There is a F.A. Premier League (FAPL) Premier London derby (PLDs) match coming up this weekend but first some interesting points about our PLDs players in the England teams for the UEFA Nations League matches just completed. Congratulations to Tottenham Hotspurwhose much maligned Eric Deir, who scores important penalties as well as giving them away, won the Club’s 1000th England cap in the 2-1 win over Belgium. Harry Kane has since added two more. Only Manchester United (1,316) and Liverpool (1,162) players have historicallymade more England appearances, and only these three Clubs have more than 1000. England teams have fielded at least one United player each year continuously since 1976; Spurs since 1979; Liverpool since 1987; and Chelsea since 1994.
In his time as England Manager Gareth Southgate has given first caps to 5 Chelsea players; 2 from each of Spurs and West Ham United; 1 from Arsenal; and none from Fulham or Crystal Palace, which may be a sadness for their former England Manager Roy Hodgson.One of the Blues Southgate debutants Mason Mount scored the winner against Belgium albeit with a wicked deflection off Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld.
On to the PLDs match this weekend when Tottenham Hotspur will entertain West HamUnited at an empty Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday 18 October 2020. With Covid-19 figures now rising rapidly again grounds will be empty for some time to come. Honours have been fairly even in this fixture over the last four seasons: 2-0 in 2019-20; 0-1 in 2018-19; 1-1 in 2017-18; and 3-2 in 2016-17. This is reflected in the betting with Tottenham to win at odds of 8/13 and West Ham to win at odds of 9/2 (Betfair Sportsbook, correct at time of writing). Both teams need a win which for Spurs would be their first at home of this season and for the Hammers to consolidate their good start. Shall we see Gareth Bale on the pitch and David Moyes in the dugout? In any case best wishes to the visiting Manager for a return to good health.
Until next time remember “Hands, Face, Space” and keep safe, Andrew at PLDs.