won. But yeah, just, I don't think you've got a given right
Starting point is 00:09:10 to win any football match in the Premier League. It's never easy. It's not, you know, it doesn't matter if you play. It's not about having given right, though, Charlie. I'm asking it from a perspective of, should they look at it and say, that's a wounded animal we're taking on? Of course you're going out.
Starting point is 00:09:25 I mean, the prize of being that dressing. would be silent in there? Yeah, of course, because they'd probably not play... No, they've not played to the levels they're capable of and perform to that level, but, you know, you have to remember what you're playing against. You know, this is the Tottenham team that won the Euro League last year. Again, I get that they're struggling,
Starting point is 00:09:44 but they've got quality players within the group that can hurt you. If you don't play to your maximum week in the Premier League, then you could drop by, and that's why today they've been undone by our Charleston goal, and there's one person inside the Anfield definitely that, enjoyed that would have been mentioned. What about Igor Tudel this week, Luke? Does this keep him in that job?
Starting point is 00:10:04 I mean, there's so many rumours swirling around in regards to who Spurs are going to be looking to potentially replace him with there were talks up until Friday afternoon that he could be leaving his job, even though he'd gone and done the media. And it felt a bit jockey, didn't it?
Starting point is 00:10:19 Because people are going on approaching Harry Rednapp. I mean, for Spurs, this is surely the nadir. You've used the word embarrassing about Liverpool there. I think it's been an embarrassing period for Tottenham really embarrassing a real low point for them I think in their modern history the way this season has gone but particularly
Starting point is 00:10:35 the Eagle Tudor reign do I think he's going to go I think I think we were all expecting him to go Aaron I think we were looking at this being the last dance really at Anfield but they have produced something and the problem that the Spurs hierarchy have is they sack Eagle Tudor
Starting point is 00:10:51 after what would it be a month five games then the thing is going to be pointed at the people who made the decision to appoint him. So they're going to say they got that hope that shelter did do it. I don't think from a PR perspective, Luke, I don't think they care about, you know, sort of their reputation. But the team played for him today. You know, I started this segment saying that Tottenham for the first time for me for weeks, months,
Starting point is 00:11:13 looked like a team that could stay up. Like, you know, they were responding to whatever the manager wanted them to do. They did it. They had a game plan today and they executed it. So do you then go and sack the manager? Who's out there? Who's out there as well, realistically? I think you've got to be respectful to these coaches
Starting point is 00:11:29 that there's always a plan there is always a plan these coaches are not just going to and allowing these players to play and just going to do what you want there's always a plan you fall down short because of your quality within the game
Starting point is 00:11:40 and your plan might be wrong you know you might get the wrong press you might make the wrong players but you've got a member of teams that these have played since he's come in the building is Arsenal pull them away yeah Crystal Palace at home
Starting point is 00:11:51 I thought I'd go Madrid away there's some tough games in there some tough games again some very good sides so I sort of can give them a little bit of leeway and say there's no plan in that but if I'm a Tottenham player it's easy to get up for Liverpool at Anfield
Starting point is 00:12:05 it's easy to get up they've got to back it up yeah they've got to back it up that's the query that's the query the worrying thing for me is Crystal Palace at home and fool them away that's my thing is that when you're playing against Arsenal you can get beat they've got very good players top of league
Starting point is 00:12:18 under real players is our top team it's the Palace is in the films that you expect them to win that they're not winning but to deal this thing. It's a difficult decision now, Charlie, isn't it? It's difficult for them because they've gone to Anfield
Starting point is 00:12:29 and pulled off a result that people didn't expect them to do. So maybe the hierarchy weren't expecting them to get that result either. Maybe they were like the rest of us who were looking at it going, they're going to get beaten at Anfurt. And it's an easy decision.
Starting point is 00:12:40 The music is all like, oh, it's all signposted. Ego Tudor's going to lose his job. They're going to bring someone else in. Now I think it complicates it. I think it makes it very difficult now to know what direction they're going to go in because that team played for their manager today.
Starting point is 00:12:54 They played for themselves. They played for the shirt and they played for the club and they played for the managers So does this rest then on individual mistakes? I think it's this still rests on what the ownership want. You know, getting a point at Enfield
Starting point is 00:13:05 doesn't mean that Tottenham don't change. I see managers getting sacked after victories. So doesn't matter if he's got a point at Anfield, what they feel and what they get amongst the ownership and the top people within the football club will be, yeah, this is not working. But there was, we're only,
Starting point is 00:13:24 I'm only from the outside and use, but probably know more than me from the inside of what talked to me as. But there's just too many rumors and too many people getting to bring to this job. And that's what I'm saying. This point doesn't change anything for me, is that it's how the ownership feel and what they are. If at the moment they have the right person they feel that can change it for the next block of games,
Starting point is 00:13:45 then they will change. And like you say, they've got nobody to change. It's not doing the financials and it's not done to think about anything else. have to make sure the Tottenham hotsport are in the Premier League next season. No doubt there'll be more reaction to that game and anything that happens down at the lane on the BBC Sport website and app. Let's flip to the red half of North London to the top of the table. It took Arsenal 89 minutes at a very nervous Emirates, but they got the job done in the Saturday tea time kickoff. Two substitutes scoring the goals to beat Everton and one of them, the youngest
Starting point is 00:14:18 in Arsenal history, Arsenal and Premier League history. What a special moment for 16-year-old Diamond Boys and for Arsenal the dream ending to a tense game Charlie? A special, special player. But you need somebody to come there. I think if you're Miquel and you're 10, 15 minutes to go and you're looking and you throw a 16-year-old player on the pitch, you trust him, you believe in him. You know, he's been around that squad for a while now. You know, we've seen it in the preseason and in other European games he's played.
Starting point is 00:14:49 He's come up with a bit of magic that's there. It's a wonderful ball for the goal in terms of the, and Cappy is at assist and then his talent to his pace and his power to get away in the middle of the pitch to go and then score that second goal himself. He must have been on cloud nine last night and
Starting point is 00:15:05 yeah, it's everybody's young dream to become a professional, first and foremost, but then to get the opportunity to playing the first team is incredible and then to actually score your goals. It must be some feeling for the young lad and I just think the most important thing for now is being supported by the right
Starting point is 00:15:24 people around them. Good senior players, a good manager. Mum and dad supporting him really well and giving him a good pathway to what will happen for him in the future. Speaking of that manager, let's hear from Mikhail Arteeta on his teenage prodigy. It was such a special moment. The way he built up, you could sense that will lend the desire from the team, the crowd to find a way to win the game. And in the manner that we've done it, it was one of the best moments that I think we all
Starting point is 00:15:52 together had at the Emirates. and I think we'll remember this one for a long, long time and people would talk about it in 10, 20 years. I was at the Emress when I was a kid, a 16 run over the highway line and scored a massive goal for the club. He has an incredible talent, but I think what sets him apart is his personality and the way he handles the context, the pressure, the situation is just, it's not normal.
Starting point is 00:16:14 I mean, look, all people seem to be talking about is the fact that this kid is going to school on Monday morning. I mean, can you imagine? Can you imagine the feeling the street cred? Yeah. Do you know what, Aaron, I wouldn't have been concentrating in double maths on Monday morning. That's all I can say. I don't think I would have been too keen on my art class.
Starting point is 00:16:34 A special player, a special talent, a special prospect. I don't want to be grumpy. You know, it's not my natural setting, Aaron, as you know. I don't want to be too grumpy. He's 16. I've seen some pretty wild takes in the last 24 hours, comparing him to Kaka, people saying you should go to the World Cup. Just calm down a little bit, all right?
Starting point is 00:16:53 It's a brilliant moment for him. It's what football dreams are made of. It's absolutely wonderful. It was, you know, although I picked the huddle, it is the story of the weekend. It's absolutely magical moment. And it's why we love the game. And to put yourself in his position in his shoes,
Starting point is 00:17:07 16, scoring that goal, setting up the first goal as well, the impact he made his substitute. He's going to be a very special footballer, but he's got a long way to go. Just calm down. Let the kid grow up. He's still a kid.
Starting point is 00:17:19 He's 16. He can't even get into the Arsenal first team on a regular basis. Just relax a little bit. calm down, let him develop in his own speed. He's already on this trajectory, this accelerated trajectory where he's 16 years old and he's contributing into Arsenal's first team.
Starting point is 00:17:33 But let's not build him up too quickly and too soon. I think he could be a very, very special player. But let's just let him grow and let it happen organically. He's going to get more first team chances. But yeah, it's a great story, wonderful moment. And that's why I think, you know, there's a lot going on in the world at the moment. But football is that escapism.
Starting point is 00:17:51 It's moments like Maxdown. I mean, what Luke's saying there is all well and good. But this kid at 16 might be about to go and win the Premier League. Yeah, he might do. And with Luke, you know, the talent that England have, he, for me, he won't be anywhere near the World Cup. He has to develop, he has to grow, he has to build. Just coming back, by the way, from a three-month injury, an ankle injury,
Starting point is 00:18:13 which he picked up. He's a special, special talent, and I believe he's got the right manager. And I look at people like Declan Rice, or look at the senior players in the Arsenal, Saka, and people like that, him and help him and develop and grow good parents support network will be incredible um and and and he just has to keep playing football you know he'll have ups and he'll have downs and you'll have downs and you'll have downs and
Starting point is 00:18:35 this this world and this country you know it's not easy for these young talents social media is stronger now so he has to just keep enjoying that moment enjoying that journey and the pathway that he's on he's he's he's in a great place um and and at 16 to see him win that and probably lift that Premiership title at the end of the season would be an incredible achievement but we've got a long, long long way to go and just got to keep developing and growing.
Starting point is 00:19:02 All lies on the subs, Yoc Perez and Dalman the scorers in Capier and Martinelli with the assist. This is what you build a squad for Luke? Well, we've said it all season, Arsenal have the best squad in the Premier League. They have the deepest squad, they have the most competition for places, the impact they can have on games from the bench.
Starting point is 00:19:18 The manager obviously gets a lot of credit when substitutions work out and they did work out for Mikhail Arteta, but it helps when you've got a loaded subs bench that Arsenal have, and that is why I've stayed true all through the season. It's why I thought they would win the title this year because of that strength and depth,
Starting point is 00:19:36 the problem Arsenal have had when they're second again, all, la, la, la, they didn't have that backup, they didn't have that cover, they didn't have that competition for places. They'd been building to this moment, and generally, generally, nine times out of ten, the team with the best squad wins the Premier League, and I think that is Arsenal
Starting point is 00:19:53 and I think we're seeing that again and further evidence of that at the weekend. I still believe that at Man City got the best squad. Okay. But I get where you come from. I think the consistency
Starting point is 00:20:03 that Arsenal have had have been incredible, but I still look at Mancetti in terms of Cherokee, Diaz, Docku, Foden, Covicich, Rinders. Not bad subs to have on.
Starting point is 00:20:13 Not bad subs. Guardio. You know, there's not much to choose between them. There's not much to choose between the sports, but I just, the consistency that Arsenal's shown this year have
Starting point is 00:20:24 worthy. I'm still, I was all in the Man City camp that they'd win the title I just think that draw up West Ham at the weekend is maybe blowing it for them but I still still have to go with that but I still think that there's not too much between both squads I don't think there's one or two players here and there but our Man City has still got a very very good squad that are capable of still capable of going winning six seven eight in a row but I just think that this that drop point at the weekend could be the end for that. Just on Arsenal, if they do go on and lift the Premier League title,
Starting point is 00:20:55 you always feel there's one game that changes things. It changes the momentum. It feeds the surge, if you like. And it feels as though that's going to be one of those, you know, sort of sticking in it, sticking in the contest, landing punches, taking some punches. Because Everton Charlie, they played their part and they tried to resist Arsenal,
Starting point is 00:21:15 but to land those two crucial blows, that'll be one that they go on and potentially remember. and sort of like markers a milestone if you like if they're after doing lift it and I've been there as a player myself and I'm just using that as when I was at Rangers and Celtic had played early and they've dropped points and you come in next
Starting point is 00:21:32 the West, the Man City boys would have known what was going on maybe you've sat in the dressing room watching on their phones while they're preparing for the game they'll have known that Arsenal have nicked a couple of eight goals and you know held on to win the game
Starting point is 00:21:48 they would have been hoping that everything could have held on I thought Everton had some moments, but yeah, I'm not saying it would have been a massive factor in terms of the performance of Man City. I still think they had some opportunities, but yeah, I think that Man City team would have been a wee bit deflated after the result in terms of the goals going in late for Arsenal. And then ultimately they could capitalise at the end with their own win at the London Stadium. City have lost 10 points from winning positions in their last 18 league games despite only losing once. be top if they'd held on against Chelsea, Brighton, Spurs, Forest, and now West Ham United. I don't want to say it's a mentality issue. Pep Guardiola evidently knows how to win football games.
Starting point is 00:22:30 Is this a case of bedding those players in and getting those players up to speed and up to sort of the way that Pep Guardiola wants to play, Luke? No, I think you're being too kind there. Man City spent an absolute fortune in the last 12 months. Absolute fortune. They have flexed all of their financial muscle to overhaul their squad. They went out and signed two of the probably the best plug-in in plug-in and play options they could get in January in Gahey and Semenio. I saw them beat Newcastle in the FA Cup last weekend and I thought they were absolutely sensational.
Starting point is 00:23:03 I thought that one of the best team performances I've seen, but since then it's just football, isn't it? It's been a really bad week for them. They go and they're too open against Real Madrid. They go and get spanked. They're sort of placing the Champions League is hanging by a Fred. As Charlie's just said there, they then watch Arsenal score the two late goals. just before they're about to go on the pitch at West Ham, a rapidly improving West Ham,
Starting point is 00:23:25 are very well organised and tough to beat West Ham, and I think they've wobbled. We kept thinking it was going to be Arsenal who wobbled. It's Man City of warbed. I don't think the title race is over by any stretch of the imagination. If Man City win their game in hand and they beat Arsenal, the gap will be three points. There could be a lot more twists and turns to come,
Starting point is 00:23:42 a lot more drama, but they've just had a really, really bad week. By Manchester City Standard has been a pretty disastrous week for them with the Champions League result, that one at the weekend. I don't think you can use the excuse of bedding in players, though. Those players have been there most of the season now, the ones who signed in the summer. Some of them have been there more than 12 months because they came in January last year. And then Semenio and Gehie, you know, they don't need to climatize to the Premier League.
Starting point is 00:24:08 And they were getting applauded. It's not so long ago, they've been great and the wonderful impact they'd had on Man City earlier in their career. So it's just, they've just wobbled and Arsenal, to their credit, have just kept that pressure on. We were talking about Man's City creeping the pressure on, it's Arsenal who've kept the pressure on Man City and they've blinked first. Charlie, could a win over Arsenal under the arch at Wembley in the League Cup final next week, could it give City the impetus, the boost to try and keep this title race alive?
Starting point is 00:24:37 No, I don't think it makes a difference. I think this Man City team have got great players and they've got a world-class genius of a manager. Winning the Carabelle Cup is just the next step for them. That's the next important step for them. Champions League, they want to try and clothe a lot. back from against Real Madrid. It's a huge ask, but an early
Starting point is 00:24:54 goal could change this. But they want to win because it's against the closest rivals, it'll be another title for PEP for the squad for Man City. And what he's done in the time he's been here is revolution, the English game. And I think that, you know, they'll be desperate to win because it'll be another title. They want to win.
Starting point is 00:25:11 And, you know, people talk about they don't want to win Carabell Cups and they play weekend teams and FA Cups. They want to win everything. And that's the, for me, that's the site of a top team. Okay, time for your halftime teaser. Max Dowman became the youngest
Starting point is 00:25:27 Premier League goal scorer this weekend at 16 years and 73 days. Can you name the other four in the top five? The answers plus plenty more analysis next. A new era of Formula One is about to dawn. I think the biggest step the sport has ever seen. There are new rules, new cars and a brand new team. In Formula One it's just abs.
Starting point is 00:25:52 brutal, pure competition. And the next generation of star drivers are taking us along for the ride too. I'm going to go like a madman. If you want to make it, first of all, you have to believe that you have what it takes. The biggest shake-up of F-1's rulebook has been years in the making.
Starting point is 00:26:07 Somebody's going to get it right and somebody's going to get it wrong. I'm Rosamond Pike and this is F-1 back at base, a new era. Listen on BBC Sounds. On the Football Daily podcast, Premier League Review. with Aaron Paul.
Starting point is 00:26:24 Welcome back to the Premier League review. Now, before the break, I asked if you could name the top five younger skull scorers in Premier League history. Luke, Charlie, come on. You might not. You're not going to get this. You know what? I've absolutely smashed it this week because I anticipated the question.
Starting point is 00:26:39 I knew what was coming from producer Harry and you, Aaron. I knew what you were going to go down. So I was way ahead of the game this one. Are you ready? Yeah. James Vaughn. Yeah. James Milner.
Starting point is 00:26:51 Yep. Wayne Rooney. Yep. Rio Engenmower. Yeah. And what about their ages? 16 years and how many days? Well, I didn't.
Starting point is 00:26:59 I haven't got that, Aaron. That was just a trick question. I wanted to see you. I know. You're just trying to shame me there. I'm not cheating. I'm not cheating. I anticipated the question.
Starting point is 00:27:08 I did my research. I nailed every answer. Charlie just voiled in Theo Walcott. Just, just. I'll get this. No. A former Liverpool striker. You'll get this one in the top 10.
Starting point is 00:27:20 Who Robbie Fowler? Maca Lohen. Cess Favri Gavri. Is that one is known as Francesc? Lewis Miley of Newcastles up there and Federico Machida. Meshida? Maccada.
Starting point is 00:27:33 Maccada. Well, whatever. Machida. It was so fleeting in impact that I've forgotten how to say his name. Machita. I love that. Machida.
Starting point is 00:27:42 All right. We'll move on swiftly. Love you lots, Luke. Only seven points behind Manchester City now. Our Manchester United, eight games remaining. Now, as a dull first off, Old Traffa, but it really came into life after the break. Girls from Casimir and Mathez Cunia
Starting point is 00:27:57 and Benjamin Cessco securing a 3-1 win. Before we come on to Michael Carrick, Bruno Fernandez at the double with the assists. Once again, Charlie, he knows what he's doing, doesn't he? Yeah, he's top player. I think he's for, well, we say deadly, under
Starting point is 00:28:13 Rubin Amber and I think he was the shining light in terms of with his performances in a tough time. Since Michael's come in, he's gone to another level and the team has gone to another level and what they're producing. They've put herself right in the mix for
Starting point is 00:28:28 Champions League football which could be crucial for them financially but also for for Michael as well getting the job at the end of the season. Fernandez would be on my short list for player of the year this season, the impact he's had. He'd be in my top three anyway. Don't ask me to name the other two but he would be up on my short list.
Starting point is 00:28:45 Do you know how many assists you has this season by the way? No, but I'm sure you're about to tell me. 16. It means it's the most of any United Player in a single campaign. David Beckham got 15 in 1999, 2009, 2000. The record, by the way, is held jointly by Thierry and Kevin DeBronerner. That is 20 assists.
Starting point is 00:29:04 You could break it, though. He could break it. I mean, he's forced a personality on that team. In the Dark Times at Manchester Night of this season, he was the Shining Light. And then the impact he's having now under Michael Carrick, I think he's been great and so, so important to them. And I think he deserves to be in that conversation for the player of the season. Seven wins from nine games for Michael Carrick,
Starting point is 00:29:23 now. Let's hear from his former colleague, Wayne Rooney. 100% he should then. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. I know him very well. I know his character, his personality, and it needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he gives them that hand.
Starting point is 00:29:41 And we've seen the players play with more quality. We've seen them more together as a team. And he looked like a very strong team. So for me, why would you change? You've got someone who come in. I think he's got the best win percentage of, very Manchester manager after that many games.
Starting point is 00:29:55 For me, he has to get the job. Luke, this is not an Oleg and a Solisciar situation anymore. They're doing their due diligence and everything's coming up as tick, tick, tick, tick,
Starting point is 00:30:05 tick, tick, this, I don't know, it feels right. It's scary to say with Manchester United because it's been a long, what, 10, 12 years, but it feels right. But the problem is it could be another Olegon of Solzkyy situation. Again, he did brilliantly his interim.
Starting point is 00:30:23 manager and then got the job permanently and didn't do as well and ended up getting sacked. I think Michael Craig has done a brilliant job. I agree with everything that Wayne Rooney has said there, but they are mates. So I do have to use that caveat. He is talking about one of his best friends in football that he should get the job full-time. But I think for what Manchester United need in this situation, I think he's been perfect. I think he is calm. I think he is measured.
Starting point is 00:30:49 And I think there is a lot to be said for that for a Manchester United manager. They've gone down the charisma route. They've gone down, you know, the big personalities with Rino and Van Gael and even Amarin was a bit of a character, wasn't he? He was very charming. He was very charismatic. And he's just quietly, methodically, you know, getting the job done. I just think they will still just wait. I know we in the media all want to clamour and get a decision.
Starting point is 00:31:12 We want the issue to be black and white. Is he going to get the job? Is he not? I think there's a lot more nuance to it there. I think they would be correct to continue doing their due diligence on other. candidates. They don't have to rush into anything. It's deserving. Whatever candidate they want.
Starting point is 00:31:28 Whatever candidate. Yeah. So the Manchester United, they're still the biggest club in the world. They don't need to rush. They don't need to rush, do they, Charlie. He's doing brilliantly, and he's put himself in the frame. He is definitely in that conversation now with the job he's done. No manager has taken more points in the Premier League since Michael Carrick got the job than him.
Starting point is 00:31:45 I think the way it is, I think Michael and his staff will say, well, just be, let's not try and bring any more. spotlight to the team and to the group we're calm about the situation. I think when you're in control, I think you're calm in the situation and I think Michael's in control. Performance is a very good and I don't think he needs
Starting point is 00:32:05 to say, well, I want my contract, I want a new contract, let's go full time with it. No, we'll take it out. I'll deliver what I've been asked to do and then you reward me with that. The goal is Champions League. The goal is not there at the moment, so yeah,
Starting point is 00:32:21 we've done okay. But there's still enough there's still enough games to go for it to go wrong and that's what like you say looks then the club will still be looking at it it's the biggest club in the world they still got to look at other ideas and other things in case it goes wrong in the next eight games yes they've done really well
Starting point is 00:32:36 but Michael will be saying no I'm happy with what I'm doing we're performing well the players are performing they're enjoying it let's not rush and make any other sort of big scenarios I'm not saying do it now Charlie I'm saying at the end of the season surely they take stock of the points of every
Starting point is 00:32:52 I mean, if he makes the Champions League, he makes the top, I don't think they'll finish fifth, I think they'll finish higher than the... But they're playing one game a week, they're playing one game a week, and they had a good sport. You can only play who's playing funny.
Starting point is 00:33:04 If they wanted to the range preseason friendlies or mid-season friendlies, right? I know. Slapang, I'm sure the glazer family would love it, but you can only play what you can play. I agree with you. He's making it very hard for them not to give it to him, but that's all he could do in the situation he's in. But I think Charlie and I are saying the same thing.
Starting point is 00:33:21 They don't need to rush into it. They can just wait. He's going to be in that conversation. He's done enough already to put himself in that conversation of getting the job full-time. But it's still risky. It is still risky because they've had almost the perfect scenario this season of that. He got knocked out the FA Cup early.
Starting point is 00:33:36 It's one game a week. Manchester United won't get that again next season if they're back in Europe. And then it gets tougher. Then you have to look at this. Flip the situation to William Rasignor, who's battling Champions League against big opposition, having a tough time not being able to embed what he really wants. Of course, he's done some bit,
Starting point is 00:33:54 but if results getting scrutinized because Liam Rossignor is not a sexy name, it's not a big name. But William Sr., if Chalosu feel he was the right person for the job, he's the right person for the job. We can all have an opinion, and some fans will have their opinion, but if they feel that his leadership
Starting point is 00:34:10 and the way he goes about things at Strasbourg was the right thing, and they felt it was right for this group of players, young players, he can develop then go. But what he has had to do is navigate his way through Europe, FA Cup as well and it's been difficult for him. So Michael's, like Luke said, Manchester City will be playing one game a week.
Starting point is 00:34:28 He's been able to prepare. He's been able to give work with a team maybe four days, you know, a week, trying to prepare it, build it, look at it, organise it. It's been able to have that time to make them better and he's done that so far. And when they didn't, Charlie, and when they didn't have that break, they lost the Manchester United with 10 men. Newcastle had 10 men and they ended up losing. that was their last league game before now.
Starting point is 00:34:52 Sorry, forgive me, how do you fix something like that? How does a manager automatically winning stripes to be able to fight on multiple fronts and manage multiple competitions? It's just risky, isn't it? It's a risk. Whatever decision they make is a risk. They've got to decide which is the least risky option for them,
Starting point is 00:35:07 but Michael Carrick is not a sure thing for Manchester United if they appoint him based on what he's done. He's done brilliantly, but he's done brilliantly as an interim manager. So they have to look at the wider picture. They still have to look at what they wanted from the next Manchester United manager when they sacked Amarim. If they have now decided
Starting point is 00:35:23 that Michael Carrot is offering all the things that they wanted, great, give him the job. But it's still a big question mark. Still a big, big question mark. I don't know how you were in your stripes without doing it, Aaron. You're right, how can you prove
Starting point is 00:35:34 that you can play free games a week without doing it? Yeah, exactly that. You can only play with what situation you've been given. And he's been given week to week that he's capable of it. And by the way, tactically, he'd been very good in the games that he's had. So can he compete against the best teams?
Starting point is 00:35:48 Yeah, absolutely. He's got a fantastic assistant manager, Steve Holland, an unbelievable reputation, done a brilliant job with England with Gareth, Jonathan Woodcute somebody he trusts. So they're putting a coaching team together. Charlie feels like they stripped it back. They've taken it back to basics.
Starting point is 00:36:05 Well, exactly that. Well, maybe that's what they knew. Maybe didn't he over-complicate what they were doing? And, you know, Amarin was a little bit stubborn in a way he wanted to play in, you know, 4-3-3-3-3-3. But Michael's gone back to the four, got wingers in the team.
Starting point is 00:36:17 the feel of Manchester United like Wayne said there is that he knows the football club, he knows what Manchester United wants and needs and the supporters have backed that as well and yeah he can all be dealt with the cards that he's dealt with and he's done a great job so far but what he will say is judge me
Starting point is 00:36:33 at the end of the season if I've got Champions League then yes I'm the right person for the job if I don't then we'll have a discussion to see how I've done within that interim but no I just think they'll be happy to carry on what they're doing and they'll sit down the end of the season and make a decision with what's right for the football club.
Starting point is 00:36:50 Luke, I can't believe you loved him a charming before Ruben Amarim's name and he didn't bother with Louie Van Harlanhal. Louis Van Hal, what a man. What a... No, I like Louis. Don't get me wrong. I've got a lot of love for Louis,
Starting point is 00:37:00 but they've gone down the big character. You are? Do you know what his actual real name is? No. Aloysius. Well, that's even better. His name's Aloisius Paulus Maria Van Hall. I love him.
Starting point is 00:37:09 I like him even more now. I love him. Love him. Let's talk Aston Villa. Their third straight defeat. Do you know what? Actually, we could flip this Michael Carrick debate onto Una Emery. The fact that they're playing European football,
Starting point is 00:37:23 they're fighting on multiple fronts, FAA Cup, well, they've had the FA Cup, and trying to fight and potentially get involved in the title race as well with a squad that lacks a bit of depth in places. They've had to be very, very savvy with player trading because of this PSR situation. Are we looking at him, Una Emery, and saying, well, yeah, there's that Michael Carrick situation there.
Starting point is 00:37:45 Be careful what you wish for. It's, um, Villa and Newcastle are very similar, aren't they? They're the two great disruptors of the sort of modern era in that they, they managed to smash through the ceiling one year, and then they don't qualify for the Champions League the next year, because their league form suffers because they're playing in Europe, and the squad gets stretched. So I don't think Aston Villa's recruitment has been brilliant,
Starting point is 00:38:05 but they started the season superbly. They were talking about them being title contenders in December, January, weren't we? They were doing fantastically well. You and I, Emery, top manager, but he did warn us. He did warn us and we all sort of smirked a little bit at the time and scoffed at it when he, when he said, we're not contenders and people assumed he was talking, we're not contenders for the Premier League title. I think he was talking about we're not contenders to get in the Champions League.
Starting point is 00:38:29 I think he was worried about this coming. They don't have the same depth. They are playing in the Europa League, not the, not the Champions League, but they obviously played on Thursday night, got a good victory in Europe in Lill. But they have struggled again today, really bad result against Wolverhampton Wanderers. they will just be very happy that Liverpool ended up dropping points today and Chelsea lost at the weekend as well so they've got away we won this weekend in losing
Starting point is 00:38:54 but I didn't think they were great again against Manchester United they look tired they look jaded they've got injuries in midfield some of their most important players are out and that has really hurt them because they just don't have they have excellent the same with Newcastle they have an excellent 13 14 15 top top group but then that little the players who come in on first reserve particularly when you're going down to your second reserve, your centreback, for example.
Starting point is 00:39:20 They look weak and they haven't been helped by PSR. They got themselves into a bit of a mess with your wafers' quad cost ratio. They got a warning, and they weren't able to do what they wanted to do in the summer, but they haven't actually spent what money they have had particularly wisely. The thing is they're trying to dine at that top table. They're trying to shop in that supermarket where, you know, you're not shopping at a cheap outlet here. you're going for the farmer's market goods
Starting point is 00:39:46 and that's what they're trying to do. The problem is, is that it just doesn't balance up in how this calculation is made. Yeah, the other farmers want it and the other farmers have got a bigger farm with more money. And that's exactly the same problem Newcastle had last summer. Villa and Newcastle are very, very similar. They are almost identical in what they're trying to do.
Starting point is 00:40:05 Hugely wealthy owners, ambitious football clubs, well-run football clubs, great managers. But they are just hamstrung, trying to make that next leap, the consistency of being able to compete Europe and compete domestically and compete in the cup competitions. That is what Manchester City can do, is what Liverpool can do, is what Arsenal could do because they've got bigger and better squads than those two clubs and they pay more money in wages so they can stop
Starting point is 00:40:26 file more talent. It's very, very tough for Villa. I still think they're having a fantastic season. I still think they can get top five, but they are having, you know, they are going through a very, very rough patch at the minute and I think that is down basically to the fact they haven't got the same depth of squad. Gentlemen, we are out of time. Thank you so much to Luke Edwards and Charlie Adam. That's all. We've got time from the Premier League review. Next up on the Football Daily Feed, the Monday nightclub. I'm Rich Hall
Starting point is 00:40:59 and this is Sports Strangest Crimes Presents Confessions of a Super Bowl streaker. When people ask me what I do, I say to them well, by day or by night. The story of one man's mission to conquer the Holy Grail of streaking the Super Bowl.
Starting point is 00:41:15 Mark Roberts is too lively for his body. He just like the Entertainer. Mark pushes the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. No chance. Texas. It's really strict, but then the more of those about it. No, I thought, I'm on.
Starting point is 00:41:30 What are you about? Sports Strangers' Crimes presents confessions of a Super Bowl streaker. Listen on BBC Sounds. Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. With the Wise account you can send, spend and receive, and over 40 currencies, with no markups and no hidden fees. Whether you're sending pounds across the pond, spending royals in Rio or getting paid in dollars for your side gig,
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