Straight Outta Cobham: The Athletic FC's Chelsea show

Come on, it was never in doubt (!)

Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Sam Parkin assemble to revel in the glory of Wednesday night's triumphant 3-2, comeback victory over Napoli to seal safe passage straight through the Champions League last 16.

We of course begin in Naples - and the thoughts of Simon Johnson following the topsy turvy evening which saw Liam Rosenior's tinkering eventually pay off! There's unexpected tactical approaches, Pedro's sensational strikes and sticking the boot in to Romelu Lukaku...

Out of the Champions League haze, attentions turns to Saturday evening and the visit of relegation-threatened West Ham to Stamford Bridge.

Plus - what next for Raheem Sterling after his Chelsea contract was terminated on Wednesday? And can Chelsea Women close the alarmingly wide gap at the top of the WSL table when they head to leaders Manchester City on Wednesday afternoon?

We'll be back on Monday with a look back on all the weekend's action - and a look ahead to the crunch semi-final second leg meeting with Arsenal at The Emirates on Tuesday night.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Sam Parkin and Liam Twomey
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To Naples we go...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson to run the rule over Sunday's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

There's love for the sensational Steve-o, a word on João Pedro's recent revival, vintage VAR fodder and the obligatory Caicedo yellow.

Then - attention turns to the UCL, and Wednesday night's race for a top eight place as Liam Rosenior's side face Antonio Conte's Napoli. Can Chelsea get the win - and the goal difference boost - to book their place in the next round of the Champions League?!

Elsewhere, not such good news for Chelsea Women - comfortably beaten 2-0 by Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to leave the Blues nine points behind leaders Manchester City. Cerys sends her report from the press box!

Plus - the latest on the (perhaps unexpected) return of Aarón Anselmino and why the wait for a shirt sponsor will go on...

We'll be back on Thursday to look back on the crucial Champions League showdown out in Naples - and look ahead to the visit of relegation-threatened West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you’re a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.

Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Luke Bosher and Simon Johnson
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the race for eighth place...

Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic's Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones alongside him for a recap of the extremely dull but extremely necessary 1-0 victory over Pafos on MD7 of the UCL.

We discuss the slog against the Cypriot champions, Liam Delap's ineffectiveness against the low block - and whether we're being too harsh on the team given a win's a win AND they are into the top eight as it stands.

Then, SOC OG Dom Fifield enters the chat for a look ahead to Sunday's trip to current crisis club Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Elsewhere, CFCW booked themselves into yet another cup final - beating Manchester City 1-0 to set up a League Cup final meeting with Manchester United in March. Can they keep the momentum going into Saturday's tie with Arsenal in the WSL?!

We'll be back on Monday to look back on the trip to Selhurst Park and look ahead to the huge Champions League clash out in Naples as the Blues face old boss Antonio Conte looking to seal a top eight finish.

We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey about you and your podcast habits by going to theathletic.com/survey26. Three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers too. So whether you’re a long-time listener or a new one, we want your feedback.

Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Cerys Jones, Liam Twomey & Dom Fifield
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not quite sure how that happened but...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Sam Parkin and Simon Johnson for company to pass judgement on the beating of the Bees and a look ahead to Pafos.

We begin by touching upon the protests which gathered outside the ground before the game, before turning our attention to the events on the pitch - which saw the Blues somehow come away with a 2-0 win over Brentford.

Then - it's the David Luiz derby!! Only he might be injured... but hopefully not! It's surely a must win for Chelsea if they're to secure a spot in the top eight and guarantee automatic passage through to the knockout round.

Plus - why are the club interested in signing yet another young centre-back, this time in the form of Rennes 20-year-old Jeremy Jacquet.

We'll be back on Thursday to reflect on Wednesday night's encounter with Pafos AND to preview the visit to current Premier League crisis club Crystal Palace.

Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League!
Take part in our audience survey for a chance to win an $/£100 Amazon voucher!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Simon Johnson and Sam Parkin
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been real, Facundo...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey with eyes on Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and the 3-2 defeat by Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final first leg. Simon Johnson sends his thoughts on the final whistle on a chaotic evening of Carabao football.

We discuss the defensive and goalkeeping shortcomings exposed once again, how Rosenior wants this side to play - and the positives considering how depleted the squad was due to injury and illness.

Attention then turns to the visit of Brentford on Saturday afternoon - a Brentford who sit fifth in the Premier League table and could move five point clear of the Blues if they were to come away with a win.

We'll be back on Monday to bring you reaction to the Bees match - and look ahead to the midweek Champions League action with Pafos in town!

Join the Straight Outta Cobham FPL League!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams
WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey
PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.