Brentford (1) 3 v 2 (1) Fulham
6 Ethan Pinnock 39 Manor Solomon
53 Ivan Toney (pen.) 90+9 Carlos Vinicius
85 Mathias Jensen, assist Kevin Schade
Yellows: Nil Willian, Lukic, Mitrovic Ref. Anthony Taylor
Played Monday 6 March 2023 at Gtech Community Stadium, attendance 17,025.
Brentford gained revenge for their early season (20 August 2022) 3-2 defeat away to Fulham with an identical winning scoreline in this first playing in the Premier League (PL) of the reverse Premier London Derby (PLDs) fixture. The Bees scored early enough but could have had 2 more by then. Fulham, who had 64% possession overall, equalized through a header by Israeli international Manor Solomon late in the first half.
Brentford’s second was Ivan Toney’s 22nd converted penalty for his team! The Cottagers’ second goal was a very late (90+9) consolation. Perhaps they have been listening to FIFA’s warning to expect 100 minutes matches to make sure that the ball is in play for at least 60 minutes.
Brentford, Reims in France’s Ligue 1, and Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga were then the only unbeaten Clubs in 2023 in Europe’s top 5 Leagues. That is until the German Club lost to Chelsea 2-0 on Tuesday 7 March to put The Blues into the Champions League Quarter Finals. On Wednesday 8 March Tottenham Hotspur could not score against A C Milan to overcome the 0-1 deficit and are out. Will their Italian Head Coach go? On Thursday 9 March in the Europa Conference League Round of 16 first leg matches West Ham United had a welcome win 0-2 away at AEK Larnaca of Cyprus with both goals for Michail Antonio. The Hammers hope this will boost their relegation fight. On the same evening in the Europa League PL table-topping Arsenal played in a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Sporting (Lisbon) in their Round of 16 first leg tie.
It’s Fulham v Arsenal next up for the PLDs matches on Sunday 12 March 2023. The Gunners won this fixture 0-3 in 2020-21 and 1-5 in 2018-19 seasons. Fulham are a stronger proposition now, but Arsenal have skill, power and resilience in abundance having come back against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday 4 March with a very late goal (90+7) to win.
Arsenal Women beat Chelsea Women 3-1 in front of 19,010 at Selhurst Park in the FA Women’s League Cup Final (Continental, presumably tyres, Cup) on Sunday 5 March 2023. This was sweet revenge for their 2-0 defeat against the same Club in The Women’s FA Cup 5th Round on 26 February 2023. Arsenal football is booming and blooming – well done.
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.