The Rest Is Football – Episode Summary

Date: January 19, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

Overview

In this lively episode, Gary Lineker (reporting from Morocco), Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards break down a dramatic weekend in Premier League football. The Manchester Derby takes center stage as Manchester United stun a lackluster Manchester City. The trio discuss missed opportunities for Arsenal, Brentford’s woes, frustration at Spurs under Thomas Frank, and the turbulence at Crystal Palace with Oliver Glasner feeling abandoned. The episode is filled with sharp tactical insights, witty banter, and heartfelt commentary—offering fans an essential catch-up on the week’s biggest football stories.

Key Discussion Points

1. Manchester Derby: United Stun City

(02:15 – 13:18)

• United's Dominance and Energy
  • Alan: “I thought Man United were absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The energy, the way they just went out and did exactly what the manager wanted… They created chances. They made Man City look very average.” (04:15)
  • Praise for the tactical shift, especially Mainoo’s return to midfield and Fernandes playing further forward.
• VAR Controversy
  • Alan complains about Dalot not being sent off: “That is a terrible challenge… endangering an opponent, which means a red card. And for [VAR] to sit there and think, no, that was okay, it was just a yellow… honestly.” (04:21)
  • Gary tempers: "In normal time it didn't look anything..." (04:12)
• Tactical Nuances
  • Micah focuses on City’s vulnerability to counters and poor midfield balance: “You had a three on two at Old Trafford where Man United want to play the counter… I was so stressed out about the situation.” (06:52)
  • Critique of City’s setup: Foden taken off at HT, Haaland subbed off late, young defenders exposed.
  • Alan: “There’s an argument that every single Man United player could have been given man of the match.” (11:40)
• Atmosphere and New Manager Effect
  • Micah: "The atmosphere at the stadium was... brilliant. You could feel something special." (12:00)
• Future Implications
  • Gary jokes: “Win that, Carrick at the wheel, give him a five year contract… It is a strange obsession Manchester United have with ex-players.” (13:01)

2. Arsenal Frustrated at Forest, Title Race Analysis

(13:24 – 18:18)

• Arsenal Miss Opportunity
  • Alan: “They had two or three really big chances but didn’t really take them. I thought Forest in the end deserved a point.” (14:07)
• Strikers Under Scrutiny
  • Micah analyzes Jocherez’s declining confidence: “If a defender in that situation… I can get back because he’s got no confidence and his touch is not going to be right. He needs a couple of games out.” (16:40)
• Goalkeeping Highlights
  • Micah praises "Cell’s save from Saka’s header—brilliant." (18:06)
• Penalty Controversies & Manager Interviews
  • Alan: “What did you think about the penalty decisions…?” (18:24)
  • Micah comments on Sean Dyche’s “very prickly” post-match interview. (18:46)
• Arsenal’s Defensive Solidity
  • Gary: “I think that... will be enough... this season, where no one else really is performing brilliantly.” (16:09)

3. Brentford, Chelsea, and Tactical Sidenotes

(19:35 – 22:34)

• Brentford’s Missed Chances
  • Alan: “Brentford opened them up. There were really big, big chances…”
• Chelsea’s Openness
  • Alan: “They got the victory… but if Brentford had taken their chances, it might have been a different story.” (19:42)
• Rosenior and Managerial Quirks
  • Gary enjoys “some of [Rosenior’s] slightly David Brent moments… talking about managing—man and age; we are aging men.” (21:01)

4. Spurs Struggles Under Thomas Frank

(23:13 – 26:47)

• Frank’s Difficulties
  • Micah: “It’s hurting me seeing what’s going on there… they’re like nervous wrecks, the lot of them.” (23:27)
• Lack of Identity
  • Alan: “I don’t see a pattern. I don’t see what they’re trying to do. Are they a sitting team? A repressing team? I don’t know.” (24:20)
• Managerial Hot Seat
  • Micah worries: “[If] he was to get sacked… now bigger teams are looking at him saying he can’t do it at that level.” (25:56)
  • Gary: “It’s a mad, mad world, manager. You know what you get into and if it doesn’t happen, you’re in trouble.” (26:40)

5. West Ham & Callum Wilson’s Odd Situation

(26:48 – 27:53)

• Alan: “West Ham… there was no effort [at Wolves]. But yesterday… at least they showed a better attitude yesterday.”
• Surreal scenario of Wilson, contract possibly terminated, scoring the winner.

6. Palace Turmoil: Glasner’s "Abandonment" and Club Model

(27:53 – 31:49)

• Management Crisis
  • Gary: “Oliver Glasner had something of a rant… said he thinks they’ve been deserted, basically.” (27:53)
  • Alan: “Once you come out and start criticizing your bosses in public, you’re on a sticky wicket… I said it on Match of the Day that it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s not in charge for the next game.” (28:40)
  • Breaking News: Palace won’t sack Glasner yet—clear-the-air talks planned. (29:09)
• Club Operation Challenges
  • Alan: “[Palace] have to buy smart and sell big, don’t they? That’s their model.”
  • Micah: “What worries me for Palace, remember when Wigan won the FA Cup then got relegated? If you’re going to break up this whole team, next season could be a real struggle.” (31:49)
  • Gary: “It gives and it taketh away.” (31:49)

7. Around the Grounds: Sunderland, Liverpool, and More

(31:53 – 37:03)

• Sunderland’s Home Fortitude
  • Alan’s missed Match of the Day Sunderland analysis recounted for comic effect. (32:08)
• Burnley Hold Liverpool: Fans Discontent
  • Gary: “I think their main gripe… the pace of play. They’ve gone from Klopp’s dynamic football… all a little bit pedestrian.” (35:13)
  • Alan: "They look very leggy in midfield… there’s no protection for that back four. They’re way off it.” (36:07)
• Return of Salah
  • Micah: “Salah’s got to start, without doubt… he’ll come back hungry.” (36:17)

Second Half: Weekend's Other Highlights

(40:06 – 52:56)

8. Everton Upset at Aston Villa

• Dyche Masterclass
  • Alan: “That performance from Everton was a David Moyes masterclass. Wasn’t it?” (42:00)
  • Micah: “Everton are really good at defending the middle of the pitch… Always going to be one of them, if you get a chance, you got to take it.” (41:06)
• Garner Praised
  • Alan: “Garner in midfield, he was brilliant.” (41:31)

9. Villa's Striker Situation

• Discussion on letting Marlon go before replacements are signed, talk of Tammy Abraham and Oliver Watkins' need for competition. (43:11–43:45)

10. Arsenal's Title Favour – Villa Loss Implications

• Both see a crucial point gained for Arsenal, Micah: “Man City are not the Man City of a couple of seasons ago.” (44:40)

11. Newcastle's Away Day Blues & Recruitment Woes

• Alan: “My, their recruitment hasn’t worked as yet... Volta Mardi, not seen the best of him… Visser, Elanga, really struggling for form and confidence…” (45:33–47:58)
• Lack of cutting edge, substitutions too similar, away form poor.
• Alan: “Unless that improves… and unless they find a way to get the best out of [the new signings]...” (47:58)
• Micah: “Walter Marder’s only scored three in 14 games… is it him adapting to the team or the team adapting to him?” (49:53)

12. Wolves Cling to Survival Hopes

• Both think it's too late for a great escape, but acknowledge recent improvements. (51:40–52:24)

Notable Quotes

• Alan Shearer on United:
  “I thought Man United were absolutely outstanding from start to finish. The energy…” (04:15)
• Micah Richards on City:
  “You’ve got a three on two at Old Trafford where Man United want to play the counter… I was so stressed out about the situation.” (06:52)
• Gary Lineker on Arsenal’s defense:
  “They don’t concede many. I think that’s why they’ll win it.” (16:09)
• Micah Richards on Thomas Frank:
  “It’s hurting me seeing what’s going on there… a man of his ability tactically would have them playing in some sort of way.” (23:27)
• Alan Shearer on Crystal Palace:
  “Once you come out and start criticizing your bosses… you’re on a sticky wicket.” (28:40)
• Gary Lineker on Liverpool:
  “They’ve gone from Klopp’s dynamic football… all a little bit pedestrian.” (35:13)
• Micah Richards on Salah:
  “Salah’s got to start, without doubt. He’ll come back hungry.” (36:17)

Memorable Moments

• Micah’s frustration with City tactics—high comedy and genuine analysis. (06:52 – 10:29)
• Alan’s missed Sunderland analysis—recurring running joke. (32:08 – 34:01)
• Micah’s emotional reflection on Thomas Frank’s struggles at Spurs. (23:27 – 25:56)
• Gary’s amusement at managerial “man-age” terminology. (21:01)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Man United vs Man City: 02:15 – 13:18
• Arsenal vs Forest/Title Race: 13:24 – 18:18
• Chelsea & Brentford: 19:35 – 22:34
• Spurs & Thomas Frank: 23:13 – 26:47
• Palace & Glasner: 27:53 – 31:49
• Around the Grounds (Sunderland, Liverpool): 31:53 – 37:03
• Everton Upset Villa: 40:06 – 43:06
• Villa’s Striker Situation: 43:11 – 44:12
• Newcastle’s Away Struggles: 45:33 – 51:35
• Wolves' Survival Hopes: 51:35 – 52:24

Closing Note

This episode is rich in nuanced tactical discussion, robust opinions, and entertaining banter—making it a must-listen for any football fan seeking insight and laughter from some of the game’s most experienced voices.