Club Profiles

AFC Bournemouth club badge
Arsenal
Aston Villa Club badge
Brentford badge
Brighton and Hove Albion club badge
Burnley FC club badge
Chelsea club badge
Crystal Palace badge
Everton
Liverpool badge
Manchester City badge
Manchester United badge
Newcastle United club badge
Nottingham Forest club badge
Sheffield United badge
Spurs badge
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jonjo Shelvey scores for Newcastle.

Matchweek 14: Under new management

Matchweek 14: Under new management

Welcome to This Week from Premier Skills English, a weekly review of football action for learners of English from across the globe. In This Week, Rich and Jack talk about the latest action from the Premier League and have lots of football English for you to learn.

Transcript

If the listening is a bit difficult, try listening and reading at the same time.
Read the transcript and listen at the same time.

Introduction  

Jack: Hello my name’s Jack and welcome to our weekly round-up section called ‘This Week’ on Premier Skills English.

Rich: Hi there. I’m Rich. We’ve got lots of interesting words and phrases to help you talk about football in English.

Jack: We want you to use and practise these phrases by interacting with Premier League fans from around the world in our comments section.

Rich: If you listen to us on Apple Podcasts, you can leave your comments in the review section. We do read all the reviews and would love to hear from you.

Jack: You can find all our latest content on the Premier Skills English homepage or the Premier Skills-British Council Facebook page. 

Rich: Coming up later this week, we’ll have a new podcast for you. On Thursday, we’re going to publish a new podcast: Understanding Grammar: Superlative adjectives

Jack: We’re going to try something new this week. We want to try to get some of you into the podcast. So... what we’re proposing is...

Rich: Well, we want to talk to some of you on the phone and record you for the podcast. If you’re a listener and would like to get involved, we have three questions for you.

Jack: Question 1: Which is the most popular Premier League team in your country?

Rich: Question 2: What’s the funniest or craziest or silliest thing you have ever seen on a football pitch?

Jack: Question 3: Who’s the best footballer of all time?

Rich: If you want to have a go at answering these questions, send us an email with your answers and we’ll get in touch to talk to you tomorrow or on Wednesday so we can get you into the Podcast on Thursday.

Jack: The email address is premierskills@britishcouncil.org.

Rich: Let’s get on our round-up of Matchweek fourteen with our headlines.

Headlines

Jack: Liverpool race eight points clear.

Rich: Liverpool beat Brighton 2-1 to stretch their lead at the top of the table. Two Virgil van Dijk headers both set up by Trent Alexander Arnold gave the Reds a 2-0 lead at the break. A blatant handball by Allisson meant the keeper was sent off and Brighton scored from the free-kick. The end was tense but Liverpool held on.

Jack: City pegged back by Magpies.

Rich: Manchester City were held to a two-all draw by Newcastle in a game of wonderful goals. Raheem Sterling gave City the lead following a lovely backheel, but Newcastle pegged City back just three minutes later. City went ahead again in the 82nd minute when Kevin de Bruyne blasted the ball home off the crossbar but the Magpies pegged City back again when Jonjo Shelvey scored a stunning long-range effort.

Jack: Arsenal under new management.

Rich: Arsenal could only manage a two-all draw at struggling Norwich under their new interim manager, Freddie Ljungberg following the sacking of Unai Emery last week. Norwich took the lead twice through Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell but two equalisers form Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang, the first a retaken penalty, saved a point for Arsenal.

Jack: There was also a brilliant win for West Ham away at Chelsea. Southampton won their bottom of the table battle with Watford which resulted in the sacking of Watford manager, Quique Sanchez Flores. There were also good wins for Leicester, Crystal Palace and Tottenham.

Rich: There was a great story in that West Ham match. David Martin made his Premier League debut at 33 years old for West Ham and kept a clean sheet. His dad Alvin Martin played for West Ham for 21 years and at the end of the match David climbed into the crowd to celebrate with his dad - both of them were crying.

Jack: It was a great moment.

Vocabulary alert!

Jack: In our vocabulary alert, we look at some football English that we used in the headlines.

Rich: Our six words and phrases this week are: to stretch a lead, blatant, to peg a team back, to blast home, to be under new management and struggling.

Jack: Let’s start with the phrases we used to talk about the Liverpool - Brighton match. We said that Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the table.

Rich: To stretch means to extend or increase, to make something longer or wider. Liverpool’s lead at the top was seven points before the weekend but it’s eight points now.

Jack: We also stretch our muscles when we warm up. Stretching is usually part of a warm-up routine before we play sport or do exercise.

Rich: The next word is blatant. If something is blatant it means that it is very obvious. We might say to someone ‘that is a blatant lie’ or a ‘that is blatantly unfair’.

Jack: The most common example in football is a blatant handball when a player uses his hand or arm in a very obvious way.

Rich: Its often used when fans are complaining that a referee hasn’t given a decision. We say things like ‘I can’t believe it’s not been given, it was a blatant handball’.

Jack: This was a very common word when I was at school and I’m not so sure it’s as popular now. I grew up in the south-east of England and we’d always drop the ‘t’ in the middle and pronounce it ‘blay-unt’ and say things like ‘ that was blatantly obvious’. How about you Rich? In your parts did you always pronounce it properly?

Rich: I’ve always pronounced things properly.

Jack: Right, let’s look at the phrases from the Newcastle - Manchester City match. The first is to peg someone back. This is a phrasal verb which means to stop someone or a team winning.

Rich: In football, this is usually done by scoring an equaliser. Newcastle pegged CIty back twice this weekend. Each time City went ahead Newcastle pegged them back.

Jack: The next phrase is to blast home. We said that Kevin De Bruyne blasted the ball home.

Rich: To blast a ball means to kick it with a lot of force. He didn’t think about accuracy he just blasted it as hard as he could.

Jack: Home is often used to describe the back of the net. He blasted the ball home.

Rich: Finally, let’s look at the Norwich - Arsenal match. We said that Arsenal are under new management.

Jack: To be under new management means to be under the control of new people. We sometimes see it on the windows of restaurants or other businesses.

Rich: We used it in the headlines to describe the situation at Arsenal as they have a new manager.

Jack: Our final word this week is struggling. It’s quite difficult to say, let’s say it again: struggling.

Rich: It means to be finding things difficult. Norwich City are struggling at the bottom of the table. We often use it to describe teams. We said Arsenal could only draw at struggling Norwich City.

Jack: OK, so there are our six words and phrases. Listen to this part of the podcast again if you are not sure how to use them.

Rich: The words and phrases are:  to stretch a lead, blatant, to peg a team back, to blast home, to be under new management and struggling.

Football Awards

Jack: Right, every week, we give out three Matchweek awards. 

Rich: The awards are Player of the Week, Team of the Week and Goal of the Week.

Jack: In the comments section, you need to tell us if you agree with our choices.

Rich: Let’s start with Player of the Week. There were some great individual performances last week. Virgil van Dijk was great at both ends of the pitch, Dele Alli was brilliant again for Spurs and the Aston Villa captain, Jack Grealish was the best player on the pitch against Manchester United.

Jack: But our Player of the Week is Kelechi Ihenacho. The Leicester City striker came on as a sub in the 62nd minute with his team 1-0 down to Everton. An assist and an injury-time winner followed - what a super substitution.

Rich: Now Team of the Week. Good wins for Leicester, Liverpool and Southampton but our Team of the Week is West Ham. An away win against high flying Chelsea.

Jack: Finally, our Goal of the Week. We’re going to leave this one to you. We’re going to give you three options and you need to tell us which you think was best.

Rich: Goal number one: Jack Grealish for Aston Villa against Manchester United. A wonderful curling finish.

Jack: Goal number two: Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City versus Newcastle United. A long-range blast that went in off the crossbar.

Rich: Goal number three: Jonjo Shelvey for Newcastle United v Manchester City. Another long-range finish that won a point for Newcastle.

Jack: OK. Those are our three options. Did you see them? Which do you think was the best? Let us know your choice and if you agree with our other weekly awards in our comments section on the Premier Skills English website.

Matchweek Prediction 

Jack: Every week, Rich predicts the result of one Premier League match and we want you to make your prediction, too.

Rich: This week we’re going to move on to Matchweek 16.

Jack: Matchweek 15 is in mid-week this week and we hope to have a live episode on our Facebook page and Youtube channel so keep an eye out for that.

Rich: Matchweek 16 sees one of the biggest matches of the season take place. It’s the Manchester Derby. Neither of the teams are going into this match in top form but it’s United that have the biggest worries. They are down in 9th place after one of their worst ever starts to a Premier League season. City have lost one and drawn one of their last three so are not in great form either. I think the match might be closer than some think but City will make home advantage count in the end. Final score: Manchester City 1-0 Manchester Utd

Jack: I’m going for a draw in this one. Derby matches so often finish in draws. One all. Let us know in the comments section what you think the score will be.

Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for. I hope you have enjoyed this football round-up. Join the discussion at the bottom of the page on the Premier Skills English website. 

Jack: And remember to get in contact with us now at premierskills@britishcouncil.org if you want to appear in this week’s podcast Understanding Grammar: Superlative adjectives.

Rich: If you listen to us on Apple Podcasts, don’t forget to leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Results

Matchweek 14:

Liverpool 2-1 Brighton

Wolves 1-1 Sheffield United

Tottenham 3-2 Bournemouth

Burnley 0-2 Crystal Palace

Norwich City 2-2 Arsenal

Newcastle Utd 2-2 Manchester City

Manchester United 2-2 Aston Villa

Chelsea 0-1 West Ham

Southampton 2-1 Watford

Leicester City 2-1 Everton

Headlines

Liverpool race eight points clear

Liverpool stretched their lead at the top to 8 points.

Liverpool beat Brighton 2-1 to stretch their lead at the top of the table. Two Virgil van Dijk headers both set up by Trent Alexander Arnold gave the Reds a 2-0 lead at the break. A blatant handball by Allisson meant the keeper was sent off and Brighton scored from the free-kick. The end was tense but Liverpool held on.

Headlines

City pegged back by Magpies

Newcastle pegged City back twice and it finished 2-2.

Manchester City were held to a two-all draw by Newcastle in a game of wonderful goals. Raheem Sterling gave City the lead following a lovely backheel but Newcastle pegged City back just three minutes later. City went ahead again in the 82nd minute when Kevin de Bruyne blasted the ball home off the crossbar but the Magpies pegged City back again when Jonjo Shelvey scored a stunning long-range effort.

Headlines

Arsenal under new management

Freddie Ljungberg is Arsenal's new temporary manager.

Arsenal could only manage a two-all draw at struggling Norwich under their new interim manager, Freddie Ljungberg following the sacking of Unai Emery last week. Norwich took the lead twice through Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell but two equalisers from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the first a retaken penalty, saved a point for Arsenal.

Vocabulary Alert

Football English

We looked at six pieces of football English that you can learn to improve your English. Take a look at the phrases in bold. Do you understand what they mean?

Liverpool beat Brighton 2-1 to stretch their lead at the top of the table. To stretch means to make something bigger. Liverpool’s lead at the top was seven points but it’s eight points now.

blatant handball by Allisson meant the keeper was sent off.  If something is blatant it means that it is very obvious. We might say to someone ‘that is a blatant lie’ or a ‘that is blatantly unfair’.

Newcastle pegged City back just three minutes later. This is a phrasal verb which means to stop someone or a team winning. In football, this is done by scoring an equaliser.

Kevin de Bruyne blasted the ball home off the crossbar. To blast a ball means to kick it with a lot of force. Home is often used to describe the back of the net. 

Arsenal are under new management.  To be under new management means to be under the control of new people. We sometimes see it on the windows of restaurants or other businesses. 

Arsenal could only manage a two-all draw at struggling Norwich.  Struggling means to be finding things difficult. Norwich City are struggling at the bottom of the table.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored two equalisers for Arsenal.

Can you use the words in bold in a different sentence? Write a sentence at the bottom of the page. If you're not sure, listen to the audio for more explanations and examples.

Matchweek Awards

Do you agree with our choices?

Kelechi Ihenacho is our Player of the Week.

Player of the Week: Kelechi Ihenacho (Leicester City)

Team of the Week: West Ham

Goal of the Week: Look at the three options from Matchweek 14 and let us know which goal was best in the comments section!

Goal 1

Jack Grealish for Aston Villa against Manchester United.

Goal 2

Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City versus Newcastle United.

Goal 3

Jonjo Shelvey for Newcastle United v Manchester City

The Big Match

Manchester City v Manchester United

It's the Manchester Derby next Saturday.

The big match this weekend is the Manchester Derby. Who will come out on top in Manchester?

What are your predictions? Have a listen to what Rich says and then make your prediction and talk about any of next weekend's matches below.

Football Chat

What do you think?

West Ham are our Team of the Week. Do you agree?

Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 14 in the Premier League. Now it's your turn! Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments section below.

  1. Rich and Jack chose Leicester City's Kelechi Ihenacho as Player of the Week. Do you agree? 
  2. Jack and Rich selected West Ham as their Team of the Week. Do you agree?
  3. Rich and Jack picked three goals for the Goal of the Week award? Did you see them? Which do you think was best?
  4. Use this week's vocabulary: Do you think Liverpool will stretch their lead further? Will Arsenal, Tottenham and Watford play better under new management?
  5. Can you use 'blatant', 'blast home' or 'struggling' in a sentence?

Don't forget to make your prediction for this week's Big Match!

Let's get the conversation started and create a community!

Leave a comment

Log in to leave a comment

Komentar

hsn's picture
hsn
18/12/2021
TR
5560
points

Question 1: Absolutely, Liverpool. Because they’ve had some matches with Turkish teams.
Question 2: A nude fan running on the pitch-:)
Question 3: I think Messi.
Phrases
• It's not possible to stretch company’s market share by making discount anymore.
• Some dealers are buying stocks to make prices go up. This is blatantly an attempt manipulating stock exchange market .
• As if a magic,teams generally win the first match of under new management.
Note
• Here, when the player blast the ball inaccurately fans says as a joke; "Wow! what a marvellous goal but at the side nets"


hsn's picture
hsn
18/12/2021 17:20
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

Question 1: Absolutely, Liverpool. Because they’ve had some matches with Turkish teams.
Question 2: A nude fan running on the pitch-:)
Question 3: I think Messi.
Phrases
• It's not possible to stretch company’s market share by making discount anymore.
• Some dealers are buying stocks to make prices go up. This is blatantly an attempt manipulating stock exchange market .
• As if a magic,teams generally win the first match of under new management.
Note
• Here, when the player blast the ball inaccurately fans says as a joke; "Wow! what a marvellous goal but at the side nets"

Spectator's picture
Spectator
10/12/2019
DE
1
points

A great episode, but there's a typo in the report on the Arsenal game: "but two equalisers form Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang". 'Form' should read 'from'. ;-)


Spectator's picture
Spectator
10/12/2019 13:44
Germany
Newcastle United
1

A great episode, but there's a typo in the report on the Arsenal game: "but two equalisers form Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang". 'Form' should read 'from'. ;-)

Rich's picture
Rich
11/12/2019
ES
594
points

Hi Spectator,

Thanks for spotting the typo. I've just changed it. Happy to hear that you enjoy the podcast!

All the best,

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
11/12/2019 08:20
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Spectator,

Thanks for spotting the typo. I've just changed it. Happy to hear that you enjoy the podcast!

All the best,

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

elghoul's picture
elghoul
06/12/2019
DZ
3988
points

Prediction for the Manchester derby, City 2 Man U 2.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
06/12/2019 12:09
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

Prediction for the Manchester derby, City 2 Man U 2.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
05/12/2019
BR
615
points

1,2. I totally agree with your choices.
3. I am going to pick Kevin De Bruyne as the best of the Matchweek 14.
4. I don't think Liverpool will stretch their lead although I believe they will be the champions.
I guess Tottenham and Arsenal will play better under new management but Watford is doomed to relegation.
5. Brighton's goal was blatantly unfair against Liverpool.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
05/12/2019 13:58
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

1,2. I totally agree with your choices.
3. I am going to pick Kevin De Bruyne as the best of the Matchweek 14.
4. I don't think Liverpool will stretch their lead although I believe they will be the champions.
I guess Tottenham and Arsenal will play better under new management but Watford is doomed to relegation.
5. Brighton's goal was blatantly unfair against Liverpool.

jjosebadillo's picture
jjosebadillo
04/12/2019
MX
435
points

1. Yes I agree
2. no, I think it's the Crystal Palace, they win today to Bournemouth
3. For me the best was that of Kevin de Bruyne
4. The liverpool will remain the leader.
and I think that no one who has new management will have a good season
5. The hand that the defender committed in the area was very blatant.


jjosebadillo's picture
jjosebadillo
04/12/2019 01:23
Mexico
Wolverhampton Wanderers
435

1. Yes I agree
2. no, I think it's the Crystal Palace, they win today to Bournemouth
3. For me the best was that of Kevin de Bruyne
4. The liverpool will remain the leader.
and I think that no one who has new management will have a good season
5. The hand that the defender committed in the area was very blatant.

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/12/2019
AR
5086
points

I think the email address is wrong at the beginning of the transcript. Missing a s.


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/12/2019 17:12
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

I think the email address is wrong at the beginning of the transcript. Missing a s.

Rich's picture
Rich
03/12/2019
ES
594
points

Thanks, wsanta! Premier kills doesn't quite have the same ring to it!!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
03/12/2019 18:19
Spain
Liverpool
594

Thanks, wsanta! Premier kills doesn't quite have the same ring to it!!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

elghoul's picture
elghoul
03/12/2019
DZ
3988
points

How many time Kelechi Ihenacho has been suffering from injuries and sitting in the bench? He is now the best playerof the week.

West Ham gained this award against their high flying neighbours Chelsea.

The only goal I saw on live from the three was brilliant. The winner is Kevin De Bruyne.

I don't think Liverpool will stretch further their lead during this hard finishing first half of the season. From what the news say neither in the three managers changing cases  anounced a new managing team. Only Chelsea have made the case with Mourenho.

Watford is struggling of course but is there any new strategy on managing this season and preparing the future. It is blatant that the owner and the fans are aware of the danger. But are there forwarders who can often blast the ball home.

 


elghoul's picture
elghoul
03/12/2019 14:43
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

How many time Kelechi Ihenacho has been suffering from injuries and sitting in the bench? He is now the best playerof the week.

West Ham gained this award against their high flying neighbours Chelsea.

The only goal I saw on live from the three was brilliant. The winner is Kevin De Bruyne.

I don't think Liverpool will stretch further their lead during this hard finishing first half of the season. From what the news say neither in the three managers changing cases  anounced a new managing team. Only Chelsea have made the case with Mourenho.

Watford is struggling of course but is there any new strategy on managing this season and preparing the future. It is blatant that the owner and the fans are aware of the danger. But are there forwarders who can often blast the ball home.

 

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/12/2019
UA
6578
points

Man United are not likely to come out on top away on Etihad in the Derby. It's a blatant truth.

ManCity 3 : 1 ManUnited


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/12/2019 11:23
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

Man United are not likely to come out on top away on Etihad in the Derby. It's a blatant truth.

ManCity 3 : 1 ManUnited

wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/12/2019
AR
5086
points

I agree


wsanta's picture
wsanta
03/12/2019 17:16
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

I agree

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/12/2019
UA
6578
points

Team of the Week : Newcastle who opposed the title pretender struggling so decisively.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/12/2019 11:18
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

Team of the Week : Newcastle who opposed the title pretender struggling so decisively.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/12/2019
UA
6578
points

Kevin De Bruyne's perfect blast home was the Goal of the Week. 

Virgil van Dijk is no doubt Player of the Week scoring two exceptionally important goals.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/12/2019 11:14
Ukraine
Liverpool
6578

Kevin De Bruyne's perfect blast home was the Goal of the Week. 

Virgil van Dijk is no doubt Player of the Week scoring two exceptionally important goals.

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6578
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5560
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia74679
2Ukraine33892
3Spain29525
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23661
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20460
8Turkey20111
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United147000
2Liverpool111527
3Chelsea90265
4Arsenal86299
5Manchester City58968
6Tottenham Hotspur19506
7Newcastle United10626
8West Ham United7701
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Crystal Palace4568

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Improve your football English.

Practise your listening skills.

Make your prediction for next week's big Premier League match.