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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Matchweek 3: Up for grabs

Matchweek 3: Up for grabs

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, Jack and Rich 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 Spotify or 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: The new Premier League season has kicked off so let’s start with our headlines!

Headlines

Jack: Liverpool set the Premier League pace.

Rich: Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Arsenal leaves the Reds as the only team with a 100% record after three Premier League matches. Joel Matip made the breakthrough just before the break. Mohamed Salah added a second from the spot just after the break and then a third when he went on a dazzling solo run to score the goal of the match.

Jack: Lightning strikes twice at Old Trafford.

Rich: Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 win as Palace scored their first goals of the season. Old Trafford fell silent when Jordan Ayew put Palace ahead in the first half. United struggled to break down a determined defence and Marcus Rashford missed a second-half penalty. United looked to have grabbed a point when Daniel James got a stunning last-minute equaliser but Palace had other ideas and Patrick van Aanholt scored a stunner in the 93rd minute to give Palace all three points.

Jack: Chelsea come out on top against Norwich.

Rich: A seesaw battle saw Chelsea claim all three points as they got a 3-2 away win at Norwich City. Tammy Abraham put Chelsea ahead after only three minutes but the hosts equalised through Todd Cantwell just three minutes later. Another goal for Chelsea and another equaliser for Norwich left the scores level at the break and three points up for grabs. It was Chelsea who grabbed the opportunity when Abraham scored his second of the game to give the Blues victory.

Jack: It was another great weekend of Premer League action. There were also wins for Aston Villa, Leicester City, Southampton and West Ham.

Vocabulary alert!

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

Jack: Our six words and phrases this week are: to set the pace, the break, a dazzling solo run, stunning, a seesaw battle and to be up for grabs.

Rich: Let’s start with the phrase to set the pace. This phrase comes from running. To set the pace means to run faster than the other runners; especially at the beginning of the race.

Jack: So we said that Liverpool are setting the pace in the Premier League because they are the only team with three wins out of three. Thye have more points than the other teams.

Rich: The next phrase is the break. The break is basically half-time. The players rest for 15 minutes. You often hear phrases like ‘it’s one each at the break’ or ‘they scored just before the break’.

Jack: Mohamed Salah scored after a dazzling solo run. Something that is dazzling means it’s amazing or fantastic and a solo run is when you do a run or dribble with the ball without passing to a teammate.

Rich: It was a brilliant goal! In our second headline, about the Manchester United match, we used the words stunning, stunned and a stunner. These are used a lot in football so let’s take a look.

Jack: We used the verb first. We said Palace stunned United. Stunned means surprised or shocked here.

Rich: We used the adjective. We said Daniel James scored a stunning equaliser. Stunning means fantastic here.

Jack: Finally, we used the noun. We said Patrick van Aanholt scored a stunner. A stunner is an amazing or fantastic goal.

Rich: In the final headline, about the Chelsea-Norwich match, we used a couple of more unusual phrases or idioms.

Jack: We said that the Chelsea - Norwich match was a seesaw battle. A seesaw is a piece of equipment you find in a children’s playground. It’s a long piece of wood that is supported in the middle. A child sits on one end and another child sits on the other. First one is up and then they  go down and the other one goes up. 

Rich: A seesaw battle is a match that changes a lot. First one team is winning and then the other. A bit like a seesaw!

Jack: Our final phrase this week is to be up for grabs. This is an informal phrase that means available to anyone who is interested. You often use it about shopping and discounts. You might tell someone ‘there are some cheap trainers up for grabs in the sale in the market’.

Rich: In football, we often say things like ‘there are three points up for grabs’ or ‘the win is up for grabs’ when the match is level in the second half. The win and three points are available to the team that plays better.

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 set the pace, the break, a dazzling solo run, stunning, a seesaw battle and to be up for grabs.

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. Mohamed Salah scored twice for Liverpool, Tammy Abraham did the same for Chelsea.

Jack: But our Player of the Week is West Ham’s Sebastian Haller who also scored two: his first goals for West Ham and his first goals in the Premier League.

Rich: The next award is for Team of the Week. Good wins for Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa who got their first win back in the Premier League.

Jack: But, we’re going to go for Crystal Palace. Palace hadn’t scored a goal this season so I think a 2-1 away win at Manchester United surprised a few people.

Rich: 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. Jack.

Jack: Goal number one: Harvey Barnes for Leicester City v Sheffield United. A brilliant half-volley that gave the Foxes all three points.

Rich: Goal number two: Daniel James for Manchester United v Crystal Palace. A lovely curling finish but it wasn’t enough for United against Palace.

Jack: Goal number three: Mohamed Salah for Liverpool v Arsenal. A dazzling solo run and finish by the Egyptian. 

Rich: Right, 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: And I did very well last week, didn’t I?

Jack: Yes, you did. You predicted a 3-1 for Liverpool against Arsenal and it finished 3-1 to Liverpool. Well done!

Rich: Did you enjoy it?

Jack: No, I didn’t enjoy your prediction and I didn’t enjoy the result!

Rich: Ah, well! Arsenal can still have a good season.

Jack: What’s your prediction this week, Rich?

Rich: Matchweek four’s big match is a huge North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham. Now, Spurs have had the better of things in recent years with finishing in the top four and reaching the Champions League final and it’s not something that Arsenal fans like to see. Arsenal have had a decent start to the season despite losing at Anfield last week while Tottenham have been picking up points despite not being at their best. Arsenal are strong at home and I fancy them to win this one. Aubameyang could be the hero. Final score: Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham

Jack: I’ll go with that! You can make your predictions on the Premier Skills English website in the comments section and talk about the big match at the same time!

Rich: We also have some questions for you to answer on the site that give you a chance to use this week’s vocabulary.

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: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Results

Matchweek 3:

Aston Villa 2-0 Everton

Tottenham 0-1 Newcastle

Sheffield United 1-2 Leicester City

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

Norwich City 2-3 Chelsea

Manchester United 1-2 Crystal Palace

Watford 1-3 West Ham

Brighton 0-2 Southampton

Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester City

Wolves 1-1 Burnley

Headlines

Liverpool set the Premier League pace

Salah scored twice against Arsenal.

Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Arsenal leaves the Reds as the only team with a 100% record after three Premier League matches. Joel Matip made the breakthrough just before the break. Mohamed Salah added a second from the spot just after the break and then a third when he went on a dazzling solo run to score the goal of the match.

Headlines

Lightning strikes twice at Old Trafford

The Eagles landed at Old Trafford and won!

Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 win as Palace scored their first goals of the season. Old Trafford fell silent when Jordan Ayew put Palace ahead in the first half. United struggled to break down a determined defence and Marcus Rashford missed a second-half penalty. United looked to have grabbed a point when Daniel James got a stunning last-minute equaliser but Palace had other ideas and Patrick van Aanholt scored a stunner in the 93rd minute to give Palace all three points.

Headlines

Chelsea come out on top against Norwich

Teemu Pukki got his fifth goal of the season for Norwich but it wasn't enough against Chelsea.

A seesaw battle saw Chelsea claim all three points as they got a 3-2 away win at Norwich City. Tammy Abraham put Chelsea ahead after only three minutes but the hosts equalised through Todd Cantwell just three minutes later. Another goal for Chelsea and another equaliser for Norwich left the scores level at the break and three points up for grabs. It was Chelsea who grabbed the opportunity when Abraham scored his second of the game to give the Blues victory.

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 have set the pace in the Premier League.

Mohamed Salah added a second from the spot just after the break.

Salah went on a dazzling solo run to score the goal of the match.

Crystal Palace stunned Manchester United. Patrick van Aanholt scored a stunner despite a stunning equaliser from Daniel James.

A seesaw battle saw Chelsea claim all three points as they got a 3-2 away win at Norwich City.

Another goal for Chelsea and another equaliser for Norwich left the scores level at the break and three points up for grabs.

Aston Villa got their first win of the season and Wesley got his first goal since arriving as Villa's record signing.

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?

Player of the Week: Sebastian Haller (West Ham United)

Team of the Week: Crystal Palace

Goal of the Week: Look at the three options from Matchweek 3 and let us know which goal was best in the comments section!

Goal 1

Harvey Barnes for Leicester City v Sheffield United.

Goal 2

Daniel James for Manchester United v Crystal Palace.

Goal 3

Mohamed Salah for Liverpool v Arsenal.

Who will come out on top in the North London Derby in Matchweek 4?

The Big Match

Arsenal v Tottenham

The big match this weekend is the North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham. Rich thinks Arsenal will win while Jack hopes Arsenal will win, too (he supports the Gunners). Who do you agree with?

What are your predictions? Have a listen to what Rich says (he predicted the right score last week) and then make your prediction and talk about the match below.

Football Chat

What do you think?

Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 3 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 West Ham Utd's Sebastian Haller as Player of the Week. Do you agree? 
  2. Jack and Rich selected Crystal Palace 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: What's the best dazzling solo run you've ever seen? Will one team set the pace this season or will we see a seesaw battle for the top spot?
  5. Can you use 'stunning', 'stunned' and 'a stunner' in one football sentence?

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

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

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Comentários

hsn's picture
hsn
16/01/2022
TR
5525
points

Phrases
• This hard-working student is setting up pace for the class, by getting high degree in all exams.
• I'm always admire of dazzling dribbling that start center circle till opponent box.
• Judge fell silent after listening determined defence of accused man . Prosecutor struggled to disproof defence lawyer claims.
• Although newly established this company in a short period came out on top in market.
• When I was kid I fell from seesaw and broke my elbow. (Real)
• After economic crisis, the value of shares got very cheap. It's up for grab .


hsn's picture
hsn
16/01/2022 18:22
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

Phrases
• This hard-working student is setting up pace for the class, by getting high degree in all exams.
• I'm always admire of dazzling dribbling that start center circle till opponent box.
• Judge fell silent after listening determined defence of accused man . Prosecutor struggled to disproof defence lawyer claims.
• Although newly established this company in a short period came out on top in market.
• When I was kid I fell from seesaw and broke my elbow. (Real)
• After economic crisis, the value of shares got very cheap. It's up for grab .

RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
01/09/2019
BR
663
points

My guess Arsenal 1 X Spurs 2


RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
01/09/2019 15:55
Brazil
Arsenal
663

My guess Arsenal 1 X Spurs 2

RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
01/09/2019
BR
663
points

I agree with your choices, Palace really stunning everybody.
For me the best goal was Harvey Barnes for Leicester City v Sheffield United.
The most famous dazzling solo run was Maradona against England in the world cup 1986.
Liverpool started very well this season but the title is up for grabs yet. It would be amazing a seesaw for the trophy and it would be better if Wolves stunner the big teams.


RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
01/09/2019 15:33
Brazil
Arsenal
663

I agree with your choices, Palace really stunning everybody.
For me the best goal was Harvey Barnes for Leicester City v Sheffield United.
The most famous dazzling solo run was Maradona against England in the world cup 1986.
Liverpool started very well this season but the title is up for grabs yet. It would be amazing a seesaw for the trophy and it would be better if Wolves stunner the big teams.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
31/08/2019
BR
615
points

1. I didn't watch the game, but the choice is OK.
2. Wise choice.
3. I pick the Mohamed Salah's dazzling solo run as the best.
4. I hope to see a seesaw battle as it was the last season. About the dazzling solo run, take a look at the Puskas Award 2011 scored by Neymar Jr.
5. I cannot forget the Vincent Konpany's stunner against Leicester City last season.

My guess is Arsenal 1 x 1 Spurs.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
31/08/2019 13:34
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

1. I didn't watch the game, but the choice is OK.
2. Wise choice.
3. I pick the Mohamed Salah's dazzling solo run as the best.
4. I hope to see a seesaw battle as it was the last season. About the dazzling solo run, take a look at the Puskas Award 2011 scored by Neymar Jr.
5. I cannot forget the Vincent Konpany's stunner against Leicester City last season.

My guess is Arsenal 1 x 1 Spurs.

englishman
30/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

ok


englishman
30/08/2019 23:07
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

ok

yacine's picture
yacine
30/08/2019
DZ
196
points

thank you for this

1- i didn't watch it

2- i don't know


yacine's picture
yacine
30/08/2019 19:12
Algeria
Manchester United
196

thank you for this

1- i didn't watch it

2- i don't know

yacine's picture
yacine
30/08/2019
DZ
196
points

thank you for this

1- i can't say, i didn't wtach all the games

2- i don't know, 

3- some of them are good

 


yacine's picture
yacine
30/08/2019 19:10
Algeria
Manchester United
196

thank you for this

1- i can't say, i didn't wtach all the games

2- i don't know, 

3- some of them are good

 

elghoul's picture
elghoul
29/08/2019
DZ
3988
points

1. First week award for West Ham Sebastian Haller? OK I'll go for it.

2. Fantastic win for Cristal Palace against infortunate Man U missing again from the spot by a colored player.

3. The Mohamed Salah second goal was so amazing to put him in first place for the week4 best goal.

4. I am not so found of solo runs but I am still remembering lots of Messi dazzling actions. This year again w'll see a seesaw battle for the title between the Reds and City.

5. Algeria stunned Senegal twice during the last African Cup. Bounedjah scored a stunning winner in the final match helped by a huge deflection. Mahrez scored a stunner from outside the box to win the semi final.

Prediction Arsenal 3 Tottenham 2.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
29/08/2019 15:47
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. First week award for West Ham Sebastian Haller? OK I'll go for it.

2. Fantastic win for Cristal Palace against infortunate Man U missing again from the spot by a colored player.

3. The Mohamed Salah second goal was so amazing to put him in first place for the week4 best goal.

4. I am not so found of solo runs but I am still remembering lots of Messi dazzling actions. This year again w'll see a seesaw battle for the title between the Reds and City.

5. Algeria stunned Senegal twice during the last African Cup. Bounedjah scored a stunning winner in the final match helped by a huge deflection. Mahrez scored a stunner from outside the box to win the semi final.

Prediction Arsenal 3 Tottenham 2.

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.