The Game

It was a weekend of two halves - Chelsea, Spurs and Fulham all came back from two goals down at half time...only Fulham didn't hang on. As Man City wobbled they looked to have lost their swagger - Gregor Robertson thinks it is clear why. Chelsea came back to win, but why did they make so many changes in the first place? There was plenty of moaning about VAR but if it was taken away would fans be accepting or would the referee abuse just get worse? Alyson Rudd thinks Alexander Isak could be a waste of money, as Wirtz and Ekitike shine, can they really play all three?Lastly who is the Premier League's most versatile player?Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Pete Rutzler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Cascarino was a team mate of Roy Keane, he's been to see the film about Keane and his Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, he gives his version of their relationship.Is heading in football about to be banned? Following recent headlines around ex players suffering from dementia, what are the risks that footballers take? Tony Cascarino - known for his heading ability is worried at the prospect of a brain scan.And Jose Mourinho wound back the clock as his Benfica goalkeeper scored the goal that took them into the next round of the Champions League. He'll join Newcastle in the play offs with the four other english teams already through. Is the Premier League now tougher than the Champions League? Tony Cascarino, gregor robertson and Martin Samuel join Tom Clarke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester United make it two statement wins under Michael Carrick — but are they really back? Arsenal’s lead at the top is down to four points after a 3–2 defeat at the Emirates… so why were fans booing a team still top of the table?Elsewhere, Liverpool’s unbeaten run ends in chaos at Bournemouth, Chelsea and the chasing pack keep the race for Europe wide open, and pressure grows on Tottenham and Crystal Palace towards the bottom.Plus, two strikers thriving in very different worlds: Alyson Rudd visits Bromley to meet League Two’s unlikely star Michael Cheek, and Hamzah Khaliq-Loonat travels to Germany to decode Harry Kane.Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd, Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nothing stays the same for long in the Championship. Coventry were having a wobble but two wins a signing some injury returns have put that to bed.  Likewise, Middlesborough have got back to winning ways after a Christmas stumble. Hull are on fire and Norwich have turned things around at the bottom. West Brom though are in freefall.  Five points separate sixth and fourteenth…so who will be aiming for the play off’s?In League One, are teams having their seasons written off by loanee’s being recalled to their parent clubs? Plus, Liam Manning is in at Huddersfield, and a top of the table clash in League Two.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Artificial pitch and injuries aside Man City lost to Bode Glimt, a team who haven’t won in the Champions League all season. After the match Pep Guardiola said, ‘everything was wrong.’ Could this be his final season in charge? Is he tired or ready for a rebuild?Chelsea won, but Cole Palmer was missing  again…is his England place no in doubt? Elsewhere another memorable goal for Dominic Szoboszlai…is he a captain in the making, relief for Thomas Frank and unrest at Crystal Palace.Tom Clarke joins Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Gregor Robertson  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Carrick brought back a touch of the glory days for Manchester United fans on Saturday. his team were on the front foot as they beat a lack lustre Manchester City. Was it a one off or is he finally the man to bring back some cheer to Old Trafford?With City losing it was time for other to capitalise. no one did. Arsenal eeked out an extra point, but the top four look a little tame. Is it a poor season or is the rest of the league just getting better?At the AFCON bizarre scenes saw Sengal leave the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision. Can that ever be justified...?and shoudl anyone be feeling sorry for Thomas Frank or Oliver glasner? Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor robertson, alyson rudd, Paul Hirst and Ian Hawkey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was VAR and goalkeeping errors that made the headlines across the two League Cup semi-finals. Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez gifted two goals to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and at St James Park a bizarre decision from VAR denied Man City a goal. New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior picked the goalkeeper but he didn’t pick Palmer, Gusto or James seemingly at the prompting of his medical department. Is this a worrying early sign for the new man?  If you had the choice, would you get rid of VAR? Is it worth the trouble it causes?After the break, where can Carrick take Man Utd and favourite rivalries ahead of the Manchester derby. Tom Clarke joins Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Upsets, late drama, near misses and lots of goals. The FA Cup third round had it all.It may have lost some of its shine in recent years but at the weekend the FA Cup showed why it is still the greatest cup competition in the world. Macclesfield pulled off what was on paper the biggest shock in the history of the competition…but it didn’t look like that on the pitch. There was misery at Spurs and Manchester United what next for the managers at both clubs?  Michael Carrick looks set to be appointed interim manager of Manchester United but what is expected from him? And for Thomas Frank is it ‘the end of days’ ?Tom Clarke, Tom Allnutt, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and Gregor Robertson review a frantic weekend of football. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the answer, what the hell is the question!?”Man Utd look like going back to the future, is that the right answer for one of the biggest clubs in the world?Is the problem in the mangers seat, or is it the executives at the club?Elsewhere coffee cups are the least of Thomas Franks problems at Spurs, West Ham are doomed and with injuries to Man City defenders and Villa drawing - has it been Arsenal’s best week of the season? Will they capitalise against Liverpool...? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coventry did not have a good Christmas – is it a slip or the rot setting in?Ipswich and Watford by contrast had a bumper Christmas. With the squad at their disposal Ipswich look ominous and despite a slow start Wrexham are now only a point below the play offs in ninth.In League One, much to Tom’s delight it's hard to look past Lincoln City who beat Cardiff, Stockport, Huddersfield and Peterborough over Christmas…can they really stay the course? At the bottom Rotherham are on an awful slide – is there any way back for the Millers?Hats off to Bromley in League Two, but Walsall…not again surely!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Never a club to be upstaged Manchester United sack their manager Ruben Amorim just four days after Chelsea sacked their manager Enzo Maresca.Are both decisions a reflection of failing managers or failing hierarchy’s?Who is in line for both jobs at two of the biggest clubs in England? And whoever gets them, who will have the tougher job – at Chelsea or Manchester United?After the break Arsenal look like title winners, West Ham look doomed and everything at Spurs looks unhappy.Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson, Pete Rutzler and Alyson Rudd give their verdicts on Ruben Amorim’s sacking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the new year, Enzo Maresca is out, but what does the future hold for both the manager and the club? And is Liam Rosenoir the right choice to replace Maresca? On the latest episode of The Game, the team also discuss Arsenal's statement win against Aston Villa, Liverpool's draw with Leeds and another big performance from Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. And finally with the increased use of set pieces we continue the debate about entertainment in the modern game. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reaction to all the Christmas fixtures as Villa keep winning, Arsenal look nervous and City look ominous. If Villa win at Arsenal can they go all the way?Are Liverpool's signings starting to click and hats of to Keith Andrews and Regis Le Bris.Elsewhere, Palace look knackered, Ruben Amorim finally plays a back four, West Ham need to buy a defender or they are down and will Iraola change his system?Tom Clarke is joined by Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson.We'll be back on Friday to review the new year fixtures and predict the rest of 2026. Happy New Year and we'll see you then. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Christmas but the EFL doesn’t stop and neither do Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson – here with a bonus Christmas edition of EFL Extra. They’re doing their end of year awards – teams, players and managers of the year for each of the divisions…and many more.If you need a break from the festivities, go for a walk or find a quiet corner and join Tom and Gregor for all the latest from the EFL.From everyone at The Game podcast – a very Merry Christmas. We’ll be back for an end of year episode on the 29th, see you then.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 As Villa cement their place in the top three just how good are they? Do they have the squad depth to last the course? Is their star midfielder Morgan Rogers now elevating himself to world level? David Moyes thinks Declan Rice is the best midfielder in the world. Is he…and if not, then who is?Dominic Calvert-Lewin has found form and fitness at Leeds how far could it take him and his club?Spurs lost at home again and had two men sent off but seem to have received some credit in the process. Lastly, are Wolves in danger of breaking Derby’s lowest ever Premier League points total? Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Tony Cascarino and tom Allnutt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea are through to the semi-finals of the League Cup, but behind the scenes there is more chaos. Manager Enzo Maresca is unhappy, but no one quite knows why. The fans chanted his name but are the board happy? A day in the life at Chelsea… Man City are looking ominous, could they be considered title favourites by the new year?One of their shining lights is number ten turned left back Nico O’Reilly – Jonny and Gregor think he is now England’s first choice for the World Cup. After the break 2025 awards and wishes for 2026. Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Jonathan Northcroft Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are still top of the Premier League but are Manchester City favourites for the title after this weekend? City beat Palace convincingly but Arsenal wobbled against Wolves. Elsewhere Aston Villa kept up the pace and we ask - just how good is Morgan Rogers? Is he on the same level as his friend Cole Palmer?On this show we also discussed Sunderland's win against Newcastle and why the promoted side can already start planning for next season in the Premier League. And we finish with a look at the bottom of the table and the Africa Cup of Nations. Tom Clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson, Alyson Rudd and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool got a much-needed away win at Inter Milan, but their hundred million pound star striker looked lost - why? Off the pitch will Mo Salah still be a Liverpool player come January?It was a good week for English clubs in Europe with Man City beating Real Madrid and Spurs and Arsenal also winning. Are the English teams starting to dominate, is the pace and physicality of the Premier League an advantage or is the competition just not very good in the early rounds?Tony Cascarino has a hunch that Noni Madueke can play centre forwardLastly, a look ahead to the Tyne Wear derby, the first in the Premier League in ten years – who are favourites going into Sunday’s game? Tom Clarke joins Tony Cascarino, Gregor Robertson and Martin Samuel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leaders Coventry suffered first defeat in sixteen games at Ipswich. Wil the result create doubt in Frank Lampard’s squad, or was it just a blip?For Ipswich the result takes them fourth in the table and a season which started falteringly is starting to gain momentum. Southampton and Sheffield Utd had dreadful starts to the season, but after managerial changes both are now looking at the playoffs – with strong squads will they makes late charges?League One remains tight but Cardiff look like they have the resources to stay at the top. Who will join them?And in League Two…Walsall, surely this season is different? Who else looks threatening? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Mo Salah dropped a bombshell on Saturday evening. After starting on the bench for the third game in a row he gave an incendiary interview after the match claiming to have been thrown under the bus, a scapegoat for recent poor form and said he had no relationship with coach Arne Slot. So, what happens next - will it be the end of Salah or Slot at Liverpool? Can any player be guaranteed a place in the team regardless of form as Salah seems to be suggesting? On the pitch Villa coach Unai Emery led his team to a win over Arsenal and third in the table - remarkable achievement after the start they had. Are there worrying signs for Arsenal, or were they just beaten by a better team on the day? After the break a valuable three points for Spurs and Thomas Frank, but an even more important performance; top quality at the Cottage and does Nuno like his players? Tom Allnutt, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd join tom Clarke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.