Arsenal (0) 2 v 2 (1) Fulham
70 Saka (pen.) 1 Pereira
72 Nketiah, assist Vieira 87 Palhinha, assist Reed
Yellows: None. Bassey x 2 = Red Referee Paul Tierney.
Played Saturday 25 August 2023 at The Emirates Stadium, attendance 59,961.
Arsenal’s stuttering start to the 2023-24 Premier League (PL) season continued at The Emirates with a draw against Fulham who scored after 57 seconds and held the lead until 70 minutes. Then Bukayo Saka, whose sloppy pass led to the opener, scored an uncontroversial penalty. Two minutes later The Gunners were ahead. There was drama on 83 minutes when The Cottagers’ defender Calvin Bassey was sent off for 2 Yellows, the first having been for time wasting. Fulham did not give up and scored a deserved equalizer through top player Joao Palhinha. Arsenal may be unbeaten in their last 13 Premier London Derbies (PLDs) but need to rebalance their defence and find last season’s rhythm soon.
Brentford (1) 1 v 1 (0) Crystal Palace
18 Schade, assist Norgaard 76 Andersen, assist J. Ayew
Yellows: None for either side. Referee: Paul Bankes
Played Saturday 25 August 2023 at The Gtech Community Stadium, attendance 16,997.
The Brentford v Crystal Palace draw was an altogether less torrid affair except for the weather. It was their 5th draw in their 5 meetings since The Bees came up to the PL. The home side won the first half well. Kevin Schade’s goal was his first for them. The Eagles literally weathered the rainstorm in the second half and their equalizer came from an unlikely source in their defender Joachim Andersen. He slide-tackled the ball fairly through the legs of ‘keeper Mark Flekken from close range. The fact it was a defender who scored perhaps underlines the problem that neither side had a convincing striker on display.
There are no PLDs matches this weekend, and then it’s the September International break. We shall be back in time for Crystal Palace v Fulham on Saturday 23 September.
Until then, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.