Title Race

Alvaro Arbeloa spoke about Jude Bellingham ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash with Girona. Jude Bellingham was a substitute last Tuesday in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. However, ahead of the La Liga match against Girona, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed that things will be different. “Militao and Bellingham are going to start,” Arbeloa said during Thursday’s press conference, as reported by Diario AS. Both players are working to regain their best physical and sporting form, and the Girona match will be an ideal opportunity for them to log valuable minutes. Bellingham suffered a hamstring injury in mid-February that kept him out of 10 Real Madrid matches. He returned to action at the end of March as a substitute, and although he joined the England squad during the March FIFA break, he did not play in the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Since then, the midfielder has played 31 minutes against Mallorca in La Liga last weekend, and 28 minutes against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He delivered a strong performance, playing a key role in the team’s second-half comeback that reduced the two-goal deficit. Inside our last training session before tomorrow's match! 👊 pic.twitter.com/g2VqGFSTo0 — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 9, 2026 Militao also returns to the team Eder Militao finds himself in a situation very similar to Bellingham’s. The Brazilian defender also suffered a muscle injury that sidelined him for an extended period—missing 24 matches across all competitions since December. After returning for limited minutes against Mallorca, where he scored a goal, Militao also played 28 minutes against Bayern Munich and is now preparing to start for the first time this year. Finally, another piece of good news for Real Madrid is the return of Ferland Mendy, who has only been able to play five matches this season due to a string of injuries. “Mendy will get minutes,” Arbeloa confirmed at the press conference. Real Madrid have no margin for error in La Liga While it is clear that Real Madrid’s priority right now is the UEFA Champions League, where they will look to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich next Wednesday, that is not their only concern. They know that in La Liga, there is no room for error if they want to remain in the title race against Barcelona. With eight matches remaining, the Blaugrana lead the standings by seven points over Los Blancos, so a poor result against Girona this Friday would leave them with almost no chance of winning the title.

English forward has been the perfect loan signing. And yet, there is an ‘and yet’, absurd though that can seem At the end of Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Atlético Madrid on Saturday night, as the players stood celebrating before the small pocket of supporters applauding them from high in the north-west corner of the Metropolitano, Diego Simeone approached Hansi Flick, shook his hand and reminded him of something: “You’ve got to come back.” It came as an invitation, born of admiration, and also a warning. This was only the start of a trilogy in which they face each other three times in 10 days, and the concluding chapter there would be different. A different competition, for a start. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski, the latter on 89 minutes, had virtually secured Barcelona the league title but it was going to get bigger and mean more. Atlético, already adrift, had rested players; the last time Barcelona had been there – in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg – they had beaten them 4-0; and the next time the Catalan club came it would be the Champions League quarter-final, second leg. And, back in the Metropolitano, that really would be a battle: tougher than this and, it turns out, tougher than anyone had imagined.

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Ivan Toney has blasted VAR and the referee after Al Ahli suffered a major setback in the Saudi Pro League title race. His side were held away at Al Fayha on Wednesday night in a controversial 1-1 d…

The Saudi Pro League title race has taken another dramatic turn, with Cristiano Ronaldo watching closely as Karim Benzema delivers a stunning performance that keeps the pressure firmly on the league leader. The Saudi Pro League title race has taken another dramatic turn, with Cristiano Ronaldo watching closely as Karim Benzema delivers a stunning performance that keeps the pressure firmly on the league leader. The latest chapter sees Al-Hilal surge forward with renewed confidence, while Al-Nassr continues its push for a historic double, setting up a tense battle in the final stretch of the season. The narrative surrounding this clash has grown even more intriguing, as Benzema’s latest feat adds another layer of intensity to an already fierce rivalry. Al-Hilal entered its latest fixture with momentum building, while Al-Nassr remained focused on maintaining its position at the summit. The spotlight, however, quickly shifted to Benzema, whose return from injury came at a crucial moment for his club. With both sides chasing silverware, every performance now carries added weight. The Blue Waves produced a commanding performance against Al-Kholood, securing a resounding 6-0 victory at Kingdom Arena. The match quickly turned into a showcase of attacking quality, with the home side asserting control early and never relinquishing it. Benzema led the charge with a first-half hat-trick, scoring in the 9th and 31st minutes, as well as one in extra minutes. His clinical finishing dismantled the opposition, while teammates added further goals to underline the gap between the sides on the night. The Karim @Benzema hat-trick tonight against Al Kholood in full ⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/fVGCQZdqMo — Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) April 8, 2026 The performance highlighted Al-Hilal’s intent as the season approaches its decisive phase. With each goal, the pressure on Al-Nassr intensified, reinforcing the sense that the title race remains far from settled. Historic milestone revealed The true significance of Benzema’s performance becomes clearer when examining the milestone achieved during this match. Two hat-tricks in his first seven matches represent an unprecedented scoring rate for a new Al-Hilal arrival, a statistic that underscores just how quickly he has adapted to his new environment. His growing influence also extends to his overall career achievements. The latest hat-trick marked another step in a journey defined by consistency and excellence, further strengthening his reputation as one of the most reliable forwards in modern soccer. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (R) shakes hand with Karim Benzema Title race intensifies With this victory, Al-Hilal moved within touching distance of the league leader, narrowing the gap to just two points. The result has added urgency to Al-Nassr’s campaign, as every remaining fixture now carries significant implications. Al-Nassr, led by Ronaldo, has built a strong foundation with consistent performances and an impressive run of 13 successive victories. The club’s ambition to secure both domestic and continental success remains intact, but challenges are mounting as rivals continue to deliver. The April schedule ahead adds another layer of difficulty, with crucial matches arriving in quick succession. Ronaldo’s side will face Al-Okhdood on April 11, Al-Ettifaq on April 15, and Al-Wasl on April 19, before the semi-final of the AFC Champions League Two on April 22 at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai.

Manchester United have not played Champions League football in nearly three years. Meanwhile, West Ham United have been Premier League ever-presents since promotion in 2012. However, seeing Arsenal…

It's a bumper weekend of Premier League football on Sky Sports, with the run-in well under way.

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Arsenal won it very late against Sporting CP, continuing a pattern of what to expect from the Gunners this season.

The club will be without Inigo Martinez for the upcoming clash against Al-Okhdood, while uncertainty also surrounds Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, as fitness questions linger. Cristiano Ronaldo heads into another decisive Matchday with Al-Nassr, but fresh injury concerns have disrupted preparations. The club will be without Inigo Martinez for the upcoming clash against Al-Okhdood, while uncertainty also surrounds Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, as fitness questions linger. The absence of key figures arrives at a critical point in the season. With the title race tightening, every selection decision now carries added weight for the league leader. Al-Nassr enters the Round 28 fixture against Al-Okhdood sitting top of the Saudi Pro League with 70 points, maintaining a five-point advantage over Al-Hilal. The club has built momentum through consistent results, including a commanding victory over Al-Najma in the previous round. At the same time, rivals have shown signs of vulnerability, with Al-Hilal dropping points and Al-Qadisiyah slipping to defeat. These results have strengthened Al-Nassr’s grip on first place, but the margin remains narrow enough to demand full focus. The biggest immediate setback comes with the confirmed absence of Inigo Martinez. The Spanish defender continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and has not yet returned to full group training. Inigo Martinez of Al-Nassr controls the ball According to Arriyadiyah, he has been limited to light running and individual training as part of his rehabilitation process. His absence removes an experienced defensive option at a time when stability at the back is essential. Fitness update on Coman and Felix emerges As a result, attention has also turned to Kingsley Coman and Joao Felix, whose fitness situations have been closely monitored. Arriyadiyah’s latest update suggests that both players are still undergoing rehabilitation and are yet to be fully integrated into group training, leaving their availability uncertain. Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr (R) and Joao Felix of Al-Nassr (L Coman has resumed individual training after partial participation, with a final decision expected closer to Saturday’s Matchday. Felix, meanwhile, remains on a structured recovery program alongside other teammates dealing with muscle-related issues. The report adds that medical and technical staff continue to manage these cases carefully to avoid setbacks, highlighting the cautious approach being taken. Several players set to return on the pitch The absence and uncertainty surrounding multiple players’ places added pressure on the squad depth. While some players, including Mohamed Simakan and Abdullah Al-Hamdan, have returned to fitness, others are still working toward full recovery. Preparing for AlOkhdood 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/eF253PoS45 — AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) April 7, 2026 This situation forces the coaching staff to carefully balance short-term results with long-term player health. Managing workloads has become a recurring theme as the season approaches its decisive phase.

The Saudi giant has once again found itself in the spotlight after matching one of its own historic achievements, further underlining its dominance in the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo continues to lead the charge as Al-Nassr pushes deeper into a remarkable run of form this season. The Saudi giant has once again found itself in the spotlight after matching one of its own historic achievements, further underlining its dominance in the Saudi Pro League. The latest victory, a commanding performance against Al-Najma, reinforced Al-Nassr’s position at the top of the table. Momentum is firmly on their side as the title race approaches its decisive phase. Al-Nassr delivered a statement performance with a 5-2 victory over Al-Najma at Al-Awwal Park. Jorge Jesus’s players controlled the match from start to finish, showcasing their attacking strength and depth in quality. What’s more, Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role in the win, contributing to the scoreline alongside teammates who stepped up in crucial moments. The attacking trio, supported by a well-organized midfield, ensured Al-Najma struggled throughout the game. It was in the aftermath of last weekend’s victory that the significance of the result became clear. Al-Nassr’s latest success marked its 13th consecutive league win, equaling the longest winning streak in the club’s history, a record previously set between 2013 and 2014. According to Opta statistics, the team equaled its longest winning streak in its history in the Saudi top division. Ronaldo’s impact in a record-breaking run Cristiano Ronaldo has been central to this historic run, continuing to deliver in key moments. During the match, he added to his tally of 23 with a brace, demonstrating his enduring influence in front of goal. His contribution goes beyond scoring, as he remains a focal point in the team’s attacking structure. With 97 goals in 100 league appearances, Ronaldo’s efficiency continues to set the standard for the squad. Tonight: @Cristiano will play his 100th RSL game 🐐 pic.twitter.com/wRpzt7bRnm — Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) April 3, 2026 Consistency across the campaign Al-Nassr’s form hasn’t been limited to a single stretch of fixtures. The Riyadh outfit has shown a unique ability to maintain momentum since January 2026, including a perfect record in matches following international breaks this season. This consistency has allowed the squad to build a strong lead at the top of the standings. With 70 points after 27 rounds, they remain ahead of their closest challengers, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, keeping control of the title race.

Rio Ferdinand says it could be 'goodnight' for Arsenal in the Premier League title race if they fail to beat Bournemouth on Saturday.

Gary Lineker believes Mikel Arteta has shown signs of 'panicking' in recent weeks but still expects Arsenal to win the Premier League.

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ARSENAL fans have seen this film before, and they didn’t like the ending. A season packed with so much promise, seemingly comes crumbling down when crunch time arrives. Saturday night’s defeat to Southampton was, by definition, a cup shock, but was anyone really that shocked by it? Arsenal have made a habit of making these...

Former Chelsea star Tony Cascerino fears Arsenal will need a helping hand from his old side if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League tile.

Micah Richards sent a title warning to Arsenal after their FA Cup loss to Southampton and slammed Mikel Arteta for not playing David Raya.

Vedat Muriqi was overwhelmed with emotion after he scored a huge last-gasp winner for Mallorca against Real Madrid on Saturday. The Kosovo international fired into the roof of the net in second-hal…

Cristiano Ronaldo made a scoring return for Al Nassr as they maintained their Saudi Pro League title push. However, the league leaders had to survive a scare as they faced bottom-of-the-table Al Na…

Bayern Munich have scored three goals or more in 21 out of 27 Bundesliga games this season. With eight matchdays remaining, numerous records could still be broken as the defending champions, Harry Kane and Michael Olise aim for the stars…

Welcome back to another episode of the Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet. In this episode, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given joins Jamie Carragher on the sofa alongside some of the biggest fan channels in the country to talk all things football. We begin with the title race, which is heating up as we approach a blockbuster end to the Premier League season. Can Manchester City catch Arsenal, or will the Gunners finally get the job done? Attention then turns to the bottom of the table, with Spurs edging closer to the drop. The club have turned to Roberto De Zerbi to try and save their season, but can he turn things around? We also hear from West Ham and Aston Villa, who still have everything to play for. The Hammers remain in the relegation battle, while Villa continue their push for Champions League qualification. Liverpool and Manchester United are next under the spotlight. Where does Mo Salah rank among the Premier League’s all-time greats, and would a call from Luis Enrique be too good to turn down at Old Trafford? Looking ahead, the panel discuss the FA Cup and who could lift the trophy, before turning to Scotland as fans from Hearts, Celtic and Rangers join the debate with the SPL race going down to the wire. What is your club playing for as we reach the end of the season? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! 00:00 - Intro 12:08 - Saka Criticism Debate 21:30 - Microsoft Copilot Time Added On Quiz 29:02 - Who Wins The Title 37:13 - Relegation Fight Reality 44:26 - Are Spurs Going Down? 46:20 - West Ham Relegation Fears 54:17 - Emery and PSR 01:04:53 - Salah All Time XI 01:08:52 - Given on Lammens 01:18:09 - FA Cup Quarter Final Predictions 01:19:59 - SPL Title Race Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Ally McCoist’s Scottish Premiership preview with talkSPORT BET! It’s a massive week in what’s shaping up to be one of the most thrilling title races we’ve seen in decades as we enter the…

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Welcome back to Stick to Football, brought to you by ARNE. In this episode, Jamie Carragher returns to join Gary Neville, Jill Scott, Roy Keane and Ian Wright as the team break down some of football’s biggest headlines. The show kicks off with the Carabao Cup final, where Manchester City beat Arsenal in dominant fashion. The panel discuss Arsenal’s lack of fight and what the result means for the title race as the Premier League season reaches its crunch point. Attention then turns to Mo Salah, who has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. After an incredible career at Anfield, the team reflect on his legacy. Is he Liverpool’s greatest ever player, and where does he rank among the Premier League’s all-time greats? Chelsea are next under the spotlight, with the club struggling under Liam Rosenior. The panel debate whether experience in management is more important than ever at the highest level. The episode finishes with England discussion, as Thomas Tuchel leaves out Trent Alexander-Arnold, Danny Welbeck and others from his latest squad. What does it say about his plans ahead of the World Cup? Where does Mo Salah rank among the Premier League’s all-time greats? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! 00:00 Intro 01:06 Rory’s signed flag gifts 09:56 Arsenal’s Second Half Collapse 11:53 Roy’s Cup Final Reality Check 22:15 O’Reilly Pep’s Secret Weapon 32:06 Raya vs Kepa debate 37:52 PL Companion by Microsoft Copilot 40:42 Salah leaving Liverpool 49:44 Impact on Slot and selection 01:06:30 Salah Premier League Rank 01:07:44 Future of Rosenior 01:23:09 Trent Left Out Mystery 01:28:25 Ireland and Wales World Cup This episode is sponsored by Microsoft Copilot as part of their partnership with the Premier League. This episode is sponsored by Huel. Gary Neville and the Stick to Football team know - when your day’s full-on, you need fuel that’s fast and actually good for you. Huel is the ultimate meal on the go - high protein, packed with 26 essential vitamins & minerals, and ready in seconds. 🏆 Exclusive for The Overlap listeners: Get your first Huel with a special discount AND a free gift. That goes for all of their range, including Huel Lite! 👉 Claim Your Offer Now – and see why millions have made the switch. Go to https://huel.com/theoverlap This episode is sponsored by Heineken. Enjoy Heineken responsibly. Heineken contains 5% ABV. Heineken 0.0 contains no more than 0.05% ABV. For the facts about alcohol, visit https://wwww.bedrinkaware.co.uk This episode is sponsored by Visit Seattle. Go to https://visitseattle.org to start planning your World Cup adventure Stick to Football is brought to you by our partners ARNE clothing https://arneclo.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The discourse around Arsenal this season has become interesting to watch from afar as a neutral in the title race. As a Manchester United fan,... The post Why Do Premier League Fans Always Need A Team To Hate? Arsenal Edition appeared first on Attacking Football.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given joins Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith to review the weekend's key talking points, starting with City's Wembley win over Arsenal. How much will it impact the Premier League title race? Did Pep Guardiola's celebrations suggest he'll be leaving at the end of the season? What could the psychological effect on Arsenal be in the FA Cup and Champions League? The panel also ask whether criticism of Mikel Arteta's decision to start Kepa ahead of regular first-choice goalkeeper David Raya is harsh or justified, before moving onto their North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs fan Jack Hussey and BBC Senior Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel join the MNC to discuss how Spurs can save their season over the upcoming international break. Later, Abigail Rudkin — from The Anfield Wrap and The Redmen TV — explains why Liverpool fans are suffering from their own identity crisis under Arne Slot. Finally, York City boss Stuart Maynard explains the context behind a fascinating National League title race between The Minstermen and Rochdale. TIMECODES 00:20 How important is a trophy win for City's new squad? 04:00 Is Pep going to leave at the end of the season? 07:25 Were Arsenal too lacklustre? 09:45 Was Arteta wrong to start Kepa over David Raya? 12:42 Will this turn Arsenal into the 'nearlymen' in the cups? 18:40 "He didn't put Gunnersaurus in goal!" 24:30 Tottenham's crisis, with Jack Hussey from the 'Rule the Roost' podcast, and Sami Mokbel, BBC Senior Football Correspondent 41:45 Why Liverpool fans are turning on Arne Slot, with Abigail Rudkin from the Anfield Wrap and The Redmen TV 53:40 The National League's incredibly tight title race, with York City manager Stuart Maynard

Manchester City claimed the first silverware of the season, thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace. For Arsenal it was another opportunity missed, but what impact will it have on the title race? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton and Art de Roche. 00:00 Intro 00:26 Man City City beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Final 03:21 Guardiola’s 40th trophy as a manager 09:14 O'Reilly’s double to win the game 13:08 What’s gone wrong for Lewis-Skelly? 14:54 Was Arteta wrong to bench Raya? 22:28 What impact this has on the title race? 26:33 Why has Saka been lacklustre this season? 30:14 Cherki’s showboating 32:36 Outro Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Video Producer: Liam Warburton Producer: Jay Beale The Athletic FC Podcast is your essential guide to football's biggest stories, five times a week this season... Listen on Apple and Spotify: https://podfollow.com/athletic-fc-pod Subscribe to The Athletic FC Podcast channel 👉 http://bit.ly/athleticuk | 🔔Make sure to enable all push notifications!🔔 Follow The Athletic FC Podcast: Instagram: @theathleticfc TikTok: athleticfcpod Image Credits: Julian Finney/Getty Images / Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images / Gareth Copley/Getty Images / Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Thumbnail: Justin Setterfield / Staff / Getty Images Europe / Yong Teck Lim / Staff / Getty AsiaPac via GettyImages #arsenal #manchestercity #premierleague #carabaocup

Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe recap Manchester City's convincing win over Arsenal League Cup Final and break down all the major storylines from Matchweek 31 in the Premier League. #NBCSports #PremierLeague #ManchesterCity #TottenhamHotspur #2Robbies 0:00 - Welcome to The 2 Robbies Podcast 0:52 - Arsenal’s run for the title suffers a psychological blow after Nico O’Reilly’s brace lifts Manchester City over the Gunners in the League Cup Final 13:00 - Igor Tudor and Spurs suffer a crushing 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest that leaves them in a perilous position in the relegation scrap 24:13 - Both Liam Rosenior at Chelsea and Arne Slot at Liverpool are feeling more pressure than ever amid sliding results in the race for a Champions League position 45:54 - A roundup of remaining results: Newcastle United 1-2 Sunderland, Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United, Aston Villa 2-0 West Ham, Fulham 3-1 Burnley, Leeds United 0-0 Brentford » Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.com/nbcsports?sub_confirmation=1 » Watch the Premier League live on Peacock: https://peacocktv.smart.link/v82e9dl56 » Get Premier League news on NBC Sports: https://nbcsports.com/soccer/premier-league NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. NBC Sports is an established leader in the sports media landscape with an unparalleled collection of sports properties that include the Olympics, NFL, Premier League, Big Ten, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, the Kentucky Derby, Tour de France and many more. Subscribe to our channel for the latest sporting news and highlights! The Premier League across NBC Sports Group launched in 2013 with their biggest and broadest programming commitment to-date in the United States. With live multi-platform coverage of all 380 games, analysis from best-in-class talent and extensive surrounding coverage all week long, NBC Sports Group has become the ultimate destination for new and existing Premier League fans. The Premier League maintains strong and consistent reach across NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBC Sports Group’s live streaming products, led by the biggest stars and most prestigious teams in the world. Visit NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com Find NBC Sports on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBCSports Follow NBC Sports on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbcsports Follow NBC Sports on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbcsports/ https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/sunday-night-football https://nbcsports.com/motors/nascar https://nbcsports.com/soccer/premier-league Man City lift League Cup over Arsenal; Spurs sinking | The 2 Robbies Podcast (FULL) | NBC Sports https://www.youtube.com/nbcsports

Former Premier League goalkeeper Tim Krul joins Aaron Paul and Luke Edwards to debate and analyse the weekend’s key talking points. Will Wembley victory really be enough to power Manchester City to title success, with a nine-point gap to leaders and defeated finalists Arsenal? Who’s becoming the stand-out candidate for the Manager of the Season award? Which veteran striker is ‘aging like a fine wine’? And is Virgil van Dijk at the start of a decline? Those questions and plenty more answered, as well as detailed discussion of Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation battle, Newcastle’s struggles under Eddie Howe and increasing fan pressure and plenty more. TIMECODES 01:30 What does City’s League Cup final mean for the title race? 03:00 Kepa’s horror relationship with Wembley 04:30 How impressive was this from City? 09:00 Spurs fans back the team, but the team don’t show up! 10:00 Are there similarities between Spurs now and Krul’s Newcastle in 2010? 11:10 What is Igor Tudor doing? What do Spurs do next? 19:24 Sunderland do the double over Newcastle — is Howe under pressure? How big will their rebuild be? 29:00 Should Danny Welbeck have been in the England squad? 36:20 What’s wrong with Liverpool? 41:00 Everton set for European football? 44:19 Is Chelsea’s model failing their own managers?

It was a terminal week for Manchester City's Champions League hopes, with elimination at the hands of Real Madrid (including the hand of Bernardo Silva if we're being strictly accurate about it all). Meanwhile, the team's hopes of winning the Premier League title were dealt a blow after they failed to keep pace with leaders Arsenal with a 1-1 draw at West Ham. David Mooney is joined by City fans James Faulkner and, from the MCFC Lads podcast and social pages, Luke Stanley. They discuss the performances and the results this week... because there is a difference in how each is perceived... and they look ahead to what will undoubtedly be a tough test against Arsenal in the League Cup final on Sunday. Arsenal fan Michael Keshani returns to the show to give his thoughts on how Mikel Arteta's side are playing. Are they as good as previous Arsenal teams and are they even good to watch? We get into the narratives around the league leaders, plus look at how Sunday's final could impact the remainder of the title race, however unlikely it is that City close the gap at this stage. On top of all of that, we've roped in Chris Higginbottom and, from the City Ramble podcast, Amos Murphy to discuss City's best fluked goals. That's after Bernardo admitted that his strike at the London Stadium wasn't quite as intentional as it might have been. ========== To get more podcasts or to listen without the ads, join our Patreon. It's just £2 per month for all the extra content and you can get a 7-day free trial first: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast And why not gift a Patreon subscription to a friend or family member? More details: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast/gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimbo is joined by Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballus, James Horncastle and Tom Williams to look back on the weekend’s European action, as well as discuss those crucial Last 16 second legs in the Champions League. Real Madrid go into their return trip to Manchester City having beaten Elche 4-1, with Arda Guler scoring from inside his own half, but Barcelona are still four points clear after a Raphinha hat-trick helps them beat Sevilla 5-2. In Italy, Atalanta put their horror show against Bayern behind them to draw 1-1 with leaders Inter, but Milan fail to make the most of it and lose 1-0 to Lazio. It’s advantage Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1 title race, despite them not even playing, as Lens lose 2-1 at Lorient. And in Germany, Bayern drop points for only the fifth time this season after drawing 1-1 with Leverkusen. Produced by Lucy Oliva and Xavi Bird. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Moment of the week (7:00) • PART 2: La Liga review - Guler from inside his own half (21:00) • PART 3: Serie A review - Both Milan and Inter drop points (36:00) • PART 4: Bundesliga review - Bayern draw with Leverkusen (51:00) • PART 5: Ligue 1 review - Lens slip up in the title race (1:01:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Differing fortunes for Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League title race, a potentially historical season for Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes & Chelsea’s bizarre centre circle huddle were all discussed in this episode of the Tifo Football podcast This episode of the Tifo football podcast is hosted by Reuben Pinder, Features Jon Mackenzie & Kaya Kaynak and is produced by Steve Hankey. Join the Tifo Discord Server - https://discord.gg/6nMGtSyyNM Carl Recine / Staff / Getty Images Europe via GettyImages-2259528439.jpg 00:00 - an Oscar-worthy intro 03:52 - Arsenal’s late win over Everton 06:40 - Max Dowman 12:24 - Gyökeres celebration… policed 13:55 - West Ham & Man City draw 22:25 - Where does this leave the title race? 30:07 - a break 30:09 - THE RONDO 41:15 - Should Bruno Fernandes win Player of the season? 51:10 - Chelsea’s huddle hullabaloo 55:24 - Chelsea’s man marking malaise 58:20 - Newcastle’s Barcelona blue print? 1:00:31 - Points Are Bad Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimbo has Duncan Alexander, Tim Spiers and Adrian Clarke for company after what felt like a massive Matchday 30 in the Premier League. Arsenal leave it late to beat Everton but do so with 16-year-old Max Dowman becoming the youngest scorer in Premier League history. Is that an iconic moment that will drive the Gunners towards the title? They’re now 9 points clear of Man City who draw 1-1 at West Ham. Have Tottenham turned the tide in the fight to stay up? A first point under Igor Tudor rescued by Richarlison at Anfield in the 90th minute with Liverpool fans booing their team at the final whistle. Man United power past Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford to establish themselves as frontrunners in the Champions League race. Is Bruno Fernandes about to break the assist record? And Chelsea are on the outside looking in, after losing 1-0 at home to Newcastle, with most of the conversation revolving around the Blues’ pre-match centre circle huddle. Produced by Charlie Jones RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Dowmania (01.30) • PART 2: Liverpool 1-1 Spurs (05.30) • PART 3a: Man United 3-1 Aston Villa (18.00) • PART 3b: Forest 0-0 Fulham (23.00) • PART 3c: Palace 0-0 Leeds (25.00) • PART 4a: Arsenal 2-0 Everton (29.00) • PART 4b: West Ham 1-1 Man City (38.00) • PART 5: Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle - the huddle (46.00) • PART 6: Listener comments + the rest of the weekend’s action (55.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle break down Max Dowman's massive impact off the bench for Arsenal and all the storylines from Matchweek 30 in the Premier League. #NBCSports #PremierLeague #Arsenal #ManchesterCity #2Robbies 0:00 - Welcome to The 2 Robbies Podcast 1:03 - Max Dowman comes off the bench for Arsenal and runs into the history books as the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history in a massive 2-0 win against Everton 11:58 - Pep Guardiola sits in the stands and watches Man City’s title hopes slip further away after a 1-1 draw at West Ham 22:09 - Spurs finally break their winless streak at a crucial time, with Richarlison’s late goal salvaging a 1-1 draw at Liverpool 33:18 - A roundup of remaining results: Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa, Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle, Sunderland 0-1 Brighton, Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds United, Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham, Burnley 0-0 Bournemouth » Subscribe to NBC Sports: https://www.youtube.com/nbcsports?sub_confirmation=1 » Watch the Premier League live on Peacock: https://peacocktv.smart.link/v82e9dl56 » Get Premier League news on NBC Sports: https://nbcsports.com/soccer/premier-league NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. NBC Sports is an established leader in the sports media landscape with an unparalleled collection of sports properties that include the Olympics, NFL, Premier League, Big Ten, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, the Kentucky Derby, Tour de France and many more. Subscribe to our channel for the latest sporting news and highlights! The Premier League across NBC Sports Group launched in 2013 with their biggest and broadest programming commitment to-date in the United States. With live multi-platform coverage of all 380 games, analysis from best-in-class talent and extensive surrounding coverage all week long, NBC Sports Group has become the ultimate destination for new and existing Premier League fans. The Premier League maintains strong and consistent reach across NBC, USA Network, CNBC, and NBC Sports Group’s live streaming products, led by the biggest stars and most prestigious teams in the world. Visit NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com Find NBC Sports on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBCSports Follow NBC Sports on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbcsports Follow NBC Sports on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbcsports/ https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/sunday-night-football https://nbcsports.com/motors/nascar https://nbcsports.com/soccer/premier-league Dowman the Dangerman for Arsenal; City's Hopes Slip Away | The 2 Robbies Podcast (FULL) | NBC Sports https://www.youtube.com/nbcsports

Just when it looked like Real Madrid's week was going from bad to worse, Fede Valverde stepped up. His 94th-minute rocket at Celta Vigo snatched a dramatic 2-1 win, a vital response after back-to-back defeats that keeps the title race firmly alive. Barcelona did what champions do, they found a way. A gritty 1-0 win at fortress San Mamés restores their four-point lead at the top. Lamine Yamal's second-half strike, was the difference between the sides. Atletico Madrid served up Friday night fireworks, edging Real Sociedad 3-2 in a thriller at the Metropolitano. Alexander Sørloth bagged a brace as Simeone's side hold onto third, proving once again that with Atleti , drama is never far away. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimbo is joined by Seb Stafford-Bloor, Pol Ballus, James Horncastle and Tom Williams to discuss all matters European football. The Champions League last 16 is here with Real Madrid v Man City, Newcastle v Barca, PSG v Chelsea and much more to look forward to. In Italy, Milan kept their title hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Inter as Atalanta get ready to face Bayern. And in France, the title race is back on too as Monaco beat PSG 3-1 on the Riviera and second placed Lens beat Metz 3-0. The relegation battle in Germany is hotting up, while in Spain, Real Madrid & Barca as the gap between the two remains at 4 points. Plus Madonna meets Celta Vigo. Produced by Lucy Oliva and Jesse Howard. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Moment of the week (4.35) • PART 2: La Liga review - Barca 4 clear (13.10) • PART 3: Serie A review - Milan win the derby (28.45) • PART 4: Ligue 1 review - Monaco beat PSG (45.42) • PART 5: Bundesliga review - Relegation battle hots up (58.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Mooney is joined by The Sun's Martin Blackburn and, from the City Ramble podcast, Amos Murphy to look back over the win at Leeds and the draw with Nottingham Forest. Where have the results left Manchester City in the title race? But have the performances still be trending in the right direction, even if there's been a bit of a knock to the system? After the break to allow the Muslim players to break their Ramandan fast on Saturday, we've spoken to Seemo from City's first Muslim supporters club, Blue Crescent OSC, to get his thoughts on the situation and his experience of what it was like to break his fast in the away end at Elland Road. City against Real Madrid is now the second-most played Champions League tie of all time, so we've had journalist Tom Green look at the numbers behind the meetings. Plus we hear from Madrid fan Oscar Garcia to find out how things are going in the Spanish capital, as we preview the tricky trips to Newcastle and Real. Plus, what's up with Phil Foden's form at the moment, what are the best passes played that you never saw coming, and who are City's irreplaceable players from the past? Oh... And what about the best goalmouth scramble? ========== To get more podcasts or to listen without the ads, join our Patreon. It's just £2 per month for all the extra content and you can get a 7-day free trial first: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast And why not gift a Patreon subscription to a friend or family member? More details: https://www.patreon.com/BlueMoonPodcast/gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimbo welcomes Duncan Alexander, Jack Lang and Art De Roché into the studio after what felt like a pivotal night in the Premier League. Art was at the Amex to see Arsenal earn a 1-0 win that earned the wrath of Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. And more importantly took the Gunners 7 points clear of Man City. Pep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand but threw away the lead twice against Nottingham Forest. How did Forest do it? Mark Carey was watching for us. And with West Ham also winning at Fulham, where does this leave the relegation battle? The race for Champions League football is hotting right up with 3rd to 6th separated by 3 points. That’s after Man United’s dramatic defeat to 10-man Newcastle and Villa’s home humbling by Chelsea. It’s FA Cup 5th round weekend. Wrexham reporter Richard Sutcliffe paints us a picture ahead of their clash with Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground. Plus Fulham, facial hair and Flamengo sacking Filipe Luis. Produced by Charlie Jones RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Farewell Jack’s moustache (01.00) • PART 2: Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (05.00) • PART 3a: Man City 2-2 Forest with Mark Carey (14.30) • PART 3b: Fulham 0-1 West Ham (25.00) • PART 4a: Aston Villa 1-4 Chelsea (35.00) • PART 4b: Newcastle 2-1 Man United (41.30) • PART 5a: Jack with the latest on Luis & Lingard (47.00) • PART 5b: Wrexham v Chelsea preview with Richard Sutcliffe (52.00) • PART 5c: Elsewhere in the FA Cup (57.00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings news from last night's Premier League action and Celtic keep their title challenge on track, whilst Troy Parrott is into another Dutch Cup final. Arsenal move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League after a narrow 1–0 win away to Brighton, with the result sparking debate about their game management and time-wasting tactics. Mikel Arteta defends his side’s approach in the title race after criticism from Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler. Brighton’s frustration grows as Opta stats show Arsenal took over 30 minutes of restart time, prompting Hürzeler to claim only one team tried to play football. Bukayo Saka marks his 300th Arsenal appearance in style, scoring the decisive goal as Arteta praises the England international’s importance to the team. Manchester City drop points in a dramatic 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side seven points off the pace. Manchester United suffer their first defeat under Michael Carrick, losing 2–1 at Newcastle despite playing against ten men for the entire second half. João Pedro hits a hat-trick as Chelsea beat Aston Villa 4–1, with Liam Rosenior praising the Brazilian striker’s form this season. West Ham boost their survival hopes with a 1–0 win at Fulham, thanks to another crucial goal from in-form winger Crysencio Summerville. Tottenham boss Igor Tudor dismisses relegation talk ahead of Spurs’ crucial clash with Crystal Palace, while Palace manager Oliver Glasner backs Brennan Johnson to shine against his former club. Elsewhere, Celtic stay in the Scottish title hunt, while Ireland striker Troy Parrott helps AZ Alkmaar reach the Dutch Cup final ahead of the upcoming international break. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join 'This week our live commentary game comes from Tallaght Stadium as Shamrock Rovers look to get their season back on track as they welcome Derry City to the capital. Kick off is at 8 o’clock on Friday and Stephen Doyle will be joined by Richie Towell in the commentary booth for that one, with build-up starting on Off The Ball on Newstalk and the GoLoud App from 7pm.'

Jimbo is joined by Pol Ballus, James Horncastle, Seb Stafford-Bloor and Tom Williams to discuss the latest football around the continent. In Germany, Bayern leave it late to beat Dortmund and all but end the Bundesliga title race. In Spain, Lamine Yamal's first hat-trick puts pressure on Madrid who are yet to play. Meanwhile, the Olympico derby in France didn't disappoint with Marseille coming back to beat Lyon 3-2 in stoppage time and in the Stadio Olimpico, Juve also fought back to draw 3-3 with Roma. Plus press conference etiquette and some questionable impersonations. Produced by Jesse Howard and Lucy Oliva. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Moment of the week (0.40) • PART 2a: Bundesliga review - Bayern go 11 clear (11.50) • PART 3a: Serie A review - Thriller at the Olimpico (25.55) • PART 4a: La Liga review - Yamal’s first hat-trick (42.45) • PART 5a: Ligue 1 review - Marseille comeback in the Olimpico (54.20) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player this century to score a La Liga hat-trick as Barcelona thumped Villarreal 4-1 to move top of the table. We ask if this Barcelona side now have the momentum to push on. The Champions League draw has served up blockbuster ties: Real Madrid face familiar foes Manchester City, Barcelona take on Newcastle United, and Atletico Madrid travel to Tottenham. A potential all-Spanish quarter-final between Barcelona and Atletico awaits. Elsewhere, Julian Alvarez was Atletico's hero with a 94th-minute winner against Real Oviedo, while Sevilla fought back from two down to draw the Seville derby. With the title race heating up and European giants set to collide, we assess where Spain's big three stand. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Monday's Football Daily, Phil Egan brings you news from the Premier League to the Scottish Premiership to the League of Ireland to the international women's side. Arsenal strengthen their Premier League title charge with a tense 2–1 victory over 10-man Chelsea at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta urging calm as the pressure intensifies. Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior calls for stricter officiating on grappling at set-pieces after conceding twice from dead balls in North London. Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira weighs in on criticism of Arteta’s playing style, insisting results matter most in the run-in. Michael Carrick equals a Premier League record after Manchester United’s 2–1 win over Crystal Palace, collecting 23 points from his first nine games in charge. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner slams a controversial VAR-assisted penalty and red card decision that proved decisive at Old Trafford. Gary Neville and Brian Kerr assess Carrick’s chances of landing the Manchester United job permanently following his impressive interim spell. Tottenham’s crisis deepens with a 10-game winless league run after defeat to Fulham, leaving Igor Tudor facing a massive relegation battle. Nottingham Forest remain in danger near the bottom after defeat to Brighton, with Vitor Pereira still chasing his first league win. Liverpool sweat over Florian Wirtz’s fitness ahead of their clash with Wolves, while Arne Slot delivers a blunt verdict on the Premier League season. Celtic keep their title hopes alive with a dramatic comeback draw against Rangers, as Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl react to a huge Old Firm clash. Henry Winter joins Off The Ball Breakfast to discuss Martin O’Neill’s evolving reputation and Celtic’s title credentials. Republic of Ireland begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against France, with Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan set to feature in a crucial opener. St. Patrick’s Athletic face Galway United in a key League of Ireland clash, with Stephen Kenny praising new signing James Brown’s impact. Jose Mourinho takes a firm stance on racism allegations involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior. Iran’s World Cup participation faces uncertainty amid geopolitical tensions, while the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina is also in doubt due to regional instability. Become a member and sign up at offtheball.com/join