Both Fulham and Crystal Palace had hard fought wins in the FA Cup 5th Round last weekend. Their bitter-sweet reward is that one of these Premier London Derbies (PLDs) Clubs will have to eliminate the other to progress further in the competition when they meet in the Quarter-finals on Saturday 29 March. Fulham beat the Holders Manchester United 4-3 on penalties after a dour match had ended 1-1. ‘Keeper Bernd Leno saved weak efforts from Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee.
Crystal Palace v Millwall was an altogether more bloody affair, literally for in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta who required 25 stitches to his left face and ear following a very high boot from Millwall ‘keeper Liam Roberts. He received a straight Red Card on 8 minutes. An own goal after 33 minutes by former Spurs’ defender Japhet Tanganga helped The Eagles on their way to an in the end convincing 1-3 win. Pity about the Quarter-finals draw when both Fulham and Palace thought they could be going all the way to Wembley at least once, if not twice, this season.
There are still 3 PLDs Clubs left in the UEFA Competitions Rounds of 16. On Tuesday 4 March Arsenal must surely have booked their place in the Champions League Quarter-finals with a resounding 1-7 away win over PSV Eindhoven! The Gunners had 6 different scorers with Captain Martin Odegaard getting a brace and an assist. Tottenham Hotspur have no such luxury and were lucky to get away with a 1-0 defeat at AZ Alkmaar which could have been far worse. Former Spur Troy Parrott’s cross was mis-cued into his own net by Lucas Bergvall. Spurs created a few chances but missed them. Chelsea, who topped the UEFA Conference League league stage, are well placed to go through with 2 second half goals giving them a 1-2 away win in Copenhagen.
There are no PLDs matches until Sunday 16 March when it’s Arsenal v Chelsea and Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur. Will there still be 3 PLDs Clubs in Europe?
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.