 Welcome to the Premier League show. It's actually a good, it's a happy week for us to talk about Premier League football because I haven't won a Premier League game. I feel in a Premier League mood. I feel in a Premier League mood. No, we've been very much in Championship mode last week. But this week we can talk about the Premier League. There was a huge game over the weekend to determine where the Premier League might be heading. Barely versus Norwich. Obviously Manchester City Liverpool. Which is developing into, it is over the last three or four years really developed into a rivalry. A friendly rivalry. Well it's not what it is, it's like a high quality rivalry isn't it? Because they've been the best two teams for the last four years. I think every year's been narrow. And even at the years that the both teams have won it by a margin. When you've had the points together it's still a point narrow or something like that. Over three years. So when you look at it like that it is developing into probably maybe one of the highest quality rivalries. That's what I would say. I would say. But biggest rival, I've seen that mention a couple of times, is this the biggest rivalry? Well the lads over on the last fan stand have been discussion who they think has been the biggest Premier League rivalry. I think the most fiercest rivalry and not Darby was Manchester United Arsenal. There was always a little bit of needle there between the managers, needle between the players, the captains. Everything you see Kevin De Bruyne and that walking off the pitch, shaking each other's hands, holding each other and that. And it's all a bit friendly. So I do think in terms of football wise and the quality of football it's right up there with the Arsenal Manchester United stuff. But I do think there's not enough needle there for that to be the fiercest rivalry. That wears the Viera on the team. Although in terms of the quality of the football, it's of course right up there. In terms of a Darby, I've always thought obviously Manchester United Liverpool's biggest two teams and when we play each other, I'm more nervous for that game than anything else. But the quality of the games is never really great. As a neutral, I always enjoy watching the North London Darbys because they are usually good games of football, do you know what I mean? But yeah, in terms of the fiercest rivalry, I have to go to Manchester United Arsenal. All I've got to hold on to is the past and believe me, I'm holding on to it. Interesting, interesting. I mean they have just brought from obviously Arsenal to Manchester United, which was a different kind of rivalry. It was a two fantastic team so they were but there was real aggression and needle in them ones wasn't there. I think you talked a bit about this last week you mentioned that it was the Viera cream. All of that, you did? Yeah, that was an unbelievable rivalry for a few years ago. I think that was the best rivalry. Don't get me wrong, this man sitting there with a poor rivalry is good to quality. Probably the highest quality, don't get me wrong. But that was two teams going at it. I didn't like it or did it. Lot of needle, lot of personality, you know, North East South, managers who didn't quite get on at the time either. In later years did, you could kick each other. Which I always find is great. I always do find that. I think it's one thing missing at the moment is that you can't kick people. That's why I like to come with it so much. I really do. I really like the fact that they go out and just kick the other people in the spot. Now I really like that rivalry. And listen, that just might be my age. It was two teams who absolutely flippered each other. And I know Liverpool and Man City do. And again, no issue. It's good football and stuff. But now it's very much is in the spirit of the game. No one's really touched. I mean, Liverpool players did touch some of the Man City players. But then it was just a different thing for me. Man City United at, you know, 1999 won the Champions League and won the league. We're winning all the titles when then Wenger came in and had to somehow stop that. And of course Arsenal went to Old Trafford and won the Premier League. To do that turn around and then go to... And then Arsenal then become an amazing team with Viera and with Andre. And then United had to wrestle it back. And then they beat them, I think United beat them 8-2 at Old Trafford one game here on the season. And then I think it sort of ended up actually with Man City United by Robin van Persie. And that was the last time they won the league. And that was like the end of it. I'm saying that was the end of it because Man United... That sort of was the end of Arsenal being a big team because Wenger left not long after. Maybe a year or two later. So Alex left and Moise took over. And that's where the rivalry ended. It ended with Robin van Persie leaving. And that was like the exclamation mark that Man United was like, we are the bigger team, we are the better team. And I just thought it was fat. It was just for me that's when I just think football was at its highest. The football itself might not mean as good as what it is now. But the mix of aggression and it was before... Put it this way, it was before players started doing that when they talked to each other. That has been the death of football because that to me signifies how self-aware football players are of what they say and what they do. And suddenly football has just gone very, very beige. But the football is amazing. I have to say this rivalry is incredible. Listen, there's been other rivalries I think we did speak about last week. But I just love that rivalry. I just think when people talk about like Viera and Keane and these two teams, they will look back and say the same about City and Liverpool. And it will be looked upon as the best of the best of the best. But I personally really enjoyed that rivalry. No, it was fantastic. We had the situation, didn't we? Arsenal won it in 98 with Wrenge and he came and he'd been in a couple of years and then United went better the next year by winning the league and the Champions League. And then he did have a little bit of a ding dong. Remember, Wiltshawd scoring and Old Trafford. Overmars scoring and Old Trafford. We had the van Nisterwy and Martin Key home things and Keane and Viera. And it did, it went on. I write it, it was kind of when Van Persie was bought by Manchester United and he went and won the title and then Alex Freed, Alex left. That was it. Wrenge stayed there till 2016, didn't he, over a few years. But it had gone then and Manchester City started picking off Arsenal players. Didn't he have the buy or Shania and all of that? Arsenal were dismantled a little bit because we were obviously given to the end and the money, the different ways that they couldn't spend as much money and Arsenal Wrenge was trying to still build it in the old style. And it did move away a little bit and it has been replaced with this with Liverpool City, hasn't it? I also think that played a part in it though, leaving the hybrid. It was something special about those games, the hybrid with Man United. It was something really special, that horrible tight tunnel. Like everything I've obviously got now. That hybrid was brilliant. That led to obviously the Keane and Viera situation. There was so much. What was the one at Old Stafford, the Petergate? Where Fabregas threw a Peter to Alex Ferguson? Like a hot Peter or something? There was all kinds going on. All stuff went on. To me. And I might be a little bit old fashioned now and I might be a little bit older, but I love that stuff. I love Neal. We even had Champions League with Arsenal United at Old South of Ronaldo with that free kick from about 40 yards and stuff. I love a bit of needling again. I love something extra. I love... Cos to me that's what football is. It's not about... There's the mental side. Teams have got to get over of knowing that it's going to be a battle. Football... Some of the football being played at the moment by the two teams is incredible. But it's also quite sanitised. And as I said, I've seen athletics when we did play in this week and a lot of people have said how disgusting it was and all that. I thought it was brilliant. I like that kind of stuff. I'm sorry. It might just be me. I like that kind of stuff. If it goes off, it goes off. That's footy. That's passion. That's what I wish there was more of them footy, but it isn't. Don't let me down. Not fouls, not kicking. It's out of each other. What I mean is that little bit of competitive... We can't tackle now. Look at another team and go on. We can't beat you bigger than us. You're better than us. We're going to have to do something a little bit naughty to beat you. And again, that's not like... It can be perceived in many ways. A lot of people don't like it anymore, but I love it. I love the dark arts. I absolutely love the dark arts in football. And... You know... The thing about it is though, when South Americans come to the Premier League and people go how much they care, it's because they've come from that environment. They know how to survive. Our players in this country now are just... They come through the academy systems and it's all 1990. And people wonder why they can't survive in the competitive games. And yet people come. And they... People come to South America in places and they will give everything, everything, and they don't mind diving, they don't mind throwing themselves on the floor, holding their face and all that kind of thing. To me that I love it all. I don't know what it is. You've just mentioned the purity. This was obviously... There was a couple of naughty challenges by Liverpool players in the game, but the game in general seemed to... Excellent club. Excellent football side. Doing battle. City probably should have won it. But you know, it's true too. And still, the point separates them at the top of the table. You know what I'm saying? I mean, just the first... The brilliant and obviously Gabriel has used to say to Alexander Arnan to say to play off side, I think. Not realising it was... I think it might have been matter if we'd keep someone on. For the second goal in Liverpool he could have been great ball by Salah Tamanai, but just when you look at Jota for Liverpool, what a sign he's been, because at Wolves, he's a good player. Got ten goals, but he's gone there. When you think he missed out on... Rena. Yeah, I know. You know what I'm saying? If he was gone... Timo Rena would have been good for Liverpool. No, I know, but it's the fact that he missed out on him. Then when he got somebody else for 20 million quid and his goal record is unbelievable, he's... Come in... It's 40, wasn't it? It's what? 40. 40? Sure he was, yeah. Right into 40. Yeah. No, he's been great. He's come in, took the pressure for me and he all doesn't really... haven't really scored a lot of goals. As a small man. As a small man, of course. He's a great striker. But he's come in and he's took over the goal... goal responsibility. And I think what actually happened by him taking over the goals was then Liverpool stopped relying on Salar and Mali to score in every single game, which meant you could leave them out then. And then by leaving them out, then you could go and buy backups for them and they brought like the ass. And then... So he comes in and he's not relied on to score because you know Josh is going to score. And suddenly, where Liverpool used to be by this time of year. They're not anymore. And that's what. Well, they've got five and if you include the league, you could wheel out a Christmas to let them win with a few goals. They've got six left. But that's the thing. But the thing about it is it used to be like you had to rely on one and to score man A or whatever. But now, they can just change the team role and they're up it. The frighteningly good. And then you've obviously got the purity of Manchester. They were just incredible anyway. I mean, you played on the edge, because looked to being judged off side when he put shitty 3-2 off. If he was, it was you talking minuscule. The post as well. Mara's last minute at the post. But don't you think though that that's the thing though is that Manchester City can play that well and then not win? Well, that's twice they played Liverpool. Two, two, twice. He's been a better side and both should have put the game to bed and both. And that's Jamie Carrick as well. By the way, not just in Evertonian speaking. Well, no. Yeah, Jamie Carrick at the Evertonian. And Liverpool have held on in there for both games. So a point in it, eight games to go. Some big games coming up for both of them. They both got through in the Champions League this week. Liverpool got Villarreal in the semi with the Fancy themselves. All of Villarreal. Won't be any four shows having not just not by me, you know, of course. Chelsea, sorry man City have got Real Madrid, haven't they? Almost at Chelsea. So they've got some big games and all of them have got United next. I think the weekend in Manchester. It's semi-final this weekend. Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday. Then they've got United. Then Everton. They've got big games coming up. Yeah, that's what you want if you're there, isn't it? But like you've just said with the players, they've got the squad, they've got them can handle it. So it's going to be very tight and you wouldn't put a past going to the last day with a point in it as well, would you? So very, very, very tight. Two, two with those. Just touch, you know, obviously that's the top too. Chelsea, who we'd seen the week before, you know, get smashed around by Brentford in a weird game. Went to Southampton and for a while looked like Southampton were on for the third consecutive 9-0 in a year. Didn't it? You know, 6-0 down with 28 minutes to go. But Chelsea going to Southampton and just really blitzing them. It was like they took an out on them, wasn't it? What happened in the Brentford game and what happened in the Real Madrid game and the first like, they just went after them and they just took them to bits. You know, counter-attack and pace. I mean, team over Henry. Yeah, yeah. Both post and the crossbar in the space of the first 25 minutes. And ended up with two goals. Ended up with two goals, but no, they just clicked and they made some out. It was brilliant. They have 14 attempts on target, Chelsea. They went Southampton. I'd love to be playing Southampton now. They just look like they've got the flip-flops on and they're ready. They've got their 30 odd points on and they're ready now. They'll win another game or two before the end of the season, maybe one or two, hopefully. One in a couple of weeks. Actually. And they've got the flip-flops on and Chelsea just, I wouldn't in no mood to ask about. Strange, Chelsea, aren't they? When you look at the players they've got and you see they can do that and we've seen them at the bit and they've gone midweek 3-0 up and gave a super goal away otherwise they'd have got through. I think you see them drop games, like Bradford and things like that. The main thing about Chelsea is it's just don't think they've got the squad. I know it's stupid that Sans just don't think they've got the squad. I think that's where the top two get away from them is that they've just got, you look at Chelsea's bench and I think when push comes to shove they're just not good enough. They've got a kind of squad which is good in October and November when it's like, when it's, when you're in the group games of the Champions League and you can bring in maybe your Ross Barclays and you're off the cheek and people like that. But I think when push comes to shove and every single game is massive that's to me when Liverpool and City are just like, we can put out a first team, we can put out a first team, we can put out a first team. I think that's where Chelsea lost their two wing backs and they couldn't replace them. You just didn't have the quality and the minute that happened the minute Chelsea started to drop the forward options are weird. Cae Averett has ended up being the number one centre forward after spending nearly 100 million on the car crew and yet look how opposite they are they're just not compatible with each other. Chelsea are still awake in progress but they're going to have to spend big and bring in some really good players to fill that squad out. I think they'll take Gallagher back and I think he will definitely play in that Chelsea side. I think his energy will be will be massive in that Chelsea side by the way. I think, but I don't think the likes of you look at like, you look at... Probably do a bit wrong. I'd probably sell them, I'd probably sell them back to into my land. It hasn't worked. It's not going to work like Thomas Tushall did. They just don't play the same style. And I think they need to go and bring in another Cae Averett kind of centre, an intelligent centre forward. Harry Cae? No. He's intelligent but they're not going to go with any man now. But yeah, they're just, that squad it's weird but it's just not good enough. As I said, it's a good enough squad to beat. You know. Good enough to finish there. It's good enough to finish there. But when you've got the group games of the Champions League, but when you have to take it further than that, I just don't think it can, I just don't think it's got the quality that replicates the other players. So... Fair enough. Obviously that's them third. Come through the right for fourth. It's very interesting. It's very interesting. Arsenal were around to Brighton at the weekend. And Arsenal had been in really good form until Liverpool beat them in the other weekend. And since then, you know, lost heavily at Crystal Palace, didn't you? Brighton at home. The opportunity to get back on track with that. And they go and get beat. They go and get beat at home by Brighton. Two defeated a week? Yeah. For them, it's like that's big, isn't it? Yeah. Especially when you've got Tottenham. Tottenham breathing down there. No, your main rivals. And the thing about it was, United are three points behind Arsenal. And Everton had beat United at half twelve. So, you know, Everton winning one nil. We'll turn back to that. But that would have given Arsenal that. Like, we can get six points ahead of United now and really keep them away. And the goal when we use your body blowers is to get beat around by Brighton. Yeah. They haven't won many games of football. They haven't scored goals. No. They haven't scored goals. So, to score, they were going behind. They had one real factor before half time. Yeah, yeah. And then you expect them to come out to second half and they conceded the goal. And yes, they got on like time. But it's the wrong time. It's the wrong time to stumble, isn't it? It really is the wrong time. Tottenham are on the absolute, an absolute charge. And of course, Tottenham beat Willard the day before four nil. It comes to the same day. It was at half five, wasn't it? It was after it. Tottenham kicked off at half five last night. And that, to go to Willard and win four nil after you just, your rivals have just lost their home to Brighton. Spears winning Harry Kane was, was unbelievable. In this game, get Willard started. The first twenty minutes, Willard could have been ahead. Willard, Willard, Willard. Willard, he was brilliant. Willard, he couldn't have been ahead because Sonthill had the three minutes, but he should have been. Willard, Willard was brilliant. I mean, I think Gerard, at the end of the game, I've got no complaints. After Tottenham had scored, Willard must have had six or seven shots. The Reese's made some great saves. You've had blocks. You've had things off the line. You've had all sorts. And then what happened is, they come out to second half and were in a minute, I think, well, two minutes. Spears got the second one. And it's like, you know, it's... Son's goals. And then they're trying to play and they leave the space behind and Son gets him round the back and they get a couple more. But Willard was really unlucky in this game, actually. Willard, 52%, 19 attempts at goal to 11. Exactly. For eight on target, Willard. Five for Spears. Spears, five on target, one for him. It was not a four in the game, this. But for Spears, fantastic. See, Arsenal lose, United lose. You go to the wight of a tricky game, like Willard beat them four in. Of course, lot of pressure on Stephen Gerard now. Some quarter sign, he'd be gone at the end of the season. I don't know whether they believe that. But he is under pressure cos he had the one in the games of football. And every manager has to win football matches, don't he? But for Spears, brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. And that's really give them, you know? They've got that momentum just at the right time. He got Peter Burnley and Conti gave it the arm. I don't know whether I'm the right man. I might have to. I'm convinced he was going to do that. And since then, he's just been on a great run there. Day fourth now. So goals as well. Well, there are three points that have Arsenal, Arsenal have got a game in hand. But they've got to play to that. But they've got to play to that. And then obviously, it gave Westlam a great opportunity to get within three points of Spears on Sunday and they went to Brentford and end up getting beat soon, you know? Well, David Moyes was very disappointed with... They were very flat-weight. They were a little bit like when they played Everton the week before, played the week before. I think Everton should have got something out of that game. And I think in this, Brentford's need felt a little bit more than they need. And they were very, very flat in between the... The European games. No, it's in the European games. And they just felt really, really flat. And Brentford just took advantage to just basic goals. The body language to the Westam plays was... It was just like, oh, again, we've got to play this game. I said that about last week when they played Everton. It was just like it. They were there for the taking. If Everton just didn't have any mistakes and Brentford didn't have any mistakes, they've done everything the right way and got the two goals. Flying out the Brentford. It was quite an easy game for them in the end. It was in the end. They have 15 attempts at goals, so Westam's five. Yeah. Comfortable now, Brentford, whereas you've got 37 points there on now. 36 points, so 36. Moving to the other end of the table, obviously Friday night, so on Newcastle beat Wolves with a penalty. Yeah. Chris Wood penalty. Settle that one, so settle Newcastle's nears. And I think that's probably enough now. And I think for Wolves as well, though, I think that'll be one of those games where it's like you've missed a boat on Europe now. I think that top seven is the top seven. Yeah, the chance Wolves, if they'd have been able to get over the line in that. But Newcastle deserved it. Newcastle would have better said. 34 points now. Obviously if Wolves were the one with Everton's win, they'd have been adding it again. I think that's something two points for three in a trot. Big win for them. They're safe, like you say Wolves, I think. Wofford that home to Leeds. If Wofford were going to do anything, it'd have to be Shatley and Leeds. Well six, as it was straight after Everton, at one, obviously Wofford would have known. They would have known that they were six points behind, playing someone who was not that far ahead in terms of seeing the head of Everton at the time. If you're going to try and catch a couple of teams. They'd have gone with them five points, Leeds, if they'd have beaten them. Leeds just had a nice day out, didn't he? Put three past them, nice and comfortable. Wofford got punished again for the mistakes. Had a couple of chances, but got punished. I think that puts Leeds safe. I think Leeds is safe now, to be honest. I think they'll know they can get one more win or two more wins out of their remaining fixes because they'll be nice and relaxed. I know they can go and get the win. So I think that kind of has put them safe now. They're on 33 points. The Burnley. I think Leeds will get one if not two more wins. So that don't see any problem for them. But that Leeds Wofford, obviously, right in the midst. They're in trouble now, yeah. They're in big trouble. Because it's a mountain climb, isn't it? No, yeah, because absolutely. Sunday, so Norwich and Burnley. A car or road. A game that I thought would go this way, went away, I thought. For the simple reason that, I watched Burnley beat Everton and he went very good. And Burnley scored goals because Everton just made ridiculous defensive errors. One thing Dean Smith's done is made Norwich more tough to beat. They're not necessarily, because he can't make miracles, but what he's done is tighten them up. So I looked at them and thought, I'd watched them a brightening before and thought, they won't give Burnley the type of... because the centre-backs are going hand-leaning and they're big lads. And they literally didn't give Burnley anything. And they put loads of blocks in and loads of... They got the goal early on, off the great start and then goes into the second half and Coney obviously misses that big chance. Tapping at the far post and he's just got it completely wrong. Then Norwich got a late second goal. What a first touch that was. And it's all... It's gone back to four points again obviously. Seen it. That's not the be all and end all because both teams have got tough fixtures but there's still plenty to play for. Sailing with the fixtures four as well. What for the playing this weekend against Westam which it is a win. Burnley surely have got Westam this weekend but of course... What for they've got Brent for their own this weekend. Because Westam are in the European action you don't know what that will take out on them. And then Burnley playing next week after Evan have played Leicester it's still... And then Evan play like the Liverpool and Chelsea then. So it could definitely swing around between now and then. If Evan could obviously keep that nice cushion they've got now for as long as possible. If not the whole of the season that would be really really nice thanks. See what you're saying about Leeds and you're right by it it's yes you must and Leeds don't play for it. Leeds don't play till after Evan have played to get another two games. Okay one of them is Liverpool but Leeds are at Palace and Palace are playing. So if Evan would have beat Leicester next week at home which you'd like to think Leicester needs greater because Leicester aren't going up all down there fine then Evan would be two points behind Leeds but that to me just says Leeds are never in the safe now. No but I'm saying because yes you are saying that it looks good now but I expect it to be tight by the time we play again because of Evan. I mean that would be nice to pull Leeds in so that we've got some direction. But I think you might be right I think I still know what you're saying about West Ham but I still think they'll be barely. For the simple reason that Moise tends to get the results that he should but you don't know it's still tight it's very very tight barely if they'll be kicking themselves. Just mentioned Palace they went to Leicester they were level points and Evan before they're getting Leicester won a 2-1 didn't he a bit a little bit navy at times but Adam Ola Luchman and Jules Brieho fell Leicester Wylfsharhawer they two teams in the Premier League not a multiplayer I mean they've both got in cup competition so they've got something there but in the Premier League they're both with Yano Just very just briefly go back to Manchester United and Evan obviously spoke of our Evan a big win for them in the need of it. But Manchester United he watched them a close quarters on Saturday a lot of stuff about 10 har taking over and different things but you're just disappointed not disappointed because like you want United to be great but when you look at United and the money they've spent they're just so disjointed at the moment you watch them they're very very average they've got very average players they've paid a lot of money for very average players and it sounds like another team yeah there's just a very average team you don't really seem to have a strategy they don't seem to have what's wrong with Popper he's not average he's finished, he's done but again though it's that thing of what makes it a good player and I don't think I'm glad with loads loads of skill he's so kind of a good player I just see that you're saying for France and he's generally good for France it's a very straightforward thing he plays for France he's good for France and he loves playing for France and he knows he knows like the team's basically partly built around them but at Man United he's he's got issues he should have been he should have been kicked out when LeCacu went really that's when he should have gone but he wasn't ultimately they're just a team of individuals aren't they individuals who Ronaldo is like the king individual isn't he he's like the king individual who just yeah and you know he doesn't like people's mobile phones so there you go so I think they've got a long long way to go long way to go let's just have a look at the league table before we finish then Man City top of the league by a point from Liverpool and obviously we've talked about Chelsea there the race for the top four is tight between United and Spares and at the other end we've just been talking about obviously Everton Leeds, Burnley, Wafford, Norwich it's still very tight down there albeit a little bit nicer than when we done this programme last week a little bit of breathing space but it'll probably get tight again before the season finishes so yeah there you go make sure you check out the last fan stand and the rest of that for the debate about biggest rivalries the link is in the description get over there leave a comment as well as for us we'll see you later