Football Daily - Premier League Review: Do City smell Arsenal blood despite derby win?

Episode Date: February 22, 2026

Manchester City are behind them in second after a hard-fought win over Newcastle which has earned City’s players cocktails, according to Pep Guardiola!There was plenty more drama elsewhere, and records broken, as former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison and Luke Edwards, the Telegraph's Northern Football Writer, join host Rick Edwards to review all the action.Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction and Haaland's stand-out excellence 02:55 Arsenal’s Eze-inspired win — is it great man management? 06:00 Has Gyokeres proved people wrong, or is he a flat-track bully? 09:20 Are Arsenal making too many mistakes? 11:10 Are Tottenham really too big to go down? 16:35 Why City smell blood after Newcastle win 20:50 Newcastle’s VAR drama 22:30 Nico O’Reilly’s versatile brilliance 24:55 Half-time teaser 26:00 Half-time teaser — answers 27:45 James Milner’s record-breaking appearance, and why he’ll go into coaching 31:35 Has Milner’s backing helped Huerzler stay at Brighton? 33:31 Liverpool win despite dire first half at Forest 35:00 VAR drama at the City Ground 37:00 Can Liverpool get Champions League? 38:00 Are Chelsea ’setting fire’ to points with the same problems every week? 41:15 So, were Burnley right to rest players in their FA Cup defeat? 42:10 The rest of the action — can Tammy Abraham play his way into the England squad? Commentaries coming up: Tuesday 24th February — Newcastle v Qarabag (20:00) Wednesday 25th February — Around the Grounds (19:00) Saturday 28th February — Liverpool v West Ham (15:00) Saturday 28th February — Newcastle v Everton (15:00) — Sports Extra Saturday 28th February — Leeds v Manchester City (17:30) Sunday 1st March — Celtic v Rangers (12:00) Sunday 1st March — Manchester United v Crystal Palace (14:00)  Sunday 1st March — Arsenal v Chelsea (16:00)

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So whatever you think is going to happen in the future, you can invest in it at WealthSimple. Start now at WealthSimple.com. The Football Daily Podcast, Premier League Review, with Rick Edwards. Hello and welcome to the Premier League Review. Arsenal go five points clear at the top after another Ever 8 as A-inspired 4-1 North London Derby victory. Manchester City behind them in second

after that hard-fought win over Newcastle which has earned City's players some cocktails are going to Pope Guardiola, plenty more drama elsewhere and some records broken joining me to dissect it all the Telegras Northern football writer Luke Edwards and old gravy shoes,

Clinton Morrison, who's just freshened up after what would have been a thrilling couple of hours alongside John Murray at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Evening both. Evening. Good evening. Now, we were expecting Nigel Rio Coker,

but he is in the US and complaining about a snowstorm, which actually is not a terrible excuse. It does mean, Clinton, that I have to ask you what I think is the definitive Rio Coker question. So he maintains that he could still do a job in the championship. So, Clinton, could you still do a job in the championship? I could do a job in a championship because I don't need to run around. I score gold.

He couldn't even do a job in the championship when he was fit and firing. So I don't know what he said that. He's a midfielder. He has to get box to box. And he's just, his was a touch tackle. I shouldn't say that, should I? Well, you've said it now, and it's not getting deleted. It's not getting deleted.

No, that's staying in. He's my mate. He's my mate. I don't think there's an ex-pro that you can ask that question to, and they won't go, yeah, absolutely. Of course I could. You know what? Yeah, you could.

The only reason why I could do it is because I'm a centre forward. I don't have to run it, but to run around. There you go. You hit the now on the head. So one thing I want from each of you that reminded you why you love the Premier League this weekend. Luke? Dan Byrne versus Erling Harland, which was...

Old school. Old school, physical battle, Godzilla versus King Kong vibes. They went at it all game. They couldn't keep the hands off each other. They were fowling each other. They were kicking each other. But yeah, no, it was just a titanic struggle between, and they both look for each other.

They're like rugby players. They went in search of contact with each other. And it was a great battle. I think it was a pretty even battle as well. And yeah, you don't see enough of that in the Premier League anymore. And it was a throwback to a golden age of centrebacks versus centre forwards for me. Yeah, it was great to work. That was the best.

I think it's been a good weekend of football for sure. I could have said Saturdaycare at the Tottenham Stadium. But I think that, I think Harland was outstanding. Even though he didn't score, it's the best I've seen him play for a very long time. I love the battle with Dan Byrne. Dan Byrne was giving as good as he's got. But Harlan was fantastic. Even defending, you know, like he's set pieces

and he's winning challenges and his headers and stuff. I thought it was fantastic. And that's why it's the best league in the world because everyone's stepping up to each other. And let's be honest with you, Dan Burns's not small. He's massive. I'd hate to play against him,

but Harlan said, no, I'm going to go toe to toe with you. So, yeah, I thought that was fantastic. Big, big result for Arsenal, Clinton. And I actually thought, yeah, I know Spurs got back into it, but a quick equalizer, but I thought Arsenal were really good today

and really good value for the win. Yeah, I think you're spotting. They were outstanding. Spurs got back into it because Declan Rice made a mistake and then after that he was fantastic. He held his hand up, said he made a mistake. Moani, with a good finish. But yeah, Arsenal dominated.

And what they were today, which they haven't been, is clinical. They were really clinical. And I think the biggest plus point for me, the two biggest were Eze, who was outstanding. And I thought it was brilliant from Miko Arteira. He hasn't, he's been in and out of the team, but he remembers he scores the hat trick against them.

And I think he just, He hasn't scored since that hat trick. That's what I'm trying to say, and he likes it. And now it's five goals against them in the whole season. It's brilliant. And then Yorkech is gold. The first one's brilliant. And the second one's outstanding.

And I think them two players, probably for their confidence moving forward, needed it. So I thought it's a positive performance from Arsenal. After the back of watching Man City, do well against Newcastle, because I thought Newcastle were good luck yesterday. I think we'll talk about them later on anyway. It's interesting from a management point of view, isn't it, Luke? because when he was subbed at half time against Brentford, that was his first league start for a little while,

you thought, oh, that's going to sting. Yeah, carrot and the stick, isn't it? So he's probably humbled him a little bit, hurt his feelings. Players can take that. That can be a tough thing, well, very tough thing for a player to take. It hasn't quite gone to plan for him, I think that moved to Arsenal, and he has been a little bit disappointing. But then it's like Clinton said there,

he's had his best game. His signature moment in an Arsenal shirt came against Tottenham. So he's gone, you know, I've hurt you there, I've punished you there, I've made you the scapegoat for that at Brentford, but I'm going to repair the damage

by letting you, unleashing you again against Topham. It's actually a very, very clever man management because you can't do that to a player and they'll not be sort of lingering bad feelings, I don't think, but then he's sort of, you know, he's healed those wounds today

by giving him the nod in the North London Derby, and he's repaid him with the two goals as well. I think the first one is actually a really, really good So yeah, I think that's very clever from Martes. I had a wobble, Rick. In a wobble this week. Can I just say quickly? In commentary, Gary Neville's description of the first goal from Ezra was sits up nicely for him.

I was like, no, it doesn't. It's really awkward and it's a really good finish. Yeah, and he's calm, he's calm because that's all happening at rapid speed around him as well with loads of Tottenham players around. And I think it's a really good finish. But I had my first wobble this week, and I'm sure a lot of Arsenal supporters did. I was on five-life breakfast, Rick, when you weren't on. and I said, you know, this was...

I thought you might have done. You know, we talked about this being squeaky bum time in the Premier League, and this was Arsenal's whoopee cushion moment, a line I was quite pleased with, but I was slightly worried that the bottlers, you know, they're going to throw it away, second again, allay, allay, allay, all,

all that sort of language was going to get to them. And the game you probably don't want on paper is an away game against Tottenham Hotspur with a new manager who desperately need to win. and I thought they were classy again today and I think they just showed that resilience, determination, fortitude, all the things they hadn't shown

in throwing away points against Brentford and obviously that catastrophe late on against Wolves they were back to the Arsenal that I've managed to just stay true and I still think they're going to win the title and I think that was a really, really big win and a statement from them today. Victor Yockech today, two goals.

Oh yes, Rick, yes. Was absolutely excellent all round and I have always said he will come good. Just give him time. And a lot of people were quick to judge. And I haven't been one of those. I've said, listen, look at his record. He will score goals.

He is a big, strong, proper number nine. No, Rick, no, no, no, no. Clinton, were you on? Were you on the podcast? You remember what he called him? No, I can't remember what he called him, but... I can. I said, give him time.

I'd be honest with you. I didn't think he hit. the ground running and I've criticised him all season and I didn't even think he was having that much of a good game until he managed to get his goal because I was still thinking against Dragerson he's hardly played any football you should be really causing him problems and then

after he scores his goal he's been fantastic but he's been on a good run. That goal is a lovely goal oh it's a brilliant goal you're not meant he's not meant to score that you know why because he's not been in fantastic form but that goes to show his confidence is coming he's got scored 8 in 7 now yeah no John I love the guy I've always loved the guy right no I can't do

do it anymore I can't Luke, what you're saying? Come on then, Luke. In you come, in you come, Luke. I can't let this slide. Rick, I mean, I'm, Rick, described him as toilet. And one of the harshest descriptions we've had of anybody on this podcast.

He's picked on him. He wrote him off, said he was rubbish, and used the adjective, toilet. Toilet, when you watch him sometimes, and he only has three or four touches in the game. He has been toilet. Oh, my God. The shame.

The shamelessness with which you've just tried to pretend that never happened. Okay, okay. Hear me out on this, right? He had a lot of space for that first finish, a good finish. He only really scores against bad teams or relegation threatened teams. So he scored one goal. He scored against one Premier League team who are currently in the top ten, which is Everton, who are in ninth. All the others.

So against Leeds, against... No, I agree with you. I agree with you. I think, Luke, are you a fan of Victor Yockeresch? Because I got bullied. I got bullied into agreeing with Rick initially. And then when he wasn't on, I said that I had been peer-pressured into writing him off. And that wasn't fair.

I think you don't judge a player immediately coming into a new league. I know he played in the foot, in Coventry in the championship, but coming that big money move. And it doesn't matter who he scores against Rick, because they're still got to win those games. And the criticism of Arsenal was that they didn't have a centre forward, period, who was going to be a reliable source of gold. That stat you've just said about how many goals he scored

and he's like, what was it? Eight and seven. Eight in seven. So he's doing really, really well. I've never bought up to the description of him as toilet. I don't remember you disagree. I did think that he was struggling. I did think he was struggling a little bit,

but it's lovely to see him come good. And ram, that description down Rick Edwards is from. Yeah. Well, good on toilet, Victor. I suppose, I mean, look, it's a very comfortable, fully deserved 4-1 win. But

Arsenal are just starting to make mistakes. So Declan Rice's mistake. I mean, it's quite funny because of the circumstances which are, they score a goal. He does his little huddle of like, right, really focus now. 30 seconds later,

I don't know what he's trying to do. And Kelle and Juan, he scores actually a very nice goal. But just there's a few, he said this on Friday, didn't it? Our goals are self-inflicted and they're letting in goals quite soon after they're scoring themselves and sort of been getting away with it to some extent but they will want to cut that out yeah of course they will but they're making it's defensive mistakes you saw it against walls

with gabriel and rea don't need to come for it gabriel's going to deal with it and then they score the equalizer today that i think against a better team they will get punished i think you're right rick what you say better teams Tottenham are not a good team at the moment with all the injuries they've got 11 first team and they just have regulars that could be in and amongst at starting 11, they ain't good enough to go toe to toe with Arsenal. So that was always going to be a struggle. But I think you're right. Against the better teams, they'll get punished with the mistakes they're making.

Even wolves, they got punished. So they need to cut out those mistakes. But this was a big positive result for them because it's a North London Derby and you're thinking could Tottenham get a bit of a lift. I still think this is going to go down to the way. And I've said it, I think I've said it when Rick had a few weeks off, didn't he, when he decided he didn't want to work with me for a bit. So he knew I was on it.

Everyone needs an occasional break from Clinton. Yeah, I know. Everyone needs a break from Clareem Morrison. And I said, I think this will be decided. The Carabelle Cup final, whoever wins that, mate, will go on. I think we'll go on and win the Premier League. Because if they don't go over the line, get over the line, Arsenal in that game, then I think Man City played them two games later, and I think that could be it.

And if Man City take the lead... Well, Man City will be on the dairies again. That's what I'm trying to... There you go. Pep said they can have the cocktail. If Man City take the lead, they're not getting caught. That's my opinion on it. Now, on Totham, I don't think anyone was really expecting them to win.

but you look at where they are now. They're only four points above West Ham. And I'm not sure I saw... I know what I was expecting, really, but they didn't look much better than they did against Thomas Frank. Certainly not in the second half. There's a word we used before coming on air,

which we are unable to use on air that's... Say what you feel, Luke. Rubbish, basically. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they didn't look any better than they had under Thomas Frank, really. There was a bit of energy. There was a bit of running around.

There was a bit of fight. And of course, there should be. It's a North London Derby. And the crowd were well up for it in the first half. And they get that goal really with their first clear chance. I think I was struggling to think of anything before then. They get the equaliser. And then they just fold in the second half.

And they look bedraggled again in the second half for me. They've got so many injuries. There is always going to be that excuse available to them. but Igor Tudor, which is a name I love, sounds like a James Bond villain. He's got a big job on his hand. He's coming as an interim manager for a group of players who've just seen off Thomas Frank.

Let's make bone and no bones about it. They saw him off. They got rid of him because they weren't having him and weren't buying into his ideas. We helped you again, Rick. I think it's a big, big job. And it is one of the ultimate cliches, but it is also true.

There is no such thing as a team that's too good to go down. And I think Tottenham have to be really, really careful that they don't get complacent and think we're going to win enough games. We've got enough of a cushion. The teams below us are worse because there are signs that West Ham are picking up. Leeds have been very, very consistent. Nottingham Forest

again, their team is good on paper as well and they've got some fantastic footballers and I thought they were a little bit unfortunate against Liverpool today not to get at least get a point. So complacency and arrogance could take top them down and there's a big, big job coming up for them.

I agree with you, Luke, because you know what? their next two games, they have got Fulham and Crystal Palace. So there's Fulham away and then Palace at home. And then they still don't have their Captain Romero because he's still, this was the second game and he's got two more games and I think they need him and Mickey Van de Van at the back.

So they're two games where you're looking at him thinking if you don't pick up points, you are going to look over your shoulder because I think the form Westlam are showing at the moment. I know they've got tough gains, but they look the team, they look organized at the moment. And I look at Tottenham. They don't look organized. They don't look organized as a team.

They don't look at fret going forward. They can't keep the baller out of the back, out of the defence. So that's a recipe for the disaster for me. So do I think they'll go down? No, but do I think they're in a bit of trouble at the moment? 100%. Just quickly, I want to have an argument with you about the disallowed Colo Mawani goal. Because to me, that is a pathetic dive from Gabrielle.

You'd need a snicko from cricket to determine whether he's actually touched it and he throws himself down like significantly after the hand is off his back by the way it's like if a striker if it's the other way around if it's a defender doing that to a striker there is no way it's being given as a penalty

I agree with you absolutely no chance do you know why it is it's just I said it during commentary as soon as you raise your hand and touch someone regardless and I agree with you it's the slightest of touches As soon as Gabriel goes down, the referee is always going to do that.

But do you agree with you. The other way round, it's never been given us a pen. Yeah. Well, yeah. So I'm in your camp, mate. I'm in your camp. I do think it was soft. In your words, clear foul, because you're a moral.

Clear foul, two hands on the back, shoved him while he's in the air, knocked him off balance. In the air. In the air. Makes the most of it. Gabriel makes the most of it. Oh, you think he makes the most of it. Okay.

He definitely makes the most of it, but you don't get given the decision. It's, you know what I mean? Okay, so with my thought experiment, if it's the other way around, is that a penalty? If it's the defender on the attacker, if Gabriel, yeah. If the referee awarded it on the pitch, it would be a penalty, yes. That's not what I'm asking. Is it a penalty? Well, that's the answer you're getting. Is it a penalty?

My point is that with VAR. Would it be given us a penalty? Possibly. But he's not going to win that header, is he? Gabriel's not going to win that header. It's so soft. It's soft. Exactly.

He's not winning the header. I mean, I thought it was a disgraceful. So if he's not going to make him, why does he shove him? But why does he shove him? He touches him. He's put two hands on his back. He's touched. But it touched on him, he's not shoving.

Was it two or one? Was it two or one? Two. But that's whatever. Luke, what were you watching? It was one. I think it's one. I think it's one.

And it's like it's like you straight. It's like an affectionate stroke. It's soft. It's soft. And, you know, I like to argue with you. You were so adamant that it was that it was, that I was instantly, I was instantly going to say, no, that's a clear penalty. Yes, I didn't like your attitude when you just declared that.

I described it as pathetic, which it was. Yeah, and I didn't like that attitude, so I argued with you. But actually, in reality, yeah, you made the most of it, Gabriel. These two are like brothers, man. You lot made me laugh. You're brilliant. You're brilliant. All right, let's move it on then to the game that you were watching yesterday.

Really hard fought win for City against Newcastle. And Pep obviously delighted saying go and enjoy the Kiperinas or whatever to the players. And you could tell from the reaction at full time that city smell that this could be on. Yeah, they smell blood. They felt something stirring. The atmosphere, I go to the Etihad quite a lot. And I don't want to be too rude. But it is one of the quieter, flatter home crowds generally.

They've become so used to winning and success that they get a bit blaze about it all. Yeah, I think it is more of that than the fans. not being passionate. It's just the one so much. They've got a traditionally, yeah, they've got a traditionally. Yeah, they've got a great fan base. We're hugely passionate fan base. But the atmosphere of the Etty had can be very flat and it can be stale.

And I'm, you know, Pep Gariola has talked about that in the past that, you know, for big Champions League games, I'm being up for it. But when the team needed them on Saturday night, Newcastle were putting them under quite a lot of pressure. It was 2-1, but Newcastle played really well and were kind of relentless, certainly physically. They were relentless on them. and the city were actually pinned back. The crowd really responded to that adversity

and the noise inside the stadium I think really helped carry City across the line, but I think that's because the supporters sensed this was a huge moment. Like Arsenal are having a wobble. They needed to keep the pressure on and Newcastle were coming at them pretty hard and it was loud

and it was, you know, there was a lot of audible backing for tackles for clearances, for headers. And then at the end, PEP's not, I've not seen him that animated, certainly not this early in the season in February for a win. You know, he was fist bumping,

he was jumping into the arms of people. City players were falling to the floor. I think they knew that was a big, big moment for them. And I think it just felt like a club that believes Arsenal are going to blow it. And I think if they exert enough pressure, if they take care of their business, which I know is obvious because if they beat Arsenal, you know,

they will move ahead of them. But they think Arsenal are under pressure and that they're having a wobble and it's tense. And Arsenal aren't able to cope with that. And City responded brilliantly. But what I will also say is they're still not, they're still not the city of old. No.

They're still not as good as some of the previous Pepsi Guardiola teams we've seen but maybe that makes them more endearing to the supporters that the supporters need to help them. Yeah. You know I like a stat on this podcast

and this really made me chuckle. There's only two teams in the Premier League who are currently on a run of more than one win in a row. So it's Liverpool who've won two in a row and SETI of won three. And it tells you

that the league is inconsistent, it tells you maybe that it's quite sort of evenly matched. Does it also tell you that the league, that just the quality isn't there at the moment? See, it's a difficult one. Yeah, because I don't know what the answer is. I understand where previous seasons you look at it and Man City and Arsenal have gone to total, and then you look at Liverpool last season and people said, was it still good? I still think there's this quality, but I think it's inconsistent. I think that's the big word that you've made.

There's still a lot of quality, but it's... It's so inconsistent. Where before, where Man City, you look at this time of the season, it's kind of their season. Pep said it the other day. This is where we kick on. This is what he enjoys and he smiles it. And you're looking at it and you're thinking,

can Man City go unbeaten from now to the end of the season? We've seen it in previous seasons. I agree with Luke. It's not the same Man City. They're still open. They're vulnerable. Newcastle created numerous chances. And I think the game could have been different.

And this is why I say there's moments. Like there was moments today where Rayan makes the save at 3-1. If it goes 3-2, 6 minutes to go, Dono Romo makes an outstanding save from Harvey Barnes. right at the end and it goes out for a corner. These are big moments in football matches. And I'll heart back to it. The biggest moment that I think where it could have been over for City

was the Liverpool game, where they come back in it and they win that. And that could be the defining moment in the season. Because by then, I think it would have been nine points and it would have been all over. Yeah, nine point gap at one-neill-down. And I think now it is game one, you know. And I think City, I still think Arsenal, I make them slight favour. You know, I make them the slight favourites because they're winning at the moment. but city smell blood at the moment

and you know what they've got, a manager, been there, seeing it, done it. I also just need to get over the line in a trophy at the moment. Is it fair that Dan Burns' goal was chalked off because he was offside, given that he was only offside because Ruben Dio shoved him offside?

I suppose it sort of is, but then it doesn't feel fair, the foul should supersede the offside. Yeah, it should. But you know what it is, though? There's no law for it. And you see it all the time, where you say he's sent him forward.

start here and the defenders are here. So what Centre Fulza do is trying to, you know, get the defenders to drop a bit deep so their line's not as high, so they've got the opportunity. But what he does, Diaz, and his clever defender, he just shoves down Bern because he knows it's never going to be a foul. So I understand why, but then I thought they were going to look

at it and say maybe it's a penalty, but they didn't. They didn't. It can't be a penalty because he hasn't kicked it yet. Yes. So it's this grey zone of you could basically shove somebody because the ball's not in play. But I think it does need to be looked at because people are going to start doing that more and more.

I did wonder if it sets a bit of a precedent. If you're like, oh, you can get away with that. And it should be, and I know this is the Newcastle view, having spoken to people sort of this morning and late last night, was that it's still, it's not a foul, strictly speaking, but he fouls him to put him into an offside position. So the common sense view is that, well, he's been fouled. That's why he's offside and then he scores.

But the foul was committed first, so the goal should stand. But there isn't actually a law that states that. So there's nothing VAR could do. If the referee had spotted it, I think he would have just ordered the free kick to be retaken as well. That's probably it, isn't it? Which is a slightly dissatisfactory result for Newcastle as well. It's something they might need to look at.

I looked at it and thought, hmm, that doesn't seem quite right. Nico O'Reilly, two goals. He looks like such a good player. I feel like he will be in the England squad because he's just got that versatility. It's just one of these new sort of academy players who's come through and kind of do whatever job. I mean, I know where he wants to play,

but he can come in anywhere, Clinton. Yeah, he can, he probably wants to play in that midfield role, but will he play that for England? I'm not sure. I think his position for England will probably be at left back, which you are sending a youngster representing their country and going to a World Cup. You play anywhere, and I think he's been outstanding.

But yeah, his finishes yesterday were brilliant. And he just improves, he gets better and better. And that helps when you're playing with the likes of Bernardo, Silver, Rodry, these type of players that will help you as well at a young age. And he's so mature, even his interviews. after but yeah i think he's a fantastic talent and yeah he was a midfielder anyway when he came through the academy and stuff he was a number 10 yeah he was a number 10 so him scoring goals it's probably no different to what he's been doing in the academy or in the youth team but pep throwing

throwing him at left back before when they had injuries and he was outstanding so yeah i think he's a brilliant player and yeah it'll be a starter for england at the world cup the way he's playing at the moment you reckon starter interesting i think newcastle be pretty i mean i know that their their record away against city is absolutely miserable. But the way that they played, the way they went about it, how hard they pushed Manchester City, I think Eddie Hall would probably be quite pleased.

Yeah, 17 straight defeats at the Edieham for Newcastle. Yeah, that's horrible. It's an absolutely horrendous run. But that is about as well as they've done, I think. That's certainly, in recent years. There's been an uptick in Newcastle's performances. They lost to Brentford.

There was that bit of acrimony, and there was a sort of slight doubts about Eddie Howe's future. I gave a very passionate defence of him on this podcast and rightly so but they're... Sorry, you were saying that your defence, your own description is rightly so? Yes.

Amazing. I was correct to do that. As has been proven. I think probably we'll wait for someone else to say that, but okay. No one else is going to blow my trumpet on this podcast. So every now and again, I just feel the need to do it myself. You do actually. Well, Rick isn't.

Yeah, you do, Clinton. But Rick certainly doesn't. You two are like brothers, though, so you're always not going to blow your trumpet. What is the opposite of blowing trumpet? Do you know what I mean? I'm just that is what Rick does. Sucking your trumpet.

Don't think about that too much. I don't know where to go. That's killed me. There is a point. Do you know what? There is a point I want to make. I think we'll just leave it there. I'm going to talk about the drama in the Liverpool

forest game. Chelsea setting fire to points. Burnley, we've still got a mountain to climb and more shortly. But first, it's your favourite bit. It's half-time teaser. James Milner overtook Gareth Barry to lead the Premier League's all-time appearance

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but you know short name or nickname they could name more to the biggest stages of world football sala is more than just a player he's an icon a symbol a king mohammed sala represents a dream for egyptians for muslims for africans more than just a football player he gave us hope i'm kelly kate this is sporting giants mo sala listen on bbc sounds on the football daily podcast League Review with Rick Edwards. Welcome back to the Premier League review. Before the break, ask if you could name the three players that James Milner has played against most often

in his record-breaking career. And I mean, this is hard. This is ridiculous. Yeah. I'll give you clues. None of them are still playing. One of them is a BBC pundit. One of them is a current Premier League manager

and one of them is a current Premier League assistant manager. Michael Carrick. Michael Carrick, yes. Played him 23 times. Jay, Ivan? No. So you said he's a beat. So not Michael, Alan Shira and Michael Richards.

No. Not Wayne Rooney, Joel. Yeah. Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney. Played him 24 times. Yeah. Okay.

And then the one who's a current assistant manager. In the Premier League? No. Is he in the Premier League? Yep. Okay. A current assistant manager? Yeah.

It hasn't, it's not retired that long, obviously. Assistant manager? Defender. I'm trying to think of teams. Not Arsenal, not Chelsea. he not Not. Jackie Elka?

No, but you're playing for the same team as Jaggy Elka. So is that Evan? Yeah. Hightinger. No.

Coleman? No. Is he a coach now? He's coaching, yeah? He's an assistant manager. Leighton Baines. Layton Baines. Yeah, Baines.

He played him 20 times. We got there actually quicker than I thought we would. Who was your most regular Premier League opponent? Any idea? Clinton? Mine?

Yeah. I ain't got a clue. You got good memory. Who would it have been? Well, I mean, there's a few of them. Danny Mur. Edwin van Dazar. You played a load of people six times, basically.

Did I? Danny Murphy, yeah, two good players, yeah. I thought he's going to say Danny Mills. I was going to say, yeah, if it was him, I would have definitely got sent it off playing against him. Let's talk about James Milder then. Clinton, you were 23 when he made his debut. You were playing at Stanford Bridge for Birmingham City that weekend, November 2002. Remember the result? We lost.

Yeah, Chelsea were good then, so I knew we'd lose. You played against him three times, Milner. He is a remarkable footballer. Ridiculous. For the longevity that he's done, do you know why? He's the best professional you'll ever meet. Like he's always doing his recovery. He'll always be drinking the right amount of water and everything.

He looks after himself. He's probably the first one on the training pitch, the last one after the training pitch. When he retires, I think 100% it will go into coach it. And that's testament. If you want to be a professional footballer, look at James Milner. the way he conducts himself on the pitch and off the pitch

and the work rate he puts in and the hard work he does. It's hard work and his dedication. Everyone wants to be a footballer, but everyone don't want to put the hard work and the dedication in. I think for him to pass Garif Barry, I thought was a fantastic footballer. I know Garif Barry probably played more minutes than him, but I still think it's a great achievement from James Milner.

He's been a great professional everywhere he's gone. Every player that, every time you like can ask any player when they speak about James Milner, when you ask him about a footballer, they say he's a great professional. and a great pro and he was one of the hardest working players ever.

There was a small snapshot I got. I spoke to Martin O'Neill on Friday just for a piece that the Telegraph had done about James Milner and he said

you couldn't stop him training you couldn't stop him playing he wanted to play every game he's like he had the ultimate traits really of the ultimate professional I said ultimate twice there but he had all the traits of the old professional people talk

about that phrase but he was the epitome of it and you have to remember that Martin O'Neill was so upset about Aston Villa selling James Milner that he quit. That's true. He walked out on Ashton Villa. I took it so personally that this player

who he said if they hadn't have accepted the bid from Manchester City was such a good pro that he wouldn't have kicked off. He wouldn't have moaned. He would have just got on with playing for Aston Villa again. And here is someone like Martin O'Ne who has obviously been in the game for his entire life say that about James Milner.

I just thought that that probably encapsulates what a unique person and character he is and still be going at the age he is and had the success he's had remarkable. I also think, I mean, we're talking about Nico O'Reilly and the fact that he can play anywhere. Part of the reason that Milner has played so many Premier League games is that he can do it anywhere.

And he never can play. He never said no. I mean, Yergan Klopp has been on the record saying, you know, clearly he doesn't fancy himself as a fallback, but he's going to play it fullback and he's going to do a really good job. And again, that feels like a really good lesson for young pros, Clinton. Yeah, he'll play anyway. Listen, when you pick your team, you probably, the first thing you pick out is James Milner.

I'm not saying for his ability to go and take people on and pull it in the top corner, but you know what you're going to get out of James Milner. It'll always be a seven out of ten or if not eight and nine or ten out of ten. He'll never drop below that. I think he's had a fantastic career. If you're a young player, look at James Milner. He sets the bar so high. And you know what?

Brighton was struggling. What did Herzler do? He put him in the team yesterday. And Milner was outstanding. But it made me laugh after when they were asked him, why did Milna come up? He said he had cramp. That's probably the first time in James Milner's career he's ever at crump. He must have been baffled by that because I don't know what this feeling is.

Exactly. What is that? Because I've never had it before. You know what it's called James? Old age. That's what it's called. This is Clinton. I know you've got to get a lift home with John Murray, I think.

So I'm going to let you go. Okay, mate. No problem. But always a pleasure. No time. Thank you, Clinton. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. But next time, please don't ever let me be the backup dancer. Just call me and I'll always come back. Yeah. But it's great to get confirmation that you could still do a job in the championship as well. Cheers, Clinton.

See it. See you later. Bye, bye, way, mate. Clinton just mentioned, you know, bringing Milner in from Hurtz. And that was the first win in seven Premier League games.

And that has definitely been a bit of chatter swirling around Brighton about his future that feels, I mean, to me that always felt a bit premature. I'm not so sure.

It's been a pretty miserable run. I mean, it's Premier League football. We see managers go for left. I'll tell you what, I bet if James Milner a turn against his manager, he wouldn't still be there. I mean, that, that, you know, the way James Milner spoke about him after the game, how, yeah, how sort of the kind comments he had, and it's a strange word to you sometimes kind about a player talking about the manager, but in that position, I think he probably needed his ultimate pro, senior pro, to stick with him and keep the dressing room together,

because that's, that's the kind of role that Milner has had, certainly in the latter stages of his career, he's been that glue in the dressing room. So Brighton were on a really, really poor run and the fans were getting restless and nobody is safe forever. And what is it? One winning 12? It's something like that.

It is bad. It is bad. But you would look at their league position, they're not in any, they are not going to get dragged down into a relegation battle. You know, it's sort of, it's disappointing,

it's not terminal. But you still need a win. You still need a win. It doesn't matter what you've done as a manager. It doesn't matter the context. It doesn't matter the circumstances that you're in. When you're on, that sort of run, there was for the first time really serious questions being asked

about him. And I think not by the media as such, I think it flew under the radar. I think if if you've been at another club than Brighton, the pressure would have been more. But I think Brighton supporters were beginning to get a bit tired. They're getting a bit exasperated. Stuff about selling Lewis Dunk potentially to Nottingham Forest in the January window, club legend. I don't think that went down well. So he needed that win. Really, really needed that win. And then hopefully that will quiet and everything down. But yeah, in his hour of he turned to the ultimate pro James Milner. I sat through a pretty poor game at the city ground.

Not in Forest, Liverpool, and Forest under Vito Pereira, were in the first half in particular, really good, unlucky not to be ahead, and after the game, Pereira is sort of saying it just doesn't really seem fair. Arnold Slott said, yeah, we were lucky. A fair result would have been a draw. I don't know if you caught any of it, but in the end,

big three points for Liverpool, deserved or not? A huge three points. I left you alone during that game because it was so bad from a Liverpool perspective. In the first half, Forrest were very good,

but Liverpool were dire. Abject, yeah. And in a display of restraint, I just left you alone. Thank you very much. I'm not going to ruin his afternoon any further point. That was already happening.

Yeah. They were very poor. I thought Forrest were good probably didn't create enough didn't create quite enough with the level of but Liverpool got away with one

they were better but it was a bit like the Liverpool at the start of the season they did find a way and they overcame setbacks in that game and they were good at the end they were

right at the end they were they were pushing and probably you know probably deserve to get something for pushing but I also think they're only able to push because Forrest looked a bit tired I'm not sure Liverpool will play much better.

I just think that Forrest got tired. On the VAR decisions, the first one where it sort of bounces off Bacallister, it does look like it sort of comes off a bit of elbow and a bit of back, and you think, yeah, probably right to disallow it. I don't know, it wouldn't have been surprised if it had been given, but not. It's a bit of a messy goal anyway, isn't it? It's literally a block. I don't think you can score a late winner with a block.

You shouldn't do that. You shouldn't be able to. And I think it was just. about the right decision. As for the offside, Rick. I mean, honestly, as soon as it went to VAR, VAR, I was like, well, that's, that's very clearly offside. I can't. I didn't, he couldn't even see the player who's keeping him on side behind him, which I suppose is the thing.

But the angle that we were, we were watching on telly, I was like, well, he's off. We looked like two of them off. Yeah, but I suppose they've just decided he's not interfering, which is a bit rich, isn't it? It's a bit rich. He's definitely there or that. I mean, he's in the vicinity, for sure.

It's just one of those again with the naked eye. There was one recently, wasn't there, Tottenham, Newcastle, where Joe Willick was said to be. But to the naked eye, it's just like, oh, he's on, but his forehead was off. And the VAR line was drawn. It's semi-automated. He's offside.

You just have to accept it. Yeah, I think it's sort of, that's one of the bits of VAR when you go, well, okay, I kind of, I trust that that's probably correct. I'm not sure I trust it entirely. Not in, no, not in time. I wouldn't be happy if I was a forest fan, I know that. No, and it just looked offside, but you couldn't see the full, the forest defender exactly where he was.

No, you couldn't see it. The angle of the camera was not in line. Eckertique clearly was offside and I do think he might just might have interfered with play, just a little bit in trying to get his head on the ball, which would then take away attention from defenders. But look, the goal stood. There's no point, you know, we can moan and win. about it.

It felt very tough on Forrest having survived the first VAR check. But Liverpool needed it, Rick. You know

there are still some big problems there, aren't there? In terms of Salad didn't look happy again for the rest of the season.

They're not getting Champions League. And Salad didn't look happy again, did he? He looked No, and I think you'll be

particularly unhappy because when Angamoa came on he was really lively. He created that first disallowed goal. It was exciting.

He just made stuff happen. Yeah. And Salad didn't do any of that at all. No, he still hasn't. I think there's still a big issue there, isn't there? Yeah, well, he's not scored now, I think.

Scored in nine. Brightened in the Cup. But yeah, it hasn't, it's his longest ever run without Premier League goal now. I just don't think that it's harmonious behind the scenes with him and on a slot. I think we saw that before Christmas

with the Throw Me Under the Bus statement and then the apology. He did look grumpy at being subbed. But then as we discussed earlier on the season, if you're going to play badly, you are going to get sucked. Yeah. Potentially.

On Chelsea quickly, Liam Rossignor was saying that his team are setting fire to points. So he said they've set fire to four points from two home games. They can see this 93rd minute equaliser against Burnley.

And it was a funny game because such a quick start from them. And then they just didn't press home the advantage. And then they had this familiar problem where they get a red card and then they can see late from a set piece and these just seem to be recurrent issues that aren't going away under any manager.

No, they're a flawed team, aren't they? They can look very good, very exciting, but they're not consistent and they do have a remarkable knack for self-sabotage and that has been seen all season. It's an inexperienced team. They've signed a lot of young players. When you do that, there's some immaturity there.

There's going to be some vulnerability there. He's kind of saying it's about. accountability is it not really fussed about yeah well i mean i'm just going to say about i was going to lead on to him i think he needs to be a little bit careful coming into that football club of all football clubs because there's some slightly strange comments after the game when he was asked about how fleming scored the goal and he he sort of said well there was an assignment the assignment was missed and it's like i'm not going to throw my players under the bus however you however you already have because it wouldn't take too long um to probably find out who was supposed to

be marking him and working that out. So he was throwing his player under the bus, but not naming him. It isn't quite the same thing as throwing, not throwing your players under the bus. And I think... You know, I have some sympathy, though. It will be annoying if someone just loses that matter.

It's incredibly annoying if somebody doesn't bother to mark you the best header of the ball. But I'm just not sure you say that publicly. At a club like Chelsea with trigger-happy owners and a fan base that can get very, very restless, very quickly when it comes to the job security. of your manager. I think he's done okay since he came in.

Yeah. Okay. But he's taking over of... Well, they have a decent... I mean, I know they've drawn their last two, but they won the previous four. Yeah, I know he's had a good start. I just didn't...

I just sort of took a sharp intake of breath when I saw those comments a little bit or when I watched the video of them, I just thought, okay, just be careful a little bit there because there's a lot of egos at Chelsea and they have a history those players, a bit like Tottenham are getting now, of, they can see off managers very, very quickly.

And yeah, it's a difficult club to manage Chelsea for all the reasons we've discussed before. You know, these stats sort of bolster that point. It's difficult. Eight red cards in all competitions this season, six in the Premier League, that's more than anyone else. They've lost 19 points from winning positions

burning those points up in the Premier League this season. Only West Ham have lost more from winning positions. And they've got a pretty tough run of fixtures. They've got Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United. So, yeah, interesting to see where they are at the... If you doesn't get Champions League football,

if he doesn't get Champions League football, Rick, if he doesn't get Champions League football at the end of the season, it'll already be in trouble at Chelsea. And that's just the reality of the situation. We, I think, I'm right and saying, criticise Burnley for resting players in the FA Cup. We might have done. And this feels like at least some vindication.

I mean, I know one point here, one point there isn't what they need. But they've closed the gap a little bit on Forest, I guess. Do you give them any hope of staying up? No. No, okay. No further questions. Good. No, I feel, you know how I feel about Scott Parker.

We defended Scott Parker, I think, while slagging off the decision to rest players in the FA Cup. What did Burnley expect? So I don't think it's going to be enough, but what it does show is that the players are certainly still playing for the manager, and that is so and so important. And that would be really important going into next season when presumably they will be in the championship.

Let's quickly round up everything else then. So first time win for Crystal Palace since the first November, late winner over Walls, who had a class of poor penalty. saved in the first half. Good. That's really good for Oliver Glasner who's obviously been having to answer some tricky questions. He just keeps arguing with the fans now, doesn't he?

It's just like he's deliberately goading them. I can't quite work out what his game is. Well, to get out, I think. Well, yeah. Sorry, I do know what his game is. He's off. I mean, he's picked a fight with the board, and he's now sort of picking fights with the supporters. So, yeah.

The Crystal Palace definitely needed the win today, but the Glasna, It's getting a bit tedious and tiresome, if I'm perfectly honest. Look, if you want to go, mate, just go. And actually, if you go sooner rather than later, then you will be looked on very fondly. Fulham, a very good 3-1 winner at Sunderland, who we know are hard to beat at home.

Raul Jimenez double. West Ham and Bournemouth were goalless. Leeds very nearly got a rare away win, and then Tammy Abraham scored with a couple of minutes left. which sort of made me think about England strikers. So just back up. Back up for Harry Kane. Abraham probably a real outside chance, I suppose.

He scored a couple of goals. Yeah, but could play his way into it. Could, could. Calvert Lewin scored 10 in 24. Well back because nine in 26. Watkins, who would have been your obvious one, he's at injury issue, he scored 8 in 27. Liam Dillap has been, I know he's not starting many games,

but one goal in 18 is not good enough. And then Slanky, again, just injuries and a bit inconsistent. There's not an obvious person, is there? It's a huge problem for English football moving forward because Hurricane isn't going to go on forever. I think of that list, Rick, I would go with, who would I be happiest with? It will be Calvin Lewis.

Is it? Yeah, I really like what he's done for Leeds, and I think he would ask different questions of international defences in terms if you wanted to go direct. Oh, he's so good nearer. Yeah. So I would go Calvlin. Watkins is the safe choice, because they know what he's like,

and they know he'll be a good thing. And he's done it for England, you know. And he's done it for England. And the other one to throw in there, of course, is that you've now got Anthony Gordon playing through the middle for Newcastle. Thomas Tuchel will probably look in and that thinking, well, that's brilliant news, because I've got someone I can take as a left wing,

who in an emergency I can play through the middle. So it's not an embarrassment of riches, is it? No, no, it's not. And DeLat not kicking on at Chelsea, I think it will be the thing that will concern the FA the most because he was the great hope, wasn't he? He was young and under 21 came through the pathway,

did really well at the Euros last summer, but then has been pretty average. Is he just Nackard? Did he get a break, yeah. Went to the Euros, European Championships last summer, then went straight out to the Club World Cup to play for Chelsea. basically didn't get a break in the summer

and you'll probably, if there is a warning to the people who make the fixture list and the physical demands on players, if players do not get a break, they will struggle and they will physically go kaput. We'll wrap it up there. That's all got time for on the Premier League review. Thank you very much, Luke. Always a pleasure to argue with you.

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