The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness - Arsenal drop points in the WSL, United continue to impress and Champions League excitement builds

Episode Date: October 7, 2025

Millie and Rach review all of the weekend’s WSL fixtures. Did Millie enjoy playing through Storm Amy as Chelsea visited Manchester United? And how did Rach’s Villa side get on? Are West Ham and Liverpool in trouble at the bottom of the table? And have Arsenal already blown their chances of winning the title? With the Champions League kicking off again this week the girls discuss why they love this competition so much and why it’s the most sought after trophy for Millie this season. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you support Movember, you're not just fundraising, you're showing up for the men you love. Your dad, your brother, your partner, your friends. It isn't just a men's issue. It's a human one. That's why Movember exists. To change the face of men's health. From mental health and suicide prevention to prostate and testicular cancer research and early detection, Movember is tackling the biggest health issues facing men today.

Join the movement and donate now at Movember.com. Hello everyone and welcome to Daily Brightness. We've got another exciting episode for you. We're talking all things, Millie and Rache, and obviously catching up on the football. But first, our little checkings, Best it, how are you? I think, yeah, just thought, I'm all right, yeah. How are you?

Do you need a little Millie hug? I do, actually. You do, all right. When we were messaging this morning, I was like, oh. Yeah, well, I tell you what, I'm, I've got a few days off soon and I'm going to be popping back home to Sheffield, so I think I'll swing by for a little best of visit. A little cup of tea on the way.

Have you been doing any DIY? That's what I wanted to ask you. I haven't actually, my extension, project extension is still underway. I can show you a quick picture of... Yes, we're still waiting, aren't we, viewers, for Rachel's DIY page. Yeah, I haven't been much recently. I mean, a bit too busy, but this is where we're currently at.

Nice. I love that you're taking pictures of well of, like, start, lightening the process. Yeah, I love it. I love stuff like that. I've been golfing this morning, a bit of therapy, a bit of me time. Sick. I'm taking my clubs back, actually. I'm going to go play with my dad.

Oh, right. I think I mean you like sending back. Yeah. Oh, absolutely not. A bit of therapy, a bit of smashing the shit out of a golf ball is exactly what was needed on this Monday morning. But yeah, let's move. on to football so you obviously started off the weekend Friday night game as you

continuously steal those games with a game in what was I would describe as horrendous conditions I was watching it thinking oh I'll put heated on Jesus Christ well I'd love to put my ear on but my boilers broke so that's why I've got the woolly hat on inside don't know I didn't shout out to any boilers in the Surrey area that would like to help Millie I'm booked in November but it's say shout out to the boilers shout out to the boilers shout out to the Boilers. Shout out to the, what are they, plumbers? Plumbers, plumbers.

Shout out to any plumber that wants to help, Millie in the Surrey area. Yeah, obviously we were like watching like the updates and it was like, storm Amy's going to be hitting Manchester at this time and this time. And I was like, holy crap. I text my mum and dad, I was like, drive safe. Be careful. They brought Albie as well and my sister. But I honestly expected it to be a lot worse than it was.

It started off just like a little bit windy, but not too bad. And then second half the rain just came out. my shirt was so heavy like it was so heavy but I mean I do like them conditions you know me I was going to say you would have loved that like I don't mind the rain

wind is the worst wind is horrible our game was windy yesterday yeah I think you guys had it worse than we did but to be honest we didn't have too much win but I love the rain it made it entertaining

but yeah it was a really intense game you know really really intense and we obviously knew that they're obviously very very much in form at the minute and got the best defensive record before that game as it stood and yeah not really conceding much so we knew we were going to have to work hard for it I think first off we were we were terrible though we were so

far off it so yeah we had a bit of a talking to ourselves at a half time and then second half came out was much much better and but then every shot we hit we just straight at the keeper so I thought we create some really good chances we just worked clinical and although we could have won the game I think a draw was probably a fair result because I think United played some really good football and yeah they created some chances yeah i thought a draw was a fair result by the end of it but um there was definitely like momentum swings wasn't there like i think man you were on top for large parts of the second half yeah i think they were on top when we scored to be honest they they came out from half time and i thought yeah they're on it here but yeah there was

always that little piece in my mind where i was like oh chelsea's gonna do it late i think i think they'll just nick one that you're so like ruthless and i always go on about your winning mentality I thought Sam Kerr was going to come on and bag a winner but last five, ten minutes it swung to you didn't it? It was more... Yeah, well, Mayer made a brilliant block against Google but like, yeah, it was just one of them games where

you know what I mean, you just, you come away and it's like a draw is better than a loss and we're still in a really good position so... Yeah, a point on the road against the team like that is... Very, very hard. I'm enjoying Man United at the minute, like... They're playing really well. They don't really like to say that if they are playing some really nice football, I think,

Jess Parks added a whole new dimension to their game, in my opinion. I think Ziggyotti, she's a great midfielder. Yeah. I think they're very much clicking. Everything works. I was a bit surprised at Mallard not playing because she was in an absolute flying form. It was a weird one for me, but, you know, she's a good player. But no, yeah, I think you'd be happy overall with a 1-1, you know,

against a team that's in brilliant form at the top of the table with you. and away from home in shit conditions. Definitely. And I will say I'm happy that Jess Park's doing well. Not too much against us, but again, when you know these, we know we're on a personal level and seeing players go through a tough time and not having any minutes and having to leave a situation, I think, again, to then see a player, you know, she's an unbelievable human.

She's so lovely. And then to now see a thriving in that environment and playing some of her best football, it is really, as a, I'm speaking, not as a Chelsea player, as a person. Yeah, absolutely. It's really, really nice to see her. A great, great way to view it, and I think more people should see it like that as well. People.

Yeah, so happy for her. And I said that to her after the game, so really happy for her. But your game. Yeah, she looks happy. Oh, your goals, by the way. Jesus. Oh, that joke, weren't they? Unbelievable.

Unbelievable. Is it Wilms? Wilms? Yeah, so she actually practiced those three kicks. And honestly, like, it was only a matter of time before she was going to score one. Because against you, she hit her. Yeah. She hit the bar and then I said against.

She hit the bar and then I said against Arsenal, her delivery on corners was unbelievable. Well, she hit one against Arsenal, right? The most rogue angle. I was like, she's not going to shoot from here, is she? Yeah, that was just before the corner? Was it after? Yeah, before. And so she, I was like, how on earth, but she does, like, to be fair to her, she practices them a lot, like, she's got them on lock.

and then that one came up yesterday and I was like, we were all everyone on the bench we were like, this is a goal like part of it was a bit like it might be too close for Lynn like you know To get that up and over

yeah back down was but yeah we were all like yeah this is going in this is flying in and we've all been saying it's only a matter of time

before you're going to score a free kick like yeah because we've been getting a few in good positions Kirsty's goal was an absolute screamer like it's probably didn't rip the net as well. I was just stood there and I was like, wow.

It went so fast, like literally so fast. And it lifted, didn't it? Like, it stayed and then it just like lifted the top corner, like late on. I was like, yeah, sick. But that's two three kicks to West Ham keepers conceded in the last two games. It was a new. So she's probably going to be annoyed about that one. But yeah, it was a tough game. It's always difficult, isn't it going to West Ham? It's not a nice place to play. And they always make it difficult and scrappy. And yeah, it wasn't an easy one by any means. But, um, I think we were on top for quite a lot of the game. Yeah, I think you've got really good, really good form though as well.

Yeah, we were bound to, like, we needed that as well. Because we've done all right, but ultimately we hadn't won yet. So it was nice to just sort of get that under our belts and get a win away. Man City Arsenal game. Now, that was a really good game. We watched, I missed the first two goals when it was one-one, wasn't it? So we were just coming out of training, and I thought, well, this is, I don't know which way this one's going to go.

and you know what like when chloe came on i was like gonna score fact like there's no way this it was written in the stars she's not going to man city and not scoring no um so i was really happy for her because i think that would obviously it would have been really important for her to get that yeah and she's she's she's in good form you know she seems really happy so that's that's good but interesting result though i didn't know which way it was going to go because me either Arsenal hadn't been performing like their performances haven't been like great and you know they're missing that little spark

and I think struggling a little bit but then City have had some good games some not so good games so it was like I was like oh I'm not sure which way this one's going to go and it's one of them games where already like the league's taking shape and yes we're still very early on

but to drop a lot of points it's like it's hard to get them back every game is so hard no matter who you play against and both teams would have known that as well which I think city stepped up for definitely that's what happens when two top teams are playing against each other

but you're fighting for the league like you're fighting for trophies but it's going to be interesting now I think it is it's a weird one for Arsenal because like I say when we played them like they had a lot of the ball like they moved the ball well they played some unbelievable football

but it was just like that clinical edge is just sort of and if you don't do anything with it there's no point out of the game yeah no exactly But I think City are now fine in their feet and they look like they're playing really good football now and it's tough for Arsenal now

like five points behind you without a win in three. Yeah, the league is definitely heating up and I'm just so excited now for each game as it comes and I think people are going to be shocked by a few results because I still don't think people appreciate how hard this league is and how every team has gone up a level and you get certain fixtures and people are like

oh, they'll blitz that easy game for them. There's no easy game. easy game like that it don't exist especially not in the WSL like it does not exist so I think it's going to be a super exciting season this one lester won everton won that's i i think lester are going to be sneaky this year because we played them in preseason and they're we spoke about last week didn't we like they're solid their foundation is solid you know they're good against us as well there's probably a little thing a few things that they'd like to probably add but i think with we've said it before with rick passmore has been there you know

He's been there into him and drilled. Yeah. Everything will be in order. Yeah, discipline. And also for them to be doing so well so early on, I think is a really good sign because if you can get a bit of a base now and you can get some points on the board, you can build on that and do you know what I mean? You don't fall too far behind.

But I think both teams, we've said Everton as well, they're in great form. And again, they're another one, I think, to look out for this season. So I think I didn't get to see any of that game, but I bet that was a bit of an interesting one to watch. Is it Mooshon, I think it's for now. She came on the 80th minute and scored on the 81st, so I bet she was gasped. But no, yeah, that's another good one, another one to keep your eye on, I think, Lester. I think this next one was a bit of a, I don't know, like Liverpool, so obviously.

Oh, it's not a pen. It's not a pen. Do you know what, I actually haven't seen it? Was it a Keats? Yeah, it's not a pen. It, after you, for me, should have been a foul on the keeper. Like, her foot is so high. If her foot had stayed at that height for any longer, she'd have kicked her in the face. so her foot's high

the keeper's come out and she's kicked she's like they both completely missed like no one's touched the ball she hasn't got the ball at all

Keats and she's literally studded the keeper in a hip and she ordered the penalty I'm going to go watch it after this but watch it after this

but I put my house on it that's not a penalty 89th minute penalty but Liverpool Liverpool are they've not got a point yet no and that's

that's quite worrying when you look at their team when you look at their players I think they have a lot of attacking threats like I do I think they do they have like some flary players a lot of pace

they should be doing they should be getting results but then again I've been in that team not in Liverpool team but I've been in a team when you're in like a bit of period of change

and struggle and it's the hardest place to be so easy for us to sit here and be like yeah they've got flary players this was us last year so hard start of last season

but you can't rule them out like you can't rule them out You know, they've got a great squad and it's early doors. Like, we, this is literally what happened to Villa last year. We started off and we took us ages to get points. And then obviously by the back end of the season, we started to gain momentum and get flying again.

But another win on the board for London City though. So, you know, it's again, it's an interesting... Yeah, Matt has done it. Points matter. And I think for them to listen, yes, well, I think it's not a pen, they've put themselves into a position to be given an opportunity. so you've got to have that mentality to keep going

and points right now for teams in the lower part are massively important but yeah I do hope Liverpool turn it around because listen they are a top team and they're so hard to play against and yeah like you said being in that period of change and things not clicking and not working

and you just can't get out of the gates but I do also think Mill like realistically like obviously this horrific news with Matt Beard like that's got to have had an impact on those players I forget a lot of those players have played under him for years

so I think that again before people go running their mouths about oh Liverpool aren't you know think about them as and what they're probably dealing with like it's not easy things to this none of them players have taken a break none of them players have had a week off to start that process of grieving

like I'd like to think and I'd like to think they've all been offered that support and I know they have but still as a player you can't, what, you're going to give, the whole team's going to take a break, like. Yeah, sometimes you can't just turn it on, can you, when you've got weight on your shoulders?

So, I think they'll turn it around. I do think they'll turn around. Tottenham, right, and that was, that was a one that I, I wouldn't have been able to call, but I think Tottenham plays some really nice football. I think Martin's got them playing some really, really nice football. A couple times now. I think they've added a couple players as well, which I think's taking them to another level.

I think they've got a lot more depth in their squad now. Yeah, which makes them more competitive. It's like a different, it's like a different style of play that they've ever had, I think. But a win for them. Point from the board. Brighton not having, ran is obviously a big loss for them.

I think that she's a big driving force of their team. And, you know, they always do it. But that Tamberg, their strike, she's good, her, you know. Big, like, big present. Tottenham players obviously stood at the kickoff while Brighton players took the knee. And I think that that's something obviously that we've spoke about, isn't it?

Like, we obviously did, you know, followed sort of the same... path as you guys in terms of changing the narrative a little bit because I think when it's a topic like racism and people have been affected by it and you and I both know like we're just crying out for change like there needs to be changed

there's still racist people in the world which is just to me it's absolutely mind-blowing and disgusting and I think taking the knee as obviously felt across the league and probably other leagues as well that it's not really doing anything it's not really having the impact that we wanted it to have and make a stance to make change.

Exactly. And I think obviously Jess, as, you know, said herself that it doesn't feel meaningful anymore. And I think that's sad because that was sort of like what everyone did to try and make change, but it didn't change. So I think obviously us all coming together and United as one, I think was quite powerful message. Yeah.

Well, that's what we discussed and we wanted to, you know, I think players need to be heard as well. well and when change needs to happen like forget what team you play for we're we're we're all the same and we all stand for the same which is racism has no place in the world forget football yeah exactly it has no it's not i hate i hate when i see that like racism has no place in football no racism has no place in society it has no place in the world like it's not about sport it's about a human being and everyone having a right to just live their lives and be who they are regardless of their background the color of the skin like it doesn't matter so i hate when

I see that phrase like there's no there's no room in football phrase no there's no room in the world for it so obviously we had that discussion and and you know hearing from players and feeling that taking the knee has lost its power then okay what do we do next like how do we how do we make it known that we are not going to tolerate it as people and it's not about being teammates it's about being friends and it's about being supportive of one another and and trying to put yourself in other people's shoes and what would you want in that well you'd want everyone to come together and unite and we thought like gathering in a circle and all all blending in and not standing as two separate teams like standing together you know mixing in and uniting with our arms interlinked

was a powerful message to say that we are together like and it's yeah it was so nice to see that all the teams did do it and yeah I think change needs to happen social media needs to do a hell of a lot better it's not acceptable that people are still able to just be abusive online and send racist messages and racism is like one of the worst things like I've never I've never ever been able to understand it and I've never been able to understand why people feel the need that because of the colour of somebody's skin or the way somebody looks that you can just target and throw abuse at them like who do you think you are like it really really really gets under my skin and it's one of the topics that I think I could

talk about for a really long time because it's something that I know we We're both passionate about making change for, but we've obviously seen and been a part of people, you know, knowing people that have gone through really difficult times with having racist abuse thrown at them. And it's just violent. It needs to stop. And I hope that, you know, like if a fan looks at our games and says, oh, why are they doing that? I hope that that is now, okay, great. Like, we're all on this path together. Like, yeah, you're right. It's not, yeah, there's no plays in football. But the society, it's a, it's a, it's a massive problem in the world. And on the other hand, people then abuse these players and are racist to them and then you expect them to go out and perform and then you'll be online again oh you shit today well I'm not being funny but

I probably won't put my boots back on like I wouldn't like you're making it a place where people don't want to exist and people don't want to do what they love like you remember that players play for fans like the women's game started because we we want to perform for fans We want to, like, there was no money in the beginning.

There was no flashy things, no luxury stadiums. Like, we played for the love of the game and giving back to our supporters, our 200 fans that I first had when I played for Chelsea at Staines. Like, I played to impress those 200 fans. Still, to this day, I have a 90,000 sold out Wembley. You still play for the fans. So, like, in one breath, you're wanting people to perform

and give their role and sacrifice things in their life. But then on the other hand, you're abusing them and you're racist to him, and you make them feel like they have no place to exist. Like, I don't understand, like, you want this, but you're behaving like that. Like, I don't get it. Like, I hate, this is why I don't get abuse full stop

because you abuse people, but then you'll moan that they don't perform. Oh, I shouldn't have bought a ticket. They were shit today. All right, well, let me abuse you and see how you get on. Yeah, exactly. Do you know what I mean? Yeah, I think, yeah, especially, I think a lot in sport, there's a lot of abuse and it's, I mean, we talk about this.

a lot but race is crazy it just needs to end it's just absolutely and just to shout out like jess and and to yeah keep speaking up everyone out there keep standing up yeah keep standing up we're right there we're right behind you let's take a little break before we need to check into the rage room welcome back to deli brightness it is the start of the Champions League fixtures this week. Millie, Giu, with Chelsea. I can't do it, my voice. 20.

20. FC 20 quid. 2020. How much do you enjoy playing Champions League, Mill? Like, it's literally like best of the best, isn't it? I love it. Like today, obviously, we put on Champions League kit. I'm so excited by it.

I love playing in this competition. I love the variety of teams that you get to play again. And it's like just putting on the kit and I always sing like the song like but I can't do it because my voice is so bad. But I literally do that every day. Like I'm so excited by it and I think it's everyone knows.

It's the trophy we don't have and it's the one that I want so badly and I think just looking back over like the years of playing in the Champions League and the development of, you know, our team especially and yeah, you do build like a bit of rivalry now Like, because we've played against certain teams so many times. We've got like that Champions League rivalry, which I think is nice as well.

But listen, this team that we're coming up against their top of their league, they've scored a hell of a lot of goals so far in the season. So, again, I think similar to the league, people straight away right off certain teams. And they probably see some of the bigger names in the Champions League and be like, oh, they'll be fine there. But obviously, we're playing the new layout as well, which I think is really exciting. the same layout as the men's. But yeah, this team is really, really good.

And obviously, Jill Road plays for them as well now. And she's been on fire there. So definitely a team we need to be careful of. But yeah, walking out the Champions League balls and the music. And honestly, it's so excited. Like, gives me goosebumps. I love it. I'd love to have played with the Champions League ball.

Yeah. They were the ones you wanted as a kid, weren't there? And you were going up, you always bought the Champions League ball. And the trophy is, like, unbelievable. Like, it's massive. Well, you better get it then. Try investing. I'm so excited.

I'm so gas about it. This year. Hopefully. But yeah. Yeah, that's exciting. It's exciting. I like really enjoy, I really enjoy watching the Women's Champions League. Yeah.

Because like you say, it's like, you get to see different players as well. Exactly. A different style. You know, it's exciting. It's really exciting. I love watching it. So I'm really looking forward to watching you this week. And just if anyone listening is wondering who she's supporting,

it's Chelsea, obviously. And she will be having a Chelsea top on. It's a silly question, but just in case anyone was wondering. Of course. I'm Chelsea through and through, especially in Champions League. Come on. I told you that chick's TikTok and she was like, Rachel Daly's Chelsea's secret agent, like secret player.

I was like, I was pissing. I was like, I love that so much. Yeah, so watch out FC 20. The Chelsea boys are coming to town. Boys are back in town. It's exciting though. I'm really looking forward to watching you on Wednesday. I love the travel as well.

getting on the plane and like tonight I'm going to be packing all my Champs League stuff and tomorrow obviously we train and then we fly out there and just get into the hotels and just going to a different country as well it's um as you know like over the years travelling in football is super sick but there's just something different in the Champions League like it's really really hard to explain it's like a it's like every Champions League game is like a big final like that's what I feel like it's like as well because obviously you travel a lot like internationally don't you when you're playing for England but for club you don't often like jump on a

playing and go anywhere obviously other than Champions League so yeah super exciting I hope you win hope you smash it bring the trophy home this year oh anyway moving on let's talk about gratitude what is your number one gratitude for this week

also I'm just going to say off the back of my last gratitude I've had so many messages about the slippers thank you for those that have purchased them if the range would like to give me some commission that would be great I can keep advertising your products thank you very much We'll tag you. Oh, my gratitude, I've bought a tumble dryer.

Oh, it's the best thing since it's like. That reminds me, oh, shit, I need to get my washing out of the dryer. I cannot believe all these years. I've not had a damn dryer. I now I've bought one, got one of Amazon, popped it in the living room. Perfect. In the living room? Getting all the dog stuff dried.

Yeah, it's a condenser one. Mine's condenser. I've made my shed. It's literally like behind the door. It's quite silent as well, so it's perfect. But I was like, oh my God, this has made life so much easier. So I'm so grateful for that. When my life is so busy, I can quickly whack the washing in and get it dried.

Yeah, game changer. It's a little things in life, isn't it? You can save a minute here and there. What is yours? I am like beyond grateful this week for my people and I think you know more than anyone how important they are in times of uncertainty, in times of struggling, in times, even good times, you know. Yeah. I think my people.

People know who they are. And I am so extremely grateful for them, especially this week. I think they've been incredible for me. Well, we love you just as much as you love us. And yes, guys, she's talking about me and one of their people. In case you didn't know. I don't have many, but the ones that I do have know who they are. No, but we seriously, we love you and we've got you in the good times, the hard times, the terrible times.

I think that's the beauty of especially our friendship. I've got you no matter what you know that and I can't wait to see you and give you a big cuddle and we'll have a cup of. Love your best day. But that is it for Daily Brightness today as always. Get in touch with us on socials at Daily Brightness. We will be back on Thursday with a very special world mental health day episode

which is something that is very close to both of our hearts. Make sure you're following or subscribe to the show get all the new episodes as they come out subscribe do it now if you've not done it and God my voice came back for that also just to mention on the episode on Thursday

please please wear something yellow send a picture tag daily brightness tag young minds because it's all for mental health wearing something yellow all uniting together and like rate said reach out to your people let them know that you love them let them know that you're there the good times the bad time and yeah thank you for all your support we love you take care of yourselves look after each other

and we'll be back soon goodbye bye