Stay ConnectedEssential Football is where you’ll find Sky Sports’ coverage of the biggest stories and talking points in football.
From in-depth interviews to documentaries, from the Premier League to the WSL – it’s all covered.
•For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football
•For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
Copyright: © Copyright Sky Sports
Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports’ senior journalists Peter Smith and Richard Morgan, and digital journalist Jack Wilkinson, to dissect another eventful round of Premier League action.
PART 1 | After Chelsea let a two-goal lead slip at the West Ham, the panel assess how injuries and mistakes are just starting to catch up with Thomas Tuchel’s side, while sparing a word for the superb job David Moyes’ continues to do with his top-four chasing Hammers.
PART 2 | Defeat at the London Stadium left the door open to Chelsea’s title rivals, and by the time Saturdays was over, the former league leaders were down in third. After his winner at Molineux, Richard Morgan analyses the impact cult hero Divock Origi has had throughout his spell at Liverpool, before Peter Smith casts his eye over another Bernardo Silva-inspired for champions Man City.
PART 3 | Sunday saw the dawn of a new era at Man Utd as Ralf Rangnick claimed his first victory at interim boss against Crystal Palace. Jack Wilkinson explains why there were early signs of encouragement that the Old Trafford club may just be heading in the right direction.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News Midlands reporter Rob Dorsett, features writer Nick Wright and football journalist Oliver Yew to look ahead to the Premier League weekend.
PART 1 | Rob Dorsett discusses Steven Gerrard’s impact at Aston Villa, the club’s ambitious plans, and the reasons behind Leicester’s underwhelming start to the season.
PART 2 | Nick Wright assesses the problems facing Rafa Benitez at Everton and what Mikel Arteta must do to get a misfiring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in form.
PART 3 | Oliver Yew reflects on Bernardo Silva’s brilliant performances for Manchester City, the strength in depth at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, and whether there’s a chance of an upset at Watford.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
On the latest Essential Football Podcast Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports football writers Gerard Brand and Ben Grounds to look back on another big weekend at both ends of the Premier League table after Chelsea's lead slipped following a 1-1 draw with Man Utd at Stamford Bridge.
PART 1 | Was Michael Carrick right to opt against starting Cristiano Ronaldo - and should United have signed him at all? United's interim-to-the-interim manager's tactics are assessed ahead of Ralf Rangnick's arrival, questions raised over Chelsea's attacking prowess, while will Arsenal fancy facing this United side next given their own form?
PART 2 | Where does another bad result at Brentford leave Everton boss Rafa Benitez ahead of the Merseyside derby in midweek? Do Liverpool have anything to fear? And the curious case of Marcelo Bielsa and Kalvin Phillips...
PART 3 | Newcastle show Eddie Howe the scale of the task ahead of him with a six-pointer against Norwich next up, Aston Villa grind their way to victory again - and with two points separating the top three, who's going to win the Premier League?
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith, and football journalist Simeon Gholam to look ahead to the Premier League weekend.
PART 1 | Alan Smith discusses Ralf Rangnick’s appointment as Man Utd interim boss, what he will bring to the club, and how he could help their young players kick on. Is he paving the way for Mauricio Pochettino? Alan assesses Rangnick’s consultancy role, which is planned to start next summer, too.
PART 2 | Simeon Gholam breaks down Brighton’s mixed start to the campaign and what they need to do to get back to winning ways against Leeds.
PART 3 | Simeon – our EFL Editor – also looks at newly-promoted Brentford, who have also had a good start followed by a frustrating period, ahead of their Super Sunday clash with Everton.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
In a special edition of the Essential Football Podcast after a seismic 48 hours in the Premier League, Alice Piper is joined by Sky Sports News’ north-west reporter Ben Ransom, plus Sky Sports features editor Pete Smith and writer Nick Wright to reflect - and look forward - on events at Manchester United as well as the rest of the division.
PART 1 | Was the writing on the wall for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? What went wrong, what problems remain at Old Trafford and are they in a better position than when he came in? Did Cristiano Ronaldo prove a kiss of death after all?
PART 2 | Who should replace Solskjaer in the hotseat? The runners and riders are discussed, and questions asked about the club’s plans to introduce an ‘interim’ interim manager to follow Michael Carrick until the end of the season.
PART 3 | Senior football journalist Gerard Brand joins the team to discuss Tottenham’s turnaround against Leeds and Antonio Conte’s passion, Steven Gerrard’s winning start at Aston Villa plus the first glimpse of Norwich and Newcastle under new management - and Manchester City ‘going under the radar’ despite another fine win over Everton.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Premier League Preview – Souness on ‘angry’ Liverpool’s point to prove vs Arsenal | Delph’s impressive return |Kane’s confidence boost
Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness, and football writers Oliver Yew and Ben Grounds to look ahead to the Premier League weekend.
PART 1 | How will Liverpool respond after their first defeat of the season? Graeme Souness explains why they’ll be ‘full throttle’ against an Arsenal side who, he feels, are still a long way off, despite their recent unbeaten run
PART 2 | Oliver Yew and Ben Grounds look at the contrasting impacts of Jack Grealish and Gabriel Jesus this season, and discuss Fabien Delph’s surprise return to form with Everton, ahead of his side’s trip to a club he won two Premier League titles with
PART 3 | Harry Kane scored seven goals in two games during the international break but will that translate to the Premier League? We talk Tottenham ahead of Antonio Conte’s first home league game in charge, and explain the reasons behind Leeds’ slow start.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Charlotte Marsh is joined by Sky Sports’ lead WSL commentator Seb Hutchinson, co-commentator and former England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain and Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui to look back on a busy Women’s Football Weekend.
PART 1 | Will Tottenham or Arsenal be happy with a North London derby point? Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema continues to show her class. Plus just what has been going wrong for Man City this season after another WSL defeat, as Chelsea close the gap on Arsenal.
PART 2 | Siobhan gives an insight into Everton’s equaliser from a player and goalkeeper perspective, and can Jean-Luc Vasseur mould his talented squad? Reading hit back for a draw at West Ham, Birmingham and Leicester struggle again.
PART 3 | The success of Women’s Football Weekend and the joys of the WSL. Plus Anton give us a transfer update and a rundown of the top five summer signings this season.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
On a special Women's Football Weekend edition of the Essential Football Podcast, digital football journalist Charlotte Marsh and Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker are joined by a trio of great guests to preview the weekend's action.
In Part 1, Ballon D'Or runner-up Lucy Bronze gives some unique insight into Everton's new manager Jean-Luc Vasseur and looks forward to their televised clash with Man Utd this weekend, while explaining why Man City's season has got off to a rocky start ahead of their game with champions Chelsea.
In part 2, Gilly Flaherty ponders why Tottenham have started the season so well and whether Arsenal can go unbeaten with a north London derby on the way this weekend, and looks forward to her West Ham side taking on Reading on the back of their own solid start.
In part 3, Sophie Haywood explains how Aston Villa have kicked on from last season ahead of their second-city derby with Birmingham, and considers why Leicester have found the jump to the top flight tough as they face Hope Powell's in-form Brighton side.
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
As Off Script returns, Jamie Carragher takes a deep dive into Liverpool's transfer during his time at the club.
After falling just short of the Premier League title on two occasions during his 17 years at Anfield, could the recruitment have been improved?
Which player arrivals brought the most - and least! - excitement in the dressing room?
And what issues do Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have to navigate in the transfer market with the current crop of players?
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Alice Piper is joined by senior football journalist Gerard Brand, Sky Sports features writer Nick Wright and digital football journalist Ron Walker to discuss the weekend's Premier League action - and Monday's fallout.
PART 1 | West Ham stun Liverpool to continue their remarkable start to the season. Can David Moyes’ side finish in the top four this season? Can they mount a serious Premier League title challenge? Plus, Liverpool’s slip up in east London and Arsenal’s rise continues.
PART 2 | The pressure continues to increase on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United following their Manchester derby defeat to Manchester City. What’s next for Solskjaer and Man Utd? The axe has already wielded on Daniel Farke at Norwich and Dean Smith at Aston Villa? We discuss the next moves of both clubs…
PART 3 | And finally, we put our panel to test in our Essential Football podcast awards. With over a quarter of the season gone, who has been the player of the season so far? Who is the signing of the season? Who will win the Premier League title? The panel give the verdicts on those questions and much more…
Watch us live, Monday to Friday, 10am until Midday on Sky Sports News or listen to the podcast as soon as we come off air.
To get involved you can send a voice note or message via WhatsApp to 07514 917075.
For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
