The Game

Lisandro Martinez chucked a hand grenade into the Man Utd dressing room when he questioned the quality of the clubs signings and the man responsible - technical director Jason Wilcox - Why is Britain's 'biggest' club incapable of stability?Did PSG produce the best football played since Pep Guardiola's all conquering Barca side? in the second half Man City then showed their quality and strength in depth as they put in a barnstorming performance.The independent football regulator report has been released, its findings suggest the majority of English football clubs are on the edge of financial disaster. Will the report change anything or is it another toothless measure... Plus, great wins for Liverpool and Villa and a tail of two strikers in Victor Gyokores and Nicolas JacksonGregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft and Tony Cascarino. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Man City looked worth every penny of the money spent on them as they beat Liverpool at Anfield. But the result left a strange taste as many wondered what it meant. Is the integrity of the league at stake as all results involving Man City have an asterix until the punishment is announced. Could city 'win' the league only to then be relegated?Liverpool had a front line including two hundred million pound players, neither produced. How worried should the club be about Florian Wirtz?Jordan Henderson showed he wasn't just a 'vibes' signing when he scored twice and brought some calm to Chelsea's midfield.Fulham contrived to lose again, Palace nicked three points and Brighton continue to impress.Spurs took a lot of encouragement from a ten man draw with Man Utd. Not so Manchester United though - six points from the opening six games and a team lacking identity...how much pressure is Michael Carrick under?And six games in the table has a refreshing look with Brentford and Brighton in the top four and Hull in 8th...can it last? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson return with all the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two.There are some big games in the Championship with third against fourth as Middlesbrough play Wolves and derbies at West Ham who take on QPR and West Brom at home to Birmingham.Perhaps the most interesting story of the international break was Graham Alexander leaving Bradford City to return to Preston North End. Why do managers leave clubs flying high in one league to go to teams at the bottom of another? Alexander joins a list including Rob Edwards, Matt Bloomfield and Russell Martin. Do these moves ever pay off? Plus, Robbie Savage takes the reigns at Peterborough, Ian holloway is losing it - again and the best irrelevant goals ever scored. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Premier League have released their statement regarding the findings against Manchester City and it is a scathing assessment.The independent commision referenced 'sham contracts' to reduce costs and inflate revenues disguising over nine hundred million pounds worth of 'secret funding' in the process.The findings also make claims of false evidence and agreements or contracts designed to deceive.For the very latest Gregor Robertson joins Chief Sports Correspondent for The Times Matt Lawton who has been leading on the story and The Times Chief Football Correspondent Jonathan Northcroft Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International football returns for the first time since the World Cup and England manager Thomas Tuchel isn't sure he can coach his players to play possession football - and some of his players seem to agree. Is that what the FA get for five million a year, a manager who can't coach? Or is it more complicated than that? While England go through their usual bout of soul searching German football hopes that Jurgen Klopp can do for them what he did for Liverpool and return them to their former glory. And how will Zinedine Zidane harness the immense talent on offer to the French national teamPlus, five game into the Premier League what have we learnt? Can Arsenal defend their way to a title or can City score their way to a title?Gregor Robertson joins Martin Samuel, Tony Cascarino and James Gheerbrant… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brighton and Brentford put in master class performances to humble Arsenal and Chelsea. Both teams looked organised, robust and hugely impressive. By contrast despite the money spent Chelsea lacked cutting edge and were shakey at the back. For Arsenal was it a timely warning that the defence of their title won't be as easy as some thought? So, can Brighton and Brentford make it into the top four... On paper have Man City actually got the best starting eleven? At the other end of the table Spurs go into the international break winless, what does De Zerbi do next? Coventry got their much needed and well deserved first win of the season and Liverpool won too, but Wirtz struggled again. Finally, is Man Utd's main problem central midfield..?Gregor Robertson joins Tom Allnutt, Alyson Rudd and Pete Rutzler  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the latest from the Championship, League One and League Two with Tom Clarke and Gregor Robertson. Another big win for West Ham sends them top, Southampton are climbing, Swansea and West Brom are surprise packages with Wolves and Middlesbrough looking good - could they all win the Championship? Is it down to just two or three or are there outsiders who are yet to show their best?At the bottom Preston sack Heckingbottom after another defeat; could Nicky Hayen at Burnley be next?In League One Russell Martin got a huge win for Leicester City and gave an emotional interview discussing the hostility directed towards him, but will his win away at Stockport be enough to turn around an unhappy fan base at the King Power. Wycombe sack their manager Michael Duff and immediately get a win; Neil Harris works his magic at Cambridge and quickest team goal at Plymouth.In League Two are York City looking at back to back promotions and Gregor's old club Grimsby have a candidate for goal of the weekend.Plus the usual goal, moment and result of the weekend in each division. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Solid home wins for Liverpool and Man City, a strong away wins for Arsenal and Villa mean the English teams have started well in Europe. Martin Samuel thinks there is no reason why all the English teams should not be qualifying for the last 16.While there are some potent front three's around, no team compares to Arsenal's defensive strength - how would Arsenal reserve team do in the Premier League?Mauricio Pochettino thinks Spurs should be award the 2016/17 title because of Chelsea's admitted rule breaches. Would that be opening Pandora's box?After the break is Harry Kane going to win the Ballon d'or? Who is he up against and does he deserve it. Is football more fun and games where there is no VAR? If it is, could it ever be ditched at the top level?Plus, football never ends, with a thrilling Chelsea six Leeds three cup win being overshadowed, are we in danger of reaching saturation point?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.