The Rest Is Football

Why do Real Madrid always seem to come alive when the Champions League knockout stages arrive? A stunning Fede Valverde hat-trick leaves Manchester City with a mountain to climb at the Etihad. Did did Pep Guardiola get his tactics wrong on the night? Elsewhere, not a single Premier League side takes a lead into the second leg. Is the relentless domestic schedule starting to catch up with English clubs at this stage of the season? And how many will still be standing by the quarter-finals? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah discuss Igor Tudor’s treatment of goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, and after a difficult start, whether he should still be in the job. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patrick Vieira vs Roy Keane: Who was the better player, and what made their rivalry so iconic during the peak years of the Premier League? The guys also discuss the impact of French players on English football, did the French bring the biggest foreign influence to the Premier League, and how much of that legacy started with Vieira’s arrival at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger? Plus, Micah shares brilliant behind-the-scenes stories about what Vieira was really like as a person, from brutal tackles in training at Manchester City to private jets and an unforgettable night out in Milan… The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just when it looked like Real Madrid's week was going from bad to worse, Fede Valverde stepped up. His 94th-minute rocket at Celta Vigo snatched a dramatic 2-1 win, a vital response after back-to-back defeats that keeps the title race firmly alive. Barcelona did what champions do, they found a way. A gritty 1-0 win at fortress San Mamés restores their four-point lead at the top. Lamine Yamal's second-half strike, was the difference between the sides. Atletico Madrid served up Friday night fireworks, edging Real Sociedad 3-2 in a thriller at the Metropolitano. Alexander Sørloth bagged a brace as Simeone's side hold onto third, proving once again that with Atleti , drama is never far away. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bottom of League One side Port Vale stunned Sunderland to prove the magic of the FA Cup is still alive. It’s Port Vale’s first trip to the quarter-finals since 1954, and goalscorer Ben Waine, a lifelong Newcastle fan even pulled out Alan Shearer’s iconic celebration. Elsewhere, Mansfield pushed Arsenal all the way at Field Mill. Sixteen year old wonderkid Max Dowman caught the eye with a brilliant performance, could there be a scenario where he makes the England squad this summer? Plus, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards discuss Arsenal becoming the first Premier League club to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season, and ask whether some of the criticism surrounding the team is actually unfair. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League title race takes another dramatic twist as Arsenal move seven points clear at the top. After Manchester City drop points at home to Nottingham Forest, are Pep Guardiola’s side now too far behind to catch the Gunners? There’s also plenty to discuss at Chelsea. Have they finally found their long-term number 9? João Pedro has been in sensational form under Liam Rosenior, but can he fire Chelsea back into the Champions League next season? And with the race for the top five heating up, which of Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea, or Liverpool will miss out? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah revisit the ever-controversial topic of VAR. Has its introduction actually lowered the standard of refereeing to the worst it’s ever been? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Was Wayne Rooney the greatest teenage talent the Premier League has ever seen? Did his honesty and selfless style limit his own numbers? And where does he truly rank among England’s all-time greats? Gary, Alan and Micah unpack the remarkable journey of Wayne Rooney, from that unforgettable breakthrough at Everton to rewriting the record books at Manchester United and becoming the all-time leading scorer for England. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lamine Yamal became the youngest player this century to score a La Liga hat-trick as Barcelona thumped Villarreal 4-1 to move top of the table. We ask if this Barcelona side now have the momentum to push on. The Champions League draw has served up blockbuster ties: Real Madrid face familiar foes Manchester City, Barcelona take on Newcastle United, and Atletico Madrid travel to Tottenham. A potential all-Spanish quarter-final between Barcelona and Atletico awaits. Elsewhere, Julian Alvarez was Atletico's hero with a 94th-minute winner against Real Oviedo, while Sevilla fought back from two down to draw the Seville derby. With the title race heating up and European giants set to collide, we assess where Spain's big three stand. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal once again turn to their set-piece strength to edge past Chelsea and stay ahead of Manchester City in the title race. But with their forwards misfiring, can the Gunners really power their way to the Premier League title relying so heavily on dead-ball situations? City, meanwhile, grind out a crucial win over promoted Leeds United to keep the pressure on. Could their big winter signings prove decisive down the stretch? And with 14 wins from 18 league games without Erling Haaland, it raises a bold question: are City actually a more complete team without their superstar striker? Gary, Alan and Micah also tackle a wider issue: has the Premier League’s overall standard declined? Are rigid tactical systems and over-coaching draining the entertainment from the game? And is modern football losing the spark that once made it so compelling? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sixteen games. Sixty-two goals. Two breathless weeks of UEFA Champions League playoff drama. Has Europe’s elite competition ever been this entertaining? And with the away-goals rule gone and a new format delivering chaos, comebacks and late drama... Is this proof that the changes are good for football? On the other hand VAR is back under the spotlight too, after another hugely controversial decision involving Lloyd Kelly and Juventus. What needs to be done at the top to stop referees taking over the game? And then there’s Newcastle United. It’s been a monumental two years:  Champions League knockout football and silverware secured for the first time in 70 years. Should Eddie Howe be receiving more credit? And should his name already be mentioned alongside club icons like Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan? The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Few players embodied flair, freedom, and pure footballing romance quite like David Ginola. In this episode, we dive into his unforgettable Premier League career, a spell defined by outrageous skill, stunning goals, and a maverick spirit that lit up English football in the 1990s. Curling screamers into the top corner, gliding past defenders, and playing with a freedom that won the hearts of fans all over the country, he delivered some of the Premier League’s most beautiful goals. He had style, swagger, flowing hair, and he remains one of the most effortlessly charismatic figures the league has ever seen. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices