“Fourth place still Arsenal’s to lose, despite Spurs win.”

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Crystal Palace (1) 1 v 0 (0) Watford

 31 Zaha (penalty)

Yellows: Hughes, Olise                                                King, Kamara (2xY=Red)  Ref. Graham Scott

Played Saturday 7 May 2022 at Selhurst Park, attendance 24,622.

There was a full Selhurst Park to see their former Manager Roy Hodgson, recently invested as a C.B.E., suffer his first relegation from the Premier League (PL), as the third Watford Manager of this season. Crystal Palace were not “on-song”, and relied on a penalty for their winning goal, scored by Wilfried Zaha, after the Hornet’s Hassane Kamara had handled. Another yellow card later in the match saw him sent off. Roy Hodgson is retiring from football coaching after a very long, over 40 years, and distinguished career at the end of the season. He has one more Premier London derby (PLDs) match v Chelsea before then.

                                       Tottenham Hotspur (2) 3 v 0 (0) Arsenal

 22 Kane (penalty)

 37 Kane, assist Bentancur

 47 Son Heung-Min

Yellows: Davies                                                                   Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Holding (2xY=Red).

Played Thursday 12 May 2022 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Referee Paul Tierney.

The long-awaited North London derby did not disappoint for excitement and drama and although Tottenham Hotspur made it 3 home wins in a row against their old enemy, for the first time since 1961, Arsenal are still a vital point ahead in the race for Europe with 2 to go. Although the game could be said to hinge on the 33rd minute sending-off of Gunners’ centre back Rob Holding for a second bookable foul on Son Heung-Min, by then the Lilywhites were already a goal ahead through a Harry Kane penalty. The back in form striker added a second 4 minutes later and Son Heung-Min wrapped it up soon after the restart. He was unhappy to be substituted later perhaps with the PL Golden Boot in sight.

There are no PLDs matches this weekend, but these two will be in vital action again. The Arsenal are away at resurgent Newcastle United, where they may pay for Holding’s sending-off again, and Tottenham Hotspur have a chance to test their home form against a a Burnley side fighting for their PL lives. Will it be another “Spursy” end to their season?

Until next time, “keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.