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
Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates a goal.

Matchweek 2: Accidental handball

Matchweek 2: Accidental handball

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: VAR denies City.

Rich: It looked like Gabriel Jesus had scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Tottenham but a moment later VAR overruled the decision for an accidental handball. It was a controversial end to the match which City dominated from start to finish. However, goals from Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura found equalisers for Spurs after Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero put City ahead.

Jack: Reds hold on against Saints.

Rich: Liverpool got a 2-1 away win at Southampton but had to hang on after Adrian’s blunder gave Southampton a late lifeline. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino looked to have made the game safe for the Reds but the Liverpool goalkeeper passed the ball to Danny Ings to score. Ings then missed a late chance that would have levelled the scores.

Jack: Lampard returns home.

Rich: It was all about Frank Lampard’s homecoming at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea legend was in the dugout for his first home game as Chelsea manager and it was all going perfectly when Mason Mount scored after only seven minutes. However, Leicester hadn’t read the script and Nigerian international, Wilfried Ndidi got the equaliser in the second half.

Vocabulary alert!

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

Rich: Our six words and phrases this week are: an accidental handball, to hold on, a blunder, a homecoming, in the dugout and not read the script.

Jack: Let’s start with something that caused a lot of controversy in that City-Spurs match: an accidental handball.

Rich: An accidental ball is when the ball hits a player’s hand or arm and the player didn’t know or couldn’t stop it from happening: the handball was accidental.

Jack: The next phrase is a phrasal verb and it’s to hold on. We said Liverpool held on against Southampton. In a football match, hold on means to survive in a dangerous situation. 

Rich: The dangerous situation was Southampton attacking near the end of the match. We also used the phrasal verb ‘hang on’ which can be used in the same way.

Jack: The next word is one we have spoken about before. It’s ‘blunder’ and it means to make a mistake. Liverpool’s goalkeeper made a blunder when he passed the ball to the Southampton attacker.

Rich: The next word is a homecoming. A homecoming is when you return to your home, your city or your football club after being away for a long time.

Jack: Frank Lampard played for Chelsea between 2001 and 2014 and he’s now Chelsea’s manager. Leicester City spoiled Frank Lampard’s homecoming by scoring an equaliser.

Rich: The next phrase is ‘in the dugout’. The dugout is the piece or shelter where the manager, coaches and substitutes sit during a match. Frank Lampard was in the Chelsea dugout for the first time against Leicester.

Jack: Our final phrase is a common football cliche and it’s ‘to read the script’. It’s usually used in the negative in football when a team doesn’t follow the storyline that was expected. 

Rich: The Chelsea-Leicester match was all about Frank Lampard’s homecoming and for Chelsea fans winning his first home match. However, Leicester didn’t read the script and got an equaliser.

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: an accidental handball, to hold on, a blunder, a homecoming, in the dugout and not read the script.

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. Kevin De Bruyne was fantastic for City and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored again for Arsenal.

Jack: But our Player of the Week goes to Norwich City’s Teemu Pukki for his hat-trick against Newcastle.

Rich: Some fabulous finishes from the Finnish finisher.

Jack: Hold on! I know he’s a striker from Finland but I think you need to say that again.

Rich: Some fabulous finishes from the Finnish finisher. 

Jack: If you want to practise your pronunciation, have a go at repeating that sentence. Right, Team of the Week.

Rich: We could go for Norwich? Yes, let’s go for Norwich. It’s there first win back in the Premier League and they bounced back from a big defeat against Liverpool on the opening day of 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.

Jack: Goal number one: Temmu Pukki for Norwich against Newcastle. His first goal of his three was the best - a powerful volley that gave the keeper no chance.

Rich: Goal number two: Ruben Neves for Wolves against Manchester United. Neves scored a sensational strike from the edge of the box. It went in off the crossbar which made it look even better.

Jack: Goal number three: Raheem Sterling for Manchester City against Spurs. Sterling doesn’t score many headers but what a cross from Kevin De Bruyne.

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: Make your predictions on the Premier Skills English website in the comments section and talk about the big match at the same time!

Jack: There are some big matches in Matchweek three but he biggest has to be Arsenal’s visit to Anfield.

Rich: I know we’ve both started the season with two wins so it should be a good game.

Jack: I think Arsenal could sneak a 1-0 win but let’s hear your prediction, Rich.

Rich: Like I said this should be an exciting, attacking game and I think there will be goals and I think you’re right Jack - Arsenal might get a goal. Aubameyang is in form and he could get a goal for Arsenal on the counter-attack but I don’t see Arsenal’s defence stopping Liverpool. I think Liverpool will get three with two of the goals coming late on in the match. Final score: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal.

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 2:

Norwich City 3-1 Newcastle

Manchester City 2-2 Tottenham

Sheffield United 1-0 Crystal Palace

Southampton 1-2 Liverpool

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City

Wolves 1-1 Manchester United

Everton 1-0 Watford

Brighton 1-1 West Ham

Aston Villa 1-2 Bournemouth

Arsenal 2-1 Burnley

Headlines

VAR denies City

Sergio Aguero scored again at the weekend.

It looked like Gabriel Jesus had scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Tottenham but a moment later VAR overruled the decision for an accidental handball. It was a controversial end to the match which City dominated from start to finish. However, goals from Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura found equalisers for Spurs after Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero put City ahead.

Headlines

Reds hold on against Saints

Liverpool won 2-1 against Southampton.

Liverpool got a 2-1 away win at Southampton but had to hang on after Adrian’s blunder gave Southampton a late lifeline. Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino looked to have made the game safe for the Reds but the Liverpool goalkeeper passed the ball to Danny Ings to score. Ings then missed a late chance that would have levelled the scores.

Headlines

Lampard returns home

Leicester spoiled Frank Lampard's first game in the dugout at Stamford Bridge.

It was all about Frank Lampard’s homecoming at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea legend was in the dugout for his first home game as Chelsea manager and it was all going perfectly when Mason Mount scored after only seven minutes. However, Leicester hadn’t read the script and Nigerian international, Wilfried Ndidi got the equaliser in the second half.

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?

VAR overruled the decision for an accidental handball. This is when the ball hits a player's hand or arm without being able to stop it.

Liverpool held on against Southampton. They survived Southampton's attacks at the end of the match.

Liverpool's goalkeeper made a blunder. He made a bad mistake or error.

Leicester City ruined Frank Lampard's homecoming. This is when you return to your 'home' after a long period of time away from it.

Lampard was in the dugout for the first time. The dugout is the area where the manager, coaches and substitutes sit.

Leicester City didn't read the script. This is a cliche that is used in football to describe something that doesn't follow the expected storyline.

Gabriel Jesus was denied a superb injury-time winner by VAR.

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: Teemu Pukki (Norwich City)

Team of the Week: Norwich City

Goal of the Week: Look at the three options from Matchweek 2 and let us know which goal was best in the comments section!

Goal 1

Teemu Pukki for Norwich City against Newcastle.

Goal 2

Ruben Neves for Wolves against Manchester United.

Goal 3

Raheem Sterling for Manchester City against Tottenham.

Norwich CIty's Teemu Pukki got a hat-trick against Newcastle.

The Big Match

Liverpool v Arsenal

The big match this weekend is between two of the teams with a 100% winning record after two Premier League matches: Liverpool and Arsenal. Rich thinks Liverpool will win while Jack thinks Arsenal will win (he supports the Gunners). Who do you agree with?

What are your predictions? Have a listen to what Rich says and then make your prediction and talk about the match below.

Football Chat

What do you think?

Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 2 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 Norwich City's Teemu Pukki as Player of the Week. Do you agree? 
  2. Jack and Rich selected Norwich City 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 do you think about accidental handball? Should goals be allowed or not? Will Frank Lampard be a success in the dugout?

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

Comments

hsn's picture
hsn
17/01/2022
TR
5551
points

Phrases
• Stock exchange authority overruled and cancelled purchasement transaction of ABC company shares because of insider trading.
• This puppy had fell to the dried well but it was saved by the help of lifeline.
• Sometimes striker on counter-attack shoot the ball toward opponent's hand maliciously in the box to win penalty. It's a real accidental handball that player can't avoid.
• All of their friends had been waiting for them to marry but Tom couldn't read the script and he's never made proposal of marriage to the Rosemary.
• I don't like the person who spoil happy hours every time.


hsn's picture
hsn
17/01/2022 17:49
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5551

Phrases
• Stock exchange authority overruled and cancelled purchasement transaction of ABC company shares because of insider trading.
• This puppy had fell to the dried well but it was saved by the help of lifeline.
• Sometimes striker on counter-attack shoot the ball toward opponent's hand maliciously in the box to win penalty. It's a real accidental handball that player can't avoid.
• All of their friends had been waiting for them to marry but Tom couldn't read the script and he's never made proposal of marriage to the Rosemary.
• I don't like the person who spoil happy hours every time.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
28/08/2019
BR
615
points

I agree with your choices for the second week, and I think Ruben Neves stunning goal was the best.

I agree with the accidental handball rule, since it is a quite objective rule and it makes the VAR analysis more efficient.

Frank Lampard is facing many problems in the dugout. I think he should consolidate the Chelsea defense as soon as possible, otherwise they will remain losing games.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
28/08/2019 12:14
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

I agree with your choices for the second week, and I think Ruben Neves stunning goal was the best.

I agree with the accidental handball rule, since it is a quite objective rule and it makes the VAR analysis more efficient.

Frank Lampard is facing many problems in the dugout. I think he should consolidate the Chelsea defense as soon as possible, otherwise they will remain losing games.

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

The goal scored by Ruben Neves was really stunning.
I totally agree with you about VAR, but here in Brazil its use must be improved. Premier League show how use it better.


RafaelRC's picture
RafaelRC
01/09/2019 03:43
Brazil
Arsenal
663

The goal scored by Ruben Neves was really stunning.
I totally agree with you about VAR, but here in Brazil its use must be improved. Premier League show how use it better.

Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
03/09/2019
BR
615
points

I totally agree.


Rafael Robson's picture
Rafael Robson
03/09/2019 22:30
Brazil
Tottenham Hotspur
615

I totally agree.

Tee
27/08/2019
JP
309
points

4. I'm not allow accidental handball.
He will success in the dugout.


Tee
27/08/2019 01:31
Japan
Manchester City
309

4. I'm not allow accidental handball.
He will success in the dugout.

elghoul's picture
elghoul
26/08/2019
DZ
3988
points

This week was Norwich City's one and a new PL star is born, his name is Teemu Pukki.

An accidental handball largely viewed by TV watchers pushed the ball in one way that made Gabriel Jesus able to score the winner. I cheered with him like all City fans and football lovers before disappointing VAR decision.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
26/08/2019 12:50
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

This week was Norwich City's one and a new PL star is born, his name is Teemu Pukki.

An accidental handball largely viewed by TV watchers pushed the ball in one way that made Gabriel Jesus able to score the winner. I cheered with him like all City fans and football lovers before disappointing VAR decision.

englishman
25/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

Hi every body


englishman
25/08/2019 12:40
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

Hi every body

englishman
24/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

allright


englishman
24/08/2019 10:55
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

allright

englishman
24/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

It's fantastic


englishman
24/08/2019 10:20
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

It's fantastic

englishman
24/08/2019
DZ
1734
points

I agree with your choices


englishman
24/08/2019 10:19
Algeria
Manchester City
1734

I agree with your choices

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1Alex_from_Ukraine6561
2mobeckham6524
3hsn5551
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4779
6Liubomyr4417
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia71666
2Ukraine33799
3Spain29273
4Serbia27426
5Brazil23321
6Albania20578
7Vietnam20405
8Turkey20034
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United143452
2Liverpool111037
3Chelsea89963
4Arsenal86176
5Manchester City58595
6Tottenham Hotspur19327
7Newcastle United10545
8West Ham United7637
9AFC Bournemouth4875
10Crystal Palace4491

Level

2
Average: 2 (1 vote)

Goals

Improve your football English.

Practise your listening skills.

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