In the first Essential Football Podcast of 2022, host Alice Piper is joined by Nick Wright and Richard Morgan to dissect an action-packed New Year’s round of Premier League fixtures which delivered, goals, drama, and may just have determined the destination of the title.

PART ONE | Has Chelsea 2-2 Liverpool stolen the game of the season title? Has the Premier League seen a better goal than Mateo Kovacic’s volley this season? Why Thomas Tuchel had no choice but to discipline Romelu Lukaku for his inflammatory interview. Plus, why Man City were the real winners at Stamford Bridge

PART TWO | Manchester City may not have been at their best at the Emirates but showed exactly why they are champions as Rodri’s dramatic late winner sealed an 11th-straight league win. The panel analyse exactly how City have emerged through a hectic festive period so far in front, and the unlikely series of events needed to deny them the title

PART THREE | Arsenal’s valiant defeat against Man City shows just how far the Gunners have come under Mikel Arteta; Antonio Conte continues to install steel at Spurs; West Ham underline top-four credentials; New Year, same old problems at Everton; Plus big wins for Brentford and Leeds United