Crystal Palace (3) 4 v 3 (2) West Ham United
15 Ayew, assist Olise 9 Soucek
20 Zaha, 30 Schlupp 35 Antonio
66 Eze (pen) 72 Aguerd
Yellows: Ayew Soucek, Coufal Referee: Clive Pawson
Played Saturday 29 April 2023 at Selhurst Park, attendance undeclared.
Crystal Palace, revived under the returning Roy Hodgson, took a huge step to Premier League (PL) safety beating West Ham United 4-3 in this Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match. Despite taking the lead The Hammers were 3-1 down inside 30 minutes due to The Eagles’ skilful forward play. The final 4-3 score looks closer than the teams’ performances. The visitors’ goals all came from corner kicks, whereas the home side’s were from open play and a penalty won and converted by star man Eberechi Eze.
Arsenal (3) 3 v 1 (0) Chelsea
18 and 31 Odegaard, assist Xhaka 65 Madueke, assist Kovacic
34 Gabriel Jesus
Yellows: Nil Kovacic, Gallagher Referee: R Jones
Played Tuesday 2 May 2023 at The Emirates Stadium, attendance 60,144.
If Arsenal needed to “bounce back” from losing top spot in the PL this was the PLDs match in which to do it. Once fierce competitors Chelsea are now down and out – outclassed, out played, out manoeuvred. At least they scored their second goal in 6 matches in Frank Lampard’s nightmare return. The Gunners went back to the top of the PL but only for 24 hours. Next day Manchester City beat PLDs’ West Ham United 3-0 to lead again with 79 points – one more than Arsenal and with a game in hand.
The next PLDs match is Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace on Coronation Day Saturday 6 May 2023. If ever Spurs needed a win, and indeed to win all four of their remaining fixtures, it is now. They have won this one 5 times out of the last 6, the defeat being on the opening day of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 3 April 2019 – how “Spursy”. Expect the same again as they are overtaken by Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion!
Until next time, “God save the King”, and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.