Football Daily - The Commentators' View: Moments of the season

Episode Date: May 13, 2026

In a special episode of The Commentators' View presented by Kelly Cates, John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce-Ball look back at their moments of the 2025/26 season so far.Timecodes: 2'00 - Sunderland beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 9'00 - Manchester City win at Anfield 15'00 - Rangers beat Hearts 4-2 20'00 - Bodo/Glimt beat Man City in the Champions League 32'00 - Liverpool get knocked out of the Champions League by PSG 36'00 - Arsenal beating Athletic Club in Bilbao 42'50 - Macclesfield knock the holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup 48'52 - Man City win the League Cup 51'50 - Manchester United beat LiverpoolCommentaries this week: 16th May – 1230 – Celtic v Hearts – Scottish Premiership 16th May – 1500 – Manchester City v Chelsea – FA Cup Final 17th May – 1500 – Leeds v Brighton – Premier League 17th May – 1500 – Brentford v Crystal Palace – Premier League 17th May – 1730 – Newcastle United v West Ham – Premier League

The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. Hello and welcome to this special edition of The Commentator's View. This week we're doing things a little differently. The show will be presented by Kelly Kate's and over the next hour, myself, Alistair Bruce Ball, alongside John Murray and Ian Dennis, are going to look at some of our moments of the season so far. The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray, and Ian Dennis.

I'm joined by John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alistair Bruce Ball, as we dive into their most memorable games of the season so far. And before we get into it, I have a small bone to pick with the three of you. Now, as listeners may know, the commentator's view is a very successful podcast, a very widely listened to podcast. And what that means is that someone is always listening. and someone is always listening to the detail in the conversations that you have. And what I'd like to say, Ali, is that I heard you saying that you'd much rather Mark Chapman was presenting this.

There's a specific reason for that, Kelly. And I said... Is it favouritism? Not favouritism. And I think I did preface it by saying... No offence, Kelly. I think you prefaced it with. Whatsoever.

But Mark Chapman or Hare Chapman, as he's known on our... podcast, you know, is a little bit grumpy, claims he doesn't listen, refuses to appear on it as a guest. I'm delighted you're doing it, Kelly. Do you think, I just say as well, Kelly? I was just going to accuse another member of the team for telling you, Kelly, that. Well, I'll be honest. I listened to it myself and I did hear a consensus, but we'll leave it there. We will move on. Just like to leave it with one common, which is that the BBC is supposed to be neutral,

and that includes with your colleagues. So just word for the future. We have your first three choices then. They're all from the domestic leagues. And it starts with one of the first big upsets of this season's Premier League. And that is the choice of Alistair Bruce Ball. What can Broby do?

Broby turns, lays it back. Talby with his right foot. And Sunderland have scored in added time at Stamford Bridge. It could be a famous win. At the start of a really encouraging season in the Premier League for Sunderland, the players are going wild. They've all come sprinting down to celebrate with the Sunderland fans, leading Chelsea and Merry Dance.

Chelsea won, Sunderland 2, Sunderland going second in the Premier League. Oh, there's a huge surprise factor in all of that, Ali. It's a great choice. Yeah. Do you know what? One of the things, just listening back to that, Kelly, that struck me as well, was that really distinctive. and you only properly get it in radio commentary,

that distinctive sound of away fans celebrating. Because it's not that thunderous explosion of noise had Chelsea scored a late winner and you can sort of barely hear yourself think. I think that's quite a distinctive sound. So even if there was no commentary on that, I think you'd know who scored the goal. But yeah, no, it really felt like a statement win

and that's why it stood out to me. And I think particularly Kelly, sort of just the narrative going into it. I mean, I think I said in the commentary there that Sunderland had had a. really encouraging start of the season and they had the very fact that win took them second in the table they'd started well but obviously in the previous two seasons we'd seen the three teams who came up go straight back down so that's obviously a big talking point at the start of any premier

league season are we going to get into this sort of yo-yo effect where where it's very difficult for any promoted club to stay up but i think also it was it was it was the way they did it and what i really enjoyed about that that winning goal was our commentary position at stanford bridge we are we are way up in the gods and you get a really good view of the pattern of play. And Regis Libris had brought on Brian Brobie, giant centre forward, who was doing lots of of that sort of hold up play and then just feeding it off to the runners. And Talby was one of the runners who've made the run. But it was one of those goals where you could see what was coming.

So you could sort of build to it. And I was thinking in my head, I can see Talby making that run. If Broby plays the ball in the right spot, I think we're going to get a late winner here. and I think it just sort of helps you kind of go with the moment. So yeah, it stood out for me. It stood out for me. And Enzo Moreska was still in charge there. And the good thing is for Chelsea that having changed manager,

everything's much more stable now. Well, do you know what? I mean, that's why the win was more impressive for Sondland, I think, because that was Chelsea under Moreska. Had Chelsea won the game that day? In fact, I'd been at Stamford Bridge on the Wednesday night, and they'd just put five past Iax in the Champions League. and their last two Premier League games

they've beaten Liverpool and one at Nottingham Forest so that was actually Chelsea who were going quite well and I think the other thing with Sunderland there was I think at that point they'd beaten West Ham

at home they'd beaten Wolves at home they'd beaten Brentford at home and obviously Brentford have gone on to have a tremendous season but I don't think people quite recognise that as a sort of statement win big scout which is why I think this one for Sunderland you know felt

felt so important and actually Kelly the other thing is I always find as a commentator. It was the first time I'd seen Sunderland live that season. And you hear all this talk about how well they're playing and how they're doing it and Robin Roofs in goal and Jacquhar in midfield alongside Siddiqui. But when you actually see it play out live

and you come away and you think, yeah, no, I get that. I can see they are a really good outfit. So, yeah, it was good to bear witness to. And John, there's a bigger point here as well that added to the interest, which is we'd had these yo-yo clubs coming up from the championship. and Sunderland started the season by making a real statement and looking early on,

I know they moved into second with that win, but they looked early on as though they were a team more than capable of not just staying in the league, but of flourishing in it. Yeah, which is very, very welcome, isn't it? Because you know how quick we are to judge? And I think after what happened last season when the bottom three were so cut off,

I think there was a feeling that grew up, wasn't, though, that, well, that's going to be how it is from now on, isn't it? and whoever comes up is going to struggle to stay up. So actually it's been quite refreshing that Sundelndt have booked what hadn't actually become a trend, but they've put a stop to that with the way, you know, good husbandry really as much as anything else. Obviously they spent a lot of money, but they made some great decisions in terms of the players that they signed. So that, and I think also the fact that it is going to be a surprisingly high, number of points that it takes to stay up in the Premier League this season.

And one of those players, Deno, that they brought in, Ali mentioned him earlier, was Granite Jaka. And the difference that he's made for Sunderland, having that Premier League experience and being able to bring that to the rest of the squad has been crucial for them this season. Absolutely. I think they recruited really well in the summer. But I think Granite Jaka has been such an influential signing. I think he's set the standards.

He's raised the standards, not just on the pitch, but I think also within the dressing room. And to give you an example of sort of like his leadership qualities, I host a dinner for the FWA in the Northeast, and Regis LeBrice turned up, and Granite Jaccar as captain felt that it was his place to also attend the awards in Durham that night. And that has been sort of like unheard of.

I just think it just goes, it speaks volumes for the individual, that he takes his responsibility as seriously as he does. And I just think that he's been, such a catalyst for them around other good signings that they've made such as Siddiqui, Mukieli, Rinaldo.

I mean, they have really recruited well because when John's talking about that yo-yo effect, 46 of the 98 promoted teams had previously gone straight back down. And so for Sunderland and Leeds United this year, they've really booked the trend and I think it's actually quite refreshing as well for the top flight that they've been able to do that.

For those who don't listen to the commentators' view podcast, That dinner Ian gets a lot of mentions, doesn't it? Well, I do too, actually, John. I do the one in Manchester. The other one gets a few mentions as well. But going back to the football, Kelly, I was going to say, at the moment, as we all will know,

the BBC are asking us for our teams of the season and various other categories that will appear on an article on the website, I would imagine, very soon. But actually, Connor McNamara, who also is an often often appears on the commentator's view.

Conner let me have a look at his team the other night and he put Granite Chaka in it and I thought what a good choice that was. And I'm not sure how many votes he'll get but I thought that was a very good choice. Yes, and also a huge spoiler in case anybody's waiting to see what Connor's team was. Can I just say though in my defence

it was relevant to mention the conversation I'd had with Granite Jacker rather than it was. It wasn't just a blatant plug for the... Well, where did you have the conversation dinner? We had it at the dinner in Durham. You must tell us more about that sometime. Maybe on the

commentators' view podcast. That might be the place for it. John Murray here's your first one. Manchester City hold themselves level and now in the third minute of out of time we're ready. Harland can step back, three, four paces. Allison on the line. Harland

scores! Places in into the bottom left corner and races away. and kicks a ball off the cone and in front of the Manchester City fans he's surrounded by his teammates the city fans pour forward to one city lead

having been 1-0 down against the champions Liverpool won Manchester City 2 and Harland scoring for Manchester City at Anfield for the first time John Murray all about the ending that one

you are well and what was about to happen what was going to come next. And part of the reason that I've chosen this match as one of my three choices is because Liverpool, Manchester City kind of speaks for itself. There have been so many Titanic matches between them over recent seasons.

I think the point that it came as well for Manchester City because at that point, when, you know, on the morning of that match, Manchester City came into it nine points behind Arsenal and at that point, City had won only one of their last six Premier League matches. so it was must win and what we've not heard was one of the goals of the season

from Soboslai and when he scored that my instinct commentating on it was that is such a good goal from Soboslie that's going to win it you have that sort of instinct and yet there was still so much drama

and as I was going to say part of the reason that I've chosen this match is those final seconds I've never seen anything like it and when you go to a match when you've been to as many matches as we all have and you see a period of play when you think, I've never seen anything like that, then that's quite special. Yeah, those moments that, you know, as you said, that feel unprecedented are huge and they

really stick in the memory, as did that goal, Ali, from Sobersleigh. Yeah, the goal from Soberslay, I remember, if I'm thinking of the right game here, John, that that Harlem penalty came after a very confusing. set of events, didn't it? Where Manchester City it was that one, wasn't it? Where the ball ended up in the back of the net but the goal wasn't allowed.

This was virtually the last play of the match. There were already two won up when that happened right at the end. Oh yeah. And I mean, I've got my notes here what I scribbled down for that period of play that I'm talking about

right at the end of the match when I've written down Alison way out of goal, shirky past goalwards, Sobos Lai Harland fouling each other, ball rolls in, Sobos Lai sent off, Harland Fowl, question mark.

So that's the point I was going to make, Kelly, is I remember listening to that. I was in the car on the way back from somewhere and thinking, this is amazing radio. You know, I was absolutely gripped. But I was also thinking as a commentator, I was trying to get, you know, the picture in my mind of what had happened.

And John was doing that brilliantly. But as he described it, I thought that can't be right. That cannot have, I've never heard of anything. But then I remember thinking, I'm really glad that's not me doing that. I'm really enjoying listening to this because it's one of those, isn't it?

Whereas I think if you were watching that game on the telly with a beer on your hand on a Sunday afternoon, you'd probably be talking yourself through, oh yeah, no, I see what's. And you can think aloud like that. But as a commentator, you've got to think aloud, talk aloud, and try and explain to everyone what's happened. And it was amazing radio,

but I do remember thinking, I'm quite glad that wasn't me. Yeah, I still feel like I haven't completely picked all of the bones out of that. and I still don't quite understand what, because Somers lie was sent off, I still don't understand why Harland also didn't get a second yellow card and was sent off.

I'm sure there's an explanation for that, but there's so much going on. Do you ever do that, though, John? Do you ever go back and try to re-commentate big moments or complicated moments like that one was? What was in the shower? Oh, I would, do you know what? If John is about to say,

I sit at home with a mic that isn't connected to anything, and I watch it on television and I talk my way back into it I'm going to love this answer. People often, they probably do to you Ian and Ali as well. They quite often say, when you're watching a match at home,

do you commentate yourself? Which the answer is definitively absolutely not. No, I don't. Tom Rosenchild did that sitcom, didn't he? Where he was a commentator all the way through it and he just commentated on his life and that was kind of the premise of the sitcom.

Sorry, Ali. No, no, I was going to say quite an insight, though, Johnny. So that note you've just read out there of what happened. When did you write that down? I scribbled out immediately after the end of the match, I think. Right. So you're writing that down because obviously after the match, you're going to have to talk about the incident.

So it's for that purpose, isn't it? It's for post-match reflection, voice piece, all those kind of things. But, you see, again, with Mike in hand and all that guy, I don't know about you, Ian, but I'm not right. that down in that moment. I just, I wouldn't have the control of the presence of mine to be, to be scribbling notes. And I don't, I very rarely write anything during a commentary. I do make a little scroll, but then I struggle to actually read it.

Yeah. I like to, I like to write it down because otherwise I think I will forget the order of what's happened. Yeah. Yeah. open up for him with Casama. He passes the ball and now an opportunity to seal it. Youssef Chimitti with his first ever hat trick, Sentai Brocks into Raptors because Rangers have reduced the lead of the top to two points in a week of late goals that will seal the three points in this fascinating title race.

Rangers 4, Parts 2. A player who lacks confidence for such a long time, effortless. You never thought for a millisecond he was going to miss it. Patrick, 4-2, Rangers are flying. It was an incredible game, Denno.

Why did you pick it? Well, I've always had an interest in Scottish football going back to the days of Alec Totten and Bert Payton when they were the management duo at St Johnston in the late 80s, early 90s. But I picked this game because I think we've been treated to a title race that will be remembered for many a year. Only recently it was a three-way fight.

In fact, I just looked at my own commentary notes a short while ago just to see how far I couldn't remember the goal. Obviously, they just said down to two points. But Rangers went into that game five points adrift of hearts. It was a horrible day. It was a filthy day in terms of the weather. weather, but I enjoy Scottish football. Indeed, myself and Pat did the recent game at Tyne Castle and on our way out of the stadium walking back to the car together, I was just saying to

Pat how I like it because it's this old school approach. They get the ball forward. There's an honesty about the Scottish game and I just thought that that particular match had everything. There was four games, four goals before half time. Rangers win four two. It was it was frantic. It was a great atmosphere. And you know sometimes when you come away from a game going, wow, I enjoyed that today. And on my journey back down south, that's how I felt. I went, I enjoyed that. So that was why it was one of my favourite games. Yeah, I listened to that game at Time Castle. I know that wouldn't have made it in terms of the window in time for this one, but that was an incredible finish. And brilliantly covered by you and by Pat Nevin, who was on commentary duty

for that game between Rangers and Hearts as well alongside Ian Dennis. Look, it was a film. day, as Denno said, Pat, and yet four goals by half-time will cheer anyone up. Yeah, and one of the goals I've not even mentioned yet was a cracker of an overhead kick, wasn't it? So, you know, that always kind of

helps when that's the case. And I've, one complete aside, that overhead kick was a cracker. I remember the great one, obviously, by Scott Me Toméney, and of course, the very famous one with Christian and Ronaldo and

Chorin, when he scored, I against Juventus for Real Madrid. And I had the joy of being all of them. I tell you what, we only invited you on so you could show off, Pat. That was flexing. Look, as Danos said, and he's chosen his moment. And what it's got in common with John Murray's moment is chaos. Sometimes the best games and the best moments are not those

where they are the most precise, where the manager would be delighted with them, where it's about control, where it's about minimizing the negatives in the game. Sometimes it's when everything's just gone a bit wrong. I think chaos is very, it's underrepresented in the English game a lot of the time. But it isn't in the Scottish game right now. I mean, you mentioned the fact that Harts v Rangers game was up there as well,

as well as the one we did at Tiny Castle there. But I watched Mother will play the other night against Harts. It was exactly the same right now. we've got a whole bunch of them in a row and it is that chaotic thing that we've got going in Scottish football because everyone had to go for for this period of time and the stadiums are completely full and everyone's up for it

and I like that comment what Denny was saying about the honesty of the game that's really important because there isn't a lot of throwing themselves at the ground pretend you can be hit in the face there's just not quite so much of that in Scottish football certainly at the moment so that helps the commentary

in the atmosphere as well the referees allow a little bit more to go. And when that's the case, the players don't bother to throw themselves to the game. So everything that was needed for that game that Dennell was talking about there, well, it's been in quite a few of the games so far. And Denno, you were there with me the old day there.

And the atmosphere was staggering, wasn't it? It was absolutely staggering. The Commentator's View on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray, and Ian Dennis. You're listening to The Commentator's View moments of the season with me, Kelly Cates, alongside Alastair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. Your second picks are all about the Champions League. So up first, John Murray. Well, there it is, a five-life first with the credit.

Can you translate that, John? Yes, it means proud of Norway, proud of Buddha. We are Vikings. Well, what a treat that is. For people who are Google translate for a little bit longer with that one. that is for people who are tuning in to drive. As Haugha brings it forward. Right foot short. Oh, it's in.

The Champions League. It's the Sydney Nill. The Champions League proper. This is, listen to this role. The thing with that game was, not only was it a really notable scoreline, but John Murray, this was one that you had earmarked

right from the moment the draw was made. I know we've got a packed schedule, but I could talk about this match all night and the experience and the trip to north of the Arctic Circle, I think about 80 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. And what had really, you know, added to my interest and keenness to go there was the fact that Ali had been the previous season in the Eurota League for the semi-final and you told me all about it, Ali.

I did, John. Yeah, just a very, very unusual place to visit to commentate on football. Absolutely stunning. in particular on the day of the game that I did on the morning of the match I made sure I got all my work done so we had a few hours to explore and was it the Emperor's Walk I seemed to remember I recommended a walk to you

up into the hills to get high above Buda itself and the views and then the stadium and the town down below so yes I'd sort of whetted your whistle a little bit hadn't I got you excited yeah so I had an idea of what I was getting into but the fact is that this match against Manchester City was played in January. And when it was suggested that we would be going there,

and as you say, Kelly, it was an early kickoff, which meant that, you know, it fitted into the five-live schedule and we could do the commentary. And I thought, it's not going to happen. And even though they play on an artificial pitch, I just thought, well, there's no way. It'll snow. We'll not get there.

It'll be too cold. Something will happen. We won't get there. We got there. And, I mean, it was the best type. I surely cannot have been a better time to go there. It was the most sparkling of a couple of winter days. There was snow and ice packed on the ground, but the sun was shining.

And the place looked, I went out both mornings long before breakfast just to have a walk around the place. Just because it is really, really special. And I just, as I said at the time, it really had that local hero feel to it, the whole place. This town, it's a town really, a fishing port on the water. and the fact that they have a team there, many of them local players, and a manager, Chetel Knudsen, who's become an absolute legend of that place, and also, you know, long, long history there, has managed to get them to punch so much above their weight in the European competitions,

and then to actually have the match where they beat the almost all-powerful Manchester City. It just had everything. Journalist and Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Marius Kthomson, joined us on Five Live that night. Marius, was anybody in the whole stadium as excited as John Murray to be there? No, I think probably he was the most excited one of the around 8,000 people

that had shown up this cold and freezing January night. But what can we say? The football on the pitch certainly warmed the home fans' hearts. Freezing, but as John said, the sun was shining, and it's shining now. Just tell anybody who's listening. what we can see behind you, Marius? Yeah, I'm standing right in front of the old stand here.

It built in 1966. Right now I have the evening sun just setting mildly on my face here. It's around, yeah, it's a little over 9 o'clock local time and the northern lights of the cold January evenings and nights are slowly but surely being swapped away with the midnight sun, which shines all the way through the 24 hours during summer. So it's exciting times ahead. You mentioned Northern Lights there.

John, you got to see them, didn't you, when you were there? Yes, kind of. Everyone was saying, these are the most spectacular display of Northern Lights that it's possible to see in Buddha. But wherever we tended to go, or where we ended up going? I saw a sort of half-glimpse of them. And people were coming up to me all the time saying, did you see the Northern Lights last night?

I said, well, I kind of got a bit vague idea. I should tell you, Kelly, as well, where Marius is standing now. It was just about 30 yards to your left Marius after the match when our producer Gary Flintoff had said the whole time because Gary'd filled in the hazard assessment form. We've got all that. The risk assessments done. And of course, the streets are so icy and treacherous.

The pavement. I mean, if that match had been played in the UK, I mean, it wouldn't have been played because it would have been too dangerous around the stadium. And anyway, Gary kept telling me, be careful, be careful on these streets, be careful on the street. Anyway, Gary had gone around

to the press conference and I set off to walk around and just where Marius is standing, I walked straight out of the stadium and went head over heels and landed flat on my back with these Buddha glimph supporters were all around me.

They were just laughing at me. They thought, here he is. He's come from England and he's slipped over. But look, it was really, really icy. But it was so, cold it was difficult to take notes, John. It was because my pen froze up.

You can always tell it when it's cold when the pen froze up. And the other thing, Marius, I should give great credit to Buda Glimt. The commentary position seats are the most comfortable commentary position seats. I have ever sat on to commentate on a match. It was absolute luxury. Do you know what, even if they've been uncomfortable, Marius, it was such a great game. I mean, I don't think even the most fervent of. of Bodo Glimp supporters would have expected to have that scoreline at the end?

No, absolutely not. Even though they have taken some big scabs before Jose Marino came here and got beaten ugly when he was manager for Rome a couple of years ago. But, you know, having the giants of Man City, Arling Holland, Pep Guardiola, I mean, it's a star-filled team. And Bodo basically had to win. They were eliminated if they hadn't gotten three points that game and nobody could really hope that you know it could go all the way and and to beat man city

three one was just unbelievable we had to rub our eyes uh it was it was just an incredible evening for i think both the home and and also the away fans i think they were also shocked of what they were seeing at the around 400 man city supporters that had traveled all the way north here maris i've got a question for you i was most disappointed i wanted it to be really cold for john i wanted him to suffer in the cold and he didn't suffer enough although he did have a fall, obviously. But out of curiosity, what is the coldest you've ever been in that stadium?

And the reason I asked that is that I once went to Roros in northern Norway, and it was minus 27. So what is the coldest you've ever been when you've been watching football? So it's measured just by temperature. It's a bit hard because Bodo is a coastal town. It's warmed by the North Atlantic Gulf Stream. And so it doesn't get freezing cold as you, probably experienced in Rurus, but the thing that makes it so miserable here at wintertime is that

the wind is extremely strong, which makes the effective degrees so much lower than it might seem on the temperature, on the thermometer. So it's hard to say, but you can almost feel your soul leaving the body if you have underdressed going to a game here in Buda. But Buda Kelly, ever since I went for that Europa League semi-final against Spurs at the end of the season before, became or have become a bit of an adopted team on the commentator's view. So they do get plenty of mentions. John was very excited about going and absolutely loved it. When they got knocked out, because sporting really turned that tie around in the knockout stages,

we were devastated. Actually, they would have played Arsenal, wouldn't they? They would have played Arsenal. They would have been another English opponent for Buda. I should also, now Marius is on. must thank Marius because we've stayed in touch since when Bouda Glint went on to have those further matches. So we've stayed in touch. And it was Marius, who was the man who tipped me off about the Sherry Bar in Madrid. It was Marius's discovery. Yeah, which is a great

find. Listen, we need to come back to the Sherry Bar because Maris has come out to stand in front of the stadium there to chat to us and remind us all of the incredible scenes that night. Maris, really appreciate you. Thank you for coming on. It's all my pleasure. Thank you. Thank you. BBC Radio 5 Live. Patrick Kudsey. Stumble in your way into Saturday mornings with great guests. Good morning, Jimmy Nesbitt. Good morning, the party.

You're terrible. Kids taking down commentators. You've wiped the floor with our commentator, Kay. And how does it feel? It feels nice. Football chants from the gods. Take me home. Like it wrong.

The less set about the host, the better. Patrick Kildee. Saturday's from 9. Listen on BBC Sound. The commentator's view on the Football Daily with Alistair Bruce Ball, John Murray and Ian Dennis. Denno, we started with the Arctic Circle. You're going to take us to Anfield. I am, yes.

And it was Liverpool against Paris Saint-German. They were 2-0 down from the first leg. And I've got so many special memories about Anfield on a European night. We were there together in 2016, weren't they? when they played Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League, which actually was the same date as this game against Paris Saint-German, because it was on the eve of the Hillsborough anniversary, which is always an emotional and poignant night at Anfield.

And Liverpool once again had to try and produce another special European performance, but they were unable to do it as they did against Barcelona in 2019. And I know it's a cliche, but there's no better place on a European. night at the downfield, but it's a cliche because I've experienced it twice before. And again, I was thinking, could they do it against this Paris-Sangerman side? And as it turned out, they didn't. The game itself was still a very enjoyable game. Paris-S-German, you can only admire them.

They're an excellent side. And I think also we're probably watching the emergence of this young dynamic team that could dominate European competition for the next few years. They will go down, I think, is one of the great sides with so many great players. And Liverpool in the second half let the handbrake off. And they did have a real tilt at it. And I think the Anfield crowd appreciated it. But also, there was many supporters thinking,

why couldn't Arna Slot have done this on many occasions this season? Where's that performance been? So although Liverpool crashed out of the competition in terms of the spectacle, it was still a very good game of football. Let's hear how you described it. You'll never walk alone. Being sung by the Liverpool supporters. And on the eve of the Hillsborough anniversary, particularly poignant.

As Paris Saint-Germain come forward and Barcola towards Dembele and Dembele secures their passage through to the last four. With their fourth goal in the tie, Paris-Eman lead Liverpool by two goals to nil, but four-nil on aggregate. Liverpool are out and the defending champions are through to the semi-finals. defending champions, obviously Paris Saint-German are a European force, but when you were watching them in that game, Deno, and the way that they dismantled

Liverpool, when they even attempted to have a go at them, was there a realisation that they've kicked on since that Champions League victory? Because they struggled for a few seasons before to get to the final stages, to get over the line, but once they'd done it,

there's that belief, that confidence around the club. Yeah. And even even last season, if you recall, I remember seeing them against Arsenal in the league phase and they hadn't necessarily clicked. I think it was Dembele who had been left behind for disciplinary reasons from Louis Enrique and yet the second half of last season,

they got stronger. And again, in this year's competition, because once more they didn't qualify automatically by finishing in the top eight, they've just got stronger and stronger. And you're looking at them and you think, Quirot Scalia, I remember seeing him at Napoli. He is just such a joy to watch.

The fullbacks bomb on to such an extent that you think, Blimey, they're playing almost like wingers or forwards, and yet it's the fullbacks, Hakemi and Mendez. And I just think that they're a really, really talented side. Vitina, I think, obviously we saw him at Wolverhampton Wanderas a few years ago. He's just a class act. There's Neves also in the midfield, Zhao Neves, Barcola, Desaradue, Dembele. You know, I just think that they are an excellent side.

They're a pleasure to watch of Paris Saint-Germain. Yeah, do you know what, Kelly, I was just thinking as Deno was going through the team there and talking about commenting on teams like that and games like that, you know you're going to be royally entertained. You know at times there'll be football that will take your breath away.

I think Farrat-Skhaner in particular is a footballer at the moment that you just, you almost think as a commentator, I hope my words can do justice to what he's actually doing on the pitch because it's difficult to keep up sometimes or actually sort of describe the kind of exact slight of hand that he's using or body movement or whatever to beat players. But like Ian says,

it is a joy. We are so lucky to be in there to watch that play out. And, you know, the big games aren't always going to deliver. But I think that that Paris Saint-German team at the moment, particularly in the knockout stages, you know, John will do them again in the in the Champions League final. And that's such a contrast of styles, John, coming up in the Champions League final as well, isn't it? What are you laughing at? I'm saying because the morning after the second leg of the Arsenal semi-final, when I was on 5 live in the morning and doing the various hits that we do in the morning after a match like that,

I think in every single one I said, the phrase that we're going to be brushing off and getting ready to use for this Champions League final is a contrast of styles. And it will be. We are staying with the Champions League in terms of picking the best. moments of the season from our commentator's point of view. Ali, for yours, we go all the way back to September. Trossod controls. Dummies the shot, deflected, and in.

And that will be an Arsenal win in Bilbao. A massive win at the start of this Champions League campaign. And it's another substitute that has done it for Mikhail Artetta. Deflected shot, high into the net. Athletic Bill Bow-Bow-Nil, Arsenal 2. Ali, I'm not sure that even Arsenal fans would have picked this as one of their moments of the season so why have you gone for it? No, it's a niche choice, but I think it fits Kelly, given the fact that we're talking about

the making the final. So this was their first game in the group stages. I've picked it. I would say 20% for football reasons and 80% for travel reasons. And I think when we're talking about Champions League games, a bit like John in the Arctic Circle, it was a great trip. And I'll come on to that in a second. Football-wise, though, it was interesting because it was a real marker for what we were going

from Arsenal, particularly in the Champions League. So before Christmas in that competition, played six games, conceded one goal, and that was against Bayern Munich. We talked a lot in the summer about the strengthening of the squad to have a tilt, you know, to try and go a step further and win the Premier League and push on in the Champions League as well, you know, the signings of Ezra and Yokorez who both started that game. But actually it was the subs who came off the bench and scored the goals. Martinelli's not done much in the Premier League this season.

He scored a lot of goals in the Champions League. particularly in the group stages. And Trossard, it was a classic. Trossard comes on, scores a goal, and then he's really angry in his celebration. He always seems quite angry, Leandro Trossard. And it was very much one of those, why am I not starting games?

I should be in this team. And so Mosquera came in. He was one of the new signings, played really well because Saliba couldn't play in the game. So that was the football reasons for it. And that's what's taken them all the way through to the final. And that's why we're talking about a clash of styles in the final. In terms of the trip, you know, the real.

reason I was so excited about it, Kelly, was because I had heard so much about Bilbao and football in Bilbao, but particularly the club, athletic club, as they're known over there, and their policy of, you know, only having players from the Basque region who play for the team or who have learned their footballing trade in that area. So you go into a city where you only see athletic club shirts. No one else in that city will support any other club. I actually asked a couple of the locals is you're just not allowed to.

You know, if you're a kid and you try and pick a Rail Madrid, but it's just not going to happen. I mean, I think we were pretty easy targets, but on the Tuesday night before the game, the club hosted us and sort of did a little history lesson. Did a little history lesson. You know, so they basically entertain the English journalist.

This is who we are. This is what we're about. And they told the story brilliantly, and the hospitality was superb. So you were already sort of on their side. I think added to that you had Mikhail Artetta you had Martin Zubimendi

and you had Mikhail Marino who all have connections with Rao Sosciad who are obviously the big rivals to athletic clubs so there was that going on in the stadium as well so it was just a really joyous footballing experience of visiting a city

I'd heard so much about a fabulous atmosphere, a great respect between the two clubs and some delicious tapas the night before the game and Paul Robinson and I we really stumbled upon an absolute gem after the game. You know, quite often you'll come out of a football stadium and it's still absolutely heaving

and any of the bars or restaurants close to the stadium, you're never going to get anywhere near. And we sort of, I don't know how we did it, but we went down some stairs on a couple of narrow alleys and then we were right by the riverside and we spotted this bar that just looked too good to be true. There was no one in it, sort of low lights, delicious food, cold beer,

and just sat there for two hours sort of, you know, talking about the game after the game, not being bothered by anyone at all. It was a fabulous trip. That's why I picked it. It sounds that. You must give us that recommendation if any of us are ever over

on a romantic trip in Bilbao. I've never been there, not commentated on a match in that stadium. I think Ian has at least a couple of times. Yeah, I went twice in a matter of three weeks. I did the semi-final last year and they played Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final.

And then obviously United went and met Topham and I went back for the final. But I've got to say, I would agree with Ali Kelly. It is a great city. And also the beauty of the stadium is a little bit like Newcastle, is that it's right in the heart of the city. So therefore you come out and you're straight into the bars. And there's a vibrant feel to Bilbao. That's right up there on my list of stadiums I have not commentated in,

which also includes. Just out of general interest, real Sociedad would be on that list as well. So would Valencia, been to Valencia, but never commentated on a match there, and Fiorentina would put in there as well. And Genoa as well, Luigi Ferrari State. I've always wanted to go there. Very quickly, Kelly, I also love a bit of football history. And, you know, I was listening to, I'm sure, was it John Annie in together?

You were in, were you in Belgrade in the stadium where Penenka scored the Panneka penalty this season. Yeah. I love, I love historical footnotes like that. And that's San Memes Stadium. He's actually redesigned and rebuilt. But the original San Mammes,

one of the first goals I think I ever saw live on television was Brian Robson scoring for England in that old San Memes Stadium after 27 seconds against France in their opening World Cup group game. And I just love that idea of being, you know, in a city, what would it, 24 years later pretty close to the spot that the kind of goal that actually really got me into the game of football was scored. I love all those sort of things. I love reading into the history of stadiums and matches that were played and goals that were scored. 24 years. Are you talking about the 82 World Cup? 40. Forty four years. Time flies, Kate. I can tell you, by the way,

there's been a pandemic in the middle. It's just messed with all our timelines. I'm like, I'm like Galley as well. That goal, I remember, ran home from school, just got back in time. I got back in time to open a packet of mini Mars bars. Do you remember those? Fun-sized Mars bars? Still exist, John. Do they? Yes. Open the fun-size Mars bar. Treat yourself sometime. Sat down, television on. Brian Robson scored. We're going to kick off your third and final choices with some FAA Cup magic with John Murray. I make it we've had seven minutes of added time now.

It goes long for Palace. It's chester down by Johnson to Sosa. Sosa's ball into the penalty area. Heathcote comes, gets his head to it. Still we play. Pino drives it in. Only half cleared. Dawson hits it down for the match.

Palace in McElwield in January. And a pitch invasion now from all sections. The McElwield players have disappeared in a sense. scene of celebration. We just heard McEltsfield beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup earlier this season.

John Murray, still now, is there anything better than a big cup upset? I don't think there is such an easy choice this one. I have seen some FA Cup upsets over the years,

but this was right up there and as I suggested at the time when the final whistle went, one of the greatest giant killings. I still don't think it quite tops Rex knocking out Arsenal. But this is pretty close.

And it is the biggest upset in terms of the numbers because there were 117 places between the teams. So that was the biggest gulf in terms of league places. But so much more than that, the fact that it was Crystal Palace, who Ian, you know, we were both there to witness them winning the FA Cup for the first time in the history just a few months before.

And it was very difficult not to feel a connection with Crystal Palace, we were there to witness it and to see what it meant to them. And in their very next match in the FA Cup, after all of that, they're subject to this. So it's also that number 117. It's also the first time for 117 years that the holders had been knocked out by a non-lead club. And apart from that as well, just the day it was, I mentioned how it was in Buda Glimb for that match. It was also the most magnificent January English winter's day that day.

It was sparkling. You know, the frost was on the ground. I had a little skid in the car on the way to the stadium that day, fortunately managed to do a Bjorn Valdegarde and stay on track. But, you know, to get there and to see what unfolded, the joy that it brought. And another little story as well, that morning at breakfast, I stayed in a little pub. Or it was a sort of, yeah, well, it was a pub. And when I went down to breakfast, there was only me and another man in the breakfast room.

And we ended up talking to one another. And he sort of clocked who I was. And this was a few days after New Year. And he, Crystal Palace fan, he said, you know, last year was such a year for Crystal Palace, the greatest year that I've had as a Crystal Palace fan. I think he was called Paul. And he said, you know what I did on New Year's Eve? He said, I got the TV pictures, the footage.

of Crystal Palace's FA Cup win. He said, I put them on the television and I synced it up with the five-life commentary, which I found on YouTube. So he listened to me and Ian commentating on that match and with Sean Deich and Clinton

Morrison, you know, and then sets off to McElshield a few days later and sees his team absolutely humiliated by McElfield. And as well, you know, with McEltsfield, the fact that they'd, you know, they'd gone out of business, cease trading, in 2020, but I think above everything else,

there were so many storylines, John Rooney, brother of Wayne, as the manager, but also the fact that it came less than a month since their player, Ethan McLeod, was killed in that car crash. And the, you know, the emotion that was tied up in that as well. It really was a day in the FA Cup

that had just about everything. It was an incredible day and an incredible comeback. And as you talked about your journey on the way in, I thought, Bjorn Valdegard, I don't think I know that name. I've never heard of it. So while I was actually paying attention to everything that you were saying, I googled Bjorn Valdegard.

And if like me, you thought, I think I'm generally across my sport, but it's an unfamiliar name to me. Bjorn Valdegard was a Swedish rally driver and the winner of the World Rally Championship for Drivers in 1979. So don't worry too much if it's not on the tip of your tongue, the name of Bjorn Valdegard. But it will be forever. more. It was incredible. I mean, there was so much that could have been predicted that felt as though

it was sort of written in the stars that one. I know you talked about wouldn't it be incredible if this happened? Would it be incredible if, you know, Crystal Palace managed to get the upset and the FA Cup final then themselves the subject of a huge upset? But these games, Deno, they're why we watch the FA Cup, especially in those early stages. Yeah, because it's a cliche and you say that there will be an upset, but there is always an upset. Although, if John was saying, that was the first time in 117 years,

did you say that the holders had been knocked out by non-league side? I don't think many people would have necessarily expected it to come there. But what is interesting as well is that from them winning

the FA Cup last year is that they've actually put the words of our commentary on the wall in the press box. And I'm just thinking, I wonder if there's room for the Europa the Conference League final

and Ali Bruce Ball's words to go alongside them should Crystal Palace be successful. That would be a nice hat trick in Leipzig and then Five Live could have the it could be like a holy Trinity. Yeah, could be amazing. Talking of silverware, that's your final pick, Denno. You've gone for the first silverware of the season. Roderry right and side of the penalty area. He turns it back towards Noon. There's time to pick his spot with the cross. It's a rally against the city and in this league cup final. We were talking about Manchester City's

league cup win, Denno and the significance of that because in the buildup to the the game itself, there were so many different subplots around it. There were, yeah. I mean, you had the two best teams in the country going head to head for the first bit of silverware of the season, but also one of the main subplots was the fact that what impact it would have on the title race. And psychologically, if, you know, if Arsenal were to get their first silverware, how much that could help them.

Likewise, if Manchester City were to do it, would they deal Arsenal a blow? And I thought the second half in particular, I don't know what John Fulver. because obviously John was also in the commentary box that day. But there was a 20-25-minute period where Manchester City were at their imperious best and they were unplayable. And they deserve to win. And then obviously we've seen what's happened subsequently

in the title race and only in the last week or so of Arsenal now wrestled that little bit back from Manchester City. But it looked for a long time that Manchester City were going to reel Arsenal in. And I just thought from a psychological point of view, the ramifications of that game and how it was going to play out in the subsequent weeks was really interesting.

Yeah, it was a big day for people who love a narrative, John. It was, and I think I remember saying at the end, you know, we will find out now if they do have a psychological edge. And of course, what happened just a few matches later, Manchester City then beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League as well. And after that, you know, is this the title decider?

The other thing that was a huge talking point around that game was Nico O'Reilly's performance. What season he's had, Dan O'N, and delivered when it came to a cup final? Yeah, he's had such a meteoric rise, hasn't he? Because, you know, from being with England's under 21, signing a new deal for Manchester City, breaking into the senior squad, popping up with the two goals in a league cup final and possibly going in as, you know, as a real contender now to start in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup. position at left back. You know, he's had a really standout season for Pep Guardiola.

He can also play in midfield, which is his natural position. He's extremely versatile. He's athletic. Pops up with the odd goal. It was actually, I think it was that second goal. I was actually surprised that it was him to see him stoop to head the ball in. But he's an unassuming lad as well. But he's got a really, really bright future.

And he's done excellently for both club and country this year. Yeah, man, a few words, isn't he? And wasn't that the day after his 21st birthday as well? Yeah, because it was. Yeah. We have come to the final moment. It's Ali's third pick. And this one is the most recent of all of them.

Ahmad nods it down. Looking for Casamira. Mike Ford of Maynard! Ali, you said right at the beginning that you felt that you'd gone for niche picks because John and Ian mopped everything up between them. Yeah. Not this one, though. Not this one.

Not this one. Also, I think I should have said in that bit of comment here, every single Manchester United fan inside the stadium is up and rejoicing because obviously there were a few thousand Liverpool fans. Always the self-critic. There we go. But do you know why I've chosen it, Kelly? Because

Joy just completely lost myself in that game and it was full of errors. You know, they are not the best two teams in the Premier League this season. We know that. Everyone knows about the history of the rivalry and the fact

you know, they've won more top flight titles than anyone else, but it was just 90 minutes of error-strewn, high-paced, blood and thunder, some great goals in there as well. Bruno Fernandez is a real central point, so the other little narrative who were going to talk narratives in there is him chasing this assist record. And for the CESCO goal, he did head the ball across goal, but the goalkeeper got a palm onto it, and it hits CESCO so he doesn't get the assist. But that moment, Kelly, that just, just that explosion of joy for the Maynue goal for the Manchester United fans. And do you know what? I've done two Maniou. Manchester United Games at Old Trafford this season, where they were two-nil up, another one against Fulham,

and they let the opposition back in and then won it with a late goal. SESCO did it against Fulham. Maynue did it in that game. And for the first one of those, I sat with Steve Bruce, not commentated with Steve Bruce before, but you couldn't have had a more perfect summariser. Dion Dublin was with me for the Manchester United Liverpool game. But Steve Bruce played in that Sir Alex Ferguson team that routinely did things like that. You know, highly entertaining football, would let teams back in, would,

find a way to score a winner and the whole stadium went nuts. And in my experience of doing games at Old Trafford, I've not heard it like that for a while. You know, that Manchester United Liverpool, Michael Carrick going really well. It was absolutely buzzing and it was just great fun to do. And Ali, as you said, neither are those sides, the best two teams in the Premier League. However, Bruno Fernandez was named the Football Writer Association's Footballer of the Year.

And often that goes to a player who if not wins, the title, at least is challenging for the title, and yet Bruno's got it this year. What are your thoughts? I mean, I love watching him. I love commentating on him. He is an incredible footballer, and I think

I said it at the end of that game. Were it not for him, Manchester United would be nowhere near where they are at the moment. So I recognise his ability and his importance to the team, but I can see the argument. I heard John saying in a commentary the other day, David Ryer,

you know, had a good shout to be player at the year this season. Gabrielle, Declan Rice as well, obviously, you know, if they go on to win the title. Nico O'Reilly we've been talking about for Manchester City. So, yeah, I, would I have chosen him? I do love, I do, possibly I would, you know, Kelly, because I just, you can, you can win it and not be in the best team, I think. I have a feeling that the Arsenal vote was probably split, and there was probably only one Manchester United player

that people would have voted for. Bruno Fernandez won it with the FWA. I think he got 47% of the votes. But there would have been... Were you at the dinner? They actually haven't had it yet. It's... But no.

But I voted for Antoine. I think it's next week, isn't it? It is, yeah. I voted for Antoine Semenio for my vote for the FWA. And I think there's David Raya, there's Declan Rice. I went for Antoine Simeon is that he gave Bournemouth such an excellent start to the season,

which they've been able to carry on. But also when he went to Manchester City, I thought he gave Manchester City momentum for their title race as well. So I think he's had an impact for two clubs. And also I enjoy watching him play. So, but yeah, he got my vote. But I think the decision for Bruno Fernandez has certainly been, it's provoked a lot of debate within FWA members. And I think Bournemouth run since Sally Antoine Semenio probably says more about their excellent recruitment than it does about the contribution that Antoine Semenio made in that game. So Bruna Fernandez chasing Premier League assist record, possible player of the season, possible PFA player of the season to come huge for Manchester United.

Is there anybody that, because Ali mentioned there commentating alongside Steve Bruce, is there anybody that you haven't sat next to yet that you would like to, as your summariser. Crikey. Do you have a dream summariser? Garrow Southgate. That's good, excellent. Yeah, that is a very good shout.

Denno, Ali, do you want to have a little think about it? Well, I've commentated with him before, and obviously, you know, it's due to the club that's dear to my heart. But, you know, another game with Terry Butcher at some point, oh, always enjoy those. Always enjoy those. Yeah, I would Fun enough, I haven't done a game with Steve Bruce

I'd like to do one with Steve But Garra Southgate would also be up there And then there's somebody who's close to your heart Who's, I wouldn't mind sharing a drink or some time with as well Who's my heart? Yeah Yeah, he said no I'll tell you Kelly

Venga, Venga Oh, that would be a good one Yeah, or someone like Yogan Klopp who does a lot of media work as well in his post-managerial career. John Murray, Ian Dennis and Alastair Bruce Ball. Thank you very much for your company. Been lovely talking to you, even though you didn't want me. Allie didn't want you. That was Ali. That was Ali. Welcome to the Wayne Rudy Show. We're joined by Wayne. We're joined by the actor James Nelson Jones. Is that him last? We've got to get you in season. We've got to do it.

This is the first interview I've ever done. Very nice to be here with you. I'd play. against you. I got the shirt of you but you don't know it. I ask Juan to get it for me. Paddy, thank you so much for being with this today. A norman I win the belts. That's in my destiny. It was just that wasn't my time. The Wayne Rooney show. Watch a night player, listen on BBC