Football Daily

Steve and Alex Bruce join Aaron Paul & Jobi McAnuff for the 72+ Christmas special. They talk about what Christmas was like in their playing and managerial days. Steve reveals who his most generous chairmen were and how he once turned down the Newcastle job. They have their say on allegations of nepotism, with Alex excluded from the Hull WhatsApp group. And of course, what’s on the menu on Christmas Day?02:55 Steve Bruce on having Christmas off 04:05 What was Sir Alex like at Christmas? 09:00 Alex Bruce used to be ball boy in training 10:55 How does manager Steve do Christmas? 12:55 How does Alex coach over Christmas? 16:35 Steve names his most generous chairmen 23:00 Steve on turning down the Newcastle job 25:40 Alex on life at Ipswich under Roy Keane 28:35 On allegations of nepotism 31:25 Alex nearly signed for LA Galaxy 35:40 Alex excluded from the Hull WhatsApp group 39:15 Steve nearly refused to sign Harry Maguire 41:35 Do they watch football together? 43:25 Gary Pallister used to help Alex on Tomb Raider 45:10 Steve on not getting called up for England 51:45 Steve names his best signing 55:10 What’s for Christmas dinner?5 Live / BBC Sounds Premier League commentaries: Fri 26 Dec EFL Around the Grounds, Sat 27 Dec 1500 Arsenal v Brighton, Sat 27 Dec 1500 Liverpool v Wolves on Sports Extra, Sat 27 Dec 1730 Chelsea v Aston Villa, Sun 28 Dec 1400 Sunderland v Leeds, Sun 28 Dec 1630 Crystal Palace v Tottenham, Mon 29 Dec EFL Around the Grounds, Tue 30 Dec Premier League Around the Grounds, Thu 1 Jan EFL Around the Grounds.

Rob Green and Glenn Murray react as Arsenal become the last team to secure their spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over London rivals, Crystal Palace.What can Palace take away from their performance at the Emirates despite defeat? And could this tournament be the catalyst for further success for Arsenal? Rob and Glenn join John Murray, BBC Football Correspondent, and Kelly Cates to dissect the victory for Mikel Arteta's side, and we hear from the Arsenal boss himself.Plus, how have Arne Slot and Thomas Frank reacted to news of a fractured leg for Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, and how does it link to reports around Antoine Semenyo joining Manchester City?Timecodes: 00:10 Reaction from the Emirates to Arsenal v Palace 02:50 Could the League Cup be the springboard for Arsenal success? 06:20 Is there any concern over Arsenal's ability to score from open play? 11:00 Is it too early for talk of Quadruples? 14:25 Reaction from Mikel Arteta 17:10 Alexander Isak ruled out for 'a couple of months' 20:00 Antoine Semenyo set to join City, ahead of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea?Commentaries this week: Saturday 27th — Arsenal v Brighton — 15:00 — 5 Live Saturday 27th — Liverpool v Wolves — 15:00 — Sports Extra Saturday 27th — Chelsea v Aston Villa — 17:30 — 5 Live

Ben Haines, Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Emma Sanders host a Christmas special! The team do a mid season review and revisit predictions made at the start of the season and whether they expect much to change. Emma gives an insight into what recruitment we could see in the January transfer market, plus a look at the WSL2 with play-off spots up for grabs. Bristol City manager Charlotte Healy and Newcastle boss Tanya Oxtoby join the pod and share how they are working to get promoted to the WSL. Tanya also shares how important pigs in blanket are to her team! And who will be crowned the Women’s Football Weekly friends quiz champion?Timecodes: 01:30 Predictions from start of the season 05:50 Spurs the surprise 07:30 Liverpool and West Ham in danger 15:35 Transfers in Jan 21:25 Bristol City’s Charlotte Healy 29:00 Newcastle boss Tanya Oxtoby   37:30 Friends festive quiz!

How has Unai Emery masterminded Aston Villa's rise? Will United and Liverpool compete for Semenyo? And who are Africa's new superpower, how is Mo Salah viewed in his home continent and why has a major change been made to the African Cup of Nations?Chris Sutton, Rory Smith and Pat Nevin join Mark Chapman to discuss and debate the big questions of the week on the Monday Night Club.Guillem Balague, author of 'The Rise of the Villans: Inside Unai Emery's Aston Villa Revolution', joins the panel to provide insight into Emery's excellent work at Villa Park.The group then consider the other side of Sunday's 2-1 victory over Manchester United, who have lost talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes to injury. How can they replace him, and might it force the Reds into a transfer battle with bitter rivals Liverpool? Arne Slot's title holders are waiting for further news on Alexander Isak, with reports suggesting their record-breaking signing has suffered a leg break.African football journalist Maher Mezahi joins us from AFCON to explain a major change to the competition, how Morocco and Senegal are competing to be the continental superpower and how Mo Salah is viewed by those in his home nation and continent after controversy at Liverpool.Plus, what is Pep Guardiola's Christmas diet for his Man City players, and how does it compare to Chris and Pat's from back in the day?Timecodes: 00:12 Villa's 10-match winning streak, with Guillem Balague (Euro Leagues) explaining how Emery turned this season around 23:10 Do United and Liverpool really need to buy to replace Bruno Fernandes and Alexander Isak? 32:50 Hearts are top of the Scottish Premiership at Christmas, so what will they do in January? 39:20 AFCON — Are Morocco the new African superpower? 45:00 AFCON — How much pressure is on Salah to succeed with Egypt, and how has the controversy with Arne Slot been viewed in Africa? 47:40 AFCON — Have FIFA driven changes to the tournament schedule, from every 2 years to every 4 years? 50:30 Pep Guardiola's 'hidden' Christmas message to Man City's playersCommentaries coming up this week: Tuesday 23rd — Arsenal v Crystal Palace — 20:00 — 5 Live Saturday 27th — Arsenal v Brighton — 15:00 — 5 Live Saturday 27th — Liverpool v Wolves — 15:00 — Sports Extra Saturday 27th — Chelsea v Aston Villa — 17:30 — 5 Live

Ben Haines, Luke Edwards and Clinton Morrison discuss the weekend’s Premier League action. After Morgan Rogers scored another brace for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win over Manchester United, is he one of the most in-form players in the league right now? And how fearful should Manchester United fans be after Bruno Fernandes left the field at half time due to injury? In the weekend’s other matches, they discuss whether Arsenal’s lack of convincing wins should be concerning, and one of the games of the season – Newcastle v Chelsea. Should there have been a penalty? Plus, what does Alexander Isak’s injury mean for Liverpool, and how concerning is Tottenham’s discipline? And at the bottom of the table, is there any way back for Rob Edwards’ Wolves?TIME CODES:02:25 – Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers 10:55 – Manchester United 17:05 – Arsenal 28:20 – Newcastle v Chelsea 40:30 – Tottenham v Liverpool 48:50 – Manchester City and Erling Haaland 52:00 – Relegation Picture

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard speaks to BBC Sport's Betty Glover about the Wear-Tyne derby win, promotion and the impact Granit Xhaka has had on the Black Cats. They discuss how everyone has adapted so well to the Premier League and his teams aim for the rest of the season. They also get into his ability to step up in big games and how he's improved himself since last season.

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball discuss what it’s like being a commentator at Christmas. They look ahead to the festive schedule, Ian aims to stretch his lead in Clash of the Commentators, there are more unintended pub and film names, and which commentary phrases will end up in our Great Glossary? Suggestions welcome on WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369 & emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk00:40 What is Christmas like for commentators? 03:25 Is it right to play at 8pm on Boxing Day? 05:10 John gets wet at Newcastle 07:40 Christmas commentary bingo 12:30 John’s special treatment in Madrid 17:15 Commentary highlights this festive period 19:10 Unintended pub names & film titles 30:20 Clash of the Commentators 37:15 Great Glossary of Football Commentary5 Live / BBC Sounds Premier League commentaries: Sat 20 Dec 1500 Man City v West Ham, Sat 20 Dec 1500 Brighton v Sunderland on Sports Extra, Sat 20 Dec 1730 Tottenham v Liverpool, Sun 21 Dec 1330 Hearts v Rangers, Sun 21 Dec 1630 Aston Villa v Man Utd, Tue 23 Dec 2000 Arsenal v Palace in EFL Cup QF.Great Glossary of Football Commentary:DIVISION ONE Blaze over the bar, Bosman, Cruyff Turn, Dead-ball specialist, Fox in the box, Giving the goalkeeper the eyes, Head tennis, Hibs it, In a good moment, The Maradona, Off their line, Olimpico, Onion bag, Panenka, Perfect hat-trick, Rabona, Schmeichel-style, Scorpion kick, Spursy, Tiki-taka, Where the kookaburra sleeps, Where the owl sleeps, Where the spiders sleep. DIVISION TWO Ball stays hit, Beaten all ends up, Business end, Came down with snow on it, Catching practice, Camped in the opposition half, Cauldron atmosphere Coat is on a shoogly peg, Come back to haunt them, Corridor of uncertainty, Couldn’t sort their feet out, Easy tap-in, Daisy-cutter, First cab off the rank, Good leave, Half-turn, Has that in his locker, High wide and not very handsome, Hospital pass, Howler, In their pocket, Johnny on the spot, Leading the line, Nice headache to have, Nutmeg, One for the cameras, One for the purists, Played us off the park, Points to the spot, Purple patch, Put their laces through it, Reaches for their pocket, Rolls Royce, Root and branch review, Row Z, Screamer, Seats on the plane, Show across the bows, Slide-rule pass, Steal a march, Stramash, Taking one for the team, Telegraphed that pass, That’s great… (football), Thunderous strike, Walk it in.

Steve Crossman is joined by James Horncastle, Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein to break down the biggest stories across European football.They discuss PSG being ordered to pay Kylian Mbappé €60m, Cesc Fabregas’ fallout with Senegal over Assane Diao, and Fiorentina’s dramatic collapse to the bottom of Serie A.The panel are also joined by Benfica academy director Guilherme Müller to explore why Benfica are world leaders in youth development, before touching on the rapid rise of teenager Lennart Karl.02:35 PSG Pay Mbappé 11:08 Fabregas backlash 25:16 Benfica’s academy gold 37:38 Rise of Karl 41:02 Fiorentina’s Collapse

It’s a busy one on the pod as we are at Tannadice Park, St James’ Park and the Etihad – as Steve Crossman gets the latest from the EFL Cup quarter-finals and asks what’s next for Celtic as they suffer another defeat.The pod starts in Scotland after Wilfried Nancy has now lost all of his first four matches as Celtic manager. It's the first time since January 1978 that the club have had a run like that, that's after Dundee United came from behind to win 2-1. We hear from Nancy himself and Scottish football reporter Kenny Crawford who watched the action unfold. Steve is joined by John Murray and Clinton Morrison as they witnessed Newcastle beat Fulham – in a game that nearly went to penalties! They also hear from Yoane Wissa after he scored his first goal for Newcastle. And not only that, Ian Dennis and Leon Osman join the pod from a very wet Etihad Stadium after they saw Manchester City beat Brentford 2-0 – even Pep Guardiola makes a cameo!And we find out the state of play for the British teams in Women’s Champions League action on Wednesday night, after the final round of league phase fixtures.Timecodes:01:20 – Celtic section. 07:27 – Wilfried Nancy interview. 13:13 – Newcastle v Fulham analysis. 15:00 – Yoane Wissa interview. 1620 – Eddie Howe interview 18:40 – Marco Silva interview. 24:!5 – Manchester City v Brentford chat. 29:20 - Pep Guardiola interview. 33:20 - Keith Andrews audio. 35:00 – Women’s Champions League.

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by the new Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans. They chat about his reasons for taking the job, and his sadness at it being of the expense of his friend Darrell Clarke. How did Mrs Evans react when the family’s Christmas holiday was cancelled? Steve’s old Stevenage captain Carl Piergianni is up for debate for the ‘Ultimate Hard Men Squad’, and Steve poses a tribute to former player Sol Bamba. Plus, with boxing back on BBC TV, Barnsley’s Callum Simpson pops by to chat about his upcoming fight on Saturday evening – what does he make of Barnsley’s season? And what do Aaron and Jobi make of Preston and Hull, the surprise packages at the top of the Championship?Time Codes: 00:20 – Jobi feeling festive? 03:10 – Steve Evans in at Bristol Rovers 17:25 – ‘Ultimate Hard Men Squad’ 25:30 – Barnsley’s Callum Simpson 35:45 – Top of Championship: Preston & Hull 44:02 – 72Plus/72MinusCommentaries This Week: Thurs 20:00 Sparta Prague v Aberdeen - Sports Extra Sat 15:00 Man City v West Ham - 5 Live Sat 15:00 Brighton v Sunderland - Sports Extra Sat 17:30 Tottenham v Liverpool - 5 Live Sun 13:30 Hearts v Rangers - 5 Live Sun 16:30 Aston Villa v Manchester United - 5 Live

Two subs come to Chelsea’s rescue in the Carabao Cup, and is Bruno Fernandes right to be annoyed?Former Cardiff City striker Danny Gabbidon and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer join Kelly Cates and Alistair Bruce-Ball to review a 3-1 win for Enzo Maresca’s side in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.Cardiff did themselves proud with their performance, but Chelsea come out on top, and what does that mean for Blues boss Maresca? We also hear reaction from double-goalscorer Alejandro Garnacho and Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy, whose team will return to focusing on their League One promotion bid.Later in the show, the panel preview Wednesday night’s two quarter-finals: Newcastle v Fulham and Manchester City against Brentford.Away from the Carabao Cup, Ally considers the news that FIFA has released a new tier of cheaper World Cup tickets, and how significant that really is. Our pundits also look at the situation of Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United, after the Reds captain revealed the club told him they wanted to sell him in summer.And Julien Laurens joins Kelly to delve into the news that Kylian Mbappe has won in court against his former club, PSG.Timecodes: 00:30 Reaction to Cardiff 1-3 Chelsea 05:00 Was Maresca making a point with his XI? 06:45 What can Cardiff take from this impressive performance? 09:30 What now for Chelsea? 10:10 Interview with Alejandro Garnacho 12:40 Reaction from Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy 15:00 Preview of Newcastle v Fulham — how important is this for Eddie Howe? 20:15 Preview of Manchester City v Brentford 23:45 FIFA introduce a new round of cheaper World Cup tickets 25:29 Kylian Mbappe wins in court against PSG! 29:17 Bruno Fernandes ‘hurt’ after Manchester United ‘wanted him to leave’ in the summerCommentaries coming up this week: Wed 19:30 Man City v Brentford - 5 Live Wed 20:15 Newcastle v Fulham - Sports Extra Thurs 20:00 Sparta Prague v Aberdeen - Sports Extra Sat 15:00 Man City v West Ham - 5 Live Sat 15:00 Brighton v Sunderland - Sports Extra Sat 17:30 Tottenham v Liverpool - 5 Live Sun 13:30 Hearts v Rangers - 5 Live Sun 16:30 Aston Villa v Manchester United - 5 Live

Mark Chapman is joined by Phil Jones, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith to discuss a mixed weekend for managers across Scotland and the Premier League.Is Wilfried Nancy already under pressure at Celtic, just three games into the job? The latest defeat came at the hands of St Mirren in the League Cup final and their former captain Stephen McGinn joins the pod.The top three in the Premier League - Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa. What should we take from the fact that those three clubs have Spanish managers all of whom have authority over many aspects of the club which has been built in their image?What's upset Enzo Maresca and does the Chelsea boss get the credit he deserves?Plus, not for the first time this season, Thomas Frank has come under fire after their defeat to Nottingham Forest. The Spurs boss says it's not an easy fix, but is he right?Timecodes: 03'20 St Mirren and Stephen McGinn 15'00 Is Wilfried Nancy already at risk at Celtic? 32'00 Spanish success in the Premier League 42'00 What's upset Enzo Maresca? 52'00 Is Spurs an easy fix for Thomas Frank?Commentaries coming up this week: Tue 2000 Cardiff v Chelsea Wed 1930 Man City v Brentford Wed 2015 Newcastle v Fulham - on Sports Extra

Nick Woltemade gives Sunderland a derby win over Newcastle. Rick Edwards is joined by former West Ham & Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker and The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards to review the weekend’s Premier League action. Hear from Regis Le Bris, Eddie Howe, Morgan Rogers, Arne Slot, Enzo Maresca and Scott Parker.01:55 A weekend of own goals but which was best? 05:00 Regis Le Bris & Eddie Howe after the derby 16:05 Morgan Rogers on Aston Villa’s ninth straight win 25:10 Half-time teaser 28:00 Mo Salah but what next for him? 34:55 Tottenham lose 3-0 at Forest 40:30 Enzo Maresca speaks out about ‘worst 48 hours’ 45:50 Arsenal and Man City both win at the top 49:10 Will Scott Parker last the season at Burnley?5 Live / BBC Sounds EFL Cup quarter-final commentaries: Tue 2000 Cardiff v Chelsea, Wed 1930 Man City v Brentford, Wed 2015 Newcastle v Fulham.

In this week’s edition of the Football Interview, Kelly Somers speaks to Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. They discuss his journey into football coming through the academy at Benfica and his breakthrough at AS Monaco which led to his move Manchester City where he has won 18 major trophies. They also delve into Manchester City's recent form and whether they can lift some silverware this season.

Conor McNamara joins Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball to talk travel, football and language. Ian & Conor give their take on Salah after the drama unfolded with them at Elland Road. They look ahead to the Wear-Tyne derby, it’s Ali vs Ian in Clash of the Commentators, there are yet more unintended pub names, and which commentary phrases will end up in our Great Glossary? Suggestions welcome on WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369 & emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk00:35 Why we all love San Siro 04:10 The Bruges or Brugge debate returns 07:15 Salah story unfolds with Ian & Conor 09:20 Has Salah played his last game for Liverpool? 16:25 John Murray’s message from Madrid 20:45 Wear-Tyne derby among Premier League commentaries 27:05 Unintended pub names 40:20 Clash of the Commentators 46:35 Great Glossary of Football Commentary5 Live / BBC Sounds Premier League commentaries: Sat 1500 Liverpool v Brighton, Sat 1500 Chelsea v Everton on Sports Extra, Sat 1730 Burnley v Fulham, Sun 1400 Sunderland v Newcastle, Sun 1400 Crystal Palace v Man City on Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v Tottenham on Sports Extra 2, Sun 1400 West Ham v Aston Villa on Sports Extra 3, Sun 1630 Brentford v Leeds.Glossary so far (in alphabetical order):DIVISION ONE Bosman, Couldn’t sort their feet out, Cruyff Turn, Dead-ball specialist, Fox in the box, Giving the goalkeeper the eyes, Head tennis, Hibs it, In a good moment, The Maradona, Off their line, Olimpico, Onion bag, Panenka, Perfect hat-trick, Points to the spot, Rabona, Schmeichel-style, Scorpion kick, Spursy, Tiki-taka, Where the kookaburra sleeps, Where the owl sleeps, Where the spiders sleep. DIVISION TWO Ball stays hit, Business end, Came down with snow on it, Catching practice, Camped in the opposition half Cauldron atmosphere Coat is on a shoogly peg, Come back to haunt them, Corridor of uncertainty, Easy tap-in, Daisy-cutter, First cab off the rank, Good leave, Half-turn, Has that in his locker, High wide and not very handsome, Hospital pass, Howler, In their pocket, Johnny on the spot, Leading the line, Nutmeg, One for the cameras, One for the purists, Played us off the park, Purple patch, Put their laces through it, Rolls Royce, Root and branch review, Row Z, Screamer, Seats on the plane, Show across the bows, Slide-rule pass, Steal a march, Stramash, Taking one for the team, Telegraphed that pass, That’s great… (football), Thunderous strike, Walk it in. UNSORTED 2-0 is a dangerous score, After you Claude, All-Premier League affair, Aplomb, Bag/box of tricks, Brace, Brandished, Bread and butter, Breaking the deadlock, Bundled over the line, Champions elect / champions apparent, Clinical finish, Commentator’s curse, Coupon buster, Cultured/Educated left foot, Denied by the woodwork, Draught excluder, Elimination line, Fellow countryman, Foot race, Formerly of this parish, Free hit, Goalkeepers’ Union, Goalmouth scramble, Good touch for a big man, Honeymoon Period, In and around, In the shop window, Keeping ball under their spell, Keystone Cops defending, Languishing, Loitering with intent, Marching orders, Nestle in the bottom corner, Numbered derbies, Opposite number, Park the bus, PK for penalty-kick, Postage stamp, Put it in the mixer, Rasping shot, Red wine not white wine, Relegation six-pointer, Rooted at the bottom, Route One, Roy of the Rovers stuff, Sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, Shooting boots, Sleeping giants, Slide rule pass, Small matter of, Spiders web, Stayed hit, Steepling, Stinging the palms, Stonewall penalty, Straight off the training ground, Taking one for the team, Team that likes to play football, Throw their cap on it, Thruppenny bit head / 50p head, Towering header, Two good feet, Turning into a basketball match, Turning into a cricket score, Usher/Shepherd the ball out of play, Walking a disciplinary tightrope, Wand of a left foot, We’ve got a cup tie on our hands, Wrap foot around it, Your De Bruynes, your Gundogans etc.

Is Xabi Alonso’s time up at Real Madrid, why is everyone talking about Paul Pogba’s camels, how is Turkish football headed into ‘panic’, can Lens push PSG for the Ligue 1 title and what on EARTH is going on in the Polish league this season?It’s a packed Euro Leagues episode as Mina Rzouki, Guillem Balague and Julien Laurens join Steve Crossman to go through all the best stories across the continent in the last week.That includes Atalanta’s late victory over Chelsea, and the impressive performance of goalscorer Charles De Ketelaere, as well as Jamie Vardy’s form in Italy, where he’s been named Serie A Player of the Month.Turkish football commentator & presenter Can Onduygu joins the show to dissect the latest in the gambling scandal which has seen more than 1,000 players suspended, and several detained, including players from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.Polish writer Michal Zachodny also comes on, talking about the struggles of Legia Warsaw, the 15-time champions who are currently in the relegation zone, and the uniqueness of the Polish top-flight this season.Timecodes: 00:10 An unexpected Euro Leagues F1 meet-up 01:52 Paul Pogba's camels 05:55 Xabi Alonso's uncertain Real Madrid future 19:25 Jamie Vardy named Serie A Player of the Month 22:30 Turkish football's 'growing sense of panic' amid gambling investigation, with Can Onduygu 32:00 Lens at the top of Ligue 1! 36:50 What's happening in Poland?!5 Live / BBC Sounds Premier League commentaries: Sat 1500 Liverpool v Brighton, Sat 1500 Chelsea v Everton on Sports Extra, Sat 1730 Burnley v Fulham, Sun 1400 Sunderland v Newcastle, Sun 1400 Crystal Palace v Man City on Sports Extra, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v Tottenham on Sports Extra 2, Sun 1400 West Ham v Aston Villa on Sports Extra 3, Sun 1630 Brentford v Leeds.

Steve Crossman reacts to Wednesday's Champions League results with correspondent John Murray and former Real Madrid and England defender Jonathan Woodgate.Journalist for Marca, Juan Castro, chats about the pressure mounting on Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso after losing to Manchester City. Does he deserve more time to turn around their poor run of form? We also hear what Pep Guardiola has to say about his side's come-back win in Madrid.After Newcastle suffered a late equaliser from Bayer Leverkusen, we hear from Eddie Howe. Why do they keep making the same errors? Meanwhile Arsenal maintain their 100% win record in the Champions League this season, beating Club Brugge 3-nil. After scoring a brace, what more is there to come from Noni Madueke?Timecodes:   1'45 Real Madrid v Manchester City 17'08 Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle United 23'40 Club Brugge v ArsenalBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries:  Thursday 11th December 2025 1700: Ferencvaros v Rangers on Sports Extra 1945: Celtic v Roma on Sports Extra 1955: Aberdeen v Strasbourg on Sports Extra 2

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by Phil Brown to discuss the permanent appointment of Tonda Eckert to Southampton. Is there any surprise that Southampton have acted now? Should his contract have been shorter? They also discuss Blackburn’s pitch woes and the investment at Wrexham – is Phil Parkinson the man to take Wrexham to the Premier League? Heartbreak for Lyle Taylor’s Chelmsford City in the FA Cup 2nd Round, but success for Weston-super-Mare – which 3rd round fixtures are they looking out for? Plus, who will the latest additions to the ‘hard men’ XI be? And they discuss their predictions for an unpredictable League 2. And as Phil’s Peterborough Sports head to Scunthorpe in the FA Trophy, he’s been to Southampton, but has he ever been to Scunthorpe?Time Codes:01:52 – How’s Phil getting on at Peterborough Sports? 05:12 – Tonda Eckert appointed permanently at Southampton 17:34 – Blackburn’s match postponed 23:10 – Wrexham investment 31:10 – FA Cup 2nd Round 34:49 – EFL ‘Hard Men’ XI 40:05 – League 2 44:02 – 72Plus/72Minus 46:47 – Phil’s been to Southampton, but has he ever been to Scunthorpe?

It was a mixed night for English sides in the Champions League as Liverpool and Spurs both got vital wins, whilst Chelsea lost away to Atalanta. Kelly Cates has all the reaction and is joined by BBC Senior Football Reporter Ian Dennis, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock and ex-Spurs winger Andros Townsend.They start at San Siro where Liverpool ended a tumultuous few days in the wake of Mo Salah's interview with a statement win over Inter Milan. Another bad result for Chelsea meant they haven't won a game since their Champions League victory over Barcelona last month. Meanwhile, Spurs stayed in the race for automatic qualification for the last 16 with a comfortable win over Slavia Prague.We also hear from Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Spurs boss Thomas Frank as well as looking ahead to Manchester City's trip to the Bernabeu, where Xabi Alonso's time as manager seems to be coming to an end. Timecodes:   00'45 Liverpool 11'50 Arne Slot 14'20 Chelsea 17'05 Spurs 22'50 Thomas Frank 23'35 Real Madrid v Manchester City previewBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries:  Wednesday 10th December 2025  2000: Real Madrid v Manchester City on 5 live Thursday 11th December 2025 1700: Ferencvaros v Rangers on Sports Extra 1945: Celtic v Roma on Sports Extra 1955: Aberdeen v Strasbourg on Sports Extra 2

Is Mo Salah ‘selfish’ for claiming he’s been ‘thrown under the bus’ at Liverpool, or justified? Are Aston Villa now part of the Premier League title race?Mark Chapman is joined by Conor Coady, Chris Sutton, Steph Houghton for the Monday Night Club to debate the big questions of the week.They’re joined by Liverpool fan John Gibbons to talk Salah as well as hearing from Arne Slot. Macclesfield Town manager John Rooney comes on the show as his side are drawn against holders Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, while Hearts fan Liam Corbett explains the significance behind their win over Celtic.Conor Coady gives valuable insight into how to get the most out of his ex-teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been instrumental in helping Daniel Farke turn the fortunes of Leeds United around. What chance do Leeds now have of staying up?Timecodes: 00:10 Salah’s comments 03:30 Slot on Salah 06:00 Reaction to Slot’s comments 11:00 Whose side are Liverpool fans on? 20:30 Could this end positively for Slot and galvanize the Liverpool squad? 24:45 Macclesfield manager John Rooney joins the show 30:00 The rest of the FA Cup third-round draw 32:00 Has Daniel Farke turned it around at Leeds? 40:25 What now for Leeds 43:45 ‘Humble’ Aston Villa now in the title race? 52:50 Hearts beat Celtic – with Liam CorbettCommentaries coming up this week: Tue 2000 Inter v Liverpool, Tue 2000 Tottenham v Slavia Prague on Sports Extra, Wed 2000 Real Madrid v Man City, Thu 1745 Ferencváros v Rangers on Sports Extra, Thu 2000 Celtic v Roma on Sports Extra.