EPL Talk

The fourth round of the FA Cup saw the league's top four barely survive, though the fifth of the Big Five (Tottenham) met their end at Craven Cottage. On this edition of the EPL Talk Podcast, myself, Kartik Krishnaiyer, and the returning Laurence McKenna discuss the weekend's results, outcomes that failed to producing the type of captivating upset we've come to hope for from our knock-out competitions. With a fifth round draw that fails to pit any of the big boys against each other, is the FA Cup destined to end up in the hands of one of the league's titans?

But for the bulk of this show, we'll be talking about the news that's dominated the last day's headlines. As the transfer window closes, the rumor to fact ratio increases. As it concerns Fernando Torres, the stories surrounding his potential move to Chelsea have been confirmed as more truth than lie. We discuss the deteriorating link between Torres and Anfield and where the Reds go from here.

And finally, we look to mid-week, where a Tuesday fixture list sees Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea with difficult challenges to their title quest.

One note: In the show, we mistakenly refer to the FA, not the League, as having handed Ian Holloway a fine.

On Wednesday, Richard Keys resigned from his position with Sky Sports, the latest chapters in the saga that started Sunday, when audio of sexist comments from Keys and broadcast partner Andy Gray was made public. With Gray having been terminated by Sky on Tuesday, Keys' resignation marked the final piece in the demise of one of Premier League broadcasting's prominent teams.

On this edition of the EPL Talk Podcast, co-host Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself discuss that week that's been in the the Gray, Keys, Sian Massey affair, a week that's put English football culture in the spotlight as one of the ugliest, least talked about aspects of the game received a new a pointed round of scrutiny. We talk about our reactions to the developments, the surreptitious nature of the initial recording, and the manner in which Sky handed the problem.

At the end of the show, Kartik and I shift our focus back to the pitch and talk about midweek wins from Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool as well as the Carling Cup, where Arsenal and Birmingham City are on to Wembley.

Manchester United is again alone at the top of the English Premier League, their 5-0 victory over Birmingham City giving them the lead after Manchester City lost Saturday at Villa Park, 1-0. Darren Bent's debut with Aston Villa saw him score the match's only goal, allowing Arsenal's 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic to vault the Gunners into second place.

On this edition of the EPL Talk Podcast, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself look look back at the weekend that was in the Premier League, talking about the title race as well as Liverpool's strong showing, Sunderland winning their first match post-Bent, and Clint Dempsey's impressive performance for Fulham. We also look toward the four league matches that will take place between Monday and Wednesday.

FA Cup third round replays and the built-up to the next round of English Premier League action was overshadowed this week by the shock transfer of Darren Bent, who - two days after handing in his transfer request at Sunderland - became the newest member of Aston Villa Football Club. The AVFC club record acquisition did not come without controversy, with accusations of tapping-up and an acrimonious response from Sunderland supporters clouding the days after the deal's completion.

On this edition of the EPL Talk Podcast, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself give our reactions to and talk about the implications of Villa's purchase before going over the rest of the league's news, FA Cup third round replays, as well as the weekend's action in the Premier League.

The two Manchester clubs finished the English Premier League weekend tied atop the league, with Arsenals win at West Ham United creating a gap between the top three and the other two recognized title contenders. On this edition of the EPL Talk podcast, Kartik Krishnaiyer and myself take inventory of the entire league, but with particular focus on one of the more interesting title races we've had in many seasons, we ask whether Manchester United, in the wake of a good result at White Hart Lane, are consolidating their lead or keeping their pursuers alive.

Also, we talk about the latest news around the league, including news of a potential managerial change at Upton Park. We look around Europe and to the Championship for more results before looking forward to the mid-week FA Cup replays in England. And as always, we get your feedback on this, the weekend review edition of the EPL Talk Podcast.

The FA Cup's full weekend came an went in the show of the new around Anfield Park, where Roy Hodgson and Liverpool mutually agreed to part ways before the Reds took the pitch Sunday at Old Trafford. There, Howard Webb tilted the match, giving a dubious second minute penalty. When Steven Gerrard saw straight red just after the half-hour mark, Liverpool was on their way out of the FA Cup, their 1-0 loss to Manchester United a sour return to the bench for King Kenny Dalglish.

On this edition of the EPL Talk Podcast, myself and Kartik Kirshnaiyer look back at the weekend that was in English football, focusing on the Premier League sides' roles in the third round of the FA Cup. Holders Chelsea are easily through to round four as ar Tottenham, with Arsenal and Manchester City headed for replays. Sunderland is out as is Newcastle, two of the five Premier League clubs to bow out this weekend.

Kartik and I also talk Dalglish and Liverpool, transfer rumors (or lack there of) and answer questions from the chat room on this, the weekend edition of the show.

The English Premier League takes a weekend off as English football shifts its focus to the FA Cup, the third round of which happens this weekend. We start today's show, the second half of a discussion we had on Wednesday, by looking toward this weekend, specifically Liverpool's trip to Manchester United, though that quickly descended into discussion of Liverpool and how important Sunday's result will be to Roy Hodgson's job and the club.

In addition, we talk about Ronaldinho and Blackburn, David Beckham and Spurs, as well as Robbie Keane at Birmingham City. It's not our typical preview show. It's more of a long, less structure chat, something different for this week's edition of our lead-in show.

Only one of the English Premier League's top six clubs entering mid-week action came away with three points from Tuesday and Wednesday fixtures, and unfortunately for those looking for the title race to stay as close as possible, that club was league-leading Manchester United, winning 2-1 on Tuesday versus Stoke. While Manchester City enticed Arsenal to a 0-0, Wednesday draw at the Emirates, both Tottenham and Chelsea lost (to Everton and Wolves), with Bolton drawing at home to Wigan.

Making his return to the EPL Talk podcast, Kartik Krishnaiyer joins Laurence McKenna and myself to talk about those results, the title race, whether Chelsea is in it, and what of Liverpool after the Reds' 3-1 loss at Ewood Park.

This is the first of two shows we'll distribute to end the week. The second, released tomorrow, will look forward to the third round of FA Cup action as well as discuss some of the more eye-opening rumors from the early transfer window.

Manchester United's kept their spot at the top of the league, no matter how many times Gary Neville tried to give it away. Macnehster City's even on points after their win over Blackpool, while Arsenal was convincing at a St. Andrews' Stadium that's often inhospitable to visitors.

On this edition of the EPL Talk podcast, myself, Laurence McKenna and Jesse Chula (filling in for the infirmed Kartik Krishnaiyer) and talk about the weekend that was in our favorite football league. Are Chelsea still a title contenders? How much will Joe Cole's goal mean to Liverpool? What do Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Everton, and Fulham need to do to turn around their seasons?

We talk about all this plus looking back on 2010, naming out XIs of the season as well as out top players, kids, coaches and moments. That and your input on this edition of the show.