Crystal Palace (0) 1 v 1 (1) Chelsea
82 J-P Mateta, assist Eze 14 Palmer, assist Sancho
Yellows: nil Colwill, Fernandez Ref. T. Robinson
Played Saturday 04 January 2025 at Selhurst Park, attendance 25,179.
Another point for Crystal Palace pushed them up to 15th place in the Premier League (PL) and 6 points clear of danger. It was their third match in a row unbeaten following their pre-Christmas Premier London Derbies (PLDs) drubbing by Arsenal. This meant dropped points again for Chelsea against a London rival. Top scorer Cole Palmer did it again with the match’s first goal for Chelsea. After that it was a case of missed chances particularly by out of form Nicolas Jackson who only has 1 goal in his last 6 games.
Next up in the PLDs matches it’s the return North London Derby with Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday 15 January 2025. Always keenly fought and often controversial there have been 5 home wins and 3 score draws –Spurs don’t do 0-0 – in the last 8 seasons. Both Clubs were involved in EFL/Carabao Cup Semi-final First Leg matches at home this week. Arsenal went down 0-2 to Newcastle United and Spurs had an heroic 1-0 win v Liverpool the PL leaders despite their depleted squad. Forget these results and take Arsenal to win again if they can find a goal scorer or buy one.
There are no PLDs matches this weekend, it being the FA Cup 3rd Round. There are no London Derbies involving PL Clubs but it was Fulham 4 v 1 Watford, now of the EFL Championship, on Thursday 09 January 2025 to maintain the Cottagers’ rich vein of form and perhaps be starting a FA Cup run in 2025.
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.