Football Weekly – Sunderland’s Derby Joy and Mo Salah Returns

Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Max Rushden
Panel: Barry Glendenning, Robin Cowan, Nada Manua
Produced by: The Guardian Sports Desk

Episode Overview

This episode of Football Weekly dives into a weekend of major football drama, with a particular focus on Sunderland’s dramatic win over Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear Derby, the return (and ongoing saga) of Mo Salah at Liverpool, and key talking points from the Premier League and beyond. The panel’s discussion is light-hearted, irreverent, and insightful, touching upon both on-field heroics and off-field narratives, with the usual blend of humour and informed debate.

1. Sunderland 1–0 Newcastle: Derby Drama at the Stadium of Light

[02:21–13:20]

• Barry’s In-Person Tale:

  • Barry Glendenning provides a lively account of attending the Tyne-Wear Derby—a match of “staggeringly bad football, but a wonderful occasion” for Sunderland fans. He sets the scene in Sunderland, noting the festive pre-match atmosphere and the sombre moment after the death of club legend Gary Rowell was announced.
    • “It was like someone had flicked a switch. Everything went very calm or quiet...” (Barry Glendenning, 03:30)

• Own Goal Infamy:

  • Nicholas Voltimada, Newcastle’s German striker, scores a bullet header—into his own net—in the 46th minute, the match’s only goal. Barry describes wild reactions: standing ovation from Sunderland fans and, later, Sunderland players recreating Newcastle’s infamous selfie.
  • “It’s quite an achievement to be a fan favorite with Newcastle fans, but even more of a fan favorite with Sunderland at the same time.” (Barry Glendenning, 05:53)

• Legacy of Mistakes:

  • Discussion on unforgettable own goals in English football (Pollock, Dowie, Brass), and the heavy fate awaiting Voltimada.
    • “That goal will be remembered forever. He won’t be able to escape it while living in the Northeast.” (Max Rushden, 07:07)

• Analysis of Newcastle:

  • Newcastle’s massive investment (Voltimada, Alanga, Ramsey) has yet to yield results; they’re “trapped in mid-table.”
    • “They can get good results in Europe...but when it comes down to domestic football, 21 goals scored, 20 conceded, sitting exactly in mid table.” (Max Rushden, 12:21)

2. Wolves Lose to Arsenal (Thanks to an Own Goal)

[13:20–16:33]

• Wolves nearly take a point at the Emirates thanks to Mosquera’s equalizer—before an own goal undoes their hard work.
  • “Is there a worse way to lose?” (Barry Glendenning, 01:37)
• Sympathy for Wolves: the team has not won in 16 games, morale is “in the pits of hell.”
  • “They’re almost the plus one that’s been invited to this Premier League season and you’ve kind of forgotten about.” (Max Rushden, 15:10)

3. Arsenal’s Lucky Break

[16:39–19:00]

• Arsenal are lucky to beat Wolves, escaping with three points despite a poor display.
  • “If this is their rut, what a nice rut to be in if you’re still winning games.” (Robin Cowan, 17:46)
• Upcoming fixtures could provide a sterner test for Arteta’s side’s Premier League ambitions.

4. Liverpool 2–0 Brighton: Salah’s Return Dominates

[19:00–26:06]

• All About Mo Salah:

  • Despite Hugo Ekitike’s strong form, Salah’s presence and off-field drama dominate discussion.
  • Panelists praise Arne Slot’s measured handling of Salah after going public with his frustrations.
    • “Slot has really done great...but he’s probably thinking, thank Christ he’s going to Afcon and I don’t have to deal with this anymore.” (Nada Manua, 20:59)

• Fan Response & Club Politics:

  • Warm Anfield reception for Salah despite his public falling out; debate about the shifting standards for star versus squad players.
    • “It shows the goalposts we thought were stuck in the ground actually have wheels...they move however you want depending on who it is.” (Natum Manua, 23:21)
    • “The ability to move on that quickly...you wonder, what was his punishment? Not every player gets afforded that sort of luxury.” (Natum Manua, 24:52)

5. Aston Villa’s Hot Streak – West Ham 2–3 Aston Villa

[27:33–33:05]

• Villa Enter the Title Conversation:

  • Six wins in a row. Discussion about whether Villa could be seen as title contenders after coming from behind away yet again.
    • “Do we consider Villa to be title contenders? I would have said no...but they are in the conversation. It’s a remarkable run they’re on.” (Barry Glendenning, 27:51)

• Morgan Rogers’ Class:

  • Praises for Villa’s young talent and their resilience.
    • “He makes it look like every footballer should be able to do that every time they shoot.” (Barry Glendenning, 29:03)

6. Palace 0–3 Man City: Scoreline Flatters City

[33:54–36:14]

• City’s clinical edge makes the difference, but Palace impress going forward and hit the woodwork.

• Notable moment: Thomas Tuchel (watching on) searching for sweets in a press room pick-and-mix bag, drawing laughter.

• Media Room Highlight:

  • “Congratulations to all at Sunderland for a wonderful turkey and bacon pie with mash and pigs in blankets and gravy for lunch.” (Robin Cowan, 35:51)

7. Spurs’ Collapse at Forest and Managerial Pressure

[37:46–43:54]

• Notts Forest 3–0 Spurs:

  • Spurs’ “total collapse” discussed in depth, with key errors (notably Archie Gray’s) highlighted—but panel resists overly blaming young players.
  • Nada: “When Spurs do collapse, it’s really really poor...you’re watching a game of long throws and set pieces, not what most Spurs fans would want.” (Nada Manua, 40:54)

• Thomas Frank (Brentford) Struggling with the Step Up:

  • Debate over whether managers from “smaller clubs” are given enough time or respect at bigger clubs.

8. Chelsea 2–0 Everton: Maresca’s Cryptic Blues

[47:00–50:39]

• Chelsea’s Manager Enzo Maresca:

  • Comments mysteriously about the “worst 48 hours” since joining, refusing to elaborate, which the panel sees as picking a fight with an unwinnable opponent: the Chelsea hierarchy.
    • “For him to roll that grenade out...and then refuse to clarify seemed a bit odd.” (Robin Cowan, 47:24)

• Fan Discontent:

  • A number of Chelsea season ticket holders express their dislike of the football played under Maresca despite recent stability, referencing the lack of excitement.
    • “They’re a good side...but maybe his face just hasn’t really fit, regardless of their relative success.” (Max Rushden, 49:07)

9. Burnley v Fulham & Other Results

[51:53–54:25]

• Fulham’s First Turf Moor Win Since the 1950s:
  • Praise for Harry Wilson, comical defending from Burnley, admiration for Calvin Bassey’s adventurous run.
    • “He does go on these runs very often...when Calvin Bassey goes like that, it’s exciting.” (Max Rushden, 54:08)

10. Celtic’s Crisis & St. Mirren’s Triumph

[54:34–58:48]

• St. Mirren Win Scottish League Cup:

  • Much deserved praise for St. Mirren’s victory and jubilant scenes, but most attention (as often in Scotland) on Celtic’s ongoing disarray.
    • “Saint Mirren scored two beauties...but the focus was on Celtic and it always is.” (Robin Cowan, 55:23)

• Celtic’s Struggles Under Wilfried Nancy:

  • Three defeats to start his tenure; panel questions why club legend Martin O’Neill wasn’t left in charge longer. Nancy accused of sticking to a rigid system ill-suited to his squad.
    • “Appointing Nancy with little or no fanfare—almost as if they were embarrassed...the early indications are that he doesn’t quite know what he’s got himself into.” (Robin Cowan, 57:23)

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Barry Glendenning on Sunderland’s Derby Joy:
  “Football is brutal. Perhaps he can start a support group with Jerson Mosquera.” [01:17]

• Robin Cowan on Sunderland’s Festive Atmosphere:
  “I went to the pub to watch Fulham-Burnley, because that’s how I roll...it was quite the experience.” [02:31]

• Max Rushden on Voltimada’s Own Goal:
  “That goal will be remembered forever. He won’t be able to escape it while living in the Northeast.” [07:07]

• Nada Manua on Wolves’ Heartbreak:
  “They think they’ve got a point...the manner of the defeat was absolutely heartbreaking...they scored all the goals. Every single goal.” [14:34]

• Robin Cowan on Arsenal’s Performance:
  “They got very lucky and, you know, take it, forget about it, put that performance behind you and move on.” [16:58]

• Nada Manua on Salah’s Treatment:
  “Slot has played this absolutely, brilliantly, perfectly...he said kind of the bare minimum and he’s not added fuel to the fire.” [19:41]

• Max Rushden on Chelsea’s Maresca:
  “I quite like the idea of managers in press conferences going, ‘I’m going to say something now which will make sense in some time’ and then carrying on.” [50:39]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Sunderland vs Newcastle, Own Goal Fallout: [02:21–13:20]
• Wolves Heartbreak, Arsenal’s Lucky Escape: [13:20–19:00]
• Mo Salah’s Return & Liverpool: [19:00–26:06]
• Aston Villa Title Discussion: [27:33–33:05]
• Man City Clinical, Press Room Banter: [33:54–36:14]
• Spurs Collapse at Nottingham Forest: [37:46–43:54]
• Chelsea’s Cryptic Manager: [47:00–50:49]
• Scottish League Cup and Celtic's Crisis: [54:34–58:48]

Tone and Style

True to Football Weekly’s signature, this is a mixture of irreverent humour, deep football knowledge, and on-the-nose punditry. There’s empathy for supporters (and unlucky players), a clear sense of fun among the panel, and willingness both to praise and poke fun.

Conclusion

A classic Football Weekly episode blending passionate footballing insight, witty banter, and memorable moments—from Sunderland’s “meme-worthy” derby own goal to the soap opera around Mo Salah. The panel covers the highs and lows of the Premier League and beyond, with plenty for football obsessives to chew on, and memorable anecdotes that bring the weekend’s action vividly to life.

For Further Listening:
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