This Week: Changing Hands
This Week: Changing Hands
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, Laura and Jack talk about the latest action from the Premier League and have lots of football English for you to learn.
Transcript
This Week: Changing Hands
Rich: Hello my name’s Rich and welcome to our weekly round-up section called ‘This Week’ on Premier Skills English.
Jack: Hi there. I’m Jack. We’ve got lots of interesting words and phrases to help you talk about football in English.
Laura: My name’s Laura. If you want to listen and read at the same time we have a transcript of this podcast on the Premier Skills English website.
Rich: During Matchweek 8, top place in the Premier League changed hands three times, there was a monster win for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League and Villa win again on their travels.
Jack: We’re going to look at three headlines from this weekend’s action and after each, we’ll look at a couple of useful phrases.
Laura: We want you to use and practise these words and 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: You can find all of our latest content on the Premier Skills English homepage or the Premier Skills-British Council Facebook page.
Laura: The words and phrases we are looking at this week are: to take over, to change hands, to self-isolate, long-awaited, a brace and much-needed.
Rich: Later on we’ll also have a language challenge for you to have a go at so you need to be ready for that.
Headline 1
Jack: Top place up for grabs in Premier League.
Rich: Liverpool started the weekend in first position but Southampton took over top spot after a 2-0 win over Newcastle. Top spot changed hands again when Harry Kane’s 150th Premier League goal gave Spurs all three points against West Brom but it was Leicester City who finished the weekend top of the pile after a 1-0 win against Wolves.
Laura: Liverpool to Southampton to Tottenham to Leicester all on the same weekend. Top position is very much up for grabs.
Jack: I used this phrase ‘up for grabs’ in the headline. Up for grabs is an informal idiom which means to be available for anyone who is interested.
Rich: Top spot in the Premier League seems to be available and it’s up for grabs to any team who is interested and of course wins a couple of matches.
Laura: Another interesting idiom is to change hands. Top spot changed hands three times at the weekend.
Jack: To change hands means to change ownership and is usually used to talk about business changing hands - changing owners.
Rich: But one team need to own first place in the Premier League and this changed hands three times at the weekend.
Laura: There was a lot of useful language in our opening headline this week. What about to take over? Rich said Southampton took over top spot.
Jack: To take over is a phrasal verb and it can mean to take control over something or take responsibility for something.
Rich: Southampton took control over first place in the Premier League.
Laura: Then Tottenham took over and then Leicester City took over.
Jack: And our last phase from this headline is to be at the top of the pile. We said Leicester City finished the weekend at the top of the pile.
Rich: A pile is a number of things that are placed on top of each other. In this phrase, the Premier League table is the pile and Leicester City are at the top of it.
Laura: To be at the top of the pile means to be in the highest position. If you’re at the top of the pile at work you are the boss and have reached the top level in your company.
Jack: Let’s move on to our second headline.
Headline 2
Laura: City hit eight as United go top.
Jack: Manchester City thrashed Bristol City 8-1 in the Women’s Super League with a number of Bristol players self-isolating due to COVID-19. Manchester United took over at the top of for the first-ever time with a 1-0 win against Arsenal and Alex Morgan made her long-awaited debut for Tottenham in a one-all draw against Reading.
Rich: That’s a difficult one at the moment, isn’t it. Teams are often not able to play their first-choice players at the moment because some players may be self-isolating.
Laura: Yes, we’re hearing this term self-isolating quite a lot at the moment.
Rich: Self-isolation is when you keep yourself away from other people. At the moment it means staying at home and not leaving your house because you have or might have COVID-19.
Jack: We say that during this period a person is self-isolating.
Laura: Better news is the long-awaited debut of Alex Morgan for Spurs. She came off the bench for her first minutes since giving birth to her first child in May.
Rich: We said her debut was long-awaited. If something is long-awaited it means people have been waiting a long time for something to happen. Football fans had been waiting a long time for Morgan to make her Spurs debut.
Jack: Let’s move on to our third and final headline.
Headline 3
Rich: Villa look good away and big wins for United, Palace and Chelsea.
Laura: Aston Villa maintained their 100% away record with a fabulous 3-0 win at Arsenal. Ollie Watkins scored a brace for Villa in that one. There were big 4-1 wins for Crystal Palace against Leeds and Chelsea against Sheffield United and there was a much-needed win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaers Manchester United as they won 3-1 away at Everton.
Jack: Villa are looking good away from home - not such a good result for Arsenal.
Rich: Ollie Watkins scored a brace. He scored two goals. That’s six in the Premier league for him now.
Laura: A brace is a pair of goals. Ollie Watkins scored twice. He scored a brace or he got a brace.
Jack: Laura said that Manchester United got a much-needed win. When we say something is much-needed we are saying that something was required or needed a lot.
Rich: United had had some poor results recently so the victory against Everton was described as a much-needed win.
Laura: OK. We’ve looked at three stories and six bits of vocabulary in our headlines. The words and phrases we’ve looked at are: to take over, to change hands, to self-isolate, long-awaited, a brace and much-needed.
Jack: Don’t forget to look at the website for the transcript if you want to check your understanding of this vocabulary.
Prediction
Rich: It’s time for this week’s Premier League prediction. Last time Jack predicted a win for Manchester City against Liverpool but it finished in a one-all draw.
Laura: We haven’t spoken about this match in the headlines but I think one all was probably a fair result - neither side did enough to win.
Rich: I’d probably agree with that. This week there is an international break so Matchweek 9 begins the weekend after next and Laura is going to do our prediction for that one.
Laura: There are some big games in Matchweek 9. Tottenham against Manchester City is a big match but I’m going to concentrate on Leicester City’s trip to Liverpool. Leicester travel to Liverpool as the Premier League leaders and they’ve already won at Arsenal and Manchester City. The Foxes will look to defend and counter-attack at pace. This will be a difficult match for Liverpool after the international break but I think it’ll finish in a draw. Final score: Liverpool 1-1 Leicester City.
Jack: I think Liverpool will have too much for Leicester but I’ve known to be wrong before.
Rich: We want all of you to make your predictions for this match and all the Matchweek 9 fixtures on the Premier Skills English website.
Language Challenge
Laura: To finish up the show we’ve got a quick language challenge connected to this week’s vocabulary.
Rich: Earlier we looked at the phrasal verb to take over. Southampton took over first place, then Tottenham took over and then Leicester took over.
Jack: Here are three more sentences that use phrasal verbs with take. Can you guess the missing word?
Laura: Leicester City are going to take ****** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
Rich: The manager had to take him ****** in the second half due to injury.
Jack: City took United ****** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
Rich: We want you to write the answers on the Premier Skills English website where we have some more questions and activities connected to this week’s show.
Laura: Or write your answer on Apple Podcasts if that’s where you listen to us. Just write the answers in the review section and say hi.
Jack: Before we finish we just wanted to say that we hope you found this lesson useful and we hope that all of you stay fit and healthy.
Rich: Bye for now and enjoy your football.
Headlines
Top place up for grabs in Premier League
Liverpool started the weekend in first position but Southampton took over top spot after a 2-0 win over Newcastle. Top spot changed hands again when Harry Kane’s 150th Premier League goal gave Spurs all three points against West Brom but it was Leicester City who finished the weekend top of the pile after a 1-0 win against Wolves.
Headlines
City hit eight as United go top
Manchester City thrashed Bristol City 8-1 in the Women’s Super League with a number of Bristol players self-isolating due to COVID-19. Manchester United took over at the top of for the first-ever time with a 1-0 win against Arsenal and Alex Morgan made her long-awaited debut for Tottenham in a one-all draw against Reading.
Headlines
Villa look good away and big wins for United, Palace and Chelsea
Aston Villa maintained their 100% away record with a fabulous 3-0 win at Arsenal. Ollie Watkins scored a brace for Villa in that one. There were big 4-1 wins for Crystal Palace against Leeds and Chelsea against Sheffield United and there was a much-needed win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United as they won 3-1 away at Everton.
Vocabulary Alert
Language in the headlines
We looked at six words and phrases in our headlines that you can learn to improve your English. Take a look at the phrases in bold. Do you understand what they mean?
Southampton took over top spot after a 2-0 win over Newcastle.
Leicester City finished the weekend top of the pile after a 1-0 win against Wolves.
A number of Bristol players are self-isolating due to COVID-19.
Alex Morgan made her long-awaited debut for Tottenham.
Ollie Watkins scored a brace for Villa against Arsenal.
There was a much-needed win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United.
Prediction
Premier League Predictions: Liverpool v Leicester City
Liverpool host Leicester City in Matchweek 9 and Laura has made this week's prediction. Here are the other Premier League fixtures for Matchweek 9:
Fixtures
Newcastle v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Brighton
Burnley v Crystal Palace
Fulham v Everton
Liverpool v Leicester
Manchester United v West Brom
Wolves v Southampton
Sheffield United v West Ham
Tottenham v Manchester City
Leeds v Arsenal
Talk about the matches and make your predictions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Language Challenge
Jack, Laura and Rich set you a language challenge. They said that three different teams took over top spot over the weekend. Here are three more football sentences which include phrasal verbs with take. Can you guess the missing words?
Leicester City are going to take ****** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him ****** in the second half due to injury.
City took United ****** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
Write the correct answer in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Discuss
Talk about the headlines
Jack, Laura and Rich looked at three stories in the news and some vocabulary that might be new to you. Now it's your turn! Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments section below.
- Is it more exciting when the top positions change hands frequently?
- Wich team got a much-needed victory last weekend?
- Which players(s) scored a brace in Matchweek 8?
- Talk about this week's Premier League matches and make your predictions.
- Can you do our language challenge?
Write your comments and answers in the section below.
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Comments
24/11/2020
points
City took United over in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
24/11/2020 06:03
Liverpool
6573
City took United over in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
24/11/2020
points
The manager had to take him out in the second half due to injury.
24/11/2020 05:59
Liverpool
6573
The manager had to take him out in the second half due to injury.
24/11/2020
points
Leicester City are going to take on Liverpool at Anfield next week.
24/11/2020 05:59
Liverpool
6573
Leicester City are going to take on Liverpool at Anfield next week.
17/11/2020
points
Hi Rich,
Thank you for your respond and support. Unfortunately there is misunderstanding. At the question there were ****** stars. I supposed that the answer includes six letters word and searched for it. It's funny-:)
Bye.
17/11/2020 13:22
Tottenham Hotspur
5557
Hi Rich,
Thank you for your respond and support. Unfortunately there is misunderstanding. At the question there were ****** stars. I supposed that the answer includes six letters word and searched for it. It's funny-:)
Bye.
17/11/2020
points
Hi Hsn
You can never trust the stars. Rich sometimes has problems counting :).
17/11/2020 16:41
Arsenal
560
Hi Hsn
You can never trust the stars. Rich sometimes has problems counting :).
24/11/2020
points
Nonsense, a true scouser can even count stars in the sky with an absolutely high precision.
24/11/2020 06:07
Liverpool
6573
Nonsense, a true scouser can even count stars in the sky with an absolutely high precision.
17/11/2020
points
Hi everyone,
Here are the answers to the language challenge:
Leicester City are going to take ON Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him OFF in the second half due to injury.
City took United APART in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
17/11/2020 08:37
Liverpool
594
Hi everyone,
Here are the answers to the language challenge:
Leicester City are going to take ON Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him OFF in the second half due to injury.
City took United APART in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
16/11/2020
points
Hi Rich!
Is it possible to get correct answers of the phrasal verbs (Language challenge)
All my best wishes.
16/11/2020 17:41
Tottenham Hotspur
5557
Hi Rich!
Is it possible to get correct answers of the phrasal verbs (Language challenge)
All my best wishes.
17/11/2020
points
Yes, of course, HSN. In fact, I've been thinking about how to give everyone the answers to our weekly language challenge. I'm going to put all the answers in the comments section every Monday.
Thanks,
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
17/11/2020 08:35
Liverpool
594
Yes, of course, HSN. In fact, I've been thinking about how to give everyone the answers to our weekly language challenge. I'm going to put all the answers in the comments section every Monday.
Thanks,
Rich - The Premier Skills English Team
15/11/2020
points
Language Challenge :
Leicester City are going to take ****** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him ****** in the second half due to injury.
City took United ****** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
15/11/2020 19:58
Manchester United
6536
Language Challenge :
Leicester City are going to take ****** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him ****** in the second half due to injury.
City took United ****** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
15/11/2020
points
Matchweek 9 Predictions :
Newcastle 2-4 Chelsea
Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton
Burnley 2-2 Crystal Palace
Fulham 0-3 Everton
Liverpool 1-3 Leicester
Manchester United 3-1 West Brom
Wolves 2-2 Southampton
Sheffield United 1-1 West Ham
Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City
Leeds 1-4 Arsenal
15/11/2020 19:51
Manchester United
6536
Matchweek 9 Predictions :
Newcastle 2-4 Chelsea
Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton
Burnley 2-2 Crystal Palace
Fulham 0-3 Everton
Liverpool 1-3 Leicester
Manchester United 3-1 West Brom
Wolves 2-2 Southampton
Sheffield United 1-1 West Ham
Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City
Leeds 1-4 Arsenal
15/11/2020
points
1. It's definitely more exciting to see teams changing hands at the top of the pile so the results will be unpredictable and fans will enjoy the competitiveness more.
2. It was our Manchester United because of the sensitive position of Ole the manager and the disastrous position that we are in the table after 8 matches.
3. Ollie Watkins and Bruno Fernandes scored a brace for their clubs against Arsenal and Everton respectively.
15/11/2020 19:49
Manchester United
6536
1. It's definitely more exciting to see teams changing hands at the top of the pile so the results will be unpredictable and fans will enjoy the competitiveness more.
2. It was our Manchester United because of the sensitive position of Ole the manager and the disastrous position that we are in the table after 8 matches.
3. Ollie Watkins and Bruno Fernandes scored a brace for their clubs against Arsenal and Everton respectively.
15/11/2020
points
1. Is it more exciting when the top positions change hands frequently?
I think more exciting in this situation is an unexpected turn of events for all the people.
2. Wich team got a much-needed victory last weekend?
It's Manchester United.
3. Which players scored a brace in Matchweek 8?
It was Ollie Watkins
4. I don't know who will win or who will lose
Maybe Liverpool will win maybe will not, I seriously don't know)
That is will be not easy is true
5. I cant yet
15/11/2020 15:16
Liverpool
272
1. Is it more exciting when the top positions change hands frequently?
I think more exciting in this situation is an unexpected turn of events for all the people.
2. Wich team got a much-needed victory last weekend?
It's Manchester United.
3. Which players scored a brace in Matchweek 8?
It was Ollie Watkins
4. I don't know who will win or who will lose
Maybe Liverpool will win maybe will not, I seriously don't know)
That is will be not easy is true
5. I cant yet
15/11/2020
points
It's very early in the season and teams will often change hand on first position.
My prediction for upcoming fixtures
Liverpool 1: 1 Leicester
Leeds 1: 2 Arsenal
Manchester united 3: 0 West brom
15/11/2020 14:44
Arsenal
12
It's very early in the season and teams will often change hand on first position.
My prediction for upcoming fixtures
Liverpool 1: 1 Leicester
Leeds 1: 2 Arsenal
Manchester united 3: 0 West brom
13/11/2020
points
1- As it’s usual , at the beginning of the season generally top place often changes hand in many countries leagues. Unexpected team might take over the top spot. The reasons are teamates may used to new season and new transfers. If a team which placed in the second 10 for the first five weeks on the table in my experience/opinion it will not be successful and not get to top.
4-As I follow Premier League, it’s much more open to the surprises than other leagues. It must be emphasized that best quality league in the world. I think this season the team which never lost and gets point at it's home matches will be placed at the top spot as a champion.
PHRASAL VERBS
Leicester City are going to take IT FROM Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him CHANGE in the second half due to injury.
City took United surclasser (French word-:) in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
MY PREDICTION AND WİSH
Tottenham 2-------- Manchester City 1
13/11/2020 06:16
Tottenham Hotspur
5557
1- As it’s usual , at the beginning of the season generally top place often changes hand in many countries leagues. Unexpected team might take over the top spot. The reasons are teamates may used to new season and new transfers. If a team which placed in the second 10 for the first five weeks on the table in my experience/opinion it will not be successful and not get to top.
4-As I follow Premier League, it’s much more open to the surprises than other leagues. It must be emphasized that best quality league in the world. I think this season the team which never lost and gets point at it's home matches will be placed at the top spot as a champion.
PHRASAL VERBS
Leicester City are going to take IT FROM Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him CHANGE in the second half due to injury.
City took United surclasser (French word-:) in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
MY PREDICTION AND WİSH
Tottenham 2-------- Manchester City 1
12/11/2020
points
Hi mates!
My predictions for the Matchweek 9 fixtures:
Newcastle 1v2 Chelsea
Aston Villa 1v0 Brighton
Burnley 0v0 Crystal Palace
Fulham 0v2 Everton
Liverpool 1v2 Leicester
Manchester United 0v1 West Brom
Wolves 1v2 Southampton
Sheffield United 1v3 West Ham
Tottenham 2v2 Manchester City
Leeds 3v2 Arsenal
12/11/2020 19:21
Leeds United
399
Hi mates!
My predictions for the Matchweek 9 fixtures:
Newcastle 1v2 Chelsea
Aston Villa 1v0 Brighton
Burnley 0v0 Crystal Palace
Fulham 0v2 Everton
Liverpool 1v2 Leicester
Manchester United 0v1 West Brom
Wolves 1v2 Southampton
Sheffield United 1v3 West Ham
Tottenham 2v2 Manchester City
Leeds 3v2 Arsenal
11/11/2020
points
1. Usually top positions are sought after as season's objectives by no more than six PL teams. These claims are very exciting because being in top position allows them to play in Europe competitions the year after.
2. Man United got a much-needed win at home after loosing some home games in the season's beginning matches. An Europe contender needs victories specially on their pitch.
3. Olly Watkins scored a brace for Villa.
4. Prediction City 0 Spurs 2
11/11/2020 12:38
Manchester City
3988
1. Usually top positions are sought after as season's objectives by no more than six PL teams. These claims are very exciting because being in top position allows them to play in Europe competitions the year after.
2. Man United got a much-needed win at home after loosing some home games in the season's beginning matches. An Europe contender needs victories specially on their pitch.
3. Olly Watkins scored a brace for Villa.
4. Prediction City 0 Spurs 2
11/11/2020
points
The manager had to take him turns in the second half due to injury.
11/11/2020 05:14
Liverpool
76
The manager had to take him turns in the second half due to injury.
10/11/2020
points
Hi,
Here after is my answers to vocabulary challenge.
Leicester City are going to take ****** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him **out**** in the second half due to injury.
City took United ****off** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
10/11/2020 12:35
Manchester City
3988
Hi,
Here after is my answers to vocabulary challenge.
Leicester City are going to take ****** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
The manager had to take him **out**** in the second half due to injury.
City took United ****off** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
11/11/2020
points
Hi,
Just want to correct the first sentence.
Leicester are going to take ** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
Prediction : Leicester 2 Liverpool 1.
11/11/2020 12:41
Manchester City
3988
Hi,
Just want to correct the first sentence.
Leicester are going to take ** Liverpool at Anfield next week.
Prediction : Leicester 2 Liverpool 1.
10/11/2020
points
City took United ****** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
10/11/2020 08:36
Arsenal
7
City took United ****** in the second half. United hardly touched the ball.
10/11/2020
points
The manager had to take him ****** in the second half due to injury.
10/11/2020 07:51
Arsenal
7
The manager had to take him ****** in the second half due to injury.
10/11/2020
points
My prediction in Match week 9 is
- Liverpool 3 -1 Leicester
10/11/2020 04:24
Liverpool
76
My prediction in Match week 9 is
- Liverpool 3 -1 Leicester
09/11/2020
points
Liverpool 2 : 1 Leicester
09/11/2020 19:15
Liverpool
6573
Liverpool 2 : 1 Leicester
24/11/2020
points
It was easier yet.
24/11/2020 05:04
Liverpool
6573
It was easier yet.