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Gabriel Jesus

This Week: Unbeaten Runs

This Week: Unbeaten Runs

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

If the listening is a bit difficult, try listening and reading at the same time.
Read the transcript and listen at the same time.

This Week: Unbeaten Runs

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.

Laura: This week we focus on two unbeaten runs: one in the Premier League and the other in the Women’s Super League.

Jack: We’re going to look at three headlines from the weekend’s action and look at six words and phrases connected to those headlines. 

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 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: midweek, dozen, 

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: Wins by the dozen for City.

Laura: Manchester City are back on top of the Premier League following two wins over the last seven days. City followed up a 5-0 win at West Brom in midweek with a 1-0 home win against Sheffield United at the weekend. The Citizens have won their last dozen games - a new club record - and are three points clear at the top of the table.

Rich: City are looking strong - they’ve won every game they’ve played this year.

Jack: They’ve got a game in hand, too. It’s looking good for the title.

Laura: Come on guys! We’re only halfway through the season! There’s a lot of football left in the season yet.

Rich: You’re right. Let’s look at some language. This week’s first word is midweek. Premier League teams are playing more games in midweek this season.

Jack: Midweek means the middle of the week - it’s a bit subjective but I’d say midweek is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Laura: Usually, midweek is for European matches and cup football with an occasional round of Premier League matches but this season is shorter so there are many more Premier League matches in midweek.

Rich: Be careful with the preposition you use here. Matches are played at the weekend but in midweek.

Jack: The second word we want to look at from the first headline is dozen. We said that Manchester City have won their last dozen games.

Laura: How many is a dozen? A dozen is twelve. City have won their last twelve games.

Rich: It’s unusual. I don’t really know why we have a special word for 12. We don’t have a special word for thirteen or nine. It’s only really used for eggs, isn’t it? You can buy a dozen eggs or half a dozen eggs.

Jack: Actually, I’ve read that twelve is one of the earliest groupings of numbers. People first saw twelve cycles of the moon as the Earth orbits the sun. There are twelve months in a year - that kind of thing.

Laura: In the headline, Jack said City win by the dozen. This is an idiomatic phrase and it is used to mean large numbers in general. 

Rich: The shop was really quiet in the morning, but by midday, people were arriving by the dozen. 

Jack: Let’s move on to our second headline.

Headline 2

Laura: Chelsea stretch their unbeaten record in the Women’s Super League.

Rich: Two goals from the German midfielder, Melanie Leupolz helped Chelsea beat Spurs 4-0 and extend their unbeaten run to an amazing thirty-three matches. Leupolz’s first was a spectacular swerving strike from long-range and her second from the penalty spot. Despite Chelsea’s good form, Manchester United are still level on points with the leaders following a 2-0 win at Everton.

Jack: Thirty-three matches without defeat is a major achievement. Did you know that Chelsea haven’t lost a game for over two years!

Laura: Let’s look at some longer pieces of language from the headline. Rich said that Chelsea extended their unbeaten run. A run is a period or spell of time. In sports, we usually mean a series of matches.

Rich: Chelsea are on an unbeaten run. They have not been beaten - they have not been defeated - they have not lost for a long period of time - thirty-three matches. 

Jack: Chelsea extended their unbeaten run at the weekend. It went from thirty-two matches to thirty-three matches. In the headline, Laura used the word stretch to say a similar thing: Chelsea stretch their unbeaten record.

Laura: Let’s look at another extended bit of language from the headline. Rich said Melanie Leupolz scored a spectacular swerving strike from long-range.

Rich: The keyword here is strike. Strike is the act of shooting the ball. It is often used to describe a shot that results in a goal.

Jack: Leupol’s shot was from long-range. This means it was far away - outside the penalty area. The strike was from long-range.

Laura: It was a swerving strike - the ball swerved in the air. To swerve means to suddenly change direction. In football, it means that the ball moved in the air because of how it was kicked. It was a swerving strike from long-range.

Rich: And it was a spectacular strike which means it was impressive - it looked good. Melanie Leupolz scored a spectacular swerving strike from long-range.

Jack: It was a very good goal. Let’s move on to our third headline.

Headline 3

Rich: Liverpool have a good week in the capital

Jack: Liverpool and Mohamed Salah are back in form following two wins in London in the past seven days. A 3-1 win at Tottenham was followed up with a 3-1 success at West Ham. Salah scored for the first time in seven games with a trademark turn and curling finish and got his second just ten minutes later when he finished off a swift counter-attack.

Laura: Liverpool are back up to third and their bad run of form seems to be over.

Rich: Yes, I hope so. We’re playing Manchester City this weekend!

Jack: OK, let’s look at some language. I said that Mohamed Salah scored with a trademark turn and curling finish. 

Laura: The word trademark is most often used for products. A trademark is a symbol that is put on a company’s products to show that it was made and belongs to them and can’t be copied or used by other businesses without permission.

Rich: The word trademark is also used to describe something that is typical of a famous person. It’s used when a famous person or sports star regularly does something that makes them stand out or different.

Jack: Salah scored with a trademark turn and finish. This is the kind of goal that Salah often scores.

Laura: The second bit of language I want us to look at is another extended bit of language: Salah finished off a swift counter-attack.

Rich: A counter-attack is a sudden attack from a defensive position.

Jack: Counter-attacks are usually fast or swift - swift means the same as fast. A swift counter-attack.

Laura: To finish off is a phrasal verb which means to complete or to do the final thing to complete something. Salah finished off a swift counter-attack.

Jack: OK. We’ve looked at three stories and lots of vocabulary in our headlines. The words and phrases we’ve looked at were: midweek, dozen, to extend an unbeaten run, a spectacular swerving strike from long-range, trademark and to finish off a swift counter-attack

Laura: Listen to the headlines again to hear these words and phrases in context and don’t forget to look at the website for the transcript if you want to check your understanding of this vocabulary.

Headlines - Repeat

Prediction

Jack: Last week, Rich predicted a win for Manchester United against Arsenal but as I thought the Gunners performed well and got a draw.

Laura: Manchester United didn’t have a good week. A draw against Arsenal and a shock defeat against Manchester United.

Rich: I think Liverpool are Manchester City’s main challengers this season and they clash at Anfield on Sunday.

Jack: What do you think is going to happen?

Rich: Well, I’m hoping for some goals because many of the big matches have been a bit of an antic-climax so far this season. City, as we said earlier, have won their last dozen games so are in excellent form but Liverpool are back on track after a blip and they probably need the three points more than City. For that reason, I’m going to go for a home win. Final score: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City.

Laura: City are on their best run of wins in their entire history. I’m not sure that’s going to stop this weekend. A City win for me. 

Rich: What do you think the score will be? We want all of you to make your predictions for this match and all the Premier League fixtures which you can find 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 sentence a spectacular swerving strike. Each word uses the letter s at the beginning. This is called alliteration and is very common in sports headlines.

Jack: Here are three more sentences which use alliteration. Can you guess the missing word?

Jack: Dodgy Dave ______ again to win penalty. 

Rich: Firmino’s Fabulous _____ wins the game

Laura: Bruce Bounces ______ as Newcastle win.

Jack: 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.

Rich: 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 all of you stay fit and healthy.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football.

Headlines

Wins by the dozen for City

Gabriel Jesus scores the winner against Sheffield United.

Manchester City are back on top of the Premier League following two wins over the last seven days. City followed up a 5-0 win at West Brom in midweek with a 1-0 home win against Sheffield United at the weekend. The Citizens have won their last dozen games - a new club record - and are three points clear at the top of the table.

Headlines

Chelsea stretch their unbeaten record in the Women’s Super League

Chelsea celebrate scoring against Tottenham.

Two goals from the German midfielder, Melanie Leupolz helped Chelsea beat Spurs 4-0 and extend their unbeaten run to an amazing thirty-three matches. Leupolz’s first was a spectacular swerving strike from long-range and her second from the penalty spot. Despite Chelsea’s good form, Manchester United are still level on points with the leaders following a 2-0 win at Everton.

Headlines

Liverpool have a good week in the capital

Salah scores against West Ham

Liverpool and Mohamed Salah are back in form following two wins in London in the past seven days. A 3-1 win at Tottenham was followed up with a 3-1 success at West Ham. Salah scored for the first time in seven games with a trademark turn and curling finish and got his second just ten minutes later when he finished off a swift counter-attack.

Vocabulary Alert

Language in the headlines

Arsenal and Manchester United drew nil-nil.

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 Citizens have won their last dozen games.

City followed up a 5-0 win at West Brom in midweek with a 1-0 home win against Sheffield United at the weekend.

Chelsea beat Spurs 4-0 and extended their unbeaten run to an amazing thirty-three matches.

Leupolz’s first was a spectacular swerving strike from long-range.

Salah scored with a trademark turn and curling finish.

Salah got his second when he finished off a swift counter-attack.

Prediction

Premier League Prediction: Liverpool v Manchester City

Liverpool play Manchester City on Sunday.

This week there are two rounds of Premier League fixtures. Matchweek 22 in midweek and matchweek 23 at the weekend. Take a look at who the Premier League teams are playing and make your predictions.

Matchweek 22

Sheffield United v West Brom

Wolves v Arsenal

Manchester United v Southampton

Newcastle v Crystal Palace

Burnley v Manchester City

Fulham v Leicester City

Leeds v Everton

Aston Villa v West Ham

Liverpool v Brighton

Tottenham v Chelsea

Matchweek 23

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Burnley v Brighton

Newcastle v Southampton

Fulham v West Ham

Manchester United v Everton

Spurs v West Brom

Wolves v Leicester

Liverpool v Manchester City

Sheffield United v Chelsea

Leeds v Crystal Palace

Language Challenge

Crystal Palace beat Wolves 1-0.

Jack, Laura and Rich set you a language challenge. In the podcast, we described a goal as a spectacular swerving strike. This used what is called alliteration (when each word begins with the same letter) and it's very common in sports headlines. Here are three more sentences which use alliteration. Can you guess the missing words?

Dodgy Dave ***** again to win penalty. 

Firmino’s Fabulous ****** wins the game

Bruce Bounces **** as Newcastle win.

Write the correct answer in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Discuss

Talk about the headlines

Manchester City are top of the Premier League for the first time this season.

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.

  1. Which teams extended their unbeaten runs last week?
  2. Who scored with a trademark finish?
  3. Who scored with a spectacular swerving strike?
  4. What are your Premier League predictions?
  5. Can you do our language challenge?

Write your comments and answers in the section below.

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Comments

Richard
09/02/2021
0
points

Hi everyone,

The answers to the language challenge were:

Dodgy Dave dives again to win penalty. 

Firmino’s Fabulous finish wins the game

Bruce Bounces back as Newcastle win

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Richard
09/02/2021 20:25


0

Hi everyone,

The answers to the language challenge were:

Dodgy Dave dives again to win penalty. 

Firmino’s Fabulous finish wins the game

Bruce Bounces back as Newcastle win

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
09/02/2021
TR
6510
points

Language Challenge :

Dodgy Dave ( Dives ) again to win penalty.

Firmino’s Fabulous ( Finish ) wins the game

Bruce Bounces ( Back ) as Newcastle win.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
09/02/2021 11:26
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

Language Challenge :

Dodgy Dave ( Dives ) again to win penalty.

Firmino’s Fabulous ( Finish ) wins the game

Bruce Bounces ( Back ) as Newcastle win.

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
09/02/2021
TR
6510
points

1. Manchester City and Chelsea Women’s team extended their unbeaten run last week.

2. Mohamed Salah scored with a trademark finish his first goal against Westham United and it was a gem goal indeed.

3. Melanie Leupolz scored a spectacular swerving strike to help Chelsea Women extend their unbeaten run to 33 matches. What a massive number of games.

4. Gameweeks 22 and 23 have been played so I couldn’t predict after watching the games as I was a bit busy last week.


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
09/02/2021 11:23
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

1. Manchester City and Chelsea Women’s team extended their unbeaten run last week.

2. Mohamed Salah scored with a trademark finish his first goal against Westham United and it was a gem goal indeed.

3. Melanie Leupolz scored a spectacular swerving strike to help Chelsea Women extend their unbeaten run to 33 matches. What a massive number of games.

4. Gameweeks 22 and 23 have been played so I couldn’t predict after watching the games as I was a bit busy last week.

Robert Tavares's picture
Robert Tavares
03/02/2021
BR
399
points

Hi folks!
My predictions to matchweek 23 are:

Aston Villa 1v1 Arsenal
Burnley 1v0 Brighton
Newcastle 1v3 Southampton
Fulham 1v2 West Ham
Manchester United 1v1 Everton
Spurs 1v0 West Brom
Wolves 1v2 Leicester
Liverpool 1v1 Manchester City
Sheffield United 1v1 Chelsea
Leeds 3v2 Crystal Palace

See ya!


Robert Tavares's picture
Robert Tavares
03/02/2021 23:58
Brazil
Leeds United
399

Hi folks!
My predictions to matchweek 23 are:

Aston Villa 1v1 Arsenal
Burnley 1v0 Brighton
Newcastle 1v3 Southampton
Fulham 1v2 West Ham
Manchester United 1v1 Everton
Spurs 1v0 West Brom
Wolves 1v2 Leicester
Liverpool 1v1 Manchester City
Sheffield United 1v1 Chelsea
Leeds 3v2 Crystal Palace

See ya!

atefomar
03/02/2021
EG
1
points

HI:
Dodgy Dave do again to win penalty.

Firmino’s Fabulous ****** off wins the game

Bruce Bounces ball as Newcastle win.


atefomar
03/02/2021 18:30
Egypt
Liverpool
1

HI:
Dodgy Dave do again to win penalty.

Firmino’s Fabulous ****** off wins the game

Bruce Bounces ball as Newcastle win.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Liverpool 3 : 2 Manchester City


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 04:52
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Liverpool 3 : 2 Manchester City

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Matchweek 23

 

Aston Villa 1 : 1 Arsenal

Burnley 0 : 0 Brighton

Newcastle 1 : 1 Southampton

Fulham 1 : 2 West Ham

Manchester United 0 : 0 Everton

Spurs 1 : 0 West Brom

Wolves 2 : 2 Leicester

Sheffield United 1 : 2 Chelsea

Leeds 3 : 0 Crystal Palace


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 04:52
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Matchweek 23

 

Aston Villa 1 : 1 Arsenal

Burnley 0 : 0 Brighton

Newcastle 1 : 1 Southampton

Fulham 1 : 2 West Ham

Manchester United 0 : 0 Everton

Spurs 1 : 0 West Brom

Wolves 2 : 2 Leicester

Sheffield United 1 : 2 Chelsea

Leeds 3 : 0 Crystal Palace

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Liverpool  3 : 0 Brighton

Tottenham 2 : 2 Chelsea


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 04:49
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Liverpool  3 : 0 Brighton

Tottenham 2 : 2 Chelsea

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Newcastle 1 : 0 Crystal Palace

Burnley 1 : 4 Manchester City

Fulham 1 : 1 Leicester City

Leeds 2 : 1 Everton

Aston Villa 1 : 0 West Ham


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 04:47
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Newcastle 1 : 0 Crystal Palace

Burnley 1 : 4 Manchester City

Fulham 1 : 1 Leicester City

Leeds 2 : 1 Everton

Aston Villa 1 : 0 West Ham

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Firmino’s Fabulous ****** wins the game.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 04:45
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Firmino’s Fabulous ****** wins the game.

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Dodgy Dave ***** again to win a penalty. 

Bruce Bounces **** as Newcastle win.


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 04:44
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Dodgy Dave ***** again to win a penalty. 

Bruce Bounces **** as Newcastle win.

hsn's picture
hsn
02/02/2021
TR
5525
points

1-Chelsea extended their unbeaten run.
2- Mohammed Salah/Liverpool scored with a trademark finish.
3- Melanie Leupolz scored a spectacular swerving strike.It was magnificent.
4-
(Matchweek 22)-------- Tottenham (2) - Chelsea (1)
(Matchweek 23) --------Liverpool (1)- Manchester City.(1)
5-
Jack: Dodgy Dave DROPPED again to win penalty.
Rich: Firmino’s Fabulous ****** wins the game
Laura: Bruce Bounces BALL as Newcastle win.

PHRASES

• Swerving strike from long-range needs a very professional and skillful experience and training.

• Prosecutor blamed him as a murder. Followed up this accusation with evidences.

P.S.
• Good Luck! Ozan Kabak in Premier League. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/424520-liverpool-complete-lo...


hsn's picture
hsn
02/02/2021 17:58
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

1-Chelsea extended their unbeaten run.
2- Mohammed Salah/Liverpool scored with a trademark finish.
3- Melanie Leupolz scored a spectacular swerving strike.It was magnificent.
4-
(Matchweek 22)-------- Tottenham (2) - Chelsea (1)
(Matchweek 23) --------Liverpool (1)- Manchester City.(1)
5-
Jack: Dodgy Dave DROPPED again to win penalty.
Rich: Firmino’s Fabulous ****** wins the game
Laura: Bruce Bounces BALL as Newcastle win.

PHRASES

• Swerving strike from long-range needs a very professional and skillful experience and training.

• Prosecutor blamed him as a murder. Followed up this accusation with evidences.

P.S.
• Good Luck! Ozan Kabak in Premier League. https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/424520-liverpool-complete-lo...

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

Hasan, I think you meant either "Prosecutor blamed him as a murderer" or "Prosecutor blamed him for a murder".


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 14:56
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

Hasan, I think you meant either "Prosecutor blamed him as a murderer" or "Prosecutor blamed him for a murder".

Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021
UA
6278
points

It's great for both Ozan and Liverpool. Let them be together and invincible for good!


Alex_from_Ukraine's picture
Alex_from_Ukraine
03/02/2021 14:53
Ukraine
Liverpool
6278

It's great for both Ozan and Liverpool. Let them be together and invincible for good!

elghoul's picture
elghoul
02/02/2021
DZ
3988
points

Hi,

Here are my guesses :

Dodgy Dave ***** again to win penalty. 

Firmino’s fabulous ****** wins the game

Bruce bounces **** as Newcastle win.

 

Hope you are fit and healthy.


elghoul's picture
elghoul
02/02/2021 13:02
Algeria
Manchester City
3988

Hi,

Here are my guesses :

Dodgy Dave ***** again to win penalty. 

Firmino’s fabulous ****** wins the game

Bruce bounces **** as Newcastle win.

 

Hope you are fit and healthy.

Vic
01/02/2021
MX
817
points

1.-Mancherter City and Chelsea in woman season.
2.- Mohamed Salah
3.- Melanie Leupolz
4.-Liverpool win in midweek and draw at weeken


Vic
01/02/2021 22:54
Mexico
Liverpool
817

1.-Mancherter City and Chelsea in woman season.
2.- Mohamed Salah
3.- Melanie Leupolz
4.-Liverpool win in midweek and draw at weeken

Vic
01/02/2021
MX
817
points

Dodgy Dave score again to win penalty.

Firmino’s Fabulous striker wins the game

Bruce Bounces save as Newcastle win.


Vic
01/02/2021 22:52
Mexico
Liverpool
817

Dodgy Dave score again to win penalty.

Firmino’s Fabulous striker wins the game

Bruce Bounces save as Newcastle win.

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 vocabulary.

Practise your listening skills.

Complete our language challenge and make a Premier League prediction.