Merry Christmas!

How did Unai Emery’s genius win Aston Villa the game at Chelsea? Has Rayan Cherki’s brilliance been the spark that has seen Man City win eight games on the bounce? How has Keith Andrews got Brentford playing so effectively after losing Bryan Mbeumo & Yoane Wissa in the summer? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate whether Arsenal continuing to win these edgy games is a good sign for them or is asking for trouble.  The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football  When you've done enough, Uber Eats. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod.  It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A short message from Gary to say a big thank you to all our listeners for their support so far this season and give an update on some of the exciting things we’ve got planned for 2026. Have a wonderful Christmas! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kylian Mbappé marked his birthday in style, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s best-ever goal tally for Real Madrid in a calendar year. With over 200 more goal involvements than Ronaldo had at the same age, does Mbappé already have a case for being the better player at 27? Gary and Alex also break down Barcelona’s dominant form after their eighth straight win against Villarreal, is there anyone who can actually stop Barça right now? Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League at Christmas, but with Manchester City starting to look back to their best, have they taken the mantle as favourites for the title? Morgan Rogers scored two brilliant goals as Aston Villa made it ten wins in a row in all competitions. Does this season now look like a three-horse title race? Gary, Alan and Micah also debate a controversial weekend of refereeing, asking whether this is the worst standard the Premier League has seen, and if the introduction of VAR has played a part in the decline. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How many of the Top 10 all time Champions League goalscorers can Alan and Micah name without mistake? Who is the surprise inclusion on the list? Why was Micah left to rue making up a new rule to allow them to get bonus points? Gary is quiz master once again as he tests the guys knowledge on the most lethal finishers in Europe’s elite competition, with a few rants and outbursts along the way! The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do players react when one of their teammates issues an ultimatum to force a move away from the club? Is it easy to forgive, or does it permanently damage relationships in the dressing room? The guys also dive into football superstitions — what rituals did they cling to during goal droughts, and did doubt start to creep in when the goals weren’t coming? Gary, Alan and Micah round things off by comparing their Fantasy Football performances, who’s on top right now? They also discuss The Rest Is Football’s particularly high ranking The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football. Introducing Save Your WayTM from Hotels.com. Get instant savings now with Member Prices, or bank as rewards for later. Learn more at hotels.com/product/save-your-way-uk/ Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod.  It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Real Madrid still struggling to find the right balance, and is Jude Bellingham being played out of position? Despite an away win at Alavés, questions remain over the performance, and frustration is growing among some Madridistas with Xabi Alonso. Raphinha is finally back after an injury-hit start to the season, and he made an immediate impact with two goals to keep Barcelona four points clear at the top of La Liga. Seven straight wins for the Blaugrana, can anyone catch them? Gary and Alex also break down Antoine Griezmann’s brilliant winner as Atlético Madrid stay in touch with the title race Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at: therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sunderland make it seven wins from seven as they beat fierce local rivals Newcastle in the derby. Are Eddie Howe’s problems growing as he tries to fit Nick Woltemade into Newcastle’s established system, and do they lack the energy that drove last season’s success? Manchester City look like they’re finally back — but just how much of that revival is down to the man in form, Phil F***ing Foden**? Enzo Maresca raises eyebrows with a cryptic post-match interview that hints at a lack of backing from the ownership. Is support behind the scenes starting to crack? Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah debate Arsenal’s struggles to break down low blocks and ask whether the Gunners have become too reliant on Bukayo Saka The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football.Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Xabi Alonso’s Jon under serious threat after City come from behind to beat Madrid? Noni Madueke’s stunner set Arsenal on their way to a sixth win in six, but did he really mean it? How important was it that Liverpool beat Inter Milan after Arne Slot left Mo Salah out of the squad? Gary, Alan and Micah also discuss a good point away at Leverkusen for Newcastle, as Alan is left dreaming of what might have been. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football.Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was Alan’s message to Erling after he beat his record for getting to 100 Premier League goals? Why was the Norwegian superstar particularly fired up for this season, by people not talking about him over the summer? Why has Erling started his own YouTube channel and what is he hoping to showcase on it? Gary and Alan travel up to Manchester to speak to Erling Haaland and celebrate his achievement of scoring 100 Premier League goals in record time. They get into a deep dive on the art of goalscoring, with more than 1,000 goals between the trio. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit fuseenergy.com/football Whether it’s the same roast every year or something new that somehow becomes tradition overnight - Tesco’s food helps make every Christmas feel like Christmas. Shop Tesco food this Christmas, either in-store or online. Introducing Save Your WayTM from Hotels.com. Get instant savings now with Member Prices, or bank as rewards for later. Learn more at hotels.com/product/save-your-way-uk/ Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at: therestisfootball.com https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices