Chelsea (0) 0 v 0 (0) Crystal Palace
Yellows: James, Estevao Willian Munoz, Mateta, Hughes
Played Sunday 17 August 2025 at Stamford Bridge, Referee Darren English.
The first Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match of the 2025-26 Premier League (PL) season was a damp squib enlivened only by a set-piece controversy. An Eagles free kick seemed to have given Eberechi Eze, now going “home” to Arsenal, his first goal of the season, only to be disallowed for an infringement of little-known Law 13 by his Captain Marc Guehi (where’s he going?). This Law states that at free kicks no attacking player should be closer than one yard in front of the defensive wall. It took VAR to detect it.
West Ham United (1) 1 v 5 (3) Chelsea
Yellows: Nil Hato
Played Friday 22 August 2025 at The London Stadium, Referee Michael Oliver.
If their first PLDs match was a whimper then their next, against a hapless West Ham United, was a loud shout for Chelsea. Lucas Paqueta (assist Diouf) picked up a loose pass and scored on 6 minutes for The Hammers. After that it was all Chelsea with 5 goals: on 15 minutes Pedro (assist Cucurella); 23 Neto (assist Pedro); 34 Fernandez (assist Estevao Willian); 54 Caicedo; and 58 Chalobah (assist Pedro). Three goals came from corner-kicks, and three by former Brighton and Hove Albion players. Hammers’ Head Coach Graham Potter has managed all three Clubs but must be feeling very uncomfortable in this East London seat already.
There are no other PLDs matches this weekend, but The Blues will make it three in a row on Saturday 30 August 2025 when it’s Chelsea v Fulham, but more on that next week.
Until next time, enjoy your football whoever you follow, Andrew at PLDs.