Chelsea (0) 1 v 4 (0) Brentford
48 Rudiger, assist Kante 50 Janelt, assist Mbeumo
54 Eriksen, assist Mbeumo
60 Janelt, assist Toney
87 Wissa
Played Saturday 1 April 2022, attendance 39,061. Yellows: none. Referee: A Madley.
It is very difficult to make fools of Chelsea on the football-field but the First of April was Brentford’s day and particularly Christian Eriksen’s day. After a slow first-half 4 goals were scored in 12 early second-half minutes. The Bees stung hard in reply to the Blues break-through goal with 3 of their own, the middle one going to Christian Eriksen who, cardiac-pacemaker or not, showed his class and confidence. In contrast Chelsea’s Timo Werner and Kai Havertz spurned chances before Brentford’s substitute Yoane Wissa wrapped up their first win against these opponents since 1939. An April Fools Day to remember!
Crystal Palace (2) 3 v 0 (0) Arsenal
16 Mateta, assist Andersen
24 Ayew, assist Andersen
74 Zaha (penalty)
Yellows: no one Partey, Xhaka
Played Monday 4 April 2022 at Selhurst Park, attendance 25,149. Referee: Paul Tierney.
Crystal Palace saw off Arsenal with a highly competent and confident display in the Monday night match, winning 3-0. After 2 goals in the first quarter the Eagles took control. There was some second-half resistance from the Gunners but any fight back was spoilt by some uncharacteristically scruffy finishing by Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe. Wilfried Zaha’s penalty – his 18th “won” by himself in the Premier League (PL) – sealed the 3 points for South London and Arsenal stayed in 5th behind North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The next Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match is Brentford v West Ham United on Sunday 10 April 2022. Will the Bees sting again against a Hammers side frustrated by their Europa League quarter-final 1-1 draw against Lyon? Spurs’ loanee Tanquy Ndombele scored for the French team and Aaron Cresswell was sent off at the end of the first-half. Which brings us back to Chelsea. The European Champions League Champions played well in their quarter-final v Real Madrid but went down 1-3 at home again. Is the era coming to an end?
Until next time, “Keep Safe”, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.