The Rest Is Football

Episode: Derby Delight For Sunderland, City Are Back & Maresca Vs The Owners

Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

Episode Overview

This lively episode features Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards dissecting a thrilling Premier League weekend. From Sunderland’s derby upset and City’s resurgence, to deep dives into Arsenal’s resilience and Chelsea’s ownership dynamics, the trio blends sharp insight with locker-room banter. Beyond tactical analysis, expect frank opinions, passionate rants, and classic football nostalgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Match of the Day Mayhem

[03:11 – 04:45]

• Alan relives the chaos of a running order shakeup on Match of the Day after a flurry of late Arsenal goals, scrambling with Danny Murphy to adjust their post-match analysis.
• Shearer jokes: “It was bonkers… scrambling around to get some analysis.” (04:02, Alan Shearer)

Hair Banter and Personalities

[05:08 – 05:38]

• Micah brings classic humor, discussing his hair and the staples of on-air camaraderie: “Energized, I feel great!” (05:11, Micah Richards)
• Friendly teasing about growing his hair out and youthful looks.

Main Segment Breakdown

1. Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle: Derby Delight (and Alan's Despair)

[05:38 – 14:29]

• Alan’s Furious Reaction:
  Alan doesn’t hold back on his beloved Newcastle’s performance:

  "Newcastle were dreadful. They were rotten and I was really shocked at how bad they were… pathetic in any game, let alone in a derby." (05:56, Alan Shearer)

• Team Selection Criticism:
  Shearer and Micah dissect Eddie Howe’s surprising lineup choices, particularly singling out Alanga starting ahead of Murphy.

  “Alanga has been poor at Newcastle… to put him in the biggest pressurized situation… ahead of Murphy. I thought that backfired.” (10:40, Alan Shearer)

• Newcastle’s Tactical & Attitude Failure:
  • Alan: “There was no desire. There was no energy. There was nothing.” (06:54, Alan Shearer)
  • Issues with Voltamarake not fitting the high press style, leading to Newcastle lacking intensity and aggression.
• Credit to Sunderland:
  • Sunderland recognized as fully deserving—well-organized, energetic, and supported by a raucous home crowd.
  • Micah: “That place is like a fortress. Every tackle was cheered by the fans… tactics went out the window, it was just about who wanted it more.” (08:11, Micah Richards)
• Player Quotes:
  Gary reads out Bruno Guimaraes’ honest interview, echoing Alan’s frustration:

  “I’m so embarrassed… there was no crossing, no passing, and no shooting… the fans expect and deserve better.” (11:04, Gary Lineker / quoting Bruno Guimaraes)

• Sunderland’s Survival & Regijs Labris:
  • Praise for manager and squad unity:
    • “Granite Jacket has been amazing to bring all those players in… to then get them to understand what it means to play for that football club.” (14:03, Alan Shearer)

2. Are City Back? Haaland & Foden Shine

[14:29 – 21:41]

• City's Resurgence:
  • Micah: “Of course they’re back. Haaland…what he’s doing is ridiculous.” (14:50, Micah Richards)
  • Pep Guardiola’s men show clinical finishing and regain form.
• Haaland’s Center-Forward Masterclass:
  • Gary details Haaland’s textbook headed goal, educating on classic striker technique:

    “If there’s a lesson for young centre-forwards… head it where it comes from.” (16:13, Gary Lineker)

  • Alan: “He’s a freak, in the nicest possible way… a goal scoring freak.” (21:06, Alan Shearer)
• Foden’s Form:
  • Micah (with enthusiasm): “Phil Foden. Back on form. Phil fucking Foden. He’s back!” (15:33, Micah Richards)
• Crossing Back in Vogue:
  • Alan: “Crossing is officially back… it won Sunderland the game today, Arsenal yesterday, City today.” (17:07 & 17:29, Alan Shearer)

3. Arsenal Find a Late Winner: Resilience or Over-Reliant on Saka?

[21:46 – 27:39]

• Crucial Win for Arsenal:
  • Gary highlights the importance of Arsenal’s late winner to maintain pressure atop the table, after a nervy outing against Wolves.
  • Alan: “Arsenal were poor… but somehow found a way.” (25:02, Alan Shearer)
• Team Structure & Saka Reliance:
  • Micah: “They need a little bit more imagination… you can’t keep relying on Saka to dig something out.” (26:44, Micah Richards)
  • Discussion on Arsenal’s overuse of the right-flank, crossing, and Saka's ambidextrous threat.
  • Alan: “He’s a dream for a forward… be a dream to play with.” (27:37, Alan Shearer)

4. Fantasy Football Lament, Villa Praise, and West Ham Shoutouts

[22:12 – 24:38]

• Micah laments fantasy football mishaps, benching Morgan Rogers who bags a brace for West Ham.
• Praise for Villa’s resilience and comeback ability; Bowen and Rogers highlighted as underappreciated English talents.

5. Spurs, Forest, and Goalkeeping Errors

[30:50 – 34:38]

• Forest 3-0 Spurs:
  • Gary surprised by Forest’s comprehensive win; Hudson-Odoi shines.
  • Micah fumes at Spurs GK Vicario’s error leading to a Forest goal:

    “Just get rid of the ball. You’re not going to gain anything from playing there… I just thought it was ridiculous.” (32:09, Micah Richards)

6. Managerial Pressure & Ownership Issues: Maresca’s Cryptic Press Conference

[34:03 – 48:36]

• Chelsea's Performance & Maresca’s Discontent:
  • Discussion on Maresca's “cryptic” post-match comments, suggesting tension with Chelsea’s owners:

    “He said it’s not about the fans… So for me…he’s on about the owners, as if he’s not getting enough protection.” (45:33, Alan Shearer)

  • Alan and Gary agree Chelsea’s expectations should be tempered; Maresca’s output, given the young squad, merits praise:

    “Two trophies, top four… I think that’s where Chelsea are at this moment in time.” (47:52, Alan Shearer)

  • “Taking on owners is a dangerous…” (48:36, Gary Lineker)

7. Liverpool: Salah’s Situation and Ekitike’s Emergence

[36:36 – 44:35]

• Salah’s Return and Legacy:
  • Gary is pleased with how Slot managed the Salah spat:

    “I think it was really well handled…you don't want his legacy tainted at Liverpool.” (37:41, Gary Lineker)

• Ekitike’s Arrival:
  • All three hosts marvel at Ekitike’s impact, questioning links and planning behind his and Isak’s transfers.
  • Alan: “He’s got a spark and an arrogance… a huge talent definitely.” (43:19, Alan Shearer)
  • Micah: “When you’ve got the fans on side… it just gives you that confidence.” (44:07, Micah Richards)

8. Shoutouts & Special Mentions

[48:46 – 53:59]

• Harry Wilson:
  • Praised for technical ability and creative influence for Burnley, Gary and Alan laud his consistency:

    “I must say he’s a technician. He really is… silky little left foot.” (49:07, Gary Lineker)

• Leicester & Abdul Fatahu Goal:
  • Gary exults over Abdul Fatahu’s long-range, Puskas-worthy goal (“He megged him. He definitely megged him.” (51:44, Gary Lineker))
  • Micah humorously wishes the ball had gone direct in (“I would have loved to see it go straight in the net…” (52:01, Micah Richards))
• Harry Kane's Stats in Germany:
  • Gary’s jaw drops at Kane’s stat line: “10 hat tricks in 76 games” compared to Lewandowski’s 324 at Bayern:

    “Quite something, isn’t it?” (53:40, Gary Lineker)

Notable Quotes

• Alan Shearer, on the derby loss:
  “That is pathetic in any game, let alone in a derby game.” (05:56)

• Micah Richards, on Sunderland's win:
  “It was just about who wanted it more.” (08:11)

• Gary Lineker, on Haaland’s headed goal:
  “If there’s a lesson… head it where it comes from. That was an absolute masterclass.” (16:13)

• Micah Richards, on Phil Foden:
  “Phil fucking Foden. He’s back.” (15:33)

• Alan Shearer, on Ekitike:
  “He’s got a spark and an arrogance. A good arrogance… a huge talent definitely.” (43:19)

Memorable Moments and Fun

• Shearer’s passionate, expletive-tinged rant about Newcastle’s lack of fight after the derby (multiple moments through [05:38 – 14:29])
• Banter about watching old Shearer highlights (“I couldn’t sleep at night and I started watching videos of me.” (19:49, Alan Shearer))
• Fantasy football drama with Micah, his transfer regrets, and lighthearted competition.

Thematic Threads

• Energy & Passion: Alan’s intense Newcastle disappointment, balanced by respect for Sunderland’s unity and the magic of derby day.
• Football Trends: The panel anoint “crossing” as the season’s resurgent art, giving old-school strikers and wingers a nod.
• Tactical Evolution vs. Emotional Reality: The hosts tackle the modern game’s challenges—managerial pressure, player adaptation, fan expectations—with seasoned perspective and playfulness.
• Youth Movement: Throughout, the trio celebrate emerging talents (Foden, Bowen, Saka, Fatahu, Ekitike) and the importance of building teams with spirit and skill.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:56] – Alan’s ‘pathetic’ verdict on Newcastle’s derby flop
• [08:11] – Micah hails Sunderland’s fortress
• [11:04] – Gary reads Bruno Guimaraes’ scathing interview
• [15:33] – Micah on Foden: “Phil fucking Foden. He’s back”
• [16:13] – Gary explains textbook centre-forward heading
• [17:07] – Alan: “Crossing is officially back.”
• [21:06] – Alan on Haaland: “He’s a freak… a goal-scoring freak.”
• [27:37] – Alan: “He’s a dream for a forward… be a dream to play with.”
• [32:09] – Micah lambasts Vicario’s Spurs error
• [45:33] – Maresca’s cryptic comments and Chelsea’s owners
• [49:07] – Gary on Harry Wilson’s technique
• [51:43] – Gary & Micah geek out over Fatahu’s Puskas contender
• [53:39] – Gary on Kane’s astonishing hat trick feats

Final Thoughts

The episode delivers classic “Rest is Football” vibes: passionate, irreverent, and utterly football-obsessed. Alan wears his heart on his sleeve, Gary mediates with good-humored insight, and Micah brings the youthful energy and fantasy football drama. Whether you missed the latest matches or crave deeper analysis and laughs, this episode captures the thrills and frustrations of the Premier League—and the people who love it.