Football Weekly – Chelsea Lose at Leeds and Liverpool Scrape a Point (Dec 4, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jacob Steinberg, and Jonathan Wilson to unravel the latest twists in the Premier League. The team dives deep into Chelsea’s jarring defeat at Leeds, Liverpool’s ongoing struggles after a lacklustre draw with Sunderland, and Arsenal’s unspectacular yet efficient trajectory at the Premier League summit. Other topics include Aston Villa’s resurgence, Wolves’ perilous season, and listener questions about punditry and football logistics.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Premier League Title Race: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool

Arsenal’s Steady Progress

• With another "almost perfect night" for Arsenal, the panel notes how Mikel Arteta’s side are sticking to their game plan and picking up functional, if unspectacular, wins despite a mounting injury list.
• Notable quote:
  “If they win the title, no one will go back to this [Brentford] game… They were never really allowed to test Rya. Brentford never really looked like scoring. That’s probably what’s going to set Arsenal apart this season – just that solidity.” – Jacob Steinberg (27:51)
• Discussion around squad depth and adaptability, with praise for Mikel Merino’s emergence as a “false 9” and the team’s ability to absorb injuries.

Chelsea’s Shock Loss at Leeds

• Chelsea are criticized for another lacklustre loss to a promoted team after a strong run of performances, notably a win over Barcelona and a draw with Arsenal.
• Jacob Steinberg notes Chelsea’s pattern: “Capable of raising themselves in the big games and then…in the games that you need to win, they don’t turn up.” (03:29)
• Daniel Farke’s Leeds “bullied” a young, unsettled Chelsea, exposing the absence of composure and injured defenders like Fofana.
• Memorable moment: Assessment of Chelsea’s rotation policy misfiring, and the psychological effect of Elland Road’s atmosphere.

Liverpool’s Stumble at Home to Sunderland

• Liverpool’s ponderous play is highlighted, with Max noting “two wins in seven at Anfield” and Jacob suggesting their earlier tactical tweaks may have only been effective because “they were playing West Ham” (14:48).
• Heavy criticism of both individuals and structures: harsh words for Isak’s anonymity, question marks over Salah’s evolving role, and references to Liverpool’s dire away (and now home) form.
• Notable quote:
  “The league’s gone…” – Jonathan Wilson on Liverpool’s title prospects (16:37)

On Punditry and Predictions

• The episode opens with a jab from a listener about the unreliability of football punditry. Barry responds:
• Quote:
  “We’re not psychics…if you’ve also made predictions, then criticize away; otherwise, don’t.” (02:00)

2. Match Deep Dives & Notable Performances

Leeds 3–1 Chelsea (03:22–08:36)

• Leeds’ intensity and tactical switch to two up front “bullied” Chelsea’s inexperienced defense.
• Jonathan Wilson highlights the significance of fielding two strikers against backlines used to single forwards: “A challenge even experienced players have sort of forgotten how to deal with…” (06:48).

Liverpool 1–1 Sunderland (11:21–16:34)

• Wilson Isidor’s missed breakaway in stoppage time is dissected, with Wilson suggesting the lack of an angle let Liverpool off.
• Sunderland’s blend of quality and grit wins praise; concern is voiced for their depth ahead of AFCON.

Aston Villa’s Wild Comeback at Brighton (21:56–26:48)

• Villa’s “funk” at the start of the season is replaced by a six-game winning run and a sensational comeback from 2–0 down at Brighton.
• Special focus on Ollie Watkins ending his drought, including his animated celebrations:
  “He always feels…that he’s a bit underestimated…He uses that as a bit of motivation at times.” – Jacob Steinberg (23:56)
• The panel agrees Villa now look genuine top-four contenders.

Arsenal 2–0 Brentford (26:48–32:03)

• Arsenal’s depth and effectiveness in an unmemorable but crucial win; especially efficient cover for injured starters.
• Question over Declan Rice’s importance and whether any player is truly “irreplaceable” in this Arsenal squad.

3. Down the Table: Wolves’ Plight, Burnley’s Struggles, Palace’s Win

Wolves Languishing (34:06–39:07)

• With just two points by December, panic buttons are hit: “That isn’t…enough points.” – Max Rushden (34:06)
• Wilson explains the futility of “planning for the Championship” as results spiral, referencing Jan Siewert’s forgettable Huddersfield stint.

Burnley 0–1 Crystal Palace, Other Notes (39:20–40:49)

• Little of note except Palace’s Daniel Munoz scoring and Dean Henderson’s strong save.
• Burnley’s manager Scott Parker: “We need to start turning these performances into points.”

4. Listener Questions & Light-Hearted Moments

On Selhurst Park Directions (45:00–45:32)

• Clarifying the best routes to Palace’s ground—Barney Ronay gets called out for “changing the commuting habits of all of South London.”
• Wilson, with trademark deadpan, recommends getting more steps in: “You can listen to a podcast if you want.” (45:32)

Spotify Wrapped, Awards & Meeting Neil Redfern (46:04–48:10)

• Banter about Spotify stats and musical age, shoutouts to Football Weekly’s engaged listeners, and heartfelt recounting of meeting Lucy Ward and Neil Redfern at an awards event.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Barry Glendenning, on punditry predictions:
  “We’re not psychics…unless you’ve made predictions at the start of the season…then you can criticize.” [02:00]
• Jacob Steinberg, on Chelsea’s inconsistency:
  “Capable of raising themselves in the big games and then…in the games that you need to win, they don’t turn up.” [03:29]
• Jonathan Wilson, on defender struggles:
  “If you’ve got two fairly inexperienced defenders…that’s a challenge that even experienced players…have forgotten how to deal with.” [06:48]
• Barry Glendenning, on Sunderland:
  “They were fearless…massively impressive…that speaks volumes of what they’ve brought to the Premier League.” [13:21]
• Jonathan Wilson, on Liverpool:
  “The league’s gone.” [16:37]
• Jacob Steinberg, on Ollie Watkins:
  “He always feels a bit underestimated…He uses that as a bit of motivation at times.” [23:56]
• Max Rushden, on Wolves:
  “2 points after 14 games and that isn’t, that isn’t enough points.” [34:06]
• Barry Glendenning, on Wolves’ transfer policy:
  “Wolves tend to start planning for the Championship every summer by selling their best players.” [38:18]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:22 – Chelsea’s defeat at Leeds discussion begins
• 11:21 – Liverpool’s draw with Sunderland dissected
• 21:56 – Aston Villa comeback at Brighton
• 26:48 – Arsenal’s efficient win over Brentford
• 34:06 – Wolves’ crisis and the spectre of Derby County’s record
• 39:20 – Burnley vs. Crystal Palace
• 45:00 – Barneys’ Selhurst Park transit faux pas
• 46:32 – Spotify Wrapped, pod listener stats, and awards

Recurring Themes & Tone

• Tone: Light-hearted, irreverent, with playful banter but underpinned by sharp analysis and genuine affection for the game’s quirks and flaws.
• Humour: Frequent, self-deprecating (“we’re all rubbish”), especially in the segments on prediction, Chelsea and Wolves’ travails, and Spotify stats.
• Insight: Panels provide in-depth tactical observations, contextualizing the narrative arcs of key teams and players (e.g., Salah, Watkins, Liverpool’s form).

Useful For:

• Catching up on recent Premier League action and narratives
• Fans of in-depth, multi-perspective analysis with humour
• Listeners interested in the lives of the panel, football culture, and fan experience as much as the scorelines

Arsenal’s consistency, Chelsea’s fragility, Liverpool’s drift, Villa’s rise, and the mirthful misadventures of Wolves – this Football Weekly episode covers it all with the Guardian’s trademark wit and wisdom, providing a full-bodied review of a pivotal Premier League week.