At Hill Dickinson

Gibbs-White’s early strike decisive as Nottingham Forest edge past 10-man Porto The final whistle brought a second of relief before the celebrations truly kicked in after Nottingham Forest secured a place in the Europa League semi-finals. It should have been easier but nothing is simple at the City Ground as they made hard work of overcoming Porto, who played almost the entire match with 10 men. Morgan Gibbs-White settled the match, to set up an all English clash with Aston Villa for a place in the final. His goal came in the aftermath of Jan Bednarek’s early sending off and should have laid the foundations for more but Forest’s finishing was poor, forcing them to grind out the victory. Continue reading...

Gibbs-White’s early strike decisive as Nottingham Forest edge past 10-man Porto

Mats Wieffer doubles up as Brighton push Burnley closer to the drop Scott Parker has spent much of the season bemoaning the “fine margins” of the Premier League and after witnessing Burnley lose to Brighton and having two of their own disallowed for paper-thin offsides, he might be looking forward to the prospect of the Championship. The assistants called the offsides after Jaidon Anthony and Bashir Humphreys netted but lengthy video assistant referee delays offered hope and the technology had to work hard to spot the illegalities. Ultimately, it was Mats Wieffer’s two strikes that settled the match, tripling his tally for the club, to boost Brighton’s European hopes and leave Burnley 12 points from safety with six to play. Continue reading...

Mats Wieffer doubles up as Brighton push Burnley closer to the drop

15 mins to go and looks quieter than usual. With relegation, this could be a sign of things to come

11 April - it’s freezing at Turf Moor

Always good to speak to the many many people I’ve heard of in the music industry

Burslem Globetrotters: Port Vale’s travelling stars plot Chelsea shock Australian manager Joe Brady and New Zealand striker Ben Waine have guided League One strugglers to quarter-finals The Port Vale manager, Jon Brady, left Australia as a 17-year-old to chase his dream of playing in the United Kingdom. Spells at Brentford, Swansea and Wycombe did not make a first-team debut a reality. The sacrifice would not be wasted as determination to make a career in England grew stronger, becoming a non-league stalwart, but always with an eye on what came next. Like Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final opponent, Chelsea’s head coach Liam Rosenior, Brady plotted a route to the dugout from early on, earning his B licence at the age of 23. Twenty-eight years later, he has managed more than 500 league games, in charge of Brackley and Northampton before joining League One’s bottom club in January, and embarking on a surprising Cup run. Continue reading...

Burslem Globetrotters: Port Vale’s travelling stars plot Chelsea shock

Soccer never ends

The latest Football Weekly is here 👇

youtu.be/-YjFZnk07gU?...

(there's also lots of penalty chat 😥)

@maxrushden.bsky.social
@will-unwin.bsky.social
@jonawils.bsky.social

Watch now and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Any questions for the panel?

@maxrushden.bsky.social
@will-unwin.bsky.social
@jonawils.bsky.social
Nedum Onuoha

👇👀

Football Daily | Will the Mohamed Salah show go out with a bang at Liverpool? Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! With ratings declining, it was inevitable ties needed to be severed without commissioning a new season of a cherished Liverpudlian mainstay. This is what happens when things get tired, they can never replicate what they were in their prime. It is no great shame to have such a long run, collect plenty of awards on the way and finally realise the industry has moved on and there is nothing fresh you can bring to compete with the elite rivals. Plenty of drama and joy was provided, testing the boundaries of what was possible and changing a nation in the process by challenging the establishment. But in the end, time caught up with Brookside and it had to go. Continue reading...

Football Daily | Will the Mohamed Salah show go out with a bang at Liverpool?

Leeds’ Premier League goal drought continues in dire draw with Brentford The desperation of television executives to get as much football on screens caused this match to be moved to 8pm on a Saturday night, but it was certainly not prime-time viewing. Leeds and Brentford played out a goalless draw so devoid of interest and entertainment that even those who tuned into Mrs Brown’s Boys on BBC Three will feel smug for avoiding it. There was barely a chance of note as Leeds went a sixth game without victory, securing a fourth blank as they moved four points clear of the relegation zone. Victory would have put Brentford joint on points with sixth-placed Chelsea and they will be happier with the draw, which will be some consolation for the long journey back to the capital in the early hours, thanks to the inconsiderate scheduling. Continue reading...

Leeds’ Premier League goal drought continues in dire draw with Brentford

What run-of-play stuff?

I’m at Elland Road. I’m very close to including the story of seeing Karl Darlow do the conga on holiday in my report

Midtjylland’s innovators aiming to give Forest that sinking feeling Nottingham Forest seek to overturn a one-goal Europa League deficit against a familiar foe who were early champions of the set piece “I like a bit of chaos and structure both on and off the pitch,” says Midtjylland’s technical director, Kristian Kjær. “Getting the right mix is most important.” Perfecting this balance has enabled the Danish side to thrive in Europe, powered by a global recruitment model and innovation. Nottingham Forest travel to the MCH Arena on Thursday seeking to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, having also lost to Midtjylland in the group stage this season. This is the furthest the Danish club, founded in 1999, have progressed in Europe. “It must have been insane to be starting the club [just over] 25 years ago and then see where we are today,” says Kjær. “What a ride.” Continue reading...

Midtjylland’s innovators aiming to give Forest that sinking feeling

Where’s Jon Macken when you need him?

Richarlison rescues late point for Spurs at Liverpool to ease pressure on Tudor Igor Tudor has been unable to claim many positives in his short reign but he has finally earned the first point of his tenure. Tottenham were a match for Premier League champions Liverpool and after missing a collection of chances, the former Everton forward Richarlison became the most unpopular of villains. After Guglielmo Vicario failed to keep out a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, it felt like a Liverpool victory was inevitable but they failed to build on the opener. Tudor was planning for a familiar feeling at the final whistle until Richarlison netted a deserved equaliser and what he will hope is a foundation to build on. Continue reading...

Richarlison rescues late point for Spurs at Liverpool to ease pressure on Tudor

At Anfield

Chelsea deny Wrexham their Hollywood story as Garnacho and João Pedro seal Cup cracker It was everything an FA Cup tie should be, as six goals were scored, one player was sent off and a Premier League side received a huge scare, requiring villainous technology to potentially save them from a penalty shootout. The only thing missing was an upset but Chelsea will not mind triumphing against Championship side Wrexham in a classic of the genre. Goals from Sam Smith and Callum Doyle twice gave Wrexham the lead, only for an Arthur Okonkwo own goal and Josh Acheampong strike to take the game into extra time. Garnacho, who had earlier been the victim of a red-card challenge from George Dobson, volleyed home the winner. If not for VAR, the match would have gone to penalties but Lewis Blunt’s equaliser was ruled out by the finest of margins. João Pedro added a fourth to remove any lasting jeopardy. Continue reading...

Chelsea deny Wrexham their Hollywood story as Garnacho and João Pedro seal Cup cracker

Everton end home drought as Tarkowski helps leave former club Burnley in mire Everton harbour ambitions of bringing European football to Hill Dickinson Stadium next season and a first Premier League win at their new home in seven attempts will increase the optimism. The hosts were effective, rather than magnificent, against a woefully poor Burnley but the result is all that matters. Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are the next three visitors to Everton, so goals from James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were essential as they looked to build momentum. It was only Everton’s fifth win in 15 league games since leaving Goodison Park, helping solidify their position in eighth, which could be good enough for continental qualification come the end of the season. Continue reading...

Everton end home drought as Tarkowski helps leave former club Burnley in mire

Everton v Burnley

#BigSoccer

Pep Guardiola condemns fans who booed as Muslim players broke Ramadan fast at Leeds * Section of fans reacted as play paused at Elland Road * Guardiola: ‘Respect the religion, respect the diversity’ * Leeds coach calls it ‘disappointing … we need to do better’ Pep Guardiola has called on football supporters to “respect religion and diversity” after fans booed a brief stoppage in play at Elland Road to allow Muslim players to break their Ramadan fast. Play was halted in the 13th minute of Manchester City’s 1-0 win against Leeds after the sun had set to allow the Muslim players to eat. At this point, despite a clear message on the big screen, fans audibly jeered the situation. Continue reading...

Pep Guardiola condemns fans who booed as Muslim players broke Ramadan fast at Leeds

Manchester City close gap to two points at top after Semenyo sinks Leeds For those wondering if Manchester City are over reliant on Erling Haaland, they offered a riposte at Leeds. It was neither a fluid nor entertaining victory but, importantly, it closed the gap at the top to two points, increasing the pressure on Arsenal in the process. It helps that when the league’s top scorer is absent, City can rely on the third man in the charts. Antoine Semenyo scored his 14th of the season on a difficult night for Pep Guardiola’s side, making the full-time euphoria well deserved after what felt like a significant win. Continue reading...

Manchester City close gap to two points at top after Semenyo sinks Leeds

Tammy Abraham salvages late point for Aston Villa to deny battling Leeds It felt like the day Aston Villa’s faint title hopes were extinguished despite Tammy Abraham’s late equaliser. Anton Stach’s incredible free-kick looked set to secure the win for Leeds until the 88th minute but it felt like another important point in their fight for survival. Unai Emery’s side have only won once in their past four Premier League home games and fell short once more to leave them seven points behind leaders Arsenal. They were punished for a sloppy opening 45 minutes when they failed to get almost anything right against their more aggressive opponents. Continue reading...

Tammy Abraham salvages late point for Aston Villa to deny battling Leeds

How six Britons could play in one game in Slovakia’s ‘fast track’ top flight Former Manchester United, Spurs, Everton and Arsenal players are preparing for AS Trencin’s clash with Zemplin Michalovce on Saturday

People say I’ve gone too mainstream. This is what I say to them:

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

How six Britons could play in one game in Slovakia’s ‘fast track’ top flight Former Manchester United, Spurs, Everton and Arsenal players are preparing for AS Trencin’s clash with Zemplin Michalovce on Saturday

People say I’ve gone too mainstream. This is what I say to them:

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Arteta accepts Arsenal ‘have to blame ourselves’ after blowing lead at Wolves * League leaders squander 2-0 lead at bottom side * Arteta: ‘We didn’t perform at the level required’ Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal “have to blame ourselves” after they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw at Wolves. A 94th-minute equaliser cost the Premier League leaders two points as they allowed their rock-bottom opponents back into the game, further calling into question their title credentials. Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City but have played a game more. The Gunners looked on their way to victory after goals from Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapié, only to be pegged back by Hugo Bueno and Tom Edozie. Continue reading...

Arteta accepts Arsenal ‘have to blame ourselves’ after blowing lead at Wolves

Alexander Isak should return from injury for Liverpool in April, says Slot * £125m summer signing broke a leg in December * He should rejoin team training late March or early April Arne Slot is expecting Alexander Isak to be available for a Liverpool return in April. The striker fractured his left leg and sustained an ankle injury against Tottenham in December and required surgery but is back in light training. Isak started running this week as part of his rehabilitation and if he continues on the same path, he will join team training at the end of March. “It will be around that period of time – end of March, start of April – where he is hopefully back with the group,” the head coach said. Continue reading...

Alexander Isak should return from injury for Liverpool in April, says Slot

Arsenal suffer new blow in title race after late equaliser boosts Wolves If you want to have an impact on your Premier League debut, then denting the title hopes of currently the best team in the land is not a bad way of doing it. Tom Edozie came off the bench to hammer in an injury-time shot which Riccardo Calafiori forced into his own net for the Wolves equaliser to punish Arsenal on a regrettable night. Bukayo Saka and Piero Hincapié thought they had earned the victory for Arsenal against the league’s worst team, only for Hugo Bueno to reduce the deficit with a stunning strike, before Edozie made a name for himself with the help of the Arsenal defender. Continue reading...

Arsenal suffer new blow in title race after late equaliser boosts Wolves

Burnley turfed out of FA Cup on perfect day for Louis Reed and Mansfield Mansfield gave blood and sweat to reach the FA Cup fifth round by shocking a Burnley side intent on boring everyone to tears. A stunning Louis Reed free-kick completed a hard-fought turnaround for the League One side against their labouring Premier League opponents. There is little doubt that Burnley are getting relegated, leaving the Cup as their only hope of salvaging a desperate season, but they lacked quality from start to finish on another desperate day for Scott Parker. Mansfield were not necessarily the better side but worked harder for the victory. Continue reading...

Burnley turfed out of FA Cup on perfect day for Louis Reed and Mansfield