United Crash Out, Semenyo’s Dream Debut & The Biggest Upset In FA Cup History?

Summary

The Rest Is Football

Episode: United Crash Out, Semenyo’s Dream Debut & The Biggest Upset In FA Cup History?
Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into an explosive FA Cup weekend filled with dramatic upsets, emotional moments, and big headlines. The trio of Lineker, Shearer, and Richards deliver their unique blend of punditry and banter as they discuss Macclesfield’s huge shock over Crystal Palace, Manchester United’s continued struggles, Tottenham’s frustration, Semenyo’s dream debut for Manchester City, and more. With personal stories, sharp analysis, and trademark laughs, this is a must-listen for any football fan.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Macclesfield’s Historic FA Cup Upset Over Crystal Palace

[03:37–13:39]

• The Fairytale Result:

  • Macclesfield, a team six leagues below Crystal Palace, defeats last year’s FA Cup holders—a feat likened to Greece winning the Euros in 2004.
  • “It’s like Macclesfield beating Crystal Palace in the FA Cup...unbelievable.” – Micah Richards [03:37]

• Game Analysis:

  • Palace didn’t have a particularly bad game, but Macclesfield played with aggression and composure—especially in defense and on set pieces.
  • Paul Dawson’s opening goal was described as a “perfect connection.” – Alan Shearer [04:51]
  • The victory was deeply emotional, coming just a month after the tragic passing of Macclesfield player Ethan McLeod.

• The Magic of the Cup:

  • The panel reflect on why the FA Cup remains so special and how moments like this create lifelong memories for players and towns.
  • "This is what the FA Cup's all about." – Gary Lineker [06:18]

• Wayne Rooney’s Brother on the Sideline:

  • Light-hearted commentary on Wayne Rooney’s brother working at Macclesfield and Wayne’s dignified presence.

• Memorable Quote:

  • "It's a moment that in 50 years it'll still be talked about: the day Macclesfield beat the holders of the FA Cup in the third round." – Micah Richards [09:15]

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2. FA Cup Memories: Personal Stories

[09:32–12:39]

• Gary Lineker recounts playing in two FA Cup finals (including the all-Merseyside final) and describes winning the trophy with Spurs.
  • “I played in two FA Cup finals...it was magical, especially when I grew up, that was the thing to win." – Gary Lineker [09:50]
• He vividly recalls moments with Terry Venables and Brian Clough at the old Wembley, and the bittersweet day when Paul Gascoigne was injured.

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3. Tottenham v Aston Villa: Spurs Struggles Persist

[13:35–18:46]

• Game Recap:

  • Villa continue their strong run with a convincing win over a lackluster Spurs.
  • Spurs’ fans are growing restless; Micah notes boos at half-time and a tense atmosphere.
  • Villa’s defense and team spirit stood out, with Spurs only showing fight after falling behind.

• Injury List and Recruitment Issues:

  • Missing key players (Kulusevski, Madison, Solanke, Kudus) leaves Spurs looking toothless.
  • “Even with 200 million pounds of forwards on the pitch, Spurs lacked cutting edge and confidence.” – Alan Shearer [16:44]

• Stat Highlight:

  • Spurs have lost 37 games in all competitions since the start of last season—a worrying trend. [19:01]

• Romero’s Frustration:

  • Discussion about unhappy players, hints at promises made regarding transfers.

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4. Semenyo’s Dream Debut for Manchester City

[20:09–22:26]

• Impactful Start:
  • Semenyo scores and assists on his debut, drawing comparisons to Sergio Aguero’s iconic first game.
  • “He's the first at Manchester City to score and assist on his debut since Aguero.” – Gary Lineker [21:43]
• Praise for Composure and Professionalism:
  • Both the player and Bournemouth receive applause for how they handled the transfer.
  • “[Semenyo] has the respect of the football world for how he handled his move.” – Micah Richards [20:44]
• City’s Dominance:
  • City score ten without a goal from Haaland; Rodri’s return also highlighted.

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5. Manchester United Crash Out of the FA Cup

[25:07–29:16]

• A Season in Decline:

  • United’s early exits from all cups mean just 40 games this season—their fewest since 1914–15.
  • “They will only play 40 games… the fewest since 1914-15. Over 110 years ago.” – Gary Lineker [25:42]

• Managerial Uncertainty:

  • Disjointed approach, talks with former players (Carrick, Solskjaer) for interim solutions.
  • "How does everyone know they've been spoken to? That tells me there's issues.” – Micah Richards [27:50]

• Squad Critique:

  • “Should be good enough, but it isn’t...” – Alan Shearer on United’s lineup [27:16]

• Fans' Patience:

  • Lineker notes Old Trafford’s crowd rarely turns fully against the team; frustration is mounting.

• Darren Fletcher’s Twin Sons:

  • Anecdote about Fletcher’s twins being both English and Scottish-registered.

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6. Newcastle’s Dramatic Win

[29:26–31:03]

• Newcastle triumphs in a penalty shootout, with Alan Shearer's delight noted by the others.
• Harvey Barnes’ form receives special mention, with speculation about international futures (Scotland vs England).

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7. Chelsea and Liam Rosenior’s Promising Start

[31:03–34:43]

• Early praise for new manager Liam Rosenior’s confidence and presence.
• The panel wonders about Chelsea’s real objectives and the challenges of interference from above.
• “If they give him time, they’re a young side and can get better. But six and a half years is rare in football.” – Gary Lineker [33:38]

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8. Other Notable FA Cup Moments

[34:11–36:44]

• Leicester secure a win, prompting tongue-in-cheek predictions.
• “My fourth team are still in it!” – Alan Shearer jokes after multiple team allegiances [35:42]
• Mental penalty shootouts, particularly Everton-Sunderland.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was like when Greece won the Euros... They play the worst football...Anyway, congratulations.” – Alan Shearer [03:02]
• “He stuck it on, didn't he?” (on Dawson’s goal) – Micah Richards [04:55]
• “It’s a moment that in 50 years it’ll still be talked about. The day Macclesfield beat the holders.” – Micah Richards [09:15]
• “I played in two FA Cup finals...it was magical… that was the thing to win more than anything else.” – Gary Lineker [09:50]
• “They have lost 37 games since the start of last season… that's extraordinary.” – Gary Lineker [19:01]
• “He’s the first at Manchester City to score and assist on his debut since Aguero.” – Gary Lineker [21:43]
• “It doesn't matter how long his contract is—if they want to get rid, they'll get rid.” – Micah Richards on Chelsea [33:57]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• FA Cup Magic: Macclesfield’s Shock — [03:37–13:39]
• Personal FA Cup Memories — [09:32–12:39]
• Tottenham v Aston Villa — [13:35–18:46]
• Spurs’ Woes & Loss Statistics — [18:57–19:05]
• Semenyo’s Dream Man City Debut — [20:09–22:26]
• Manchester United’s Exit and Struggles — [25:07–29:16]
• Newcastle’s Dramatic Win — [29:26–31:03]
• Chelsea & Liam Rosenior Assessment — [31:03–34:43]
• Everton-Sunderland, Leicester, Alan's “Fourth Team” — [34:11–36:44]

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Conclusion

This episode captures the drama, romance, and unpredictability of the FA Cup, while seamlessly blending sharp football analysis and the unique camaraderie of its hosts. Whether you’re interested in giant-killings, club crises, or simply love football stories, this episode is a snapshot of why fans cherish this competition and the sport as a whole.

Transcript

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[Gary Lineker]

Hello and welcome to the rest is football with Alan Shearer, Michael Richards and me, Gary Lineker. It's been an FA cup weekend. It's thrown up well. One of the biggest shocks we've seen in many a year, if not all time. As always, the third round throws up a few beauties. You were both doing the the Tottenham Villa game, weren't you?

[Michael Richardson]

We were, but I mean, first of all, there was another big shock this weekend as well, wasn't there, Mike? Would you want to tell everyone about it? Come on, just.

[Alan Shearer]

No, I'd rather not actually move on. Yes, well, you can't.

[Gary Lineker]

Not now, can you? You've got to say what it is.

[Michael Richardson]

Force yourself to say. Force yourself to say. Well done, Wembley. Rangers on the little game and the ball. That's all you have to say. And we'll move on.

[Alan Shearer]

I can't.

[Gary Lineker]

No.

[Alan Shearer]

Okay. I'll be the bigger person in this. The backstories to it. You know guys how it works and everything. But I bet that they wouldn't finish in the top four. That is Wembley Rangers. They got in the top four and then they had no chance of winning it on paper. You know what it was like? It was like when Greece won the Euros. What was it? 2004. That's why. That's what it was like. And they've only gone on one year. They play the worst football and. Oh, yeah. Anyway, congratulations, Alan. That's all I'll say.

[Michael Richardson]

It's a bit like Macclesfield beating Crystal palace in the epic. What a place to start as well. Thanks, Michael. That's all we needed.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, that is the place to start, I think. I mean, what a story. Incredible.

[Michael Richardson]

Unbelievable. Is it six leagues below? Is it six leagues?

[Gary Lineker]

Something like that? Yeah, six leagues.

[Michael Richardson]

Unbelievable.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Conference North.

[Michael Richardson]

Incredible. And they called us of the FA Cup. Going there and getting humiliated. Unbelievable.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah. I thought they actually played well, though. It wasn't one of those ties where, okay, palace missed loads of chances or whatnot in possession. They look composed. Didn't really have much in the final third. But I thought Macclesfield were absolutely brilliant. You know it's going to be their final so you know they're going to be up for it. But I thought they put some good, decent performances out there in terms of the way they wanted to set up. And there was just so aggressive as soon as palace got into their half that didn't let him breathe one bit. And he. No one set pieces. What an absolute head of that was, you know. You know when. When he sees something and he can picture it happening just before he's about to kick it and take it. And the way he shaped it up. And I forgot the lad's name. You'll. You'll remind me of name who scored the goal.

[Gary Lineker]

Paul Dawson.

[Alan Shearer]

And he's got the tape round his head and his mates just.

[Michael Richardson]

And I was thinking he stuck it on, didn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

What a perfect shot that is.

[Michael Richardson]

Ye.

[Alan Shearer]

He's definitely going to head this. I didn't think he maybe was going to score, but it was like a perfect one to get a connection on it. Really good ball in and then what a finish it was. It was brilliant. But do you know, just to go off topic, a minute take to managers. I didn't know Rooney's brother was there.

[Gary Lineker]

I always told you Rooney would Make a great coach.

[Alan Shearer]

It was weird, right? Wayne Rooney, absolute legend of the game, and then you got his brother and he sort of gone under the radar a little bit. And Wayne probably didn't want to take his shine, which we all know that. But, like, on the sideline, if I was with my brother, I'd be giving him a hug, I'd be asking him, you know, talk. He sort of, like. It was so professional, Wayne. I was like, when you don't need to be professional, just absolutely enjoy it. It was. It was. It was mad to see.

[Gary Lineker]

You could see it was a little bit emotional.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, he was a bit emotional, wasn't he? I mean, for all the big boys leaving. And we get used to it now, don't we? And it's perhaps more understandable than ever, but the stories about the big boys leaving so many players out and not taking it serious, and it's a cliche, is that we all love the FA cup, but when you see all the stories about the big boys and all that, and then this happens, it's just. It is amazing, isn't it? It's a great story.

[Gary Lineker]

I'll give you another cliche. This is what the FA Cup's all about.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, but it is. It is, isn't it? It is. It's for those guys who have played football all their life and watched football all their life to get a chance against the FA cup holders who went to Wembley and beat Man City last year, and then for them to play Crystal palace and beat them live on the television in front of God knows how many people was just brilliant. It's a great, great story.

[Alan Shearer]

Did you see my little. I'll give you a little bit before we was doing our show as well.

[Michael Richardson]

What dick you are. I wasn't even going to mention that. I wasn't even going to give you the satisfaction.

[Gary Lineker]

I actually missed that game because I went to the theater last night.

[Michael Richardson]

For 20 years. I was thinking, I don't have to put up with that about not winning the FA cup before a game on the BBC.

[Gary Lineker]

Is that what it was? I was guessing that's what it was. Well done, Big Meech. Keep that tradition going.

[Michael Richardson]

This prick decides to mention it just before kickoff.

[Alan Shearer]

Yes. I had your back, guys. And the difference was there wasn't. There was two trophies. It was something about the original one. Is that right?

[Michael Richardson]

Why were you not listening? You were in the studio. You were talking about it. You must know what it was about.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, I wasn't talking about it, but I. I see. I basically saw A moment to get a gag on you. While I was, I was waiting for the right timing. So I wasn't listening to them, to what Kelly was saying. I was just listening from or waiting for the right moment to get in there. And I just said the two trophies, I was not one. And the timing was perfection. And the thing is though, I knew he was listening on the gantry because you always listen to our bits, you know, so when you go into your co comps, you look at, oh, I like a bit of that, I'll use a bit of that. And I thought, there you go, there you go. It was a good.

[Michael Richardson]

It was. I just wasn't going to give you this satisfaction, not even mention it. And Danny Murphy text me because I could see my phone flashing just as about. I was about to speak and I could see it flash open. Danny said, did you hear what Micah said? I just totally ignored him.

[Gary Lineker]

He's like too. But it was a brilliant performance and quite poignant as well, wasn't it? Because obviously Ethan McLeod tragically died last month, who was part of that Macclesfield team. So.

[Michael Richardson]

Unbelievable.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, the emotion in the crowd and everything afterwards. I mean, it's something that they'll, they'll never forget. And that's not just the beauty of the FA cup, but also perhaps of football. It's hard to imagine that sort of thing really happening in many sports and I think that's down to the fact that obviously it's, it's not a high scoring sport and if you can get a goal ahead and, or even two in their case, then it always gives you something to cling on to, something to hang on to. But I mean, the first goal we've talked about, the second goal is probably one of the scruffiest goals I've ever seen. But it doesn't matter a jot, does it?

[Michael Richardson]

It's a moment that they'll never ever forget. And it's a moment that in, I don't know, in 50 years time, it'll still be talked about. The day that Macclesfield beat the holders of the FA cup in the, in the third round, it'll be forever. They're gonna, that'll. It's never gonna go away from those boys.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, before we move on, let's actually change this conversation to the guys have actually won it. Gaz, have you got early memories of. Early memories of your FA cup, but I'll go after you.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, I played in two FA cup finals. I played in the first ever. Merseyside All Merseyside Derby and scored the opening goal and then we got beaten 3:1 and that was bloody awful. But then winning it with. With spurs having beaten Arsenal in the semi final I might add, I mean it, it was magical and I mean particularly when you know, I grew up and Alan as well probably that. That was way bigger than the league back then. The FA cup was the thing to win more than anything else. And certainly in terms of the fans perspective and, and it was so special. I mean I missed a penalty in that game and had a perfectly good goal disallowed gave me offside and I wasn't. If Var had been around but I'll come to VR in a second but I think it was just, I mean it was. It's just such a brilliant thing to win.

[Michael Richardson]

Right, we'll move on now. We don't want to hear about yours.

[Alan Shearer]

We're not moving on because I want to, I want to ask as though was you, you've always said that he wasn't nervous, you wasn't nervous. So I'm guessing you played just for the, the, the viewers and the listeners. Was that the old Wembley, the FA.

[Gary Lineker]

Cup finals at the old Wembley? Yeah, it was at the old Wembley and we came down the tunnel and Terry Venables walked out with Brian Clough at the front and Brian Clough held Terry Venables his hand. I think he'd had a few to be stabilized. Walking out onto the pitch and I remember talking to, to Terry, bless him and him saying, you know, you wait time to play an FA cup final. I'm walking out holding hands with the other manager.

[Michael Richardson]

Brilliant.

[Gary Lineker]

But yeah, I mean, no, no, no, I didn't really get nervous. I was more excited. I think when there's a big game there's like a buzz, adrenaline rush. Yeah. Obviously we went behind at halftime. We played really well in the first half. We battered them and, and I missed that penalty and obviously had the goal disallowed. And then you know, I'm thinking, God, this would be disaster losing this and missing a penalty. But thankfully in the second half around Paul Stewart equalized and, and then poor Des Walker actually he was an own goal from him in.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, was it?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, yeah. So it was. What a great day. And the sad thing of that day as well was that Gaza, I mean it was self inflicted obviously but he, he did his cruise ship. We all took the cup to him in hospital. He was in the hospital and we, we did a detour and went to, to visit him.

[Michael Richardson]

Brilliant.

[Gary Lineker]

He was in tears. He was in tears. But, yeah, great, great memories. And these, I mean, you know, victory, but it will still be great memories for these guys and I think particularly for the goal scorers, obviously it makes it very special. Paul Dawson was one, the other. What a fantastic name. Isaac, Buckley, Ricketts.

[Michael Richardson]

Well, those boys are going to be mentioned forever because those goals are never, ever going to be stopped. Being shown every single year. Third round, you can see it coming out. And yeah, those, those boys, every year, they're just. They're going to be mentioned, aren't they? Great for them.

[Alan Shearer]

But look at this. I don't know if you can see that, guys, but that's all. And on the gantry, basically, I've got either the TV of us in the studio, just look at the word ugly. That's what Alan sent us. Before we're about to go on work, before we're about to go on there. You can't write it. It's brilliant.

[Gary Lineker]

He did write it.

[Michael Richardson]

I was just, you know, in those five or ten minutes just before where you. You come to me, I was just bored looking and listening to you lot, so I thought I'd take a snapshot and send it to you.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, brilliant.

[Alan Shearer]

I loved it.

[Michael Richardson]

I was.

[Alan Shearer]

Chocolate.

[Gary Lineker]

Fantastic stuff elsewhere. You, as you said, you're both at the Tottenham Villa game. You know, Villa's brilliant run continues, but for spurs, tough times. You know, they've. They're on a really bad run now and the fans are turned against them a little bit. And there was, you know, in mid saw, didn't we, the one or two of the players. Mickey Van de Bend confronting the crowd. Few ugly scenes at the end of this game. Actually, I fear for them a bit at the moment.

[Michael Richardson]

Spurs, they were awful. I mean, the first 10 minutes it was all right, but then after that, and then Villa got the goal and then this thinking they just had no fight or anything about them. They had no. I don't know, no one wanted to get on the ball. Xavi Simmons, who was once in the first half, way, sort of ran up defenders, but other than that, they just were void of ideas. There were Spurs. Aston Villa were brilliant. By far the best team. Spurs booed off. But then, to be fair, spurs did come out, have a right good go players then had a little bit of belief and confidence. Oda Bear got the goal. But then you saw a different side to Aston Villa. They had to defend and I thought they defended really, really well. But yeah, it's not. It's not a happy place in that stadium at the minute. You can Tell. And yeah, it's worrying times for Thomas Frank, unfortunately, if you look at, you.

[Gary Lineker]

Know, the players missing, I mean Kulasevski, Madison, Solanke, Kudas, I mean any team losing probably their form, either creative or most potent goal scorers, I mean, it's going to be difficult. I mean, I know you can't make these excuses these days because they've got big squads and stuff, but that is a big miss for him.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, definitely. And I think there was a really good start that I think spurs have only had like 11 through balls in the final third. Or defense, splitting passes, I think it was. And Morgan Rogers had 14 on his own. Yeah, you know, and you take them four players out the team, obviously Solanke is back now you're going to be void of creating chances. I think the big thing I took from that game is that the players are still playing from the manager because it could have been three and four in the second half. Like Alan said, they stuck to the task. I thought Xavi Simons was. Was excellent. I think that's the best I've seen him in a Spurs, even though he's on the losing side. But he made things happen and it was different. Well, speaking with Danny and Danny Murphy that was. And he was saying like, you know, he thought he'd be a player that could get on the number 10 and play them through balls and all that, but he's a dribbler. He's a winger and someone who can get on the ball on half turn and dribble through and I. That's what he did in the game. I need to see more of that now.

[Michael Richardson]

You know though, Micah, you say that if you add up the cost of the forward line, they had Spurs. I know that. I know one of them's on. On loan. Moani's on loan, isn't he? From psg? Yes, but if you add it up, Xavi Simmons tell Ode Bear Rather, Richarlison or muani. There's over 200 million quids worth of transfer fees that have been paid out.

[Alan Shearer]

You know, it's a fair point. And the players who they've had available have not played to the best of their abilities. And that is a question mark. So do you blame that on. Is that the club for buying the players? Is that the manager not being able to get the best out of them? I think maybe it's a little bit of both. But being there at the ground and the question I wanted to ask you because we was behind a glass at the top in the studio Was it loud boos? They only seemed subtle to us in the studio.

[Michael Richardson]

It was, it was loud. At half time when they were going off, there was a lot of, there's a lot of anger with, with the spurs fans and if you. Actually, I feared for, for them because if Fella had got a third goal early on, then it would, it would have turned really toxic. But to be fair, and I mean, I don't know where this was to begin with because the manager's under huge pressure. The players are under huge pressure. You would think that fight and that effort and that all of that, all of that that they were missing in the first would have been in there in the first half. Why. Why does it take to be 2 nil down at half time and then all of a sudden come out and I want to fight and want to scrap?

[Alan Shearer]

I think it's. That's more confidence, you know. So I've been in. You've probably not been in teams that struggle like that. I did, but when I was at Villa it was something like you didn't want to be the person to make the mistake. So you play within yourself and then you go two nil down at half, not half time and it's okay, well, we've got nothing to lose now. We can't, we can't get any worse. So you, you sort of playing within yourself and don't want to be that person to make a mistake. And that's how spurs played in that first half. In the second half it was like, come on, come on, we might as well have a go now. And I totally agree with what you say now. It should do it from the start. But when you're struggling confidence, you've not got that self belief that you can make things happen and that. And that's what spurs are at the moment.

[Michael Richardson]

Tell you what, they're next then I think their next games. West Ham. Next two league games. West Ham, Burnley, if I'm not mistaken. But yeah, next game is. Is West Ham. Wow. What, what a game.

[Gary Lineker]

Do you know how many games they've lost since the start of last season?

[Michael Richardson]

Go on.

[Gary Lineker]

37.

[Michael Richardson]

37 games? Really?

[Gary Lineker]

Wow.

[Alan Shearer]

In all comps or is that it?

[Gary Lineker]

I presume it must be all comps. Yeah, it's all comps. But I mean that's an extraordinary statistic and you know, you've got believable. Obviously they've had the problem issues with Angie Postecoglou and then they've brought in Thomas Frank and it's. It's been largely the same and yeah, they're probably bereft of confidence. They've had a lot of injuries over the last 18 months, more than their fair share. And probably the recruitment's not been quite right. You've seen one or two people speaking out. Romero, of course, in midweek. I sense with Romero because he signed a new contract, didn't he, not that long ago that they might have made him a few promises about players coming in because, you know, for reason to do that sort of rant must be something along those lines, I would imagine. Yeah, it's. It's worrying times for spurs. Not so worrying for, for Manchester City. Who would have thought they'd score 10 goals and Harlem wouldn't get.

[Alan Shearer]

But someone who did get one.

[Gary Lineker]

Semenya straight in goal and assist.

[Alan Shearer]

How good is some menu though, guys? Seriously.

[Gary Lineker]

He was excellent, wasn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

He's just got the finishing touch and that finishing, you know, when he goes through how many times we see wingers and they make the wrong decision at the wrong times and it could be frustrating. But Semenya, he just, he just has it. Even his goal against spurs, wasn't it the last minute, last goal for, for Bournemouth when he got in that position there, you just think he's going to hit the target. He, he's. His composure in the final third is just brilliant.

[Michael Richardson]

I think he's got the respect of the whole football and world because of how he, how he handled his move and what he, what he did or what he didn't do so well.

[Gary Lineker]

It was absolute example, wasn't it?

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

And the club as well. I would say Bournemouth and their supporters, they showed how it, you know, should be. I know clubs like Bournemouth and the same would apply to my team, Leicester. You know, when a player really raises himself above that particular level of football club, you know, we've had it in recent years with, with the likes of obviously Mahrez and Kante and I think you sort of half expect them to go and play for, for bigger football clubs. Even though obviously Leicester did happened after they'd won the league and, and subsequently the FA Cup. But, but I think the way the whole thing was handled was it was. It was refreshing.

[Michael Richardson]

Absolutely. Wherever he goes around the country and playing at whatever ground, he'll have the respect of the football and fans because of how he handled that situation, which was superb.

[Gary Lineker]

He's the first player at Manchester City to score an assist on his debut since Micah.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, that's Aguero.

[Gary Lineker]

Correct. Sergio Agueroni was all right. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

And his Assist wasn't really a great assistant. He just flicked it back over there. Yeah, yeah, but he'll take it. He's got two on his debut and his.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. And actually a quick reminder on our new series that comes out every Wednesday with one of the players we're focusing on is actually Sergio Aguero and that's out in a couple of weeks, I believe. So good memories for micro on that particular one. I mean, it wasn't obviously City's biggest test. I felt. I felt a bit for extra because. No, I mean, double figures is. Is. Is a bit humiliating.

[Michael Richardson]

Did we do the game last year, Michael, where they played Salford? Did they get seven or eight against Salford last year in the third round?

[Gary Lineker]

Was it.

[Michael Richardson]

I think as well. Was it.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, six or seven. I remember. Yeah, you're right.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, I remember. I think we did that game at. At City as well. Yeah. So, yeah, they come to Newcastle on Tuesday night and the semi final of the Carabao, so. And Newcastle. Are we doing that game? You're doing it.

[Alan Shearer]

I'll be doing that game.

[Michael Richardson]

Yes, I'll be there. Come up and say hello. We'll have a drink waiting for you.

[Alan Shearer]

I don't drink.

[Gary Lineker]

He's off the pot. Yeah, he's off. He's off. Rodri's goal was tasty. Good to see him back playing again, actually. Rodri, because he's been out almost, you know, on and off the last few months, but by and large for a year and a half. And it's great to see him back playing again. Let's hope he stays fit because he's such a great footballer to watch.

[Alan Shearer]

We've talked about him so much, haven't we? Although I have to give a little shout out to Nico Gonzalez because I actually think he's been doing really well in the absence of Rodri. But Rodri's back now and I'd like to see him in midfield together actually, because he's just. Yeah, he's. He's such a good player to watch. Intelligent player and, you know, for someone like that to get the Ballon d', or, it normally wouldn't go to someone like that. So it just shows you how good he is.

[Gary Lineker]

Certainly does. Okay, let's take a break there and when we come back, we'll talk about some of the other games, including your mobile.

[Michael Richardson]

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[Michael Richardson]

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[Gary Lineker]

Welcome back to the Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Michael Richardson, meet Gary Lineker. Talking FA Cup, I suppose the big story of today, we're recording this on Sunday evening after all the games was Manchester United losing again. And, I mean, they are going through a really tough time this season. They will only play 40 games because they've gone out in the third, you know, the early rounds of both the Carabao cup and the FA Cup. They're not playing European football. They'll only play 40 games this season, which is the fewest that they've played since 1914. 15 season over 110 years ago.

[Michael Richardson]

It turns out it wasn't five at the back was the problem then, eh?

[Alan Shearer]

Did they play a four at the back? Obviously I was. I was working today, so I didn't see it. They played a four at the back, did they?

[Michael Richardson]

Terrible. Was it. It was Grimsby, wasn't it? Was it Grimsby that beat them in the Caribou something? I think it was Grimsby, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Penalty shootout.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, they were. They weren't very good today. Yeah. Tough, tough, tough times. Brighton were the better team. Danny Welbeck, like a goal, an assist.

[Gary Lineker]

Yep.

[Michael Richardson]

So, yeah, they just. They are what? They aren't. They just. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

What was the atmosphere? What was it? Was the atmosphere good?

[Gary Lineker]

Obviously still a big crowd there. You know, there's a lot. You know, it sounded pretty good. Obviously, they're getting a bit frustrated, but I think at Old Trafford, they generally do back their team.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Turn on them too much. I think they're pretty good like that. Obviously they've got problems. I mean, look, you. Squad depth as well is not. Is not really there, but there was no lack of effort There. There's no. You could see that. And actually in the. In the first half they didn't. They didn't play too badly. They had one or two opportunities. It was their final ball really, that. That they missed one or two opportunities. But also the crossing wasn't quite right.

[Michael Richardson]

It's just not very good.

[Gary Lineker]

No, I think that's it. I just. At the moment.

[Michael Richardson]

No, just. I don't like you laughing there, but that is. That is the truth. They're just not very good. I mean, the whole club, when you look at it, there's so many errors and mistakes and everything else and I mean.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, but I'm looking. I'm looking at here. Not really. They've got Mount Fernandez, Kunya and Sesco. As you're from four. Like it's good enough, isn't it?

[Michael Richardson]

Should be, but it isn't, is it? It's not. It's just not happy. Happy place at the minute. I mean Fletcher's in there at the moment. What does. He had Burnley away and brighten it home and drew one of those. They've spoken to Michael Carrick and to Ollie. Going to Solsha over the weekend, I gather, in terms of the interim maybe till the end of the season. I mean.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean to bring in an interim and then. But how does everyone know.

[Michael Richardson]

How does everyone know that they've been. They've been spoken to these guys and that's their plan. And it's like that. That. That in itself is. Tells me there's. There's issues. Is that. Why is it. Oh, why is everything getting out?

[Alan Shearer]

Everyone's protecting themselves. Even, you know, with Chelsea, when Maresca left, everyone was getting out a statement or this or you'd heard this or whatever was going to come. Everyone just protecting themselves, aren't they?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Michael Richardson]

Anyway, they didn't deserve to go through Brighton, did they? Were. I thought they were the better team. So.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, they were very good on the counter attack as well and could probably have had one. One or two more. It was good to see Kobbie Maino actually start a game. His. His first one since. Since August. It'll take him a while to. I get up to speed because he's played so little football, but that might be of some encouragement. It was obviously not. It's not gone the way that Darren Fletcher would have wanted it to go over his couple of games in charge. Interesting. He had his two twins. His twins were on the bench and. And I was looking because I was. Had a look to see what their bench was like and it's got Fletcher. Fletcher. And I knew there were twins but alongside it one's got a Scottish FL and one's got an English flag. I thought how does that happen?

[Michael Richardson]

Amazing. I know the result went against them but how proud must you be when the boys are.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Michael Richardson]

Involved at a club that size like that. It's amazing.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, absolutely. So we'll keep an eye on Manchester United over the. The coming weeks and sees what happens there. But Brighton go through quite a game of St. James's park again.

[Michael Richardson]

Some unbelievable how. How what's happened to Newcastle over the last like sort of few weeks and how they keep sort of getting on the. On the right side. Yeah. I mean I. I didn't. I'd obviously seen the goals and the penalty shootout and what have you. But because I was getting ready to go on the core comms, it was. I was just following it on my phone or with text messages or whatever or Rich was in my ear telling me Newcastle have scored last minute. Oh no, it's equalizer. It's going to extra time. Then it's gone to penalties and it was like so, yeah, crazy. Ramsdale with a couple of good saves on the penalty shootout and they get. They get through. Amazing.

[Alan Shearer]

The tone in Alan's voice changed when he knew Newcastle had won. It was staggering.

[Gary Lineker]

You do surprise me.

[Alan Shearer]

Really.

[Michael Richardson]

Could you tell?

[Alan Shearer]

I could tell. Straight away I go, I said to Rich, get on Al's voice now.

[Gary Lineker]

Harvey Barnes is brilliant.

[Michael Richardson]

Wow. Yeah. He's having a great time. He's in great form. He really is. I mean his performance, his confidence, superb. But it's really the only interesting talk about him. Perhaps with Steve Clark and perhaps trying to get him to Scotland to go into the World Cup. Bloody hell. If he keeps playing the way he is, he might be an England squad.

[Alan Shearer]

What do you think? What do you think he'll do? He'll probably go Scotland though, because he'd probably play, won't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Oh, he'd definitely play for Scotland, wouldn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

If you go to England, there's loads lined up. Imagine that playing the World Cup. You're out of it. Everyone thinks you're gonna be. And then Scotland come knocking and their fans are terrific, aren't they? So that'd be great.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Especially as now they're in the World Cup. Good chance for him to. To excel. Good start for Liam Racinha, I thought. I think he's handled everything very well so far. I've been impressed with things I've seen on social media with one or two lengthy Interviews that he's given. He's exuded confidence and the difficult thing will be obviously the coaching and when they lose games and stuff like that. But you know, he clearly believes in himself, which is really important. He seems to have a presence which is also really important. When you go into a football club like Chelsea doesn't seem the slightest bit phased by the challenge and yeah, and a cracking start for him as a manager.

[Michael Richardson]

Whether you're young or whatever, it doesn't matter. You've got to go in and hopefully get a good start and obviously bigger tests will he will face. But yeah, good start, great time to score. It was a few minutes before half time I think and a great finish. But yeah, they did everything right, got a good result and again into the next round. So that'll do his team and him the world of good.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, we spoke about Racinia. I don't know if I said on the pod before but I got a bone to pick with Rocinha though because all back when, when I made my debut for England 18 and 19 and I was in the team, he did an interview, I'm gonna find the interview. He said something like, well, I see the, the people that are playing for England now. I don't think I'm that far away suggesting he should be playing ahead of me.

[Michael Richardson]

And I was like, he knows he's got stuff in.

[Alan Shearer]

But as a manager, when I pull him upon, when I'm doing BBC or sky or CBS whatever it may be, I'm gonna ask him about that as well because it's stuck.

[Gary Lineker]

Lose two games micro and you'll get your revenge.

[Alan Shearer]

But putting me, yeah, leaving me to the side, he's done. I, I totally agree with what you're saying guys. I think the only worry, and it's not, it's not a worry is, is what the Chelsea want from him. And if you're happy just being top four and challenging for Europa League or Champions League or whatever, winning maybe a Europa League if they don't get into the Champions League, I, I just want to know what the bigger plan is for Chelsea and if their, their plan is to get top four and challenge for a trophy, I think it will do really well.

[Gary Lineker]

They're a young side, aren't they? They're only going to get better in time if you're given time. He's got a long contract so they're obviously, you know, think good things about him. Was it six and a half year contract or something like that? I'm not sure too many coaches make it to six and a half years. Six and a half months is an achievement nowadays.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah. It doesn't matter how long his contract is because of. If they want to get rid of them, they'll just get rid of my guests and they'll pay him up for 12 months or whatever it may be. I guess so. But I think we all know, Michael, what Chelsea demand.

[Alan Shearer]

Is that the old Chelsea or is it the new Chelsea?

[Michael Richardson]

It's Chelsea now. They have to finish in the top with what they've spent.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, it was always difficult at Chelsea even under Abramovich era, wasn't it? For managers and coaches. I mean.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, we don't get fired, wouldn't it? That's what it was. But now they've not got the. They're not better than Man City, they're not better than Liverpool and they're not better than Arsenal, you know. And Villa. Villa are creeping up there as well. So a realistic target is to challenge for top four.

[Gary Lineker]

My worry for him is obviously the points that Mareska sort of made in terms of the interference about possible selections and who to bring on and that sort of stuff. If you're getting that from above, that is not. That is very, very difficult.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, let's see, let's see. It's one to keep an eye on that one. I hope he can do really well in it because it's great for young English coaches as well, isn't it, that he's been given a chance at a club like that. So I hope you. I hope he does really well.

[Gary Lineker]

Agreed.

[Alan Shearer]

I hope he does really well and I think he will as long as it's a realistic plan.

[Gary Lineker]

Me too. Anything else jump out at you in the. I mean there's lots of great results. Leicester won a game. Blimey. We're going to win it again. It's obvious. Yeah, not too bad. Mental. Penalty shootout. Everton. Sunderland.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, saw the penalty.

[Gary Lineker]

See that? Everton missed all three, didn't he?

[Michael Richardson]

Sunderland roughs again. Yeah, he's had a great start to his career at Sunderland. He has.

[Alan Shearer]

My fourth team are still in it. Match it all together. Yep. Free one at Derby. Lovely joblies. We'll have that.

[Gary Lineker]

Who's won two and three in the order?

[Michael Richardson]

Don't ask him. What is Pier Master first?

[Alan Shearer]

I plead the fifth.

[Gary Lineker]

What's your 15? I want you one, two and three. Not your fifth. I think it's been a cracking third round. Brilliant. The draw is well today. If you listen to this on Monday. I think it's before this evening's Liverpool's game, so we'll keep an eye out on the draw, but let's call it day there. We'll be back tomorrow with La Liga, where we'll be covering the Super Cup Final, which is happening right now. And would you believe that that Barcelona have just gone 32 ahead? It's about 15 minutes to go in that game. A second goal for Rafinha. What? You going? Okay, sorry. A second goal for Rafinha.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Okay. And our next episode of Premier League greats, the Moments that Made Them is back on Wednesday, and it's with a certain David Beckham. Or should I say Sir David Beckham? But for now, goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from me.

[Michael Richardson]

Goodbye from me.

[Gary Lineker]

Have a great week, everyone.

[Michael Richardson]

Hablas espanol? Spiest du dzoits?

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