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John Lundstram scores for Sheffield United.

Matchweek 26: Storm out of the blocks

Matchweek 26: Storm out of the blocks

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: Don’t forget that we also have our weekly Premier Skills English Podcast that is released every Friday. Every week we help you with some different vocabulary or an aspect of grammar.

Jack: Our latest podcast is called Understanding Grammar: Question Forms and in the roleplay, I tell Rich that I’m going to meet Mohamed Salah and we think of the questions we’d like to ask him. You can find it on the Premier Skills English homepage, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most other podcast platforms now. 

Rich: Let’s start this week’s show by reviewing the Premier League action from Matchweek 26 part one.

Headlines

Jack: Sharp Blades blow Bournemouth away

Rich: Sheffield United have taken the Premier League by storm this season and it continued at the weekend when the Blades beat Bournemouth 2-1 to move up to fifth in the league. The Cherries took an early lead but captain, Billy Sharp equalised in first-half injury-time. It looked like Bournemouth had weathered the storm but John Lundstram’s well-taken goal won the game in the last ten minutes.

Jack: It’s a breeze for Everton against Palace

Rich: Everton stormed out of the blocks against Crystal Palace as they took an early lead through a fantastic volley by Bernard. Palace got back in the game with a Christian Benteke equaliser but the wind was soon taken out of their sails when Richarlison scored a great second. Dominic Calvert-Lewin wrapped it up with Everton’s third near the end.

Jack: Brighton and Watford stay in trouble

Rich: Watford looked like they were heading out of the relegation zone when Abdoulaye Doucare went on a barnstorming run and scored from just outside the penalty area. However, Brighton threw caution to the wind and got a lucky equaliser when Adrian Mariappa blasted the ball into his own net. Watford stay 19th and Brighton 15th.

Jack: And that’s it. Only three Premier League games were played this weekend - Manchester City against West Ham was postponed because of stormy weather and the rest of matchweek 26 will be played this weekend due to the Premier League’s new winter break.

Vocabulary alert!

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

Rich: Our six phrases this week are all idioms connected to stormy weather and they are: to take something by storm, to weather the storm, to storm out of the blocks, to have the wind taken out of your sails, a barnstorming run and to throw caution to the wind.

Jack: Let’s start by talking about Sheffield United’s win against Bournemouth. We said that Sheffield United have taken the Premier League by storm this season.

Rich: The idiom here is to take something by storm. This idiom means to be very successful at something. It’s especially used when someone or something is new to something.

Jack: Sheffield United got promoted last season and they are fifth - this is very surprising. They have taken the Premier League by storm.

Rich: The next idiom is to weather the storm. We said it looked like Bournemouth had weathered the storm. This idiom means to reach the end of something without too much damage. 

Jack: Sheffield United attacked and attacked but Bournemouth didn’t concede a goal. They weathered the storm.

Rich: But they didn’t because in the end they did concede that’s why we said it looked like Bournemouth had weathered the storm.

Jack: And a bonus idiom in the headline. Blades blow Bournemouth away. This means that they beat Bournemouth easily.

Rich: Let’s talk about that Everton - Crystal Palace match. We said Everton stormed out of the blocks. To storm out of the blocks means to start a race or competition very strongly.

Jack: The idiom comes from sprinting. When you start a 100-metre race you put your feet in running blocks. Everton started the match against Palace very well.

Rich: The next idiom is to have the wind taken out of your sails. We said the wind was soon taken out of Palace’s sails when Richarlison scored.

Jack: This idiom describes something that happens to make you feel sad, discouraged or less confident. Palace had equalised but Everton went back ahead quickly. This was demoralising for Palace. The Richarlison goal took the wind out of their sails.

Rich: And a bonus idiom in the headline. It’s a breeze for Everton. A breeze a light pleasant wind and if we describe something like a breeze it means it is very easy.

Jack: Finally, let’s look at the match between Watford and Brighton. The first phrase, it’s not really an idiom,  is to go on barnstorming run. Something that is barnstorming is a successful performance that is full of energy and exciting so a barnstorming run is an exciting dribble with the ball.

Rich: It’s used more often when a player that you don’t expect goes on a long attacking run, usually a defender or a tall central midfielder.

Jack: Doucoure went on a barnstorming run for Watford and scored from just outside the penalty area.

Rich: Our final idiom is to throw caution to the wind. To throw caution to the wind means to forget everything else and take risks and really go for it.

Jack: We said Brighton threw caution to the wind. They needed to score so forgot about defending and just attacked. It got them an equaliser.

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

Jack: The words and phrases are:  to take something by storm, to weather the storm, to storm out of the blocks, to have the wind taken out of your sails, a barnstorming run and to throw caution to the wind.

Football Awards

Jack: Right, every week, we give out three Matchweek awards. The awards are Player of the Week, Team of the Week and Goal of the Week.

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

Jack: Let’s start with Player of the Week. Just the three matches last weekend so not much choice. We could go for Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp but we’re going to go with Everton’s Brazilian striker, Richarlison.

Rich: His goal was fantastic - a barnstorming run and he set up Everton’s third when he hit the bar.

Jack: Now Team of the Week. So, we had only two winners. Everton and Sheffield United.

Rich: Well, as they are my team we’re going to go with Sheffield United - they are up to fifth and taking the Premier League by storm.

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: Abdoulaye Doucoure for Watford against Brighton. A barnstorming run and finish from the French player.

Jack: Goal number two: Richarlison for Everton against Crystal Palace. Another barnstorming run and finish this time from Everton’s Brazilian international.

Rich: Goal number three: John Lundstram for Sheffield United against Bournemouth. A tidy finish from the Blades midfielder that won the game.

Jack: OK. Those are our three options. Did you see them? Which do you think was the best? 

Rich: 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: Last week I went for a Sheffield United win and Sheffield United won so that’s a win for me.

Jack: OK, we have Matchweek 26 part two this weekend. Which match are you going to take a look at?

Rich: Chelsea are at home to Manchester United next Monday. This should be a good battle between two teams that are fighting for that fourth Champions League spot. Chelsea re in fourth at the moment but are not in great form and have only won two of their last eleven matches. Manchester United are down in eighth and need a win at Stamford Bridge to close the six-point gap between the two teams. This one is a tough one to call so I’m going to go for a draw. Final score: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

Jack: 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. 

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: If you have any questions or comments or suggestions for the podcast or anything football or English related, you can leave them on the website in the comments section or you can email us at premierskills@britishcouncil.org.

Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Results

Matchweek 26:

Everton 3-1 Crytal Palace

Brighton 1-1 Watford

Sheffield United 2-1 Bournemouth

Manchester City P-P West Ham

Headlines

Sharp Blades blow Bournemouth away

Billy Sharp scores for Sheffield United.

Sheffield United have taken the Premier League by storm this season and it continued at the weekend when the Blades beat Bournemouth 2-1 to move up to fifth in the league. The Cherries took an early lead but captain, Billy Sharp equalised in first-half injury-time. It looked like Bournemouth had weathered the storm but John Lundstram’s well-taken goal won the game in the last ten minutes.

Headlines

It’s a breeze for Everton against Palace

Richarlison scores for Everton.

Everton stormed out of the blocks against Crystal Palace as they took an early lead through a fantastic volley by Bernard. Palace got back in the game with a Christian Benteke equaliser but the wind was soon taken out of their sails when Richarlison scored a great second. Dominic Calvert-Lewin wrapped it up with Everton’s third near the end.

Headlines

Brighton and Watford stay in trouble

Abdoulaye Doucoure scores for Watford.

Watford looked like they were heading out of the relegation zone when Abdoulaye Doucare went on a barnstorming run and scored from just outside the penalty area. However, Brighton threw caution to the wind and got a lucky equaliser when Adrian Mariappa blasted the ball into his own net. Watford stay 19th and Brighton 15th.

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?

Sheffield United have taken the Premier League by storm this season. To take something by storm means to be very successful at something and is often used when someone is new to something.

It looked like Bournemouth had weathered the storm. To weather the storm means to reach the end of something without too much damage

Everton stormed out of the blocks against Crystal Palace. To storm out of the blocks means to start a race or competition very strongly.

The wind was taken out of Palace's sails when Richarlison scored a great second. This idiom describes something that happens to make you feel sad, discouraged or less confident.

Abdoulaye Doucoure went on a barnstorming run and scored. Something that is barnstorming is a successful performance full of energy.

Brighton threw caution to the wind and got a lucky equaliser. To throw caution to the wind means to forget everything else and take risks and really go for it.

Storm Ciara caused bad weather and matches to be postponed in the UK.

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?

Everton's Richarlison is our Player of the Week.

Player of the Week: Richarlison (Everton)

Team of the Week: Sheffield United

Goal of the Week: Look at the three options from Matchweek 26 and let us know which goal was best in the comments section!

Goal 1

Abdoulaye Doucoure for Watford against Brighton.

Goal 2

RIcharlison for Everton versus Crystal Palace.

Goal 3

John Lundstram for Sheffield United v Bournemouth.

The Big Match

Chelsea v Manchester United

Chelsea play Manchester United next weekend.

The big match this weekend is Chelsea against Manchester United. Rich thinks it will be a draw. What's your prediction?

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?

Sharp shooting by the Blades.

Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 26. 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 Everton's Richarlison as Player of the Week. Do you agree? 
  2. Jack and Rich selected Sheffield United 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: Sheffield United have taken the Premier League by storm. Is it a surprise that a newly promoted team is doing so well? Can you think of something similar in other countries?
  5. Can you use 'throw caution to the wind''to storm out of the blocks' or 'a barnstorming run' in a sentence?

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Komentar

hsn's picture
hsn
17/02/2021
TR
5525
points

PHRASES;

• Although she has been playing piano for two years this little girl took the audience's by storm. At the end of concert all of them were clapping by standing.

• When he was fired he had to face a lot of financial difficulties but in the end he wheathered the storm.

• World's fastest animal cheetah, storms out of blocks and reaches 100 meter per second speed in a short time to hunt an impala.

• The wind taken out of my sail when my friend didn't repay the loan which I had guaranteed it against the bank.

• The goalkeeper send the ball till centre of pitch to his teammate then she/he made a barnstorming run for her/his team in a wide space of pitch and scored from out of penalty area.

• The patient’s heart stopped to work. She/he was going to die. Doctors threw caution to the wind and decided to use electrical shock equipment for treatment.

• (A team) blew (B team) away by an excellent last minute header.

• It was a breeze for me to pass driving exam.


hsn's picture
hsn
17/02/2021 17:51
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

PHRASES;

• Although she has been playing piano for two years this little girl took the audience's by storm. At the end of concert all of them were clapping by standing.

• When he was fired he had to face a lot of financial difficulties but in the end he wheathered the storm.

• World's fastest animal cheetah, storms out of blocks and reaches 100 meter per second speed in a short time to hunt an impala.

• The wind taken out of my sail when my friend didn't repay the loan which I had guaranteed it against the bank.

• The goalkeeper send the ball till centre of pitch to his teammate then she/he made a barnstorming run for her/his team in a wide space of pitch and scored from out of penalty area.

• The patient’s heart stopped to work. She/he was going to die. Doctors threw caution to the wind and decided to use electrical shock equipment for treatment.

• (A team) blew (B team) away by an excellent last minute header.

• It was a breeze for me to pass driving exam.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
14/02/2020
DZ
3988
points

1. Billy Sharp, a sharp blade, I prefer him to stress on Sheffied storm.

2. I agree totally for this part of the week 23.

3. I'll for Richarlison as goal of the week.

4. Sheffield United  in the PL fifth rank as a newly promoted team? They have taken the PL by storm. I am sure that the other teams have not predicted such a performance. For them it is not a question of storming out of the blocks but just throwing caution to the wind in all their matches.

5. I hope the wind will not be soon taken off their sails

 

Prediction Man U 2 Chelsea 3


elghoul's picture
elghoul
14/02/2020 12:42
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. Billy Sharp, a sharp blade, I prefer him to stress on Sheffied storm.

2. I agree totally for this part of the week 23.

3. I'll for Richarlison as goal of the week.

4. Sheffield United  in the PL fifth rank as a newly promoted team? They have taken the PL by storm. I am sure that the other teams have not predicted such a performance. For them it is not a question of storming out of the blocks but just throwing caution to the wind in all their matches.

5. I hope the wind will not be soon taken off their sails

 

Prediction Man U 2 Chelsea 3

siewiczkd7's picture
siewiczkd7
13/02/2020
PL
28
points

I think that will be a draw. My prediction is 2:2.


siewiczkd7's picture
siewiczkd7
13/02/2020 05:59
Poland
Manchester City
28

I think that will be a draw. My prediction is 2:2.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
11/02/2020
BR
615
points

I agree with your choices this week. Richarlison's performance was great and Sheffield United season has been mind-blowing.
I think Richarlison's and Doucoure's goal are quite similar, but I am going to choose that one scored by the Watford midfielder.
Last year Wolverhampton have also taken the Premier League by storm. But I think people were already expecting the Wolves having a good performance, which was not the case for the Blades.
This season Liverpool has stormed out of the blocks.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
11/02/2020 11:36
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

I agree with your choices this week. Richarlison's performance was great and Sheffield United season has been mind-blowing.
I think Richarlison's and Doucoure's goal are quite similar, but I am going to choose that one scored by the Watford midfielder.
Last year Wolverhampton have also taken the Premier League by storm. But I think people were already expecting the Wolves having a good performance, which was not the case for the Blades.
This season Liverpool has stormed out of the blocks.

KHiri Abdulnasser
10/02/2020
EG
112
points

my prediction is Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester United


KHiri Abdulnasser
10/02/2020 18:05
Egypt
Liverpool
112

my prediction is Chelsea 1 - 0 Manchester United

KHiri Abdulnasser
10/02/2020
EG
112
points

1. Yes,I agree. Richarlison provided a fantastic match.
2. Yes,I agree. Sheffield United did well and they have a good coach.
3. I think the best one is Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal.
4. No,I can not.
5.


KHiri Abdulnasser
10/02/2020 17:53
Egypt
Liverpool
112

1. Yes,I agree. Richarlison provided a fantastic match.
2. Yes,I agree. Sheffield United did well and they have a good coach.
3. I think the best one is Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal.
4. No,I can not.
5.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/02/2020
UA
6278
points

Chelsea 2 : 1 Manchester United


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
10/02/2020 16:57
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Chelsea 2 : 1 Manchester United

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1mobeckham6510
2Alex_from_Ukraine6278
3hsn5525
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4768
6Liubomyr4408
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia71478
2Ukraine33300
3Spain28277
4Serbia27289
5Brazil23896
6Albania20578
7Vietnam19939
8Turkey19810
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United141846
2Liverpool110282
3Chelsea88559
4Arsenal85717
5Manchester City56951
6Tottenham Hotspur19169
7Newcastle United10457
8West Ham United7454
9AFC Bournemouth4454
10Crystal Palace4240

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.