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James Milner scores for Liverpool.

Matchweek 15 - A two-horse race

Matchweek 15 - A two-horse race

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. They keep you up to date with our prediction competition 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  

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

Jack: Hi there. I’m Jack. This week there was an extra round of Premier League matches in midweek so we’re back with an extra episode of football and English.
 
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 with our midweek headlines!

Headlines

Jack: City hold on to beat Watford.

Rich: Manchester City survived a late Watford onslaught to win for the thirteenth time in fifteen games in the Premier League this season. Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez made things comfortable for City but Watford got a goal in the 85th minute to and it was a nervous finish for the league leaders.

Jack: Liverpool leave it late against Burnley.

Rich: A much-changed Liverpool team fell behind in the 54th-minute but a James Milner Strike levelled things up. Roberto Firmino scored with his first touch after coming off the bench. Xherdan Shaqiri made sure Liverpool took all three points in injury time.

Jack: Arsenal against United finish all-square.

Rich: Manchester United equalised twice as both teams had to settle for a two-all draw. A mistake by David De Gea allowed Arsenal to score the opening goal but Anthony Martial scored soon after. Another error, this time by Marcos Rojo allowed Alexandre LAcazette to score but Jesse equalised just moments later and that’s how it finished.

Jack: Do you think it’s a two-horse race for the title now?

Rich: With Chelsea losing to Wolves there’s a gap between the top two and the rest but I think it’s a bit early to write off the rest, yet.

Vocabulary alert!

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

Jack: The words are: to hold on, onslaught, to come off the bench, all-square, a two-horse race and to write off.

Rich: Some unusual words here. Let’s start with to hold on. This means to survive in a dangerous situation. We use it when one team is defending a lot but the attacking team doesn’t score.

Jack: When the other team is attacking a lot we can use the word onslaught. Manchester City survived a Watford onslaught. In general, it means a violent attack and it has the same meaning here but without the violence!

Rich: Roberto Firmino came off the bench to score. To come off the bench means to play as a substitute. The bench is the substitutes’ bench - what the substitutes sit on.

Jack: The next phrase is all-square. This means to have equal points in a game so it’s used to describe a draw. Arsenal against United finished all-square. It finished 2-2. A draw.

Rich: The next phrase is a two-horse race. We use this phrase when there are lots of teams that can theoretically win a competition but the reality is that only two can. Do you think the Premier League is a two-horse race this season?

Jack: And the last phrase is to write off which is a phrasal verb. In the headlines, to write off means it’s not worth paying any attention to something because they are not going to win.

Rich: Have a think about these six phrases and see if you can use any of them in the comments section.

Football Awards

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

Jack: 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: We’re going to do these midweek awards very quickly. Rich - over to you.

Rich: OK, our Player of Matchweek 15 is Liverpool’s, James Milner. He got Liverpool back into the match against Burnley with a good goal. Milner always works hard for the team whether he is in midfield or at left-back. In this match, he played both positions. Right, our Team of Matchweek 15 is Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves hadn’t won for seven matches so a comeback win against Chelsea was a great performance. Finally, our Goal of Matchweek 15 goes to Florin Andone, Brighton’s Romanian striker. Andone ran half the length of the pitch to score. A stunning strike and worth checking out if you haven’t seen it.

Matchweek Prediction 

Jack: This is our second prediction this week so you only have a couple of days to make your predictions. You need to be quick!

Rich: The big match is Chelsea v Manchester City. City are of course on fire. They are top of the league and haven’t lost this season. Chelsea lost to Wolves in their last game and are experiencing their first run of bad form under Maurizio Sarri. City looked a little nervous at the end of their last game and I think Chelsea have a chance at home but I think City will win. Final score: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City.

Jack: I think this match will finish all-square. We shouldn’t write Chelsea off yet. I’m going for a one all draw.

Rich: We will see. Make your predictions on the page below. You get one point if you predict the right result and three points if you predict the right score.

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. 

Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Results

Matchweek 15:

Bournemouth 2-1 Huddersfield

Watford 1-2 Manchester City

Brighton 3-1 Crystal Palace

West Ham 3-1 Cardiff City

Burnley 1-3 Liverpool

Everton 1-1 Newcastle Utd

Fulham 1-1 Leicester City

Wolves 2-1 Chelsea

Manchester Utd 2-2 Arsenal

Tottenham 3-1 Southampton

Leroy Sane scored first for City and the Premier League leaders HELD ON for a 2-1 win against Watford.

Vocabulary Alert

Football English

We looked at six words and phrases in this episode. Take a look at the words in bold. Do you undertand what they mean?

Roberto Firmino scored with his first touch after coming off the bench.

Manchester City survived a late Watford onslaught to hold on for the win.

Do you think the Premier League is a two-horse race this season?

Arsenal against United finished all-square. It finished 2-2. A draw.

There’s a gap between the top two and the rest, but I think it’s a bit early to write off the rest, yet.

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.

Lucas Perez scored twice in West Ham's 3-1 win against Cardiff. It was the first time the striker had scored in the Premier League in nearly two years!

Matchweek Awards

Do you agree with our choices?

Player of the Week: James Milner (Liverpool)

James Milner equalises for Liverpool against Burnley. Liverpool's 3-1 win keeps the Reds just two points behind Manchester City.

Team of the Week: Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves surprised Chelsea by coming from behind to win 2-1.

Goal of the Week: Florin Andone (Brighton)

Florin Andone scored a cracking goal as Brighton beat Palace 3-1.

The Big Match

Chelsea v Manchester City

Rich's prediction for Matchweek sixteen is the match between Chelsea and Manchester City. Rich has predicted a 2-1 win for City while Jack has gone for a 1-1 draw.

What is your prediction? Have a listen to what Rich and Jack say and then enter our prediction competition below. You get one point for the correct result and three points for predicting the exact score.

Where are you in our prediction league?

Who will be our Premier League Prediction Champion?

Form

Premier League Prediction: Chelsea v Manchester City

Use this form to make your prediction. You can only make one prediction so take care! When you have made your predictions, the form will vanish.

You need to be logged in to make your prediction!

Check out the league table for our prediction competition. What position are you in?

See results table

Four Questions

What do you think?

Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 15 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 James Milner of Liverpool as Player of the Week. Do you agree? 
  2. Jack and Rich selected Wolves as their Team of the Week. Do you agree?
  3. Rich picked Florin Andone's goal for Brighton as Goal of the Week? Did you see it? Do you agree?
  4. Use this week's vocabulary: Do you think it's a two-horse race for the Premier League? Who came off the bench to score in Matchweek 15? 

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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Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
05/03/2022
TR
5560
points

Phrases
• Military onslaught held against occupants to protect motherland finished with a victory.
• Annual amortization amount should be written off from the value of intangible assets.


hsn's picture
hsn
05/03/2022 17:09
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5560

Phrases
• Military onslaught held against occupants to protect motherland finished with a victory.
• Annual amortization amount should be written off from the value of intangible assets.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
08/12/2018
BR
615
points

Great choices for this matchweek. Andone's goal was amazing.

Not only Firmino came off the bench to score, but also Andone and Balogun, both for Brighton.

If Chelsea don't defeat City in Matchweek 16, I'll think definitely it's a two-horse race this season.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
08/12/2018 14:53
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

Great choices for this matchweek. Andone's goal was amazing.

Not only Firmino came off the bench to score, but also Andone and Balogun, both for Brighton.

If Chelsea don't defeat City in Matchweek 16, I'll think definitely it's a two-horse race this season.

Rich's picture
Rich
08/12/2018
ES
594
points

Are Chelsea back in the race or did the result just help Liverpool?

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

 


Rich's picture
Rich
08/12/2018 19:27
Spain
Liverpool
594

Are Chelsea back in the race or did the result just help Liverpool?

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

 

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
14/12/2018
BR
615
points

Well, I still don't write Chelsea off, nor Spurs or Arsenal, but this result helped Liverpool a lot.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
14/12/2018 22:13
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

Well, I still don't write Chelsea off, nor Spurs or Arsenal, but this result helped Liverpool a lot.

Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
08/12/2018
DZ
325
points

-I don't know what happend during match week 15. So, I'll not judge about your choices.

- Premier League is known by high competitive games between at least five or six teams. Unfrotunately, this season it becomes a two-horse race.

3- Came off the bench to score is very wonderfull for both the plyer and the team, it will give the player more confidence and it gives the team more choices.


Khaldoun83's picture
Khaldoun83
08/12/2018 14:06
Algeria
Liverpool
325

-I don't know what happend during match week 15. So, I'll not judge about your choices.

- Premier League is known by high competitive games between at least five or six teams. Unfrotunately, this season it becomes a two-horse race.

3- Came off the bench to score is very wonderfull for both the plyer and the team, it will give the player more confidence and it gives the team more choices.

Rich's picture
Rich
08/12/2018
ES
594
points

Chelsea just beat City 2-0. Maybe we shouldn't write them, off. yet!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
08/12/2018 19:26
Spain
Liverpool
594

Chelsea just beat City 2-0. Maybe we shouldn't write them, off. yet!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

thaitn's picture
thaitn
07/12/2018
VN
1122
points

Correct me, please!
1. Yes, James Milner is absolutely deserves the Player of the Week. He has great skills, and always works hard on the pitch.
2. I think all Wolves' fans are over the moon with their win against Chelsea. Especially as they came from behind to win this match. I agree with you, of course.
3. It's a sensational solo goal, he has great speed. It's amazing and deserves for the title award
4. There's a gap between the top 2 and the rest. With the performances of Manchester City and Liverpool from the start of this season, I can't see any other team that can catch up them up. Maybe we have Chelsea if they can win against Manchester CIty this weekend, but as you mentioned, It's so difficult at the moment.


thaitn's picture
thaitn
07/12/2018 20:07
Vietnam
Manchester City
1122

Correct me, please!
1. Yes, James Milner is absolutely deserves the Player of the Week. He has great skills, and always works hard on the pitch.
2. I think all Wolves' fans are over the moon with their win against Chelsea. Especially as they came from behind to win this match. I agree with you, of course.
3. It's a sensational solo goal, he has great speed. It's amazing and deserves for the title award
4. There's a gap between the top 2 and the rest. With the performances of Manchester City and Liverpool from the start of this season, I can't see any other team that can catch up them up. Maybe we have Chelsea if they can win against Manchester CIty this weekend, but as you mentioned, It's so difficult at the moment.

Rich's picture
Rich
08/12/2018
ES
594
points

Hi Thaitn,

I've made a few corrections. Remember to add the third person 's' to your verbs! Chelsea have just beaten City 2-0. Do you think they still have a chance?

Rich - THe Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
08/12/2018 19:34
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi Thaitn,

I've made a few corrections. Remember to add the third person 's' to your verbs! Chelsea have just beaten City 2-0. Do you think they still have a chance?

Rich - THe Premier Skills English Team

thaitn's picture
thaitn
09/12/2018
VN
1122
points

Correct me
Thank you Rich.
Maybe, you are over the moon now, because Liverpool is on the top of the league table.
I hope Manchester City will strongly bounce back after this loss. They have lots of good players, but some of the greatest ones have been injured. We all miss Aguero and De Bruyne more than ever.
Of course, Chelsea played so well, well done to them, specially Kante. 70% of Earth is covered by water, the rest is covered by N'golo Kante.


thaitn's picture
thaitn
09/12/2018 20:23
Vietnam
Manchester City
1122

Correct me
Thank you Rich.
Maybe, you are over the moon now, because Liverpool is on the top of the league table.
I hope Manchester City will strongly bounce back after this loss. They have lots of good players, but some of the greatest ones have been injured. We all miss Aguero and De Bruyne more than ever.
Of course, Chelsea played so well, well done to them, specially Kante. 70% of Earth is covered by water, the rest is covered by N'golo Kante.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
07/12/2018
DZ
3988
points

1. James Milner as player of the week is well fitted. Great skills and behaviour on the pitch.

2. It is not easy to beat Chelsea this season so congratulations Wolverhampton Wanderers.

3. I didn't see the one Florin Andone scored but I enjoyed Mahrez winner for City.

4. At this step it seems that two teams are ahead all others but we wouldn't hurry in writing off Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Man United. All of these can keep on running for the title.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
07/12/2018 17:40
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

1. James Milner as player of the week is well fitted. Great skills and behaviour on the pitch.

2. It is not easy to beat Chelsea this season so congratulations Wolverhampton Wanderers.

3. I didn't see the one Florin Andone scored but I enjoyed Mahrez winner for City.

4. At this step it seems that two teams are ahead all others but we wouldn't hurry in writing off Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal and Man United. All of these can keep on running for the title.

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
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1Alex_from_Ukraine6578
2mobeckham6539
3hsn5560
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
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1Colombia74676
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3Spain29525
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23505
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20460
8Turkey20111
9Macedonia19074
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Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United146938
2Liverpool111453
3Chelsea90265
4Arsenal86299
5Manchester City58908
6Tottenham Hotspur19499
7Newcastle United10626
8West Ham United7701
9AFC Bournemouth4915
10Crystal Palace4568

Level

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Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Improve your football English.

Practise your listening skills.

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