Football Daily - The Debrief: Arsenal beat Chelsea to go through to the League Cup final

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

Kelly Cates is joined by Ian Dennis, former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson and forward Chelsea forward Fran Kirby to review Tuesday's League Cup semi-final action as Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate to qualify for the League Cup final.Hear reaction from Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior.Kelly also looks ahead to Wednesday's semi-final second leg between Manchester City and Newcastle. Hear from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and Newcastle Fan TV's Lee Lawler.00:30 - Arsenal beat Chelsea to make it to Wembley 08:35 - Jurrien Timber reaction 13:50 - Mikel Arteta reaction 18:50 - Liam Rosenior reaction 23:30 - Eddie Howe pre Manchester City 24:30 - Newcastle fan Lee Lawler

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beating Chelsea 1-0 at the Emirates to secure a 4-2 win on aggregate. Kai Havut scored the only goal with the last kick of the game in stoppage time. They will face either Manchester City or Newcastle United on Sunday the 22nd of March. Ian Dennis, former Arsenal defender Matt Supson and ex-Chelsey player Frank Kirby, watch the action at the Emirates. Ian Dennis, after 53 minutes, you said, I'd be surprised if this finishes nil-nil-nil. I mean, you were close to be improved wrong. We had to wait right to the end.

I mean, actually, the tie actually had jeopardy right up until that moment, didn't it? Because Chelsea were difficult opponents. I thought it was a compelling cup tie. It was fascinating from a tactical point of view. But for all of the pressure that Chelsea applied, you have to go back. I think probably Kepa was only tested once

late on in the first half, where Fernandez hit that right-footed effort and Kepa made the flying save. I mean, chances were a premium, but because what was at stake, I think made it intriguing because of the pressure that Arsenal were having to contend with. They had to be really watchful.

I mean, all of a sudden you had Garnacho, Palmer, Estevow off the bench by Liam Rossini who went across on his own to applaud the traveling support who reciprocated by applauding. I think the Chelsea supporters appreciated the endeavors from the Chelsea players. So I think whilst chances would have premium overall throughout the tie, what was at stake?

And you could see what it meant to the Arsenal players and supporters as they celebrated wildly when Havert's went around the goalkeeper for a cool finish in the 97th minute. As as you say, they go through now to Wembley on the 22nd of March. It meant a lot to them because they'd lost their previous four semifinals. So I think psychologically, this can be a positive now for Arsenal to banish any negativity. Because had they lost it, you know what the narrative would have been. Yeah, we'll come to the performance itself shortly.

But Matt, first of all, to reflect on what it means. There were wild celebrations, not just among the Arsenal supporters, but on the Arsenal bench, the substitutes and the, backroom staff running onto the pitch after that that goal with the final kick of the of the game that just shows how important it was to reach Wendley. Yes, it's massive and it will be celebrated. I mean, the dressing room will be absolutely buzzing right now. And to be honest, I think there was also an element of maybe a bit of relief. Because like then I said, it never felt like there wasn't anything in any moment in the game. There was jeopardy all the way through.

Even though Arsenal had the upper hand, it just felt like something was going to happen. Michael Latetta was his usual energetic on the edge outside the technical area. You seem like that in every game, but it's cut football. So it has a different feel to it. And you could sense that and his reaction when the goal went in. I mean, he just turned to the bench and you know, the whole Arsenal bench were off on the pitch, running over. The game was over and you know, the celebration started right then. Fran, in terms of the any criticism of Arsenal over the past few years,

This has been about not getting a trophy under Mikhail Artetta in terms of the full seasons that he's been in charge. And also at times about letting nerves get the better of them. How composed did you think that performance was? Yeah, I mean, you could see what the game plan was. You could see that they just wanted to keep control of the game. They wanted to keep possession. You know, there's a couple moments where they changed the tempo to try and go forward, but not really ever. I think obviously we spoke about Keppa making one say.

I don't think Sanchez had to do much either. in the Chelsea goal. So I think it was a bit of a trying to work each other out. I think the whole game until it started to open up with the substitutions that came on with the state of the game, with Chelsea having to really push forward. And I think you could see with Arsenal the way that they celebrated. You would have thought that they'd scored the winner.

Not that they were already one zero up, the way that they ran on a seller. Of course, they knew then they were going to Wembley. So they were going to have that impact. But you could just see how much effort both teams put into the performance today, especially out of possession because each team kind of just happy to have the ball and keep moving it a little bit. And you could see that they were just both just relieved when they scored the goal.

Do you think both managers kind of put their principles to the side a little bit for this game and just treated it as what do we need to do? That's how it looked to me. It was kind of like, you know, both managers will have their philosophies and principles about how they want a team to play. Whereas this game was so one off. It was just right, we're going to do this. And okay, if you're doing that, we'll need to do this.

and they just adapted to each other really, didn't they? Yeah, I think so. And I think that makes a difference with the aggregate score as well. When you're coming in and you're already got some goals behind you or your 1-0 down, it's, you know, when you do training sessions and you do situations where you're 1-0 down, you've got 5 minutes ago. That's how it felt. Yeah, that's how it felt throughout the game.

And you could see that tactically, and, you know, Liam spoke about it throughout the week that he was going to conserve the energy and then in the second half they were going to really push for it. And I think they did that. I just don't think Chelsea created enough big chances to probably come away with, you know, with a result here. I don't think Arsenal did either, but Chelsea's the team that's that's chasing. They're the ones that have to create them chances. And even though they had the possession a lot in the second half towards the end, they didn't really create anything with it. You think Palmer could have come on early? I thought Cole Palmer had a big impact.

And I thought he was the player that is able to just get on the ball. And he's so relaxed. He's always got time. You know, top players look, it looks easy, then there. And he just, he fired one or two passes and broke lines with passes and set players three that, three that no one else did all game. And I thought maybe just him featuring a little bit more in the game. I mean, that wasn't the plan. He obviously had that all set up for those timings. But I thought he made a big difference, Col Palmer.

I almost think that in terms of the headline from the game, Arsenal reaching Wembley is clearly the headline. But in terms of assessing the performances, maybe Chelsea are the more interesting story here in terms of what Liam Rossignor did with this side and the way that he set them up, the way that they managed to stifle Arsenal. I think they're limited to Jacques

just like a handful of touches of the ball. Yeah, you could see that they've definitely been working on that out of possession in terms of when do we press, when do we sit off, when are we going to let Declan Rice and Supermende come lower and get the ball? That's fine. You can have it. We're not going to, we're not going to chase you. We're not going to give you them spaces.

And you can see in the second half, especially, that Arsenal resulted a lot to long ball. They went long quite a lot to try and stretch the game because they weren't quite getting it in their pockets that they do like. And Eze was quite quiet in the second half. I don't think we got to see him much in the second half. And I think that's down to how Chelsea defended and how they were really compact when they didn't have the ball.

But, you know, it takes one moment. It takes a moment. And Arsenal knew it was coming. They knew that Chelsea were having to push forward. They knew they were going to get a counterattack at some point in the game. Maybe I didn't expect it with the final kick of the game. But you're right. Those opportunities were coming as Chelsea were pushing for the goal.

And as you said, potentially, Cole Palmer could have come on a little bit earlier because we know Liam Rossina does like to make those changes and isn't afraid to make them sometimes at a half time? No, absolutely. I mean, the plan, I've got noish. I think the plan was effective for this game. When you have a player like Palmer, he's such a maverick for me.

He just drifts in areas and he looks so relaxed. You almost think, is he really, does he want the ball? Is he? But when he gets on it, he's so smooth and he sees things and it's simple and it's early and it just, it's in his flow. I don't think he thinks about it. He just does it.

And he's a special player in that sense. And I think getting him back to the levels that we've seen before. I mean, he's just an absolute game changer. So to not have him at those levels has affected Chelsea. So to get him back and get him into that rhythm is going to be key.

And maybe to hold on to him. And I know it's all a little bit up in the air. But, you know, he's such a top player in my eyes. Yeah, I always say with players like Cole Palmer, it looks like everything slows down when they get the ball. You know, he just, everything, everyone else is running in slow motion and he can just find them passes.

And I think it would have helped Chelsea a lot for him to come on earlier, whether or not he's fit enough to play at this level right now in terms of obviously he's been coming into the games. He hasn't probably played as much as Liam probably wanted him to. But I mean, you could see the quality that he has that the passes. He always looks to play between two players. He was finding them passes in between the Arsenal midfield. And especially towards the end of the second half, he was definitely coming lower because he wanted to impact going for further forward. Yeah, I mean, having him on the pitch as much as they can is definitely a real importance for Chelsea.

Let's get some Arsenal reaction now. George Cummins is with Urien Timber. Thanks, Kelly. Yeah, he's smiling now. Uri and just sum up how you're feeling. You're going off to Wembley. What a result. Yeah, no, it's not my first time. I'm going to say it's my first time. My second time going to Wembley, but I think it's always special. I think that atmosphere at the end that just makes me smile as well. And I think this team deserves it.

And yeah, on to Wembley. Just talk us through that celebration at the end when Kair Haverver's. rounds of the keeper and he scores. What was you thinking? Did you know he was going to score first of all before we talk about the celebration? Well, first of all, I didn't know if he was going to pass or not. So he went around the keeper and he did it amazing.

And he came in amazing as well. And to have this kind of players come off of the bench. It's an amazing thing, I think. And the reaction of the fans and the players, I think you could see how happy we were for him and for the team. But I said, I think this team deserves it. And yeah, it was an amazing feeling. And I think also for Kai being out so long,

coming back and then the love he gets from the fans and everyone, I think, says a lot as well. And we love him as well and he did amazing today. You've been at the Emirates a couple of seasons now. Have you ever heard the stadium like that when that goal went in? Yeah, that's what I mean. I have to think really good if I want to think back about a moment like this. But I think this was the first time I felt it like this. You could feel it coming.

You know, he goes around the goalkeeper. He knows the stadium is going to go crazy. I've had some crazy nights here. at the Emirates, but this is definitely one of them because the goal was so late as well. And just talk to us about Chelsea. I mean, it was a great semi-final. You go there, you win,

but how hard did they make you work for it? Chelsea is a great team. They have some amazing players. I think you could see that tonight. I think they're bringing Palmer and Esteval. So also they have amazing players coming off the bench. And it was never going to be easy. I think if you win over two legs twice,

first away game and now the whole game, I think you've done an amazing job. So credits to the team. I think deserved going to Wembley. And just talk to us about the ambitions of the season, top of the Premier League, you've topped the Champions League group, you're off to Wembley, now you're still in the FA Cup. What's the burning desire from this team,

what you can achieve? Because the potential's there, isn't it? The potentials there, definitely, and the desire is there as well. I think we are very hungry. I think you can see that. We're an amazing position. At the same time, you have nothing still. So, what I said, it's amazing going to Wembley,

still final to play, and a lot to play for this season. We just have to go and grab it. George Cummins there with Yuri and Timber, who doesn't sound perhaps quite as excited as his words, would suggest, but he's clearly delighted to be going to Wembley with Arsenal. He said, we deserve it. And that's what Declan Rice, when he was speaking to ITV, has said,

we have a group who really want it. Whatever team comes at us, we're ready for it. When you play a team like Chelsea, they throw so many things that you physically and mentally, but he went on to say, we deserve it. The last three or four years, we've been at the top of the Premier League competing and got really close,

but we haven't been done. good enough and then talks about how they that means they've got extra desire, extra fire in their belly this season and maybe that's why we saw the scenes that that we did at the end they have such a great opportunity. This isn't the the trophy that they want the most this season but it could be the first step to it man. It's been a few years in the making, isn't it? I mean there's been a steady buildup to this place for Arsenal you know and it's been some difficult times. Mikhailatet has been at the club a while now laying the foundations,

building the kind of ethos and the team and and the togetherness that I think they have. I think that's a strong part of what he's built at the club. But I like what you're in Timber said is, you know, we're in an amazing position, but at the same time we have nothing. They haven't got nothing yet. And we're at that time of the year

where that really is the case. But if you flip it, have they lost, and it would have been a fifth successive semi-final that they'd have lost, then that would have then had the narrative going into, oh, well, Arsenal now bottle it with the league. And I think that's why we, and we said this at the,

very start. Psychologically, this competition, Jose Mareno put great faith in this competition to get silverware early, when it was either February or March, whenever the final is back in the day, get it in the trophy and then see what you can, and Arsenal are going to be in exactly the same position now. They've got a chance to win silverware on March the 22nd and then all of a sudden by then they can then use that to go into either the Premier League or the Champions League. My name's Steve Bradnell A sister manager of Royal Oak FC You may have seen me online

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So what do you think is going to happen? Bitcoin is sort of inevitable at this point. I think it would come down to precious metals. I hope we don't go cashless. I would say land is a safe investment. Technology companies. Solar energy. Robotic pollinators might be a thing.

A wrestler to face a robot, that will have to happen. So whatever you think is going to happen in the future, you can invest in it at Wealthsimple. Start now at Wealthsimple.com. On the Football Daily podcast, The Debrief with Kelly Cates. Let's hear from the Arsenal boss, Mikael Artetta. Yeah, it was a big night.

It ended up in a perfect way, I would say, because we knew that it was going to be a really top one, a really competitive side, full of quality, and the conditions make it a real battle today as well. So I think we competed so well. We understood what we had to do. It was a game of very, very fine margins, and at the end we find a way to win it.

In terms of the team's mentality, obviously semi-final defeats last season. Just what will that do tonight, knowing that you're in the final and the players when they wake up to the morning, how they're going to feel? Probably they're more convinced that we can go all the way, regardless who we play against. But that's something that you have to show every single day. So we're only tonight. We did three days ago. Now we have to go Saturday and do it again in the Premier League.

And this is not going to stop. So we're going to need everybody. I'm so pleased because everybody plays their minutes in the country. competition up to the final except of that bit and that's because they all deserve it. And just in terms of Chelsea, two really tough legs, wasn't it? I mean, what you want to achieve, I'm guessing it's going to be hard, what you want to achieve this season. They pushed you all the way and you've got more challenges ahead. Yes, and as I said, and any team that we're going to play in any competition like the stages is going to be like this. So get used to it,

enjoy it, because those are the challenges that we want to be part of and go for it. And just one word, Yuri and Timber said to me, that's the best. the atmosphere at the Emirates since he's been there. So what do you want from the crowd going forward? Well, I'm really pleased that the players feel that way because it makes such a different. Emotionally, I think they handle the game really well. They really made an impact.

So let's maintain that because with this standards, I think it's going to be really tough for the opponents. Fran, does that first piece of silverware change an individual player? Does it change the mentality of a team of a football club? It makes you want to do it again and again and again, Because the feeling that you get when you're able to lift a trophy, you're able to celebrate with your fans, it's something as a top professional athlete you strive for. You want every single time. And for this team, they've got a fantastic squad. You look at the players that they bring on.

It's got Kai Harvats coming on. You've got Trossard coming on. You know, they've got everything in place now to be able to go and keep going and keep going. And, you know, if they get to win at Wembley and win that first trophy, then it just takes them further, like you said, going into the league and giving them, them that confidence and going, oh, we've got a taste of this. I want to do it again. And then I want to do it again. And then I want to do it again. They've, you know, they've got nothing, but they're in for all of it. And getting that first taste of it and getting that feeling, you saw the crowd here today, the fans, when they were just cheering. It was incredible in here when they scored that goal. You can see how much it means for the fans. So imagine if they win a trophy and then

they go on and hope, you know, hoped for themselves that they win the Premier League. Matt, you asked Fran earlier on about the managers kind of putting aside their principles for this game. How important you? What do you think that the changes that the Arsul have made in their backroom team have been to maybe the, not the mentality towards that, but they're thinking in terms of being able to be more adaptable and knowing when to go for it and knowing when to play slightly differently. Yeah, I think the adapting thing is big. And maybe you only learn that through failure and through getting that wrong. And I think, again, he's a young coach, isn't he? It's his first sample of this is this kind of stuff in terms of Premier League trophy.

And I think that he's always developing and learning all the time along with his stuff, but they're picking that up and they're getting better and better and the team's getting better. And I think it's had such an almost like simultaneous growth between probably the manager and the coaches and everyone and the players at the same time. It's been like a joint journey really. So that's something that also I think in terms of longevity could bring quite a nice bond into the group, could stay there for a while and they could be a real challenge. staying at the tops of different requirement. And that'll be another step they'll have to take.

So they're doing it all together. And I think, you know, Michelinetea for me has really developed in that sense. Karma, he's got that yellow card, didn't he, for being too much? And then you saw him the next reaction. He wanted to go and it's like, no, I'm going to step off and I'm going to keep my call. And I think that side of it, you really do develop. And he's developed that really well for me. You get the impression that Gabriel Ainse, who's brought into his coaching staff,

has had a positive impact, particularly with the mentality side of things, don't you? Yeah, I agree with that. I can see a group. I think he laid a lot of foundations with the group. And eventually what happens is people like Declan Rice, like Martin O'Don, they run it. So when it's player driven and you can step back as a head coach or whatever and go, well, the players understand it now that you can achieve great things. I think that's when it really picks up momentum because the players are driving it.

They see it. They see the success. They enjoy it. And they buy in. And then they want to run it themselves. And I think those dressing rooms you're in, they're the ones where managers just, they love it because when it's driven by the players, it's so powerful.

And we can get the thoughts of Chelsea head coach, Liam Rossini. Disappointed, frustrated to not go through to a Wembley final. We felt coming here, as difficult a task as it is, to be a goal down. We felt like we really, really had a good chance. If we got the game playing right in terms of the energy we had in the team, the absentees we had in terms of the way we wanted the game to go, a lot of positive things, but the result leaves a bit of taste in the mouth

because we didn't win. That's what we're here to do. In terms of that fight in the team, the intensity of our press, the way we defended set plays, the desire to defend our goal. Their goal comes last minute. We're throwing 11 men into their box.

It's a natural occurrence. But in terms of what the players gave me, I couldn't ask for much more. But in terms of the result, which is why we're here, you always want to win the games that you play. Fran, just to go back to a point that we started talking about with with Chelsea, which is what they come away from this game with.

Yes, they've, they've lost both legs of this semi-final. But in terms of the way they played, in terms of the way that Liam Rossini set them up, I think that's a back three for the first time since March 2024 for Chelsea. So it's an unfamiliar set up for them. And yet it to a certain extent, it's worked for them. Yeah, I think they can take huge confidence from the game. I think, you know, they really nullified Arsenal and that's not easy to do at the Emberts. I think hasn't had a long time to work on it. Players are playing out of position, having to learn their out of possession, in possession, Gusto was coming inside into the midfield, Enzo Fernandez on the left

hand side. You know, these are not their typical position. So they had to learn that. And you could see as well, the effort level that the players are putting into. I think it's a little bit what Matt said. You can see that it's starting to rub off a little bit the way that Liam wants to press aggressively, run and run back for each other. Arteta's had to be had to build that over the however many years that he's been at Arsenal and Liam is trying to build that into now what Chelsea want to become in the next few years. And you can see that the players are buying into it. I think there was no one kind of turning around when it didn't go right.

No one was turning around going, oh, why weren't you there? There was no, kind of you're not where you're supposed to be. It was right. Okay. I'm in the wrong position. I've got put my head down. I've got run. And those are the kind of plays that you want and you want to build your team around because you look at Enzo Fernandez. And I think he covered every blade of grass with the.

effort level that he did out of possession and then you can see it that at the end of the game, he was getting involved in possession as well. He was still driving the team forward. And those are the players that you want to your other players to look at and go, look at him. He is absolutely desperate for us to win this game and those are the ones that you want in your team. Estabal was in Brazil this week on compassionate leave and so he came off the bench to play for for Chelsea. Do you think they missed him from the beginning and in terms of being at his absolute best? Yeah, I think so. I think obviously, you know, they, they have had to put Anzo Fernandez out on the left, Liam Delap on the right. It's not their normal

positions to play in. And Estabana is someone who, you know, he can, he can give you something. He can make something happen out of nothing. He has the confidence. He's young. He has that kind of fearless attitude when he goes one be one with a player. And I think they missed that, especially in the first half. I don't think, you know, you had Liam Delap who was really powerful when he wanted to get around. But there wasn't really them players on the pitch who could go one B one and be really confident in them areas. So him coming on, I think similar with Palmer, he probably could have come on a little bit earlier just to kind of give Chelsea a little bit more

because he got the ball cup time. Same with Garnacho. I don't think Garnazio got into the game enough when he did come on, but maybe having a little bit longer would have helped them. I mean, it worked well for them out of possession, didn't it?

Yeah, absolutely. You know, the responsibility, the physicality of the lap. You've got Enzo, like I say, puts a real shift in. Jiao Pedro were pressing. So out of possession, they would, I mean, it made the first half

near impossible for Arsenal to get any momentum at all, and it was great. And you think, right, okay, then it needed the gear shift. And I think that's the point. I think it just didn't quite have enough from those players, whether or not it's because Arsenal started to maybe be a bit more dogged

or just they got a bit fatigued. I mean, how many games is it? They're no eight in 28 days for Chelsea, eight matches. So you're going to get to a place where, you know, it's a big requirement to then make that push with half an hour to go, given what you've given in this cup tie already. Well, Arsenal are almost there in terms of, of a piece of silverware this season. They of course have their eyes on the Premier League

trophy, but a Carabal Cup would be very nice indeed. However, they are only at the final and there have to be either Manchester City or Newcastle United if they want to lift that trophy. Wednesday night's five live commentary sees Newcastle travel to city attempting to overturn that 2-0 first-leg deficit. Eddie Howe said his side are going to fight at the Etihad. I think we very much have to have that belief. I think the second goal in the first game was obviously a big disappointment for us coming so late. But no, we still believe, and we have to believe, believe we've got the players that can go to any stadium in the world and perform and score goals. So I think collectively there's that spirit within the group is there.

It's going to be an almighty challenge and there's no bigger challenge than Manchester City away. I think we say that every time we play them. Part of the Liverpool performance, probably for the first 35 minutes was really, really strong. But of course, we didn't put that together for the 90 minutes against Paris. We had, I thought, a really strong performance all the way through, probably bar the first 20 minutes, put those two together. I think you've got an outstanding chance of, I think firstly, we just have to try and win the game.

And I think if we have that mentality that we're going to try and get all the disciplines of our game in a good place and attack the game, let's wait and see what we can do. Well, that was Eddie Howe and Lee Lawler from Newcastle fan TV joins us now. Lee, with what Eddie Howe was saying about those away performances, is that something, and I know the results

haven't gone Newcastle's way, but are those performances something that you can take some hope from in terms of going into the to the Etihad in this second leg? Hi, evening, Kelly. In spells, yeah, because if you look at Liverpool game, you look at the first 30, 35 minutes, Newcastle are absolutely flying, cut Liverpool apart. So we can't take little moments during the game.

And you've got to remember that Newcastle are playing like every three or four days, so it's relentless in the moment. But as any how we're saying, you've got to have a bit of hope going into this. and I think the first goal is crucial, whoever scores that. Can you explain that for us? Because you see Newcastle, home and away, what's the difference?

What are you spotting is the key differences as to why they're not getting those wins away from home? From what I say home in a way is the press dies off. I think Eddie Howe likes to go full throttle with Gordon, Barnes, or whoever's played on the wing. Voldemara doesn't quite offer that at the moment where Isaac would obviously we do miss the goals of course but I think Vissa will give you that

now this has been getting in the side and he's been out of the changing with Alderman but the press dies off and I think it's just the schedule at the moment is relentless for Newcastle after 55 60 minutes we look absolutely shattered and then we centre just back off

which is unusual because Eddie Howe likes to keep his side at that kind of peak of physical fitness but he says the the squad have got real belief ahead of the game on Wednesday. Now, how do you think the fans are feeling? I think, look, I've got to be realistic

and think that if you're going to beat Man City, you've got to first score two clear goals just a four seconds of time. Foray, if you want to win it in 90, that is a massive ask on any team in the Premier League, never mind Man City. But with the absence of Bruno, who we've never won without him being in the side,

and the absence of Joe Linton, it's a real, real tough ask. course it is, but the first goal is crucial. But if we don't go through, what I would like to see is a performance, play for the badge, let the fans know because we're still travelling. There's still going to be a few thousand of us. Give us more money's worth, at least put a performance in. Lee, I tell you what, I feel like I'm in a battle with you here.

I'm trying to give you optimism ahead of the game. And you're just like, no, no, no, just steady. We're 2-0 down against Manchester City. The away results haven't quite been there. but there's always a chance in a cup competition. Yeah, of course. I mean, if we score first, then it's game on, isn't it? I think that's why it's so crucial,

because I think if city score, I think that's the tie affected the over. So, look, I want to say us attack them. I think Manchester City are a little bit shaky at the back and not the Man City of three, four year ago, and look, they're strengthening in January for a reason. They're bringing in Marguerhe for a reason. They're shaking at the back.

We can get at them. So we've got to have that belief that we can score. and if we do score, like, right, okay, come on, because the crowd will get going, we'll be singing, and then come on, can we get a second? That's where the belief will come in. Yeah, he's ineligible, by the way, for tomorrow. But you're trying to give Lee optimism.

Have you seen Newcastle's record at the Esi had? Deno, listen, we're just trying to cheer Lee up because he sounded like he was a little bit nervous ahead of the game tomorrow. But Lee, really good of you to come on and talk to us. Apologies for Deno, and hope you enjoy the game tomorrow night. fingers crossed thank you very much for having us thanks very much Lee that was Lee Lawler from Newcastle fan TV

it is difficult you know to make a case for for Newcastle but if you're a fan you've got to have a little bit of optimism in there go on tell us what the tell us what the record is then Dano Eddie Howe's not seen his side score there in five games Newcastle seven successive games without a goal at the Etihad and 11 successive defeats since 2014 all these things just mean that that victory

is just closer to coming. That's all that means. Why are all these stats always doom and gloom? It's terrible, isn't it? Where's the upbeat stats? Dena. Where are they? I mean, they're great for Man City. Yeah, great.

Yeah, true. Not great for the jeopardy, which is what we enjoy. It wasn't good for Chelsea at the start of the game. We compliment each other. How many years? Kelly brings the sunshine. I just bring the realism.

The drizzle. So together we create a little rainbow. That's what it is, Denno. Fran, Matt, Denno, Thank you very much for your company. Been lovely spending the evening with you. That is it for this episode of the Football Daily podcast. In the next episode, we've got reaction to the second leg of the second League Cup semi-final

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