Arsenal (1) 1 v 0 (0) Crystal Palace
39 Eze
Yellows: no one on one
Referee: Thomas Bradwell
Played Sunday 26 October 2025 at The Emirates Stadium, attendance 60, 103.
This was a classic 1-0 Arsenal win in front of their former Manager George Graham – the past master of that score. A set-piece free kick saw former Crystal Palace player Eberechi Eze slotting the loose ball home from inside the penalty box. It was Declan Rice’s free kick before he went off with an injury. The Eagles tried to penetrate The Gunners’ defence in the second half but to no avail. “One-nil to The Arsenal, one-nil.”
That win put Arsenal 4 points clear at the top of the Premier League (PL) with 22 points after 9 games, and unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions. Expected Title-chasing rivals Manchester City (5th with 16) and slumping Liverpool (7th with 15), both lost away from home. For The Reds from the Northwest it was v Brentford, who seem to have shaken off the loss of star forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. The Bees are in the next Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match on Saturday 1 November when it’s Crystal Palace v Brentford. It’s been one win each and two draws at Selhurst Park in previous seasons, but The Eagles, fresh themselves from beating Liverpool (0-3) in the EFL/Carabao Cup this week, will want another win to continue their momentum.
The other PLDs match on 1 November is Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – always a spicy one! Last season it was 3-4 with 9-man Spurs still defending from the halfway line. None of their 3 goal scorers are currently fit or with the Club, their injury problems are mounting again, and current fit strikers are underperforming. Chelsea have won 6 of the last 9 encounters and expect another win. As interesting as the scoreline will be the numbers of Yellow and Red cards in this next “Round” of the contest.
Until next time, enjoy your football, Andrew at premierlondonderbies.com .