The April Crucible: Set-Piece Efficiency, Tactical Friction, and Title Race Dynamics

You're listening to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. There were two London Darby's live on Sky Sports on Sunday as full and played spurs before Arsenal took on Chelsea. Here's how things sounded when the games had finished. And there is the full-time whistle back to back defeats to start the Egor Tudor Reiner-Tonham-Hospher. Another London Darby, another defeat. But as far as Marco Silber and Fullham are concerned, they have back to back wins. They finished February with a win at the stadium of light and they followed it up with a hard-fought win at the end here against spurs. Arsenal win. And that is all that matters. Arsenal remain in charge of public cheeks, a recognition that that was a long way from comfortable. The Chelsea, even a man shy, scared the windlass at the end. But Arsenal won. And that is the point. Silber's first goal of the Premier League season set them on their way. Of course, from a set-piece, in Cappie's own goal, increased the jeopardy just before half-time. Yuri and Timber came crashing through the crowd to win it for a second time. Netto thereafter was sent off, which made life a shade more comfortable, but barely a shade. It's another tight, tight day of jeopardy. And Gary, Arsenal have found the way again, not least because of here. Yeah, they have. And it's never easy when the team that you're up against plays first on a Saturday, they win. They get their points on the board and then you've got to respond. And he said before the game, it doesn't add pressure, but it does trust me at pressure. And you've got to get over the line and they have got over the line. It's hard work within a Premier League title. And they're finding them that and they've got another 10 to 12 weeks of this. But a good day for them today. Declan Rice, you've been hoping he's okay, not too bad. So for Arsenal, another box-ticked, a substantial, a big blue box-ticked. And the race by a short head remains tilted. Arsenal's way. Dave Arsenal, too. Chelsea what? Well, it's exhausting watching Arsenal for these kind of fans around us. It's a case again of relief at the final whistle and preserving that advantage they have at the top five points. Once again, their lead stays in Arsenal hands. But remember, it's also in Manchester City's hands because they have that game in hand. And because they host Arsenal in April, do not forget. It's all building towards that, isn't it? But that is a major hurdle negotiated for Arsenal in this tense running against Chelsea side who are fighting for Champions League football. But they have slipped away from the pack this weekend with Liverpool winning. Asdenville are coming closer to them after their defeat to rules on Friday night. Manchester United winning again under Michael Carrick this afternoon and climbing into third place. Important victory for Arsenal. It was a case of set-pieces this afternoon that got the job done and playing a key part in all of it was William Saliva. I think we're going to hear from very shortly. Timber played a big part as well, didn't he? David Raya came up with that huge save with just moments to go and that tense decision as well when the ball was in the net for the flag went up and Arsenal's win was preserved. So as they are singing the Saliva song, we can hand down to William Saliva with Patrick Davison. William, your song echoing around the stadium. How hard and what's that? Today it was not a easy game against a top team like we shouldn't not consider the goal before the half-flying but we did well the second half to score a set-pieces with a beautiful goal of J.C. Now we have to keep it going and we are so happy to win today in front of a foul. I've not heard this song for a while. It's a catchy one, isn't it? It's really good, especially after all good winning like this. You're in. It's the important thing you get over the line in games like that. However you do it. I think there's the most important thing but at the same time I think we deserve to win this game. First off we don't get much away and we go through the dressing room with one one which is a bit of a shame but I think we finish it up second half but to stop. What is the game like that like when set-pieces become so central to it? I know they're always important but today every corner you have and to be honest every corner they had looked such a threat. Yeah it's both sides it's just it became an important part of the game. I think it's always been but now teams are focusing on it more which is interesting but I think it's in our advantage. Today we came out well and I think overall we played a good game and we can be part of ourselves we're taking two points and then a corner game over and second. William back in the goals. I was very impressed that someone has scored for a little while. He had a very slick celebration ready. Yeah it's been a while that happens course so yeah today it was a bit strange that I scored because since one year you know score so yeah I'm so I'm so happy and yeah I hope I will keep going like this. Just tell us now how are you enjoying the battle just nine to go now I think five left here at home or is it he's had too much on it to enjoy it. We have to enjoy it you know it's a privilege to be standing here with my teammates with Arsenal fighting for these titles. I think you have to enjoy it. It's a beautiful place and until now we'll be doing it and where you set nine games to go. Game by game a lot of games to play but we're enjoying it and hopefully at the end there's something beautiful. Well done guys. William Celeba, goal scorer, Yurian Timber as well on the score sheet for Arsenal this afternoon. Two set pieces getting the job over the line against the Chelsea side also scored from a set piece just before half time but Timber in no doubt who deserved the victory here to send Arsenal five points clear. 36 goals on this Premier League weekend and that is a season high so far started with two for Wolves on Friday night. Two between Bournemouth and Sunland early on Saturday and then it got crazy. Seven between Burnley and Brentford. Seven at Anfield Liverpool five two winners over West Ham United and only an incredible save from Jordan Pickford from Sandra Tanali kept it to five at St James's Park. One goal separated the sides on Saturday night football that was an important win for Manchester City against the Leeds team who've been very much on form and then four home wins all by a two one score line on this busy Super Sunday. You can scan the QR code and you'll be able to see all of these goals all the goals from Sunday and across the weekend on the Sky Sports app. Two on it finished between Brighton and Nottingham Forest. Two straight defeats for Vito Pereira in the Premier League. Two straight defeats as well for the new Spursbots Igor Tudor. They went down two one to fullum and it's now 10 without a win. They've lost all of their last four. Manchester United coming from behind today against Crystal Palace only after Laquire was sent off in a final as equalising from the penalty spot. Benjamin Chesco making it six in seven in the Premier League and as you know two one here between Arsenal and Chelsea that is what it is all about. For Arsenal getting the job done for the first time in 22 years they are five points clear of Manchester City who have a game in hand the two meet in Manchester in April then come Manchester United in third. Villa in fourth three points further back a Liverpool and other three points further back are Chelsea who now have six points to make up on the top four but we do think it will be top five so three points the gap to Liverpool for Chelsea to be in the Champions League again. Next season ever turning to eight fullum into ninth today all of these teams eyeing the prospect of European football it could well be the top eight that are playing it next season and this is the story at the bottom. Wolves Burnley Westham Beaton Forest Beaton as well Spurs Beaton Forest only two points clear Spurs four points clear of the bottom three a little bit of a gap now for Legionited have a six point cushion themselves. Most want to come from Patrick Vieira at Daniel Sturridge and what we've seen here at the Emirates Stadium in Barcelona. Arsenal getting over the line with a two one victory Chelsea once again down to ten men for the seventh time in the Premier League season for the points all three go to Michaela Teta and his title chasing gunners. What a year of golf we had in 2025 high on earth are we going to follow it? Well on the Sky Sports Golf podcast we're going to do our very best. I'm Jamie Weir and each week I'll be joined by the sports biggest names and best pundits to chat about the latest action and biggest talking points. Can Rory become only the fourth man to successfully defend the master's title? Can Tommy Fleetwood win the Claret jug in his own backyard at Burpedale? Could Charlie Hull finally become a major champion? And perhaps play a big role in Europe winning back the Solheim Cup? All that and more on the Sky Sports Golf podcast in 2026 available wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome back to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get back to the studio for more reaction to today's game. By Saka Capriol's arrived. Now St. Eva twitched it's in. Another rabbit out of the Arsenal setpiece hat. Sam might have got a touch he didn't want. Little matter. Arsenal lead. Let's James put another corner it's in. In Capriol may have got the touch that made the difference. And right on half time Chelsea are level. Plung in by Royce Timbers on the line. Sanchez in Cannesons. The Everett sub left it. Arsenal have their lead back. Martin Erie's first for the loose ball. And Metto has stopped it. And Martin Erie has no found his straight net goal. He's got to pick up a second yellow here. And Chelsea will finish with 10. Arsenal win. And that's it. Arsenal win. And that is all but matches. Arsenal remain in charge. Victory for Nicolay Tete. His team are five points clear. Again they were made to work hard here by Chelsea. Two corners to one in the end. And that's 16 now for Arsenal this season. Epling the Premier League record. Chelsea though certainly played there. Part with 10 corners it became themselves. That is the most that Arsenal have faced for four seasons. And 59% possession is the most here by a visiting team since the start of last season. And actually when they went down to 10 they actually had 65% of the ball for the rest of the match. But it couldn't find that equalising goal. And you know when you're watching these big games the likes of Arsenal taking on Chelsea, they attract the big names as well. And it's a sort of place where you never know who's walking past the studio. Yaya Turei is in the house. Yaya, welcome very pleased to see you. Daniel, how much is this pair? I'm not talking about it. We're talking at least three to five hundred million right here. Come on man. These two are legends. Come on. Yaya, what did you think of that today? I think the first half was okay. It was quite okay with game games but feel a bit disappointed and you know because we want to see a flourish games right, three games passing, attacking, scoring chains. And in the day we see three goals by set-pieces for a day a bit strange. But does it matter if you're Arsenal and you're just trying to win your first title for 22 years? Yeah, I think so to be honest. I don't know about it. Yeah, I think so. Because winning today was obviously and really important for Arsenal. But as far as I should, you know, I want to see more, you know. What do you think Patrick? I think of the Arsenal point of view. What really matters is the three points. It is really important for them. And of course, when you look at the game a little bit more deeper, scoring two goals on the set-pieces and it wasn't really open games. You expected Arsenal to go a little bit more forward. Obviously Chelsea has a massive and big part of the game because they were quite well organized defensively. So it was quite difficult for Arsenal to create chances. But of course, when you are top of the championship table, you are top of the league table. You are in a final in a cup and you're still in a FA Cup competition. So the expectation is higher and you expect more from this Arsenal football club. And today, yes, on the side of the game creating, going forward, taking risk. We were, and I am a little bit disappointed, but the matters is for them is to win, taking the three points. And I think they did well today. And just a point with which bit? With the style of football, particularly, or that risk bit? It's not about the style because I think the style can be as well. The fact that they didn't win the title for so long. So there is maybe a little bit of suspicion and stress because you want to do so well that you are not taking the risk that you are taking in the start of the season. So looking at where they are and a little bit of nervous, a little bit of stress, a little bit of pressure can have an impact on their games. But I believe that there is enough experience, there is enough quality, there is enough personality for them to go on a field and to go to win the game. And I think today set pieces make the difference. They certainly seem to put their fans through it, Daniel, don't they? They don't do things easily. Yeah, but I think the key is stopping them. We could talk about the rollercoaster in terms of performances and how they go about winning games. I think the entertainment value sometimes isn't there, but football is a game about winning, right? That's what you want to do. So I think it's about how do you stop them being great at what they're great at? Clearly set pieces is an area that they've worked on tirelessly. You've got to have the players to be pinpoint deliverers of crosses. Then you need the aggressive players in the box. They've got all the tools for the players who want to have the first contact. Everyone, all of them are aggressive in the box. And then when you talk about an open player, of course, they've got many ways to win games, but it seems as if set pieces is the one that works the best for them right now. So use that to your advantage? Yeah, I think they did well. Since the beginning of the season, they've always been doing, but I don't want to be too much of a rush, right? And I think Arsenal, now they're just at the right. This season, I think they're going to end up good, but as a man's city fans, I think we are there. We're still behind them again. I think I hope they will sort of some point, but let's see, let's see. Because it's in Arsenal's hands, yeah, but it's also in Manchester City's hands, because the fact that they play each other and they have this game advantage, we can actually show you the fixtures that both have left. How do you see this then, yeah, yeah, and these closing stages? Yeah, I think this is incredible. How those two, you know, title of the league's doing this year is incredible. Especially man's city being show gold at some point, and the beginning of the season, and now they're coming back very strongly. They've got the one four on the bounce, then it's forest midweek, then West Ham United before the carabiner cut final. Do you think that that could be a significant game? The fact they are playing each other in that final? Yeah, I think it can be a turning point, right? Because for me, I'm hoping if you ask, if you man's city win that game, will be big, big, big, can be something, you know, it's a good thing for us not very strong, right? Well, I hope Manchester is going to win the game, because that one is going to be significant for the rest of the season. Can I ask you both, you know, when you talk about your experiences that you've had, you've both been very successful, legends of the game, like I talked about earlier on. From your experiences, Patrick, for you in 2004, your experience of maybe not winning the league for a few years and then going over the line from that psychological perspective, and for you, you are similar, but in the sense of when Manchester City will always coming back to win the titles, what was that like psychologically? Well, I think, you know, of course, I'm sometimes depends on the character of the player. For example, the first time when we were in the league, we met in 2002, all before that, or in the FA Cup, I think psychology is sometimes difficult when you have a, you know, a opponent behind you or pressure you will not. For example, when you take an example now with us on the Man City, just fighting all the way, and the second one is, you know, it's not that easy. And when you see us all your opponent like a Man City, you can leave them space, you know, because if you, for example, make a mistake, or you lose, or you draw, you're going to come right at you, and you have to be so mentally, of course, but have that sense of like Patrick would say, you know, for them, it's important to win those kind of games, because you know, you have to understand that as Chelsea, I was always a big, big role of Arsenal and the London Derby, and I think Arsenal has to keep it going, doing that, because otherwise, it's going to cost them something, because Man City for me, you know, you're really going to be Man City, right? They're always going to try to finish drawing an end, but let's see, let's see. I hope Man City will win, but you're not sure. Do you remember Patrick the first one being different, you know, in terms of that, that pressure and that psychological aspect that Daniel's referring to, that challenge of getting over the line for the first time? And of course, there's a pressure, the pressure as a team, you want to do well, but there's outside noise as well that you have to manage, you have to control, and I think when you're looking at Pep talking about Arsenal and saying that Arsenal is the best team at the moment, this is as well putting a pressure on the shoulder of Arsenal football club, and that is part of the game as well. But it will be really important, and especially when you get to the end of the season like that, there's a key games that you have to win, and it doesn't matter if you play well or bad, and I think today's games was one of them. But the key moment, I think, will be the game between Manchester City and Arsenal. I think that will be the decided game, because when you're looking at after that game, you expect both teams to win all the games of the season. So for me, the key moment and the important moment will be that game. Who's playing the best football? Yeah, yeah, have the two. Manchester's coming back well, Arsenal is doing well, after that the strongwafing, the draw against I watched some games, especially in a minute as well. When for years, wolves as well, that won't cost them maybe, and give them a bit doubt, to be honest, because when I see the players express themselves, and as well, you have to understand that, oh, the guy on the captain, he's brilliant. I don't know when he's going to be that. Yeah, I think for me, it's a huge miss, because between the line is moving very well, we can, you know what I mean? You can see he's a Barcelona, because we love that type of game, that time of approach. You know, when you play games, you need to be, you know, because I feel like the player sometimes, I'll be, I'll be locked in the brain, right? Just, I don't want to make mistakes, I don't, maybe if you are lose the ball, because the team's something, you know, I want the player to be more open. Of course, it's the game, you know, we enjoy the fans. And the manager will tell you the best game is to get a result. You know, so it's always a balance, I believe, to find between results and the performance. But if you compare Arsenal and Manchester City, I think Manchester City doing, going through a difficult period, but they're always going to keep the philosophy. I think the way that they're going to play, try to build up from the back, that's his part of the DNA. And even if they're going through a difficult period, they are staying with kind of philosophy. Arsenal going through a difficult period, they are capable of adapting themselves at how they are feeling at the moment. If they are missing players, they're making a treat, some of the tactical aspect of the game. I think that's the kind of the differences between the two of us. To add on that, I think for me, Manchester is playing the better games. For me, they're the best, because style, style is time of an experience, in terms of approaching the games. Yesterday, the game's the play against leads. It's not easy, very difficult. I watched the game carefully, and I see that leads up to the momentum, but Manchester City doings with calmness, with control, with understanding. They're really good for me. I think that's going to go into the end, for me, I'm happy. And for me, I'm a Manchester playing better games. You said they're playing better football. You said they hope they win. Are they going to win? Are they going to win the title, Manchester City? Yes, I've definitely won. OK. You said it like it is. OK. We better let you go quietly. Don't repeat it outside this studio. Thank you so much for coming to see us. Thank you so much. Pleasure to see you. Pleasure to see you. Giant in the game. Yeah, yeah. Torrey popping in to our studio here on Super Sunday this afternoon. When we come back, we will get some different perspectives from those downstairs who've been involved in the action. For the managers who've been close to it today, the frustrations of Chelsea, the joy and relief of Arsenal are finally getting over the line. And they've got nine games to go. Did you know you can stream live Premier League football through now TV. It's an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports Plus stream and much more. There are day or month membership options available and you don't need to be a Sky customer to use it. Just head to nowtv.com to check out the latest packages. This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get more analysis of the game and return to the studio. Two one and finish two Arsenal here at the Emirates and it was a tale of three corners. Arsenal scoring with their very first. You're in timber there deflecting. I don't know, Salibar. It was sorry, but with that one, which was pushed goldwards by actually Chelsea player, then Chelsea, equalising which James delivery key to that and Cache that goes down as an own goal. Then it was rice with the ensuing it and that was timber getting on the end of that one to make it to one to Arsenal. 16 corners they have scored goals from this season Arsenal. Let's have a look at the first. It was almost like there was a phony game going on in the first 20 minutes before we got to the real game which was the set piece and the Arsenal scoring from their very first. It was, I mean, we're talking about guys working tirelessly on the training field. Aggression, anticipation in the box and when you're looking at the marking here of reshames, of course, you know, we have to highlight the fact that his back's turned. He's got one job which is literally to block Gabrielle. But it is difficult when someone has momentum running towards you. Again, it seems to be just impossible to stop whoever you are. It seems that way but again, there's got to be things. You have to have preparation in order to stop what Arsenal are doing. This is clearly what they're going to do. Every single game, Gabrielle is the main man who they're targeting in the box. You've got to have a player who can deliver the ball but his aggression is for me what stands out most. Patrick, would you? Yeah, I think this is one of Arsenal's strength. They're quite really good on that and I think they spend quite a lot of time on the field to practice but it's quite really interesting because they open the space to create for Gabrielle and of course, like you mentioned, the momentum running at res is quite really difficult for him to defend that situation. But after that, I think when he managed to go over res, you can see the determination and the competitiveness of the player. So he and the 1-D1, he's coming running at res, he makes a difference and from now he's more determined to win the ball and then you can see so many players of Arsenal inside inside the 6-yard box and of course, Saliba reacted quite really well and then he's really difficult for the goalkeeper to defend but Arsenal are quite really strong in these situations. But it's not just Arsenal that were effective with it today and it did feel a bit like Chelsea had done a lot of work on this as well and they build up to this game. Yeah, I think both teams didn't really create so many chances and they both rely on set pieces and here you can see it's in a small motion, you can see rice fighting with the Chelsea player but he doesn't look at the ball at all and of course so many players in front of the goalkeepers with the deflection from their own Arsenal players, they concede on goal but there's nothing in this situation that the keepers can do because there's so many bodies in front of him. This is becoming a real trend and we've seen it on every goal score today and probably the ones that didn't go in as well. With defenders trying to stop their runners, trying to do anything to block, to mall, to hold, to drag, whatever you can do to be effective but actually a lot of the time not watching the ball. Is this the way that defending is going now? But that is a problem for me because the ball's coming in the box, you have a job which is to play the ball. It's not to play the man, right? For me, it's always been about that. If you're saying, my job is literally to mark this player and not care about where the ball is, I think that's a foul. I'm like, I don't know the place on the pitch that's a foul. You can't have your back turned to the ball and it not be deemed, you're not even playing the ball. You could argue that if rice is facing the other way, maybe you could defend the cross. But I think we see a lot of this now where it's because there's a lot of crowding going on and a lot of, you know, grabbing and physical elements to it. It's less necessarily about playing the ball and more about there's just bodies everywhere and it's complete chaos and how do you deal with the chaos. I think Arsenal are very good at creating chaos and executing off the back of it, but clearly defensively here, they got it wrong. As they did as well for the winning goal and yet again, a thing for that was that the backpost Santos and Kaisero are actually facing the wrong way entirely, trying to defend this. I think that's a big issue and I think we need to find the right answer for helping the referees to make a decision here. When you don't look at the ball and you just stop the players running, I think that has to be a foul and I think referees has to be brave enough to give a foul and to give a penalty because when you don't look at the ball, it became really difficult. And yet again, we're seeing what 12, 13 players justling for the ball, justling for a position, trying to either get some contact on the goalkeeper or not in that instance, trying to get an advantage. I mean, you look at the same class here, you see, you know, he's trying to get his head around, but the goalkeeper was complaining earlier on about being bumped and he got bumped by his own teammate. Again, it's just complete chaos in the box. Do you agree with Patrick's point that maybe there needs to be a tweak of the rules or the laws? I'm not sure that everyone is enjoying watching this kind of scrum on set pieces. I think at this point, it's becoming a little bit, I liken it to almost like the touch push in NFL, right? In NFL, there's a play called the touch push that the Philadelphia Eagles were great at and they're the best at doing it. Complete different sport, I know. But their job is to say, okay, stop us. If we're going to keep doing this until we're stopped, they ended up I think tweaking the rules slightly, but in the end, it becomes like, Arsenal are great at doing this. This is what we're known for, stop us. Like at the end of the day, we can talk about the rules, but Arsenal are making it more like, I suppose, amplified because they're so good at executing. So it's going to continue until the potentially is a tweak because, you know, if I'm good at doing something and you can't stop me doing it, I'm going to keep doing it. And we should absolutely make the point that it's not just Arsenal. I was Chelsea as well today. It was Everton against Manchester United last Monday. There's been 138 corners already scored this season. That is already more than the last season's tally and we've got 99 games to go. So it is very much a growing trend in our league. Now, two, one, there were still chances for Chelsea to get back into this game. Do you give them credit? Patrick, for how they approach these final moments? Yeah, I give them a credit because I think scoring the first, scoring the goal just before half time, give them that kind of momentum. I think in the second half, they entered the field in a better better situation. I think they were the better team in the beginning of the second half. They created those kind of situations, but Raya was really good. There's the deflection in the near course. And the reaction here to stop the ball was really good from him. I think if you can turn back times, Raya Pedro, I want to have that one back. I think he knows that was a great chance for him. For how well he's been playing, you know, I think the first, the chance played before was easier than this one. Centuritas from, well, I suppose a few inches from that one, isn't he, Col Parma? But then this was the one where Garnacho Gary said the point in coming to get. There's a bit more zip on this. Maybe it does find the bottom corner. We've seen laws floating, but again, the step from Raya, you see the right, the right leg, step he's got that strength in his leg to be able to to catapult himself across. We've seen laws going many times in the past, but it's a fantastic save from him. And then this, we're all looking to see whether the official had his flag up and indeed he did to deny, he did it first, did he? He did there. After the ball was in the back of the net, which was a very worrying moment for Arsenal fans, but that was correctly ruled out, and two on it finished to Arsenal. Let's bring in Gary Neville, who of course was was watching on high for us. Gary, what's your overriding feeling having watched Arsenal get through this today, but not in a straightforward manner against Chelsea? I mean, I think from where the were Dave, a week last Wednesday after the Wolves game, I think to Anomicalata to before the game said that it doesn't matter when the other team that you're challenging for the title plays first, but it really does. I mean, City, having to sort of get their points on the board on a Saturday and an ask left to follow him on a Sunday, does add that pressure for Arsenal. I think it's been a really good week for them in two games that are quite difficult. The North London Derby obviously taught them out playing well, but they still have to go there and do a job under pressure after the Wolves game. And then today was a real struggle for them, not playing well in terms of open play and the fluidity, but getting over the line. And I think that's really important with all the competitions that Arsenal are in. You're not going to play well every single week, but they had to win three points. They had to get over the line and win the game and they've done that. And I think that counts for a lot. Gary, the bigger picture of course is is Arsenal winning their first Premier League title for 22 years. If they are to get there, what is it that they will be leaning on in these last nine games, do you think? The quality, the physical strength, the experience of the last three years of losing it. I mean, they surely have to sort of look upon what's happening in the last three years. They know this is going to be hard work. They've got ten more weeks of paying these Arsenal fans, watching in the crowd, watching at home sometimes when they're away from home. This is not easy. This is not going to be pleasant at times. It's going to be anxious, but they've got to have enjoyed the thrill of it. That's why they're here. We always every single game with every single time we come to Arsenal and we've done this for a number of years and Patrick obviously played in the last title winning team. We go over to that 2004 year that's over there halfway up across that stand and say they haven't won the league for 22 years and they've got to try and get rid of that. And in the last three years, they've been up against obviously City and Liverpool and it's been obviously tough for them and they've lost out in those battles and call upon the experiences that they've had dig deep, just dig in like you wouldn't believe. And they're doing that. Look, they're a resilient bunch. They've got a lot of fight about them. They're good physically. I think they're a mentally strong team. I don't think they're weak. I think that a few years ago, they were quite vulnerable. They were a bit immature. That's not this group that we're watching out here. They're the complication for them, Davies. They've got four trophies to try and go at. And you can't throw away a Champions League. You can't throw away a Carabal Cup Final. You've got to go for every single trophy. So how Mikalata rotates? How he uses his squad? How he stays clear of injury is going to be important. Could you have a view on that in terms of what should be their priorities if it indeed it does come to that? I think they've got two in some ways, take a massive risk or a calculated risk if you like in the FA Cup. That's not to disrespect the FA Cup, but I think you've got to look at that competition and say, right, I've got to trust my second 11 all the way up to the semi-final. I think the Carabal Cup Final, it's a one-off game. You've got to play your best team. The Champions League, you've got to go and play your best team. And obviously the Premier League, you've got to go and play your best team. But the FA Cups, they do give some little bit of a little bit of a respite for Mikalata to take a risk. And that might be the competition that they do sort of falter in, maybe slightly. Obviously they've got Mansfield, so they'll probably get across the line in that one. But as it goes through, that will be the one that I think might fall by the wayside. Gary, you've been there. You've been in this position. You remember it very well. Of course, you went on to win multiple titles, but this first one, is it different? Is this going to be a case this evening of in this dressing room, they're going to be concerned about a performance? Or is it going to be just huge relief or delight that they've got these three points? No, I think they'll have delight. I don't think that I don't think they'll be sat there. I mean, look, you always want performance, but it's impossible. I know they've had a week's rest, but Arsenal playing nearly every three days and have done for such a long time now, it is impossible to play every three or four days and play at a high level from a performance perspective. It just is impossible. So getting over the line and getting games that under your belt and wins under your belt when you're actually doing that is something that's quite important. They've got that in them to be able to do it. And look, I have to say that the first title that I won was in 95, 96. And it was a challenging experience. Your legs start to get heavy towards the end. You start to read every headline. You can't escape it. The noise is constant. I'm very lucky and we were very lucky as young lads. We had very experienced players who'd won two or three titles. The one worry, other than injuries and the sort of amount of games that they play, that they're up against Pep Guardiola's machine, who have won titles. And they haven't got any experience in the dressing room. And Gabrielle Jesus is one of them. He's not like the type that's going to be able to get the other players over the line on his own. So the one thing that you would say is that who is the person in that dressing room that's settling everybody down that's composing them? We had a lot of experience winners when we were winning it for the first time. And it is hard work. I do think they'll get there. The experience of the last three or four years, I think will just be enough for them. Gary, thank you very much. That's an interesting point. We'll perhaps expand on that to here, but we'll let you go for now. Gary, thank you very much for your time this afternoon. As well, Arsenal, beating Chelsea by two goals to one. And you saw the reaction again from Nicola Teta at full-time, a little below the cheeks. He knew that Liam Rossini as Chelsea had pushed them even with 10 men, late in that second half. But crucially, Arsenal, five points clear, nine games to go, and he's reflecting with Patrick Davison. Look how a bit of a nerdy finale, but a big win. How did you do it? A big win. I'm very happy. The four big periods I think the team perform in an excellent way. I think the margins should have been bigger at halftime. They will concede the goal. And the moment, especially that we concede, it was you were painful, but that's only the quality of Chelsea, the players, and what they can deliver. So after it's going to two-one, we had another big chance with EBS. And then the red card, and after that, we should have managed the situation better. How we can talk about that tomorrow? Just from your grin, actually, it starts in the interview. Did you find that last, I don't know, five, six, maybe even longer, minutes uncomfortable on such line? They are uncomfortable, because they have so much quality. And even when they use the keeper, they can get out of this situation with 10 men, with the adjusting as well. And sometimes that happens. You take things for granted. We didn't play like we played there. The other action especially, we have the opportunity to do something to improve there. What problems did they give you today? So let me be speaking before the match about what a tactically flexible side they are. Yeah, and the people like, and players like Anokopai, various spaces call when it starts to play as I falls down, Anokopai, these spaces, they need one square meter, to turn on active players in his back, and they have quality. A lot of feet everywhere. Big personalities as well. They are really with coach, so yeah, talking. Was it pretty difficult today to really lock them in? Sometimes you really seem to manage that keeper team in their final third for, you know, 20, 30 minutes. That was difficult today. You have them there, you're seeing now, I'm going to win it, and they get out of it. And they are so good at turning into spaces, canceling, so go. They have a lot of players draw against how we'll be centre by, say they where he can hold in and twist the game and cause your problems. It's impressive, they had a top side. Obviously set pieces, a massive factor. It's your 16th goal from a corner. The ninth time you've gone ahead in the game, the first goal. Just how big a factor have they become in modern football? Very important. I mean Chelsea are the second best as well, with I think one less goal. I mean, look at the talent that they have. So you see it everywhere, we lost point from long throws, lately we haven't scored that many from set pieces. It was called it was almost from an open play, but today was necessary. We've done it and to have this kind of options, it's great. How hard do you work on them to be as effective as you are? I think like anybody else, attacking and defending and defending, do you know exactly what you're going to do, but with that world, that is an absolute number to defend against it. So yeah, that's it. Yeah, just going to say, those Reese James corners from that side swung it. I mean, do you say to pass, you know, we could do this, we could do that, or is it? Yeah, on paper, on the tactics board, we can resolve any situation, when is live, and they are so aggressive and pushy and effective, and the leaders are so difficult to handle, but it's tough. How much, you know, how much mental strength do you think the team have shown in the last couple of weeks? A lot. Playing second after the disappointment of Wolves as well. Well, the way we have reacted after that disappointing result has been, has been top and not only on the pitch, but the thing that we have learned about ourselves and I think the manner that we have deal with that is a me stop, so let's keep going. Can you say what you've learned about your team? I thought they were good and they were a good human being, and I thought they wanted to win, but the level they are in now, it's another one I think. Lastly, does the league enter a different phase now? Does it feel like the running is underway? You're into single figures for games left. Yeah, I think we had that feeling for a long time. I think the feeling that you have to continue to win and win and win and you're winning so many games, and it is not enough to open the gap, and this is the beauty and the level of this league. Thanks, Macau. I think they've probably had that feeling since about September, Arsenal. It feels that long, that since they've been top of the league, they opened up a big gap. You thought they might run away within at one stage, but then Manchester City fought back, Arsenal were there as well, but now it's some city that are on their heels. And of course, their recent run of form four and four means the pressure was on Arsenal yet again today. But they responded. Patrick, is that actually quite a big element of this? Because, you know, Gary made the point, you've been there as well, winning many titles. Is a question of sometimes going second is not the easiest when you see your opponent to have got the result on the board. You can feel their breath on the back of your neck. Yeah, but I think Michel mentioned it pretty well. This is the quality of the Premier League, but they built that experience in the last four years. So they finished second, second, and now they are in the top and they have to manage to get there at the end. And I think they gain so much experience in the last couple of years, and they are really close to get there, to win it. I believe that Arsenal are more stronger than they were last year, because when you looking at the team and you looking at the quality of the players on the right hand side, Saka or Madreiki, on the left hand side, they have marginally or trussard. Up front, they have raises, they have others coming back from injuries, AZ is here. So they have the squad to go until the end and to win a title. And I think now it's just about believe and keep going and taking game after game and try to not change who you are and not changing your identity. Go and play as the best as you can, like they did it a couple of months ago. In the beginning of the season, I was watching Arsenal and from the first game of the season, I said, Arsenal, we win the title because of the way that they were playing. And it's true that it's really difficult to play with such a quality from the first to the end of the season. But this team has quality. I thought it was a really interesting line though, that Mikaela Teta used there. And I want to revisit that because we feel like we've been in and running for a long time was what he said. Does that change the mentality? If you think about UK, you said they were better than last season. If you go back two seasons, there were scoring goals for fun. It's called 91 goals in the season. They finished with 89 points this season and only beaten by City who got 91 and it could be those two pushing each other again all the way. But does it change the mentality in terms of trying to protect what you've got when you are out in front rather than chasing something like it seems that Manchester City are right now? I think that where Arsenal are psychologically is, I'm not in the dressing room, obviously, but I feel as if the, because of the experiences they've had, they almost have the ingredients now, psychologically, it's just about going and doing it. I feel like they're in a much stronger position psychologically than they've ever been. They've had so many different experiences in the last two seasons where they've been close, you battle in a way and you're almost thinking to yourself, what is that one thing that we are missing? Does that become a bruise Daniel or baggage even when they've been that close and missed out before? But it can, but I don't think so. I think that it's down to the match winners to step up, to make the difference. It seems like it's only nine games and it sounds like it, but I think the pressure of it and the exhaustion of it all and psychologically, you become tired because you're thinking, we've got to do this, we've got to execute. They have it in their hands, it's their job to continue this momentum, but it's not easy when you are battling on multiple different fronts. I think the experience of winning the league, I don't know, that was something that you'd ask Gary in terms of the feeling of winning your first Premier League title and whether that changes your approach or your experience, and that's what I asked you earlier on about 2004 when I mentioned that, it's because I think that the first year asked when you won the league with Arsenal, I think they're in a different position to the second time in the sense of you'd felt it, you'd felt the feeling of winning, but you were also very close multiple times. I feel like the similarity with this team is they've gone close multiple times and basically should have won, but they haven't done it. So in their minds and in their spirits, they should already be winners. They've not lifted the trophy, but their spirit should be where winners, and that's the thing I think they need to carry into it. Forget the baggage and the pressure of it's our first, it's more like, do I feel like a winner on the inside? Could this be almost like, if they do get over the line, and yes, they are fighting for four trophies, but in terms of the Premier League, could it be the moment like the cork coming out of the bottle for Arsenal, and then they go do it again, and again? And of course, I think when more you win and more you build the confidence and believe, and I think as done in the last couple of years, they built a team, because Mika has been there for like five years now, and he's really built this team. The players come in, and they are more stronger. And of course, I think if they manage to win it at the end, that will be the momentum and the belief that players need to go there and win it like two, three times in a row. In our time, it was really difficult to win two titles in a row. We won it once, we didn't, we won it the next year, because we were competing against United. And I think in the last couple of years, it was really difficult for us not because there was a Liverpool, there was a Chelsea and a Manchester City. So there was more competition maybe than a couple of years ago. But if they win it this year, that can be Arsenal winning the title for the next couple of years. So then when you say that, right, the psychological impact of say, you compete in the Manchester United for all those years, and you knew this is our competitor, there was a lot of energy between the pair of you, right? We knew that he was us or them. Yes. And psychologically then, when you're approaching the season and you're in the running, and you know it's us versus Man United to go to win the title. If you're second, or if you were first in those moments, what is that psychologically like? What was that like for you? It's always better to be first. You know, because you control the momentum and you know that what you need to do is just to win games to get there. So it's always, I believe, to be the one to be chased than the one who chased the first one. But it almost feels like Patrick, there's more freedom in chasing. No, there's no freedom. I think it's as a competitor, as a winner, from the first game of the season to the last one, you'll want to be at the top. So I think that Manchester City will want to be in Arsenal position. Well, they both play on Wednesday night, and it could be the most extraordinary season in Arsenal's history, couldn't if it ends with four titles. Does there come a point, Patrick, when you do think about maybe sacrificing something in your pursuit of the Premier League? Is the Premier League the most important thing? Or is it the Champions League? The Premier League is important, I believe, for Arsenal. But at this level, when you are a competitor, you can't choose which game you're going to go for. And I think I was talking earlier on about the squad of Arsenal Football Club. And I think you have enough numbers of quality players to compete in every competition. And of course, if you really important some key players, like other guys to come back from injuries, to help the team. But I don't see Mikael to choose a team A and a team B. They will go for it. Do you think that any of the Champions League draw could have an impact for both these teams? Because for Arsenal, it's by Levy Kusen, then it's about a glimpsor, a sporting, and for Manchester City, it's around Madrid. Maybe a Bayern Munich. Yes and no, but look, top football clubs, you have big games, top players, world-class players that have to step up and perform. And we know that there's a lot of football matches, and we talk about schedules and resting and this and that and the third. But I think for both teams, they want to be successful in every competition. Every manager, the intensity from the managers is about winning everything. That's the ideal scenario. I think for Arsenal, I would say the Champions League or the Premier League is a huge victory. This season probably more than any for the Champions League is a season that it seems as if they have an amazing opportunity based on the draw. They still got to go and execute. I think the Premier League on white feels like that's probably more as yes to the amount of time. We can talk about the Champions League. They've not done that, I think, in the history. But then you look at, because they've been in control for so long, it almost feels like, nah, you have to go and win the Premier League. So if they didn't win the Premier League, I think it would feel worse than if they didn't win the Champions League. You don't want to disrespect any team in the Champions League, but you have to say that Arsenal are in a good side of the draw. Very good. And they have five points clear in the Premier League as well. They're in a great position to go all the way in both competitions. It could be actually extraordinary on this time. The season is so fantastic because every single game is absolutely huge. They just matter so much, don't they? In every competition, it's new or die time for the gunners. And for Chelsea, we will be reflecting on next as well, because well, Liam Rossini has had 13 games in charge. He's lost three of them, and all three have been against Arsenal. Two of them here in the last month. We'll get his verdict next. Hi, I'm Tamsing Greenway, and I'm Tracey Neville. And we've teamed up this season for Sky Neville's Off the Court podcast. Join us every week as we shoot through the hottest topics in Neville. We'll bring you everything you need to know from the super league to the super shot, all building towards the Commonwealth Games. Make sure you give Off the Court a follow where you listen to your podcasts. Or you can even find us on YouTube. That's Off the Court a Sky Sports Podcast. A first Premier League defeat for Chelsea under Liam Rossini, and it has come at the hands of title-tracing Arsenal. Let's get Rossini as verdict now, with Patrick Davidson. Well, of course, Liam in the end, it all comes down to the result, but if you look at the performance, was there a lot to like from Chelsea today? I spent the same story for the last three games, performance. You have performances to get results, and it's the same story. It's the same story. Endy ascendancy in all three games. And we just, honestly, we're together because what I never do, when I lose a game is start pointing a finger at players, but it is clear what we need to improve. It's not our football, it's not our attacking play. Our goalkeeper makes some incredible saves today. We need to make sure we are ruthless in both boxes, and to concede two goals from corners, and to get another red card that has been the story of our season, and it's been the story of the last few games. So the defending from set pieces, sometimes the delivery is so good, it looks so hard to stop. What more could you have done? The first goals are very top, that give us fantastic, probably the best team in the world at set place. If you don't think we have not worked on set plays, all we can spoke about them, and we'd be crazy not to. The second one is the one that's disappointing. We just have to deal with that moment better. We have to be stronger, we have to have a better mentality. We give free kick away before that, and then we give a corner away when we're in control of the game from a sloppy moment. But you can see, I don't want to keep coming out here saying all of the good that we do, because there is a lot of good that we do. We're here to win games of football, and we need to solve that before we go to Estonville. I don't know, it's really difficult for managers to stand here, and you're not going to want to single out individual, but when you're talking about where you need to deal with that second corner better, do you mean the goalkeeper? I think it's a combination. The marking, the zone players, the position in the goalkeepers involved, I'm not singling up, I don't single out players, and what I do do is address it in a closed in the dressing room, I address it in the training ground, and I think it's clear to everybody who watches us play, where we need to improve, on top of what is a lot of good things in the game. When a team repeatedly makes the same mistake, and obviously, of course, you're working on it, Reese James has just been in, the players have talked about all the red cards. What's happening there? Is it a mental thing, I guess? Yeah, I think it's a very difficult thing to put your finger on. We get paid to try to win games of football. If you think we haven't tried to address that, it's crazy. We are trying to address it, and I think sometimes you have to learn from consequence, the pain. I felt the consequence of the pain of dropping two points against Burnley, or Leeds when we're two in a lap, would have switched us on today against a very good set play team, and it hasn't, and that's been the most frustrating thing about this afternoon, because we come off the pitch with no points. I don't want to stand here and talk about all of the good things tactically, technically, that we did in the game of which there was a lot, because we haven't got any points from the game. Is that what you say to the players as well? I'm sick of telling you that you played well, and when you've not got any points? 100%, 100%. It's a really frustrating one today, because I felt the set up tactically was very good. I felt we got into the areas that we wanted to get into. I felt Arsenal didn't cause any problems other than set plays today, but they're great at them, and we didn't stand up in the moment we needed to, and that's why we've come away with the defeat. I know you said you didn't want to talk too much about the attack to aspect, the things you did well, but can you just go into something for us? Col Parma off the left, and then drifting in, and seem to create a lot of space for him, and throughout the match they found it really hard to play through you. Tell us how you did that. I don't really want to. I don't want to give away what we do or why we do it. We just felt that we wanted to be compact in our shape, and Col Parma's a magnificent footballer. We want to give him freedom to go and express himself and create, but I don't want to talk about the good of our tactics or what we did today, because I'm bitterly disappointed. We haven't let a drawn a game, let alone one the game, which we could have done. Their corners were a big threat. Your corners were also a big threat. You scored from one. Yeah, they're quite big penalty appeals from others, and that's especially that one from that side with Reese James in Swingers. Did you think you might have had a penalty? I haven't seen it back. I genuinely haven't seen it back. What I would say is there's a little bit of a lot of talk about holding, how are you marking the box? I haven't seen many referees give anything in those moments. I have to give that goalkeeper credit, because he made probably two or three absolutely world-class saves, but in the end, it's just a bitterly disappointing day because we came here. With a game plan, we felt we could execute it, and again, we haven't, because we haven't had a good discipline about us, and we've given away two goals from set place. Lastly, how big is the job ahead, because you've got other tough fixtures to come, and you've got a bit of a gap now to the other Champions League teams. The great thing is we're playing them. If we solve the problem, if I level up performance, but only maybe a little bit disappointing leads today, if the performance level is there and we solve this problem, we have a great chance. It's very, very simple, but we have to solve the problem yesterday to make sure that that happens. Thank you. Thank you. All right, motion on Liam Rossini. Daniel, what do you think? He's honest. I liked it. I respect it. The one thing I liked what he said was learned from consequence, and we're talking about a team who, in the last game, conceded a goal from a set piece. So I think that's what he's disappointed with, more so than anything. We've worked tirelessly. We've talked about it. He's clear that he's not digging any players out, again, what I respect. And I think that's his annoyance, more than anything. He knows in open play his team's competitive. He knows in open play they've got the tools, they've got the qualities, and you can see he trusts his players. The one area which he's very annoyed about is clearing in his interviews, is that going through one set pieces, guys. I can only say so much, but you've got to execute on the pitch. And then, lastly, the red card. Just like, come on, man. Welcome to those specific moments in a minute, but Patrick, this is an interesting one, and I'm sure you're sort of keeping a close eye on Lee and Racine Heroes, a young English manager, trying to find his way at a very big club in Chelsea. And you bring a different context to most because he followed you at Strasbourg. So you've... Where he did a really good job. So you've pretty close to close eye on what he's doing, and what do you make a bit so far? Yeah, I think he really built himself in Strasbourg where he wasn't a easy job for him, but I think he managed to take the team to European competition by playing a really good football, really aggressive. Of course, Chelsea is not Strasbourg. The pressure is in a different level. I think looking at the games that Chelsea play today, you can see that he's a well-organized team. Players on the field have a really clear idea about their responsibility. They play quite a really good game of football against Arsenal. I see him really emotional, frustrated by the two goals that they concede, but I think he's about how he will manage those kinds of situations. I see him a little bit, I don't know if he's nervous, or if he's frustration. He's really upset about individual players, like I mentioned. That's something that he will have a thing to control, to manage, to protect himself a little bit more. I think of all Chelsea can be really disappointed about the games that play. I think tactically they were quite well-organized, and of course they concede those two goals on the set-pieces, but that's something that against the best team in the league on that kind of situation. That's something I think to deal with in an addressing room, I will say. It's about controlling the emotions. Patrick, if you say too much in those interviews, what can be the problem for you as a young manager? I think as a player you will want to deal in this kind of situation, front-to-front, on face-to-face, with the manager, I will say it. I think in this interview with the respect that I have for him, I'll say him a little bit too emotions on the situation. Emotion is the frustration playing that well, but not taking anything from the game. It will be important to control or to manage this kind of situation. I always say that for the young manager he's always controlling your emotions in a good and in a low situation. Is a delicate balance for the players in that situation that you're clearly talking about set-pieces, maybe some people not doing their jobs, not being switched on, whatever. Feeling like your manager is digging you out publicly. No, because everyone's watching the same games and managers watching, so the fans and everybody who's watching will have their opinions too. It's clear, but in the end, Chelsea were positive. They had their moments, even on their own set-pieces, we could be talking very differently about them. The most possession, Daniel, of any visiting team here since the start of last season. There you go. I think they can come away feeling like, look, we had a good game, but in the end, there's those small margins, two set-pieces, you go away feeling like it doesn't matter how well you play it as a player in the dressing room. You can play as good as you want. If you don't get the result, the disappointment, that's what it's going to come from. Maybe the possibility that there were a couple of penalties that might have gone their way on a different day. We see so many of these, don't we? In these creative penalty boxes right now, but first of all, you've got this death and right. Do you think this is a penalty, Patrick? Not at all. I think you can't start to give penalty in this kind of situation. I think Chelsea were quite unlucky because Raya made an unbelievable save, but for me, this is not penalty at all. All right, that's that one dealt with. There was another one. This is where Raya comes for it and does make contact with the ball, but that's not all it seems, Daniel. What do you make of it? If you were the striker in the situation, what you'd be thinking? I've just been punched in the face. That's what I'd be thinking. But at the same time, is there a connection with the ball first? The follow-through? It looks like that. Is it a suggestion that Celeb was actually dragging him into that position as well? I think the discussion will be more saliva on George Pedro. I think the way he putting his hands around and stopping jumping, you can may have a conversation in that penalty or not penalty, but Raya, situation here, I don't think that's a penalty at all. We're getting used to seeing Celeb. Raya doesn't even look at the ball. He doesn't know where the ball is. He's just dropping the players and this is a situation really difficult for the referees to manage. Almost impossible. Pedro Neto was sent off, of course, and there'll be huge frustrations in that Chelsea dressing room yet again because of the manner of it. The first one comes for dissent. I think he'd had a warning and then he starts throwing his arms around and there you go. That was the yellow card. But then two minutes later, he finds himself in a situation, Daniel. He probably needs to make this challenge. Well, maybe not. I think you... I'm trying to find it a fast story. As an attacker in these situations, you want to try and buy your time. It's not as strength. It's rarely attacking strengths to be making sliding tackles. You could have potentially tried to get into a physical battle maybe earlier. In the action, he let it progress a little bit too much. It was a naive challenge for sure, but he meant well. He wanted to compete and try and do the right thing, but I think the dissent won't probably be more disappointing than the tackle itself, because that's what led to the red card. Well, this is the sort of the tale of shame, I suppose. Nine red cards this season for Chelsea. The most four, ten seasons in all competitions by any club. Seven of those have come in the Premier League, and the minutes column is relevant because they're played in the Premier League a lot of time with just ten players, which has had an impact on their chance of winning the game. So the six times that they've had a red card before the 86 minute, they have failed to win the match. Could might this in the end be the difference between Chelsea playing Champions League football next season or not? I was hoping you would not going to ask me about red cards, you know. But of course, the signing of repeatedly like that, it is an issue for them, because it's never easy to compete with one less player, and they will need to find a way to resolve that issue, because of course, when you have eleven players in the field, you become more stronger, and you need your best element in the field to perform. Seven Premier League red cards is equals a record for Chelsea. Seven is also the year record for Arsenal, 98, 99. When you missed the title by one point, at the end, there's another five of those. Manu Pati, we were talking to you before the game, two of those as well. And I remember there was a lot of conversation about it at the time, this might cost Arsenal. Do you think that was the main factor? It may be one of the factors. Of course, when you have important players missing games due to suspension, at the end, there's an impact. And when you lose the title or you're not qualifying for the Champions League, when you're missing those key players, that of course cost to plant. Do they have to address it? They're going to be two under Liam Rossini. I mean, the first game that he was watching, he saw a red card at Fulham, but when he's been in control, there have been two red cards, the one last week for Fafana and this one today. But does he need to grab this? Yeah, I mean, it's down to the manager to kind of talk to them about the temperament, but nevertheless, it's down to the players to not make these mistakes. I think a lot now is it's more man-on-man than ever before. So there's a lot more actions and moments what these things are happening, but it is going to be disappointing the players will be frustrated as well, because they know that they should be doing better than this. And the last thing you want to be doing is playing with 10 men in this league. It's an unforgiving league with the intensity of it. You need every man. And I think it is more to something that you can really control, I will say, is this kind of silly yellow cards. And I think the first one where he was complaining to the referees, I think that's something that you can easily avoid. The second one, of course, you tried to win the ball and the timing wasn't right. And then you get the second yellow card, meaning the red card. But the first one where you're complaining, I think that's something that players can work on themselves and try to control. And I think that's something that they can do by themselves as well. If you love sport, then the Sky Sports app is the place for you. There are free Premier League highlights, breaking news, a 24-7 transfer centre and expert analysis from top pundits. You don't need to be a sky subscriber to use it either, just head to your app store to download it. For now, let's get more analysis of today's game and head back to the studio. Less than a month since knocking Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage, they've beaten them again here. With you and Timber scoring their decisive goal to make it and the 2-1 to the home team was a bit of a theme on this busy Super Sunday. It was a big step for us today and I was really happy with the way the boys kind of approached down and reacted to it and got them yet. The last pass, the last finish was not that accurate and that's why we lost it yet. In the end, the Fick the team got what they deserved, and they must have it. Three days after three days after three days, the energy to play, to play, to the moments, he's not easy. Back to the Wobio! Very good performance from us, we all deserve the three points and we have to move on. Here are their problems, big problems, so we need to stay calm, be clear, taking positive in the future, that's on the way. There you go, you heard from the Spurs manager, you got two days, had two games, he's lost them both and he says there are big problems. I'm sure Spurs fans will be really encouraging that, four points between themselves and the relegation zone as you were because West Ham of course was beaten at Anfield. The question is, are they going to get the requisite points to put Forest and Spurs in more danger? Leeds also beaten, not quite out of it, just yet they're at home to Sunderland, Midweek, Crystal Palace, Ucastle also beaten as well. Sunderland with a point, Brighton climbing, a bit of a lake flurry for them, and still a prospective European football which could go all the way down to the top eights and Fulham climbing today, Everton also into that position. Brentford with a amazing win at Burnley yesterday, and then the top six with Chelsea. Now six points outside the top four, which three behind Liverpool, Aston Villa, Lost Their Momentum, another defeat for them this time at Wolves on Friday night, Manchester United winning again, and then the top two, City with Arsenal five points, Clear City with that game in hand, so let's get Gary Neville's verdict on the race for Champions League football next season. Here he was, speaking a few moments ago on his podcast. United have got difficult games, but they've got a free programme, they've got the momentum, they look dangerous, I have to think against the good teams, they're very dangerous on the counter attack without mad, Cesco and Bermal, Cunya, Bruno, so I actually think those games suit them. I think United will definitely finish third, but I'll probably sat down three weeks on the Gary Neville podcast, which I said wasn't very good before, which is a bit in the game. I think United will finish third, and I can't believe I'm saying that from where we were six weeks ago, but I just think they've got no distractions, they've got something good going, the momentum is with them, all the teams have got difficult games, they've all got difficult games, they've all got a challenge in front of them. I think United finished third, I think Liverpool finished fourth, and I think Chelsea will finish fifth, I think Chelsea will finish fifth. I hope Villa finishing the top five, I really do, but look, I've said before the manager is an experience wise guy, and if they get some players back, but the midfield players been injured, I've cost them a bit in the last few weeks, and I just feel like it'll be Chelsea Manchester United and Liverpool, the only doubt will be Chelsea Orville, Chelsea Orville for fifth is my view, I think United Liverpool, Chelsea Orville. Clear as mud, is that how you see the top four Daniel, Manchester United and Liverpool? I do think so, yeah, it's going to go down to the wire though, isn't it? Villa, I love the coach, I love the players, what they've got going on over there, of course, Chelsea, if they figure it out and they show their best, they're capable of beating everybody, but Liverpool and Manchester United I think are in a better position at the moment, maybe psychologically, I think Chelsea have had the concerns and asked them Villa in a little bit of a difficult patch, but I think it goes down to the wire, I don't think it's going to be one of those where we can be making statements now, because these players and the top coaches as well, they always find a way. Six wins out of seven for Michael Carrick in charge, but Gary hasn't changed his position, you might remember when we were here. Watching Manchester United beat Arsenal, it was a case of weight, see what else is out there. You still agree without the right approach? I think, of course, you don't want to rush making a decision, but you have to give him a lot of credit, because Gary was talking about calmness when United and I think the manager bring calmness and they bring results, so he's doing a good job and I think that this is something that we have to talk about because it's always difficult when you come into a new club where the teams are not doing well, so that means you need to relieve the confidence of the players, you need to find a system that suits those players to perform and I think he did quite really well in a really short time of period. And really anything but calmness, Patrick, around Crystal Palace, your old club right now, is it a bit of a shame, do you think the way it's sort of finishing and telling off a little for Oliver Glasner? Yeah, I think it is a shame, it is a shame because he did a fantastic job winning the FA Cup and giving a lot of hope to the fans and really built a strong team, physically really strong and competing quite really well. I think Crystal Palace is a really difficult team to play against and going from winning the FA Cup, seeing the celebration and seeing where they are now and a lot of confusion around the club, around the manager, around the players, it is a shame for the club because it is a wonderful football club. And as for Spurs Daniel, in a bit of a pickle, no one in ten, two defeats under the new manager, would you be worried about them right now? I think you have to be, you have to be worried but they've got so many talented football players in the team and you sort of think they've got to have some moments within themselves, they have to figure out a way to bring their best because there's so much talent, it's just, you know, they're not playing to the level they can. They know that too. There's a lot of international guys, top top players who have done things in different leagues and have had success here and I just think that it's surprising to see where they are, it is surprising, I'm sure they're going to be disappointed with how things are going at the moment and yes, managerial change and all those different types of things but you've got to build this momentum and you've got to find a win. Why is it working, Patrick? You must have some words. You like it, don't you? The words we encourage, we're not spurs fans. I think it is sad, of course, because we're talking about one of the greatest clubs in London and in the Premier League but in the last couple of years I think this is a club that's spent a lot of money with no structure, with no direction and with quality players. So that means if you don't have a proper structure, if you don't have a direction you can have or spend much money that you want that doesn't bring you success and last couple of years I think try to understand where they want to go, it is really difficult to explain. Patrick, it's been a pleasure and a delight again. Thank you for being with us. Daniel, thank you very much, special mention as well to our special guest for popping in, yeah, that was a nice surprise wasn't it? And for us, it's been a really good day in the office, five points clear, 29 down, nine to go. Thanks for listening to the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Don't forget to hit follow so you don't miss an episode.