Brentford (0) 2 v 1 (1) Watford
84 Jansson, assist Forss 24 Dennis, assist Cleverley
90+6 Mbeumo (pen.)
Yellows: Onyeka, Jansson, Goode, Janelt None. Referee: Michael Oliver
Played Friday 10 December 2021, at the Brentford Community Stadium, attendance 16,861.
Having taken the lead after 24 minutes through in form Emmanuel Dennis’ header from Tom Cleverley’s corner, and holding it for an hour, Watford finally succumbed to 2 late goals by Brentford. Even with 63% possession the Bees carried little threat until Captain Pontus Jansson’s headed equalizer on 84 minutes and then Bryan Mbeumo’s coolly taken spot-kick 12 minutes later sealed, or was it stole, the win? Curiously although the Hornets committed 18 fouls to the host’s 12 they had no bookings not even defender William Troost-Ekong’s one which gave away the penalty. Watford are now a perilous 17th, and Brentford 12th.
Arsenal (0) 2 v 0 (0) West Ham United
48 Martinelli, assist Lacazette
87 Smith Rowe, assist Saka
Yellows: Martinelli, Ramsdale Coufal (x2 = Red ) Referee: A Taylor.
Played Wednesday 15 December 2021 at the Emirates Stadium, attendance 59,777.
This Premier London Derby (PLDs) match started frenetically like so many do but settled into a pattern of Arsenal domination and their deserved win. They had more possession (56% v 44%) and more attempts at goal (21 v 8) with crucially more on target (7 v 1). Shot-shy West Ham United’s talisman striker Michail Antonio ended the game playing right back replacing Vladimir Coufal who was sent off for a second yellow card. This came for the foul in the penalty area which gave the penalty that Gunner’s Captain Alexandre Lacazette missed or rather Hammer’s keeper Lukasz Fabianski saved. Emerging young English stars Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka combined to add a late second goal. Arsenal, now 4th,swopped places with West Ham United who are now 5th.
Our next PLDs match should have been Watford v Crystal Palace on Saturday 18 December 2021 but that has been postponed with an outbreak of Covid-19 at Watford. This follows on from that at Tottenham Hotspur (and Leicester City and Manchester United) who should meet West Ham United in the EFL/Carabao Cup quarter finals on Wednesday 22nd, as should Brentford and Chelsea. With 30% of people unvaccinated in London and the Omicron Covid variant numbers doubling every 2 days who knows what is in store next week and whether these additional London derbies will take place on schedule.
Until next time “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, maybe at a distance, Andrew at PLDs.