If Christian Gross famously arrived at the old White Hart Lane clutching a London Underground ticket and did not stay long, poor Nuno Espirito Santo hardly had a day return! Let down by his players’ yet again, their performance against Manchester United was abject. If he was too passive for the Spurs’ Board (aka Mr Daniel Levy), and his predecessor too assertive, how will the next man, Antonio Conte, fare?
It is their north London rivals Arsenal – but aren’t all Premier League (PL) Clubs their rivals – who are next up in the Premier London Derbies (PLDs) matches, against Watford from outside the M25. The Hornets won at the Emirates in the 2016-17 season, but the next 3 went to the Gunners and the fixture was not played last season. Both teams play on the back of impressive away wins but the home-sides’ new resolve may see them through.
Congratulations to Arsenal Women who beat Brighton and Hove Albion Women 3-0 in their semi-final to set up a London derby Women’s FA Cup Final against Chelsea Women, also 3-0 winners over holders Manchester City Women, on 5 December at Wembley.
There are more London cup derbies to come in the EFL/Carabao Cup. With 5 PLDs Clubs in the last 8, one London derby was inevitable, but there will in fact be two: Brentford v Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United – both chances for home Clubs to avenge their PLDs defeats. Arsenal have drawn the only remaining EFL Club Sunderland, 5th in EFL One.
Isn’t it time entry into the EFL/Carabao Cup (English Football League Cup) was looked at again? Shouldn’t it only be for EFL Championship, EFL League One, and EFL Two Clubs and those PL Clubs who have played in the EFL in the last say 3-5 seasons, rather than another way into Europe for PL Clubs? The winning PL Club has usually qualified already. The prize could be a place in the Europa Conference League which has brought Clubs from smaller National Leagues into the riches of European competitions. Now that’s real “levelling up”!
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.