Villa’s Incredible Run Continues, Man City Pile On The Points Not Kilos & Brentford Defying The Odds

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Villa’s Incredible Run Continues, Man City Pile On The Points Not Kilos & Brentford Defying The Odds"

Podcast: The Rest Is Football
Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Episode Overview

In this lively post-Christmas episode, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards break down a dramatic festive set of Premier League fixtures. They begin with Aston Villa’s record-equalling run after overcoming Chelsea, explore Manchester City’s relentless title pursuit, and marvel at Brentford’s resilience. The trio also dig into Newcastle’s attacking woes, Manchester United’s tactical adjustments, and the ongoing ups and downs for clubs like Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Wolves. Aside from the on-field analysis, the hosts swap dressing-room stories, fantasy football grievances, and festive banter, blending deep insight with trademark banter and chemistry.

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Festive Banter & Christmas Recap

• [02:16-04:48]
  The show begins with lighthearted tales from Christmas:
  • Micah unexpectedly enjoyed his Christmas, recounting:

    “I absolutely loved Christmas Day... normally I'm a grinch... dinner was fantastic. The quizzes were brilliant. The energy was... magnificent.” (02:29)

  • Micah admits to eating 30 pigs in blankets, setting a personal goal for next year:

    “I'm going for 50 next year.” (03:36)

  • Gary hosted a quiz and dance competition at home, joking about his competitive spirit with his family.

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Aston Villa’s Remarkable Run

Key Points

• [04:48-12:14]
• Villa equaled a club record (from 1914) with 11 consecutive wins following a comeback against Chelsea.
• Alan: Praises Unai Emery’s game-changing subs:

  “Ollie Watkins won the game for them. They just couldn't handle his running... what a run.” (05:20)

• Micah asks about the mindset for strikers left out, referencing Watkins playing with renewed “fire in his belly.”
• The hosts dissect Emery’s rotation and tactical decision-making, emphasizing Villa’s persistent attacking style.
• Alan cautions on Villa’s squad depth and sustainability for a title challenge:

  “With the size of the squad they've got and the number of games, it's... difficult to see them sustainable.” (10:18)

• Gary: Highlights Villa’s improved bench and squad fitness as key to their unexpected success.

Memorable Quotes

• Micah on Villa:

  “Up till now, they're just a great watch. I think they're a different watch... the manager’s able to change players and systems to suit them.” (11:25)

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Fantasy Football Frustrations

• [07:32-08:40]
• Gary and Micah debate fantasy points missed due to dubious assist rules:

  “How's that not an assist?” — Gary (07:59) “I've never been so angry in my life.” — Micah (08:16)

• Lighthearted commiseration about bench boost tactics and fantasy luck.

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Can Aston Villa Sustain a Title Charge?

• [09:42-12:14]
• The team doubts Villa’s ability to keep pace over a full season due to squad depth but lauds Emery’s coaching.
• Discussion on belief and pressure mounting if Villa continue their run.
• Micah:

  “Once you start believing, that comes with more pressure... but up till now, they're just a great watch.” (11:25)

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Manchester City: Relentless & Ruthless

Key Points

• [14:16-18:14]
• Micah praises City’s “subtle movements” and adaptability even as their pressing is less intense this season:

  “They're cooking on gas, Gary... even when leaving gaps, they just get the job done.” (14:26, 17:20)

• Discussion of Earn Anderson’s defensive lapse leading to a goal, and City’s attacking quality overcoming Forest’s stubborn defense.
• Alan notes City’s luck on decisions (VAR and yellow cards).
• Gary highlights Wayne Rooney’s insightful punditry on penalty incidents.

Memorable Quotes

• Micah:

  “I have to give City a bit of credit because they always try win the game... and now the title race has become very interesting. Very, very interesting.” (18:14)

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Arsenal: Set Piece Specialists or More?

• [18:14-24:43]
• Arsenal edged a game against Brighton, with big credit to a “world-class save” preserving their lead.
• Micah bats away criticism that Arsenal “only score from set pieces” as misplaced:

  “It is hard to score from set pieces... why don’t everyone else do it as well?” (19:25)

• Alan:

  “Because of the pressure... everyone’s looking at them and City’s putting massive pressure on them too.” (19:52)

• The trio critique new striker Yokerez’s lack of movement and compare him to targeted runs of elite strikers like Haaland:

  “As a striker, you’ve got to gamble on where you think the ball might go...” — Gary (22:03) “If 10 balls come in, you get one of them. Fine, you’ve done your job.” — Alan (23:47)

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Chelsea’s Flaws and the Leadership Question

• [24:43-28:42]
• A listener question on Chelsea sparks discussion on missing elements to be genuine title contenders.
• Alan:

  “For me, I think they're a top quality center half away and a brilliant center forward away.” (25:40)

• The hosts believe the young squad also lacks experienced leaders.
• Micah on leaders:

  “You always want to have a reliable spine... just two leaders and two players away from really being genuine contenders.” (26:34)

• Fond reminiscences of great leaders: Case, Kompany, Gerrard, Brian Robson, Terry Butcher.

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Manchester United & Newcastle: Tactical Shifts and Attacking Anxieties

Manchester United

• [30:27-36:16]
• United’s system change to a back four yields a hard-fought win over Newcastle.
• Alan laments Newcastle crossing 46 times but lacking penalty-box desire:

  “How can you have 46 crosses in a game and... not create really good opportunities?” (31:50)

• Micah: Notes how United, despite not playing well, looked much more organized.

Emerging Talent

• Praise for United’s young defender Aiden Heaven:

  “He reads a game really well for a young player... especially as a central defender.” — Gary (35:57)

• Mention of agency ties in the background.

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Brentford & Bournemouth: Defying the Odds (or Not)

• [36:23-38:04]
• Alan calls Brentford “superb” for their direct, energetic play dismantling Bournemouth:

  “The pace and the energy that they had... the two forwards worked really well together.” (36:57)

• Bournemouth’s poor run attributed to loss of key players and possible lack of squad depth.
• Micah:

  “Maybe they are just missing that extra bit of quality.”

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Additional Highlights

Wolves & Verts, Leeds Surging

• Brief celebration of Verts’ first goal (for Wolves), with Micah hoping for more.
• [39:42-41:18]
  Banter erupts on Micah’s slippery “allegiance” as Leeds impress, with Gary teasing him for supporting multiple clubs:

  “It must be great to support that many teams! You've got half a chance of being in a good mood every weekend.” (41:03)

Remembering John Robertson

• Gary leads a touching tribute to late Forest and Leicester legend John Robertson:

  “I mean, what an unbelievably brilliant footballer... just a really, really, really lovely, fun, fun guy.” (41:18)

• Warm support and reminiscence from Alan and Micah.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Villa’s Comeback & Record — 04:48–12:14
• Fantasy Football Frustrations — 07:32–08:40
• Man City’s Title Pursuit & VAR Discussion — 14:16–18:14
• Arsenal’s Set Piece Criticism & Striker Debate — 18:14–24:43
• Chelsea’s Missing Pieces & Leadership — 24:43–28:42
• Man United Tactics & Newcastle’s Crosses — 30:27–36:16
• Brentford’s Form & Bournemouth Concerns — 36:23–38:04
• Leeds’ Momentum & Micah’s Teams — 39:42–41:18
• Tribute to John Robertson — 41:18–41:54

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Tone & Style

The episode blends deep football insight with the relaxed, bantering style that defines “The Rest Is Football.” The hosts constantly rib each other—especially over festive excesses and shifting club allegiances—while never straying far from real tactical analysis and player evaluation. Their decades in football allow for unique stories, sharp opinions, and warm tributes, making this festive edition a must for football fans seeking both expertise and a sense of camaraderie.

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Notable Quote for the Episode:

“They always try win the game. No matter if they have to go out wide, through the lines, over the top, set piece. They'll just get the job done. And now the title race has become very interesting.”
— Micah Richards (18:14)

Transcript

[Gary Lineker]

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[Gary Lineker]

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[Gary Lineker]

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[Gary Lineker]

Hello and welcome to the Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Micah Richards and me, Gary Lineker. Well, it's this the first show since Christmas so I've got to ask you. I'm not asking you Micah, because you hate Christmas.

[Micah Richards]

Well, hold on. I absolutely loved Christmas Day. What? I absolutely loved it. I don't know. I don't know what. I don't know what happened to me but basically I said I was going to pickering my brother, his missy side of the family. We thought he would have it with them and normally I'm a grinch. As you Guys know. But dinner was fantastic. The quizzes were brilliant. The energy was. Was magnificent, to quote Alan Shearer. And I'm back. I'm back.

[Alan Shearer]

He loves Christmas.

[Micah Richards]

He's back again.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes. And Mike. And no one raided your fridge.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, exactly. And that was it.

[Alan Shearer]

Tell us how many pigs and blankets you had.

[Micah Richards]

You know what, that's the only thing. A bit of a disaster, really, because there's about 25 people there and you don't want to look like a bit of a pig, you know what I mean? So I only had about five, but I had some. When I got home, I had another 20. I had another 25 guys. 30 pigs in blankets.

[Gary Lineker]

30 pigs.

[Micah Richards]

I'm going for 50 next year.

[Gary Lineker]

Get you in the Guinness Book of Records, little thing. How was your Christmas, Al?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, great. Yeah, all very good. All. All great. Christmas Day, too much food, too much alcohol and I'd box and day off, which was great for the first time in so many years. And then was back in Match of The so on 27th. Yeah. Lose track of the days, don't you, Over Christmas?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, we had a good Christmas. I cooked. Harry helped. He's my, like, sous chef. All went well. And once again I beat Harry in the quiz.

[Micah Richards]

Who was the quiz master? Gaz, at yours.

[Gary Lineker]

Angus Goose, the youngest goose. He's always the quiz master. And then we played in teams because it was Harry and Bella, his wife Tobias and George, who they just also runs every year. And me and my mate jd. Yeah, and then we had a dance competition which my mate one who saw.

[Alan Shearer]

That, he got a bullseye or something, didn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, but twice. So he had around the world. And then you have to. Yeah, whatever the rules were. But you had to win it with a ball. Both games that we played, he first throw at a bully got him. It was like, joke.

[Micah Richards]

Wow.

[Alan Shearer]

Amazing.

[Gary Lineker]

Thought it was littler. I mean, I'm never going to hear the end of it. Right, let's talk about the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. Aston Villa came from behind once again. Some brilliant substitutions to beat Chelsea and they equaled a club record, a century old record at that, back in 1914, winning 11 games on the bounds, which is extraordinary. And it was quite a turnaround in that game.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, it was because Chelsea played well first off and they put. They put Villa under huge pressure and only got the one goal, which obviously is never enough. But then when he brought the substitution, Unai Emery, he brought on Sancho Onana, obviously, Ollie Watkins, and it just totally changed and changed a bit. Of the system put Rodgers more towards the left and he was superb. But, I mean, Ollie Watkins won the game for them. He. They just couldn't handle his running. Is it the intensity and everything else? And he's finishing and they're great. It was a great head. I mean, talk about the mark and whatever you want defensively, but Aston Villa, man. Wow, what a run.

[Gary Lineker]

Incredible.

[Micah Richards]

Can I just ask you guys. So they had that. Well, we. I think we had the conversation about Duran and Watkins before he left. And then Emre went with Marlon up front. Then Watkins looked like he had the fire in the. In his belly, I would say. What is the mindset going into a game like that, where you think you should be playing? You may have not scored as much. You know, you still got the quality to do it. Is it just. I'm going to go out there and show everyone why I should be starting.

[Gary Lineker]

I think you're asking the wrong two strikers.

[Alan Shearer]

I think, you know, I am. Reem probably had one eye on the next game also, which is Arsenal away, and I think he probably. It was always in his mind to give him half an hour at Chelsea and I guess he'll start him at Arsenal.

[Gary Lineker]

I think you've just got to try and make it count when. Whenever you. Whether you start. I think the one thing with Watkins, I know you said he's got fire in his belly, but I see that in him in all the games he plays, whether he always scores or not is another matter. But he didn't have to do a job at the top. You know, he's often on his own, looks to spin behind, which stretches things a little bit and gives people like Morgan Rogers and McGinn bit of space to work in. So he probably needs what He's. What's he, 29 now? Something. So he's, you know, he probably needs to manage him a little bit and he's not scored as many this season as he would normally do.

[Alan Shearer]

3 up until yesterday, didn't he?

[Gary Lineker]

But he continues to. To get into places where he will score and that's all you can do as a strike. Whether you start a game or come on. All you want to do is get in the areas, get in areas. Get in the areas where you might score a goal and. And then eventually something will happen. I think that's what. What happened with Ollie Watkins. Can I ask one thing? Because I had Morgan Rogers in my fantasy, Micah, and as of you, I think. Yeah. Have you got.

[Micah Richards]

Yes.

[Gary Lineker]

How's that? Not an assist.

[Micah Richards]

It's.

[Gary Lineker]

Honestly, it's such a great pass. It completely created the goal.

[Micah Richards]

You have to turn off the TV for five minutes. You know that Because I was waiting and I go, I'm not on X. The only time I go on X.

[Alan Shearer]

So.

[Micah Richards]

So my manager runs X if he needs to put out any social media or whatever.

[Alan Shearer]

At.

[Micah Richards]

The only time I go on X is to go on fpl. The tag is on. On X. And I was thinking, why. Why has he not got the assist? The assist said no one. I was like, what do you mean, no one? He's give the ball on the play, it's rebounded off the keeper, it's gone off him. He played the ball to him. I've never been so angry in my life.

[Gary Lineker]

It's ludicrous.

[Micah Richards]

Ludicrous. That's the correct word for it.

[Gary Lineker]

It wasn't for the fact that I played my bench boost and had the Bravka on the bench that got 11 points. I'd be really depressed today, but I've had actually quite a good weekend.

[Alan Shearer]

Sound as if you know what you're talking about.

[Gary Lineker]

I know, I know, yeah. I mean, one of my boys we're in the group chat with and they went, how many points did you get? I went, no idea to ask Gary. 58, I think.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, you got 58.

[Gary Lineker]

Did you bench boosting it? So I also had Calvert Lewin on the bench as well. So he scored as well. Anyway, I digress away from. I mean, it's staggering. What. But I thought it was quite interesting, the interview that he did after the game, which was shown on Match of the Day, actually, when he's gone, you know, are you in the title? You asked me now there's 20 games to go. Yeah, he was gone. He said, no, no. It was quite interesting the way he did it. I mean, that's what you've got to do. Deflect that away from the players and keep marching on.

[Alan Shearer]

Two unbelievable fixtures, by the way, over Christmas, isn't it? Chelsea away and Arsenal away for. For Aston Villa. I mean, two as tough as the. You'll. You'll get. But that should set them up brilliantly to go to. To go to Arsenal. And I don't know you. You'd be a fool to back against them, the form they're in.

[Micah Richards]

How far can they go, Al? Because we was having a conversation a couple weeks ago saying, I think they'll do well, I think they'll challenge, but I don't think they'll have enough. I think a lot of the goals that they score are from Outside of the box. So if you look at all the stats suggest the can't continue in this manner, but they keep doing. They keep doing it.

[Alan Shearer]

I mean, I'm with you. I think with the size of the squad they've got and the number of games, it's. It's difficult to see them sustainable. Hey, I can't. I don't think you take anything away from him. I don't think anyone expected him to be doing this. What a job he's doing after about.

[Gary Lineker]

Five games of the season when they had scored a goal.

[Alan Shearer]

What a job he's doing. What? The squad's responding incredibly well to him, obviously, doing everything he's asking. It's. It's. And they're playing some great stuff. I mean, after being under so much pressure yesterday at Chelsea, Wave after waiver attack, they stood firm. And then he made those substitutions and it was like a different team. They just come out pass strong, won the ball in midfield, and we're absolutely brilliant for. For half an hour.

[Gary Lineker]

They have got a strong bench now, though. You know, big, bigger squad if they can keep everybody fit, which is also. I mean, so far they've done reasonably well with injuries, so. But they have. You know, you look at their bench compared with a lot of teams, big teams at the top. I mean, obviously for them, if they finish third or fourth in the league, that is ab. Absolutely superb effort, wouldn't it?

[Micah Richards]

Look at the question that Emory got asked yesterday after the game. Are you in the fight? Say they go on a bit of a run for five or six games and they're in a good position, then. I don't. I think the mindset changes then, you know, as a player, because you then start to believe. But once you start believing, that comes with more pressure. And yes, they're still underdogs, but you think, can we do it? And then that is what they've got to deal with Villa next, if they go on a little bit of a run. But up till now, they're just a great watch. I think they're a different watch. I don't think Villa have been outstanding in every game, but the managers able to change players and change systems to suit them to get back in the game.

[Alan Shearer]

And a lot of those games have been behind as well, Mike. I mean, the character.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, it's amazing. But we've talked many times about Emery and how good a coach he is. He's certainly top three in the Premier League for sure. I'm excited to see how far it can take them. And then do they spend money in January?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, let's see if they can if they're allowed to. I don't know what the situation is with psr. I mean, when you consider also Harvey Elliott's never played.

[Gary Lineker]

True. Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Who else is someone else as well.

[Gary Lineker]

Tyrone Mings been out. Incredible season.

[Alan Shearer]

Unbelievable job he's done.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he really has. It's funny though, isn't football and a few weeks ago we were having a similar conversation about Chelsea saying, you know, they were going really well. They had that magnificent tactical performance, didn't they, against Barcelona. And now the fans are starting to turn on him a little bit. I've noticed. I saw a few, if you can judge social media on these things. But yeah, they're struggling. Still haven't quite worked out who, you know, center forward. I mean the lap's been injured a lot this season. He's not really had a run in the side. I don't think Xiao Pedro is really number nine.

[Alan Shearer]

No, that's what I said. I think they're lacking a top class number nine and a top class center off I think as well. Maybe a goalkeeper. It's remarkable. I guess he wanted to bring it up himself, Maresca, but he's in doing it. He brought pressure on himself after when they won that game, didn't he? There's no need to do that, but I guess he'll have his own reasons for. For doing that. Chelsea hasn't changed for me. I think it always feels as if two losses and under massive pressure and every. Everything could change. So I don't know, I've never. I've never been convinced with Chelsea that they can win the league.

[Micah Richards]

They're playing good stuff though, Al, aren't they?

[Gary Lineker]

I think they're good to watch.

[Alan Shearer]

They were really good yesterday in wide positions, particularly first off with Garnacho and with Neto. They really make the pitch as big as possible and stretch it. And that's what caused Villa problems in the first half yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

Okay, that was the first bike delivered by Uber Eats. Let's go on to. To Manchester City, Micah. Very important.

[Micah Richards]

They're cooking on gas, Gary. They're cooking. I actually thought Forest did really well. I actually thought they defended everything. It was only minor details. Yeah, I think it was you who did the analysis on Match of the Day last night, wasn't it? And it was just them subtle movements. And yes, when you've got Shirky, when you got Foden, when you've got Reinders the position and putting him a little bit more forward is always Difficult. There's going to be space. But I thought Anderson actually went out too soon. Normally he's really good at reading situations, but for the goal, just stand firm. But Shirky, you know, we spoke about him, didn't we? Thierry said on the ball is one of the best he's ever seen off the ball. He needs work. I don't know if you've seen him in the sauna. You know, this whole thing with Pep when he was talking about the kilos over Christmas. I think Shirky, he was on the bike in a sauna.

[Gary Lineker]

Saunas are super healthy for you.

[Alan Shearer]

What do you think of the decisions? Because Sean Dyche had a big rant on a match of the day and after the game saying about he felt the officials were really, really poor. I thought Diaz got really lucky not to get a second yellow.

[Gary Lineker]

Var can't overturn that though, can they? Not for a second yellow.

[Alan Shearer]

No. I thought it was. Should have been a yellow card. Yeah, but. And also I'd slightly disagree with him. I didn't. I would have gone with whatever the referee decided in terms of the push that he wanted on the. On the second goal.

[Gary Lineker]

I thought Wayne Rooney picked out.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

On that penalty, didn't he? Where he'd actually made it look like Gibbs White was perhaps doing like leading the way cooked around him. Yeah, that was quite interesting because I hadn't spotted that at the time either.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, agreed. I didn't spot it as well guys, but when you slow it down, you see you know exactly what he's trying to do. I thought Dice was. Was hard but fair after the game. But when you look at it again, Morgan Gibbs White. I think he knows what he's doing there.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Initiated it.

[Micah Richards]

Explained it really well yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

I thought Forest played well. I contrasting to. I went to Craven Cottage to watch the Fulham Forest game. And that, I have to say was fairly dreadful. It was. It was hardly. I don't think a keeper made a save in the game. There was a penalty. That was the goal and that was it. Which was a silly penalty. And then nothing else happened really in the match at all. But I thought they were much better against City.

[Alan Shearer]

Thought they defended really well for large parts of the game. But when you're up against that quality, if you. If you. You're gonna get punished if you switch off for a second. And that's. That's what happened with the Reinders goal, wasn't it?

[Micah Richards]

Don't you think? Ego Jesus. Or Jesus Ego Jesus up front. His holder play was amazing.

[Alan Shearer]

Put himself around Didn't. He's tough to play against money.

[Micah Richards]

He was really leading the line very well. City still giving opportun way. They don't have the same intensity when the pressing. They're still trying to close down the space really high up on the pitch, but they just leave massive gaps in the middle of the pitch. But when you've got Shirky, Foden and those players that could hurt you and Rinders and the willing to take those risks, I don't know if they can keep doing that for the rest of the season, but they keep getting results because of the quality. And I have to give City a bit of credit because they always try win the game. They always try. No matter if they have to go out wide through the lines, over the top set piece, they'll, they'll just get the job done. And now the title race has become very interesting. Very, very interesting.

[Gary Lineker]

It is, it is. They, they, they managed to, to win their game as did Arsenal. Another like many performances I think we've seen lately. It's, you know, they've got the job done, they've worn teams down. I mean, Brighton came back at them at the end and. But for that, you highlighted it on Match of the Day. Alan.

[Alan Shearer]

Whoa.

[Micah Richards]

What?

[Gary Lineker]

Saved by Ryan.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, I thought it was over once. Once. Arsenal went 2 nil up with the own goal. Great ball in from Declan Rice from the Corner to go 2 nil up. Shortly after half time, I thought, oh, that's it. But Hurtsler changed it at half time and Brighton came into it a lot more. And of course, as soon, as soon as they get that one goal, it was, it was like, oh, you know what's gonna happen now? And you're. I mean, that save, wow, Unbelievable save. That's as good as a goal, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

That.

[Alan Shearer]

It's like, you know, when someone scores, an absolute screamer from 30 yards might win you the game. That's as good as that. I thought that save was just sensational.

[Micah Richards]

And Arsenal on a whole, I've seen again, if you look at social media, people saying all they do is score from set pieces, I mean, it is hard to score from set pieces.

[Gary Lineker]

It's a hell of a criticism.

[Micah Richards]

People understand that. Otherwise why don't everyone else do it as well? There might not be, I won't say as entertaining as City, but City is slick the way they go forward out there. Sometimes Arsenal get to the final third, sometimes run out of ideas. You're looking for Saka to do something special or whatever, but they still Getting over the line. A win is a win at the end of the day, isn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

I thought they were okay, Arsenal, I thought the. They were well worthy of going 2 up. Should have could have been that in the first half, never mind when they got the one in the second half. But because of the pressure that's on them and everyone's looking at them and City are putting massive pressure on them too and you can just feel the edginess not only on the pitch but in the stadium. So I think Arsenal will have to score a lot more goals just to try and make it easier for the fans and not put them through the wringer.

[Gary Lineker]

Has the dynamic up front changed particularly though from last season? Have they got then? I mean at the moment he's not really. I'm looking at him, he doesn't really look like scoring a lot of goals. No, your careers, I mean I. And that's probably why I think overall they've bought well. They've brought in players in different positions that they've needed to because by gone they've got some injuries defensively, haven't they? You know, Timber was out and then Califiori got injured in the warm up. So added to the other players that were already out at the back. So you're actually considering they're actually dealing with it very well. But. And I think the fact that they're just getting over the line is because, you know, they do get lots of balls and I mean Saka does deliver a lot.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

But he's not really getting on the end of things at the moment.

[Alan Shearer]

Gabriel came back yesterday, came on be.

[Gary Lineker]

A real bonus for them.

[Alan Shearer]

I thought Odegaard had his best game of the season. I thought he's scored a really good goal and looked good on the ball. Saka was dangerous, Trossod was. Yokerez had a couple of chances. Martinelli came on, missed a big opportunity which would have eased the stress a bit for them, but yeah, I thought they deserved it in the end, but it had. They had to rely on that incredible save.

[Micah Richards]

So Yere scored a lot of goals obviously last season, didn't he? The last couple of seasons abroad. What does he need to do to score more goals? Forget all around play because if you look at someone like Haaland, his whole up play is definitely improved but the amount of touches he needs to score a goal is. Is very low. What does Yokerez need to do to improve his numbers?

[Gary Lineker]

I've watched him quite closely the last few weeks and I think he's like Most strikers is one that waits to see where it's going. The ball waits till it's crossed and then attacks the space. But that's what defenders do. As a striker you've got to gamble on where you think the ball might go and you go just as they're about to cross it. So you steal a march on the defender that way and lots of the time the ball won't go there. But I don't see him doing that very often. Dominic Calvert. Lewin did a perfect example of, of how to do that for the Leeds goal at Sunderland. Perfect. He didn't wait and see where it was going to go. He went right, I pulled away and then he sprinted at the near post and hoped that the ball would be delivered there. And it was. I don't see that too often from your careers at present. And the players that score big numbers will do that, you know, Harlan Kane, Lewandowski, they know how to make those kind of moves into those spaces. So is it something you can learn? I've always thought yes, but. Because it's not. It's actually common sense when it's law of probability when you think about it.

[Alan Shearer]

Absolutely.

[Micah Richards]

Okay, but can you just to before you go Al. Is it then more difficult when you got wingers playing on the opposite side? Because if you look at someone like Newcastle with Murphy, you know it's coming in. He's magnificent by the way. He's the most underrated player in the Premier League. Murphy, the time it takes him to take a touch and whip it in is amazing. I just feel with jokers is he fighting a battle with wingers who. And Saka has got great delivery but just the timing we're talking about.

[Alan Shearer]

Well, it's. I think it's a lot easier when you've got someone who's right footer playing on the right, someone who's left foot are playing on the left. But I think in, in this case with Saka, Saka can go both ways. So that makes it more difficult for the, for the defender. But that doesn't stop you gambling. That doesn't stop you making that first movement. If you make that first movement and the ball doesn't come in, so what you can't then get disheartened and say, well I'm going to stop running. You have to keep going because if 10 balls come in, you get one of them. Fine, you've done your job, you've got your goal, it might be the winner. So yeah, it is easier when right is right and left is left. But you, you cannot stop running because someone might be coming in from the right, on the left or the checking back. You still have to make those runs. And I, if, I don't know whether, whether you remember, I did a piece on that very early on with him, him and with Arsenal to see they have to get used to him, he has to get used to them. That hasn't quite happened yet.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. I take you to conversation we have with, with Harland.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

And he was saying this thing about, oh, people say you did nothing all game, you didn't really touch the ball and then at the end you scored the winning goal. And he said, that gives me the most pleasure. But it's because people don't see the 30, 40 runs, whatever it is he makes into space when he doesn't receive the ball, but he just keeps going and keeps going and keeps going until he gets one. And we're going to keep going after this break. Before we go to the break, it's time for our next question brought to you by Fuse Energy, our presenting partners here at the Rest is Football. Each month, Fuse gives their customers the chance to send in a question for us to tackle on the show. And this week's question comes from Ali Al Youssef. Ali asks what do Chelsea need to become genuine title contenders? Could the absence of, of experienced leaders on the pitch be what they're missing?

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, for me, I think they're a top quality center half away and a brilliant center forward away. So I think they're two, two players away from me. I think, I'm not saying that Pedro and Dalap can't do it, but I think to get to that elite level and challenge for Premier League, then I would say they'd probably need a top class center forward and I think at.

[Gary Lineker]

The moment they can beat any team on their day. But it's just that consistency and that might bring that. I mean, there are not many Harlands around though, that's for sure. I mean, the lap's promising, but he's, he's had a bad injury this season so we, we're yet to see if he's, he's the real deal or not. Leaders, Mike, who's talking about that? I mean, they're very important. I think Rhys James is a really good leader.

[Micah Richards]

Yep. I think if you look at Chelsea's squad, it's, it's quite young.

[Gary Lineker]

Yes.

[Micah Richards]

One of the, the youngest in the, in the prem. Not if you're looking at starting players, but yeah, I think a little bit more leadership. You always Want to have a reliable spine and I think they've got good enough youngsters around that. But I would say just two, two. Two leaders and two players away from really being genuine contenders.

[Gary Lineker]

Who were the best leaders you two played with, do you think? We were good examples of real leaders on the pitch. I always used to think, you know, sometimes it's, you know, fist pumping and all that sort of stuff, but I think mainly they lead by example. I'd. I'd probably pick out a couple from my England career, maybe Brian Robson and Terry Butcher for obvious reasons. That sort of personality that there's someone that you could trust, rely on that would also drive you forward. Who? Any name.

[Alan Shearer]

One of the best leaders I came across was when. On as soon as I walked into Southampton when I, when I linked up with Jimmy Case. He just had this aura about him. Micah, you heard of Jimmy Case? Micah, you must have heard Southampton, Liverpool.

[Gary Lineker]

He went to, didn't he?

[Alan Shearer]

Liverpool, Brighton, I think as well.

[Gary Lineker]

He was tough. As tough as.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, he was. He was a great. He was so respected not only by our dressing room but the whole of football because of what he's achieved and just his. He just had this toughness about him and he was a great leader.

[Micah Richards]

Micah, I'll go quickly to. I would say Vincent Co.

[Gary Lineker]

I knew you'd say him and he's proving it now at Bayern Munich as well in a different kind of leadership challenge.

[Micah Richards]

He's a proper leader. Yeah. And I know he's got the, the running and raving and shouting and being aggressive, but he's also got a softer, intelligent side where he would show you things and make you look at things a different way. Steven Gerrard didn't say much in the dressing room, but as soon as we got onto the pitch, the first tackle and he would always want the ball. That's real leadership. It never shied away from getting on the ball in difficult positions. Then he would score a worldy. So I would go with those two.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, totally, totally agree. I think leaders give you real energy on the pitch. And while we're talking about energy, if you want to get involved, sign up to fuse energy today using the code [e-mail] football and you could save on your energy bills and get a chance to win a shout out on the show. This episode is brought to you by Hotels.com make your next trip work for you. Hotels.com just rolled out a game changing feature called save your way and it's as simple as it sounds. When you book a trip as a Hotels.com member. You decide how to use your savings. Choose to take the instant savings now or bank the savings as rewards for later. It's your call. Envision converting discounts on this week's stay into rewards for a luxurious beach getaway next year. No complicated math, no blackout dates. Just you choosing how to make your travels work harder for you. Only Hotels.com Save Your Way is available to loyalty members in the US and UK on hotels with member prices. Other terms apply. See site for details.

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[Gary Lineker]

Welcome back to the Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, Michael Richardson, me, Gary Lineker and we're discussing the festive games. Festive football. And let's go back to one or two of the games played on Saturday. No, actually the one day before that because there was only one game, wasn't there Alan played on Boxing Day. Yeah and it was your team at Manchester United and obviously you got got beaten there and it was a strange game in, in some ways I felt.

[Alan Shearer]

Well Amaran went back to fought the back change his system that he said he wasn't going to do but he, he did it. They didn't play that well. Man United. They defended really well, they stuck together and they were under huge pressure. Look, Newcastle 46 crosses. While we're on the theme in the first part. 46, 46 in that one game and there's probably only I guess three or four good ones. Murphy put one in the first half in which I mean it was illegal that no one was on the end of it.

[Gary Lineker]

It was illegal.

[Alan Shearer]

Gordon and Valto Marder standing still and that that has to change. You know, from, from a Newcastle point of view you can't be putting that many balls into the box and no one's getting on the end of them.

[Gary Lineker]

We go back to that point we made just before the break when we were talking about how you score goals as a centre forward. I mean if you've got 46 crowds crosses, I I'm telling you now Alan, that you, you would have unbelievable. Got at least one.

[Alan Shearer]

Absolutely. I mean how can you have 46 crosses in a game and. And not. Not create really really good opportunities and someone get on the end of the box and the movement.

[Gary Lineker]

I think you could just lay down on the edge of the six yard box. Lay there and score at least two.

[Alan Shearer]

So that tells you there has to be a lack of. I don't know. Lack of desire or lack of knowledge or a lack of ability to want to get in there. That's a frustrating thing from a Newcastle point of view because it wasn't just Man United. They've put loads in against Chelsea, against Tottenham. And that's been a common theme is that where balls have been going in. There's not been enough players prepared to get on the. On the end of it. But I thought from a Newcastle point of view good until the final third and then terrible in the final third. But Man United well, they deserved the win. They defended really, really, really well.

[Gary Lineker]

I thought I saw Whisper he's coming back obviously to fitness and it might take him a time but when he was at Brentford he was that kind of player that would make runs into good places. So yeah, he may benefit from that. Because I wonder if Voltamod is more of a 10. Maybe. I don't know.

[Alan Shearer]

He made one great run. Gary. When Barnes chose to pull it back for Anthony Gordon.

[Micah Richards]

Yes.

[Alan Shearer]

Instead of like pushing it across the six yard box which would have given a tap in. But I don't know whether Eddie will change the system or not when they go to Burnley. Whether he'll end up playing Visser as the nine and Valtomara as a more of a sitting player with maybe just two midfielders instead of three. Which has always been his system. So we'll have to wait and see for that. But Newcastle have to do something different.

[Micah Richards]

I think Voltmore at home is amazing for Newcastle. I think when you're playing away from home and then you counter attack. I don't think he's got the pace to make up to get on the end of the crosses. You know. I think when they're at home and teams are boxed in and he's already in there and he could link up. Really good touch can play. That's his strength.

[Alan Shearer]

It was like a home game at Old Trafford though. Mike and Man United were boxed in.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, well, yeah, yeah, I would say that. But in terms of sometimes when on the counter attack and he's just thinking Voltmann. He can't. He can't get there. Gordon's rapid and so is Murphy, you know.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Micah Richards]

But at home, I feel like he's got more control in the game because he can affect it because he. He gets on it, he's got the crowd, everyone's up for it. But, yeah, I just thought it was a yard off it in terms of the pace getting in there. And I think Visser definitely solves that away from home. Without doubt.

[Gary Lineker]

Another win for Manchester United. When I say another, obviously not been that frequent, but. And he did change. Finally changed it and he admitted that. I think I'd do things differently if I arrived again. Took him a while to work that out, but Thoughts on that change of tactics and system, Mike? I mean, they got a result, but it wasn't much of a performance, I didn't feel.

[Micah Richards]

But look at the difference. They didn't play well, but everyone knew the positions. Everyone knew where to be to head the ball away, when to press. Okay. Dogu was good. He was playing in an unfamiliar position, a little bit higher up in one of the tens. But just in terms of everyone knowing their jobs. They got the clean sheet. It was. It was plain to see everyone. Although I thought Martinez played well and I thought it was Aiden Heaven.

[Gary Lineker]

Aiden Heaven.

[Micah Richards]

Aid in Heaven.

[Alan Shearer]

Wow. Yeah, he played well, didn't he?

[Micah Richards]

What a performance from him. We knew he's good. We've talked about him before.

[Gary Lineker]

We have the same agent.

[Micah Richards]

You have the same agent?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

Andy looks after him.

[Micah Richards]

No way.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he's in good hands. He's in good hands?

[Micah Richards]

Oh, he's in good hands.

[Gary Lineker]

He came to Ballers League with me, like, at the last season.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah. I didn't know he was with you. I saw him there. I didn't know he was with you, though.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Nice lad.

[Micah Richards]

But you know what? He's.

[Alan Shearer]

He.

[Micah Richards]

He reads a game really well for a young player. Obviously physical. He can deal with it. He's strong enough, he's quick enough, but he reads the game well. For a young player to read the.

[Gary Lineker]

Game like that, especially as a central defender.

[Micah Richards]

Correct. I just thought it was a really good performance from him and they needed him because they've got injuries. But Man United didn't play well, but they got the results and that's the one that mattered.

[Gary Lineker]

And no Bruno, obviously, sir.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, he's been the star man for a long time.

[Alan Shearer]

He has, yeah.

[Gary Lineker]

But it was three points nevertheless. And they're in kind of reasonable shape in the league table. Azar, I would say. Brentford.

[Alan Shearer]

Cool. Incredible.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean, Bournemouth have kind of plummeted a bit and over the last couple of months. But at Brentford have done the opposite.

[Alan Shearer]

Brentford was superb.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, very good. Were they?

[Alan Shearer]

They obviously were aware of Bournemouth's press and high press and how they do it. But the way they got around that by playing quickly, pace and aggression and everything about that game, Brentford was, was great. Igor, Thiago and Charda, the Bournemouth defenders just couldn't handle those two. They were too good for them.

[Micah Richards]

What made Brentford so, so good?

[Alan Shearer]

Just their pace. Their pace and the energy that they had. And I said it last night on Match of the Day, how they were direct. But when I say direct, they weren't kicking everything long. When they did, they had. They had him to hold up. And the two forwards worked really well together when they did, didn't they? Where how they got players forward quickly and passed it quickly with energy and everything. Then Bournemouth just couldn't handle it. I mean, Bournemouth were terrible.

[Gary Lineker]

What's happened to Bournemouth.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, because they had a great start, didn't they? And we were all saying, oh, how on earth are they doing that with the players that they've sold? And well, they're about to lose another player by the sounds of it, in Semenya.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, it looks that way, doesn't it?

[Alan Shearer]

It looks as if he's going to City, doesn't he? I guess that's catching up with them.

[Micah Richards]

Yeah, I don't. I don't know. I have the run out of steam in terms of the way they want to pray. I don't know. Every time I watch Bournemouth, I, I like look at them. I, I think they, they go forward in numbers. Normally they're a lot better defensively than they've been showing in previous games. We know, we like the manager, we've talked about him and the way he sets up his teams, but maybe they are just missing that extra bit of quality when needed this season.

[Gary Lineker]

I think you're probably right. Caught up with them in the end. Yeah, but you know, it's like this season that, that pack of teams, if you win two or three on the bounce, you suddenly jump a lot of places. That includes obviously your team Newcastle as well.

[Alan Shearer]

No, that's right. I said. I mean, if you look at Fulham two weeks ago, three weeks ago, we were saying, oh, they're going to be in a relegation battle. They've won three games on the spin now in the top half, I think.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, it's, it's. It's crazy what's going on. John has asked us not to mention Wolves, but I just want to mention one player that played against some flooring Verts finally got his goal. Yeah, I've got a feeling that he's gonna really start. I don't know, just got feeling that he's going to start being the Verts that we expected from here. He's starting to create a little bit more. He's getting him more involved. He's getting used to that position he's currently playing in. What do you think, Micah?

[Micah Richards]

Well, we said he was going to be decided of the season, so we need him to score a few more goals. And I was giving him the biggest spiel. He gets into, into half spaces. He gets on it, he creates, he's got technical ability, all of these sort of things. And ver, he scores his first goal, which I'm absolutely buzzing. But I want more because I give him the big build up.

[Alan Shearer]

Let's not get too excited. It was only wolves at home, guys. Sorry, John, I'm winding you up.

[Micah Richards]

John.

[Alan Shearer]

I'm winding you up.

[Gary Lineker]

Oh dear, that's cruel. That's cruel.

[Alan Shearer]

There's. I tell you what though, the. There's definitely, definitely little thing happening with him and Ekitike. The understanding. Ekitike's good balls into each other and how they. How they sort of complement each other. I thought that that was really good yesterday.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he was brilliant creation for the goal for him, that's for sure.

[Micah Richards]

We're not going without talking about Leeds marching all together.

[Alan Shearer]

What about their goal?

[Micah Richards]

Oh, this is what I'm trying to say. Look, it was like a prime Barcelona take attacker through the lines, into the space, out wide into the box. Calvin L Score 1666. He scored.

[Gary Lineker]

He did. And that movement that I talked about earlier. But I just want to ask you one thing here, Micah, right, so you're from Leeds, obviously that's where you grew up.

[Micah Richards]

Yes. Chapel Town. Cpt. They call it.

[Gary Lineker]

Guys, I know what they call it. They call it. Micah's home now. And you grew up in Leeds.

[Micah Richards]

Correct.

[Gary Lineker]

But you supported Arsenal. Right. So I'm thinking. And now Leeds are starting to a bit of form and you're jumping on the bandwagon as a Leeds fan.

[Alan Shearer]

Getting lively and he's getting lively.

[Micah Richards]

Hold on.

[Alan Shearer]

You can see from his pure excitement with each team who he supports. He didn't do this for City, he didn't do this for Arsenal. And now the excitement. He couldn't let us go without talking about his beloved Leeds.

[Micah Richards]

I said, man, City were cooking if he was listening. Anyway, I went to go watch Burnley and Leeds when they were in the. The championship guys. Burnley's one of my teams. I love Burnley. The hospitality there is brilliant. Leeds, because I'm from Leeds. I always like Leeds. So I've been singing Lee's praises for many seasons.

[Gary Lineker]

Must be great to support that many teams. You've got half a chance of being in a good mood every weekend.

[Alan Shearer]

When someone asks him who he supports, it takes him two minutes to reel off the teams.

[Micah Richards]

I support Manchester City and you know that.

[Gary Lineker]

Guys, just one thing I just want to finish on because obviously I've met him on a number of occasions because he was Martin o' Neill's right out man at Leicester as well as being obviously brilliant, brilliant footballer John Robertson, Robbo who passed away a few days ago. So I mean, what an unbelievably brilliant footballer. You know, two times European Cup Champions League winner for Forest. Obviously part of that incredible Brian Clough side. And he was just a really, really, really lovely, fun, fun guy. And yeah, I just wanted to, you know, condolences to the family.

[Alan Shearer]

And Martin spoke so highly of him as well, didn't he, Martin o'? Neill? He obviously loved him.

[Gary Lineker]

He did. He really did.

[Alan Shearer]

Really had some, some good long nights with Martin talking about how, how great he was.

[Gary Lineker]

Okay chaps, let's call it a day and we'll be back at the end of the week, which will be 2026. I'd just like to wish everybody, all our listeners and people that watch, a very, very happy new year.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, happy New year, everyone. Thank you very much for listening and watching.

[Micah Richards]

Thank you very much. We'll see you in 2026. Goodbye.

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