Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped for the Madrid derby after reportedly being late for training, but he came off the bench to assist Vinicius Jr's winner and go some way to again proving his doubters wrong just a few days after he wasn't named in Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad. Gary and Alex react to a brilliant game in the Bernabeu as Vini Jr's brace and another goal from Fede Valverde secured a crucial 3-2 victory. Watch out for another golazo from Atletico's Nahuel Molina.

Barcelona were below their best in a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, relying on a string of saves from goalkeeper Joan Garcia to hold onto the three points and remain top of La Liga.

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.

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Manchester City lay down a statement, dominating Arsenal to lift the Carabao Cup. With momentum now on their side, can the Citizens hunt down Arsenal and also snatch the Premier League title?

Mikel Arteta also finds himself under the spotlight. Should he have trusted his first-choice goalkeeper? Did his team selection, particularly at left back, cost Arsenal? And is this side too cautious when it matters most?

Gary, Alan and Micah also break down the weekend’s Premier League fixtures, including Sunderland’s big win in the Tyne-Wear derby. Plus, they dive into Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad and debate the big decision to leave out Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions.

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.

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Newcastle went to the Nou Camp with realistic hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals but in a game that was 2-2 until the stroke of half-time Barcelona went through the gears and ended up embarrassing the Toon Army 7-2 on the night. What did Hansi Flick do at the break to outwit Eddie Howe?

Elsewhere, Liverpool and Arsenal progressed with comfortable wins over Galatasaray and Leverkusen but with Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham all being on the end of heavy defeats should we be concerned about the strength of the top English teams or is this just evidence that the European heavyweights save themselves for nights like these?

Plus, Micah reveals what it was like to be on the receiving end of a touching tribute from none other than Thierry Henry

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.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.

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Was Luis Suárez’s 2013/14 season the greatest individual Premier League campaign of all time, or does Liverpool falling short of the title hold him back?

Gary, Alan & Micah take a deep dive into Suárez at his unstoppable peak, while also confronting the controversies that shadowed his career, from the Branislav Ivanović biting incident to the allegations involving Patrice Evra. Do those moments change how we remember his brilliance?

The guys also break down Suárez’s electric partnership with Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, comparing them to other iconic trios, including Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, and Salah, Mané and Firmino. Which attack truly stands above the rest?

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.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.

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Real Madrid dismantled Elche 4-1 at the Bernabeu thanks in part to an astonishing Arda Guler strike from deep inside his own half, the win also saw another goal for Fede Valverde after his Champions League hat-trick last week.

Gary and Alex also look at whether Real might be moving away from the "Galacticos" mentality as five academy players were on the pitch, and impressed, at the Bernabeu.

Barcelona got back to winning ways after their draw with Newcastle last week, putting five goals past Sevilla at the Nou Camp including a hat-trick for Raphinha. Atletico Madrid got themselves a 1-0 win over Getafe thanks to a stunning strike from Nahuel Molina, in a game which also featured a rather unusual red card...

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.

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Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman has made history, becoming the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at just 16 years and 73 days. His goal helped Arsenal move nine points clear of Manchester City. Is the title race already over?

Elsewhere, Manchester United take another big step toward UEFA Champions League qualification, with Bruno Fernandes adding two more assists to his tally. Is he the best player in the Premier League right now?

Plus, Micah Richards reflects on his own rise as a teenage star and shares the advice he’d give to the game’s next generation, including Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha. How do young talents stay grounded, handle the spotlight, and fulfil their incredible potential?

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football.

When you've done enough, Uber Eats.

Make a donation to the Alan Shearer Foundation here: https://www.alanshearerfoundation.org.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.

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Why do Real Madrid always seem to come alive when the Champions League knockout stages arrive? A stunning Fede Valverde hat-trick leaves Manchester City with a mountain to climb at the Etihad. Did did Pep Guardiola get his tactics wrong on the night?

Elsewhere, not a single Premier League side takes a lead into the second leg. Is the relentless domestic schedule starting to catch up with English clubs at this stage of the season? And how many will still be standing by the quarter-finals?

Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah discuss Igor Tudor’s treatment of goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, and after a difficult start, whether he should still be in the job.

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions.

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.

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Patrick Vieira vs Roy Keane: Who was the better player, and what made their rivalry so iconic during the peak years of the Premier League? The guys also discuss the impact of French players on English football, did the French bring the biggest foreign influence to the Premier League, and how much of that legacy started with Vieira’s arrival at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger?

Plus, Micah shares brilliant behind-the-scenes stories about what Vieira was really like as a person, from brutal tackles in training at Manchester City to private jets and an unforgettable night out in Milan…

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions.

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.

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Just when it looked like Real Madrid's week was going from bad to worse, Fede Valverde stepped up. His 94th-minute rocket at Celta Vigo snatched a dramatic 2-1 win, a vital response after back-to-back defeats that keeps the title race firmly alive.

Barcelona did what champions do, they found a way. A gritty 1-0 win at fortress San Mamés restores their four-point lead at the top. Lamine Yamal's second-half strike, was the difference between the sides.

Atletico Madrid served up Friday night fireworks, edging Real Sociedad 3-2 in a thriller at the Metropolitano. Alexander Sørloth bagged a brace as Simeone's side hold onto third, proving once again that with Atleti , drama is never far away.

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.

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Bottom of League One side Port Vale stunned Sunderland to prove the magic of the FA Cup is still alive. It’s Port Vale’s first trip to the quarter-finals since 1954, and goalscorer Ben Waine, a lifelong Newcastle fan even pulled out Alan Shearer’s iconic celebration.

Elsewhere, Mansfield pushed Arsenal all the way at Field Mill. Sixteen year old wonderkid Max Dowman caught the eye with a brilliant performance, could there be a scenario where he makes the England squad this summer?

Plus, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards discuss Arsenal becoming the first Premier League club to reach 100 goals in all competitions this season, and ask whether some of the criticism surrounding the team is actually unfair.

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions.

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.

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The Premier League title race takes another dramatic twist as Arsenal move seven points clear at the top. After Manchester City drop points at home to Nottingham Forest, are Pep Guardiola’s side now too far behind to catch the Gunners?

There’s also plenty to discuss at Chelsea. Have they finally found their long-term number 9? João Pedro has been in sensational form under Liam Rosenior, but can he fire Chelsea back into the Champions League next season? And with the race for the top five heating up, which of Manchester United, Aston Villa, Chelsea, or Liverpool will miss out?

Plus, Gary, Alan and Micah revisit the ever-controversial topic of VAR. Has its introduction actually lowered the standard of refereeing to the worst it’s ever been?

The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. Sign up and use the referral code FOOTBALL and you could win a 1990 England shirt signed by the hosts of The Rest Is Football. Visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football for terms and conditions.

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.

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