There were 3 London derbies this weekend, 2 in the Premier League (PL) and 1 in the FA Women’s Super League (WSL) watched by 148,826 fans in total, one of whom will not be watching again. This will be the fan who at the end of the north London Premier London Derby (PLDs) match on Sunday 15 January 2023, kicked out at Arsenal goalkeeper, and “Man-of-the-Match”, Aaron Ramsdale. The result was Tottenham Hotspur (0) 0 v 2 (2) Arsenal. The first goal on 14 minutes was a bizarre own-goal by Spurs‘ Captain Hugo Lloris, his first in 354 appearances. The second on 36, a magnificent shot by Gunner Martin Odegaard, set up by Bukayo Saka. Although Spurs rallied in the second half, the match was really over by half-time, such was Arsenal’s prowess in all areas. In a match of high-tension, Referee Craig Pawson booked 4 Spurs and 2 Arsenal players on the field. Whatever the frustration and anger off the field of play, in the crowd, common assault is not justified.
Also, on Sunday 15 January 2023 it was Chelsea (0) 1 v 0 (0) Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. Relief at last came for Chelsea and their Head Coach Graham Potter with a headed goal by Kai Havertz (64 minutes), giving The Blues a single goal win against The Eagles, who have now lost 4 of their last 5 games without scoring. The game was closely fought with the visitors’ 5 bookings perhaps reflecting the number of decisions going against them. Before kick-off Chelsea remembered their former player and latter Manager Gianluca Vialli, whose greatness was tempered with humility. At half-time they welcomed the 100 million Euros Mykhailo Mudryk, the 22-year-old winger from Ukrainian Club Shakhtar Donetsk, bought by an American owner to a Club formerly owned by a Russian, with a war in between.
The third London derby on Sunday 15 January 2023 was at The Emirates Stadium where a near record crowd for the FA WSL of 46,881 watched Arsenal Women draw 1-1 with Chelsea Women. Arsenal Women’s Captain Kim Little scored a 57th minute penalty, but Chelsea Women came back with a late headed equalizer from Sam Kerr, to be unbeaten since the opening day of the season. They lead the FA WSL with 28 points from 11 matches, and Manchester United Women and Arsenal Women both have 25 from 10.
Our next PLDs match is on Monday 23 January 2023 is Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur. The last 2 matches have been away wins, but only 2 points separate the Clubs after 20 matches this season, and Spurs are on a poor run of form and Fulham are playing well. Expect drama!
Until next time, “Keep Safe”, and warm, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs .