The Premier London derbies (PLDs) are now coming thick and fast in the restarted F.A. Premier League (FAPL) 2019-2020 season. The latest two featured Chelsea who continue their march towards European football and the Champions’ League.
On Saturday 4 July 2020 they had a very routine win against struggling Watford who languish in 17th place on 31 points only behind West Ham United on goal difference. The becoming evergreen Olivier Giroud opened the scoring on 28 minutes, and Willian was again on the mark from the penalty spot 2 minutes before half-time. Ross Barkley completed the home side’s comfortable victory with an added time (90+2 minutes) goal. The visitors had offered little resistance and outperformed their host only in collecting 2 yellow cards to nil! It is fitting that American Christian Pulisic was man-of-the-match on American Independence Day.
Next up for Chelsea was a visit to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace on Tuesday 7 July. This was a more exciting match, with 5 goals and in the balance until the final whistle. That man Giroud again opened the scoring for the visitors, this time on 6 minutes, and Pulisic added a second on 27. A spectacular long-range shot by Wilfried Zaha (34 minutes) put the Eagles back in the game in the first half. Tammy Abraham looked to have given the Blues a cushion with his 71st minute goal, but within one minute Palace were back in it through Christian Benteke’s first home goal since April 2018! They were not done with attacking yet as defender Scott Dann’s header hit the inside of the post before it was cleared, and so the visitors took the 3 points away. That win puts Chelsea into 3rd place on 60 points, one above Leicester City.
The next PLDs match will be between Tottenham Hotspur and arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday 12 July. Was there ever a more financially important North London derby? Pride is one thing, money is another. The Gunners have a large wages bill to pay, and the Spurs a new stadium to pay for so European football is essential for both. Scores in the past 3 seasons have been: 2-0 in 2016-17; 1-0 in 2017-18; and 1-1 in 2018-19, that is past form is in Spurs favour. However since this season’s restart Spurs form has been dire, and the Gunners are in the ascendency, so I expect Arsenal will push further ahead towards Europe too.
Until next time, “stay alert” and enjoy your football viewing and listening, Andrew at PLDs.