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The Game
Late goals, ladles of drama and a Liverpool comeback "for the ages”
Gregor Robertson is joined by Alyson Rudd, Tony Cascarino and Martin Hardy in The Times office in London.
Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez came off the bench to score twice late on for ten-man Liverpool against Newcastle United in a modern classic at St James’s Park. The Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp ranked the victory among the most special of his career, but just how big a missed opportunity was this for Newcastle?
Manchester United also produced a stirring comeback, after going 2-0 down in the opening four minutes against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. But has Old Trafford lost its fear factor?
Following a series of high-profile stories involving the mistreatment of women by men working in football, including the recent suspension by Fifa of the Spanish Football Federation’s President Luis Rubiales, we ask: is football, as an industry, failing women?
There was more late drama at the Emirates as Arsenal conceded an 87th minute equaliser against ten-man Fulham. The Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, is trying to evolve last season’s title challengers, but does he need to? And Manchester City took advantage to go top of the table with a late winner at Sheffield United, much to the relief of Erling Haaland — and Kyle Walker.
Following impressive wins for West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur, inspired by two new recruits familiar to the Premier League, could the relatively unheralded signings of James Ward-Prowse and James Maddison respectively be the summer’s most inspired transfers?
Finally, after Joachim Andersen equalised for Crystal Palace with what can only be described as a slide tackle through the legs of the Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, Tony Cascarino talks us through a goal he scored for Aston Villa that was so bad it won an award.
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"Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d'Or"
47:35|Solid home wins for Liverpool and Man City, a strong away wins for Arsenal and Villa mean the English teams have started well in Europe. Martin Samuel thinks there is no reason why all the English teams should not be qualifying for the last 16.While there are some potent front three's around, no team compares to Arsenal's defensive strength - how would Arsenal reserve team do in the Premier League?Mauricio Pochettino thinks Spurs should be award the 2016/17 title because of Chelsea's admitted rule breaches. Would that be opening Pandora's box?After the break is Harry Kane going to win the Ballon d'or? Who is he up against and does he deserve it. Is football more fun and games where there is no VAR? If it is, could it ever be ditched at the top level?Plus, football never ends, with a thrilling Chelsea six Leeds three cup win being overshadowed, are we in danger of reaching saturation point?EFL EXTRA: West Ham are back as Swansea shine
49:03|A week is a long time in the football league, and West Ham used back-to-back matches to kickstart their season with two big wins.Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson as Nuno Espirito Santo's team finally get moving in The Championship and there's more impressive results for Swansea, Middlesbrough, West Brom and Bristol City. Elsewhere the guys wonder whether Jamie Vardy's arrival is really going to be enough to save Nicky Hayen at Burnley? And Tom is upset with Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto. In League One it goes from bad to worse for Russell Martin and Leicester and it's screamers galore in League Two.Arsenal supreme, United stutter, Spurs struggle
59:37|Arsenal put on a dominate display to beat potential title rivals Chelsea. Despite going one down after only a minute the Gunners looked calm, confident and positive throughout. Was it the benefits of having a title under their belts or a new approach from Mikel Arteta? Chelsea have arguably the best attack in the league, but have they left themselves short in defence and midfield?Alexander Isak is starting to prove his worth at Liverpool, but was their win just as much about Ipswich's poor performance?A great game at Fulham as Palace won 3-2. but are Fulham "just too much fun to watch?" Could it see therm in a relegation fight?Plus, is Josh King in line for an international call up and what do Tottenham and Manchester United make of their draws...progress or cause for concern?Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join Tom ClarkeWhich teams had the best and worst transfer window?
55:21|After a crazy summer transfer window in which 3.5 billion pounds was spent and multiple 100 million transfers between English clubs - has the transfer market gone mad? Inlafted prices, last minute deals... is the Premier League an outlier, or is it the new norm for football transfers. Which club had the best window and which was the best individual transfer?Arsenal have hit the ground running, but after a promising attacking start, is it going to be the same defensive focus as last season.Plus, a look ahead to the weekends action.Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and Gary Jacob join Tom ClarkeEFL EXTRA: "Wolves and Southampton look scary"
46:18|Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.Wolves and Southampton already look to have so much strength in depth for Championship level "it is scary.". But it's Charlton who are top on nine points, can they keep it up...Who is the beat striker in the division? In League One Blackpool are on the front foot and Stockport look good as they get back to winning ways.Plus the South Yorkshire derby in League Two, Salford still winless and Walsall are up there...again!Hull's hopes, Tottenham's troubles and Mainoo's magic
58:32|Hull sit proudly at the top of the table. Is it a freak or have the Tigers, and the other promoted clubs been misjudged?Ipswich were thumped at Old Trafford, but their performance had many positive signs. While Man Utd looked to have rediscovered some swagger. Who shone brightest, Fernandez, Rashford or Mainoo.After the break familiar horribly memories at Spurs as they lose again - but will it be different this time? A very positivity start on Tyneside for Matthias Jaissle. Will Bradley Barcola fix any of Liverpool's problems? Plus, what is the transfer you'd most like to see happen and are Chelsea really different under Xabi Alonso?What is 'value' in this crazy transfer market?
51:13|Forest pay fifty million for Liam Delap; City buy a teenager for eighty five million and Spurs sign second stringer Savio also for eighty five million. Has the Premier League transfer market gone mad?Xabi Alonso's Chelsea looked good in their first run out of the season, if they sign a keeper could they be challengers to Arsenal? As teams struggle to compete financially is it a level playing field or stacked in favour of 'the old guard'?And have UEFA lost their nerve in their battle with Gianni Infantino?Gregor Robertson joins Tony Cascarino, Jonathan Northcroft and Martin SamuelEFL EXTRA: West Ham worries and the goal of the season
34:41|Our weekly look at all the latest from the EFL with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson.Plenty of surprises in week two of the Championship. West Ham lost at home in front of sixty two thousand fans, are their players ready for a tough season in the second tier?No wins for fancied Norwich, Birmingham or Burnley. At the top Millwall may have a new star up front in Taryk Arconte and West Brom have started where they left off last season with two impressive wins. And special mention to Blackburn Rovers after a big win over Middlesbrough, League One Bradford win a Yorkshire derby, a miserable start for Leicester and goals galore for Luton.In League Two favourites Salford tough start continues, But what was the game of the weekend? Plus have we already seen the goal of the season - Dom Ballard's 18yd back heel could be it.Did you see Gregor play football, do you have anything nice to say? Get in touch.Premier League is Back with a Bang!
56:21|The Premier League is back and if the opening weekend is anything to go by it could be an unpredictable season. Hull shocked Man United, Brentford reminded Roberto De Zerbi of the tough job he faces at Spurs and Brighton thumped Villa. Promoted Ipswich got a big win, Man City got a late winner and Liverpool levelled with the last kick against an impressive Newcastle. Champions Arsenal made it look easy against Coventry plus wins for Leeds and Everton. Gregor Robertson is joined by Gary Jacob, Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant