The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness - Chelsea Start Where They Left Off, Arsenal Hit Back For Big Win & Bagging A Hat-Trick On Debut

Episode Date: September 10, 2025

Rach and Millie break down all the action from the opening matches of the WSL! Who’s hit the ground running? Which teams have surprised us? And how did the girls find their first game of the season? And the countdown is on - the ‘Daly Brightness Derby’ is coming to Villa Park this Sunday. Will Chelsea keep their edge, or can Villa cause an upset on home turf?  Plus, the duo take on another Agony Aunt dilemma, this time from a listener desperate for advice on confessing her feelings to her crush before it’s too late... For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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SLR.com. And ask your family eye care professional for SLR Stellas lenses at your child's next visit. Hello everyone and welcome to Daily Brightness. The new WSL season has finally kicked off and what a weekend it was. Before we get into discussing the action from the weekend, Rachel, how are you? Anything new to share? No, nothing new really. I had a game yesterday so got the furthest one out of the way first game of the season, so that's good. And I've had a big spring clean today as I do on a Monday.

and I played paddle for an hour and a half I did see that you had your lead shirt on as well Love for that Winner Winner What about you what you've been doing Well because we played on the Friday

We actually got the weekend off I know I did see that Sonia being like Two days off I was like She was like I was buzzing Lucky

No it's really nice Because obviously days off Don't come very often To be fair You do need two days off To prepare for us this weekend Yeah I know I said Sonia mate

We better have to days off because you know what I mean we need to really um no don't we do need to be ready every game yeah you do don't worry about us watch out Chelsea I'm not I'm worried about you though I'll keep my eye on you so yeah I actually had a really nice weekend in London we stayed up London had a nice went for nice food had some family time and then I've actually done my cleaning today so it is a Monday thing isn't it right listen to what I did today I cleaned like my shower screen right Yeah.

Inside and outside. It was glistening and I thought, yeah, I'd eat my dinner off that. Yeah. I quite like it though. I find cleaning that very therapeutic. Like, it just calms my head. Like, it's nice. It's been, yeah, it's been really nice.

Good game, good win. And then two days off, a little clean today. And then, yeah, get ready for you guys at the weekend. Let's do a WSL roundup because there was some tasty games. Everton got off to a fantastic start for one against Liverpool, big derby for them. and then he was signing absolutely bawled out and claimed a hat trick. Imagine, yeah, signing for Everton

and then your first game season's away at Amfield and you just go and bag a hat trip. Which, if anyone that knows football knows that big derbies, like, derbies are like the game. Unreal. So important. The goal is you cut in and left foot,

I was like, do you do that on your debut as well? I think Everton are going to be one to watch this season. I think they're quite stacked. They look a different team, you know. They look a different team, and I think their signings have really took them up a notch. Definitely. Yeah, I was quite impressed with them.

So good start for them. Obviously, Arsenal, 4-1 against London City, lionesses, although they did take the lead. It's a weird one that one, wasn't it? Because I watched that game. We just finished training, we put it on another thing in the meal room. London City went one-nil up. I was like, then just not going to sustain this. Like, Arsenal were just, like, popping it and popping it and popping it.

And I was thinking, once they get one, like, they just looked like they were, like, firing on all cylinders. They just couldn't get it in to start with, but I thought, Olivia Smith, brilliant, absolutely brilliant. That goal, my God. And Chloe's goal. And then Mido, go on, popping up with two assists in two minutes. Oh, Mido. Damn, your little beauty. But yeah, I think it was obviously a good game for Arsenal.

But, yeah, a tough one for London City to go into, isn't it? No one's going to want to get Arsenal at the Emirates in the first game of the season. No, just on newly promoted as well. Yeah, exactly. That's a really hard first game. Well, it was a positive start for them. Good to get a goal and still played really well. And they look like they've got their sign into a decent

and they look like they're going to be in a bit of an exciting team. I think there'll be a team that grow into the season. Absolutely, yeah. Getting like new relationships, new connections. And I think their intentions are really, really good. So I do think there'll be ones to watch later down the line. I think they just need maybe a little bit of time to connect. But Tottenham picked up a win as well against West Ham,

but it seemed a tight game. I think it was a penalty right. Beck, England. Yeah, Bev scored. I think late on as well. It was like 86 minute or something like that. Yeah, so another tight fixture. And then Man United with a clean sweep, 4-0 against Lester.

That was a good result for them, obviously. Jess Park making a debut, which is good to see always. Yeah, nice to see her playing. She should be playing. She should be on that pitch. And I think she's a fantastic addition for United. I think it's a really good move for her, actually. And I think she'll do really well.

But buzzing for Tooney as well, obviously, a realist, you'll understand more than anyone what that meant to a scoring that goal. It's so weird because it's like you create this little family when you go through grief and it's obviously, you know how hard September is for me as well because it's this week, four years, four years since I lost my dad.

That's gone so quick. Where have those years gone? I know, I don't know, but I wish I could have them back. It sent like literally yesterday we played in that England game and I scored for you and for him and then you scored and it was like wherever's that time gone

like it's mad I know so I think when I obviously knew that Tuni was going into that game with that on a shoulders but yeah

to see her perform and do well and score goals is always exciting but it's just nice it's a really nice moment for her I'm really happy for her

so yeah special yeah yeah so let's talk about your game on Friday I watched that that was quite a

nice opener obviously Chelsea dominant as ever I think it was really excited to see any carpenter I've not really properly seen her play like bits of her but since I played in America like she used to tear it up there so I knew she was going to slot right in here

but honestly I've just never seen someone get up the pitch like she does like she's just there like instantly like she just absolutely dominated that right side but I think for us it was a really really good game and you know more than anyone the first game is always the hardest because you're fresh off the back of preseason and you know not really got your rhythm yet or your flow

and finding that momentum quite early on is quite hard but I think it was a really good game for us and you know they had a couple chances of course they're going to have chances

they're a top team just like Villar on the weekend yeah I know got to nullify you girl keep you out the game but you know what annoyed me on the weekend on your game right

so the commentator went oh Aggie Beaver Jones she'll never get an easier finish and I thought that is absolute that's not an easy finish as a striker that ball coming in

and it weren't on the floor It's a great ball, right? It's a dream of a ball. But if you think that's an easy finish, I'm sorry. Like, that was a, I think that's an absolute quality finish. Like, she had to hit it exactly how she did for that to go in. I agree. Her movement was brilliant, to be fair.

I think that's one part of her game that she's really improved is, you know, reading where to go. Like, you said, fantastic bowling, but by no means of tapping, like an easy... No, no, no. It really wound me up. I was like, that is not an easy finish. So don't say that. Yeah.

Like, it was brilliant. It was brilliant from Ellie Carpenter, but I just thought, Aggie's finish was tidy, spot on and you know what? Really happy to see Hamanos score because she was absolutely everywhere. She don't stop running. Honestly, I blink and she's gone

she's at right back, blink again, she's at left wing I'm thinking, where? She's everywhere. She does not stop running Micah, don't stop running it. And you know what? She puts in so much effort. I think it was a deserved goal. Yeah, she's like a little ratty player that you don't really want to play against. You know what I mean?

Like they're just everywhere. She played well, I thought. She had a really good game for us. I think we were really good opening game for us. I think we were really happy with the performance and the result and it's one of those annoyed to concede as always, Defender, I was so pissed. Neves, she went, was that me? She looked at me and went, did you hear it? I went, no. Then I think she went, oh God. But listen, it happens. It happens to the best of us, doesn't it?

Annoying as it is not to have a clean sheet, I think that probably made the game look a little bit more even but I think we really dominated and yeah I think you played really well also it was good to see you back playing again and like with a smile on your face and you know what you're putting across the other day right you probably remember it but you were like

I think came back out from a corner you were on like almost like right wing position and you know what I thought to myself you've just literally like opened up and whipped it in with your left foot like you probably could have put it in where you're right but me and Patsy were talking about the day and she was like

I don't know how Millie can just like She was like as I said back There's no way in hell I'm opening up to use my left foot there Like I'm swinging my hips around it And using my right foot but I was like yeah Like literally you're so both footed I think it came back out though

And then we have to defend the transition Yeah but it was a good ball I just I remember thinking about that And I was like I know I knew exactly what Patsy was talking about Because I was like I know I thought that to myself I was like how have you just put that like

Wieldy ball in the left foot You can pat that in Well might be doing that again You never know And also next to talk about is your deadline day signing Alyssa Thompson she's had obviously made a name for herself massively in the state did you see the picture of her in the airport yeah it's probably soccer don't her never know no class signing yeah have you seen her play yet no to be honest only

only international I've not seen many games I mean you see the highlights for like club and stuff but from the end of herself but mostly just just with the national team yeah not seen too much have her just yet but she's in training with us now but obviously they've got to just bring her in slowly and you know make sure she builds up slowly but she's yeah a fantastic forward I was thinking about this today I was like looking at your bench and I was like right how on earth like honestly like it's insane your bench is so deep like obviously Sam Kerr's now back been out of what like nearly two years yeah nearly two years that's obviously what an absolute dream of someone. It's like a whole new signing, isn't it, having Sam Kerr coming back?

It is. She's done so well, bless her. It's been a tough journey and hard to see teammates go through that. So to see her back, like, warming up and available to players, yeah, I think it's a massive bonus for us. She's also a forward that gives us something so different to what we've got. I think she gives you things that not many others can. Got a bit of a luxury there, aren't you? Your squad. Amazing to have a back, but yeah, brilliant signing. for us. Yeah, now it's like,

poof, competition is pretty high. Massive. Obviously good. Goathe for Myra, picking up an injury and getting surgery, so really good for her.

But I think when you're competing on all fronts, we have to have a squad of that depth. We've got to have competition and people ready to step in when, you know, when needed. Anyway, less of me, you know I don't like to talk about me,

up the villa, talk us through your game, picked up a point against Briard, There's been a lot of movement in their team. What are they, how is your game? It wasn't the most pleasant game of football, to say the least. Like, I didn't really enjoy the game. I think it was pretty much the epitome of a start of the season, first game back.

Yeah. They're really good. I rate them a lot. Like, they had some really good players there. They signed a Japanese centreback. She is absolutely brilliant. I think she was absolutely quality for them. But yeah, they're a really good side.

And I think, do you know what? I think for us, away from her, it's bright. writing is never an easy game. That is not an easy ground to go to, by the way. It's not one of my favourites, I must admit. Yeah, so I think positive, really. Like, I know there's obviously a lot of things that will look back on tomorrow and analyse

and be disappointed with, but... Well, it's only the first game at season, and some teams lost. Yeah, so... That's what I mean. Equally, like, a point away from home against a tough side is happy days for me. Like, let's take that, build on that, and beat Chelsea. What? No, I'm doing...

Hey, you nearly scored it first off. though oh no literally i thought this is sailing in he's sailing in top corner and then you know when it just like just lifts at the end i was like yeah i was fuming i was absolutely fuming we hit the bar twice because um lynn wilms are one of our new signings a dutch girl she took a free kick late on absolutely same thing thought it's going straight in mid midfielder no she's she's she playing centre back for us on yesterday and honestly she hit this top top corner and i was like oh my god it's going in it's going in and then it hit the bar and i was like why why is this happening to us but yeah got it that we didn't go three but at the same time yeah you've got to

take the positives in these situations i think there's been large parts of last season where we would have lost that game at the end and the point on the board it's so important to start like in a positive way exactly and it can build on it like it said it's it's a marathon not a not a sprint there's a long long season and so many games to play so just don't do too good at the weekend and if I could just ask you not to really build on it for then, that would be fantastic. Serena was in the crowd. I know, I didn't actually see Serena. I think she was in the crowd at a lot of games, to be fair.

I saw her on TV all weekend. Do players notice? Like, the players actually look, because I've had it before where some players got, oh, Serena's here, and then others, like, just don't even notice at all. I only knew she was there yesterday because our Dutch players, because obviously England's new assistant was the Dutch assistant, right? Yeah.

Yeah, so they were like, oh, Serena and such and such, I don't know his name, is in the crowd, but I didn't actually see her, to be fair. I think, like, back when I was in the England squad, if I saw Serena, it gave me a bit of like a, oh, yeah, right, going to put on a good display today, or like, not pressure, but it was a bit like, but I then again, at the same time, I was a bit like, well, she's going to see every game, so.

But I don't know. I think people are different, aren't they? Some people put a lot of pressure on themselves to perform for their national team coach, and then it makes it worse. How did our favourite from the summer get on? obviously she's gone back on loan to Brighter, Michelle, and did she start? Yeah, she started. Last year when we played the last game of the season, she played on the wing,

and I don't think that they got enough out of her there. So seeing her play, like, Central yesterday was nice. Well, not nice, because she's against me. But, no, I think she's going to be brilliant for them. Like, going forward, they're a good side. Yeah. Really physical, really strong. Like, technically does really well on the ball.

But I think we did wear and limiting her chances. but yeah she did well she's I think she actually got the overall man in the match but yeah she's going to be great for them this year I feel nice well I think it's a positive start for Daily Brightness to be quite honest in the WSL yeah do you know what I always think I said this I was like when you would I was like right that's one out of two for daily brightness and then I've just got me to go now like I literally think about that I'm like right we're back can win this weekend because I'm not going on the podcast with a lot no oh my god it's actually so hard coming on the pod after like a bad game

or a lot. You have to proper ramp yourself up. Have we been on the podcast yet after one of our games? I don't think we have, have we? Yeah, we did. Champions League for me. No, no, no. One of our games. Me against you? Oh, no. Oh, no. You might not see me on Monday or you might not see Millie.

Who knows? Right, well, before we go to a break, just to clear up, me and Rachel will still be communicating this week before the big fixture. I just won't speak from Saturday. and yeah and just so that everyone knows because obviously last time you scored against us people thought I was smiling and thought I was happy so I just wanted to clear up that my intentions are all Chelsea when Rachel steps on that pitch she is the enemy she's never an enemy but we play with the same passion but we're still going to communicate we're still going to talk but no we don't share information we don't give we don't even ask each other questions like I would never ask you like that we would never do that it baffles me that people think that because I'm like that would be so unprofessional

I just don't care like what you're doing we've never in all the years that we've never ever discussed I hate that stuff I hate that stuff hate that we literally text each other and like best he can't wait to see you yeah that's all we say

so I just wanted to clear that up we will be communicating just not about football because we don't actually speak about football believe it or not we talk about cleaning only on here coffee cups

and where you got it from because I'm going to go and buy it exactly. Well, let's head for a little break. We will be back soon for another agony ant. I'm Chris Hadfield. I'm an astronaut, an author, a citizen of planet Earth. Join me for a six-part journey into the systems that power the world. Real conversations with real people who are shaping the future of energy.

No politics, no empty talk. Just solutions-focused conversations on the change. challenges we must overcome and the possibilities that lie ahead. This is on energy. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Wendy's most important deal of the day has a fresh lineup. Pick any two breakfast items for $4. New four-piece French toast sticks, bacon or sausage wrap, biscuit or English muffin sandwiches, small hot coffee, and more. Limited time only at participating Wendy's taxes extra. Grocery shopping, cha-ching. Ordering food? Chuching. Filling up on gas? Cha-ching. Commuting.

Cha-ching. Using streaming services. With your RBC Ion Plus visa, earn three times the Avion points on groceries, gas, dining, and more. Then, redeem your points on gift cards from over 200 brands. Your idea of rewarding happens here. Conditions apply. Visit RBC.com slash Ion Cards. Welcome back to Daily Brightness. We had such a lovely agony ant letter last week

And we had a great time of that one, didn't we best day? We did, I loved it And it was a great response from all the listeners So we've got another one for you this week Off the back of that So here it is Hey girls, I hope it's okay for me to ask this But I'm a fairly new, gay, girly

And football has been such a big part of my life I've been in my current team for about two years And a while back, this girl joined And honestly, she completely threw me I never really thought of myself as gay before but there's something about her that just made everything click. Whenever I'm around her, I get so awkward, but I think we do flirt a bit. She's actually the reason I found the courage to come out about six months ago, which feels huge.

The thing is, she's recently started talking to somebody else, and I'm scared I'll miss my chance. So do you think I should go for it? If so, how do I even approach her without making it weird? Help a girlie out. Bessie, just talk about when you came out of the closet. Yeah, I never knew, honestly, all these years, and I never knew all these years. and I never knew all this time I was in a relationship with you. Perfect opportunity for you to come out now

and tell everyone about our relationship that we're not having. God forbid I have a gay best friend or God forbid as a straight girlie I have a boy best friend because apparently that's not compatible, it's not capable. It is. And secondly, I think just before we get into that, thank you for finding the courage to send a letter into us. Rach, what's your perspective on it?

Well, for me, I don't even think it's about sexuality, to be honest, for me, go for it. Do you know what I mean? Whenever you're around or you get awkward, that's just clear-cut sign that you like someone.

Shoot your shot. Do not miss your opportunity. And I'm not going to say, obviously you've asked how to approach her without making it weird. I can't answer that because go for food or just like

create a date scenario yeah like just you two out of like the football environment like go on like a date I think yeah just put yourself forward like back yourself like who cares if you make it a little bit weird and if it don't come off it's not meant to be exactly I agree you've kind of like nullified that that's not your person and she's only recently started talking to someone else so get your way back in there slide in shoot your shot shoot your shot girlie I just think you know nice guys finished last Can't sit back on the fence and just watch it happen. She probably doesn't even know how you feel either,

so I think communicating is the biggest thing and just plan a little date night. Don't let her be the one that got away, do you know what I mean? Yeah, and you don't even have to say, oh, do you fancy going on a date? Just say, do you fancy getting food tonight or do you fancy going to Top Golf or, I don't know, do something that she enjoys doing

and then you can start a conversation and... Yeah, I think if somebody makes you feel that way and you feel like it clicks, everything just clicked and everything felt right, then I think for me that's it's number one sign to go for it. Yeah. Yeah, go on a little date, like Millie said, like Top Golf or Food or something fun, something light, something easy. Shoot your shot, girl.

And I agree that it's nothing to do with sexuality. Like, I think if someone makes you feel that way, then it don't matter whether they're male or female. Like, if they make you feel that way, then there's a connection there clearly. And there's something to explore. just go for it and just be yourself that's all anyone can ever ask for so go for it girl we back you

we have got our fingers crossed we can't wait for the next pod please let us know how that works out and I hope it works out for you and do you know what send this podcast to and say look this is what the girls told me to do so I'm shooting my shot David Brightness told me to shoot my damn shot

so I'm shooting it you shoot that cannon girl let it rip but that's an interesting one. We've not really had like a relationship advice before, have we? No. I'm not really sure I'm very good at relationship advice, but hopefully... I think I need to update my CV. Yeah, well, it's nice and like.

So yeah, go for it, girl. Shoot your shot and let us know how you get on. Please let us know. Right, guys, a brilliant episode today. We hope you enjoy the Agony Anne. But to wrap up, as you know, we always do our gratitude. So, Rach, what is your gratitude this week? I think, to be honest, the season's starting again.

It's been a long old preseason. I'm bored of preseason and I was ready for the season to start. So it was nice. Just getting on the bus, getting in the hotel, being back with the girls, you know, ready to fight, start for a new season. New team. Exciting. I'm really grateful for my teammates and starting the new season. Oh, that's a really nice one.

I'd echo that massively. What am I grateful for? Oh, I tell you. what I'm grateful for my soda stream I used to have one of them got rid of it do you know when you're just really thirsty

and you need that fizz you need that little bit of fizz and if you go to the range you can get the proper flavours for them like passion fruit and I used to make Pepsi Max in there did you I'm actually grateful for my new coffee machine

because John Crownshaw didn't sort me out with my ninja one so I had to buy it but ninja coffee machine honest to God worth every penny expensive but worth every penny

And that, on my Instagram today, best of that cold brew, cold foam, made that myself. Best of that coffee cup, I need it. Yeah, I'll get you one. Well, I won't be putting iced coffee in because I don't drink coffee anymore, but I will put a cup of tea in it. Yeah, it's really nice, so I'm also grateful for that. But yeah, I've been really thirsty late. I don't know why. Yeah, same.

It's just been... Did it last week? Did I show you my big cup? Yeah, your big Stanley. Yeah, that's... See, we're doing well here. Well done. Look at all's maturing.

Healthy girlies. knowing how to stay hydrated by the age of 32. I wish I was 32. Anyway, so that is it for Daily Brightness. As always, getting touch on socials at Daily Brightness. We'll be back on Thursday with a Q&A episode to get your questions into. Make sure you're following. And if you've not subscribed, I'm going to keep saying it until you all click the damn button.

Thank you to everyone that already does. And we will see you very, very soon. Goodbye from me. Goodbye from me. Thank you. Thank you.