Just For Kicks

Eberechi Eze once again haunted Tottenham Hotspur as Arsenal stormed to a 4-1 North London Derby triumph—Eze struck twice with swagger, while Viktor Gyokeres added a ruthless brace. Although Randal Kolo Muani briefly sparked hope for Spurs, the Gunners never loosened their grip. This left new interim boss Igor Tudor with a harsh lesson in the gulf between the rivals as his team was comprehensively outclassed as Arsenal strengthened their title credentials in a race that looks set to go to the wire.

It was another case of missed opportunities for Arsenal, as they wasted the game in hand that they had over Man City with a draw against Wolves. What was once a fairly comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League table has now turned into a slender one, as Arsenal chose to defend their two-nil lead against the relegation-threatened side, instead of going for the kill. Calamities ensued, with the Gunners conceding a last-minute equaliser after a mistake from the ever reliable duo of David Raya and Gabriel. As the North London Derby looms this weekend, can Arsenal retain their composure and take the initiative again? Our pundits share their thoughts on this match, the mid-week Champions League games, and other tantalising fixtures from match week 27, on another episode of Just For Kicks!

It was a weekend full of talking points, as Newcastle's victory away at Aston Villa was overshadowed by a few controversial decisions made by the referee. While some fans welcome the early stages of the FA Cup as it means football without VAR, did this match somehow justify the need for one? Our pundits share their thoughts on the issue, and look back on a weekend that saw no major giant killings, but good football regardless. They also look ahead to the UEFA Champions League Play-Offs happening later in the week. All these, and more, on another episode of Just For Kicks!

Arsenal’s grip on the Premier League title race loosened after a 1–1 draw with Brentford cut their advantage at the top to just four points handing momentum to Manchester City. The dropped points intensified scrutiny on Arsenal’s composure as the season enters its decisive phase, with little margin for further error. Manager Mikel Arteta dismissed suggestions of nerves, insisting his side remain focused on their own performances. However, with a pivotal trip to the Etihad looming in April, the title race appears finely balanced and likely to go down to the wire. We dissect the title race and much more here on Just For Kicks!

Manchester City overcame a first-half deficit to claim a 2‑1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield, maintaining their pursuit of the Premier League title. Dominik Szoboszlai had put the hosts ahead with a long-range strike, but City responded in the second half through Bernardo Silva’s precise volley. In stoppage time, Erling Haaland converted a penalty amid a tense sequence involving a red card and a disallowed goal, sealing the win. This win is City’s first in front of a crowd at Anfield since 2003 and one that keeps them in the Premier League title race. All that plus much more here on Just For Kicks!

Arsenal and Manchester City will meet in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley after both sides came through their respective semi-finals, setting up a high-profile clash between the Premier League’s leading teams. Arsenal secured their place with a 4–2 aggregate victory over Chelsea, sealed by a late goal, while Manchester City advanced comfortably after dispatching Newcastle 5–1 across two legs. With both clubs also competing at the top of the league table, the final adds extra significance to the rivalry, offering not only a major domestic trophy but also a potential psychological edge in the race for the PL title. We review that and much more here on Just For Kicks!

Daniel Gordon, documentary filmmaker well-known for a number of iconic works around football, including the North Korean football team's exploits at the 1966 World Cup (The Game of Their Lives), Man Utd's legendary winger, the late George Best, and the Hillsborough tragedy, was in town recently. We got him into the studio to share the journey behind documenting these stories, as well as his love for Sheffield Wednesday.This is a special, podcast-only episode of Just For Kicks - a slightly different flavour from our usual format.

Benfica secured a dramatic 4–2 victory over Real Madrid to clinch a place in the Champions League playoffs, with the decisive moment arriving deep into stoppage time. In a match marked by goals, two red cards for Real, and a brace from Kylian Mbappé, Jose Mourinho's Benfica still required another goal to qualify before goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went forward for a late corner and headed in the much-needed fourth goal in the 98th minute, sealing progression and denying Real Madrid an automatic top-eight finish.We dissect that roller-coaster of a match & much more here on Just For Kicks.

Manchester United pulled off a stunning, late-drama victory at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in a five-goal Premier League thriller, coming from behind to win 3-2 and inflict the Gunners’ first home league defeat of the season. After an early own goal put Arsenal ahead, United hit back through Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, only for Mikel Merino to level late on before Matheus Cunha curled in a sensational winner in the 87th minute, cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to four points and giving interim manager Michael Carrick another impressive victory under his belt. We review that potential match-of-the-season & the rest of the weekend's action, this week on Just For Kicks!

Under the Arctic lights, Bodø/Glimt wrote a football fairytale, stunning Manchester City 3–1 as Kasper Høgh’s quickfire double and a superb strike from Jens Petter Hauge left the European giants reeling; City briefly rallied through Rayan Cherki, but Rodri’s red card killed any comeback, sealing a magical night for the Norwegian underdogs and one of the season’s biggest Champions League shocks.We review that and much more midweek European action, plus PL previews right here on Just For Kicks!