This Week: In the driving seat
This Week: In the driving seat
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, Laura and Jack talk about the latest action from the Premier League and have lots of football English for you to learn.
Transcript
This Week: In the driving seat
Laura: Hello my name’s Laura and welcome to our weekly round-up section called ‘This Week’ on Premier Skills English.
Jack: Hi there. I’m Jack. We’ve got lots of interesting words and phrases to help you talk about football in English.
Rich: My name’s Rich. If you want to listen and read at the same time we have a transcript of this podcast on the Premier Skills English website.
Jack: We’re going to look at three headlines from this weekend’s action and after each, we’ll look at a couple of useful phrases.
Rich: We want you to use and practise these words and phrases by interacting with Premier League fans from around the world in our comments section.
Laura: 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 of our latest content on the Premier Skills English homepage or the Premier Skills-British Council Facebook page.
Rich: The words and phrases we are looking at this week are: to be stretchered off, a clash of heads, side, end-to-end, to be in the driving seat and to turn something on its head.
Laura: Later on we’ll also have a language challenge for you to have a go at so you need to be ready for that.
Headline 1
Jack: Wolves win at Arsenal for the first time in forty years.
Laura: Wolverhampton Wanderers won away at Arsenal for the first time since 1979 in a game that was overshadowed by a serious injury to the Mexican striker, Raul Jimenez. The Wolves player was stretchered off after an accidental clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz. The game was settled by goals from Pedro Neto and Castelo Podence despite an equaliser by Arsenal’s Gabriel.
Rich: It was a really serious injury for Raul Jimenez. He was taken to hospital straight away and we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery for the player.
Jack: Our two bits of language from our first headline are both connected to injuries on the pitch.
Laura: I said that Raul Jimenez was stretchered off.
Rich: A stretcher is a piece of cloth with poles in each corner that is used to carry a person if they have been injured and can not walk.
Jack: Stretchers are used on sports pitches when players suffer serious injuries.
Laura: The phrase to be stretchered off means that a player was taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
Rich: Laura said that Raul Jimenez was stretchered off after a clash of heads with David Luiz.
Jack: This phrase a clash of heads is used when two players hit or knock their heads against each other accidentally.
Laura: A clash of heads often happens at corners or free-kicks when two players are going for the same ball.
Headline 2
Rich: Leeds get back to winning ways.
Jack: Leeds United won away at Everton with Raphina’s first goal in English football being the difference between the two sides. In an end-to-end game with lots of chances, the only surprise was that it took until the 80th minute for a goal to be scored. Leeds win for the first time in four while Everton’s bright start to the season seems to be slipping away.
Laura: A good win for Leeds that and they’re back up to mid-table. There were 38 shots in that match. I can’t believe there was only one goal.
Rich: Let’s look at a bit of language. The first word is side. This is a word we use a lot but I think it’s worth looking at.
Jack: We use the word side as a synonym of team or sports team. In the headline, I said that Raphina’s goal was the difference between the two sides.
Laura: We can talk about the home side, the away side and we can talk about a strong side or a weak side and we can finish on the winning side or the losing side.
Rich: The other phrase I want to look at from this headline is end-to-end or an end-to-end game.
Jack: When we describe a match or a game as being end-to-end we are saying that there is a lot of attacking action at both ends of the pitch.
Laura: We are saying both sides are attacking and each side has had lots of chances to score.
Rich: We described the Everton-Leeds match as an end-to-end game. There were lots of chances for both sides.
Jack: Let’s move on to our final headline.
Headline 3
Laura: United stage memorable comeback.
Rich: Manchester United staged a memorable comeback to beat Southampton by three goals to two. Jan Bednarek and James-Ward Prowse put Southampton in the driving seat but the introduction of Edinson Cavani turned the game on its head. Cavani scored twice and set up the other for Bruno Fernandes as United scored three times in the last half an hour to win the game.
Jack: This was probably the most exciting match of the weekend. An injury-time winner and a come from behind victory.
Rich: Maybe not so exciting for Southampton fans. They were the better team in the first half and very much in the driving seat at the break.
Laura: This is the first phrase we want to look at from our final headline: to be in the driving seat.
Jack: To be in the driving seat or to be in the driver’s seat are idioms that mean to be in total control of a situation.
Rich: Southampton were two-nil up at half-time. They were in the driving seat. They were in control of the match.
Laura: But United came back to win 3-2. Rich said they turned the game on its head.
Jack: This is another idiom: to turn something on its head. It means to completely reverse what was happening before; to make the opposite happen.
Rich: Southampton were the better side - they were in the driving seat but United turned the match on its head in the second half. United were the better side and they won the game.
Laura: OK. We’ve looked at three stories and six bits of vocabulary in our headlines. The words and phrases we’ve looked at are: to be stretchered off, a clash of heads, side, end-to-end, to be in the driving seat and to turn something on its head.
Jack: Don’t forget to look at the website for the transcript if you want to check your understanding of this vocabulary.
Prediction
Rich: It’s time for this week’s Premier League prediction. Jack didn’t do so well last week. He thought Spurs would beat Chelsea but the match finished as a draw just as I had predicted.
Jack: OK, well it is your turn this week. What does your crystal ball tell you?
Rich: Let’s have a look. Oh, I see the North London Derby ahead next weekend.
Laura: You don’t need a crystal ball for that, Rich.
Rich: OK, all right, there’s nothing magical or mystical about my prediction this week. On Sunday I’ll be watching the 188th North London Derby between Tottenham and Arsenal and I can only see one outcome - a win for Spurs. Jose Mourinho has taken Tottenham to the top of the Premier League while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are down in 14th place and not in good form at all. I think Kane and Son will be too much for Arsenal’s defence. Final score: Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal.
Jack: My head says you’re probably right but it’s a derby so I’m going for a 2-1 win to Arsenal.
Laura: We want all of you to make your predictions for this match and all the Matchweek 11 fixtures on the Premier Skills English website.
Language Challenge
Rich: To finish up the show we’ve got a quick language challenge connected to this week’s vocabulary.
Laura: Earlier we looked at the idiom to turn something on its head. We’ve got three more idioms that use the word head. We want you to write the missing word in the comments section on the Premier Skills English website.
Rich: I think Jack is letting his ______ rule his head with that prediction.
Jack: You just can’t _______ your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
Laura: I’m still _________ my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
Rich: We want you to write the answers on the Premier Skills English website where we have some more questions and activities connected to this week’s show.
Jack: Or write your answer on Apple Podcasts if that’s where you listen to us. Just write the answers in the review section and say hi.
Laura: Before we finish we just wanted to say that we hope you found this lesson useful and we hope that all of you stay fit and healthy.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Headlines
Wolves win at Arsenal for the first time in forty years
Wolverhampton Wanderers won away at Arsenal for the first time since 1979 in a game that was overshadowed by a serious injury to the Mexican striker, Raul Jimenez. The Wolves player was stretchered off after an accidental clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz. The game was settled by goals from Pedro Neto and Castelo Podence despite an equaliser by Arsenal’s Gabriel.
Headlines
Leeds get back to winning ways
Leeds United won away at Everton with Raphina’s first goal in English football being the difference between the two sides. In an end-to-end game with lots of chances, it was a surprise it took until the 80th minute for a goal to be scored. Leeds win for the first time in four while Everton’s bright start to the season seems to be slipping away.
Headlines
United stage memorable comeback
Manchester United staged a memorable comeback to beat Southampton by three goals to two. Jan Bednarek and James-Ward Prowse put Southampton in the driving seat but the introduction of Edinson Cavani turned the game on its head. Cavani scored twice and set up the other for Bruno Fernandes as United scored three times in the last half an hour to win the game.
Vocabulary Alert
Language in the headlines
We looked at six words and phrases in our headlines that you can learn to improve your English. Take a look at the phrases in bold. Do you understand what they mean?
The Wolves player was stretchered off after an accidental clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz.
Raphina’s first goal in English football being the difference between the two sides.
In an end-to-end game, it was a surprise it took until the 80th minute for a goal.
Jan Bednarek and James-Ward Prowse put Southampton in the driving seat.
Edinson Cavani turned the game on its head.
Prediction
Premier League Predictions: Tottenham v Arsenal
Tottenham play Arsenal in Matchweek 11 in the 188th North London Derby. Rich predicts and easy win for Spurs while Jack is hoping for a different result. Here are the other Premier League fixtures for Matchweek 11:
Fixtures
Tottenham v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Burnley v Everton
Manchester City v Fulham
West Ham v Manchester United
Chelsea v Leeds
West Brom v Crystal Palace
Sheffield United v Leicester City
Liverpool v Wolves
Brighton v Southampton
Talk about the matches and make your predictions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Language Challenge
Jack, Laura and Rich set you a language challenge. In the podcast, we said that Edinson Cavani turned the Southampton - Manchester United match on its head. Here are three more football sentences which include phrases with head. Can you guess the missing words?
I think Jack is letting his ______ rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t ______ your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still _______ my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
Write the correct answer in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Discuss
Talk about the headlines
Jack, Laura and Rich looked at three stories in the news and some vocabulary that might be new to you. Now it's your turn! Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments section below.
- Who was stretchered off at the weekend?
- Which Premier League game did we describe as end-to-end?
- Who turned a game on its head last weekend?
- Talk about this week's Premier League matches and make your predictions.
- Can you do our language challenge?
Write your comments and answers in the section below.
Leave a comment
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Comentários
26/12/2020
points
-Raul Jimenez was stretchered off by butcher David Luiz at the weekend
-You described Southampton vs Leeds match as end-to-end.
-Cavani turned a game on its head.
26/12/2020 15:39
Leicester City
48
-Raul Jimenez was stretchered off by butcher David Luiz at the weekend
-You described Southampton vs Leeds match as end-to-end.
-Cavani turned a game on its head.
08/12/2020
points
Hi everyone,
The answers to the language challenge were:
I think Jack is letting his heart rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t lose your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still scratching my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
08/12/2020 19:35
0
Hi everyone,
The answers to the language challenge were:
I think Jack is letting his heart rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t lose your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still scratching my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
08/12/2020
points
1. Raul Jimenez
2. Everton-Leeds match
3. Edinson Cavani
4. Out of time!
5. As follows;
-I think Jack is letting his HEART / EMOTIONS rule his head with that prediction.
-You just can’t TOSS your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
-I’m still FALLING my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
-Other phrases:
-Life is an "end-to-end game" in which you get lots of chances. If you aren’t in "driving seat" you could hit your head with the wall and be "stretchered off". Then life put you in the rear seat by giving some painful lessons.
-I "turned" all the problems "on its head" and then realized that they are realities of life. There is no life without problems. Carpe Diem-:)
08/12/2020 15:13
Tottenham Hotspur
5560
1. Raul Jimenez
2. Everton-Leeds match
3. Edinson Cavani
4. Out of time!
5. As follows;
-I think Jack is letting his HEART / EMOTIONS rule his head with that prediction.
-You just can’t TOSS your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
-I’m still FALLING my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
-Other phrases:
-Life is an "end-to-end game" in which you get lots of chances. If you aren’t in "driving seat" you could hit your head with the wall and be "stretchered off". Then life put you in the rear seat by giving some painful lessons.
-I "turned" all the problems "on its head" and then realized that they are realities of life. There is no life without problems. Carpe Diem-:)
04/12/2020
points
Hi there! My prediction!
Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal.
04/12/2020 11:26
Arsenal
2337
Hi there! My prediction!
Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal.
02/12/2020
points
1. Raoul Jimenez was stretchered off after an clash of heads with David Luiz.
2. The game between Leeds and Everton was an end-to-end's one.
3. Man United turned the game on its head after the Saints were taking the driving seat with two goals in the first half. The substitute Cavani scored a brace and set Rashford for a third.
Prediction :
Man United 3 West Ham 2
City 4 Fulham 1
02/12/2020 13:38
Manchester City
3988
1. Raoul Jimenez was stretchered off after an clash of heads with David Luiz.
2. The game between Leeds and Everton was an end-to-end's one.
3. Man United turned the game on its head after the Saints were taking the driving seat with two goals in the first half. The substitute Cavani scored a brace and set Rashford for a third.
Prediction :
Man United 3 West Ham 2
City 4 Fulham 1
02/12/2020
points
Hi,
I submit these sentences:
I think Jack is letting his ___emotions___ rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t ****** your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still ___making____ my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
02/12/2020 13:25
Manchester City
3988
Hi,
I submit these sentences:
I think Jack is letting his ___emotions___ rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t ****** your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still ___making____ my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
01/12/2020
points
Language Challenge :
I think Jack is letting his ****** rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t ( knock ) your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still ( hanging ) my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
01/12/2020 20:22
Manchester United
6539
Language Challenge :
I think Jack is letting his ****** rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t ( knock ) your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still ( hanging ) my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
03/12/2020
points
Keep your head
keeping my head over
03/12/2020 12:30
Manchester United
6539
Keep your head
keeping my head over
01/12/2020
points
Matchweek 11 Predictions :
Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa POS Newcastle
Burnley 0-2 Everton
Manchester City 5-0 Fulham
West Ham 1-2 Manchester United
Chelsea 3-2 Leeds
West Brom 1-1 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United 2-1 Leicester City
Liverpool 1-1 Wolves
Brighton 0-3 Southampton
01/12/2020 19:46
Manchester United
6539
Matchweek 11 Predictions :
Tottenham 3-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa POS Newcastle
Burnley 0-2 Everton
Manchester City 5-0 Fulham
West Ham 1-2 Manchester United
Chelsea 3-2 Leeds
West Brom 1-1 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United 2-1 Leicester City
Liverpool 1-1 Wolves
Brighton 0-3 Southampton
01/12/2020
points
1. Raul Jiminez was stretchered off last Sunday after a clash hair with David Luiz which ended up him at hospital but luckily , he responded on fans today and was optimistic to be back soon. Wish him a speedy recovery.
2. The end-to-end game was Everton vs Leeds United as we saw lots of missed chances reached up to 38 chances but Raphina scored the a stunner to end up the goal drought.
3. Manchester United turned the game on its head in the second half by the head of Cavani who scored twice and set up another after Southampton was taking the driving seat in the first half.
01/12/2020 19:44
Manchester United
6539
1. Raul Jiminez was stretchered off last Sunday after a clash hair with David Luiz which ended up him at hospital but luckily , he responded on fans today and was optimistic to be back soon. Wish him a speedy recovery.
2. The end-to-end game was Everton vs Leeds United as we saw lots of missed chances reached up to 38 chances but Raphina scored the a stunner to end up the goal drought.
3. Manchester United turned the game on its head in the second half by the head of Cavani who scored twice and set up another after Southampton was taking the driving seat in the first half.
01/12/2020
points
1. Raúl Jimenez was stretchered off at the weekend because his skull was injured by David Luiz.
2. I think the Leeds's game was end-to-end
3. In my opinion,Edinson Cavani turned a game on its head cause Man Utd were 2-0 down after 45 minutes.
4. Liverpool was destroyed by VAR after 2 offside goals and a penalty in the last minutes.They can even lose if Neal Maupay didn't miss a pen in the 1st half.
Aston Villa was almost the same situation as Liverpool. Their sencond goal was not counted by VAR and they have missed a pen.
Fulham has got the shockest win yesterday,and they have improved their penalties,as well after 3 missed pen in a row.
Tottenham went to the top of the table after completed their mission,which was tried to get 1 point against Chelsea (my favorite club)
01/12/2020 14:12
Chelsea
93
1. Raúl Jimenez was stretchered off at the weekend because his skull was injured by David Luiz.
2. I think the Leeds's game was end-to-end
3. In my opinion,Edinson Cavani turned a game on its head cause Man Utd were 2-0 down after 45 minutes.
4. Liverpool was destroyed by VAR after 2 offside goals and a penalty in the last minutes.They can even lose if Neal Maupay didn't miss a pen in the 1st half.
Aston Villa was almost the same situation as Liverpool. Their sencond goal was not counted by VAR and they have missed a pen.
Fulham has got the shockest win yesterday,and they have improved their penalties,as well after 3 missed pen in a row.
Tottenham went to the top of the table after completed their mission,which was tried to get 1 point against Chelsea (my favorite club)
01/12/2020
points
I think Jack is letting his ***** rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t kick your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still getting my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
Tottenham 2 : 0 Arsenal
Burnley 0 : 1 Everton
Manchester City 3 : 0 Fulham
West Ham 2 : 3 Manchester United
Chelsea 2 : 1 Leeds
Sheffield United 0 : 4 Leicester City
Liverpool 3 : 1 Wolves
Brighton 1 : 1 Southampton
01/12/2020 08:01
Manchester United
21
I think Jack is letting his ***** rule his head with that prediction.
You just can’t kick your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
I’m still getting my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
Tottenham 2 : 0 Arsenal
Burnley 0 : 1 Everton
Manchester City 3 : 0 Fulham
West Ham 2 : 3 Manchester United
Chelsea 2 : 1 Leeds
Sheffield United 0 : 4 Leicester City
Liverpool 3 : 1 Wolves
Brighton 1 : 1 Southampton
30/11/2020
points
30/11/2020 16:51
Liverpool
6578
30/11/2020
points
I’m still racking (breaking) my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
30/11/2020 16:47
Liverpool
6578
I’m still racking (breaking) my head over how we lost that game. Over twenty shots and not one goal. Unbelievable!
30/11/2020
points
You just can’t use (lay) your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
30/11/2020 16:42
Liverpool
6578
You just can’t use (lay) your head like that on the pitch. It was a definite red card.
30/11/2020
points
I think Jack is letting his ****** rule his head with that prediction.
30/11/2020 16:40
Liverpool
6578
I think Jack is letting his ****** rule his head with that prediction.
30/11/2020
points
Liverpool 1 : 0 Wolves
Brighton 2 : 1 Southampton
30/11/2020 16:39
Liverpool
6578
Liverpool 1 : 0 Wolves
Brighton 2 : 1 Southampton
30/11/2020
points
West Ham 1 : 2 Manchester United
Chelsea 2 : 1 Leeds
West Brom 1 : 1 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United 1 : 4 Leicester City
30/11/2020 16:38
Liverpool
6578
West Ham 1 : 2 Manchester United
Chelsea 2 : 1 Leeds
West Brom 1 : 1 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United 1 : 4 Leicester City
30/11/2020
points
Tottenham 3 : 1 Arsenal
Aston Villa 2 : 1 Newcastle
Burnley 1 : 2 Everton
Manchester City 3 : 0 Fulham
30/11/2020 16:36
Liverpool
6578
Tottenham 3 : 1 Arsenal
Aston Villa 2 : 1 Newcastle
Burnley 1 : 2 Everton
Manchester City 3 : 0 Fulham