Essential Football

Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at Anfield live on Sky Sports on Saturday night and Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith on the Essential Football Podcast to preview the big clash between two Premier League title hopefuls. PART 1: It’s Virgil Van Dijk vs Romelu Lukaku at Anfield this weekend – but who will come out on top? Jamie Redknapp gives his verdict. Plus, the Sky Sports pundit reflects on Harry Kane staying at Spurs – and reveals what the striker is like on the golf course!PART 2: Sky Sports Football journalist Charlotte Marsh takes a look at a new role for Adama Traore for a Wolves side who have managed 42 shots but 0 goals in their first two Premier League games, and we dissect Man Utd’s remarkable run of results away from home. PART 3: We preview Leeds’ trip to Burnley and Data Editor Adam Smith names the statistically best-performing English players across Europe from the opening rounds – with several surprise names in the side!

The second weekend of the 2021/22 Premier League season will forever be remembered for the second coming of Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea. Alice Piper is joined by Nick Wright, Ron Walker and Oliver Yew to reflect on Lukaku’s emphatic second Chelsea debut at the Emirates Stadium, and what the display means for Thomas Tuchel’s title challengers, as well as Mikel Arteta’s winless Gunners…PART 1: Chelsea smashed their transfer record to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan but it already looks like money well spent after just one afternoon in north London. The panel examine Lukaku’s performance, how easily he adapted back to life in the Premier League, and how he will be that focal point Chelsea have been craving through the coming season. Attention then turns to Arsenal, who have lost their opening two games of the season and were subjected to boos at half-time and full-time from their own supporters. With Man City on the horizon, the pressure is already on Arteta. PART 2: After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp’s comments on the danger of Premier League rule changes transforming football into more physical sports like rugby and wrestling, the panel discuss whether Jack Stephens did indeed foul Bruno Fernandes in the build-up to Southampton’s goal against Man Utd, and whether the new interpretation of rules around contact have improved the game.PART 3: Danny Ings scored his first home goal for Aston Villa with a sensational acrobatic strike against Newcastle. But was it a bicycle kick or an overhead kick – and what’s the difference? After Jack Grealish opened his Man City account in somewhat fortuitous style, we assess his start to life with the champions and how team-mate Gabriel Jesus positional change could free up space for a certain Harry Kane, who made an appearance in Tottenham’s win at Wolves.

After a blockbuster opening weekend of the Premier League we’re gearing up to go again, with Arsenal vs Chelsea a headline fixture and set to feature the Blues' new striker Romelu Lukaku. Peter Smith is joined by Gerard Brand, Adam Smith, Nick Wright, and Ron Walker to look ahead to another big round of games... PART 1: Will Romelu Lukaku fire Chelsea to a Premier League title challenge? And are Arsenal really in crisis? We assess both sides who go into a London derby in contrasting moods. PART 2: Paul Pogba starred in Man Utd’s win over Leeds with four assists – so how does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keep getting performances like that out of him? And with Raphael Varane primed for his debut, do Man Utd now have all the pieces in place to become champions? PART 3: Watford returned to the Premier League in style with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa on the opening weekend. We tell the story behind some of their new signings and examine their prospects this term. Plus we hear how a drive down the M6 was transformative for Brighton defender Shane Duffy…

The Premier League returned with a bang! Goals, standout scorelines, and, most importantly, fans packing out stadiums and creating incredible atmospheres across the country. Peter Smith is joined by Adam Bate and Charlotte Marsh to assess the opening weekend of the season. PART 1: Nuno’s Tottenham off to a flyer without Harry Kane – but what does defeat mean for Man City and their pursuit of the striker? PART 2: Three title hopefuls make a big statement. We analyse the impressive wins for Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool and consider their prospects of sustaining a tilt at the title. PART 3: Wonderful Watford. Brilliant Brentford. Awful Arsenal. How two new arrivals from the Championship got off to ideal starts and the problems facing Mikel Arteta and the Gunners, with the pressure already mounting on his side.

The Premier League is back! New signings, new teams, old rivalries resumed and fresh hope, all to the sweet sound of full stadiums. Kate Burlaga is joined by Nick Wright and Gerard Brand to preview another nine months of drama in the top flight. PART 1: (02:24) Are City still the side to beat? And who will challenge them? Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool assessed PART 2: (12:00) Will the north London gloom lift? Leicester in focus and surprise package: Leeds, Aston Villa and Everton tipped PART 3: (28:14) How will promoted trio Brentford, Watford and Norwich fare? Plus: New managers assessed, and can West Ham deal with European distraction?

Leicester got their season off to the perfect start with victory over Manchester City to claim the Community Shield at Wembley - where £100m man Jack Grealish had to wait for his City debut. Alice Piper is joined by Pete Smith and Ron Walker to look back on Kelechi Iheancho's late winner, what the result means for both sides and how they are faring ahead of the return of the Premier League next weekend.

It was penalty shootout heartbreak again for England and Gareth Southgate in a crushing Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy. Alice Piper is joined by Pete Smith and Gerard Brand to reflect on a dramatic Euro 2020 final, with England unable to mark their progress with the silverware.

England are preparing for their first ever Euros final – but can they beat Italy to lift the trophy?Jasper Taylor is joined by Kaveh Solhekol, Peter Smith and Oliver Yew to discuss what Gareth Southgate’s side will have to do to make sure they come out on top in Sunday’s showdown. Sky Italia reporter Valentina Fass is also on the show to give us an insight into the Italian camp, the team’s renaissance under Robert Mancini, and what Italian supporters think of this England side.Plus we hear from Gary Neville on the incredible atmosphere at Wembley and how that affects players, and Jamie Redknapp on why stopping Jorginho could be the key to England’s hopes.

Drink it in... England are in a major tournament final for the first time since 1966 after their extra-time win over Denmark at Wembley in semi-final of Euro 2020. Kate Burlaga is joined by Rob Dorsett, Pete Smith and Nick Wright to discuss an historic night, and whether this 'new England' side can go all the way against Italy on Sunday.

In the latest Sky Sports Football Euros podcast, Peter Smith is joined by Ben Ransom, Nick Wright and Gerard Brand to preview England's Euro 2020 semi-final with Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday. Will Gareth Southgate go to a back three? What threats do Denmark pose on England's watertight defence? What can England learn from October's Nations League defeat against the Danes? And has Raheem Sterling been the overall player of the tournament so far? Plus, we preview the other semi-final as Italy face Spain on Tuesday night at Wembley.