Gulf News football experts discuss City's 5-1 thrashing of Wolves and whether Liverpool can catch the league leaders or if the title is now done and dusted.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Yesterday we saw Man City absolutely destroy Wolves 5-1 with Kevin De Bruyne getting four goals.
00:07What do you think, Sahil? Is that the end of the title race or is there still
00:11a chance for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool to leapfrog City one more time?
00:23Hello and welcome to Golf News, kicking back the chat show all about the game that we love,
00:29which is football. I'm delighted to say that I'm joined by my two special guests,
00:33Sahil Sajjan and Shamsir from Golf News. Guys, how are you doing? All all right?
00:38All good, all good. Thanks for having us.
00:41It's good to have you guys back again. I know it's been a while since we've done this but
00:44there's so much to talk about now with the Premier League coming to the finishing line
00:49of the season. It's been a fascinating chase between obviously Manchester City and Liverpool.
00:56At the moment Man City have regained that advantage. They're three points ahead of
01:00Liverpool. There's just two games left to play for both teams. There's still an outside chance
01:06of Liverpool getting that title and then going on to claim that historic quadruple that they're after
01:13but it's going to be very difficult. They've just played Tottenham, they drew 1-1 and then yesterday
01:20we saw Man City absolutely destroy Wolves 5-1 with Kevin De Bruyne getting four goals.
01:27What do you think, Sahil? Is that the end of the title race or is there still
01:31a chance for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool to leapfrog City one more time?
01:36I mean, see, you have to always have hope. You have to hope Man City lose and Liverpool
01:41have to win their next two games. They drew against a good team like Tottenham so you can't
01:47do much about it. Man City have just been in unbelievable form. These two teams, they're just
01:53playing with so much grace. They just don't want to lose. Liverpool just had a blip right now.
01:58Otherwise, even them, they were not even planning to lose. Against Aston Villa, they fought so hard
02:02and they won. So why not have hope? Man City might lose so Liverpool should have hope.
02:08Shamsi, what do you think, man? Is there still a chance or do you think it's too late for them now?
02:12Because, I mean, if you look at the fixtures, I guess, you know, City, on paper at least, it looks
02:18like they only need four points there from these two games to be impossible to catch.
02:24Can Klopp pull them back? I don't think it's possible now, you know, especially after that
02:30debacle that they had at Bernabeu. They looked like a wounded animal and moreover,
02:35KDB is the most wounded out of them because the thing is that he was sitting at the bench and
02:39looking at, seeing the capitulation, you know, and he has taken the things in his hand and you can
02:44see how he was instrumental in their win against Newcastle and now yesterday, he scored four goals,
02:50you know, like and it was single-handedly, he was taking them over the line, to be honest. I think
02:54it's, I think the race is over because they just literally need one win now because three points
02:59and the goal difference is too much because they closed that goal difference also in the last two
03:03games, you know, they scored 10 goals in the last two games. That's unbelievably good, you know,
03:08and the title race has been good. You have to give credit to the Klopp's men for bringing
03:13it to this level because they were out of sight during the January and all but then
03:19that defeat against Perse at Etihad for City was all the pivotal moment in the season and then
03:24Klopp's men had a good run but then it was City's title to lose and I don't think
03:31there's a chance for Liverpool now. I think it's City's going to win that title again and
03:36quadruple also. I think it's impossible for Liverpool. It was a good thought for them but
03:41a good fight and they're going to play all the games in the season, that is a great achievement
03:45but I don't think they'll win the quadruple as well. You know, going from the talk of the quadruple
03:50which would have been, like you say, would have been incredible, you know, they could now just
03:54end the season with just a league cup. I mean, that would be a real come down from a team which, you
04:00know, going for four titles and then coming just to one. Sahil, do you think that the quadruple
04:05was too much for them to ask? It was not too much. You know, they have fought their way to come here.
04:10It's not too much. There's a reason why they won the league cup. There's a reason why they're in
04:14the FA Cup final, the Champions League final. They're the second team in the Premier League. So, it's not
04:18too much. They have deserved this but yes, Shamshid is right. They might not get the quadruple due to
04:23the Premier League. I'm backing them to win the FA Cup but Champions League, it's a dicey one,
04:2950-50. So, but they deserve it. It's nothing wrong for them to ask for quadruple.
04:34They fought their way here. I can see the cheeky smile on Imran's face when he was saying
04:44that the quadruple is out of reach. You're a Britain fan yourself. And yeah, against Chelsea,
04:52the FA Cup final, definitely Liverpool are the favourites and they're playing a certain brand
04:56of football. But the thing is that, you know, I was saying the good thing but it's not a good
05:01thing. Fabinho is injured. That could prove to be very, very important because he has been a
05:07very important figure for Liverpool in that midfield. But again, you know, the players
05:12have drained out because, like I've said, they're going to play all the games in the season. That is
05:16going to be a great achievement for them. But definitely Liverpool are the favourites against
05:22Chelsea. But, you know, if Chelsea can win against Liverpool, that will be a statement for them. And
05:28the season started so well for Chelsea that people were talking about them being the title
05:32favourites. But then again, the injuries and injuries to Chilwell, Rhys James, the issues
05:37with Lukaku on the pitch, off the pitch, all these things. And, you know, the problems that is with
05:42the sanctions and all those problems happening off the pitch for Chelsea, you know. But still,
05:47if they can win that FA Cup trophy, that'll be a good season for Chelsea because they have already
05:52won the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup as well. But then a lot of work to do for Chelsea.
05:58But Liverpool, like you've said, you know, if they can't win that FA Cup and if they lose that
06:03final in the Champions League from the quadruple talks, it will be only like a leak of a Mickey
06:08Mouse Cup. But, you know, honestly, I guess Chelsea, it'll be a hard game for sure. Chelsea
06:13aren't going to be any pushovers at Wembley. And then against Real Madrid, I mean, we saw how
06:18amazing they've been in the Champions League, the way they've come back. You know, I mean,
06:21from being beaten twice, they've come back with the guys like Benzema, they're on form and
06:26Ancelotti pulling the strings. And, you know, they've won that Champions League historically
06:31the most. That's got to be a hard game for Liverpool. I mean, you're right. They could
06:35end up with just one trophy. How do you think that Champions League final is going to go for them?
06:43The Champions League run has been incredible for Real Madrid because they have been outplayed by
06:49PSG, Chelsea, but even then they go through to the semi-finals and almost in the semi-finals,
06:55both legs almost, you know, for the majority part of the game, they were outplayed by Manchester
07:02City. But then that moment of brilliance, that moment of magic, the Bernabeu's magic, you know,
07:08I don't know what to call that. I have no superlatives to explain those moments because
07:12one of the best games that I've seen in my life, you know, it was what a comeback it was.
07:16So it was a capitulation for City, but there is a certain magic with the Real Madrid team.
07:23You know, they're a very technical team. They're not so much tactical, but very technical with
07:27individual players. They can bring magic. And I think it is Benzema's title this time.
07:33And it's written in the stars, even though Liverpool are looking for a revenge, I still
07:37think it is Real Madrid's title. It's going to be a very, very difficult game for Liverpool,
07:42but definitely. Real Madrid, look at them. They're not involved in a title race in La Liga.
07:47They've already bagged it in their bag. And Liverpool are, you know, they're trying to
07:51win all the games over there. They have a FA Cup final. They have two more Premier League
07:55crunch games left. Whereas Real Madrid are relaxing, working on their tactics, working on
08:00their fitness, everything, you know, they can relax and they can look forward to that final.
08:04I think they'll be very, very fresh for that final. And I think it's Real Madrid's title.
08:11That's what I believe. But definitely, as a team, Liverpool are the favourites.
08:16So here, let's just, let's go back to the Premier League again and focus on what's
08:19happening at the top of the table there. You know, I mean, for a little while,
08:23there was a possibility of the season being extended to 39 games, if Liverpool and Man City
08:30couldn't be separated at the top, if they're both finished on the same points, on the same goal
08:35scored and the headwind and everything. And for a little while, that looked like it was going to
08:39happen. Okay, yesterday, they, you know, they put five goals past Wolves and on the goal
08:44difference, they're way ahead. And now the three points still ahead. But look, we know football
08:49and crazy things have happened. There's still a chance that these guys are going to be locked
08:53at the top of the table, you know, and there's going to need to be a playoff game. How exciting,
08:58Sahil, would it be to see these two go at each other one more time, and the winner takes the
09:03title? That would be the icing on the cake. This, why would, even I'm a Man United fan, but I hate
09:11both Man City and Liverpool, but I would watch that match for anything. I'd skip everything to
09:15watch that game. But do you think a situation like this will ever come in the Premier League?
09:20Maybe, maybe not. But if this ever happens, this will be the match of the century, for sure.
09:27Shamsher, how, I mean, how good a game, how, I mean, what sort of a spectacle would it be,
09:31two teams with the knowledge that they just win and the title is theirs? What sort of a game would that be?
09:38You know, the chance for that to happen is like Norwich City winning the Premier League. It's
09:42similar to that. It's never going to happen. But yeah, hypothetical. But if it happens, it would
09:46have been a great match. And, you know, watching one big final for a Premier League title, wow,
09:52that would be great. But there is no chance. So you know what, guys, I have to say, okay,
09:58the fixtures, the last game of the season, May 22nd, Man City is playing Aston Villa. Okay,
10:04and who's in charge of Aston Villa? Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Now, if there's one person
10:09on the planet who would do his utmost to make sure that his team can beat Man City, it's Steven
10:15Gerrard. Now, what a story it would be if on the last day of the season, they beat Man City, Liverpool
10:22pick up six points from their last two games, and obviously, they've scored a bunch of goals.
10:27I think they're about five or six goal difference behind at the moment, that they just swing it
10:31around. That can still happen. Sahil, what do you think? Do you think there's still a chance there
10:36for Liverpool? See, never say never. Like, look, Man City are playing West Ham, then they're playing
10:42Aston Villa, as you said. Now see, West Ham, not a bad team. Got some decent players in them.
10:47Why not give them a fight for Liverpool? Why not? They got Bowen, they got Mr. Rice, the main man.
10:53So, anything can happen. But obviously, Man City are going to edge them. I think they're
10:58going to edge them because the way the confidence and Mr. De Bruyne, oh my god, he's on another
11:03level. Does he have a weak foot? No, I think he's got the best foot in the world. And against Aston
11:09Villa, like you said, Steven Gerrard will put the worst, like the most dirty tactics just to win for
11:16his team, for Liverpool. And I know that if Man City lose to West Ham, I know Steven Gerrard will
11:21have the most dirty tactics and try to win against Man City. Guys, honestly, you know, it's not a
11:26foregone conclusion because Man City now have lost John Stones for the rest of the season.
11:32Rupert Diaz is out for the rest of the season. Kyle Walker is also out. Bernardinho limped off
11:37against Wolves. That's some important players for the team. And if, you know, obviously,
11:43Guido has got a brilliant to them to just get over the line, but they're going to be weakened
11:48shortly in these last two games. What do you think? Yeah, that's what I was going to say that
11:52because I don't think they'll have a recognised centre-back for the next game. Because even
11:58Laporte in the last game limped off. Bernardinho was taken off. Bernardinho was the centre-back
12:04partnering Laporte in that game. And Nathan Aki has got some nibbling issues as well. So they might
12:10don't have any centre-back for that West Ham game. And look at that West Ham game, you know,
12:14it's at the London Stadium and it's Mark Noble's final game at that stadium. And West Ham
12:22would love to have a, you know, a win against Man City. And, you know, it's going to be a tricky
12:28game for City, but I still think they have that heads up and they could go and score like two or
12:34three goals there with like Sahil said, De Bruyne is playing one of the best football that I have
12:39seen from any attacking midfielder. He is a complete package and he has taken it in his own
12:45hands, you know, and I still think it's City's title to lose. But yeah, if West Ham can get a
12:51win against City, it's going to be very, very interesting. We have seen that in the past,
12:56how West Ham have, you know, given it trouble due to Man United in their title race previously.
13:02So we'll see. I think it's going to go down obviously last game of the season, just like
13:06it did season 2018, 2019, when City, they won the league just by one point. I think they beat
13:12Brighton in the last game of the season. And for a little while on that last day, Liverpool were top
13:18until Man City beat Brighton. So I think guys, just wait for, I think, one more
13:25weekend coming up. Glenn Murray had given Liverpool hope for two minutes.
13:29Yeah, exactly. Sahil, you're right. That's exactly what happened. All right, let's move the chat on
13:33to Chelsea for a little while. I mean, they're in the third spot right now,
13:37but Arsenal are really close to leapfrogging Chelsea. I mean, they'll make the Champions
13:43League for sure. They've already secured that position. But Tottenham still have an outside
13:48chance as well to make the top four. Who's going to finish in the Champions League spots, guys?
13:54I think it all depends on the North London derby that's going to happen tonight.
13:58Because if Spurs can win that game, then Spurs have a genuine chance in finishing the top four.
14:04But if Arsenal wins, it's over. It's Chelsea and Arsenal in the remaining two places. But Spurs
14:11at the home with this Conte's team, you never know. They're in transition. They're playing
14:16some scintillating football with that front three, Kulisiewski, Son and Kane. And Arsenal,
14:21they had a very patchy run in between. They lost three games in a row, but then they have picked
14:26up wins against United, Chelsea, and they are in the pole position to finish. But it's North
14:32London derby, one of the fiercest rivalries in English football, and we'll see one of the best
14:36games hopefully. And that could decide the top four, I believe. And so here, let's have a quick
14:42word on your boys. You're a big Man Utd fan. They've had a strange season, to say the least.
14:46They started the season with Solskjaer in charge, and then Ranik's taken charge. Since then, we know
14:50that Eric Van Tug will be the new manager next season. Is Ronaldo going to stay or go? Is Pogba
14:55going to go? There's a lot of up people coming over at Old Trafford. It's their lowest points
15:00tally, I believe, in the Premier League history. They can't finish higher than where they are,
15:06which is six. What's gone wrong there, Sahil? Tell me.
15:09What's gone wrong there? Everything's gone wrong, you know. It's just an unbalanced team,
15:13and they're not a good team. They're a bang-on average team with bang-on average players,
15:17you know. You have the Ronaldo in that team. Take out that guy. It's an average team,
15:22if you look at it. I don't want to say this, but Bruno Fernandes has played like a proper
15:27average player, even though he has created the most chances. But he has been the most frustrating
15:32player to watch this season. If you watch a Man Utd game, he has been a very frustrating figure
15:37sometimes. Yes, he has scored 10 goals. 10 goals is a big deal for Cam. But he has been a frustrating
15:43figure for Man Utd this season. De Gea has had an unbelievable season. He steps up on Man Utd,
15:48always struggling. When Man Utd are doing well, he's had a tough time. It's just Marcus Rashford.
15:53I have no words for him. I'm really, really, really disappointed in Marcus Rashford.
15:58There's no excuses for him to perform poor. He has everything. He's done everything for him.
16:03There's no excuses for your head to be down. There's nothing wrong. And Jadon Sancho,
16:08it's his first season, so he's been... No, he's not been good, actually. He's been below average.
16:14But it's his first season. He'll step up for sure. But everything's gone wrong. But to be honest,
16:19everyone criticises Ralph Rannick. No, Ralph Rannick is a good manager. I remember Rio Ferdinand
16:24just two days ago saying that he should not expose Man Utd. Why not? There are problems at the club.
16:30You know, things have to be changed. So it's absolutely right. And I really like Ralph Rannick.
16:34And he's done... He could do whatever he could. That's all I can say about him.
16:38It's going to be a huge summer there at Old Trafford. There's a lot of, like you say,
16:43a lot of players who need to step up, you know, and a lot of players who aren't going to be in
16:47the next season also. I have to add one thing. I have to add one thing to that.
16:54They are in the balanced score. That is for sure. But you know, one thing you need to
16:58take into consideration that under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they finished second in the league
17:02last time around. Second in the league. Yes, other teams were struggling. But still,
17:07they finished second in the league. Then they brought like Varane, Jadon Sancho and Christian
17:12Ronaldo. And then look what happened to that team. So they have individual players, but whether
17:18they suit into a system, which is a questionable thing, but still, you can't call them a bang
17:23average score because they have got a good score to finish in the top four. They're not doing that.
17:28The only reason I said that, because do you expect these two people, I'm going to say,
17:32Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire. This is a team, these are two players who guided their country to
17:36Euro Cup final. And then when they come to Man Utd, they have played like below average players.
17:41Can you expect that? I would say United, from top to bottom, the club is run
17:50by clowns. That is one thing. Such a huge club with histories run by clowns.
17:55Glazers are like doing it like a business, proper business for them. That's a different
17:59thing altogether. But then they should have prioritized signing a CDM like for two seasons.
18:04They haven't done that. They only have one recognized CDM, which is Nemanja Matic. And he
18:09was not getting enough game time. That is one thing. Then why did they sign Cristiano Ronaldo?
18:15Why did they sign him? Yes, when you look at it, he has scored their most number of goals
18:22this season. But was he needed? Edinson Cavani was providing the goals. Rashford, Martial,
18:27all these guys were linking up well. They were getting goals. Bruno Fernandes was playing well
18:31last season. But soon after Cristiano Ronaldo came into the picture, Cristiano Ronaldo is one
18:36of the greatest players of all time. There's no doubt about that. But he has upset the rhythm
18:41of the team. What happened? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a bang average manager, we all know. But he was
18:47having a set of rhythm into that team. And he was making these young players play their football.
18:51He was sitting back and counterattacking under transition. They were scoring goals.
18:55But now look at their defense. They're struggling. They don't have a structure. So there is all sort
19:00of problems. But to get Cristiano Ronaldo into that side with the ego that he brings in and
19:06all the attack is like Ronaldo-centric now. Ronaldo is going to get your goals for sure.
19:11But the teammates around him are struggling, are definitely struggling. And I'm not saying
19:17Ronaldo is a problem. The recruitment, United's recruitment is a massive, massive problem. And
19:23they should have signed a CDM and they would have been in a better position right now. That's what
19:26I think. I think United legend David Beckham has been saying that he wishes that Ronaldo stays on
19:32for at least another season. I mean, he'll be 37 next summer. We know he's like a superman. He's
19:37absolutely super fit. Age doesn't really count. But yeah, Shamsir, there is that thought that
19:42he's come in and he's unsettled the team. But the question is, Man United just could not allow him
19:48to join Man City. That's where apparently he was heading. And had they allowed that,
19:53there would have been uproar. Old Trafford, the red half of the city would have been,
19:56you know, they just would not have liked that at all. So I guess they were just forced to be in
20:01a position to just, you know, to sign the guy back again. To his credit, he's done really well.
20:05Like you say, he scored plenty of goals. And, you know, having a player like Ronaldo in the
20:10changing room, the guys like Sancho, Rashford, these guys should be looking at Ronaldo and they
20:15should be upping the game. But like you say, the opposite seems to have happened. Sahil,
20:19do you think he's been a negative addition to the team? No, no, he's not been a negative addition.
20:26You see on the pitch how he helps Ilanga, how he helps Rashford, Sancho. Sancho has said also that
20:34it's an honor to share a dressing room with him. Cristiano is not the problem. It's the problems
20:39of the other guys. You know, McTominay has not had a good season. Fred started poorly, but he made
20:44up for it. He really made up for it. Matic didn't start well now. Towards the end, he started playing
20:49well. Rashford, absolutely disappointing. No excuses. He's just been poor. He himself has
20:55to be blamed. Don't blame the team. He himself has to be blamed. Sancho took a lot of time to
21:00adapt. Gradually, gradually, he'll get up. But and then nothing after Mason Greenwood left,
21:07things didn't get better. All right, guys, let's have a quick word before we wrap this up on the
21:12relegation battle. We know that Norwich have already gone. Watford joined them. And now there's
21:17one spot left. And at the moment, Leeds are occupying that third from bottom position.
21:23But Burnley and Milo Everton are still very much in that mix. Who is the third team that's going to
21:29be relegated this season? Shamsir, what do you think? I think Everton are safe, according to me.
21:35Yeah, of course, they couldn't win the game against Watford. It was a nil-nil draw.
21:41They got seven points out of nine in the last game, last three games. And they defeated Chelsea
21:46at Goodison Park. Their next game is against Brentford at Goodison Park. With the Goodison
21:51faithful behind them, I think they're going to win that. Even though Brentford are having a great
21:55season and they're playing some good football, I still think Everton are safe. It's between Leeds
22:01and Burnley. And especially for Leeds, yes, sacking Marcelo Bielsa was in need of the hour
22:06at that time. But then bringing on Jesse Marsh, I didn't like that at that time itself. And it's
22:11going to have a problem for them. Because they were looking safe a few weeks ago. A couple of
22:16weeks ago, they had an eight-point cushion. Now, look at them. They are 18th in the position. But
22:20they have got a good run of fixtures. Two games of good, winnable fixtures. But I still think it's
22:26between Leeds and Burnley. I can't pick one. But even Burnley, sacking Sean Dyche itself is a crime.
22:33Crime in football. So, I don't want them to be staying. But I think it's a battle between
22:39Leeds and Burnley. Let's see. Sahil, like Shamsir says, it was a strange thing to sack
22:45Sean Dyche. He's a relegation expert. He's kept Burnley up for several years before. But on the
22:51contrary, the new coach, Mike Jackson, he had a terrific response from the team. They won two,
22:56three games. Got them out of that relegation zone. They're still out of that. But who do you think
23:02will be dragged down, Sahil? Like Shamsir said, I think Leeds should go down. I myself
23:10was absolutely furious when I saw the news that Sean Dyche was sacked. I think I gave him one,
23:14two comments like, this is absolutely a very poor decision. This guy has given their heart and soul
23:20for the club. He's an unbelievable manager. The guy, only Burnley started spending on players
23:26recently in the last one, two years. Before that, Burnley never got to spend on any player. Like,
23:31they signed Vergos, Maxwell Kornay. But still, like, I want Burnley to stay to give a tribute
23:38to Sean Dyche. That's all. Like, I'm a huge fan of that guy. So I think Burnley will stay in
23:43Everton for you, Imran, hopefully. Please keep praying, guys. Make sure this happens.
23:51We've had a terrible season, but with Frank Lampard there's some positive signs. So hopefully,
23:55fingers crossed, we survive. So the boys think City for the title. They think Leeds or Burnley
24:02are going to go down. The Champions League spaces. Looks like it's going to be Chelsea and Arsenal.
24:06But tonight's game should be very interesting to see. It's the North London derby. Arsenal
24:10against Tottenham. If Arsenal win, that'll secure their place in the top four. We'll be back for a
24:15new episode of Golf News kicking back. So stay tuned for us. In the meantime, head to golfnews.com
24:21for the latest news, reviews, videos, and lots more. See you guys again soon. Take care. Bye-bye.
24:27Thank you. Bye-bye.