Just For Kicks

While rooted to the bottom of League One, Port Vale produced a famous FA Cup upset by defeating Sunderland 1–0, thanks to a first-half header from Ben Waine. Sunderland pushed hard for an equaliser, but key saves from goalkeeper Joe Gauci helped them hold on and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.That and all the other action from the FA Cup fifth round, plus Champions League preview here on Just For Kicks!

Crystal Palace produced a dramatic comeback to beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–1 in the Premier League. Spurs started well when Dominic Solanke gave them the lead, but the game turned after Micky van de Ven was sent off for a foul on Ismaïla Sarr, who converted the penalty and later scored again. Jørgen Strand Larsen also found the net as Palace took control, leaving ten-man Tottenham struggling and deepening the pressure on their troubled season as they sit a mere point above the relegation zone. All that plus the rest of the action reviewed here on Just For Kicks!

Under the floodlights of the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal tightened their grip on the Premier League title race with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Chelsea, stretching the gap back to five points over Manchester City. The breakthrough arrived from a familiar weapon — a set piece — as William Saliba rose highest to spark celebrations, before Chelsea clawed their way back into the contest. But Arsenal’s dominance from dead balls would not be denied; Jurriën Timber’s towering header midway through the second half restored the lead. As Mikel Arteta’s side marched on, their title ambitions burned brighter while Chelsea were left chasing shadows and European hopes that now flicker with uncertainly.All that plus much more here on Just For Kicks!

A huge test awaits Arsenal this weekend as their title charge continues with a London derby against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have been formidable in these fixtures, losing just one of their last 25 Premier League London derbies and remaining unbeaten in their last eight league meetings with Chelsea, all while combining attacking consistency with one of the league’s strongest defensive records. Chelsea, meanwhile, have shown encouraging signs under Liam Rosenior, particularly on the road, but their habit of dropping points from winning positions and poor record away to league leaders raise questions about their ability to deliver on the biggest stage. Still, with European qualification in their sights, the Blues will be desperate to upset the odds — and potentially hand Manchester City a lifeline in the title race. All that and much more on this week’s Just For Kicks!

Eberechi Eze once again haunted Tottenham Hotspur as Arsenal stormed to a 4-1 North London Derby triumph—Eze struck twice with swagger, while Viktor Gyokeres added a ruthless brace. Although Randal Kolo Muani briefly sparked hope for Spurs, the Gunners never loosened their grip. This left new interim boss Igor Tudor with a harsh lesson in the gulf between the rivals as his team was comprehensively outclassed as Arsenal strengthened their title credentials in a race that looks set to go to the wire.

It was another case of missed opportunities for Arsenal, as they wasted the game in hand that they had over Man City with a draw against Wolves. What was once a fairly comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League table has now turned into a slender one, as Arsenal chose to defend their two-nil lead against the relegation-threatened side, instead of going for the kill. Calamities ensued, with the Gunners conceding a last-minute equaliser after a mistake from the ever reliable duo of David Raya and Gabriel. As the North London Derby looms this weekend, can Arsenal retain their composure and take the initiative again? Our pundits share their thoughts on this match, the mid-week Champions League games, and other tantalising fixtures from match week 27, on another episode of Just For Kicks!

It was a weekend full of talking points, as Newcastle's victory away at Aston Villa was overshadowed by a few controversial decisions made by the referee. While some fans welcome the early stages of the FA Cup as it means football without VAR, did this match somehow justify the need for one? Our pundits share their thoughts on the issue, and look back on a weekend that saw no major giant killings, but good football regardless. They also look ahead to the UEFA Champions League Play-Offs happening later in the week. All these, and more, on another episode of Just For Kicks!

Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race loosened after a 1–1 draw with Brentford cut their advantage at the top to just four points handing momentum to Manchester City. The dropped points intensified scrutiny on Arsenal’s composure as the season enters its decisive phase, with little margin for further error. Manager Mikel Arteta dismissed suggestions of nerves, insisting his side remain focused on their own performances. However, with a pivotal trip to the Etihad looming in April, the title race appears finely balanced and likely to go down to the wire. We dissect the title race and much more here on Just For Kicks!

Manchester City overcame a first-half deficit to claim a 2‑1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield, maintaining their pursuit of the Premier League title. Dominik Szoboszlai had put the hosts ahead with a long-range strike, but City responded in the second half through Bernardo Silva’s precise volley. In stoppage time, Erling Haaland converted a penalty amid a tense sequence involving a red card and a disallowed goal, sealing the win. This win is City’s first in front of a crowd at Anfield since 2003 and one that keeps them in the Premier League title race. All that plus much more here on Just For Kicks!

Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley after both sides came through their respective semi-finals, setting up a high-profile clash between the Premier League’s leading teams. Arsenal secured their place with a 4–2 aggregate victory over Chelsea, sealed by a late goal, while Manchester City advanced comfortably after dispatching Newcastle 5–1 across two legs. With both clubs also competing at the top of the league table, the final adds extra significance to the rivalry, offering not only a major domestic trophy but also a potential psychological edge in the race for the PL title. We review that and much more here on Just For Kicks!

Daniel Gordon, documentary filmmaker well-known for a number of iconic works around football, including the North Korean football team's exploits at the 1966 World Cup (The Game of Their Lives), Man Utd's legendary winger, the late George Best, and the Hillsborough tragedy, was in town recently. We got him into the studio to share the journey behind documenting these stories, as well as his love for Sheffield Wednesday.This is a special, podcast-only episode of Just For Kicks - a slightly different flavour from our usual format.

Benfica secured a dramatic 4–2 victory over Real Madrid to clinch a place in the Champions League playoffs, with the decisive moment arriving deep into stoppage time. In a match marked by goals, two red cards for Real, and a brace from Kylian Mbappé, Jose Mourinho's Benfica still required another goal to qualify before goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went forward for a late corner and headed in the much-needed fourth goal in the 98th minute, sealing progression and denying Real Madrid an automatic top-eight finish.We dissect that roller-coaster of a match & much more here on Just For Kicks.

Manchester United pulled off a stunning, late-drama victory at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in a five-goal Premier League thriller, coming from behind to win 3-2 and inflict the Gunners’ first home league defeat of the season. After an early own goal put Arsenal ahead, United hit back through Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, only for Mikel Merino to level late on before Matheus Cunha curled in a sensational winner in the 87th minute, cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to four points and giving interim manager Michael Carrick another impressive victory under his belt. We review that potential match-of-the-season & the rest of the weekend's action, this week on Just For Kicks!

Under the Arctic lights, Bodø/Glimt wrote a football fairytale, stunning Manchester City 3–1 as Kasper Høgh’s quickfire double and a superb strike from Jens Petter Hauge left the European giants reeling; City briefly rallied through Rayan Cherki, but Rodri’s red card killed any comeback, sealing a magical night for the Norwegian underdogs and one of the season’s biggest Champions League shocks.We review that and much more midweek European action, plus PL previews right here on Just For Kicks!

In a heart-stopping finale in Rabat, Senegal etched their name into history, defeating host nation Morocco 1‑0 after extra time to claim their second Africa Cup of Nations crown. The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye’s thunderbolt broke the deadlock, igniting jubilant celebrations across Senegal. The match was a rollercoaster of tension: a late VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco ended in heartbreak as Édouard Mendy’s heroic save denied Brahim Díaz, prompting Senegal to briefly storm off the pitch in protest. Despite Morocco’s relentless pressure, Senegal held firm, turning chaos into triumph in a final that will be remembered as much for its drama as for its glory.We review that plus action in European football, here on Just For Kicks!

Manchester City and Arsenal seized the initiative in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with City clinical on Tyneside, easing past Newcastle 2–0 as new £64m recruit Antoine Semenyo striking early and Rayan Cherki finishing the job, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side firmly in control heading into the return legs. The Gunners meanwhile survived a five-goal London thriller to beat Chelsea 3–2 at Stamford Bridge, their firepower proving just enough despite a late scare.We review that plus look forward to the weekend action including the Manchester derby, here on Just For Kicks!

The magic of the FA Cup! In what may stand as the greatest upset the competition has ever seen, the wand was waved at Moss Rose as tiny Macclesfield toppled defending champions Crystal Palace 2–1. Reborn from the ashes of financial ruin, Macclesfield—117 places below their Premier League visitors—played with fearless belief, struck twice, and held firm against a late Palace surge to seal a night for the ages.We review that extraordinary moment, along with plenty more FA Cup drama, right here on Just For Kicks!

Arsenal and Liverpool fought out a goalless draw at the Emirates, a match rich in intensity but short on reward. Arsenal pushed early and often, Liverpool threatened on the break and struck the woodwork, yet chances faded as the game wore on. Tempers flared, VAR loomed, and neither side found a finishing touch, leaving Arsenal still in command of the title race by six points. We review that and much more on this week's Just For Kicks!

Manchester United have dismissed Ruben Amorim after a 14-month spell in charge. His final outing came in a 1–1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road, after which Amorim openly criticised the club’s hierarchy and stressed that he wanted to operate as a “manager”, not merely a “coach”. United currently sit sixth in the Premier League after 20 matches.We break that down, alongside the PL action in which Arsenal has a six point cushion at the top of the premier league, here on Just For Kicks!

Enzo Maresca’s time at Chelsea has come to an end after 18 months, with things unravelling as results dipped and tensions grew behind the scenes. While he had enjoyed real success earlier on, including winning trophies and getting the club back into the Champions League, a poor run of league form and disagreements with the board gradually wore away trust. In the end, both sides felt it was better to part ways as Chelsea look to reset and steady their season.We dissect that alongside the PL action here on this episode of Just For Kicks!