Chelsea (1) 2 v 1 (0) Brentford
43 Cucurella, assist Madueke 90 Mbeumo, assist Schade
80 Jackson, assist Fernandez
Yellows: Cucurella x 2 = Red Janelt, Schade Ref. Paul Bankes
Played Sunday 15 December 2024 at Stamford Bridge, attendance undisclosed (?).
Marc Cucurella was first the hero and then the villain in this closely fought Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match in West London. He was not having his hair pulled nor changing his boots having slipped when he headed in Chelsea’s opener just before half-time. At the final whistle he received a Red Card after second Yellow Card for pushing Brentford’s Kevin Schade. Schade had minutes earlier provided the pass for Bryan Mbeumo’s goal which The Bees deserved for pushing The Blues all the way. Chelsea are now only two points behind Premier League (PL) leaders Liverpool who have played one game less and that will be the final Derby at Goodison Park v Everton.
The next PLDs match will be Crystal Palace v Arsenal on Saturday 21 December 2024. This is 3 days after they met in the EFL/Carabao Cup Quarter-finals albeit in a reverse fixture of Arsenal 3 v Crystal Palace 2. All 3 Gunners’ goals were scored by Gabriel Jesus in a 27 minute second half hat-trick. Their old boy Eddie Neketiah scored one of The Eagles goals. Elsewhere in that competition it was Newcastle United 3 v 1 Brentford, Southampton 1 v 2 Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur 4 v 3 Manchester United in an astonishing match, perhaps not for Spurs! The Semi-finals are to be: Arsenal v Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool, their next PL opponents!
In PLDs matches Crystal Palace v Arsenal has produced 2 home wins, 2 draws, and 4 away wins. Will Palace’s recent revival be enough to frustrate Arsenal? We shall see.
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.