Welcome to the first Premier London Derbies (PLDs) Blog of 2022, a year already full of doubts about the rest of the 2021-22 Premier League (PL) season due to Covid-19.
Crystal Palace (0) 2 v 3 (3) West Ham United
83 Odsonne Edouard 22 Michail Antonio
90+6 Michael Olise Manuel Lanzini (25, 45+1 penalty)
Yellows: Patrick Vieira (Manager) Johnson, Masuaku Ref. D England
Played 1 January 2022 at Selhurst Park, attendance 24,351.
West Ham United started 2022 very brightly, as they had finished 2021, with a win away to PLDs rivals Crystal Palace. By half-time they were 3 goals up against their hosts who had spurned several chances. The Eagles left it to the last 10 minutes to start to take them, but by then it was too late to get at least the point their Manager Patrick Vieira thought they deserved. Perhaps he argued the subject too fiercely with match Referee Darren England which led to his Yellow card, first time back in the dugout after Covid isolation.
Watford (0) 0 v 1 (0) Tottenham Hotspur
90+6 Sanchez, assist Son
Yellows: Nil Skipp
Played 1 January 2022 at Vicarage Road, attendance 20,391, Referee R Jones.
In the second New Year’s Day PLDs match Watford held on to a goal-less draw, until deep into added time. On 90+6 Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sanchez out-jumped the tall Hornets’ men to head home Son Heung-min’s free kick. At 95 minutes 45 seconds this was the latest winning goal Spurs had scored since 2006-7 season. Watford should know they do not do many 0-0 draws having at one time gone over 100 matches without one!
Mid-week however saw the Lilywhites go down 2-0 away to the Blues of Chelsea due to some pantomime-like farcical defending in the first leg of the EFL/Carabao Cup Semi-final. They will have to play the straight man very well in the 2nd leg on Wednesday 12 January! There are no PLDs Clubs clashes in this weekend’s FA Cup 3rd Round, but Crystal Palace go to Millwall of the EFL League One for an intriguing South London FA Cup derby. Will the Lions bring the Eagles down-to-earth, or will they soar above them?
Until next time, “Keep Safe” more than ever, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.