Watford (1) 1 v 2 (1) Chelsea
42 Dennis, assist Sissoko 29 Mount, assist Havertz
72 Ziyech, assist Mount
Yellows: Louza, Ekong, Cleverley, Rose Alonso, Ziyech, Saul (Ref. D Coutts).
Played Wednesday 2 December 2021, at Vicarage Road.
Chelsea celebrated their latest triumph of Ballon d’Or Club of the Year 2021 winners with a lucky win over Watford who took the game to the still Premier League (PL) leaders at Vicarage Road. Honours were even at the end of the first half with goals by “Man of the Match” Mason Mount and the Hornets’ in-form Emanuel Dennis. It took an assist by Mount and a neat finish by substitute Hakim Ziyech to stop the hosts having at least one point.
If Watford were unlucky to lose this one then spare a thought for Poland and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski who was second in the Ballon d’Or competition despite scoring 53 goals this year, and in the process equalling Gerd Muller’s 41 for a season. His consolation for being behind 7th time winner Lionel Messi was a hastily put together new award of first “Striker of the Year”. But then what was Messi’s award for – at last winning the Copa Americano at age 34? Jorginho of Chelsea men was 3rd as was Chelsea Women’s Sam Kerr in the Women’s award.
Tottenham Hotspur (1) 2 v 0 (0) Brentford
12 Canos (o.g.)
65 Son Heung-Min, assist Reguilon
Played Thursday 3 December 2021, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Referee Jon Moss.
This was a laboured win by Tottenham Hotspur over a lacklustre Brentford side who had more possession but never really threatened to score. Spurs first goal involved 3 heads, those of Ben Davies, Pontus Jansson and finally Sergi Canos. It was their first goal from over 60 corner kicks this season! The second was a purer effort started with a well-timed pass by Harry Kane out to Sergio Reguilon whose precise cross was swept home by their star Son.
Our next Premier London derby match (PLDs) is West Ham United, still in 4th on 24 points, at home to Chelsea. The Hammers have only 1 win and 1 draw in this fixture in the last 5 seasons, and with their recent stutter in form it will be a real test for them against the Blues who want to keep their winning momentum going. Finally, on Sunday 5 December 2021 it will be the Women’s FA Cup Final for the 2020-21 season between Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women – who else could it have been?
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.