Do Arsenal still have what it takes to make it to the Champions League final? An early goal from Ousmane Dembélé and another impressive european night for Gianluigi Donnarumma means they're 1-0 down against Paris Saint Germain after the first leg of their semi final. Kelly Cates is joined by Matthew Upson, Julien Laurens and John Murray at the Emirates to analyse the first leg loss and assess what Arsenal need to do differently if they’re to turn things around in the second leg. We hear from Mik...
Apr 29, 2025•29 min
Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk all things Champions League as Arsenal make it through to the final for the first time in 18 years. Jen and Ellen talk about former teammate and friend captain Kim Little and what makes her so good. On the flipside where did it all go so wrong for Chelsea as they went crashing out after defeat to Barcelona and is it a one sided rivalry? Plus the team chat the Championship as Crystal Palace head back down while it will go to the final day, either Londo...
Apr 29, 2025•34 min
Recently retired assistant referee Darren Cann joins Mark Chapman, Steph Houghton, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith on the Monday Night Club to provide some amazing insight into life on the touchline. Among other things, he discusses his career - explaining what a week in his life looked like. He also explains how VAR has changed the role of an assistant referee and explains how officials block out hostility from players and fans. And - the big question - is Chris Sutton or Darren Cann a better footb...
Apr 29, 2025•33 min
Mark Chapman is joined by Steph Houghton, Chris Sutton and The Observer's Rory Smith for the latest episode of the Monday Night Club. The team discuss Liverpool's 20th title victory, with Stephen Warnock joining the pod to reflect on the season. Celtic also won a title on the weekend, so former striker Chris Sutton weighs in on their season and on the future of Brendan Rodgers. Is the landscape of Welsh football changing, with Cardiff's relegation and Wrexham's promotion? And Steph reflects on A...
Apr 28, 2025•54 min
Katie Smith is joined by Nigel Reo-Coker and The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards. Also hear from Arne Slot, Andy Robertson and Liverpool fan Josh live from Anfield after their title triumph. And catch up with Oliver Glasner after Crystal Palace make it through to only their third ever FA Cup final. The panel also chat through Man City’s Wembley win over Nottingham Forest, the race for European football and Ipswich Town’s relegation. 08:10 Arne Slot INTERVIEW 11:30 Liverpool fan Josh LIVE from Anfield 1...
Apr 27, 2025•48 min
In June 2004, Jose Mourinho made headlines around the world by claiming ‘I think I’m a special one’ at his unveiling as Chelsea manager. Just under a year later, he lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time, delivering Chelsea their first league title in 50 years. Robert Huth was part of the Chelsea defence that conceded only 15 goals in the league that season – and he joins Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith 20 years later to reflect on an incredible achievement. They look back...
Apr 26, 2025•52 min
John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball discuss Liverpool and Celtic being on the verge of titles. They’re joined by Conor McNamara after he went viral for his 5 Live Man Utd-Lyon commentary. Will Ali be toppled by Ian in Clash of the Commentators? How high will the high bar be for the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? And John bowls us over with his plans for the weekend in London. 01:30 Liverpool and Celtic on the verge of titles 06:10 Conor McNamara reflects on going viral 25:15 Som...
Apr 25, 2025•56 min
Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague, Mina Rzouki and Julien Laurens to talk the latest in European football. The team pay tribute to Pope Francis and his love of football. Are Inter Milan falling at the final hurdle of the season, and should title playoffs exist? The tributes continue as Marcel van der Kraan joins the pod to reflect on the life and career of Dutch footballer and coach, Leo Beenhakker. And finally, who are the other universally loved coaches of the modern game? 02:07 Trib...
Apr 24, 2025•41 min
Aaron Paul & Jobi McAnuff are joined by Phil Brown as Leeds & Burnley are promoted to the Premier League. Hear from Chris Wilder as Sheffield United have to settle for a play-off place. Luton boss Matt Bloomfield joins the pod with his team inside the relegation zone on goal difference. There are twists and turns at the top of League One and League Two. And will goalkeepers be given a break in 72PLUS 72MINUS? 02:05 Phil’s Kidderminster title race goes to final day 06:05 Leeds and Burnley...
Apr 23, 2025•42 min
Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines react to the Women’s Champions League semi-final first legs. They are joined by BBC Sport’s Emma Sanders who was in Barcelona, to dissect what went so wrong for Chelsea, who trail 4-1 heading into the second leg. They also react to Arsenal’s first leg against Lyon – will they regret not making more of their chances against a Lyon team with an impressive home record? Plus they focus on Liverpool’s Olivia Smith after an impressive few weeks – what does she n...
Apr 22, 2025•46 min
Leicester City relegated, while Leeds United & Burnley are promoted. Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Joe Hart react to Leicester going down & Leeds & Burnley going up. Leicester City Correspondent for BBC Radio Leicester Owynn Palmer-Atkin joins the pod to dissect what has gone wrong at the club, from Steve Cooper’s appointment to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s takeover to disgruntlement with the ownership. Leeds and Burnley secure automatic promotion to the Premier League after wi...
Apr 21, 2025•55 min
Man Utd falter, Trent Alexander-Arnold relegates Leicester & Aston Villa thump Newcastle. Aaron Paul, Stephen Warnock & Glenn Murray react to the Premier League weekend. Manchester United take another step backwards following the Europa League drama in midweek, losing 1-0 at home to a Wolves side who have now won five Premier League games on the spin. Hear from the United boss Ruben Amorim. There were also wins for the top two. Arsenal hammer Ipswich at Portman Road, and Trent Alexander-...
Apr 20, 2025•40 min
The former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele sits down with Nedum Onuoha to talk through the Frenchman's career. Makelele describes his time at Chelsea and experiences under Jose Mourinho, as well as his most challenging opponents in the Premier League. And we also find out how he was close to becoming a winger and not a defensive midfielder. TIMECODES 00:10 What was it like joining Chelsea? 02:30 Playing under Jose Mourinho 07:00 Claude Makelele - the winger? 16:00 Toughest opponents in the Pr...
Apr 19, 2025•18 min
It's a full house as Ali Bruce-Ball returns with John Murray & Ian Dennis. Ali gives a behind the scenes insight to Masters golf commentary at Augusta. What about Arsenal beating Real Madrid and making it through to the Champions League semi-finals? Will John bounce back in Clash of the Commentators? And we need your help when it comes to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary! E-mail: [email protected] Voicenotes on WhatsApp to: 08000 289 369 02:40 Ali is back from seeing McIlroy make histor...
Apr 18, 2025•56 min
Manchester United produced a classic comeback, coming from 4-2 down in extra time to beat Lyon and reach the Europa League semi-finals Kelly Cates presents reaction to an extraordinary night at Old Trafford, with Andros Townsend, Rene Meulensteen and Paul Robinson assessing how Man Utd pulled off that great escape, and what that result could do for Ruben Amorim and his tenure. Tottenham are also into the semi-finals after a 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt. BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel joins the pod fr...
Apr 18, 2025•30 min
After Real Madrid's tame Champions League exit the Euro Leagues crew ask whether signing Trent Alexander-Arnold is really the priority to improve such an imbalanced squad needing greater defensive stability. What else needs addressing and who is/isn't in the frame to succeed Carlo Ancelotti. Also on the agenda for Guillem Balague, Mina Rzouki and Julien Laurens; Inter and Barcelona meeting in the UCL semis for the first time since 2010 when Jose's Inter went through at Camp Nou depite not having...
Apr 17, 2025•44 min
Just how impressive was Arsenal’s display against Real Madrid in the Champions League? And can Mikel Arteta’s side go all the way this season? Steve Crossman, commentator Ian Dennis and former Arsenal defender Matt Upson analyse a famous night in the Bernabeu as Arsenal advance to the semi-finals. We hear from Mikel Arteta, as well as Arsenal fan Harry Symeou. And after Newcastle thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 in the Premier League, The Athletic’s George Caulkin assess where this leaves their hopes...
Apr 17, 2025•29 min
With just 4 games left across the EFL, it’s poised to be an exciting end to the season. Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens joins Aaron Paul and former Wycombe captain Joe Jacobson to discuss their season, with the club just three points outside of the League 1 play-off places. Bristol City manager Liam Manning drops by with his team looking to secure their hold on a play-off spot. There’s also plenty to be decided in the Championship with Plymouth just three points from safety – can they stay ...
Apr 16, 2025•50 min
The quarter-finals of the Champions League second legs did not disappoint with drama, tension and a load of goals at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side scored more on the night, but the dream is over as PSG had done enough to go through to the semi-finals with a 5-4 win on aggregate. Kelly Cates is joined by former Villa players Dion Dublin and Stephen Warnock – who both praised the performance of Marcus Rashford and were equally baffled by the fact he was subbed off. Correspondent John Murray and St...
Apr 15, 2025•41 min
Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines react to the FA Cup semi-finals where Chelsea and Manchester United booked their spots at Wembley. Holders Manchester United have reached a third successive final and they will look to get revenge over quadruple-chasing Chelsea who beat them in the showpiece fixture back in 2023. As well as reflecting on this year's finalists, with their Women's Champions League qualification hopes hanging in the balance and another trophyless season confirmed, the team lo...
Apr 15, 2025•43 min
In the final episode of the mini-series on How To Win The Champions League, we hear from two-time winner Jose Mourinho. He talks us through his victories with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, as well as some of his near-misses at Real Madrid Mourinho explains why the competition is so important to him and how he built relationships with some of Europe's leading players over the past two decades. A BBC iPlayer documentary accompanies this episode: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002...
Apr 15, 2025•37 min
Steve Crossman is alongside Chris Sutton, former England captain Steph Houghton, and The Athletic’s Adam Crafton discuss whether Ruben Amorim’s call to drop Andre Onana backfired after Altay Bayindir’s performance in Manchester United’s loss at Newcastle. Do Liverpool really need a succession plan for their goalkeeper Allison? Giorgi Mamardashvili is joining the club from Valencia this summer, and will a right back follow him through the door? Or do Arne Slot’s side recruit from within after the...
Apr 14, 2025•52 min
Newcastle thump Man Utd, Chelsea slip up & Kevin De Bruyne inspires Man City. Darren Fletcher, Clinton Morrison & Nigel Reo-Coker react to the Premier League weekend. Newcastle's 4-1 win over Manchester United pushes Eddie Howe's side up to fourth in the Premier League. The Magpies now sit just a point off Nottingham Forest in third but have a game in hand on their rivals. Hear from both Jason Tindall and Ruben Amorim. Chelsea failed to capitalise on Forest's home defeat to Everton, only...
Apr 13, 2025•43 min
Anthony Elanga chats to Dion Dublin about life at Nottingham Forest, working under Nuno Espirito Santo and the secret to Forest's consistency. He also discusses moving to England at 11, his development at Manchester United and his hopes of playing in the Champions League with Forest. Topics: 00:15 - Early years in Malmo 02:41 - Moving to England at 11and signing for Manchester United 06:36 - Moving to Nottingham Forest and personal development 10:15 - Working under Nuno Espirito Santo 12:09 - Th...
Apr 12, 2025•24 min
Conor McNamara joins John Murray & Ian Dennis to talk commentary life as Mo Salah signs Liverpool deal. John reveals how he ended up in a French ambulance in midweek. Conor reflects on nearly getting stuck on his way to replace John in Paris. And Ian talks through his memorable line, ‘Rice Rice baby’. All that plus a tasty Clash of the Commentators and more additions to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary. E-mail: [email protected] Voicenotes on WhatsApp to: 08000 289 369 01:45 Mo Salah si...
Apr 11, 2025•51 min
What next for Andre Onana and Manchester United after his mistakes against Lyon? And how did Rangers show the spirit to hold on against Athletic Bilbao? Conor McNamara, Izzy Christensen and Aaron Lennon look back on an entertaining night in the opening legs of the Europa League quarter finals. We hear from Ruben Amorim on Onana’s performance, and Ange Postecoglou says “the football gods have their eyes elsewhere” after their 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt. TIMECODES 0’55 How does Andre ...
Apr 10, 2025•24 min
John Bennett is joined by Guillem Balague, James Horncastle and Kristof Terreur. They unpick the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final ties. Guillem explains why Barcelona are finally over the Lionel Messi era and ask whether there is any chance of a sensational comeback by Real Madrid against Arsenal. The team debate why Inter Milan perhaps deserve more credit than they get and explain who could be PSG’s answer to Mohamed Salah? And with Kevin De Bruyne leaving Manchester City, Kristo...
Apr 10, 2025•36 min
It will take something special for Aston Villa to make it through to the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final in the French capital. Mark Chapman hosts reaction to the match, with Conor McNamara and Paul Robinson inside the Parc des Princes. Former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin also joins, along with French football expert Julien Laurens. The podcast also features post-match reaction from Villa boss Unai Emery, defender ...
Apr 09, 2025•31 min
Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Colchester’s Lyle Taylor. He dishes the dirt on the club shower gel rota. Hear from Chris Wilder after Sheffield United suffer defeats in the Championship promotion race. What about Bristol City’s rise and Blackburn’s bad run? Catch up with Birmingham boss Chris Davies after sealing League One promotion, and hear from Darren Ferguson ahead of the Peterborough-Birmingham EFL Trophy final. And Aaron’s patience finally pays off in Fantasy EFL. 02:35 Lyle re...
Apr 09, 2025•43 min
Kelly Cates is alongside the BBC’s Senior Football Reporter Ian Dennis & former Arsenal and West Ham defender Matthew Upson at the Emirates Stadium, as well as former Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, for analysis of Arsenal’s thumping victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. They discuss Declan Rice’s two incredible freekicks, the electric atmosphere inside the Emirates, and whether the tie is already over. Harry Symeou, presenter of The Chroni...
Apr 09, 2025•34 min
