Arsenal (0) 2 v 1 (0) Fulham
64 Odegaard, assist Saka 56 Mitrovic
85 Gabriel, assist Saliba
Yellows: White, Jesus Palhina, Robinson, De Cordova-Reid
Played at The Emirates Stadium, Saturday 27 August 2022, attendance 60,164, Ref. J Gillet. Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the 2022-23 Premier League (PL) season with the expected home win against Fulham, making it 31 visits in a row without a win. The visitors opened the scoring through Alexsandar Mitrovic’s 100th goal for the club in 181 matches. The Gunners came back through their in-form Captain Martin Odegaard and defender Gabriel Magalhaes whose mistake had earlier let the Cottager in. It was Mikel Arteta’s 100th PL game in charge, the first 50 gave 75 points and the second 100 points – beware all! Fulham return to North London v Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday 3 September 2022.
Crystal Palace (0) 1 v 1 (0) Brentford
59, Zaha, assist Doucoure 88 Wissa, assist Janelt
Yellows: Doucoure Hickey, Toney Referee: S Hooper
Played at Selhurst Park, Tuesday 30 August 2022, attendance 25,043.
The first Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match between Crystal Palace and Brentford ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a late headed goal by Bees substitute Yoane Wissa. The Eagles thought they had it won, and goal scorer Wilfried Zaha was probably right to bemoan their lack of adventure, after they took the lead on 59 minutes. How long will he be there?
West Ham United (0) 1 v 1 (1) Tottenham Hotspur
55 Soucek, assist Antonio 34 Kehrer o.g.
Yellows: Paqueta Bissouma, Sanchez, Davies, Richarliso, Perisic
Played Wednesday 31 August 2022 at The London Stadium. Referee: Peter Bankes.
This was by all accounts a scrappy game where defensive errors and VAR dominated. The own goal by Hammers’ Thilo Kehrer followed pressure by Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski and Harry Kane. Later, VAR took enough time for some players to run a mile (3.56) to overturn a Spurs’ penalty. The Hammers then equalized with a close range volley from Thomas Soucek, which came from a poor clearance by Lilywhite Captain Hugo Lloris, who was otherwise celebrating 10 good years in North London.
West Ham United have a chance to build on these last two better results when they visit Chelsea, also on Saturday 3 September 2022. The Blues however, will be more than smarting from their mid-week away defeat at Southampton (2-1). A strong backlash is possible in this fixture, which Chelsea have won 4 times in the last 6 to the Hammers’ once.
Until next time enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.