Fulham 0 v 1 Chelsea
78 Mount
Yellows: Decordova-Reid, Lookman Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Ziyech
Red: Robinson
Fulham’s Premier League (PL) revival came to an end in the latest Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match when west London rivals Chelsea eventually overcame their 10 men by the only goal in the match. Eventually because the Cottagers were playing confidently even after losing their midfield American player Antonee Robinson with a straight red for a tackle on Blues’ Cesar Azpilicueta on 44 minutes. If this was the turning point Fulham’s new found defiance continued well into the second half. It took a technically well accomplished strike by Mason Mount pouncing on the impressive home goalkeeper Alphonse Areola’s parry of Ben Chilwell’s shot to get Chelsea the 3 points. Points they needed as much as the home side as both Clubs tried to climb the PL table for their different reasons.
Indeed following the midweek PL matches Chelsea (8th with 29 points from 19 games) have been overtaken by West Ham United (7th, 32 from 19) who feature in our next PLDs match. On Tuesday 26 January 2021 they will travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace. This fixture has been evenly contested over the past 4 seasons: 0-1 in 2016-17; 2-2 in 2017-18; 1-1 in 2018-19; and 2-1 in 2019-20; but present PL form says the Hammers may well clip the Eagles wings this time!
West Ham featured in another London derby this weekend in the Women’s Super League (WSL) when West Ham Women entertained Tottenham Hotspur Women on Sunday 17 January 2021. The visitors Lucy Quinn (assist Gemma Davison) scored the only goal in the 0-1 win to make it 3 wins in a row and a move up that table which Chelsea Women’s top and in which league Arsenal Women are third.
Until next week, “Keep Safe” and enjoy what football you can, Andrew at PLDs.