Crystal Palace (1) 1 v 5 (3) Arsenal
11 Sarr, assist Mitchell 6 Gabriel Jesus, assist Gabriel Magalhaes
14 Gabriel Jesus, assist Partey
38 Havertz
60 Gabriel Martinelli, assist Rice
84 Rice, assist Calafiori
Played Saturday 21 December 2024 at Selhurst Park, attendance 25,167.
There was no Festive Goodwill for struggling Crystal Palace as Arsenal ran amok with 5 goals. It helped to have Seasonal names like Gabriel and Jesus especially when in combination. The Eagles were not really in it after 15 minutes by which time The Gunners were 1-2 up, although ‘keeper David Raya was forced into a number of saves.
Chelsea (1) 1 v 2 (0) Fulham
16 Palmer, assist Colwill 82 Wilson, assist Castagne
90+5 Muniz, assist Lukic
Played Thursday 26 December 2024 at Stamford Bridge, attendance 39,687.
Fulham got themselves a late Christmas present with their first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years despite going behind to a first-half Chelsea goal. This was Cole Palmer’s 26th of the calendar year 2024 breaking Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Blues’ record from 2001. Both Fulham goals were scored by their second-half substitutes – more astute decisions by Head Coach Marco Silva. Chelsea finished 2024 in 4th place in the PL.
Brentford (1) 1 v 3 (1) Arsenal
13 Mbeumo, assist Damsgaard 29 Gabriel Jesus
50 Mikel Merino
53 Gabriel Martinelli
Played Wednesday 1 January 2025 at The Gtech Stadium, attendance 17,190.
The first Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match of 2025 saw the Gabriels at it again bringing Arsenal another away win to put them second in the PL at halfway with 39 points. This was however a strong Brentford performance in the first half before being undone by two crosses from teenager Ethan Nwaneri which defenders did not clear.
It’s Crystal Palace v Chelsea on Saturday 4 January 2025. Chelsea have won this one 7 times in the last 8 seasons with only one win to The Eagles (2-1) in 2017-18 season!
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.