Matchweek 22: Smashing Records
Matchweek 22: Smashing Records
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 and Jack talk about the latest action from the Premier League and have lots of football English for you to learn.
Transcript
Introduction
Jack: Hello my name’s Jack and welcome to our weekly round-up section called This Week on Premier Skills English.
Rich: Hi there. I’m Rich. We’ve got lots of interesting words and phrases to help you talk about football in English.
Jack: We want you to use and practise these phrases by interacting with Premier League fans from around the world in our comments section.
Rich: 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: Remember we are looking for people to interview in our podcasts. If you want to practise your English skills and answer a few questions just email us at premierskills@britishcouncil.org and we’ll write back to you.
Rich: You can find all our latest content on the Premier Skills English homepage or the Premier Skills-British Council Facebook page.
Jack: Don’t forget that we also have our weekly Premier Skills English Podcast that is released every Friday. Every week we help you with some different vocabulary or an aspect of grammar.
Rich: Our latest podcast is about nicknames and mascots and we take a look at language you need to give reasons. You can find it on the Premier Skills English homepage, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most other podcast platforms now.
Jack: Let’s start this week’s show by reviewing the Premier League action from Matchweek 22.
Headlines
Jack: City goal machine breaks more records.
Rich: Sergio Aguero, already a living legend at Manchester City, became the record Premier League goalscorer for a foreign player after scoring a hat-trick in City’s 6-1 win at Aston Villa. Aguero now has 177 Premier League goals and overtakes Theirry Henry at the top. Aguero scored his 12th Premier League hat-trick more than any other player in Premier League history - overtaking Alan Shearer at the top of the charts.
Jack: Firmino strikes to keep the Reds’ run going.
Rich: Roberto Firmino got the only goal of the game as Liverpool won away at Tottenham. Liverpool are smashing records all season and broke more on Saturday. Liverpool’s 61 points after 21 games is the most any team has ever recorded in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Jack: United back on track with comprehensive win.
Rich: Manchester United beat Norwich City 4-0. The stars of the show were United’s young strikeforce with two goals from Marcus Rashford on his 200th appearance for the club and one each from Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood. Norwich remain rooted to the bottom of the table after another defeat.
Jack: There were also good wins for Sheffield United, Everton, Watford, Chelsea and Southampton.
Vocabulary alert!
Jack: In our vocabulary alert, we look at some football English that we used in the headlines.
Rich: Our six words and phrases this week are: legend, to overtake, to break a record, to smash a record, strikeforce and to be back on track.
Jack: Let’s start with the phrases we used to talk about Sergio Aguero and Manchester CIty’s 6-1 win at Aston Villa.
Rich: We described Aguero as a living legend. A legend describes someone that is very famous and has done something very well, often in a specific profession - we use it a lot to talk about sports or the arts.
Jack: Audrey Hepburn and Marlon Brando can be described as legends in the acting world. Muhammed Ali, Martina Navratilova, Michael Jordan and Pele are often described as legends in different sports.
Rich: The phrase living legend is usually used to describe someone who is still playing sport, music or acting to a very high level. We might describe Lionel Messi, Serena Williams or Paul McCartney as living legends.
Jack: Another use of the word legend is connected to stories from the past.
Rich: We might read about the legend of Robin Hood or about Greek legends like the 12 labours of Hercules or King Midas where everything he touches turns to gold.
Jack: The next word we used is to overtake. We said that Serio Aguero has overtaken Theirry Henry as the top foreign goalscorer in the Premier League.
Rich: To overtake means to become greater in number or importance than something else. Theirry Henry scored 176 Premier League goals, Aguero now has 177. Aguero has overtaken Henry in the number of goals scored.
Jack: We also use overtake a lot when talking about driving. If the car in front of us is too slow, we overtake it - we drive faster and go passed it.
Rich: Let’s talk about the Liverpool - Tottenham match. We said that Liverpool broke some records on Saturday. To break a record means to get a better result than has ever been achieved in the past.
Jack: Liverpool now have more points at this stage of the season than any team in Europe’s top five leagues have ever got. They have broken the record for the best-ever start to a Premier League season.
Rich: We said that Liverpool have been smashing records all season. To smash a record is similar to break a record but we use it when a record has been broken by a large number or amount or when we want to add extra emphasis.
Jack: Listen to the difference: Liverpool have been breaking records all season, Liverpool have been smashing records all season.
Rich: Finally, let’s talk about Manchester United’s 4-0 win against Norwich. We said that United got back on track. To get back on track is a phrase we use to say we are going in the right direction again.
Jack: United have not been playing well and they lost their last game against Manchester City but they got back on track with a big win against Norwich.
Rich: Our final word this week is strikeforce. A team’s strike force is the forwards in a team. Manchester United’s strikeforce against Norwich was Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
Jack: OK, so there are our six words and phrases. Listen to this part of the podcast again if you are not sure how to use them.
Rich: The words and phrases are: legend, to overtake, to break a record, to smash a record, strikeforce and to be back on track.
Football Awards
Jack: Right, every week, we give out three Matchweek awards. The awards are Player of the Week, Team of the Week and Goal of the Week.
Rich: In the comments section, you need to tell us if you agree with our choices.
Jack: Let’s start with Player of the Week. Danny Ings scored again. That’s 10 goals in 10 games for the Southampton striker. Marcus Rashford is also a good shout with his two goals for Manchester United.
Rich: But our Player of the Week has to be Manchester City’s, Sergio Aguero. The Argentinean got his twelfth Premier League hat-trick and scored his 177th Premier League goal. Will he ever stop?
Jack: Now Team of the Week. This might be a controversial decision but our Team of the Week is not the team that won 6-1 away from home.
Rich: No, our Team of the Week is Southampton. Not only did they win 2-1 away at second-placed Leicester City but they also made their fans forget that painful 9-0 home defeat to the same team just a few months ago.
Jack: Finally, our Goal of the Week. But before we give you our three options this week we want to mention one player that we failed to mention last week.
Rich: That’s right. Brighton’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a wonderful overhead kick against Chelsea on New Year’s Day which saved a point for the Seagulls. We can safely say that it was the goal of the decade at that point!
Jack: Thanks to those of you who pointed out that we forgot to mention the Iranian striker’s goal.
Rich: Right so what are this week’s choices?
Jack: Goal number one: Sergio Aguero for Manchester City against Ason Villa. Aguero’s first goal was a ferocious shot from twenty yards.
Rich: Goal number two: Richarlison for Everton versus Brighton. The Brazilian twisted past two defenders before curling the ball into the corner.
Jack: Goal number three: Pierre Emrick Aubameyang for Arsenal v Crystal Palace. A great team goal although Aubameyang didn’t finish the match after a red card in the second half.
Rich: OK. Those are our three options. Did you see them? Which do you think was the best? Let us know your choice and if you agree with our other weekly awards in our comments section on the Premier Skills English website.
Matchweek Prediction
Jack: Every week, Rich predicts the result of one Premier League match and we want you to make your prediction, too. Which match are you going to look at this week, Rich?
Rich: The next team to attempt to stop Liverpool’s relentless march towards the title will be Liverpool’s greatest rivals - Manchester United. Matchweek 23 sees Liverpool take on United at Anfield. The only team to stop Liverpool winning in the Premier League was Manchester United when the teams drew one all in October. Liverpool have won every Premier League game since and I can’t see United stopping this time. The only glimmer of hope is that United tend to perform better against the top teams. They won away at Manchester City but didn’t do so well in the League Cup last week. No, I think Liverpool will have too much for them and it could be a big win. Final score: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester United.
Jack: I think United will put up more of a fight but they’ll still lose. 2-1 for me.
Rich: Right, that’s all we have time for. I hope you have enjoyed this football round-up. Join the discussion at the bottom of the page on the Premier Skills English website.
Jack: If you listen to us on Apple Podcasts, don’t forget to leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you.
Rich: If you have any questions or comments or suggestions for the podcast or anything football or English related, you can leave them on the website in the comments section, on social media - on facebook or twitter, on apple podcasts or you can email us at premierskills@britishcouncil.org.
Jack: Remember you can also email us if you want to practise your English skills and answer a few questions for a future podcast.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Results
Matchweek 22:
Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
Leicester City 1-2 Southampton
Crystal Palace 1-1 Arsenal
Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City
Aston Villa 1-6 Manchester City
Everton 1-0 Brighton
Bournemouth 0-3 Watford
Wolves 1-1 Newcastle
Sheffield United 1-0 West Ham
Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Headlines
City's goal machine smashes more records!
Sergio Aguero, already a living legend at Manchester City, became the record Premier League goalscorer for a foreign player after scoring a hat-trick in City’s 6-1 win at Aston Villa. Aguero now has 177 Premier League goals and overtakes Theirry Henry at the top. Aguero scored his 12th Premier League hat-trick more than any other player in Premier League history - overtaking Alan Shearer at the top of the charts.
Headlines
Firmino strikes to keep the Reds' run going
Roberto Firmino got the only goal of the game as Liverpool won away at Tottenham. Liverpool have been smashing records all season and broke more on Saturday. Liverpool’s 61 points after 21 games is the most any team has ever recorded in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
Headlines
United back on track with comprehensive win
Manchester United beat Norwich City 4-0. The stars of the show were United’s young strikeforce with two goals from Marcus Rashford on his 200th appearance for the club and one each from Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood. Norwich remain rooted to the bottom of the table after another defeat.
Vocabulary Alert
Football English
We looked at six pieces of football English that you can learn to improve your English. Take a look at the phrases in bold. Do you understand what they mean?
Sergio Aguero, already a living legend at Manchester City, has become the record Premier League goalscorer for a foreign player. A legend describes someone that is very famous and has done something very well, often in a specific profession. A living legend is a legend who is still alive and/or still performing at the top.
Sergio Aguero overtakes Theirry Henry at the top of the goalscoring charts. To overtake means to become greater in number or importance than something else.
Liverpool have been smashing records all season and broke more on Saturday. To break a record means to get a better result than has ever been achieved in the past. To smash a record means to break a record easily and is used for extra emphasis.
United got back on track. To get back on track is a phrase we use to say we are going in the right direction again - we are doing things correctly.
The stars of the show were United’s young strikeforce. A team’s strikeforce is the forwards in a team.
Can you use the words in bold in a different sentence? Write a sentence at the bottom of the page. If you're not sure, listen to the audio for more explanations and examples.
Matchweek Awards
Do you agree with our choices?
Player of the Week: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Team of the Week: Southampton
Goal of the Week: Look at the three options from Matchweek 22 and let us know which goal was best in the comments section!
Goal 1
Sergio Aguero for Manchester City against Tottenham.
Goal 2
Richarlison for Everton versus Brighton.
Goal 3
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.
The Big Match
Liverpool v Manchester United
The big match this weekend is between two of the Premier League's greatest rivals: Liverpool and Manchester United. Jack and Rich both think Liverpool will win but they think the scoreline will be very different.
What are your predictions? Have a listen to what Rich says and then make your prediction and talk about any of next weekend's matches below.
Football Chat
What do you think?
Jack and Rich have spoken about Matchweek 22 in the Premier League. Now it's your turn! Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments section below.
- Rich and Jack chose Manchester City's Sergio Aguero as Player of the Week. Do you agree?
- Jack and Rich selected Southampton as their Team of the Week. Do you agree?
- Rich and Jack picked three goals for the Goal of the Week award? Did you see them? Which do you think was best?
- Use this week's vocabulary: Which records has Sergio Aguero broken? Is Aguero the greatest ever Premier League striker?
- Which football players would you describe as legends?
- Can you use 'overtake', 'strike force' or 'back on track' in a sentence?
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Comments
23/12/2021
points
Phrases
• Basis interest rate had been overtook by Inflation rate then it was regulated again.
• Due to covid virus many league matches has been postponed but after a week all of them was back on track.
23/12/2021 16:58
Tottenham Hotspur
5558
Phrases
• Basis interest rate had been overtook by Inflation rate then it was regulated again.
• Due to covid virus many league matches has been postponed but after a week all of them was back on track.
17/01/2020
points
My prediction, as usual when Liverpool are in, will be against the Reds. Man 2 Liverpool 1
17/01/2020 16:11
Manchester City
3988
My prediction, as usual when Liverpool are in, will be against the Reds. Man 2 Liverpool 1
17/01/2020
points
God knows how happy was Aguero being in the squad from the beginning of the match. Scoring a hat-trick was just as usual for him.
I have to agree with teacher's choice on Southampton.
I saw on live Aguero first goal so I am able to confirm it as the best of the week.
Even if he missed lots of matches under Guardiola coaching Aguero broke the record on goals ever scored on PL by a foreign player but he still is not the greatest ver PL stricker. Perhaps Shearer or Rooney are ahead.
In football Pele or Zidane deserve the legend statut.
Aguero overtakes Thierry Henry record this week.
Man U are back on track thanks to their strike force.
17/01/2020 16:07
Manchester City
3988
God knows how happy was Aguero being in the squad from the beginning of the match. Scoring a hat-trick was just as usual for him.
I have to agree with teacher's choice on Southampton.
I saw on live Aguero first goal so I am able to confirm it as the best of the week.
Even if he missed lots of matches under Guardiola coaching Aguero broke the record on goals ever scored on PL by a foreign player but he still is not the greatest ver PL stricker. Perhaps Shearer or Rooney are ahead.
In football Pele or Zidane deserve the legend statut.
Aguero overtakes Thierry Henry record this week.
Man U are back on track thanks to their strike force.
16/01/2020
points
1- I totally agree with your choices; I select Sergio Aguero's goal against Aston Villa as the goal of the week.
2- Predictions:
Liverpool 2 - 1 Manchester United.
16/01/2020 15:42
Liverpool
325
1- I totally agree with your choices; I select Sergio Aguero's goal against Aston Villa as the goal of the week.
2- Predictions:
Liverpool 2 - 1 Manchester United.
15/01/2020
points
1. of course I agree because he was player who is got many goals in Matchweek22 .
2. I,m not sure it was great game if we remember last match.
5. Drogba bevcaue he had gotten a lot of goals for Chelsea
15/01/2020 13:58
Chelsea
30
1. of course I agree because he was player who is got many goals in Matchweek22 .
2. I,m not sure it was great game if we remember last match.
5. Drogba bevcaue he had gotten a lot of goals for Chelsea
15/01/2020
points
1. Yes, I do. It was a memorable journey for Sergio Aguero.
2. Yes, I also agree. Southampton has been playing well and they were brilliant to revenge themselves against Leicester.
3. I am going to choose Richarlison's clever goal for Everton.
4. Sergio Aguero has broken two records: he has overtaken Thierry Henry to become the all-top overseas goalscorer and Alan Shearer for the most Premier League hat-tricks. If he is the greatest ever, it is hard to say.
5. Aguero is a legend for City, as well as Henry and Drogba are for Arsenal and Chelsea. My personal football legend is Socrates from the Brazilian 1982 World Cup squad.
6. It is unforgettable this Brazilian legends strikeforce: Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. To get back on track and win another World Cup, we need more legends like them.
15/01/2020 11:56
Tottenham Hotspur
615
1. Yes, I do. It was a memorable journey for Sergio Aguero.
2. Yes, I also agree. Southampton has been playing well and they were brilliant to revenge themselves against Leicester.
3. I am going to choose Richarlison's clever goal for Everton.
4. Sergio Aguero has broken two records: he has overtaken Thierry Henry to become the all-top overseas goalscorer and Alan Shearer for the most Premier League hat-tricks. If he is the greatest ever, it is hard to say.
5. Aguero is a legend for City, as well as Henry and Drogba are for Arsenal and Chelsea. My personal football legend is Socrates from the Brazilian 1982 World Cup squad.
6. It is unforgettable this Brazilian legends strikeforce: Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. To get back on track and win another World Cup, we need more legends like them.
16/01/2020
points
Hi Rafael
A fantastic player was Socrates and a true fighter for the rights of football players. In my notebook I have a Socrates' wallpaper. From Socrates I learned to kick penalties from back to goal. Have you ever tried this?
16/01/2020 00:59
Leeds United
5086
Hi Rafael
A fantastic player was Socrates and a true fighter for the rights of football players. In my notebook I have a Socrates' wallpaper. From Socrates I learned to kick penalties from back to goal. Have you ever tried this?
22/01/2020
points
Hi wsanta,
Glad to know that you also admire Socrates and his legacy.
No, his backheel kicks are famous, but I've never tried it.
22/01/2020 12:33
Tottenham Hotspur
615
Hi wsanta,
Glad to know that you also admire Socrates and his legacy.
No, his backheel kicks are famous, but I've never tried it.
15/01/2020
points
There is no doubt that Aguero is one of the best strikers in the Premier League ever.
Football player I describe as legend is David Beckham. His right foot is like magic.
15/01/2020 11:43
Tottenham Hotspur
35
There is no doubt that Aguero is one of the best strikers in the Premier League ever.
Football player I describe as legend is David Beckham. His right foot is like magic.
15/01/2020
points
My prediction Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United.
15/01/2020 01:42
Leeds United
5086
My prediction Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United.
15/01/2020
points
1- Yes, I do
2- No, I don't. For first time this season Watford is out of relegation, for me Watford was the team of the week.
3- Sorry, but I disagree. Goal of the week: Roberto Pereyra for Watford against Bournemouth.
4- Aguero is one of the greatest Premier League striker.
5- Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Jermain Defoe and many more.
6- Watford got back on track
15/01/2020 01:40
Leeds United
5086
1- Yes, I do
2- No, I don't. For first time this season Watford is out of relegation, for me Watford was the team of the week.
3- Sorry, but I disagree. Goal of the week: Roberto Pereyra for Watford against Bournemouth.
4- Aguero is one of the greatest Premier League striker.
5- Bobby Charlton, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Jermain Defoe and many more.
6- Watford got back on track
14/01/2020
points
Man United are not likely to overtake Liverpool in Sunday clash. The Reds' strike force, Mane and Salah, will get back on track and make it 2 : 0.
I absolutely agree with your Week Tops' choice.
14/01/2020 11:13
Liverpool
6577
Man United are not likely to overtake Liverpool in Sunday clash. The Reds' strike force, Mane and Salah, will get back on track and make it 2 : 0.
I absolutely agree with your Week Tops' choice.
15/01/2020
points
Hi Alex. Have you seen Roberto Pereyra's goal for Watford against Bournemouth?
15/01/2020 01:48
Leeds United
5086
Hi Alex. Have you seen Roberto Pereyra's goal for Watford against Bournemouth?
15/01/2020
points
Hi Wsanta,
Have just watched it and then rewatched Aguero's hat-trick. To my mind, each of his three is better than Pereyra's goal : they are way too clinical and masterly. Pereira only used an unlucky defender's rebound in the box, it was not so difficult to do.
15/01/2020 11:08
Liverpool
6577
Hi Wsanta,
Have just watched it and then rewatched Aguero's hat-trick. To my mind, each of his three is better than Pereyra's goal : they are way too clinical and masterly. Pereira only used an unlucky defender's rebound in the box, it was not so difficult to do.
16/01/2020
points
I respect your opinion but I don't think so.
He started the attack, after the rebound he dominated the ball with great technical quality and he defined in the goal when it would generally go above the crossbar. In my opinion, this goal was more beautiful than the goal 3 (Arsenal's one).
Regards!.
16/01/2020 12:19
Leeds United
5086
I respect your opinion but I don't think so.
He started the attack, after the rebound he dominated the ball with great technical quality and he defined in the goal when it would generally go above the crossbar. In my opinion, this goal was more beautiful than the goal 3 (Arsenal's one).
Regards!.
16/01/2020
points
Tastes differ. Pereyra's actions were as highly technical as the Argentinian's though "in collaboration" with Bournemouth's defense. Yet I didn't pay attention that he started the attack. One more contender, in my view, was Mahrez's solo passage and goal. Best regards!
16/01/2020 14:46
Liverpool
6577
Tastes differ. Pereyra's actions were as highly technical as the Argentinian's though "in collaboration" with Bournemouth's defense. Yet I didn't pay attention that he started the attack. One more contender, in my view, was Mahrez's solo passage and goal. Best regards!