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
Marcus Rashford scores for Manchester United against Liverpool.

Matchweek 9: The back post

Matchweek 9: The back post

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: Let’s start our round-up of Matchweek nine with our headlines.

Headlines

Jack: United hold Reds after controversial Rashford opener.

Rich: Liverpool dropped their first points of the season as they drew one-all with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the first half with a goal that Liverpool thought should have been disallowed for a foul. Liverpool kept attacking and United kept defending and the Reds eventually equalised. Adam Lallana got the goal with a tap-in at the back post.

Jack: City bounce back against Palace.

Rich: Manchester City got back to winning ways after a surprise defeat in Matchweek eight against Wolves. City were always on top against Palace and could have scored more. Gabriel Jesus got the first with a header and David Silva scored a brilliant second. Raheem Sterling chipped the ball over a defender and as the ball came over his shoulder, Silva hit a great volley into the net.

Jack: VAR confusion at Tottenham.

Rich: Watford were denied a first win of the season after a late Dele Alli equaliser for Spurs. Watford looked like they were going to hold out for a first win but Dele Alli scored in the 86th minute. The goal was checked for a handball but was awarded by the referee following consultation with VAR. The big screen in the stadium then said the decision was no goal. There was more discussion and some confusion before the goal was allowed to stand.

Jack: Yes, that was a bit confusing but the right decision was made in the end.

Rich: Yes, I think so. In matchweek nine there were also good wins for Leicester City, Everton, Chelsea and Aston Villa who got a 95th-minute winner.

Vocabulary alert!

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

Jack: We have some useful words and phrases this week. Our six words and phrases are: a tap-in, the back post, to be on top, to chip, to hold out and to stand.

Rich: Let’s start with the phrases we used to talk about the Manchester United - Liverpool match. We said that Adam Lallana scored a tap-in at the back post.

Jack: Well a tap-in is used to describe a really easy goal. A goal that is scored from very close to the goal and usually into an empty net.

Rich: A tap-in is always scored with the foot, not the head. It can also be used as a verb. He tapped the ball in but is much more common in football as a noun. 

Jack: Lallana scored his tap-in at the back post. The back post is the post that is furthest away from the player crossing the ball. We say the back post or more informally the back stick. The other post is the front post.

Rich: Our next two phrases come from the Crystal Palace - Manchester City match. The first phrase is to be on top. This means to be in control of the match. City were always on top in their match against Palace.

Jack: The second word we want to look at from this match is to chip or a chip as it can be a verb or a noun. We said Raheem Sterling chipped the ball over a defender.

Rich: You chip the ball when you put your foot under the ball to make it go high in the air and then back down again quickly.

Jack: Yes, it was a great chip to set up that goal for David Silva.

Rich: Our final two phrases come from the Tottenham-Watford match. The first is a phrasal verb. It’s to hold out. We said it looked like Watford were going to hold out for a win.

Jack: To hold out means to survive in a difficult situation. Spurs were attacking a lot and Watford were defending but it looked like Watford were going to survive or hold out to the end of the match and win.

Rich: Our final phrase this week is to stand and it is being used a lot now we have VAR in the Premier League. We said Tottenham’s goal was allowed to stand.

Jack: If a goal stands it means it is a valid or a legitimate goal so is permitted by the referee or VAR. If VAR decides that a goal shouldn’t stand then the referee doesn’t award a goal.

Rich: We’re still getting used to VAR and the language we use to describe it.

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:  a tap-in, the back post, to be on top, to chip, to hold out and to stand.

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. Jack Grealish was brilliant for Aston Villa and both keepers were brilliant in the Palace - City match.

Jack: But our Player of the week is the Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure. The midfielder won some amazing tackles, scored a goal and was very unlucky not to be celebrating the Hornet’s first win of the season.

Rich: Team of the week is a difficult one. There were no big wins this week. Everton got a good win but we’re going to go with Aston Villa. A 95th-minute winner and Villa are up to 11th after a difficult start to the season.

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. Jack.

Rich: Goal number one: David Silva for Manchester City against Crystal Palace. A wonderful chip from Raheem Sterling and a marvellous volley from Silva.

Jack: Goal number two: Marcos Alonso for Chelsea versus Newcastle. Alonso’s powerful strike gave Chelsea all three points and they are up to fourth place.

Rich: Goal number three: Bernard for Everton v West Ham. We could have chosen either Everton goal in this match but we have gone for The Brazilian’s brilliant individual effort.

Rich: 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. You made an awful prediction last week. What was it? Liverpool would win 3-0 at Old Trafford and it would be Liverpool’s easiest win of the season?

Rich: Mmm, it was pretty wide of the mark, wasn’t it?

Jack: So, what’s your prediction this week?

Rich: Matchweek 10 sees a re-run of last season’s Champions League Final. It’s Liverpool against Tottenham. I know I predicted a big win for Liverpool last week and got it horribly wrong but I think there will be a reaction and I’m going to predict a big win again. Spurs are not playing well at the moment and it would be a big surprise if they got anything at Anfield. Final score: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham.

Jack: 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: Remember we also have some questions for you to answer 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 9:

Tottenham 1-1 Watford

Everton 2-0 West Ham

Leicester City 2-1 Burnley

Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton

Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester City

Sheffield Utd L-L Arsenal

Manchester Utd 1-1 Liverpool

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle Utd

Wolves 1-1 Southampton

Bournemouth 0-0 Norwich

Headlines

United hold Reds after controversial Rashford opener

Adam Lallana equalises for Liverpool.

Liverpool dropped their first points of the season as they drew one-all with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford opened the scoring in the first-half with a goal that Liverpool thought should have been disallowed for a foul. Liverpool kept attacking and United kept defending and the Reds eventually equalised. Adam Lallana got the goal with a tap-in at the back post.

Headlines

City bounce back against Palace

Gabriel Jesus scores with a diving header.

Manchester City got back to winning ways after a surprise defeat in Matchweek eight against Wolves. City were always on top against Palace and could have scored more. Gabriel Jesus got the first with a header and David Silva scored a brilliant second. Raheem Sterling chipped the ball over a defender and as the ball came over his shoulder, Silva hit a great volley into the net.

Headlines

VAR confusion at Tottenham

Tottenham's equaliser was not given ...

Watford looked like they were going to hold out for a first win of the season but Dele Alli equalised in the 86th minute. The goal was checked for a handball then awarded by the referee following consultation with VAR. The big screen in the stadium then said the decision was no goal. There was more discussion and some confusion before the goal was allowed to stand.

... but then it was.

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?

Adam Lallana got the goal with a tap-in at the back post. A tap-in is used to describe a really easy goal. It is from very close to the goal and usually into an empty net.

The back post is the post that is furthest away from the player crossing the ball.

City were always on top against Palace.  To be on top means to be in control of the match.

Raheem Sterling chipped the ball over a defender. To chip the ball means to put your foot under the ball to make it go high in the air and then back down again quickly.

Watford looked like they were going to hold out for a first win of the season. To hold out means to survive in a difficult situation.

There was more discussion and some confusion before the goal was allowed to stand. If a goal stands it means it is a valid or a legitimate goal so is permitted by the referee or VAR. 

David Silva scored a superb goal for City

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?

Aston Villa are our Team of the Week.

Player of the Week: Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)

Team of the Week: Aston Villa

Goal of the Week: Look at the three options from Matchweek 9 and let us know which goal was best in the comments section!

Goal 1

David Silva for Manchester City against Crystal Palace.

Goal 2

Marcos Alonso for Chelsea versus Newcastle.

Goal 3

Bernard for Everton v West Ham.

The Big Match

Liverpool v Spurs

This weekend sees a rerun of last season's Champions League Final.

The big match this weekend is Liverpool against Tottenham. Rich thinks it will be a big win for Liverpool. Do you agree?

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

Football Chat

What do you think?

Marcus Rashford scores for Manchester United against Liverpool.

Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 9 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 Watford's Abdoulaye Doucoure as Player of the Week. Do you agree? 
  2. Jack and Rich selected Aston Villa 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: Who's on top in the race for the Premier League? Is it easier to score from a corner to the back post or front post?
  5. Can you use 'chip', 'a tap-in' or 'to stand' 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

Comentários

hsn's picture
hsn
08/01/2022
TR
5525
points

Phrases
• The women workers are holding out for creche facility.
• The stands usually disagree with referee about goal isn't allowed to stand-:)


hsn's picture
hsn
08/01/2022 17:23
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

Phrases
• The women workers are holding out for creche facility.
• The stands usually disagree with referee about goal isn't allowed to stand-:)

hsn's picture
hsn
08/01/2022
TR
5525
points

Hi Jack!
That is another football phrase suggestion"......after (DEFLECTION of) the ball (DEFLECTed) became goal....."
Have a nice day. Bye.


hsn's picture
hsn
08/01/2022 08:15
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

Hi Jack!
That is another football phrase suggestion"......after (DEFLECTION of) the ball (DEFLECTed) became goal....."
Have a nice day. Bye.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
25/10/2019
BR
615
points

Let me kindly disagree with your choices this week.
I think Everton should be chosen as the Team of the Week and, in my opinion, the best goal was scored by Everton's midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Anyway, from the three available options, I am going to choose the Bernard's goal.

Liverpool is on top in the race for the Premier League. By the way, my guess isLiverpool 2 x 0 Tottenham.

My sentences: A tap-in in the back post is the easiest way to score. I didn't believe that the United's goal would be allowed but it was stood! In Brazil, the word for 'chip' literally means 'hat' in English.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
25/10/2019 02:02
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

Let me kindly disagree with your choices this week.
I think Everton should be chosen as the Team of the Week and, in my opinion, the best goal was scored by Everton's midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. Anyway, from the three available options, I am going to choose the Bernard's goal.

Liverpool is on top in the race for the Premier League. By the way, my guess isLiverpool 2 x 0 Tottenham.

My sentences: A tap-in in the back post is the easiest way to score. I didn't believe that the United's goal would be allowed but it was stood! In Brazil, the word for 'chip' literally means 'hat' in English.

wsanta's picture
wsanta
23/10/2019
AR
5086
points

My prediction is Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham


wsanta's picture
wsanta
23/10/2019 21:13
Argentina
Leeds United
5086

My prediction is Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham

elghoul's picture
elghoul
22/10/2019
DZ
3988
points

Prediction, Liverpool 2 Tottenham 2.

1. I agree with the choice made I mean Abdoulaye Doucoure as player of the week.

2. Aston Villa the best this week? Yes, why not?

3. Bernard whose goal I saw on live was brilliant and gave some sort of relief for tha manager.

4. The Reds are on top this season but how long the three forwarders will stay heading the PL title race.

It is easier to score to the back post from a corner.

5. When Jesus chipped the ball over his opponent Silva clearly saw that he needs just a little tap to stand a  winner.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
22/10/2019 13:35
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

Prediction, Liverpool 2 Tottenham 2.

1. I agree with the choice made I mean Abdoulaye Doucoure as player of the week.

2. Aston Villa the best this week? Yes, why not?

3. Bernard whose goal I saw on live was brilliant and gave some sort of relief for tha manager.

4. The Reds are on top this season but how long the three forwarders will stay heading the PL title race.

It is easier to score to the back post from a corner.

5. When Jesus chipped the ball over his opponent Silva clearly saw that he needs just a little tap to stand a  winner.

Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
21/10/2019
DZ
325
points

1- I'm a lover of the goals when the strikers chip the ball over the goalkeeper but I found David Silva's goal is the best this week.

2- I think that Liverpool will be on top next week when they play against Tottenham, final score may be a 2-0 for Liverpool.


Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
21/10/2019 20:20
Algeria
Liverpool
325

1- I'm a lover of the goals when the strikers chip the ball over the goalkeeper but I found David Silva's goal is the best this week.

2- I think that Liverpool will be on top next week when they play against Tottenham, final score may be a 2-0 for Liverpool.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
21/10/2019
UA
6278
points

Liverpool 3 : 1 Tottenham


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
21/10/2019 17:47
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Liverpool 3 : 1 Tottenham

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.